EAC Minutes 06/05/2013 2013 Environmental
Advisory Council
Minutes
June 5 , 201. 3
June 5,2013
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Naples, Florida, June 5, 2013
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Collier County Environmental Advisory
Council, in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein,
met on this date at 9:00 A.M. in REGULAR SESSION at Administrative
Building "F," 3rd Floor, Collier County Government Complex Naples, Florida
with the following members present:
CHAIRMAN: Andrew Dickman
VICE CHAIRMAN: Gary McNally
Michael V. Sorrell
Brian Doyle
Patricia Forkan
ALSO PRESENT: Heidi Ashton-Cicko, Assistant County Attorney
Summer Araque, Sr. Environmentalist Specialist
Bill Lorenz, Director, Natural Resources Department
Jerry Kurtz, Stormwater and Environmental Planning Manager
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June 5, 2013
I. Call to Order
Mr.Dickman called the meeting to order at 9:00AM.
II. Roll Call
Roll call was taken and a quorum was established.
III. Approval of Agenda
Mr. Sorrell moved to approve the Agenda. Second by Mr. McNally. Carried
unanimously S-0.
IV. Approval of the May 1,2013 meeting minutes
Mr. McNally moved to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2013 meeting as presented.
Second by Mr. Sorrell. Carried unanimously S—0.
V. Upcoming Environmental Advisory Council Absences
Ms. Forkan will not be present for the July meeting.
VI. Land Use Petitions
None
VII. New Business
A. Environmental Advisory Council and Planning Commission Consolidation
Mr. Dickman reported the item has been placed on the Agenda as it has been brought
to his attention the BCC is giving consideration to consolidating the EAC with the
CCPC. The following was noted under Council discussion:
• To ensure government functions efficiently and meets the demands of the
public,periodic review of processes are a favorable idea.
• Concern, if a consolidation occurs, environmental issues may not be
adequately addressed unless the CCPC is structured properly.
• Concern, if consolidation occurs, adequate Staff resources may not be
dedicated to environmental issues associated with land development
applications or other issues.
• Concern expressed on the diminishing role of the EAC given recent changes
in the Ordinance governing them, and some recommendations following their
review of land development applications have not been adopted in the final
approval.
• Concern the EAC was not notified about, or requested to,provide input on the
proposal to consolidate the two bodies.
• The consolidation should provide an avenue for land development projects to
be reviewed comprehensively addressing all aspects of a proposed project
including the environmental impacts.
Mr.McNally provided a written statement addressing the proposal which outlined
how the EAC is a vital component in the review process and should be allowed to
continue
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June 5, 2013
Speaker
Bob Krasowski addressed the Council expressing concern on the County's
diminished attitude towards maintaining the quality of the environmental, especially
the recently approved major beach renourishment project and its lack of consideration
on the impacts of turtle nesting season. The local environmental groups are not a
strong enough voice for the citizens of the County and the public relies on parties like
the EAC to ensure environmental issues are addressed in land development
applications. He does not support the proposed consolidation and recommends the
Council provide this recommendation to the CCPC and BCC.
Discussion occurred on if the Council should oppose the consolidation.
Chairman Dickman noted the decision is the responsibility of the BCC who
provides direction to advisory groups and the Councils focus should be on carrying
any tasks assigned by County officials. He recommended members individually
provide input on the proposal if they so desire.
In conclusion,the Council agreed the proposal could benefit the County and its
residents if it is implemented properly with a strong environmental aspect built into
the consolidation.
Chairman Dickman moved the following recommendations to the Collier County
Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners:
1. If it is determined the Environmental Advisory Council should continue to
function, their role is expanded to allow for a more comprehensive
environmental review of land development applications.
2. If it is determined the Environmental Advisory Council should be consolidated
with the Collier County Planning Commission, the following is recommended:
a) The membership be balanced with adequate environmental representation
(i.e., if the CCPC is comprised of 7 members, 3 members be environmentally
qualified;if it is comprised of 9 members, 4 members be environmentally
qualified).
b) The minimum qualifications for an environmental member are expertise in
surface/ground water quality and threatened/endangered species as well as
knowledge of other environmental agency's regulations.
c) The CCPC have a strong focus on implementing the Watershed
Management Plan.
d) The purpose of the consolidation should not be for a quicker land use
application process, but to protect the environment and the County's natural
resources and review projects comprehensively.
e) Adequate Staff be dedicated to perform an environmental review of land
development applications and other applicable Agenda items and they be
made available to provide input at any CCPC hearings.
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June 5, 2013
J) Any CCPC Staff reports prepared for land development applications and
other applicable Agenda items should contain a section dedicated to
environmental review
g) Require any cases heard by the Hearing Examiner to be reviewed by County
Environmental Staff with input at the hearing as necessary.
h) Any proposals for consolidation of the two bodies to be vetted by the EAC.
Second by Mr. Sorrell. Carried unanimously S—0.
VIII. Old Business
None
IX. Council Member Comments
A. Land Development Code and Growth Management Plan Subcommittee—
Finalize Low Impact Development Report
Chairman Dickman provided the"Low Impact Development—DRAFT 6/4/2013"
for consideration. He noted the draft was developed by the Subcommittee.
During Council discussions,the following changes were recommended:
• Page 1 —Relocate "Introduction"section to the top and add title "Legal
Basis"to the first three paragraphs.
• Page 2,paragraph 2, line 3—to read "...allowing streams and receiving
waters to meet water quality...."
• Page 2,paragraph 2, line 3—add sentence "Four out of five County Estuaries
are in violation of clean water standards"or similar language.
• Page 2 paragraph 2, line 2 to read"Anticipating future growth, Collier County
adopted policies in its GMP..."
• Page 2,paragraph 2, line 5 -to read"...should make recommendations to
incentivize and eventually regulate LID tools when reviewing
development..."
• Page 2,paragraph 2 -Delete last sentence"Examples of existing LIDs in the
County are shown at the end of this report.
• Page 3, paragraph 1, line 2 to read"...several goals, objectives and policies in
the "Lee Plan"promote green infrastructure and..."
Add the following recommendations to page 8 of the draft:
1. Dedicate sufficient funding and staffing to complete the Collier LID strategy
already underway by the staff-level working group described above.
2. Target the following LID techniques for initial implementation: bio retention
swales,pervious pavers, green roofs, stormwater harvesting, sunken landscape
islands in parking lots, and overflow grass parking areas.
3. Create a tax reduction incentive for any property owner that implements approved
LID techniques which reduce the stormwater impact on the public structural
stormwater management systems.
4. Establish an LID public information strategy.
5. Coordinate with the City of Naples to promote LID techniques to clean and
protect shared receiving waters and estuaries that are impacted by polluted
stormwater.
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June 5,2013
Mr. Sorrell moved to approve the draft and forward it to the Board of County
Commissioners and Collier County Planning Commission including a cover letter
to be prepared by the Chairman subject to the changes recommended above.
Second by Mr. McNally. Carried unanimously S—0.
B. Update Members on Projects
None
X. Staff Comments
None
XI. Public Comments
None
There being no further business for the good of the County,the meeting was adjourned
by the order of the Chair at 11:38 AM.
COLLIER COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY
COUNCIL
Andrew Dickman, Chairman
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These Minutes were approved by the Board/Chairman on e ' ,
as presented ;. , or as amended %
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