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ATV Park Ad Hoc Minutes 01/09/2013 ATV PARK AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETING vAZte yFO Main Conference Room `F� 2885 Drive 85 S Horseshoe Dr fl'OF 44/ COr/ Naples,Fla. � CO& :�O January 9,2013 'DTs 5:30 P.M. I. Call to Order/Roll Call The ATV Park Ad Hoc Committee meeting was convened at approximately 5:45 p.m. by President, Joe Pelletier. A quorum was present. Those in attendance were as follows: Felix Garcia, Vice Chairman Joe Pelletier, Chairman Jeff Close, Member Mario Mendez, Member Bill Combs,Member Jonathan Harraden Member Barbra Pinx, Member Greg Westgate, applicant for Alternate Member Ed Lukosavich, applicant for Alternate Member Peter Fagan, Florida Tracks and Trails representative Jerry Cooke, Florida Tracks and Trails representative Bill McDaniel, Lazy Springs Recreation Park representative Commissioner Tim Nance, Collier County Board of County Commissioners Jim Flanagan, Aide to Commissioner Nance Skip Camp, Facilities Management Dept. Director Staff to Ad Hoc: Hans Russell, Facilities Management Dept. Senior Property Acquisition Specialist Barbara Chesney, Growth Management Division (GMD) Administration (Minutes) Connie Deane, GMD Community Liaison and ATV Park Committee Staff Liaison Barbara Chesney advised the members that a Quorum constituted 50% plus one (1) of their membership (total of four). With seven members present,they did have a quorum. II. Adoption of Agenda The agenda was approved. III. Adoption of the 11/26/2012 and 12/4/2012 Meeting Minutes ATV Ad Hoc Committee Meeting January 9,2013/Page 2 of 6 A motion was made and seconded to approve the 11/26/12 and 12/4/12 ATV Ad Hoc Committee meeting minutes. IV. Old Business A. Property Availability Analysis and Discussion of Key Items for Inclusion on Progress to the Board Summary Senior Property Acquisition Specialist Hans Russell said that he had spoken to the property owners of the land assessed to be available. He provided an overview of the Exclusion Map, noting that he had spoken with the county's consultant, Stantek; the final conclusion is that there is no available land within Collier County for ATV use. The land is either owned by large agricultural conglomerates, environmentally sensitive and protected, and/or privately owned large tracks (i.e. Barron Collier Companies, etc.) who do not wish to sell. Many private land owners, who may consider or have considered leasing a part of their land for ATV use, have decided against doing so because of possible liability issues and insurance costs. Barbra Pinx stated that property acquisition specialists had done due diligence, and there is just no property available within the Collier County for ATV use purposes. Hans will send a letter to those owners he has contacted thanking them for their consideration and advising if an opportunity should arise in the future to please keep the ATV members in mind. No letter is to be sent to Bonness. Vice Chairman Felix Garcia stated that in the beginning most members felt an available piece of land could be found relatively easy and everyone had their expectations of how this would work. However, as everyone has seen, there is no land availability in Collier County. He felt that this process had been a great learning experience. The Ad Hoc Committee is now forced to look at surrounding counties to ride ATVs. Commissioner Tim Nance, District 5, introduced himself and his aide/assistant, Jim Flanagan. He then spoke on the following items: • Informed members that other groups like themselves were looking for places to ride. • Suggested that they look at areas like Polk County who have ATV parks in place, to see how they do it. (Several ATV Committee members have been to the state run park in Ocala and shared information on it). • Stated they would have to form a partnership with others interested in ATV riding to create an advocacy. • Advised that the "South Blocks" (Southern Golden Gate Estates) land transfer was a political end to a situation with the South Florida Water Management District which was supposed to have paid the Collier County $13 million and threatened the county during the lawsuit that they would make their life miserable if they did not settle for $3 million. SFWMD got 800 thousand acres (public land) and only had to pay $3 million (public money) instead of the $13 million(original payment agreed upon). ATV Ad Hoc Committee Meeting January 9,2013/Page 2 of 6 • He recommended members consider a political solution via becoming an Advocacy Group. Chairman Pelletier advised Commissioner Nance that the ATV Park Ad