BCC Minutes 03/11/2014 R BCC
REGULAR
MEETING
MINUTES
March 11 , 2014
March 11, 2014
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Naples, Florida
March 11, 2014
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Board of County
Commissioners, in and for the County of Collier, and also acting
as the Board of Zoning Appeals and as the governing board(s) of
such special districts as have been created according to law and
having conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 a.m.,
in REGULAR SESSION in Building "F" of the Government
Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
CHAIRMAN: Tom Henning
Tim Nance
Fred Coyle
Donna Fiala
Georgia Hiller
ALSO PRESENT:
Leo E. Ochs, Jr., County Manager
Jeffrey Klatzkow, County Attorney
Crystal Kinzel, Finance Director
Tim Durham, Executive Manager of Business Operations
Troy Miller, Communications & Customer Relations
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Community Redevelopment Agency Board (CRAB)
Airport Authority
r .-
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AGENDA
Board of County Commission Chambers
Collier County Government Center
3299 Tamiami Trail East, 3rd Floor
Naples FL 34112
March 11, 2014
9:00 AM
Tom Henning - BCC Chairman; BCC Commissioner, District 3
Tim Nance - BCC Vice-Chairman, District 5
Donna Fiala - BCC Commissioner, District 1; CRAB Chairman
Georgia Hiller - BCC Commissioner, District 2
Fred W. Coyle - BCC Commissioner, District 4; CRAB Vice-Chairman
NOTICE: ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS MUST
REGISTER PRIOR TO SPEAKING. SPEAKERS MUST REGISTER WITH THE
EXECUTIVE MANAGER TO THE BCC PRIOR TO PRESENTATION OF THE
AGENDA ITEM TO BE ADDRESSED. ALL REGISTERED SPEAKERS WILL
RECEIVE UP TO THREE (3) MINUTES UNLESS THE TIME IS ADJUSTED BY
THE CHAIRMAN.
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.
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March 11,2014
REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON SUBJECTS WHICH ARE NOT ON
THIS AGENDA MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING WITH EXPLANATION
TO THE COUNTY MANAGER AT LEAST 13 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF
THE MEETING AND WILL BE HEARD UNDER "PUBLIC PETITIONS."
PUBLIC PETITIONS ARE LIMITED TO THE PRESENTER, WITH A
MAXIMUM TIME OF TEN MINUTES.
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD
WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDING PERTAINING THERETO,
AND THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD
OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE
TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.
IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS ANY
ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCEEDING,
YOU ARE ENTITLED, AT NO COST TO YOU, THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN
ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE COLLIER COUNTY FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT LOCATED AT 3335 EAST TAMIAMI TRAIL,
SUITE 1, NAPLES, FLORIDA, 34112-5356, (239) 252-8380; ASSISTED
LISTENING DEVICES FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED ARE AVAILABLE IN
THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT.
LUNCH RECESS SCHEDULED FOR 12:00 NOON TO 1:00 P.M
1. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A. Pastor Michael Bannon - Crossroads Community Church of Naples
2. AGENDA AND MINUTES
A. Approval of today's regular, consent and summary agenda as amended (Ex
Parte Disclosure provided by Commission members for consent and
summary agenda.)
B. February 11, 2014 - BCC/Regular Meeting
3. SERVICE AWARDS
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March 11,2014
4. PROCLAMATIONS
A. Proclamation recognizing March 13, 2014 as the Three Millionth Diaper
Celebration for Baby Basics of Collier County. To be accepted by Jean Ann
Lynch, Founder and Board President and Esther Daniel Gonzalez,
Volunteer. Sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners.
B. Proclamation designating March 15, 2014 as Save the Florida Panther Day
in Collier County. To be accepted by Tom Trotta, President and Amber
Crooks, Secretary, Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge; and Kevin
Godsea, Project Leader, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge.
Sponsored by Commissioner Nance.
C. Proclamation to honor and celebrate Marco Island for being named the #1
island in the USA and the #4 island in the world by TripAdvisor -
TRAVELERS' CHOICE Best Islands 2014. To be accepted by Larry Sacher
Councilman, City of Marco Island; Sandi Reidman, Marco Island Chamber
of Commerce; Rick Medwedeff, General Manager, Marco Island Marriott;
and Jack Wert, Executive Director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades
Convention and Visitors Bureau. Sponsored by Commissioner Fiala.
D. Proclamation designating March 4-18, 2014 as Comcast Public-Private
Partnership Weeks in Collier County in recognition of its technology
program and donation assisting Collier County students. To be accepted by
Justin Damiano, Government & Regulatory Affairs Comcast Cable and Joe
Landon, Executive Director/Communications & Community Engagement,
Collier County Public Schools. Sponsored by Commissioner Nance.
E. Proclamation designating March 13-23, 2014 as the 38th Annual Collier
County Fair and 4-H Show and Auction Days. To be accepted by Shannon
Hubbell and Charles Brown of the Collier County Fair Board; Tish Roland,
Trisha Aldridge and Marie Morris of the 4-H Association of Collier County;
and 4-H youth participants. Sponsored by Commissioner Nance.
F. Proclamation designating March 2014 as Florida Bicycle Month in Collier
County. To be accepted by Patrick Ruff, Jane Cheffy, Karen Walters, Joe
Bonness and Alan Ryker, Naples Pathways Coalition; Andy Robinson,
Naples Velo Cycling Club; and Stacy Revay, Collier Transportation
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March 11, 2014
Planning Project Manager. Sponsored by Commissioner Hiller.
G. Proclamation designating March 16-22, 2014 as Sunshine Week in Collier
County. To be accepted by Bob St. Cyr, Director of Community Outreach,
Clerk of the Circuit Court, Collier County. Sponsored by Commissioner
Henning.
5. PRESENTATIONS
A. Presentation of the Collier County Business of the Month for March 2014 to
Purely You Spa. To be accepted by Jennifer Alvarez, Owner and CEO.
B. Presentation of check from the Farm City Barbeque proceeds to the
following youth program recipients: Collier County 4H Association, Youth
Leadership CollierTM, Collier County Junior Deputy League and Collier
County Key Clubs. To be presented by Sheriff Kevin Rambosk.
6. PUBLIC PETITIONS
Item #7 to be heard no sooner than 1:00 pm unless otherwise noted.
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS NOT ON THE CURRENT
OR FUTURE AGENDA
Item #8 and Item #9 to be heard no sooner than 1:30 pm unless otherwise noted.
8. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
9. ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. This item has been continued from the February 11, 2014 BCC
meeting. Recommendation to consider approving the Bayshore/Thomasson
Drive Subdistrict small-scale amendment to the Collier County Growth
Management Plan, Ordinance 89-05, as Amended, for transmittal to the
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. (Adoption Hearing)
(PL20120002382/CPSS-2013-1) [Companion to Petition PUDZA-
PL20120002357, Agenda Item #9B]
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March 11, 2014
B. This item has been continued from the February 11, 2014 BCC
meeting: This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by
Commission members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all
participants are required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve an
Ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County,
Florida amending Ordinance Number 2005-63, as amended, the Cirrus
Pointe Residential Planned Unit Development (RPUD) which allows a
maximum number of 108 residential dwelling units; by changing the name
of the RPUD to Solstice RPUD; by revising the Master Plan; by deleting
Exhibit B, the Water Management/Utility Plan; by deleting Exhibit C, the
Location Map; by removing Statement of Compliance and Project
Development Requirements; by adding a parking deviation; and by deleting
and terminating the Affordable Housing Density Bonus Agreement. The
subject property is located northeast of Bayshore Drive and Thomasson
Drive in Section 14, Township 50 South, Range 25 East, Collier County,
Florida consisting of 9.92+/- acres; and by providing an effective date.
(PUDZA-PL20120002357) [Companion to Petition PL20120002382/CPSS-
2013-1, Agenda Item #9A]
10. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
A. Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners direct the
County Attorney to advertise a hearing to rescind Ordinance 85-02 and to
return with a new Ordinance establishing a funding source to fund seawall
repair and/or replacements community wide. (Commissioner Henning)
11. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT
A. Recommendation to accept the Conservation Collier ten year financial plan
and recommendations for the Conservation Collier Program and to provide
direction regarding sunset of the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition
Advisory Committee (CCLAAC). (Steve Carvell, Public Services
Administrator)
B. Recommendation to approve Change Order #5 to Contract #10-5541 with
Paradise Advertising and Marketing, Inc. for up to an additional $1.5 million
in media and production billing at a negotiated gross rate of 10% agency
commission and authorize the Chairman to execute the Change Order and
make a finding that this expenditure promotes tourism. (Jack Wert, Tourism
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March 11, 2014
Director)
C. Recommendation to approve a contract with TKW Consulting Engineers,
Inc., in an amount not to exceed $1,429,676 under Request for Proposal No.
13-6020, "North County Water Reclamation Facility Electric Reliability and
Mechanical Operations Upgrades," Project #73950. (Tom Chmelik, Planning
and Project Management Director)
12. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
13. OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
A. This item to be heard at 10:00 a.m. Presentation of the Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 and
authorization to file the related State of Florida Annual Local Government
Financial Report with the Department of Financial Services.
14. AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND/OR COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
A. AIRPORT
B. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
15. STAFF AND COMMISSION GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS
A. Current BCC Workshop Schedule.
16. CONSENT AGENDA - ALL MATTERS LISTED UNDER THIS ITEM ARE
CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE AND ACTION WILL BE TAKEN BY
ONE MOTION WITHOUT SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF EACH ITEM. IF
DISCUSSION IS DESIRED BY A MEMBER OF THE BOARD, THAT
ITEM(S) WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND
CONSIDERED SEPARATELY.
A. GROWTH MANAGEMENT DIVISION
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March 11,2014
1) Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the water and sewer
utility facilities for Cabreo at Mediterra, AR-11356, and to authorize
the County Manager, or his designee, to release the Final Obligation
Bond in the amount of$4,000 to the Project Engineer or the
Developer's designated agent.
2) Recommendation to authorize the Clerk of Courts to release a
Performance Bond in the amount of$89,000 which was posted as a
development guaranty for work associated with Maple Ridge at Ave
Maria Phase 1 (PL20130000058).
3) This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by
Commission members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all
participants are required to be sworn in. Recommendation to
approve for recording the final plat of Carrara at Talis Park,
(Application Number PL20140000139) approval of the standard form
Construction and Maintenance Agreement and approval of the amount
of the performance security.
4) Recommendation to grant final acceptance of the private roadway and
drainage improvements for the final plat of Heritage Bay Vistas
Subdivision according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 50,
Pages 33 through 42, and authorizing the release of the maintenance
security.
5) Recommendation to recognize carryforward in the amount of
$6,878.73 to the MPO Operating Fund (128) earned from the
FY2012/13 Transportation Disadvantaged Planning Grant awarded by
the Commission of the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD) and
received by the Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
and authorize all necessary budget amendments.
6) Recommendation to adopt a Resolution granting a design variance
that authorizes a speed limit increase from forty-five miles per hour
(45 mph) to fifty miles per hour (50 mph) on Collier Boulevard from
Davis Boulevard to US41.
7) Recommendation to approve the prioritization of five limerock roads
for the purpose of limerock road conversion, from the Road
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March 11, 2014
Maintenance Limerock Road Conversion Program (LRCP), Project
#60128, in FY2014.
8) Recommendation to approve a proposal from Atkins North America,
Inc. dated February 24, 2014 to provide analysis of the effect of storm
events and beach renourishment projects to the Collier County
coastline from 2005 to present day under Contract #13-6164,
authorize budget amendment, authorize the County Manager or his
designee to execute the work order for a not to exceed amount of
$14,103 (Task 1 only), and make a finding that this expenditure
promotes tourism.
9) Recommendation to award a construction contract to Quality
Enterprises USA, Inc., for Request for Bid #08-5011 Northern Golden
Gate Estates Culvert Installation Project, Project No. 60127 in the
amount of$538,724.75.
10) Recommendation to approve a permit to conduct the annual Harvest
Fest Carnival, on Friday, Saturday & Sunday March 28, 29 & 30,
2014 located at the Immokalee Airport, and to recommend waiver of
the Surety Bond in the amount of$2,500 for the Harvest Fest
Carnival.
B. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
1) Recommendation that the Collier County Board of County
Commissioners (BCC), as the Community Redevelopment Agency
(CRA), approve the submittal of the attached Disaster Recovery
Initiative (DRI) grant application to the Collier County Department of
Housing, Human & Veterans Services (HHVS), seeking grant funding
in the amount of$450,000 to support further implementation of the
Immokalee Stormwater Master Plan.
