1998-08 Lake Okeechobee PreservationRESOLUTION NO. 98-08
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA SUPPORTING
FLORIDA HEARUAND RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
(FHREDn APPLICATION FOR FUNDING UNDER THE SUSTAINABLE
LAKE OKEECHOBEE INITIATIVE.
WHEREAS, Florida Heartland Rural Economic Development initiative (FHREDI) is a six -county
regional rural county coalition with member counties including Okeechobee, Highlands,
Hendry, Glades, Hardee and DeSoto; and
WHEREAS, FHREDI has the responsibility for project development and management of the Pearce
Homestead Property, AKA the Enda Pearce Lockett Estate; and
WHEREAS, project development is for the historic site to be a multi -use facility focusing on
Ecotourism, Heritage Tourism, and Agitourism; and
WHEREAS, the Welcome Center planned for the main house will promote regional Ecotourism,
Heritage Tourism, and Agritourism attractions and events; and
WHEREAS, the structures have been evaluated for present condition and assessed for
preservation/renovation and certain stabilization and renovation work must be accomplished
to provide for public visitation; and
WHEREAS, limited public access to the property for scheduled special events and social activities
will build community-based interest with volunteer and financial support for major
restoration/preservation projects; and
WHEREAS, project development will support sustainable economic development compatible with
environmental and cultural preservation; and
WHEREAS, the funding requests meeting the criteria of the sustainable Lake Okeechobee initiative
submitted in the grant proposal by FHREDI will support limited public access to the property
for scheduled events and greatly enhance total project development.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Okeechobee City Council does support
and urge favorable consideration for approval of the Sustainable Lake Okeechobee Initiative
Grant Application submitted by Florida's Heartland REDI, Inc.
INTRODUCED and ADOPTED this I' day of September, 1998.
TEST:
Bonnie S,.Thomn,'CIVIC, City Clerk
APPROVF'1B FOR I -l± SUFFICIENCY:
..
John R. Cook, City Attorney
James E. Kirk, Mayor