Placement: Second Reading of Ordinances
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Ordinance 24-85, Authorizing the Conveyance of 9.11 Acres of Real Property Owned by the City, to the School Board of St. Lucie County, in Accordance with a Land Swap Agreement between the City of Port St. Lucie and the School Board of St. Lucie County.
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Submitted By: City Manager’s Office
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of high-quality infrastructure and facilities.
Summary Brief (Agreements/Contracts only)
1. Prepared by: City Manager’s Office.
2. Parties: City of Port St. Lucie and the School Board of St. Lucie County.
3. Purpose: An exchange of properties to secure ownership by each in the delivery of services and/or expansion of services benefiting the citizens of the City of Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County.
4. New/Renewal/Modified: New.
5. Duration: Permanent conveyance of identified properties. The Land Swap Agreement provides for a 90-day inspection period, with the closing to occur 30 days after the expiration of the inspection period.
6. Benefits to Port St. Lucie: To enable expansion of recreational and related services available to residents currently offered by the City of Port St. Lucie and consideration of new, yet to be determined, public services deemed appropriate for this venue.
7. Cost to Port St. Lucie (Annual and Potential): Per “Section 3” of the attached “Land Swap Agreement,” the parties agree that the School Board land will be conveyed to the City for the sum of $1,050,000.00 paid to the School Board by the City of Port St. Lucie, as well as in exchange for the City conveying two City-owned properties to the School Board.
Presentation Information: Staff will provide a brief visual presentation of the properties involved in the exchange.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the Ordinance authorizing the conveyance of the City Land to the School Board in accordance with the Land Swap Agreement between the City of Port St. Lucie and the School Board of St. Lucie County.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and provide staff direction.
2. Move that the Council not approve the recommendation.
Background: In the years following the closing of Port St. Lucie Elementary School, located at 198 NW Marion Ave., the Parks & Recreation (P&R) staff had informal conversations with St. Lucie Public School District staff to explore the possibility of acquiring the 15.4-acre school site to enlarge or possibly redevelop Sportsman’s Park and Sportsman’s Park West. In 2022, School District staff approached P&R staff with a proposed “land swap” involving multiple properties, including the old PSL Elementary School site. Parks & Recreation staff recommends approval of the agreement that will bring the former school site into the City’s property inventory. Acquiring the 15.4-acre property will allow the planning and future development of infrastructure and facilities that will alleviate some of the use pressures the City is currently experiencing around Sportsman’s Park, including vehicle traffic and parking issues, a deficit of sports fields, land for a future recreation center and/or community center, and lighted practice areas.
Issues/Analysis: As cited above, conveyance of the City Land to the School Board and acquisition of School Board Land will enable the City to expand sports and recreational facilities in the City’s “River Park” north-central zone along the easily accessible Prima Vista corridor.
Financial Information: On September 19, 2024, the City Manager “ear marked” funding identified by OMB in General Fund Reserves to cover the $1,050,000 expense associated with this transaction between the City of Port St. Lucie and the St. Lucie County School District.
Special Consideration: N/A
Location of Project: Former Port St. Lucie Elementary School, 198 NW Marion Ave., Manatee Academy K-8, 1450 SW Heatherwood Blvd., Oak Hammock K-8, 1251 SW California Blvd.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance
2. Exhibit A to Ordinance - Land Swap Agreement.
3. Powerpoint visual of school locations included in the Agreement.
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 24180-04
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Margaret M. Carland, Senior Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, City Attorney.