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CCLAAC Minutes 09/30/2013 2013 Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Board Minutes September 30 , 2013 FILED 043 tLOR10,4 "'W" UIC -4 PH 4: 19 September 30, 2013 CLERm MINUTES OF THE MEETIN'G8FcftscONSERVATION--COLLIER LAND ACQUrYlTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE 1) r Naples, Florida, September 30, 2013 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee 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", 3d Floor, Collier County Government Complex Naples, Florida with the following members present: CHAIRMAN: VICE CHAIRMAN: Bill Poteet Clarence Tears Tony Pires Jeremy Sterk Lauren Gibson Tracy Dewrell Todd Allen (Excused) John Burton, 11 (Vacancy) ALSO PRESENT: Alexandra Sulecki, Conservation Collier Coordinator, Program Manager Jennifer Belpedio, Assistant County Attorney Melissa Hennig, Sr. Environmental Specialist September 30, 2013 I. Roll Call Chairman Poteet called the meeting to order at 9:OOAM. Roll call was taken and a quorum was established. 11. Approval of Agenda Mr. Dewrell moved to approve the Agenda. Second Av Mr. Pires. Carried unanimously 7— 0. Ill. Approval of July 8, 2013 minutes .Mr. Dewrell moved to approve the minutes qf the July 8, 2013 meeting as presented. Second byMr. Sterk. Carried unanimously 7— 0. IV. Old Business A. Gordon River Greenway Project Status Ms. Sulecki provided a Slideshow on the status of the construction of the Gordon River Greenway. City of Naples Planning Efforts Ms. Sulecki provided a copy of the "Naples City Council Agenda Memorandum dated August 21, 2013 — Subject., Discussion of the design processfor new City of Naples park along Gordon River" for information purposes. She reported the City of Naples is in the beginning stages of developing a Master Plan for the proposed park- and will be initiating fund raising efforts in 2014. 2. Gordon River Greenway Management Plan Change Ms. Sulecki reported the County is still pursuing the avigation easement with the Naples Municipal Airport. The Airport Authority will be providing funds in the amount of $150k+/- to assist in exotic removal in the Greenway. When the easement is finalized it will be presented to the BCC for approval. SnfLaker Ellie Drier, Southwest Florida Land Preservation Trust addressed the Committee reporting the Design Team has appointed a Graphic Design Subcommittee. The Subcommittee will be responsible to develop designs for signage, benches and related elements in the Greenway. The goal is to ensure the final designs are unique to the project and consistent throughout the site. Parties continue to develop funding options for acquisition of the CDC parcel in order to reduce the financial burden on Conservation Collier. B. Pepper Ranch Projects Status, Sunflower Festival Ms. Sulecki reported the Sunflower Festival to be held at Pepper Ranch was postponed due to flooding at the site. Staff is considering rebranding the event and scheduling it for 2014. Ms. Sulecki provided an update on recent capital improvements at Pepper Ranch including a installation of front and Ranch Road entrance gates, new signage, restroom, and shower facilities, construction of a parking lot, installation of a security system, etc. She reported: September 30, 2013 • A newly constructed roadway utilized fill material from an area excavated adjacent to the roadway. • The area was excavated and intended to create a dry retention area, however rainfall inundated the area and long term ponding has occurred. • The ponding area is adjacent to the camp sites which are scheduled to open in December of 2013. • Staff will be monitoring the area to determine if it should be "filled in" to eliminate the ponding. • Any changes to the area will be in accordance with South Florida Water Management District requirements. C. Board Workshop November 5 Ms. Sulecki reported the BCC has scheduled a Workshop for Conservation Collier on November 5,2013. She will be developing a presentation on the Program including its history, accomplishments, parcel acquisitions and future goals. She queried what issues the Committee may want to discuss at the Workshop. The Committee highlighted the following topics for discussion: 1. Whether the Committee should sunset. 2. The feasibility of re assigning the Committees responsibilities and duties if necessary. 3. Funding options including the feasibility of a future funding referendum. 4. Any changes necessary in the distribution of funds within the various Program accounts. 