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CCLAAC Minutes 07/08/2013 2013 Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Board Minutes July 8 , 2013 July 8, 2013 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CONSERVATION COLLIER LAND ACQUISITION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Naples, Florida, July 8, 2013 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, net on this date at 9:00 A.M. in REGULAR SESSION at Administrative Building"F", 3 ' Floor, Collier County Government Complex Naples, Florida with the following members present: CHAIRMAN: Bill Poteet VICE CHAIRMAN: Clarence Tears, Jr. Tony Pires (Excused) Jeremy Sterk Lauren Gibson Tracy Dewrell Todd Allen John Burton, II (Vacancy) ALSO PRESENT: Alexandra Sulecki, Conservation Collier Coordinator, Program Manager Jennifer Belpedio, Assistant County Attorney Melissa Hennig, Sr. Environmental Specialist Christal Segura, Environmental Specialist 1 July 8,2013 I. Roll Call Chairman Poteet called the meeting to order at 9:00AM. Roll call was taken and a quorum was established. IL Approval of Agenda Mrs. Gibson moved to approve the Agenda. Second by Mr.Sterk. Carried unanimously 7-0. M. Approval of April 8,2013 minutes Mrs. Gibson moved to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2013 meeting as presented. Second by Second by Mr. Tears. Carried unanimously 7—0. IV. Old Business A. Gordon River Greenway Project Status Ms. Sulecki provided the document"Gordon River Greenway Project Update As of 6/25113" dated July 8, 2013 for information purposes and provided an update on the project. Speaker Ellie Krier,Southwest Florida Land Preservation Trust addressed the Committee requesting a member of the CCLAAC (Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee)be appointed to assist the Design Team in developing signage for the project. The purpose is to ensure the signage is consistent throughout the site. The Committee appointed Clarence Tears as the CCLAAC representative. B. Board Items Update 1. General Ms. Sulecki updated the Committee on past and future BCC meeting activities in relation to the Program highlighting the following: 4/9/13 —Approved forgiving the property taxes due for the Kania parcel. 4/23/13 --Clarence Tears,Jr. and John Burton, 11 were reappointed to the CCLAAC. 5/28/13 - Staff reported on the Pepper Ranch Mitigation Banks; approval of the Winchester Head and Red Maple Swamp interim Management Plans. 7/9/13 —Consideration of USDA Grant Requests for ditch blocks at Caracara Prairie Preserve to be installed by the lessee. 2. Public Meeting Ms. Sulecki reported the BCC has decided to hold a Workshop in October on the Conservation Collier Program. The date has not yet been determined. C. CCCLAAC Sunset Ms.Sulecki provided the Executive Summary "Recommendation to sunset the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisoty Committee"dated July 8,2013 for information purposes. Chairman Poteet expressed concern on the Board of County Commissioner timeline for the Workshop and recommended it be held before the next CCLAAC meeting. 2 July 8, 2013 Mr. Tears moved to request the Board of County Commissioners schedule the Workshop prior to the October 14, 2013 Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee meeting. Second by Mr. Dewrell. Carried unanimously 7-0. V. New Business A. Sunflower Festival Ms. Sulecki reported Staff is scheduling a Sunflower Festival on October 5,2013 (rain date October 13,2013) at Pepper Ranch in coordination with the Parks and Recreations Department. The event will include hikes, live music,food vendors and other adult and children's activities. B. Donor Recognition Policy Ms. Suleeki provided the document"Parks and Recreation and Conservation Collier Donor/Donation Recognition Policy"dated July 8,2013 for consideration. Mr.Dewrell moved to recommend the Board of County Commissioners approve the "Parks and Recreation and Conservation Collier Donor/Donation Recognition Policy." Second by Mr. Burton. Carried unanimously 7-0. C. Rivers Road Preserve Final Management Plan—Draft Ms. Segura provided the"Rivers Road Land Management Plan—July 2013 through July 2023" prepared by Collier County Staff—2013 for consideration. She reported the Lands Evaluation Subcommittee reviewed the Plan on 4/25/13 and 5/29/13. A public meeting was held on 6/25/13. Mr. Dewrell moved to recommend the Board of County Commissioners approve the "Rivers Road Land Management Plan—July 2013 through July 2023." Second