Hoc Committee had worked diligently to find possible property for ATV use, and explored various options open to them. The committee has had presentations made by Florida Tracks and Trails; Devil's Garden; private owners of private land, and committee members have checked out various locations that offered other possibilities. The private land owners, (Williams family) who proposed possible use of their land, withdrew their offer and consideration of it. Chairman Pelletier further advised that the group is now ready to come to an agreement tonight on whether to consider spending the $3 million as an investment in the Charlotte County ATV Park, or consider other arrangement possibilities for riding even if it is outside of Collier County. • Commissioner Nance reiterated that 800,000 acres was purchased with public money by the South Florida Water Management District(SFWMD). • He suggested to the members that they consider the possibility of taking the $3 million, hire an attorney and sue SFWMD with their own money. That is what he would do. He also suggested getting engaged with other advocacy groups to provide more support for traditional use of the South Block land. He did point out that he was not telling them what to do. • Commissioner Nance then referenced the Jet Port property near the Dade/Collier County line. He stated that he knew in years past, Dade County ATV groups and Collier County had checked into use of that property. He told the members that he would check into this possibility, and that they should contact Miami ATV groups to see if they were interested in pursuing this option. Commissioner Nance stated that he and his aide, Mr. Flanagan, would look into this for the group. • Commissioner Nance stated that he would be happy to assist the ATV Park Ad Hoc Committee in whatever way he could. He closed his speech noting that the governor's re-election was in 2014 and Governor Rick Scott wants to make you happy. Chairman Pelletier thanked Commissioner Nance for attending the meeting stating that the Ad Hoc members were seriously considering a public/private partnership so that they can ride within a year. Connie Deane advised that Nick Casalanguida had requested she prepare a status summary of where the ATV Park Committee is at now for his presentation to the BCC. B. Alternative Member Status—Selection of Two Alternative Members Connie Deane stated that she had provided all members with the applications of four citizens who requested to be alternative members of the ATV Park Committee. It was up to the members to nominate and elect two of these individuals to serve as alternates (two of the applicants were present; Mr. Greg Westgate and Mr. Ed Lukosavich). Ms. Pinx: I move to nominate Mr. Westgate and Mr. Lukosavich as the ATV Park Ad Hoc Committee alternates. ATV Ad Hoc Committee Meeting January 9,2013/Page 2 of 6 Mr. Combs: I second the motion. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY V. New Business A. Commissioner Tim Nance Attendance—addressed under Item IV A. B. Bill McDaniel Lazy Springs Recreational Park Presentation (Hendry County) Mr. McDaniel stated that any thoughts of purchasing a piece of property in conjunction with Parks and Recreation would likely not happen. He provided a slide show with an overview of his property, now opened and ATV friendly. • Requested consideration of reaching the goal of supporting ATV riders through education, information and funding. He suggested for consideration, instead of investing the $3 million in an ATV park, perhaps the committee could provide $100,000 a year to existing parks and then when a Collier County ATV rider went to that park, they would only have to pay half price with the $100,000 covering the other half for riders. • Entrance Fee for Lazy Springs, $22 for the day. • Camping allowed for an additional $10 per unit; at this time must be self contained units. • All permits are in place and 150 acres are currently opened for business; seven lakes (160 acres water) are available for fishing. • Boats, canoes, Kayaks allowed;trolling motors only. • Paint ball area. • ATVs, Jeeps, side-by-sides and swamp buggies are allowed; no two wheel vehicles (motorcycles) allowed as they are not permitted due to the noise factor (part of property is across the street from a residential area of Lehigh Acres). • Family Park with no alcohol; helmets, boots, safety gear must be worn. • EMS/helicopter pad on site (requirement). • Security on site. • Permitted to be open 172 days per/year. • Mr. McDaniel indicated that he would further research noise of two wheelers to see what would be required permit