5. Convey the wish that Staff remains focused on the Program's business and not re- directed to assist in other Parks and Recreation projects given any decisions made on the status of the CCIIAAC. Jennifer Belpedio, Assistant County Attorney reported there is a BCC Workshop on October II where review of County Advisory' Boards is an item on the Agenda. The CCLAAC may be discussed during the workshop. Mr. Pires moved to authorize Clarence Tears to represent the Committee at the Workshop and if necessary, request the BCC any ostpone dectvions on the status of the ProgratWCommittee P . - until such time the Workshop scheduled for Alovemher 5, 2013 has been completed. Second by Mr. Burton. Carried unanimously 7-- 0. Speaker Brad Cornell, Collier County Audubon noted it should be conveyed to the BCC the Conservation Collier Program is an integral part of other Agencies implementation of plans and projects (i.e. Collier County Watershed Management Plan). V. New Business A. Mandalay Place Proposed Winchester Head Property Mr. Sterk reported a conflict oJ'htterest with the item and has filed the necessary forms with Staff, September 30, 2013 Ms. Sulecki presented the "Initial Criteria Screening Report (ICSR) for tile Winchester head, Thompson Parcel Mandalay Place Donation" dated 9/30113 for consideration. She provided a Slideshow and highlighted: • The property is 1.14 acres, located in Winchester Head and proposed to be donated by Windham Group in connection with the Mandalay Place :Development, a residential project located off Airport Road. • The donation includes a cash management endowment of $3,618 with maintenance estimated at $350 annually. • The parcel meets all 6 of the Programs criteria for acquisition. • Exotic removal will be completed at the expense of the donor prior to the County's acquisition of the parcel. Gary Butler, representing Windham Group addressed the Committee noting in addition to the parcel donation, the proposed residential project does provide native vegetation on site (pine flatwoods). Mr. Pires moved to recommend the Board oJ'Coumy Commissioners accept the proposed donation in accordance with the land management fees outlined f Tears. Carried unanimously 6 — 0. Mr. Sterk abstained, 1, by Staff: Second by.Ntr. B. CDC parcel —potential land acquisition donations Mrs. Gibson reported a conflict of interest with the item. Ms. Sulecki reported the CDC parcel abuts Conservation Collier lands in the Gordon River Greenway and has been on the program's acquisition list for a period of time. She queried the Committee's position on the Concept of targeting land acquisition funds donated to the Program towards acquisition of the parcel. Committee discussion occurred on the parcel noting it has been deemed a high priority acquisition. Sneaker Nicole Johnson, Conservancy of Southwest Florida reported the Conservancy supports the concept. Mr. Tears moved to recommend the Board of County Commissioners target all land acquisition funds donated to the Conservation Collier program towards the purchase of the CDCparcel Second by Mr. Sterk. Carried unanimously 6 — 0. Mrs. Gibson abstained. V1. Coordinator Communications Ms. Sulecki reported: • The Program has 3 areas ranked for Restore Act Grant Funding— Winchester Head invasive species removal, Pepper Ranch wetland restoration and Red. Maple Swamp activities. • The Program received a $15k Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Grant for Gopher Tortoise habitat improvements at Railhead Scrub Preserve. • The Program's donation policy was approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. • The following items were addressed by the BCC: 4 September 30, 2013 0 7/9/13 — USDA Grants approved for ditch blocks at Caracara Preserve 0 9/10/13 — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Grants approved for Habitat Management. 0 9/24/13 — Tuscany Point donation parcels approved. 0 Extension of the McIlvane Marsh Interim Management Plan approved. 0 10/8/13 - Int.ra local Agreement with the City of Marco Island for assistance in mowing the right of way at Otter Mound Preserve. VII. Chair Committee Member Comments Mr. Pires questioned Staff if the truck traffic generated on the western boundary of Caracara Preserve from the proposed truck haul project to renourish County beaches would negatively impact any opportunities for Panther Mitigation Credits on the parcel. Ms. Hennig reported, based on past history of similar proposed projects in the area, FFWCC has indicated there should not be a negative impact on mitigation opportunities. V111. Public General Comments None IX. Staff Comments None There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the chair at 10:10A.M. Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee Bill Poteet, Chairman I - - / These Board /Committee approved by the Board/Comittee on A 0 2-1 ')-J J UY as presented___Z_ or as amended 5