C. PUBLIC UTILITIES DIVISION
1) Recommendation to approve, execute and record Satisfaction of
Notice of Claim of Lien for Sanitary Sewer System Impact Fee.
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March 11, 2014
D. PUBLIC SERVICES DIVISION
1) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to execute
the Agreement to Furnish Food Service between Collier County and
the District School Board to sponsor and operate the 2014 Summer
Food Service Program (SFSP) at designated recreation camps with
unitized meals provided by the School Board and authorize all
necessary budget amendments. (Fiscal Impact $117,917)
2) Recommendation to approve a Substantial Amendment to the
Community Development Block Grant FY2013-2014 Action Plan and
a Subrecipient Agreement in the amount of$321,138 with
Community Assisted and Supportive Living, Inc. (CASL) to acquire
multi-family housing for persons with disabilities.
3) Recommendation to approve Amendment No. 2 to a memorandum of
understanding between Housing, Human and Veteran Services and the
Parks and Recreation Department; providing a time extension from
March 1, 2014 to May 1, 2014 and incorporate program income
requirements for the construction of the Immokalee South Park
Community Center.
4) Recommendation to approve Amendment No. 2 to the Subrecipient
Agreement with Catholic Charities of Collier County, Diocese of
Venice, Inc., providing a time extension from March 11, 2014 to
August 31, 2014 for the FY 12 Emergency Solutions Grant.
5) Recommendation to approve the sale of North Collier Regional Park
concessions inventory to the Board approved concessionaire NASA
Holdings of Miami, Inc. and donate any remaining unpurchased
inventory to a not for profit.
6) Recommendation to approve a Victims Advocacy Organization grant
application for the FY14 Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant
Program in the amount of$199,018.01 over two years from the U.S.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, and additional
County grant management and fiscal agent support for the program
and authorize staff to submit the application electronically.
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March 11, 2014
7) Recommendation to approve Amendment#4 to the Developer
Agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, Inc. for the
Neighborhood Stabilization Program 3 (NSP3), to reflect HUD NSP
closeout guidelines.
8) Recommendation to approve an agreement in the amount of$250,000
with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and an
agreement with Naples Community Hospital, Inc. (NCH) to
participate in the Medicaid Low Income Pool Program, generating
$21,250 in Federal matching funds that will provide additional health
services for the citizens of Collier County.
9) Recommendation to approve an after-the-fact submission of a Letter
of Intent to the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, indicating
Collier County's intention to submit a Site Selection Criteria
application to be considered for the location for the State's planned
seventh State Veterans' Home.
E. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION
1) Recommendation to extend Contract #09-5260 for janitorial services
to ABM Janitorial Services — Southwest, LLC (ABM), through
August 31, 2014 or until the Board awards a new contract (whichever
is sooner); and, approve the necessary budget amendments for
processing payments which support the protest.
2) Recommendation to accept reports and ratify staff-approved change
orders and changes to work orders.
3) Recommendation to approve the practice of providing an estimated
project budget range in the construction project solicitation posting;
and, whenever possible, to provide the average historical spend
information on goods and services.
4) Recommendation to award Bid #13-6059R "Parts for Fleet Vehicles"
to Uni-Select as the primary vendor with Sunbelt Automotive and The
Parts House as secondary.
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March 11, 2014
5) Recommendation to authorize the Chairman to sign a
"Recommendation for Reappointment" of Dr. Marta U. Coburn as the
District 20 Medical Examiner.
F. COUNTY MANAGER OPERATIONS
1) Recommendation to approve Amendment #1 to Contract #13-6080
with Jack Rabbit Systems, Inc. to provide enhanced Book Direct
consumer services by adding five new booking options, authorize the
Chairman to execute the Amendment, and make a finding that this
expenditure promotes tourism.
2) Recommendation to adopt a resolution approving amendments
(appropriating grants, donations, contributions or insurance proceeds)
to the Fiscal Year 2013-14 Adopted Budget.
3) Recommendation to approve Tourist Development Council (TDC)
Grant Application Forms for Category B and C-2 Grant Funding for
FY 15 (October 1, 2014 - September 30, 2015), authorize the Tourism
Director to work with a selection committee to review the grant
applications prior to presentation to the TDC and make a finding that
this item promotes tourism.
4) Recommendation to approve a report covering a budget amendment
impacting reserves and moving funds in an amount up to and
including $20,000.
G. AIRPORT AUTHORITY
1) Recommendation to authorize the Chairman to execute the attached
Resolution authorizing signature of Joint Participation Agreement
(JPA) No. AR865 with the Florida Department of Transportation to
accept an airport planning JPA offer in the amount of$44,000 to
amend the Marco Shores Planned Unit Development (PUD) Project
#33316, and to authorize associated budget amendments.
H. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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March 11, 2014
1) Appointment of member to the Ochopee Fire Control District
Advisory Committee.
2) Appointment of member to the Historical/Archaeological Preservation
Board.
3) Commissioner Fiala requests Board approval for reimbursement
regarding attendance at a function serving a Valid Public Purpose.
Attended the Naples Press Club Luncheon on February 27, 2014. The
sum of$25 to be paid from Commissioner Fiala's travel budget.
I. MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
J. OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
1) To obtain Board approval for disbursements for the period of
February 20, 2014 through February 26, 2014 and for submission into
the official records of the Board.
2) To obtain Board approval for disbursements for the period of
February 27, 2014 through March 5, 2014 and for submission into the
official records of the Board.
3) Recommendation to provide acceptance of the Sheriffs Office
awarded FY2013 COPS Hiring Program grant.
K. COUNTY ATTORNEY
1) Recommendation to waive competition pursuant to Section Eleven B
5 of the Purchasing Ordinance and approve an expenditure of
$7,000.00 for mediation services for the firm Gaylord, Merlin,
Ludovici and Diaz to settle pending eminent domain litigation.
(Project Nos. 60171 and 51101)
2) Recommendation to approve a Final Judgment for Parcel Nos.
135RDUE and 135SE in the amount of$71,100 in the lawsuit styled
Collier County v. Kaye Homes, Inc., et al., Case No. 10-2680-CA for
the Collier Boulevard road improvement project. (Project No. 68056)
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March 11, 2014
(Fiscal Impact $27,670)
3) Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners rescinds
its direction that the County Attorney work with the Clerk to obtain an
Attorney General Opinion as to the legality of the La Peninsula
MSBU Ordinance and instead directs the following: (1) That the La
Peninsula Condominium Association pays the County in advance for
the estimated costs to be incurred; (2) That these funds be held in
Trust for La Peninsula Condominium Association in a separate fund
and not be considered public moneys; (3) That until there is a judicial
decision on the bond validation proceeding, all expenditures in
connection with this MSBU be made out of these private funds; (4)
That if additional moneys are needed, they come from the same
source and be deposited in the same account; and (5) That if, and only
if, there is a judicial decision arising out of a bond validation
proceeding which upholds the legality of the ordinance and the
financing, then at that point the moneys previously paid could be
reimbursed to the Condominium Association as part of the financing.
17. SUMMARY AGENDA - THIS SECTION IS FOR ADVERTISED PUBLIC
HEARINGS AND MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: 1) A
RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL FROM STAFF; 2) UNANIMOUS
RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL BY THE COLLIER COUNTY
PLANNING COMMISSION OR OTHER AUTHORIZING AGENCIES OF
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT AND VOTING; 3) NO WRITTEN OR ORAL
OBJECTIONS TO THE ITEM RECEIVED BY STAFF, THE COLLIER
COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION, OTHER AUTHORIZING
AGENCIES OR THE BOARD, PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF
THE BCC MEETING ON WHICH THE ITEMS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE
HEARD; AND 4) NO INDIVIDUALS ARE REGISTERED TO SPEAK IN
OPPOSITION TO THE ITEM. FOR THOSE ITEMS WHICH ARE QUASI-
JUDICIAL IN NATURE, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE SWORN IN.
A. This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by Commission
members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are
required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve an Ordinance of the
Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida amending
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March 11, 2014
Ordinance No. 2004-41, as amended, the Collier County Land Development
Code, which established the comprehensive zoning regulations for the
unincorporated area of Collier County, Florida by amending the appropriate
zoning atlas map or maps by changing the zoning classification of the herein
described real property from a Rural Agricultural (A) zoning district to a
Residential Planned Unit Development (RPUD) zoning district for the
project known as Temple Citrus Grove RPUD to allow development of up to
512 single family dwelling units and/or two-family and duplex dwelling
units on property located between Airport-Pulling Road and Livingston
Road in Sections 1 and 12, Township 49 South, Range 25 East, Collier
County, Florida, consisting of 132.68+/- acres; and by providing an effective
date. [PUDZ-PL20120002779]
B. This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by Commission
members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are
required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve an Ordinance of the
Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida amending
Ordinance No. 2004-41, as amended, the Collier County Land Development
Code, which established the comprehensive zoning regulations for the
unincorporated area of Collier County, Florida by amending the appropriate
zoning atlas map or maps by changing the zoning classification of the herein
described real property from a Rural Agricultural (A) zoning district to a
Residential Planned Unit Development (RPUD) zoning district to allow up
to 75 residential dwelling units and a clubhouse for a project to be known as
The Lord's Way 30 Acre RPUD. The subject property is located on The
Lord's Way on the east side of Collier Boulevard (CR 951) in Section 14,
Township 50 South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida consisting of
30± acres; and by providing an effective date. (PUDZ-PL20130000827)
C. This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by Commission
members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are
required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve Petition VAC-
PL20130002229, to disclaim, renounce and vacate the County and the public
interest in a portion of the 40-foot drainage easement located in Block "B" of
Immokalee Industrial Park, as recorded in Plat Book 14, Pages 7 and 8 of the
public records of Collier County, Florida, in Section 3, Township 47 South,
Range 29 East, Collier County, Florida, being more specifically shown in
Exhibit A, and to accept Petitioner's grant of two drainage easements to
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March 11, 2014
replace the vacated drainage easement.
D. Recommendation to adopt an Ordinance to be known as the Natural Gas
Franchise Ordinance.
E. Recommendation to adopt an amendment to Ordinance No. 1975-16, as
amended, relating to the placement and presentation of matters on the
official agenda.
18. ADJOURN
INQUIRIES CONCERNING CHANGES TO THE BOARD'S AGENDA SHOULD
BE MADE TO THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE AT 252-8383.
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March 11, 2014
March 11, 2014
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, you have a live mic.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Welcome to the March 11th, 2014
Board of County Commissioners meeting.
If you would either turn off your cell phones or silence, it would
be very helpful for today's meeting.
County Manager, the invocation?
Item #1
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir. The invocation this morning will be given
by Pastor Michael Bannon from Crossroads Community Church of
Naples.
If everyone would please rise.
PASTOR BANNON: Let's pray.
Lord God, we thank you for blessing us with this beautiful place
in which to live as we consider our fellow countrymen in other places
suffering through a hard winter and here we enjoy sunshine and lovely
temperatures, and we're grateful.
We're grateful, Lord, as well for government. Thank you for
providing it for us that we might live peaceful and good lives. And so
I pray for our County Commissioners today that you would bless them
with great wisdom and insight into the matters concerning us and that
the decisions made today would bring honor to you.
For ourselves as well, that we would be good citizens of this
county and cooperative in the things that are going on, that a good
sense of community and fellowship would be established here.
So Lord God, we're asking that you would superintend this
meeting for your great glory. Amen.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Now we'll do the Pledge of
Allegiance.
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March 11, 2014
(Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.)
Item #2A
TODAY'S REGULAR, CONSENT AND SUMMARY AGENDA AS
AMENDED (EXPARTE DISCLOSURE PROVIDED BY
COMMISSION MEMBERS FOR CONSENT AGENDA) —
MOTION TO APPROVE THE REGULAR AND CONSENT
AGENDA WITH THE CONTINUATION OF ITEM #9A AND
ITEM #9B TO THE APRIL 8, 2014 BCC MEETING — APPROVED
AND/OR ADOPTED W/CHANGES; MOTION TO APPROVE
THE SUMMARY AGENDA - ADOPTED W/CHANGES
CHAIRMAN HENNING: County Manager, would you walk us
through today's change list.
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir. Good morning, Mr. Chairman, members
of the Board.
These are your proposed agenda changes for the Board of County
Commissioners' meeting of March 11th, 2014.
