Minutes - 20060209 - Laserfiche WebLink

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a. Potential Agricultural Activities on Lands Legacy Properties The Board received a report from staff an the potential {current and future) far agricultural activities on certain Lands Legacy properties and provided direction to staff. Dave Stancil said that this is a report about a possible win-win scenario on some of the lands in the Lands Legacy Program that have had or currently have agricultural activities. There may be possibilities for Orange County to achieve revenues through lease of lands for agricultural operations. There may also be opportunities for farmers to acquire income. The staff has prepared a report on four properties that are land banked for future park use or adjunct uses. These are lands that are managed by staff in conjunction with Recreation and Parks. The four properties are outlined beginning on page 4. He reviewed the details of each property. The properties are: Future New Hope Park at Historic Blackwood Farm, Future Millhouse Road Park, Northern ParklNorthern Human Services Center, and Future Twin Creeks Park. Most of the proposed agricultural uses on these properties include hay and forestry. Dave Stancil said that if they were to place the farm fields at the New Hape Park and Millhouse Road Park into activity and lease those, they might be looking at 55-62 acres and possible annual revenue of $990-1,550. He made reference to the salmon colored handout, which has information on opportunities for bio-solids at some of these places. This is a memo from OWASA about their bio-solids application. This is an idea to explore. In conclusion there are two approaches that could be used: negotiate with the farmer currently providing the service to see what lease rate could be agreed to; and undertake the lease solicitation process, sending a mailing to a master list of farmers noting the opportunity, reviewing and selecting the offer that best meets the County's needs and presenting the lease for approval. Dave Stancil said that they would suggest trying to set this up and be in position for the fall growing season so that the activities would be in place far 2007. Commissioner Halkiotis thanked the staff. He likes this and he would like more information on square bailing and round bailing. Dave Stancil said that round baling is more popular but the square bailing is used for horses and a lot of people are switching to this. Commissioner Halkiotis suggested asking Geof Gledhill about the legal liabilities of having others running agricultural equipment on Orange County lands and what is the County's liability if someone gets hurt. Commissioner Gordan made reference to the table on page 9 and the feasibility. She suggested removing the Northern Human Services Center since agricultural activity is unlikely. She also suggested not doing agricultural activities at Twin Creeks either because it is on schedule for park construction. She would rather concentrate on the two others and doing the hay operation. Commissioner Carey agreed with Commissioner Gordon an removing the two properties. Commissioner Carey asked if they permitted OWASA to use some of our properties for bio-solids if it would increase the productivity and Dave Stancil said that it might increase the productivity, but it might not increase the revenue. Commissioner Foushee also supported removing Twin Creeks and Northern Park. Chair Jacobs said that he would still like answers about using the bio-solids on playing fields. If this is correct, then it opens up different opportunities. He thinks that this is important to nail down. He is also interested in Commissioner Halkiotis' question about liability. He also asked about who provided fertilizer and Dave Stancil said that over the last couple of years they have done some cost sharing arrangements with the farmer at Blackwood Farm. Most of the responsibilities tend to be with the farmer.