Okaloosa County BOCC — May 23, 2016 — I. g. Estuary Program — reading text

TOURIST DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: May 23, 2016 TO: Tourist Development Council FROM: Ed Schroeder, Tourist Development Department Director Erika Zambello, Marine Economic & Tourism Development Resource Coord. SUBJECT: Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request approval of a memorandum of understanding with Eglin Air Force Base relating to establishing the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program. BACKGROUND: Northwest Florida estuaries and their associated natural resources provide boating, fishing, hunting, tourism, and other outdoor recreational and economic opportunities for citizens and visitors. Eglin AFB and the County desire to work together to improve the health of the Choctawhatchee Bay and the Choctawhatchee Bay watershed. The purpose of this Memorandum is to memorialize Eglin AFB’s support of the County’s applying for a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program. Pursuant to section E.200 of the TDD Manual, the Council shall review and provide a recommendation for all proposed contracts requiring Board approval. The attached draft contract has not yet been reviewed by the TDD attorney or made it through the County’s contract coordination process. However, the Council’s conceptual approval is requested at this time due to the timing of the grant application cycle. OPTIONS: Approve or Deny RECOMMENDATION TO BCC: Approve a memorandum of understanding with Eglin Air Force Base relating to establishing the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program, contingent upon TDD attorney approval and completion of the County’s contract coordination process.  MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE AND OKALOOSA COUNTY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ESTUARY PROGRAM This Memorandum of Understanding is made on this ___ day of ___________, 2016, between Eglin Air Force Base (“Eglin AFB”) and Okaloosa County, FL (“County”) for the purpose of achieving the various aims and objectives relating to the application to establish the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program (“Program”). NLY WHEREAS, Northwest Florida Estuaries and their associated natural resources provide boating, fishing, hunting, tourism, and other outdoor recreational and economic opportunities for citizens and visitors of Florida; and (among other counties); and O WHEREAS, the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary is located within Okaloosa County and Eglin AFB and the Choctawhatchee Bay watershed; and N WHEREAS, Eglin AFB and the County desire to improve the health of the Choctawhatchee Bay IO WHEREAS, Eglin AFB and the County wish to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to set consideration, the parties hereby agree as follows: SS forth each parties’ responsibilities and coordinated efforts necessary to establish the Program. NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein and other good and valuable Purpose U C The purpose of this Memorandum is to memorialize Eglin AFB’s support of the County applying for a Obligations of Parties IS grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program. D Both parties acknowledge that no contractual relationship is created by this Memorandum, but agree to work together to ensure that the appropriate leadership, administrative, and operational efforts are put forth R in order to ensure the Project’s success. Furthermore, this Memorandum can be terminated at any time, for O any reason, by either or both parties without recourse. The activities and services for the Program shall include, but are not limited to, the following: -F a. Eglin AFB shall offer advice when needed in the Program application process and support the purpose of the application. b. The County shall coordinate with Walton County and others in preparing the application for AF submittal. T __________________________________ ______________________________________ R DAVID A. HARRIS CHARLES K. WINDES, JR. D Brigadier General, USAF Commander, 96th Test Wing Chairman, Board of County Commissioners