The first proposed change is to continue Item 16.A.6 to the
March 25th, 2014 BCC meeting. And that request is made by staff.
The next proposed change is to continue Item 16.A.17 to the
April 8th, 2014 BCC meeting. That change -- excuse me, that
continuation is requested by Commissioner Nance.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Excuse me, just a moment, Leo.
You said 16.A.17. You mean 16.A.7?
MR. OCHS: I apologize, Commissioner. You're right, 16.A.7,
thank you.
The next proposed change is to move Item 16.K.3 from your
County Attorney consent agenda to the County Attorney regular
agenda to become Item 12.A. That is made at Commissioner Fiala's
request.
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March 11, 2014
The next proposed change is to continue Item 17.D to your April
8th, 2014 meeting. That request is made by the staff.
We have two time certain items scheduled this morning,
Commissioners. The first is Item 13.A at 10:00 a.m. That's the
presentation of your consolidated annual financial report.
And Item 11 .A is scheduled to be heard at 10:45 this morning.
That's the report on the 10-year financial analysis of your
Conservation Collier program.
And we have a couple of reminders. Your court reporter is
scheduled for breaks at 10:30 a.m. and 2:50 this afternoon, if required.
Item 7 is your public comments. That should be heard no sooner
than 1 :00 p.m. And then Items 8 and 9 are your advertised public
hearings, to be heard no sooner than 1:30 p.m.
And Mr. Chairman, with respect to your advertised public
hearings you have, as previously directed by the Board, Items 9.A and
9.B listed on your agenda for hearing today. The last direction from
the Board was to place that on this agenda pending the payment --
repayment of the $320,000 associated with this project. I don't believe
that the staff is in receipt of that payment, so it's the Board's pleasure
on how they would like to proceed at this point.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Crystal, has the Clerk received
payment for --
MS. KINZEL: No, sir, we haven't received any payment to my
knowledge to date. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. Well, what's the wishes of the
Board? My preference is to continue it one more time.
Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: If that's a motion, sir, I would
support it.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I agree, I would support it also.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Coyle?
Page 4
March 11, 2014
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I would not.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: No. I would prefer to just take care
of it now. Whatever the majority says. I'd like to hear from Rich.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah, I think you ought to hear it.
At least it would provide you some opportunity to determine how you
can best get paid. If you keep refusing to talk with the petitioner about
this, you're never going to get paid. And I think we ought to get that
money back and we ought to do everything we can to get it back. And
that does not include just shutting down a petition. We should listen
to it and see what can be worked out.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. Well, I think it's going to
cloud the issue.
But Mr. Yovanovich, did you want to say something real quick?
MR. YOVANOVICH: I'd like to get on the record our request
and objection to a further continuance.
I do not believe -- for the record, Rich Yovanovich, on behalf of
the petitioner.
By way of a brief recap, a grant was provided to another entity
that ultimately made a sub-grant for the acquisition of this piece of
property. The purpose of that acquisition was to provide affordable
housing. The current PUD ordinance provides for affordable housing
to be constructed on the property.
There would be no reason to pay back the grant if the PUD
amendment is denied, because affordable housing will be required to
be provided on the property and will be provided on the property.
Likewise, if the Board approves the PUD amendment, there is a
mechanism -- and I won't get into great detail right now, but there is a
mechanism by which the grant would be repaid and therefore the
county would get its money back because affordable housing would
not be provided.
Page 5
March 11, 2014
I think it would be improper and probably unprecedented to
require an applicant to pay money to have the right to have its petition
heard other than application fees that are required to be paid. And
that's frankly what position we're in right now where we can pay the
money back, we could have our PUD amendment denied, and still be
required to provide affordable housing. My client doesn't think that
that's a position he should be put into and, frankly, will not be put into
because if he's going to have to provide affordable housing, then
you've gotten the benefit of the grant money. If he doesn't have to
provide affordable housing, you'll get the money back. But to pay the
$320,000 back and possibly have a PUD amendment denied where he
has to provide the affordable housing anyway is not something that
my client is interested in doing.
We believe we have the right to be heard today, would like to be
heard today, and that is our request. You can continue us and continue
us and continue us, it will not result in my client paying the $320,000
back prior to being heard. And at some point my client will have to
figure out what's in its best interest as to how to proceed, and that
option probably will result in an affordable housing project going
forward.
And I've sent the letter explaining where the issue is regarding
mortgages on the property and the like.
We don't want to be in that position. We think we have a petition
that is a win/win what the community wants, and with some minor
tweaks that we're prepared to make during our hearing I think we'll
even be better.
So we request that we allowed to be heard today. And with that,
I'll answer any questions you may have.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Who's first, Commissioner Hiller,
Commissioner Fiala, Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Why don't you start?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Thank you. Couple of things,
Page 6
March 11, 2014
Rich. I have a hard time understanding how you can be representing
this client when you represented the bank in this transaction. Didn't
you represent Orion in the original closing of the acquisition of that
property?
MR. YOVANOVICH: To be honest with you, I haven't even
looked back at that. But the current owner of the mortgage has
engaged my services to work on this particular matter.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And who's that? So who do you
represent?
MR. YOVANOVICH: I represent the property owner as well as
the mortgage holder. And I didn't bring my entire file up with me, but
it's in the letter I submitted to you.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Well, I read the letter but I don't
recall the mortgage holder. Who's the mortgage --
MR. YOVANOVICH: You want me to get my letter? I have it
in back.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Just if you don't mind, just to
refresh my memory.
MR. KLATZKOW: Orion Bank was represented by Goodlette
Coleman.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah. And I believe Rich was the
MR. KLATZKOW: A member of the firm.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, well he was I believe the
attorney who did the closing on that. And the -- and I have a real
concern about that. Because on that HUD statement the county's
contribution was not reflected as a loan and should have been, because
it was. I mean, it was --
MR. YOVANOVICH: Well, I mean, we can get into all the --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I have a real concern about it.
Because I'm not sure how you are in the position you're in before us in
light of the fact that you represented Orion and were on the other side.
Page 7
March 11, 2014
MR. YOVANOVICH: Well, again, let's get into that in a second,
but let me just tell you who the current mortgage holder is.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I think the issue is, is whether we
want to hear this petition today.
MR. YOVANOVICH: It's South Naples Ventures, LLC.
And frankly, if you think there's a conflict, that conflict, one, I
don't think exists, but two, is a conflict that doesn't concern the Board
of County Commissioners. The Board of County Commissioners is --
our firm, I did the original zoning for this property. My firm did
represent Orion Bank. I doubt that I actually did the closing, it was
probably one of my partners who actually did the closing, so that
doesn't matter. I mean, my firm did.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: We can talk about that after. But I
just wanted that as --
MR. YOVANOVICH: I just wanted to make sure --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: -- I wanted some clarity on that.
MR. YOVANOVICH: -- there's not any impropriety in my
being here today and representing the current mortgage holder and the
current property owner requesting this change. And I don't want to get
into the details of who the loan was actually made to and what is of
record regarding prom -- regarding a mortgage and a promissory note
and who they benefit.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Well, you know, the concern I
have is that the taxpayers of Collier County are out $320,000. HUD
took $320,000 back basically by denying us those funds prospectively
against what we expected to get. So I think the county has to be made
whole. I mean, there's an obligation, either an obligation to give the
county back the money or to perform.
And, you know, the terms of repayment that you're proposing are
just not acceptable. We need that money now. I mean, your proposal
takes no -- takes time value of money totally out of the equation. You
know, you're paying back far less than what's owed the taxpayers, and
Page 8
March 11, 2014
that's just not acceptable.
I think that you've basically, from what I can see, have two
choices, and that is pay the money back that is owed the taxpayers of
Collier County, or give the taxpayers the affordable homes that you
committed to.
MR. YOVANOVICH: And that is exactly what we're proposing
to do. We're giving you the option to tell us to build the affordable
housing that's currently zoned on the property or pay back the
$320,000.
Now, I will tell you, I have received not a single piece of
correspondence from the county disputing the $320,000 amount. Not
received any type of estoppel certificate saying we think the money is
more than 320 --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: That's up to the County Attorney
to address.
MR. YOVANOVICH: I'm just telling you right now, that's the
number I've -- this is the first I've heard about anything more than 320.
I'll be prepared to address whatever you want to address.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: It's not a request of more. But the
repayment terms that you propose are giving -- is giving the county
less than 320.
MR. YOVANOVICH: Again, I can't have this discussion until I
have a hearing on this. I have yet to receive any feedback other than
the feedback we got from the Planning Commission regarding the
repayment of the 320.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, I would really like to hear it
just because I need to hear all sides of it. And if we -- they said that if
they build the affordable housing they don't have to pay us back
anyway. So I think we ought to be listening to the whole issue,
hearing all sides of it and then make a decision.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Coyle?
Page 9
March 11, 2014
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah, I think there's a very serious
legal question here. You can't -- there's an intent to punish someone
who did something that cost us to lose some affordable housing grant
money. And while that might make some people feel good, it doesn't
solve the problem. If we can solve the problem and get the money
and/or the affordable housing, then that's the way we should do it.
And the answer is very simple: Either let them -- I don't know
that we need to let them proceed with their current zoning with
affordable housing. They can go out and start doing that right now if
they want to and they won't have to pay you a penny, because they
will have performed under the original contract and built the
affordable housing that was required.
The other alternative is to not approve the affordable housing,
take it out of the PUD, and have them pay us some amount of money
in cash, whatever that is.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay, I think the issue is, is do we
want to hear this petition today or not.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Well, I'm trying to explain to you
why it makes sense to hear it.
And if what you want to do is punish somebody, then what we
can do is just continue to continue it, not talk to them, don't try to
negotiate anything at all, wind up in court in a lawsuit, finally have the
developer build the affordable housing and not pay us a penny. So it's
a waste of time and I think we ought to cut to the chase and get it
done.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Do you have any ex parte
communication or any further changes to today's agenda?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Did you make a motion to
continue this item?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, we're going to -- we're either
going to approve today's agenda as amended by the change sheet or
we're not.
Page 10
March 11, 2014
MR. KLATZKOW: You have some registered speakers on other
items, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Oh, we do? Thank you. Well, we
ought to hear those first.
MR. MILLER: I have a registered speaker for 16.D.9, Larry Via.
Can you come up to the podium, sir.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Mr. Chairman, I'd actually like to
move 16.D.9 to the regular agenda. If this gentleman would like to
speak now, that is fine, if he would like to -- if he has other business
today that he would like to do, because it may be later in the day. But
I would actually like to move that to the regular agenda.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Is that what you're asking, sir?
MR. VIA: If I may, I would like to speak now.
I'm Larry Via. I'm a 40-year resident of Collier County. I moved
here from Sarasota in the early Seventies. I've been highly involved
with the American Veterans of V.F.W. and the American Legion. I
am currently vice commander of the national AMVETS. I made a
long, hard drive yesterday from Washington D.C. because a colleague
of mine had told me about this issue.
I've been involved -- I was state commander and I was involved
in all of the veterans homes in the State of Florida, including one that
was built in St. Augustine where I did the dedication.
This is a beautiful, well-kept facility. It is engineered and
designed to fit in with the St. Augustine motif.
I was also, as a national officer, involved in one in Pell City,
Alabama. And again, these are all well staffed, well kept facilities.
They will bring a lot of local employment, hopefully veterans, and I
hope that you push for this VA home here in Collier County.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: So you're in favor of the action
today?
MR. VIA: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Do you still want to move it to the
Page 11
March 11, 2014
regular agenda?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Is there a reason we need to move
it? I mean, if everyone's in agreement it can be approved on consent,
and we've already heard the speaker.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Commissioner Hiller, I want to
talk very much more favorably about this agenda item. It's not -- I
don't object to the agenda item, but I think it deserves a little more
public comment --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Which item would that be?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: -- because it's such a good thing.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: That's fine.
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, that's item -- for the record it's
16.D.9. It's a recommendation to approve submission of a letter of
intent to the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs indicating Collier
County's intention to submit a site selection criteria application to be
considered --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Which item will it be?
MR. OCHS: Sorry, sir?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Which item will it be, 11 what?
MR. OCHS: It will become 11.D on your agenda.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: 11 .D. Thank you.
Thank you, sir.
MR. VIA: Please help employ veterans. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Thanks for your service.
MR. MILLER: Mr. Chairman, I did have one other registered
speaker for a summary agenda item, 17.D. That item has been
continued. I didn't know how you wanted to handle this.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: No, it's being continued.
MR. MILLER: Okay.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Where were we, ex parte
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March 11, 2014
communications?
