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CCLAAC Minutes 01/13/2014 Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee Minutes January 13 , 2014 January 13, 2014 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CONSERVATION COLLIER LAND ACQUISITION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Naples, Florida, January 13, 2014 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 6:00 P.M. in REGULAR SESSION at Administrative Building "F ", 3rd 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 John Burton, II (Vacancy) ALSO PRESENT: Alexandra Sulecki, Conservation Collier Coordinator, Program Manager Jennifer Belpedio, Assistant County Attorney Christal Segura, Environmental Specialist Melissa Hennig, Sr. Environmental Specialist Steve Carnell, Administrator, Public Services Barry Williams, Director, Parks and Recreation 1 January 13, 2014 I. Roll Call Chairman Poteet called the meeting to order at 6:OOPM. Roll call was taken and a quorum was established. Commissioners Donna Fiala and Tim Nance were also present. II. Approval of Agenda Mr. Pires moved to approve the Agenda subject to hearing item Y.E. as IV.A with all remaining items renumbered as necessary. Second by Mrs. Gibson. Carried unanimously 8 — 0. III. Approval of November 18, 2013 minutes Mr. Dewrell moved to approve the minutes of the November 18, 2013 meeting as presented. Second by Mr. Sterk. Carried unanimously 8 — 0. IV. Old Business A. Presentation of Service Pins Service Pins were presented to the following past or present Committee members: Jeff Curl — S years Jeremy Sterk — 5 years Tony Pires — 5 years William Poteet —10 years B. CCLAAC Sunset The Committee determined to hear the public speakers first as the item was placed on the Agenda to garner public input on the issue. Speakers Paul Arsenault supports conservation and recommended alternate means of financing the activity be investigated such as a 2 percent taxes on real estate transfers. This concept has been successful in other areas such as Nantucket, Mass. Marisa Carrozzo, Conversancy of Southwest Florida supports the Program and noted the Committee provides citizen oversight of the remaining funds. The format provides a valuable forum for public input on items that may be considered by the Board of County Commissioners. If necessary, the meeting schedule could be reduced to semi - annually or quarterly to reduce costs and allow Staff the necessary time to spend on management related issues. Brad Cornell, Audubon of Florida and Audubon of the Western Everglades supports the Program and commended Staff on the success of the Program to date. He recommended the Program continue as it would be extremely beneficial in acquiring properties that support County goals in other arenas such as implementation of the Watershed Management Plan. Annisa Karim reported the County is slated for a substantial population growth in the future and the Program provides a benefit to the public and private landowner as it establishes a marketplace for a "willing seller" to transfer properties into conservation. The Program will continue to require adoption of land management plans and acquisition of individual parcels in the multi parcel projects and this activity should be overseen by a Committee or Subcommittee. 2 January 13, 2014 Michael Seef supports the Program To enhancegrevenueto the Programethe County shou of ld consider a County residents and visitors. slightly more aggressive investment policy. Ellen Goetz supports the Program and demonst demonstrated given the funds on hand (approximately $37M). crisis" when this condition has not been fully g $37M). Jeff Curl noted the Program was originally supported and funded by the taxpayers of the County and any major decisions on the plight of the Program should be presented to the taxpayers. There is ongoing business at hand such as donation of parcels to the Program by outside parties and the Committee should remain to act as a community watchdog over public funds. Susan Hawkins supports the Program and continuing the role of the Committee. She noted the Program is essential to protect environmentally sensitive lands and implementing County initiatives such as the Watershed Management Plan Chairman Poteet read emails into the record in support of the Program submitted by Phil Wood of John R. Wood Realtors and Ellie Krier. Under Committee member comments, the following was noted: • Given the taxing authority has ceased, and the Program may be changing direction, consideration should be given to altering the role of the Committee as opposed to sunsetting it. • The Committee provides stewardship for public funds and a forum for public participation greater than that available at a BCC meeting when an item is considered. • The County investment policies prioritize objectives as protection of capital, liquidity and returns