Loading...
BCC Minutes 11/05/2013 W (Landscape Program Design Standards and Funding Plan/Future Uses & Maintenance of Conservation Collier Lands) BCC WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES November 5, 2013 November 5, 2013 MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP MEETING NAPLES, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 5, 2013 LET IT BE REMEMBERED the Board of County Commissioners in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 1 :00 PM in a WORKSHOP SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex, Naples, Florida with the Following members present: Chairwoman: Georgia Hiller Vice Chairman: Tom Henning Donna Fiala Fred Coyle (Excused) Tim Nance ALSO PRESENT: Leo Ochs, County Manager Jeff Klatzkow, County Attorney Troy Miller, TV Operations Manager Tim Durham, Executive Manager, Corporate Business Operations Nick Casalanguida, Administrator, Growth Management Division Mark Isaackson, Director of Corporate Finance Steve Carnell, Administrator, Facilities Management Alex Sulecki, Coordinator, Conservation Collier Melissa Hennig, Sr. Environmental Specialist 1 COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners l �/ ) WORKSHOP AGENDA Board of County Commission Chambers Collier County Government Center 3299 Tamiami Trail East,3rd Floor Naples FL 34112 November 5,2013 1:00 P.M. Georgia Hiller-BCC Chairwoman;BCC Commissioner,District 2 Tom Henning-BCC Vice-Chairman;BCC Commissioner,District 3 Donna Fiala-BCC Commissioner,District 1;CRAB Vice-Chairman Fred W.Coyle-BCC Commissioner,District 4 Tim Nance-BCC Commissioner,District 5;CRAB Chairman 1. Pledge of Allegiance 2. County Landscape Program Design Standards and Funding Plan 3. Future Uses and Maintenance Considerations for Conservation Collier Lands 4. Public Comment 5. Adjourn Notice: All persons wishing to speak must turn in a speaker slip. Each speaker will receive no more than three(3)minutes. Collier County Ordinance No.2003-53 as amended by Ordinance 2004-05 and 2007-24,requires that all lobbyists shall,before engaging in any lobbying activities(including but not limited to,addressing the Board of County Commissioners),register with the Clerk to the Board at the Board Minutes and Records Department. November 5, 2013 Any persons in need of the verbatim record of the meeting may request a copy of the video recording from the Collier County Communications and Customer Relations Department or view online. 1. Pledge of Allegiance Chairwoman Hiller called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. County Landscape Program Design Standards and Funding Plan Nick Casalanguida,Administrator, Growth Management Division presented the slideshow "Collier County Landscape Beautification Master Plan" dated 1 1/5/13 for information purposes. The plan outlined the costs and benefits associated with the County's program for landscaping and maintaining roadway medians. The presentation identified the costs of installing and maintaining landscaping in medians currently lacking those improvements, and the costs associated for maintenance of medians currently landscaped. The Board highlighted the following during discussions: Chairwoman Hiller The concept of developing "District MSTU's"whereby a base level standard is established and maintained by the County with the District MSTU retaining the option to fund and improve above the base standard. The concept could allow for different standards for individual areas/districts based on the primary users of the areas (tourist vs. general public traffic). Commissioner Fiala Reported there was a County wide MSTU for landscaped median with the goal of beautification of the entire community. The concept was to increase tourism, property values and so the region would be more attractive for persons residing in the County or those investigating areas to relocate/retire. She expressed concern the expenditures on maintenance have decreased over the years leading to a decline in the standards. This decline has negatively impacted the visual appearance of the medians. Funding should be increased so the level of service provided by the County meets a higher aesthetic standard for residents and visitors. Commissioner Henning Reported it would be advantageous to set standards for design and maintenance so the County maintains a consistent level of appearance. He recommended any proposed and existing landscape areas be analyzed to determine if long term maintenance and irrigation costs can be reduced by replacing the grass sod with some type of mulch. Commissioner Nance Supports landscaping medians but expressed concern over the long term direct financial costs to the County in order to maintain the areas. The current design standards promote "overplanting" of areas and the County may not be proactive in developing designs which seek to minimize demand for irrigation water and fertilizer applications. Consideration should be given to 2 November 5, 2013 altering landscape designs to address the issue. This would aid in ensuring water quality of the areas estuaries, etc. is not negatively affected by pollution caused by stormwater runoff from landscaped areas. Staff reported there is an ongoing effort to design landscaped areas so the demand for irrigation water and fertilizer is minimized. In currently landscaped medians, the demand for these resources is less than the standards developed by the South Florida Water Management District. The County is diligent in utilizing time release fertilizers to reduce the probability nutrients exiting the intended area of application. The Board requested County Staff to review the concepts for completing median landscaping projects and related maintenance including developing a base level of standards and objectives for the County, with existing or future MSTU's paying for service above the base