And any further changes to today's agenda, Commissioner
Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: No, I don't have any other changes
to today's agenda. And as far as ex parte disclosure is concerned, for
item 16.A.3 on the consent, I met with Bruce Anderson on March
11th, 2013 (sic) to discuss this particular application. And on the
summary agenda, 17.A, I have read the staff report. And on 17.B I
have also read the staff report. I have no other disclosures.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Thank you.
Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, almost a ditto for me. I have
no changes on the agenda. On the consent agenda, 16.A.3, I met with
Bruce Anderson as well. On 17.A and 17.B, I have the staff report.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Any further changes?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: On 17 -- I'm sorry, 17.A and 17.B, I
received the staffs report. And I don't have any further changes.
Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yes, on 16.A.3, I have no
disclosures. On 17.A I've reviewed the staff report and had a call. At
17.B I reviewed the staff report. And 17.C, no disclosure.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I have received the staff report on
Item 17.A and 17.B. And no additional disclosure, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Do you have any further changes to
today's agenda?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: No, sir.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I'd like a point of clarification
before we vote on the agenda as amended.
The change sheet looks to -- well, it doesn't address 9.B. Are you
Page 13
March 11, 2014
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Do you want to make a motion?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, I'd like to make a motion to
amend the regular agenda to continue 9.B.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Is that including your motion to
approve the proposed changes by county --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And to approve all the changes
proposed by the County Manager this morning.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Is there a second to the --
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, excuse me, 9.A is a companion item
to 9.B. Commissioner, would you like to continue both?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yes, both. I'll amend my motion
to continue 9.A and 9.B and to accept the changes that you've
presented this morning, County Manager.
MR. KLATZKOW: And Ma'am, if you're going to continue 9.A
and 9.B, do you want a date certain? You could either do March 25th
or April 8th.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: What do you recommend, County
Attorney?
MR. KLATZKOW: Either of those two days would be fine;
otherwise we have to readvertise.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Well, let's do April 8th to give
them time to work with you on this matter.
MR. KLATZKOW: Okay.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Is there a second to the motion?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion and a second to approve
today's agenda as amended.
All in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye.
Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Opposed?
Page 14
March 11, 2014
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: (Indicating.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: You oppose?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion is opposed by Commissioner
Fiala and Commissioner Coyle.
Okay, now we're done with that.
2.A is to approve -- no, we already did that.
2.B is --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Or not 2.B.
MR. KLATZKOW: May I interrupt? Have you approved the
summary as well?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Pardon me?
MR. KLATZKOW: Have you approved the summary as well?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yes. Takes four votes?
MR. KLATZKOW: Four votes on some of these items, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. Well, let's -- can we go
through the summary agenda and receive a motion to approve today's
summary agenda as stated in the agenda?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: So moved.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Can we do that?
MR. KLATZKOW: Yes.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Seeing none, all in favor of the
motion, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
Page 15
March 11, 2014
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion carries unanimously.
Anything else?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Thank you for that correction.
Page 16
Proposed Agenda Changes
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
March 11,2014
Continue Item 16A6 to the March 25,2014 BCC Meeting: Recommendation to adopt a
Resolution granting a design variance that authorizes a speed limit increase from forty-five miles
per hour(45 mph)to fifty miles per hour(50 mph) on Collier Boulevard from Davis Boulevard to
US41. (Staff's request)
Continue Item 16A7 to the April 8,2014 BCC Meeting: Recommendation to approve the
prioritization of five limerock roads for the purpose of limerock road conversion,from the Road
Maintenance Limerock Road Conversion Program (LRCP),Project 60128,in FY2014.
(Commissioner Nance's request)
Move Item 16K3 to Item 12A: Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners
rescinds its direction that the County Attorney work with the Clerk to obtain an Attorney General
Opinion as to the legality of the La Peninsula MSBU Ordinance and instead directs the following:
(1)That the La Peninsula Condominium Association pays the County in advance for the estimated
costs to be incurred; (2)That these funds be held in Trust for La Peninsula Condominium
Association in a separate fund and not be considered public moneys; (3)That until there is a
judicial decision on the bond validation proceeding,all expenditures in connection with this MSBU
be made out of these private funds; (4)That if additional moneys are needed,they come from the
same source and be deposited in the same account; and (5) That if,and only if,there is a judicial
decision arising out of a bond validation proceeding which upholds the legality of the ordinance and
the financing,then at that point the moneys previously paid could be reimbursed to the
Condominium Association as part of the financing. (Commissioner Fiala's request)
Continue Item 17D to the April 8,2014 BCC Meeting: Recommendation to adopt an
Ordinance to be known as the Natural Gas Franchise Ordinance. (Staff's request)
Time Certain Items:
Item 13A to be heard at 10:00 a.m.
Item 11A to be heard at 10:45 a.m.
3/11/2014 8:40 AM
March 11, 2014
Item #2B
MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 28, 2014 BCC/REGULAR
MEETING — APPROVED AS PRESENTED
CHAIRMAN HENNING: 2.B is approve February 11th, '14
BCC regular meeting.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Motion to approve.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion by Commissioner Hiller,
second by Commissioner Fiala.
All in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion carries unanimously.
Now we're going to do proclamations?
Item #4
PROCLAMATIONS — ONE MOTION TO ADOPT ALL
PROCLAMATIONS
Item #4A
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MARCH 13, 2014 AS THE
THREE MILLIONTH DIAPER CELEBRATION FOR BABY
BASICS OF COLLIER COUNTY. ACCEPTED BY JEAN ANN
LYNCH, FOUNDER AND BOARD PRESIDENT AND ESTHER
Page 17
March 11, 2014
DANIEL GONZALEZ, VOLUNTEER — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir. Item 4.A is a proclamation recognizing
March 13, 2014 as the Three Millionth Diaper Celebration for Baby
Basics of Collier County. To be accepted by Jean Ann Lynch,
Founder and Board President, and Esther Daniel Gonzalez, Volunteer.
This item is sponsored by the entire Board of County Commissioners.
If you'd step forward and receive your proclamation.
(Applause.)
MS. LYNCH: First of all, thank you to the commissioners for
recognizing March 13th as the celebration of our Three Millionth
Diaper presentation. We are a volunteer association; 100 percent of
the association is all volunteers. We provide free diapers and kindness
to children from low-income families in Immokalee and Naples.
These families do not receive any federal assistance or state cash
assistance.
A hundred percent of the monies raised, unless earmarked by a
donor, go directly for diapers.
We were established 10 years ago with just 10 babies and today
we have 345 babies.
97 percent of our families tell us that the money that they would
have used for diapers is now used for food. So it's a great help to
them.
We have some thoughts if you -- we have given out 15,000 cases
of diapers. If we stacked the cases end to end it would be 22 Empire
State buildings. And three million diapers end to end would stretch to
Nashville.
We have impacted the lives of over 1,200 babies in Collier
County and we are hopeful that by next year we hopefully will have
500 babies or so. So thank you to the Commissioners and thank you
to everyone.
(Applause.)
Page 18
March 11, 2014
Item #4B
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING MARCH 15, 2014 AS SAVE
THE FLORIDA PANTHER DAY IN COLLIER COUNTY.
ACCEPTED BY TOM TROTTA, PRESIDENT AND AMBER
CROOKS, SECRETARY, FRIENDS OF THE FLORIDA
PANTHER REFUGE; AND KEVIN GODSEA, PROJECT
LEADER, FLORIDA PANTHER NATIONAL WILDLIFE
REFUGE — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Item 4.B is a proclamation designating March 15,
2014 as Save the Florida Panther Day in Collier County. To be
accepted by Tom Trotta, President, and Amber Crooks, Secretary, of
the Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge. This item is sponsored by
Commissioner Nance.
(Applause.)
MR. TROTTA: Thank you, Collier County Board of County
Commissioners for proclaiming March 15th, 2014 Save the Florida
Panther Day.
The Florida panther is the official state animal of the State of
Florida. And Collier County is a stronghold of the remaining remnant
Florida panther population.
To celebrate the day, the Florida Panther National Wildlife
Refuge is holding an open house for all. This event is free. We invite
the Commissioners to join us in our celebration.
Why should we save this one species from extinction? Because
not only the panther but ourselves that benefit.
Biologists consider the panthers an indicator species as the coal
mine canary of Southwest Florida wilderness. When panthers roam
the land, we know that the land is healthy. We know that our swamps,
our hammocks and our prairies are healthy, providing us with clean
Page 19
March 11, 2014
water, fresh air and natural areas that enhance our very existence and
provide economical and personal benefits. Thank you again.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Thank you.
(Applause.)
Item #4C
PROCLAMATION TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE MARCO
ISLAND FOR BEING NAMED THE #1 ISLAND IN THE USA
AND THE #4 ISLAND IN THE WORLD BY TRIPADVISOR -
TRAVELERS' CHOICE BEST ISLANDS 2014. ACCEPTED BY
LARRY SACHER COUNCILMAN, CITY OF MARCO ISLAND;
SANDI REIDMAN, MARCO ISLAND CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE; RICK MEDWEDEFF, GENERAL MANAGER,
MARCO ISLAND MARRIOTT; AND JACK WERT, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES
CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Item 4.0 is a proclamation to honor and celebrate
Marco Island for being named the number one island in the U.S.A.
and the number four island in the world by TripAdvisor- Travelers'
Choice Best Islands 2014. To be accepted by Marco Island City
Councilman Amadeo Petricca; Sandi Reidman, Marco Island
Chamber of Commerce; Rick Medwedeff, General Manager, Marco
Island Marriott; and Jack Wert, Executive Director of the
Naples/Marco Island/Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau.
This item is sponsored by Commissioner Fiala. If you'd please step
forward.
(Applause.)
MS. REIDMAN: On behalf of the Chamber and the City of
Marco Island, we would like to -- we're very honored to receive this
award. This award was voted on by travelers, so we're very proud that
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March 11, 2014
they selected Marco Island as the number one island in the United
States and number four in the world.
So we are a friendly island. And on behalf of the businesses,
we're very proud to accept this award. And thank you for giving us
this proclamation.
(Applause.)
Item #4D
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING MARCH 4-18, 2014 AS
COMCAST PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WEEKS IN
COLLIER COUNTY IN RECOGNITION OF ITS TECHNOLOGY
PROGRAM AND DONATION ASSISTING COLLIER COUNTY
STUDENTS. ACCEPTED BY JUSTIN DAMIANO,
GOVERNMENT & REGULATORY AFFAIRS COMCAST
CABLE AND JOE LANDON, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR/COMMUNICATIONS & COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT, COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS —
ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Item 4.D is a proclamation designating March 4th
through March 18th, 2014 as Comcast Public-Private Partnership
Weeks in Collier County, in recognition of its technology program and
donation assisting Collier County students. To be accepted by Justin
Damiano, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Comcast Cable; and
Joe Landon, Executive Director/Communications and Community
Engagement in Collier County Public Schools. This item is sponsored
by Commissioner Nance. Please step forward.
MR. DAMIANO: Hello. Thank you. It's an honor and pleasure
to be here. I'm again Justin with Comcast. I'll promise, my remarks
will be brief. Although at Comcast we have a two-hour appointment,
we work in two-hour windows, so --
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March 11, 2014
On March 4th our company made an announcement from
Washington D.C. listing the top school districts in the country in
regards to their broadband -- their working with school districts and
others to encourage broadband technology access. Collier County
ranked first among school districts in the country of its size for
enhancing broadband technology access for low income Americans.
Internet Essentials, I'm sure you're probably familiar with it, but
for the sake of everyone here I'll briefly describe the program. This is
a program for families that are eligible under the National School
Lunch Program for a free reduced lunch. They are also eligible for
reduced internet from their service provider. Comcast was the first
internet service provider to launch such a program as part of our NBC
universal transaction to receive regulatory approval with FCC.
We committed that we would run that program for three years as
part of that transaction.
On March 4th we announced that we are expanding the program
indefinitely. And so we also announced some key metrics for the
program. We connected 300,000 families or over a million Americans
nationwide, low-income Americans that would otherwise have been
disconnected. And so because Collier County is a leader in that effort,
we've also announced that we'll be awarding $1 million in grants to
gold medal school districts, or those school districts like Collier
County who have done so well with encouraging broadband
technology access in their communities.
So we'll be over the coming months working with
community-based organizations like Big Brothers/Big Sisters and
Boys and Girls Club and Junior Achievement and the Education
Foundation to identify where the needs are in this community to foster
family-focused digital literacy training, as well as to further broadband
technology access.
