Item I4
lAND AUTHORITY GOVERNING BOARD
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: February 18, 2004
Bulk Item: Yes No X
Department: Land Authority
Agenda Item Wording: Approval to add the Heron House property to the Acquisition List as an
affordable housing site in partnership with the US Fellowship of Florida.
Item Background: The Heron House, located at 1320 Coco Plum Drive in Marathon, is a 16-bed
assisted living facility that provides permanent affordable housing for persons with severe mental
illness. The facility is owned by a New York not-for-profit corporation and is leased and operated by the
US Fellowship of Florida, a Florida non-profit corporation. The property owner has indicated a desire to
sell the property. The owner has not identified an asking price at this time but the facility operators
suggest the price may be approximately $700,000. The City of Marathon has adopted a resolution of
support for this acquisition.
The addition of property to the Acquisition List is a preliminary, non-binding step indicating the Board's
desire to pursue acquisition. Further Board action is required before entering into a purchase contract.
Advisory Committee Action: On January 29, 2004 the Advisory Committee voted 3/0 to approve
adding the property to the Acquisition List.
Previous Governing Board Action: None. This is the first time the Land Authority has considered
adding an assisted living facility to the Acquisition List.
Contract/Agreement Changes: NIA
Staff Recommendation: The property is worthy of public acquisition. However, the staff has
reservations as to whether the Land Authority is the appropriate acquisition entity.
Total Cost: $ To be determined
Budgeted: Yes
No
Cost to land Authority: $ To be determined
Source of Funds:
Approved By: Attorney ~ County Land Steward
~. ~r~h
Executive Director Approval:
Documentation: Included: X
To Follow:
Not Required:
Disposition:
Agenda Item LA #4
Ikron Housl!
l20 ('oco Plum Dri\'c
\b,.alhon, [ll, ,3050
(10S) 74,-4129
hI,: nOS) 74,-5117
'llcock Apartments
.24 Spalding COUlt i!4
~<:y iVc>t. 1'1, :B040
nOS) 295-g693
i'-ax: (305) 295-7609
u.s. FELLOWSHIP OF FLORIDA
RECEIVED f~,.lV C)
'" 1 20D
Providing Long-term Re,sidelltial Carefor tlte !lfellta/~l' III
1320 Coco Plum Dove, Marathon. FL 33050
November 20, 2003
Mark Rosch, Executive Director
Monroe County Land Authority
1200 Truman Avenue, Suite 207
Key West, Florida 33040
Dear Mr. Rosch:
The U.S. Fellowship of Florida, Inc. (USFF) requests the assistance of the Moproe
County Land Authority in 'purchasing -a property in the city of Marathon to provide
permanent affordable housing for 16 male and female Monroe County residents
diagnosed with severe mental illness: A City of-Marathon Resolution supporting this is
attached.
USFF is a Florida Not-for-Profit corporation with a federal tax exemption under section
50l(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We currmtlyoperate a 16 bed facility, in
Marathon, at 1320 Coco Plum Drive,-the Heron-HOuse, a Florida licensed- Assisted
Living Facility; as well asa 24 bedfucility in Key West; the Peacock Apartments. T4ese
are the only permanent residential serVices available iri: the county for adult men and
women who have a mental illn,ess.
USFF is managed by a volunteer.Board ofDitectors ofMoIiroe County residents. We
operate only in this county,: and are not affiliated with.any:regional, state or nati9nal
organization.
We have rented the Heron House forI 5 years; where we have offered the services we
now provide, and now wish to purchase the property. It is identified as: Lots 5, 6, and 7,
Block 4, Coco Plum Beach, Plat-Book 4, page 166, Monroe County Recqrds.
The owner of the property, Fellowship Foundation, Inc.; a New York corporation, h~s a
strong desire to sell it, if not to USFF, then to others who would not continue its current
use. Without financial assistance, USFF is not abte to -purchase the property. With
sufficient assistance, we could carry a mortgage debt as owner, and continue to
operate as we now do.
Our residents receive regular Social Security or SSDisability Income, plus food stamps.
A few have low wage part time jobs, and all qualify for low income affordable housing.
s~~
Robert McNally, President
.01/20/2004 80:1S
305-28'3-4131
CIT'! ':LEf"f< COD:: EtJF
PAGE 02/07
Sponsored by: Mearns
CITY OF MARATHON, FLORIDA
RESOLlTTION 2003-130
A RESOLlJTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MARA THON, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE UNITED
FELLOWSHIP OF FLORIDA REQUEST TO THE MONROE
COUNTY LAND AUTHORITY FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE
PURCHASE OF THE BUILDING AND PROPERTY LoeA TED AT
1320 COCO PLIJM DRIVE
WHEREAS, the City of Marathon, Florida seeks to ensure affordable housing and
proper medical management for those suffering from chronic mental illness; and
'VHEREAS, this property is, and \\.'ill continue to be, a fully licensed Assisted
Living Facility providing affordable housing for the disabled. mental1y ill of Monroe
County; and
WHEREAS, affordable housing and proper daily care are beyond the means of
citizens suffering from mental illness; a..ttd
WHEREAS, affordable housing offered by the United States Fellowship of
Florida helps prevent homelessness and provides proper nutrition and a healthy living
environment.
NOW, mEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF MARATHON, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. Council supports the United Fellowship of Florida request to Monroe
County Land Authority for assistance in the purchase of the building and property located
at 1320 Coco Plum Drive.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
THE CITY OF MARATHON, FLORIDA
~
.. --,-' . ". ...-:..... "-- -.
Ran . earns, Mayor
.01/20/2004 00:10
305-289-4131
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PAGE 133/07
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Bartus, Pinkus, Repetto, Worthington, Mearns
None
None
None
(City Seal)
APPROVED AS TO FOR.M: A~U LEGALITY FOR THE USE
AND RELIANCE OF THE CITY OF MARATHON, FLORIDA ONLY:
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