Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Bertha Henry
Department: County Administration Division: Parks & Recreation
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution No. 2021-127 renaming Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area as “Kristin Jacobs Natural Area” pursuant to Section 18.43 of the Broward County Administrative Code: (Deferred from March 9, 2021 - Item No. 36)
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, RENAMING HILLSBORO PINELAND NATURAL AREA AS “KRISTIN JACOBS NATURAL AREA”; AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT SAME; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Commissioners Lamar P. Fisher and Mark D. Bogen, and Cosponsored by Senator Nan H. Rich and Commissioner Beam Furr)
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Why Action is Necessary
Pursuant to Section 18.43 of the Broward County Administrative Code, the naming of County-owned facilities requires approval of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, after the expiration of a 30-day period to allow for public input about the proposed name.
What Action Accomplishes
This action renames Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area as “Kristin Jacobs Natural Area”.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
At the Commission meeting on March 9, 2021, Agenda Item No. 36 was deferred to April 6, 2021, to accommodate Kristin Jacobs’ family.
Summary Explanation/Background
Parks and Recreation Division and Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department recommend approval of the above motion.
The Parks Foundation of Broward County has requested that Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area, located at 5991 Northwest 74th Place in Coconut Creek, Florida, be renamed “Kristin Jacobs Natural Area” to honor the memory and service of former Broward County Commissioner and Florida State Representative Kristin Jacobs.
Kristin Jacobs was well recognized for her passion and advocacy in the protection, restoration, and enhancement of the natural environment. Just two years into her tenure as County Commissioner, she supported the 2000 Safe Parks and Land Preservation Bond Program, the $400 million bond issue approved by voters in November 2000. Through this program, Broward County successfully acquired more than 1,100 acres of conservation lands, green spaces, and open spaces. Broward County Parks and Recreation was able to add 153.87 acres of preserved natural areas, including the 11.68-acre Hillsboro Pineland Addition. Always a staunch ally of Broward County Parks and Recreation Division, Kristin was instrumental in securing Deeds of Restrictive Covenants over each Broward County park property, establishing protection so they could be used only for park purposes.
In 2003, Kristin Jacobs led the creation of the NatureScape Broward program, an initiative that promotes water resource protection and the creation of native habitats within the urban environment. This effort has resulted in more than 3,000 NatureScape certified landscapes across Broward County and certification by the National Wildlife Federation of the County and 15 municipalities, the first of which was the City of Coconut Creek, as Community Wildlife Habitats. Features of Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area include nature trails, bicycle paths, and rich native vegetation that serves as host plants for diverse species of native butterflies and habitat for local and migratory wildlife, qualities that provide a natural tribute to Kristin Jacobs and the NatureScape Broward program.
Another asset of Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area is the rehydrated wetland at the center of the property, a project which then-Commissioner Jacobs oversaw during the years she served as chair of the Broward County Water Advisory Board. She was a champion for nearly a dozen similar wetland rehydration projects in the northern part of the County. She would later lead efforts to advance a much larger, multijurisdictional water resource development project, the C-51 Reservoir, a regional alternative water supply project that is now coming to fruition nearly 15 years later. Kristin Jacobs was a strong advocate for coordinated and efficient water resource management to benefit urban and natural system needs, and, in addition to chairing the Water Advisory Board, she served as Chair of the Broward Water Resources Task Force and helped to launch the Broward Leaders Water Academy, which has become a state model for engaging decision makers in science-based decision making.
During her time as a County Commissioner, Kristin Jacobs’ environmental focus extended beyond the boundaries of the County. In 2009, she led the development of the four-county Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, a model for collaboration and joint action among local governments in addressing the shared challenges that climate change presents for our entire region and across the state.
These are but a few of the environmental initiatives led by Kristin Jacobs, each of which will undoubtedly provide long lasting positive benefits for all of Broward County.
Kristin Jacobs represented District 2 on the Broward County Commission for 16 years (1998 2014), including one term as Mayor. Dedication of this unique pineland and rich natural area will provide recognition of her environmental leadership on behalf of Broward County residents. This site is considered particularly fitting because many of its features are emblematic of the specific programs and principles for which Kristin was a recognized champion. Kristin Jacobs died on April 11, 2020.
Section 18.43 of the Broward County Administrative Code requires Board approval for naming Broward County-owned property, buildings, structures, and facilities after the end of a 30-day period to allow for any public input about the proposed name. On January 26, 2021, the Board approved Item No. 29 to Note for the Record the proposed renaming of the property, which started the 30-day public input period.
The proposed Resolution, if adopted, would rename the Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area to the “Kristin Jacobs Natural Area” and authorize the County Administrator to take all administrative actions necessary to implement this Resolution.
Approval of this item was requested by the Parks Foundation of Broward County (Exhibit 2). Letters of support (Exhibits 3 and 4) were received from the City of Coconut Creek and the City of Parkland. Community response was solicited by Broward County staff in October 2020 (Exhibits 5 and 6).
Source of Additional Information
Dan West, Director, Parks and Recreation, 954-357-8106
Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Chief Resiliency Officer and Deputy Director, Environmental Protection & Growth Management Department, 954-519-1464
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The cost to replace signage at the site is estimated at $4,240, which will be allocated in Parks and Recreation’s General Operating Funds.