And to further incentivize that, in addition to these grants we'll
also be awarding six months complimentary internet service to any of
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March 11, 2014
these eligible families who sign up for the program, as a way to further
incentivize their Internet adoption.
And frankly, I think we all know the power of the Internet. It's
an amazing tool for parents to communicate with teachers, to search
for jobs, to apply to college. It's an encyclopedia, library and tutor all
rolled into one. And we really believe that those families that don't
have Internet access are really placed at a disadvantage.
So this proclamation, this great private-public partnership that we
have I think will really make a difference for Collier County and those
families, and so it's just a pleasure to be working alongside all of you
and other members of this community. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Fiala has a comment.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Just a fast question. Thank you.
It's a very, very good program and I'm sure the school system is
delighted to be a major part of that.
About the families who can't even afford a computer so Internet
access wouldn't help them, is there any way that you're going to help
them to obtain a computer?
MR. DAMIANO: That's a great question. The FCC identified
three barriers to broadband adoption, and one of those was actually
not having a device capable of accessing the Internet.
Thanks -- actually this is my colleague here, Paul (sic), but --
with the superintendent's office. Thanks to Superintendent Cam
Patton, Collier County is not only the leader in broadband technology
access, but also in school with their front-running Bring Your Own
Device initiative and some of the other amazing technology initiatives
that they're launching. It's no surprise that Collier County is a leader
in the nation for that.
And so to answer your question more directly, Comcast is
making available computers for these families to purchase at $150,
which is well below their retail value. They're getting essentially a
$400 computer and we will pick up the additional cost of that.
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March 11, 2014
My background actually is in economics. I'll talk a little bit about
why we charge something for the service, the $10 a month Internet
service, but also the cost of the computer.
When people pay something for a device or Internet access,
there's value to that. And by offering it completely for free,
sometimes it diminishing its value. And so we wanted to offer --
essentially subsidize their computer access and make these computers
available and to address one of those three barriers to broadband
adoption.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, I'd like to really commend
and compliment you on what I will label philanthrocapitalism. This is
a perfect example of your organization investing in the community in
a very socially mindful manner, and in doing so promoting capitalism
at the same time. I mean, you're going to bring these people to market
and they will have opportunities to be major contributors hopefully in
the future. So I really applaud you. And this is the way to do it. I
mean, it's -- yeah, definitely. It's all about philanthrocapitalism.
MR. DAMIANO: Well, thank you for making Collier County a
great place to do business. Southwest Florida does have a local call
center for Comcast; we answer calls locally. Our employees live and
work in this community. And this is one of many programs that we
foster to try and give back as a good corporate citizen, so thank you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Thank you.
MR. LANDON: And on behalf of the district, I'd just like to say
that we place a great deal of emphasis on using technology to enhance
student learning. And because of that, home connectivity is very
important to us. And the affordable Internet service provided by
Comcast goes a long way toward making that connectivity possible.
So we thank Comcast and we thank the Board of Commissioners for
this recognition.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Thank you.
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March 11, 2014
(Applause.)
Item #4E
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING MARCH 13-23, 2014 AS THE
38TH ANNUAL COLLIER COUNTY FAIR AND 4-H SHOW
AND AUCTION DAYS. ACCEPTED BY SHANNON HUBBELL
AND CHARLES BROWN OF THE COLLIER COUNTY FAIR
BOARD; TISH ROLAND, TRISHA ALDRIDGE AND MARIE
MORRIS OF THE 4-H ASSOCIATION OF COLLIER COUNTY;
AND 4-H YOUTH PARTICIPANTS — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Item 4.E is a proclamation designating March 13th
through March 23rd, 2014 as the 38th Annual Collier County Fair and
4-H Show and Auction Days. To be accepted by Shannon Hubbell
and Charles Brown of the Collier County Fair Board; Tish Roland,
Trisha Aldridge and Marie Morris of the 4-H Association of Collier
County and 4-H Youth Participants. And this item is sponsored by
Commissioner Nance.
(Applause.)
MS. HUBBELL: Well, we'll keep this short and sweet here. But
we thank you very much for thinking of this. And we thank the fair,
because without the fair, the 4-Hers wouldn't have this opportunity to
show their animals. And 4-H is a wonderful program throughout the
county. We served 6,000 youth last year, and a big part of it is due to
interacting activities like this.
And we thank you very much for this proclamation.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to just
remind everybody in the audience and the Board that the
ribbon-cutting ceremony for this year's fair, which is the 38th annual
fair, is going to be held on Thursday, this coming Thursday, March
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March 11, 2014
13th at 9:00 a.m. And just our thanks to the fair board and all the
volunteers that have worked on this so hard for the last three decades,
and just let everybody know that not only does the fair provide this
entertainment and support for 4-H, but it's also provided funding for
organizations like the Make A Wish Foundation, the American Cancer
Society, the Humane Society, the Blood Mobile, Collier County
Public Schools, the Harry Chapin Food Bank and their own
foundation, the Life's Not Fair Foundation. So thank you so much for
everything that you do.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah. And I absolutely agree with
that. 4-H is an incredible organization, and in conjunction with the
fair has done so much to help so many in the community.
I just wanted everyone to take note that the 4-Hers here today are
very appropriately dressed in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, which is
coming up, and they have -- I love, you know, the four-leaf clovers
with the HH&H. But do you really know what a four-leaf clover
stands for? Did you know that every leaf has symbolism? Did you
know that? Well, I'm going to share with you: Faith, hope, love and
luck. That's what you're about.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Thank you.
Next proclamation.
Item #4F
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING MARCH 2014 AS FLORIDA
BICYCLE MONTH IN COLLIER COUNTY. ACCEPTED BY
PATRICK RUFF, JANE CHEFFY, KAREN WALTERS, JOE
BONNESS AND ALAN RYKER, NAPLES PATHWAYS
COALITION; ANDY ROBINSON, NAPLES VELO CYCLING
CLUB; AND STACY REVAY, COLLIER TRANSPORTATION
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March 11, 2014
PLANNING PROJECT MANAGER — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Item 4.F is a proclamation designating March, 2014
as Florida Bicycle Month in Collier County, to be accepted by Patrick
Ruff, Jane Cheffy, Karen Walters, Joe Bonness and Alan Ryker from
the Naples Pathway Coalition; Andy Robinson of the Naples Velo
Cycling Club; and Stacy Revay, Collier Transportation Planning
Project Manager. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Hiller.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Mr. Ruff, do you want to say a few
words?
MR. RUFF: Yes, I do.
Thank you very much, County Commission, for proclaiming
Florida Bicycle Month here in Collier County. It's a very important
aspect to our daily lives.
Incidentally, Kathy Faerber from our board is also here with us
today, as well as Deborah Chesna.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And Bob Mulhere is here too.
MR. RUFF: Bob Mulhere is --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: We know he cycles.
MR. RUFF: I have a feeling there's a lot of cyclists in this group.
And we certainly do have some of our membership behind us too.
This past two months has been somewhat contentious in Naples
unfortunately, but this opportunity brings us here to talk about future
opportunities and goals.
Florida does lead the nation in bicycling accidents amongst
motorists and bicycling deaths, unfortunately, amongst motorists too.
Collier County traditionally has trended below that statistic.
However, in the last four or five years we're now trending to meet that
statistic and we're seen statewide as one of the less desirable statistical
counties right now relating to how motorists and bicyclists interact.
So we're here to help take some of the energy of this and look
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March 11, 2014
forward to this next year and put some new initiatives in place and
bring a lot of awareness so that we can pull that trend back. The
negative trend is obviously what we need to embrace right now and
bring the statistics back in line with a safe and cohesive community to
operate in.
I left you a sheet, a package up there. And it's not to necessarily
duplicate or emulate but to use as certain examples.
Right now we have a wonderful initiative in Collier County with
the recent adoption of the second five-year sidewalk and pathway
plan. The City of Naples has also adopted their second five-year plan.
Both of those were initiatives pushed by Naples Pathways Coalition.
And we still stay very active in that advocacy work.
There's also -- in the city there's an overlay district, the CRA plan
amendment, which has brought an awful lot of mechanism into play
also when you think of education and signage and just philosophies on
providing a safer infrastructure.
So I certainly hope that we can take some of the initiatives that
I've presented in this package with other communities and embrace the
initiatives that are in place and the mechanisms that are actually in
place right now with real funding and we can get a cohesive plan
between the city and the county to provide an interconnected network
of signage, of striping, of maintenance that really does give the
symbol that Collier County and the City of Naples is embracive of
pedestrians, of cyclists and motorists all getting together in a safe
manner on our infrastructure.
So that's what our goal is this next year. And we certainly have
always appreciated the respect that the Commission has given us in
our work and we look forward to embracing that respect today and
really implementing positive change so that we can get this education,
get the actual infrastructure in place, get it maintained properly so we
can all enjoy this wonderful county that is Collier County.
So thank you very much for giving us the time today, and I
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March 11, 2014
certainly do look forward to continue the good work with you folks.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yes, thank you very much. Thank
you for your words. You make excellent points and I think all of us
on the Commission support what you're advocating for.
I know staff is researching route options and that
inter-connectivity with the city. It certainly is a quality of life
enhancement for us here in Collier County.
My family is very committed to cycling. As you know, my son
cycles and my hallway now has three bikes in it. It's getting overrun.
So, you know, it is a family sport, it is very attractive from the
standpoint of sports tourism, and it's something that we want to see
practiced in the safest way on all fronts.
So thank you for your initiative and everything you're doing
through the Coalition and through the other bike groups. And thanks
for all of you who are here today who are working so hard for the
cyclist community.
And by the way, just -- I want to add one thing. I know a lot of
you could not be here today because you actually have jobs. I know
you guys are all just, you know, having a good time, but other guys
out there are really working. So if you want this proclamation
presented, I would be happy to do it. If you want to like meet at Fit
and Fuel, I'd be happy to bring it forward to your membership so
people know how our Board supports you.
MR. RUFF: Okay. Well, I appreciate that.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Because I know you meet there for
happy hour, right, after spending the whole day cycling. I'm just
saying, you know.
And by the way, that's a really great place. I mean --
MR. RUFF: Quality of life issue.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, it's a quality of life issue, Fit
and Fuel.
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March 11, 2014
CHAIRMAN HENNING: The most important part is education
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, for sure.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- of bicyclists, motorists and
pedestrians on the shared facilities that we have in Collier County. It
has to be a partnership between local government, state government
and special interest.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Leo, can you put this on the
overhead while Commissioner Henning is speaking, so people see
what he's referring to. You can take my copy. Just the front page.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I'm referring to the initiative in -- not
to that, but the initiative in the State of Florida for bicycle and
pedestrian safety, headed up by District 1 Secretary, Transportation
Secretary Billy Hattaway.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Who is a biker too.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: So that's how we're really going to
make a great community in the State of Florida is through education.
MR. RUFF: It's true. And again, now that we've turned into
leading the country in a statistic that we're really -- which we're not
embracive in and nobody wants to be known as the deadliest state for
cycling -- incidentally, we're all motorists every day, we're all cyclists
most of the time when we choose, and we're all pedestrians at different
times. And continuing education on just how to interact on the
infrastructure and how to look out for each other is really where we
have to gain some ground on.
You know, if you really look at our infrastructure in Collier
County, most of the roads have only been newly improved for five to
eight years. I mean, there's a huge percentage of our infrastructure
didn't exist seven or eight years ago. And that alone is just an
education process of bringing online on how to interact. You know,
all of a sudden you can get on your bike and go to Ave Maria. You
know, you couldn't do that effectively seven or eight years ago.
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March 11, 2014
Today you can do that.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Good, thank you.
MR. RUFF: So it's important to get it all into the grid, and I
certainly do appreciate the proclamation and we're going to continue
the strong work. So thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: And our last proclamation?
(Applause.)
Item #4G
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING MARCH 16-22, 2014 AS
SUNSHINE WEEK IN COLLIER COUNTY. ACCEPTED BY BOB
ST. CYR, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH, CLERK
OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, COLLIER COUNTY — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Item 4-G is a proclamation designating March 16th
through March 22nd, 2014 as Sunshine Week in Collier County. To
be accepted by Bob St. Cyr, Director of Community Outreach, Clerk
of the Circuit Court, Collier County. This item is sponsored by
Commissioner Henning.
(Applause.)
MR. ST. CYR: Commissioner Hiller would like to invite all of
the Clerk's staff up here for a photograph.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Come on. You're all the ones
making it possible.