on investment. The policy limits the avenues available for generating revenue via investments. • Given the ongoing County and regional efforts to improve the water quality of the region, land acquisition will be the key and the Program provides a vital role in this area. • The Program is not currently in the state of "financial crisis" with sufficient time to analyze the financial aspects of the Program. Speaker Neville Williams supports the Program given its past results in protecting the environment. C. Gordon River Greenway Project Status Ms. Sulecki submitted the report "80065- Gordon River Greenway Park" for information purposes. V. New Business A. Financial Report llier Intermediate Financial Projections 1 -7 -14 "and Ms. Sulecki presented the "Conservation Co related Slideshow for information purposes. 3 January 13, 2014 The report contains recommendation for sustaining the Program including: • Instituting reductions in personnel costs. • Monitoring the financial status utilizing a 3 year planned window to ensure adopted budgets and spending practices are consistent with long range financial stewardship. • Evaluating planned amenity and capital improvements for impact on the overall financial plans. • Consider the option of adjusting the County's Investment policy with the intent of providing conservative improvements in returns by differentiating between Conservation Collier single purpose endowment funds and the County's General Fund. Committee discussion occurred on the financial status of the Program noting: • The current ROI of the funds associated with the project is approximately .5 %. • In order for the Program to remain financially sound absent of ad valorem funding, a future return of investment of 2 — 3 percent annually is required. • Consideration should be given to requesting the County to restructure investment policies for the funds held by the Program. Speaker Michael Seef reported the Naples City Council is currently exploring conservative avenues for higher returns on investments. B. CCLAAC Report to Board of County Commissioners Ms. Sulecki reported Section 54 -278 (f) 4 of the Ordinance governing the Program states "At such time as there are insufficient uncommitted funds in the Conservation Collier Acquisition Trust Fund to conclude another acquisition and all acquisition projects have been closed, the land acquisition advisory committee shall report to the county commission that its business is concluded. All remaining Conservation Collier Acquisition Trust Fund monies shall then be transferred to the Conservation Collier Management Trust Fund." The Committee noted: • The Program has not met the minimum requirements identified in Section 54 -278 (f) 4 of the Ordinance given acquisition of properties is ongoing via developer donation and there is currently approximately $118K in the land acquisition fund. • Given the responsibilities of the BCC to address a myriad of County items, and the structure of their meetings, the Committee provides a more suitable forum for the public input on oversight of the Programs funds. The Committee determined to formally review the item at the February 10, 2014 meeting. C. Breeze of Calusa Donation Parcel Ms. Sulecki presented the "Conservation Collier Initial Screening Report Winchester Head Donation — Breeze of Calusa" for consideration. Mr. Tears moved to recommend the Board of County Commissioners accept the Breeze of Calusa parcel donation. Second by Mr. Pires. Carried unanimously 7 — 0. Mr. Sterk abstained. January 13, 2014 D. Conservation Collier Annual Report Ms. Sulecki presented the "Conservation Collier Annual Report Draft — December 2013 "for consideration. The Committee recommended Staff add language to the document regarding how the Committee considered the use of ATVs on Preserves lands but found the use was incompatible with the goals of the Program. Mr. Burton moved to forward the Conservation Collier Annual Report Draft — December 2013 to the Board of County Commissioners. Second by Mr. Allen. Carried unanimously 8 — 0. VI. Sub - Committee Meeting Reports A. Outreach — Tony Pires, Chair er 4, 2013 joint Subcommittee meeting have been Mr. Pires reported the minutes of the Decemb submitted for information purposes B. Lands Evaluation and Management — Jeremy Sterk, Chair Mr. Sterk reported a joint meeting was held with the Outreach Committee on December 4, 2013 C. Ordinance Policy and Procedures —Bill Poteet, Chair Chairman Poteet reported a joint meeting was held with the Outreach Committee on December 4, 2013. VII. Chair Committee Member Comments None VIII. 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 7:59P.M. Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee Bill Poteet, Chairman 5 January 13, 2014 Bill Poteet, Chair These minutes approved by the Board /Committee on �`� -'�, lL; �-Bi as presented or as amended �/