Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Monica Cepero
Department: County Administration Division: Parks & Recreation
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO APPROVE acceptance of $5,000 in funding from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), as part of its Gopher Tortoise Habitat Management Assistance Funding Program, for the use and benefit of Broward County Parks and Recreation Division at Deerfield Island Park, to remove invasive trees within the gopher tortoise habitat; and authorize the County Administrator to execute any necessary documents subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney, and to take all necessary administrative action. (Commission District 2)
(Per the Tuesday Agenda Memorandum, withdrawn for further staff review.)
B. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution within the General Capital Outlay Fund to appropriate revenue of $5,000 for the removal of invasive plants within Deerfield Island Park. (Commission District 2)
(Per the Tuesday Agenda Memorandum, withdrawn for further staff review.)
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Why Action is Necessary
Section 20.17 of the Broward County Administrative Code requires approval of the Board of County Commissioners to appropriate unanticipated revenue.
What Action Accomplishes
Authorizes acceptance of funding from the FWC and appropriation of unanticipated revenue.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
This item supports the Commission’s value of encouraging investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices and environmental protection, and the related goal to seek funding for, implementing policies and pursuing projects promoting the use of alternative energy, resource conservation, sustainable practices and environmental protection. The FWC has designated Deerfield Island Park as a Critical Wildlife Area for gopher tortoises. Removal of the invasive Australian Pine trees will allow for the restoration of the gopher tortoises' habitat and the growth of native plant species which provide food for the tortoises.
To help facilitate habitat management, FWC requested projects from counties and municipalities that would optimize gopher tortoise carrying capacity on protected lands through appropriate habitat management. Section 13.91(l) of the Broward County Administrative Code provides for Parks and Recreation to coordinate activities with federal and state agencies and actively seek federal and state funding for park and recreation purposes. Acceptance of the FWC funding will benefit Parks and Recreation’s efforts to remove invasive plant species within the gopher tortoise habitat at Deerfield Island Park. The funds for the FWC’s Gopher Tortoise Habitat Management Project are derived from mitigation contributions for gopher tortoise conservation and are not subject to the Florida Single Audit.
Source of Additional Information
Dan West, Director, Parks and Recreation, 954-357-8106
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
$5,000 will be budgeted in the General Capital Outlay Fund for this project and supported by reimbursements from the FWC. No in-kind match is required.