MR. ST. CYR: Thank you, Commissioners. For the past five
years the office of the Clerk of Courts has promoted and the Board of
County Commissioners has approved an official proclamation
declaring Sunshine Week in Collier County.
Sunshine Week, March 16th to the 22nd, coincides with the
National Sunshine Week. And we certainly appreciate the Board's
ongoing support for this important initiative.
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March 11, 2014
The Sunshine Week proclamation serves as a reminder to citizens
of their right to know what their government is doing, and their right
to access and to inspect public records in keeping with Florida law.
As the official keeper of public records in Collier County, the
Clerk of Courts has made important steps forward over the past few
years to increase the awareness about how citizens can access public
records using collierclerk.com.
More citizens than ever are now searching court, official land
records and board minutes and records from the comfort of their
homes, in part due to the success of our ongoing seminar series. We
estimate that over 1,200 citizens have been attending these programs
and have actually learned how to access the programs and the records
from collierclerk.com.
We are proud to promote Sunshine Week in collaboration with
the Board of County Commissioners, and we look forward to
continuing this collaboration in the years ahead. Thank you for the
privilege of accepting this proclamation on behalf of the citizens of
Collier County.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Entertain a motion to accept today's
proclamations.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Motion to approve.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion by Commissioner Hiller,
second by Commissioner Nance.
All in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Opposed?
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March 11, 2014
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Nobody opposes.
Let's get through the presentations before we go to the time
certain.
MR. OCHS: Very good, Mr. Chair.
Item #5
PRESENTATION OF THE COLLIER COUNTY BUSINESS OF
THE MONTH FOR MARCH 2014 TO PURELY YOU SPA.
ACCEPTED BY JENNIFER ALVAREZ, OWNER AND CEO —
PRESENTED
MR. OCHS: Item 5.A is a presentation of the Collier County
Business of the Month for March, 2014 to Purely You Spa, to be
accepted by Jennifer Linguidi, Owner and CEO.
(Applause.)
MS. ALVAREZ LINGUIDI: Jennifer Alvarez Linguidi with
Purely You Spa.
Thank you so much for this honor. I can't tell you how much it
means to me and to our entire staff that we won this award today.
It isn't about us, it isn't about only our customers, it is about
Collier County as a whole. And we love to live in Collier County and
we love to give back. And it is really amazing what you all do.
And thank you for honoring us and thank you to the Chamber as
well. And we just really look forward to continuing to help Collier
County. So thank you again. Jennifer Alvarez.
(Applause.)
Item #5B
PRESENTATION OF CHECK FROM THE FARM CITY
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March 11, 2014
BARBEQUE PROCEEDS TO THE FOLLOWING YOUTH
PROGRAM RECIPIENTS: COLLIER COUNTY 4H
ASSOCIATION, YOUTH LEADERSHIP COLLIERTM, COLLIER
COUNTY JUNIOR DEPUTY LEAGUE AND COLLIER COUNTY
KEY CLUBS. PRESENTED BY SHERIFF KEVIN RAMBOSK
MR. OCHS: Item 5.B is a presentation of check from the Farm
City Barbeque proceeds to the following youth program recipients:
Collier County 4-H Association, Youth Leadership Collier, Collier
County Junior Deputy League, and Collier County Key Clubs. This is
to be presented by Sheriff Kevin Rambosk.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: You took the wrong way, Sheriff.
Traffic.
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: Good morning, Commissioners. Thank
you for the opportunity to be here. You all know how important youth
development is for Collier County. The 58th year of the Farm City
Barbeque enables us to continue to support the effort of leadership,
development and safety for our youth.
You heard the groups that were involved. We have representation
for each one of those groups. And this year with your help and that of
the business community and residents, we are here to present the
check in the amount of$46,400, the most that we have ever done to
support youth activities.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And you all know that the reason
they raised so much money is because of the Sheriffs secret recipe for
seasoning the steak that he was grilling this year. I mean, that's it,
right? We want to know what that is. The luck of the Irish?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Wasn't it fun seeing all the youth
out there that day --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: That was awesome.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- to help us? It was just great
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March 11, 2014
seeing adults and youth working together.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: It was such an incredible event.
And Commissioner Fiala was there. In fact, I have a very cute picture
I'll send to Leo that he can share of Commissioner Fiala, you know,
working the lines.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: You don't want to --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And Commissioner Henning
working away and Commissioner Nance. I mean, it was -- we were
all there and we had a wonderful time helping out. It was a great,
great, great event.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: It was.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Immokalee salad was awesome.
Steak was good.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Now we have a time certain.
Item #13A
PRESENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 AND AUTHORIZATION TO FILE THE
RELATED STATE OF FLORIDA ANNUAL LOCAL
GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL REPORT WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES - MOTION TO
ACCEPT THE REPORT AS PRESENTED AND STAFF TO
WORK WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE TO DEVELOP A
SUMMARY STATEMENT EXPLAINING DEBT SERVICE
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir. That is your 10:00 a.m. time certain
hearing this morning. It's Item 13.A on your agenda. It's a
presentation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, and an authorization to file the
related State of Florida Annual Local Government Financial Report
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March 11, 2014
with the Department of Financial Services. And Ms. Crystal Kinzel,
Director of Finance for the Clerk of Circuit Court, will begin the
presentation.
MS. KINZEL: Good morning, Commissioners. For the record,
Crystal Kinzel, the Director of Finance and Accounting for the Clerk.
And today we have another great news item for you.
As you may recall, last summer we were put in a bit of a bind
when the -- there was a threat of escalating audit costs beyond what
we had programmed or budgeted. Working very closely with county
purchasing department and following state statute, we went out with
an RFP, selected a different audit firm and were successful in actually
reducing the audit cost significantly, almost by half from what they
were previously, and we're here on time. We were able to compress
the audit schedule and accomplish what we needed to do, even in the
face of that glitch in auditing. So we're here today with great news.
For 27 years, Collier County's received the Certificate of
Achievement in Excellence in Presentation of the Financial Report.
We hope, and I'm very confident, that this year will be the 28th. We
were celebrating -- in the 2013 fiscal year end of CAFR you'll see
there's some historical pictures as this was Collier's 90th year, so we
were celebrating a little bit of our history.
And I'd like to thank Jennifer Milum and some of the other staff
for the design of the cover; they were instrumental in preparing that.
I'd also just like to take a very quick minute -- and I wrote down
it feels like the Academy Award sometimes where you forget to thank
all the right people.
So first I'd like to take a minute and introduce all the finance
manager and staff. They really weren't here for Sunshine Week. This
is the group of finance staff--
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Redo the picture. Bring Bob up
alone. I mean, just don't give him any credit for --
MS. KINZEL: I almost had to drag them here, Commissioner
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March 11, 2014
Hiller. They do work behind the scenes tirelessly and faithfully to
accomplish all that we need to do all year long, working with county
staff.
So with that, stand up. This is the audit and finance staff and
managers that worked directly on the report that you have before you.
(Applause.)
MS. KINZEL: Now, of course it takes more than just our staff,
so we would definitely like to thank the County Manager, Mark
Isackson, all of the Office of Management and Budget, Sherry Pryor,
works to coordinate the Office of Grant Compliance. They work very
closely with us to get the single audit information coordinated. And as
well as all of your department administrators.
This year under this kind of a schedule we had exceptional
cooperation to make this work. And so we're very, very thankful to
everyone that participated.
Last but not least, we'd like to thank the other constitutionals,
their offices, their staff for coordinating their financial statements,
which are also a part of your comprehensive Annual Financial
Support. So without their work in each of their individually elected
offices, we would not be able to meet our deadlines either. So we
really appreciate this was a whole-hearted county-wide effort.
So with that, I would like to introduce Martin Redovan, also
known as Marty, as a principal with CliftonLarsonAllen. He's going
to go over the presentation that you've been handed and brief you a
little bit on the results of the financial audit for fiscal year 2013.
At the end of today, as soon as this is accepted and approved by
the Board, we will be posting it to the website so that all of the citizens
in Collier County can review the presentation and get information
about their county. So thank you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Good morning.
MR. REDOVAN: Good morning, Mr. Chairman,
Commissioners. My name's Marty Redovan, and I was the
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March 11, 2014
engagement partner from CliftonLarsonAllen that oversaw the audit
this year.
And I'd have to start by saying the same as Crystal, that we
definitely appreciate and thank everyone at -- all the offices within the
county that helped us have a successful audit and I think helped us get
here on time. And even with a later start it worked out very well, and
I would be remiss if I didn't thank them first.
I'll try to keep my remarks brief. I was told that it was just an
overview, so we're just going to keep it to that level, and we'll kind of
start with an overview of the unassigned fund balance and the
three-year trend analysis.
And as you can see, the county over the last three years has
maintained or increased its unassigned fund balance, which is
favorable. And if you were to go to the Government Finance Office
Association's best practices, they would recommend at a minimum,
now it's a minimum, that the county would retain at least 17 percent in
its unassigned fund balance.
And that does take into consideration other things that the county
should consider in the development of that. But at a minimum, 17
percent. So you're above the minimum and that's a favorable factor.
When you compare Collier to Manatee and Sarasota, and there's
two reasons why we picked Manatee and Sarasota, we believe they're
comparable counties to a certain degree. I mean, no two counties are
exactly the same, but they're close. And they also get their financial
information out there so you have good information to compare it to.
Now, when you look at that, you can look at the unassigned fund
balance of Collier as compared to those two and it's kind of in the
middle between the two of them. And again, each county's different
in the way they do their budgeting and the way they do their fund
balance, you know, assignments and unassign -- and unassigned. But
nonetheless, I mean, favorable against your peers as well.
This graphic deals with the debt per capita over the last three
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March 11, 2014
years for Collier County. And as you can see kind of in the middle of
the screen, or the slide, the governmental activities debt, meaning just
general governmental debt, has been coming down over the last three
years. As has the business type, meaning water, sewer and other
things. Again, that's a favorable trend, reduction of your debt per
capita, in the county.
Now, when we compare it to Manatee and Sarasota, you can see
that the governmental activities debt while coming down is still a little
higher than those two counties, but right in the middle from the
business type activity. So again, not out of line but the trend and the
improvement as far as decreasing is going in the right direction and
again comparable to those counties. That's a good factor as well.
This is the overall engagement team that we brought out, is a list
of very many folks, but that's how we got the engagement done, with
the cooperation of everyone here at the county plus bringing in a
strong governmental team to make sure that we hit your deadlines.
We were engaged to perform the following services: Audit of the
financial statements is obvious, you know. But then we get into
deeper audits as far as evaluating compliance and internal controls
with your federal grants and the state grants. That's all part of the
scope of the audit.
We have to deliver these reports under auditing standards. And
again the independent auditor's report, report on internal control over
financial reporting; compliance with grants that are directly material; a
management letter that's required under rules of the Auditor General;
and then a communication to you is governance.
So a lot of reporting that goes along with the conclusion of the
audit.
So let's start off with the overall reporting, which is obviously the
report card, if you will, for the audit.
Number one, the independent auditor's report was an unmodified
opinion, meaning that we had no modifications whatsoever to the
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March 11, 2014
financial statements, the opinion on your financial statements for the
county this year, which is the best we can render for you.
The independent auditor's report on internal control, no material
weaknesses or significant deficiencies reported. Again, very
favorable.
When we get into the single audit -- when we refer to the single
audit, that's the grant auditing that we have to do, both federal and
state.
First off, there was an unmodified opinion on compliance, which
is good. No material weaknesses noted; there were last year. One
significant deficiency noted, okay, as compared to several last year.
They had to do a timely expenditure requirement. And I think again
we've been provided with corrective action plans for this year, going
for '14, and we'll review those and make sure that those were enacted
when we do the audit for '14.
We had one finding of compliance that had to do with -- again I
think it was the CDBG and the timely use of funds, and in essence
from that regard the grantor agency reduced your grant funds by
roughly $158,000 because we weren't timely in hitting the projects
and drawing down the funds.
There were seven findings last year. So seven findings in 2012.
Corrective action was implemented on five of those findings, and
partial corrective action was implemented on the remaining two. So
quite a lot of work went into dealing with those findings, correcting
those findings. And again, that's a short period of time when you
figure that the audit was going on December, January, and there were
corrective actions taken by September. That's pretty good.
We had one management letter comment, which means it wasn't
a significant deficiency or material weakness, just a management letter
comment about improving the segregation of duties over time
reporting internal controls.
