PLACEMENT: Consent
TITLE:
title
ADOPT A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AND APPROVING A DRAINAGE, ACCESS AND MAINTENANCE EASEMENT FROM RIVER WATCH PROPERTY OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, INC., TO SUPPORT THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE JENSEN BEACH MOSQUITO IMPOUNDMENT
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
This is a request for the adoption of a Resolution accepting and approving a Drainage, Access and Maintenance Easement from River Watch Property Owners Association, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit corporation (RWPOA), to provide Martin County access to certain land owned by RWPOA in St. Lucie County for the operation and maintenance of the existing outflow structures, exotic vegetation control, mosquito control, channel maintenance and maintenance of the access road, all in support of the Jensen Beach Mosquito Impoundment area.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PREPARED BY: Name: Carla T. Segura, FRP
Title: Real Property Manager
REQUESTED BY: Zach Hughes, Senior Project Manager, Environmental Resources Division
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
1. Documents Prepared by:
Martin County Real Property Division
1. Parties to Documents:
River Watch Property Owners Association, Inc., Grantor
Martin County, Grantee
2. Purpose:
To provide Martin County access for the operation and maintenance of the Jensen Beach Mosquito Impoundment Area
3. New/Renewal/Modified:
New
4. Duration:
Perpetual
5. Benefits to Martin County:
The County will have legal access to maintain the Jensen Beach Mosquito Impoundment area
6. Cost to Martin County:
Minimal recording fees
This project involves the establishment of a Martin County drainage, access and maintenance easement over privately owned property (Parcel ID 4511-815-0001-010-3) located in St. Lucie County, immediately north of the Martin County boundary. Historically, mosquito management activities within this area were conducted through informal coordination with the property owner, RWPOA, and St. Lucie County without a recorded drainage, access or maintenance agreement.
The proposed easement area includes seven water control structures, associated culvert pipes and an access road, all of which are essential for the continued operation and maintenance of the Jensen Beach Mosquito Impoundment. These facilities support ongoing mosquito control operations and environmental management functions that Martin County has performed for an extended period.
RWPOA has expressed a willingness to grant formalized access to Martin County for the continued management of the outfall structures, exotic vegetation control, mosquito control, channel maintenance and maintenance of the access roadway. Establishing a recorded easement will formalize long-standing operational practices, provide legal certainty for ongoing maintenance activities and ensure uninterrupted access to critical infrastructure.
Continued access to these facilities is necessary to maintain proper hydrologic function within the Jensen Beach Mosquito Impoundment, including effective water level management, conveyance capacity and drainage performance. Reliable maintenance also supports ecological integrity by enhancing native wetland vegetation, improving habitat conditions for fish and wading birds and promoting overall system resilience and environmental health.
Upon approval, the Drainage, Access and Maintenance Easement will be recorded in the official records of Martin County and St. Lucie County.
The Real Property Division has confirmed ownership of the property being conveyed, and there are no encumbrances or mortgages associated with the parcel.
Sections 139.31 and 139.32, General Ordinances, Martin County Code, require that any conveyance of an interest in land to Martin County for any public purpose shall be accepted and approved by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Martin County.
ISSUES:
None
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, and staff have identified and addressed legal risks and developed strategies for legal defensibility, as applicable.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
• Move that the Board adopt the Resolution accepting and approving the Drainage, Access and Maintenance Easement from River Watch Property Owners Association, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit corporation.
• Move that the Board authorize the Chair, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to complete the transaction.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Pull this item from the Consent Agenda and provide staff with alternative direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
Minimal recording fees.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☒Resolution
☐Other: