SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a Contract for the Purchase of 1.2 acres of real property located at 2998 Lake Vista Drive Clearwater, FL 33759 as recorded in County O.R. Book 22911 Page 2161 therein the Public Records of Pinellas County, FL (Parcel Identification Number 08-29-16-00000-410-0100) by the City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department from Rachael Anne Brinson at the purchase price of $450,000.00 plus anticipated closing costs of up to $3,500 yielding a total expenditure not to exceed $453,500.00 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
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SUMMARY:
Said parcel as noted above is adjacent to Kapok Park consisting of approximately 1.2 acres (52,272 square feet) is surrounded on three sides by Kapok Park with over 706 feet of abutting property line along the north, south and west sides of the subject parcel.
This lot is vegetated and constitutes an appropriate and complementary expansion of the surrounding park. There are no existing plans to develop the property as the main purpose for purchasing the property is to preserve the property as an addition to Kapok Park. The purchase of this property will also increase access to Alligator creek for stormwater maintenance purposes.
An initial appraisal of the lot was completed on January 16, 2025, yielding a market value of $450,000.00 dollars.
Operating costs to maintain this property will be minimal ($3465 annually) as existing staff assigned to Kapok Park will provide any needed maintenance.
Funding for this purchase is coming from the Open Space/Recreation Facility Special Development Fund. It’s important to note that these funds may only be used for park land purchases. The purchase of this property will allow the city to utilize funds in a timely manner to purchase park property according to the Open Space Recreation Facility Land Ordinance under which these funds were collected and to which the use of such funds are still bound.
The purchase of this land is supported by numerous provisions of the City’s Comprehensive Plan found in the “Conservation & Coastal Management” and “Parks and Public Places” elements as well as the Community Development Code.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in Special Development Fund for this purchase. A second quarter budget amendment will transfer $275,000 of Open Space Impact Fees and $178,500 of Recreation Land Impact Fees from the Special Development Fund into project 315-93133, Park Land Acquisition.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
Approval of this parkland purchase supports several Strategic Plan Objectives, including:
• 1.2: Maintain public infrastructure, mobility systems, natural lands, environmental resources, and historic features through systematic management efforts.
• 1.3: Adopt responsive levels of service for public facilities and amenities, and identify resources required to sustain that level of service.
• 1.5: Embrace a culture of innovation that drives continuous improvement and successfully serves all our customers.
• 2.3: Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural experiences, tourism, and national sporting events.
• 3.1: Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower community pride and belonging.
• 4.1: Support proactive climate resiliency strategies based in science to protect natural and built environments from impacts associated with sea level rise.
• 4.3: Protect the conservation of urban forests and public green spaces to promote biodiversity and reduce our carbon footprint.