level should they so desire. The report should address any options available to reduce demand for irrigation water and fertilizer applications. Speakers Cheryl Young requested consideration be given to landscaping the median along Collier Blvd. north of US41 in South Naples. Bob Krasowski supports the landscaped median program with consideration being given to engaging in different approaches based on geographic locations to maximize goals and minimize negative affects on the environment due to possible runoff of pollutants. Amber Crooks, Conservancy of Southwest Florida recommended consideration be given to incorporating Florida Yards and Neighborhoods best management practices in the designs. Ellen Goetz commended staff on the management of landscaped areas including narrowing the scope of plantings in the medians and reducing fertilizer and water demands. Diane Ebert overall long term goals should be considered as opposed to short term aesthetics whereby mature plants are installed, close together compromising the long term quality of plantings in the areas. 3. Future Uses and Maintenance Considerations for Conservation Collier Lands Alex Sulecki, Conservation Collier Coordinator presented the slideshow"Conservation Collier" dated 11/4/13 and which outlined the history and current financial status of the program. She also provided the "Conservation Collier Program Public Amenity Work Plan—May 2011, Updated July 2012" and "Collier County Resolution No. 2002 -265" for information purposes. The Board reviewed the data focusing on the financial projections developed for the program. The Board reached consensus the budget should be amended to eliminate the line item for funding contributions to the Gordon River Green way, City of Naples Bridge. The Board expressed concern over the projected shortfall of funds for capital improvements and long term maintenance of lands in the Program given the current financial projections. Discussion occurred on the following items: • Existing sources of funding and avenues to reduce costs including: 0 Interest rate projections going forward. 3 November 5, 2013 0 The status of mitigation bank revenue. 0 The status of cattle leases. 0 The status of oil, gas and mineral rights available on Pepper Ranch or other properties. 0 The feasibility of transferring properties (donations, etc.) to outside agencies (i.e. Caracara Preserve to CREW, Shell Island Preserve to Rookery Bay Estuary). 0 The concept of liquidating specific properties. 0 The concept of land swaps with other parties. 0 The provision of capital improvements on properties is discretionary under the ordinance. • The status of the existing advisory committee and the sunset requirement. • The feasibility of reconstituting the CLAAC given the primary focus of the program going forward may be maintenance of properties. The Board requested staff to review the financial status of the program including investment opportunities and potential revenues from mitigation banks, etc. and adjust financial projections as necessary and provide an updated report to them. The report should identify the funds available to the program for maintenance and capital improvements so a determination may be made if any capital improvements should be delayed until adequate funding is available. Also, identify any opportunities for sale, donation or "swap"of properties to outside parties. Commissioner Fiala noted it may be prudent where possible, to incorporate economic and public benefits in areas of water quality preservation, improved wildlife habitats, etc. into the analysis. Staff to meet individually with Commissioners to provide overview of the report prior to the item being considered by the BCC. Speakers Nancy Payton, Florida Wildlife Federation requested no action be taken on the ordinance and program until the analysis is completed. She commended staff and committee on their contribution to the citizens of Collier County. Marisa Carrozzo, Conservancy of Southwest Florida recommended the committee not sunset and continues with quarterly meetings. This would be beneficial should future acquisition opportunities arise. Brad Cornell, Collier County Audubon Society reported most of the acquisitions were for vital reasons including protecting wildlife habitat and water quality. The program has been successful and recommends a public referendum on the program be undertaken in 2016. Ellen Goetz noted the Program is successful and is the result of the voters "taxing themselves" and the program should continue with an identified revenue stream. Bob Krasowski recommended a decision on the program should not be made until input from the voters has been received. Ellie Krier, Southwest Florida Land Preservation Trust commended the work of staff and advisory committee and recommended they continue as there is an acquisition on the Cycle 8 4 November 5, 2013 priority list which will provide parking for the Gordon River Greenway, Conservation Collier Lands. Bill Poteet, Chairman, Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Committee addressed the Board and reported the committee provides a valuable avenue for citizen input on the program. Sunsetting it would severely reduce the public conduit to county staff and the BCC on issues affecting the program. The Board reported the activities of the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee should be suspended until an analysis of the program has been completed by the BCC. 4. Public Comment None There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the chair at 4:15 P.M. / CO R COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY C M �IS ONERS l 'K j %�.. Clii.11VomA,IGeorgia Hiller ATTEST , r,rg DWIGHT`E: BROCI(, CLERK • Attest as to Chairman s signature onl,� These minutes approved by the Board/Committee on k 211 \.3 as presented �� or as amended . 5