We had a few instances where data entry was reviewed by the
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March 11, 2014
same person that did the data entry. It's not -- you know, it's not
pervasive, it was a few instances where we noted it so we brought it
forward, and again corrective action has been brought forward for that
and we'll review that.
Just a quick snapshot. As -- these were the comments last year.
And again, you can see the corrective action and what remains on the
other two. And I think your grant department has done an exceptional
job to try to bring this together and clean it up and focus on it. And the
cooperation was unbelievable trying to make sure that we got our
work done and we were provided all the information.
What I need to explain to you though real quick is every year the
grants that we test differ. You know, we may have some of the same,
but they do differ. We have to rotate under the rules of selection,
okay. So we did that this year.
We still went back on the grants that were tested last year that we
didn't have to test this year to do that follow-up to find out what
happened. And again that's reflected here. We'll do that again next
year. But again, we'll get into a whole different level of grants
potentially, which again means every department that has a grant is on
notice that their grants may be picked for audit. And I know that your
team is very cognizant of that and doing their best to make sure that,
you know, the terms of the agreements are complied with.
Couple of things that I need to report to you as governance.
There were no difficulties encountered dealing with management at
any aspect of the audit. We had one uncorrected misstatement. What
that means is there was an adjustment that could have been made that
wasn't made because of materiality issues. It had to do with the
capitalization of interest to construction work in progress in your
water and sewer fund. Again, not significant, but as a matter of
standard I need to bring that to your attention.
The other thing I wanted to mention to you is the adoption of
new accounting pronouncements, GASB 62 and 63. Those were
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March 11, 2014
effective this year. They do change your reporting. There's a note in
the financial statement that discusses that.
And the only reason why I really bring that to your attention is so
you realize that it's just an implementation of a standard. It wasn't as
if something was not done correctly or anything like that. So if
somebody asks you, well, what does that mean, well, it just means that
we -- there was a new standard out there and the county complied with
it, implemented it and we have to report accordingly. So that's why I
wanted to make sure you saw that.
And then finally, there were no disagreements with management.
Again, when I say management, I mean here at the county, at the
Clerk's Office, the Sheriff, the Property Appraiser, Tax Collector,
Supervisor of the Clerk of Court. I mean all Constitutional officers;
the Board of County Commissioners and so forth. No disagreements
anywhere within the county as far as the audit goes.
And then finally, like I said at the beginning, we really do
appreciate the cooperation that was given to us this year, and we look
forward to serving you again this coming year.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Questions, comments?
Commissioner Hiller, Commissioner Coyle.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, two comments. The first is,
Marty, thank you very much for putting together a really nice CAFR.
I had the opportunity to take a look at it and it's very well done. So we
appreciate your and your staffs effort towards that end.
I would like to compliment Leo and his staff for doing so much
to take corrective action and fixing the problems with respect to grant
compliance. I think the Board worked very hard with Leo to develop
a direction to avoid the mishaps of the past from being able to reoccur
again. And with new staff and new protocols and putting together for
example the Victims Advocacy Coalition working with those
organizations that had problems with grant administration in the past, I
think we've come a long way, and it's really refreshing.
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March 11, 2014
I said two remarks, I lied. Three.
Crystal, Derrick, all of you, I mean, I just can't name everybody
because I'm terrible at names. And I love you all and you're
phenomenal and thank you for everything that you have done to
ensure that we have internal controls in place so there aren't problems,
and to ensure that the reporting is fair and accurate and legal and so
transparent in the spirit of Sunshine that everyone in the community
knows how their dollars are being spent by their government. So
thank you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah, I'd just like to make an
observation to which you might agree or disagree, but per capita
comparisons with other counties are meaningless. The reason for that
is that Collier County is unique in that it is -- has a very large land
area. We have 80 percent preserved property here in Collier County,
which is not income producing. When we have to build public
infrastructure, it is far more expensive because we have to prepare
more for mitigation for protected wildlife and plants and for
stormwater controls. We probably have more bridges on our roads
than anyone else in the State of Florida.
It makes the maintenance of public infrastructure very, very
expensive. And when you take that expense and spread it over a
relatively small population, it is always going to provide a higher per
capita cost than any other state.
So I would hope that next time we look at more meaningful
things like, for example, debt. What is our capability to service the
debt, and what is our bondable revenues compared to the debt that we
have. Those kinds of things are important, more so in my opinion
than a comparison with other states that don't really -- other counties
that don't really have the same issues that we have.
MS. KINZEL: And Commissioner Coyle, thank you very much.
One of the reasons that we include the comparisons of the other
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counties is simply to follow prior Board direction regarding the same
counties as we compare to in budget.
But I wholeheartedly agree with you, some of those comparisons,
unless you really get into apples to apples, they can be misleading. So
we'll take a note.
There is a debt section within the CAFR that I'd like to point out
also that the public can find some of those ratios. But next year we'll
perhaps monitor our reporting to you and give you some different
information.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah, I think if you go back to
those ratios and you begin to look at those, you'll find that Collier
County is in very, very good financial condition --
MS. KINZEL: Very good.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: -- Vis-a-vis other counties in the
state. And there's a good reason for that.
So -- but when you present information that is debt per capita, it
leaves people with an impression that we are charging our taxpayers
too much money to support the infrastructure.
MS. KINZEL: And that would be unintentional. It simply is
following a prior format, and I agree with you.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Do --
MS. KINZEL: I do need a motion for acceptance, because of the
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Motion to approve.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I understand. But we're --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Motion to accept.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- we're not done yet.
I have a question. We have to report the debt in the CAFR? Is it
a requirement?
MR. REDOVAN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. Do we have to -- since there
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March 11, 2014
are different formulas for debt within our budget, such as special
assessments or special taxes by different groups and that, it's really not
the county's debt, can we separate that out and report just the county's
debt for infrastructure such as roads, water, sewer, things of that
nature and not report the other? Because actually we're not paying for
it.
MR. REDOVAN: Well, any and all debt that the county's
obligated for, literally obligated for, is in your financial statements.
What's known as conduit debt, debt that the county sponsored but
is not obligated for isn't in your financial statements, per se. There's a
disclosure that's required. And as Crystal mentioned, in the back of
the document in the statistical section there's really a lot of
information about the different types of debt and it explains a lot more
in detail than the notes of the financial statements do.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Can you take us to that? What page
would that be?
This is different than I'm used to over the years. The financial
section?
MR. REDOVAN: No, it's starting on around Page 143, and
actually before that. It's in the statistical section. Yep.
Do you have it, Derrick?
MR. JOHNSSEN: Derrick Johnssen for the Clerk's Office.
If you go to Page 146, sir, and that's where the statistical section
starts.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay.
MR. JOHNSSEN: And if you go to Page 160 you'll see some
particular ratios related to debt. Page 161 probably even more clear.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. Well, here's one example.
CRA taxable. That CRA note, is that included in our total debt
reported?
MR. JOHNSSEN: Yes, sir, it is.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: But that's a CRA; it's a separate
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March 11, 2014
entity.
MR. JOHNSSEN: Yes, sir, but that is a blended component unit
of Collier County so we do have to include it.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: What about the MSTUs, do we have
to report that?
MR. JOHNSSEN: Yes, sir, we do.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: In our total debt?
MR. JOHNSSEN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Because we're obligated for it?
MR. JOHNSSEN: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yes, thank you.
I wanted to comment. I wanted to add to the comment about the
per capita. I agree, it is very difficult but it is a measure that's
typically used and that's why it's reported like that.
But we as a Board recognize the importance of reducing our debt.
And so this year as a consequence we are continuing through our
budget guidance to request that staff reduce our obligations further.
And we have an excellent plan to bring us what I think will be in a
superior position compared to all the other counties per capita,
notwithstanding the obstacles we face that are real.
And I want to thank Mark Isackson, because it's with his help
that we have been on this, you know, wonderful debt reduction
trajectory. And we anticipate to reduce our outstanding debt by
another -- and correct me if I'm wrong, Mark, another 300 million in
the next five years or so, which is absolutely fantastic. Not to mention
that we have refinanced the balance of the outstanding debt, taking
full advantage of the current low interest rates. And as a consequence,
you know, if you look back over the last five years, we have
effectively reduced our debt service annually from about 80 million to
40 million, which is disproportionately more than the amount of debt
that we have taken off our books, due to the combination of the
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March 11, 2014
reduction overall debt plus the refinancing. So we're just getting
stronger and better every single day and we're fiscally conservative
and conscientious about doing business the right way for the
taxpayers.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Let's go back to the MSTU issues.
Derrick, you said that we were responsible for all of the debt of
an MSTU?
MR. JOHNSSEN: Sir, from a financial statement reporting
process.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Who pays for it?
MR. JOHNSSEN: The people in the MSTU.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: That's right, not Collier County
government. We don't write a check for that; is that right?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: We do.
MR. JOHNSSEN: Technically, sir, it is an MSTU of the county,
so we do have to include it. The check does come from the proceeds.
I clearly understand your point.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: But it's paid by the people in the
MSTU, it's not paid by the general fund of Collier County.
MR. JOHNSSEN: No, sir, it's not.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay, we need to make a
distinction about that, because that's a very important distinction. I
understand why we would want to include a total debt for the entire
county, but you have to make a distinction between what the
government is responsible for paying directly and what really is
conduit debt.
MS. KINZEL: And Commissioner Coyle, we do make some of
those distinctions. But remember, everything that's in the CAFR is
prepared according to the standards and guidance that is required by
the reviewing agencies and entities. But we could do different
reporting in addition as a supplement to the Board that would help you
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March 11, 2014
with some of those other how much are MSTUs, how much are CRAs.
But the presentation in the reporting format that you see before
you is pretty much put upon us by the GASB --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I understand it's a cookie cutter
concept, okay?
MS. KINZEL: It's required.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I appreciate that, yes.
And all I'm suggesting to you is that we must deal with it
realistically. We cannot have people running around saying we are
responsible for that debt, because that is not true. We are not
responsible for it, we never have been responsible for it. That debt is
secured by the property of the people in the MSTU itself, not by the
general fund revenues of Collier County. And that's a very, very big
distinction, okay?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, Commissioner Coyle, I agree
100 percent. Because that seems to be an issue of some dispute at this
time, I would appreciate going forward if we at least have some sort of
an attachment that does provide some sort of usable analysis where
somebody can understand clearly what the county taxpayers as a
whole are obligated for and what our individual taxing special districts
that have been established are responsible for, so it's clear and people
can understand it.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, the only reason I brought it up,
it was stated in the recent past meeting that that's not included into our
debt. That's why I wanted that clarification.
So it is included in our total debt. That's what financial agencies
look at is our total debt. And unless we can legally separate it out, it's
reported in our total debt.
MR. REDOVAN: If I could, and again, understand everything
you say. I think part of it too though is on -- when you look at the
notes to the financial statements, and again, like Crystal mentioned,
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March 11, 2014
we are required under the framework to report the debt that overall the
county has either authorized either through MSTU, CRA or otherwise,
so we've got that.
And it doesn't help the discussion much, but when you look at
Page 57 and you look at the description of the notes, it does say what
the pledged revenues are, so there is a description. For instance, the
MSTU for the Radio Road East Municipal Service Taxing is
collateralized by the limited ad valorem pledge of up to five mills.
That was what was enacted by the Board years ago.
The same with the CRA, it talks about the fact that the pledged
revenue is coming from the Bayshore/Gateway Community
Development District.
So I understand what you're saying, there's disclosures in here.
But it would take someone the knowledge and the time to find it, and I
understand that.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And just --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, thank you.
So is there a way for you then, as you summarize, to pull those
things out? Like the amount of land that we're talking about in Collier
County that pays no tax whatsoever, and so that you get a fairer
picture of that, and same with the MSTUs and so forth, so that people
understand what the base really is?
MR. REDOVAN: I would -- my first answer is that I'm not sure
we can in the framework of this document, because the requirements
of what has to go in and how it has to be reported. That might be
another document that you would work through with Mr. Isackson and
Crystal to come up with that document for you.
But the Comprehensive Annual Finance Report is fairly rigid on
what can be included and how it should be reported.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay, that's good --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Hiller?
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March 11, 2014
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- but you can come up with those
pages even if it's not included in the report, because it's not required,
but you can still come up with that so that we get a more accurate
picture of what we're --
MR. REDOVAN: I can't speak for county staff but I would say
that that would be something we can all discuss and come up with the
answer for you to say what can we do to meet the needs of you as the
Commissioners that is outside of this that frames it the way you'd like
it framed.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Hiller and
Commissioner Coyle.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And you're absolutely right,
Marty, you can't change what's in this report. It has to be presented as
you've presented it.