by Mr. Burton. Carried unanimously 7-0. D. Melt-vane Marsh Updated interim Land Management Plan—Draft Ms. Sulecki provided the"Conservation Collier Mcilvane Marsh Road Land Management Plan" prepared by Collier County's Conservation Collier Program dated February 2013 for consideration. She noted public access will only be allowed with Staff present. There is no long term plan for public access to the site and the Plan will be effective until 2015. Mr. Dewrell moved to recommend the Board of County Commissioners approve the "Conservation Collier Meilvane Marsh Road Land Management Plan." Second by Mr. Burton. Carried unanimously 7-0, E. Camp Keais Strand parcels update Ms.Sulecki provided the update highlighting: • The South Florida Water Management District is conducting a West Region Land Assessment on their lands in an area which incorporates the subject properties. • Staff is considering the most optimal means to manage the parcels given there is no access to the properties. • Proposals were previously discussed where the properties may be transferred to other Conservation groups,however the CCLAAC was not in favor of the concept. July 8,2013 • Staff continues to develop a simplified Interim Management Plan as required by the Ordinance. • Staff recommends delaying any major decisions on the parcels until such time the SFWMD makes a determination on the course of action for their parcels in the area. The Committee requested Staff to develop the Interim Management Plan and present it to the Lands Evaluation Subcommittee for review. F. Pepper Ranch and Caracara Prairie Preserves Mitigation Update Ms.Henning reported Caracara Prairie Preserve is not eligible for Wetlands Mitigation credits. Ms.Sulecki provided an overview of the presentation she gave to the BCC on the application to establish a Wetlands Mitigation Bank and Panther Habitat Units at Pepper Ranch. She noted: • The application for the Wetlands Mitigation Bank was denied by the US Army Corps of Engineers. • In order to improve opportunities for establishing wetland mitigation credits,the County could choose to terminate the cattle lease and restrict public access to certain areas however analysis indicates the number of revenue from the credits generated will not outweigh the costs ascertain the credits. • Representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission indicate the site has the potential for Panther Habitat Units,however awarding the Units could compromise public access. • Based on the events, Staff recommends the following: • Abandoning the pursuit to establish a Wetlands Mitigation Bank. • Pursue Grants for wetlands restoration. • Investigate the feasibility of gaining approval of Panther Habitat Units on the property. VI. Coordinator Communications Ms. Sulecki reported: • Pepper Ranch-There have been recent improvements including installation of security cameras and a handicap access ramp for the lodge. • RESTORE Grant appleations(BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Funds) • Estimates indicate the County is eligible for between 2M and 20M dollars of Grant funds. • The applications for the Program include use of funds for Winchester Head and Red Maple Swamp land acquisitions($812,800 and$667,695 respectively),Pepper Ranch Southern Wetland Restoration and removal of exotics in the fight of way along Preserve properties. • A Committee has been established by the County to prioritize the projects requested by perspective Grant recipients. VII. Sub-Committee Meeting Reports A. Outreach—Tony Pires,Chair None. B. Lands Evaluation and Management Jeremy Sterk,Chair 4 Mb. July 8,2013 Mr. Sterk reported the Committee met on 5/9/13 and reviewed the Rivers Road Final Management Plan and the McIlvane Marsh Interim Management Plan, C. Ordinance Policy and Procedures—Bill Poteet,Chair Chairman Poteet reported the Subcommittee met on 6/18/13 where the sunsetting of the CCLAAC was discussed. VIII. Chair Committee Member Comments None IX. Public General Comments None X. Staff Comments Ms. Hennig reported Staff is accepting applications for a random drawing of hunting permits for events to be held at Pepper Ranch. The deadline for applications is August 21,2013. There being no further business for the good of the County,the meeting was adjourned by order of the chair at 1011A.M. Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee A/ tai,,,, - Bill Poteet,Chairman These minutes apprroved by the Board/Committee on 9-50 - as presented or as amended 5