Please find below the correspondence from the County Manager concerning tomorrow`s meeting. (Alachua County Commission to meet June 27, 2006 with an agenda item regarding SRWMD permitting of Walmart Super Center).
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 09:59:21 -0400
From: "Randall Reid" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "Mike Byerly" <[log in to unmask]>,
"Cynthia Chestnut" <[log in to unmask]>,
"Lee Pinkoson" <[log in to unmask]>,
"Paula DeLaney" <[log in to unmask]>,
"Rodney Long" <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: "Chris Bird" <[log in to unmask]>,<[log in to unmask]>,
<[log in to unmask]>, <qvettel@bellsouth>,
<[log in to unmask]>, <[log in to unmask]>,
<[log in to unmask]>, <[log in to unmask]>, <[log in to unmask]>,
<[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Wal-Mart Appearance At Next Commission Meeting
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Content-Disposition: inline Commissioners, Chairman Pinkoson and I have tried to reduce the June 27th Agenda at
your request to assure the Commission meeting can end no later than 1:00
PM. It is tight unless we are committed to get through it. However, Wal-Mart officials have expressed concerns to both Lee and I
about being blind-sided by the EPD on their concerns about the project.
I have offered an opportunity to set up meetings to discuss the
environmental community`s concerns and Wal-Marts willingness to address
some issues, with the City of Alachua`s involvement and participation.
Wal-Mart is concerned with negative media highlights, more importantly
getting an opportunity to be heard as they have a side of the story and
have plans to address some issues as well. Experts disagree on many
environmental solutions and retention techniques. Wal-Mart is concerned they were not given a chance to respond to the
last minute EPD presentation. They have also expressed that they did not
meet with EPD nor were they asked to meet with EPD and no EPD staff
attended the SRWMD meeting to voice their most recent concerns nor
conditions related in their letter approved by the Commission. The Chair has asked I place them on the agenda next Tuesday, June 27
2006 to be given an opportunity to discuss this issue publicly and their
corporate position. As you review the agenda be aware of this. In fairness the Commission needs to be aware that we had also some time
ago scheduled and removed from the June 27th agenda (due to last weeks
Wal-Mart discussion), a EPD presentation of the environmental dye
study`s of this area`s hydrology. This information was referred to by
some of the citizens and Mr Bird at the meeting. I have not replaced this water report item on the agenda. The Attorney and I continue to work with all parties this week and will
do so through Tuesday`s deadline.
Randall Reid
County Manager | 