wise to allow motorcycles to be ridden in the park. Mr. McDaniel encouraged all to come out and stated that he was looking forward to working with the ATV Park Committee in any way he could. C. Florida Tracks and Trail Tour—Chairman Joe Pelletier Chairman Pelletier reported on the following: • Fantastic piece of property with most of the elements they are looking for • 1000 acres that includes creeks, open spaces, and woods for trails • Plenty of parking ATV Ad Hoc Committee Meeting January 9,2013/Page 2 of 6 • Potential for future growth • ATVs,two wheelers, but no Jeeps allowed Mr. Cooke, promoter of the Florida Tracks and Trails (FT&T) project in Charlotte County, stated that they are in the pre-construction phase and are offering Collier County a long term commitment in this project. They are offering, for the $3 million from Collier County, that Collier County could be a partner in this project. The $3 million would also provide a decreased admission for Collier County residents. Discussion ensued regarding the fact jeeps were not allowed, in other parks dirt bikes are not allowed; the pros and cons of each of the proposals presented to the ATV Park Committee; the need for more insight into the proposed offer by FT&T and need for legal review and advice to assist the ATV Park Committee to make a determination on what would be in their best interests. Mr. Combs stated that it was his understanding that this committee was established in an effort to find land for ATV use. While he understood those with trail/dirt bikes, Jeeps and other types of vehicles were also interested in riding, the purpose of this committee was to address ATV riding needs. Both Mr. Cooke and Mr. Fagan (another promoter of FT&T) questioned the need for legal counsel at this time and advised the members that they needed a decision on whether the county was interested in investing with them, or not, in the very near future. The members requested the following: • Connie to ask both Nick Casalanguida and Barry Williams to be in attendance at a February meeting and be prepared to explain in detail, public/private partnerships. • Requested to have an attorney from the Collier County Attorney's Office present to address questions on whether the county can sign lease papers with private owners/projects. • Requested Florida Tracks and Trails and Lazy Springs Recreational Park to provide proposals for consideration at the February meeting(date to be set). D. Devils Garden Tour— 1/20/2013 Chairman Pelletier asked which of the committee members would like to volunteer to go and report back. After discussion, it was the consensus of the group that since Devil's Garden was only open eight to ten weeks per year, there was no interest in touring the property. They are looking for somewhere to ride that would be opened year round. Mr. McDaniel and Mr. Cooke were asked to put together a proposal and send it to the ATV Park Ad Hoc Committee for their review at the requested February meeting. Barbara Pinx announced that a Poker Run is to be held at the Swamp Buggy Park on 2/17/13. ATV Ad Hoc Committee Meeting January 9,2013/Page 2 of 6 Barbra Pinx: I move to request Bill McDaniel of Lazy Springs Recreational Park and Larry Cooke of Florida Tracks and Trails to send a proposal to the committee to be reviewed at the next meeting for legal review so that the committee can come to a decision on what action to take. William Combs: I second the motion. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. VI. Public Comment—no one from the public wished to speak. VII. GMD Next Meeting Date—Quarterly Meetings Ms. Pinx suggested that the ATV Park Ad Hoc Committee meet the following week. Barbara Chesney, GMD Administration, advised that did not allow staff enough time to prepare and it did not allow enough time to receive the proposals requested. It was decided to meet the month of February. Connie will advise members of the meeting date. Hans Russell advised the members that he had spoken to Commissioner Nance and advised him that the Jet Port property, actually had BCC support through a Board of County Commissioners Resolution in 2009 and an attempt was made to get a permit for an ATV park there. There was environmental opposition as it would be detrimental to Everglades restoration. This was politically smashed and stopped from moving forward. The Jet Port is not an option. Ms. Pinx stated that it was rumored that an Exotic Car Club was attempting to work a deal for development of a race track on the Jet Port property site. IX.Adjournment Having no further business, the meeting was officially adjourned at 7:30 p.m.