But we most certainly can do something supplemental that you
could help us develop. There are other counties that have in effect a
summary financial disclosure which is done intentionally to make it
easy for the public. Because, you know, the financial professionals
that would look to the CAFR know to look to those notes, clearly
understand, you know, how governmental debt is reported and so they
will appreciate what a lay person doesn't appreciate and could readily
find it in the CAFR.
I believe Tallahassee -- and I was actually looking into this. I
think Tallahassee issues or Leon County issues, you know, that
summary report for the benefit of the public. And I think that is
something that we should do, that the public, you know, every year
has the snapshot that gives them, you know, that level of financial
understanding that they need to have to be comfortable with how their
tax dollars are being spent. It's a new trend and I think it's a good one.
It promotes transparency and understanding among the public.
So I think we as a Board should direct staff to work with the
Clerk's Office and the -- outside our external auditors to develop that
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March 11, 2014
summary statement that would bring forward the kind of information
that all of us at the Board would like to see presented.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Do you want to include in your
motion to --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yes.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- accept the CAFR as submitted?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I second that motion.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Seconded by Commissioner Fiala.
Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Just one final comment.
I think that the use of footnotes would possibly help a little bit,
but very few people really look at the footnotes or they don't
understand what they mean anyway. So I think a separate document
that is relatively simple that says here's what Collier County
government has to pay every year for debt service, and to whom;
here's what individual communities have voluntarily asked to pay for
their own communities. And then that's it. That's relatively simple.
Because we have a lot of communities here who say I'm not
happy with the landscaping you've done on the streets in front of our
communities, we want it better than that. And we say okay, if you
want it better than that, are you willing to pay for it? And they say
yes, we want to pay for it. Okay, that's yours debt, that's not Collier
County's debt. It doesn't affect any other taxpayer in the county.
People should have the right to do those kinds of things. And if
they are discouraged from doing them because you're trying to make it
look like it is imposing a debt on all the other citizens of Collier
County, you are essentially denying those communities their right to
do things for themselves. And individual initiative is something we
should be encouraging people to do, not discouraging them from
doing it. So it really would be good to have that supplemental
document.
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One final question. How do you include the debt service
payments for those MSTUs, MSBUs? Do you include them in our
debt service payments or are they separate?
MR. JOHNSSEN: No, sir, they're in your debt service payments,
but they're there in a separate fund.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. But they're included in our
overall debt service payments; that --
MR. JOHNSSEN: Yes, sir, they are.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Mark, do you have something to
say about that?
MR. ISACKSON: I do.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay.
MR. ISACKSON: Mark Isackson for the record.
Remember the governmental debt to bond of a revenue ratio you
were talking about, sir?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yes.
MR. ISACKSON: The MSTUs are not included in that.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay, that's what I wanted to make
sure. Okay. So we're at nine percent of the 13 percent --
MR. ISACKSON: 9.4.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: 9.4 percent of the 13 percent
maximum. So we're in good shape.
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, you can see on the bottom of that
page your ratio that you're just referring to --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yes.
MR. OCHS: -- on your general governmental debt. I apologize,
it's so small. But for the audience it's 9.4 percent.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: So when we're doing our total
governmental debt service requirements, those payments by MSTUs
are not included in that. And that's a very, very important distinction,
okay?
That's good, thank you.
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March 11, 2014
CHAIRMAN HENNING: No further comments, questions?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: All in favor of the motion, signify by
saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion carries.
Thank you.
We're going to take a 10-minute break, be back at 10:15.
(Recess.)
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, you have a live mic.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay, we have a time certain at
10:45.
Item #1 1 A
CONSERVATION COLLIER TEN YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN
AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CONSERVATION
COLLIER PROGRAM AND TO PROVIDE DIRECTION
REGARDING SUNSET OF THE CONSERVATION COLLIER
LAND ACQUISITION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CCLAAC) -
MOTION TO CONTINUE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR
THE PURPOSE OF MANAGING PRESERVE LANDS WITH
MEETINGS HELD AS NEEDED, COUNTY MANAGER TO
RESEARCH AND EVALUATE THE GORDON RIVER
GREENWAY PARCEL WITH RECOMMENDATIONS
BROUGHT BACK TO THE BOARD AND COUNTY ATTORNEY
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March 11, 2014
TO ADVERTISE AN AMENDMENT TO THE ORDINANCE —
APPROVED; MOTION REQUESTING STAFF TO CLEANUP
AND RECONCILE THE PHU, GET A CLEAR BASELINE
ASSUMPTION, HAVE A CLEAR MANAGEMENT PLAN AND
MAINTENANCE COSTS FOR THE PROPERTIES, WITH A
CLEARER 10 YEAR FINANCIAL OUTLOOK — APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir, you do. That is Item 11 .A this morning.
It's a recommendation to accept the Conservation Collier 10-year
financial plan and recommendations from the Conservation Collier
program and to provide directions regarding sunset of the
Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee. Mr.
Steve Camel!, your Public Services Administrator, will present.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Mr. Camel!?
MR. CARNELL: Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of
the Board.
We're going to take a moment this morning and update you on
what was discussed at the November workshop of the Board regarding
the future status of Conservation Collier.
As you know, this program has been a pretty significant
environmental preservation program that began some 12 years ago,
and we spent a great deal of time and effort through our friends and
contacts with our Land Acquisition Advisory Committee building this
program and spent an awful lot of time on environmental acquisition
over the years.
Today we're going to be talking about instead of land
preservation, financial preservation, specifically the future financially
of this program.
We've been, as you know, through a recession, and that recession
had some major financial hits on this program with regard to
projections and understanding of where our revenues and expenses
would be in the future. And we've really been addressing that
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March 11, 2014
incrementally since 2010. And today we want to talk to you about
that a little more comprehensively and talk about additional
recommendations that we have moving forward regarding curtailing
and controlling our expenses. And we also want to talk about the
future relationship of our Land Acquisition Advisory Committee,
which staff believes is, under the ordinance, that's due for sunsetting.
But we do want to talk about that relationship as we've had a very vital
and helpful constructive role and relationship with them.
Quickly I'm going to take you through a 10-year picture. We
have played around with numbers on this and worked and diced and
sliced them in detail out many years, but really felt like going much
beyond 10 years we couldn't really give you anything with any great
confidence.
So what you see here is a very high level summary of where the
fund is right now and where we think it's going to go over the next 10
years. And you have two columns in front of you. You have a kind of
five-year projection and a 10-year projection. And we've made that
break, because the five-year projection does include some ongoing
projects and amenities, improvements being added throughout the
properties; one of the most significant ones being of course the
Gordon River Greenway construction project due to finish in the fall
of 2014.
So if you look at the left-hand column through year five you'll
see that we have the fund balance starting at a little over $37 million,
and we have significant expenditures again in that capital
improvement line, operating maintenance cost as we continue to carry
out the management plans for the 19 different sites in the program.
And at year five you see the balance going from 37.2 million to
just a hair under $33 million.
And we also during that time will be setting escrow funds aside
for the Caracara Preserve in terms of perpetual maintenance of that
property, based on the mitigation credits we'll be receiving through the
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March 11, 2014
Solid Waste Department.
And then you'll see at the end of year five we decline. The
balance of the fund has declined a little over $4 million.
And then if you go into the second column, which is a
cumulative 10-year list, it includes the first five years and works in the
second five years, you'll see that the fund balance actually inches up a
very small amount of numbers.
And what you glean from this in simple terms is that we are
going to spend down some funds over the next five years, but we
project being able to flatten out the fund balance in the second five
years.
And I'll give you a little more detail on that in this next slide.
This is what we refer to as the steady state, which is the point
where really all the properties are fully developed, all the amenities
are fully in place and all the amenities are in place and maintenance
has been stabilized. And that we anticipate will occur around 2022 or
be the ninth year of this 10-year discussion we're having.
And if you'll look there, you'll see at that point in time the --
through the first five years in that left-hand column we've averaged
reduction of about $845,000 on the fund. That's through the first five
years, average annual reduction of about $845,000.
In the second five years we're essentially breaking even. There's
actually a small surplus of about almost $11,000.
Now, this is all predicated on assumptions. We're making
assumptions on interest rates very conservatively of anywhere from .5
percent to two percent over that 10-year period. And we've escalated
those over the 10-year period in incremental amounts to not
overestimate our position.
But at the moment what we're telling you in a nutshell is that we
believe the fund will be able to stabilize in the early 20's, and from
that point on we'll be able to hold serve, if you will, against our
ongoing maintenance expenses, based on the current level of service.
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So in short we believe we can hold the current level of service
beyond 2023 in perpetuity. Of course that's predicated on a number of
factors with regards to expenses and revenues.
This assumes no additional capital projects or level of services,
and no additional level of service beyond what's contemplated over
the next five years primarily.
And I will review that that five-year plan does include the
construction of the Gordon River Greenway, it includes also $645,000
towards the construction of a bridge across the Gordon River that
would link the new park that the City of Naples is building to the
south end of the Greenway property. And that's budgeted for 2018.
There's another variable in all this which is in between that
bridge and the projected closure point of the Greenway project
property now is a property that's owned by Collier Corporation that
Ellie Krier, Friend of the program and part of the Southwest Florida
Preservation Land Trust, has been in discussion with the Colliers and
has an offer from the Colliers to sell the property in the amount of
$400,000. If you have any questions on the details of that, Ellie I'm
sure can address it.
We have received $103,000 in mitigation monies from an
adjoining property owner. And if you put those two together, you
have about 200 -- almost a $300,000 negative hit on the fund that is
not accounted for in these projections.
If there's interest in pursuing that, and staff thinks it's a good idea
to acquire that property, our recommendation would be that we would
forestall the budgeting of the bridge in 2018. There's $465,000 there.
And you can take $300,000 out of that so that we can buy this
property sooner and complete the footprint on the east side of the
Gordon River, if you will, and then we could look down the road for
other opportunities to fund that bridge in future years.
But we'll -- that segues into the point that we will need to
continue to look for opportunities to synergize with other programs,
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other land holding programs out there and obviously grant
opportunities for future development of sites.
Another important factor, and I want to put this in your mind but
I have to tell you, I have to be a little nebulous about it, because we
really haven't ironed out the detail. But a very important consideration
in all this in terms of managing our operating expenses is something
that the County Manager really commissioned back in 2012 when he
reorganized his divisions and he strategically placed Conservation
Collier within the Parks and Recreation Department.
His intentions there were that he knew that as we approached
build-out -- that's the wrong word to use in environmental preservation
property -- full development of the amenities, if you will, that we
would be moving into an operational mode and it would make sense to
look for synergistic connection between parks programs and what
Conservation Collier is doing.
And we have some things in mind. And our budget projections
include some assumptions about moving staff positions out of the
Conservation Collier. In some cases we'll eliminate them, in some
cases we'll move them into Parks and Recreation.
We don't have absolute specific firm dates on when all of that
will happen. We have projections that it will happen over the
five-year period. That will be subject to change year-to-year in the
annual budget, but obviously it will be managed in a way in which the
solvency of the Conservation Collier fund will be sustained each year.
So that's an important consideration. And I think there's going to
be a winner there in the long run in terms of really being able to find
some economies of scale and efficiency if we merge Parks and Rec
and Conservation Collier even more so than they are now.
So with that, I wanted to also reference our ordinance that I just
touched on briefly. There's been discussion previously. The ordinance
formulated and called for the Advisory Committee to assist with the
acquisition process.
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The staff view on this is that the acquisition process is effectively
done. There may be a couple of small properties that we buy to add to
different locations along the way. But we don't have the kind of the
grind that we had for so many years where we were actively searching
for property, and we were convening our advisory committee to help
us with that, of which they provided tremendous assistance.
So we're at a point where from a staff perspective we believe that
the ordinance calls for the sunsetting of the committee when the
acquisition phase is done, and that's where we believe we're at.
The Advisory Committee members don't believe it's in the best
interest of the citizens to sunset the committee. I think they'd like to
talk to you briefly about some alternative ideas they have to that. I
think they understand that the committee would not continue to
function the way it has and the role would need to change, and I'd like
you to hear from them on what their ideas are with that.
With that I'll answer some initial questions and then let's hear
from your speakers.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay, Commissioner Fiala was first,
Commissioner Hiller and Commissioner Nance.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, I really don't have any
questions for you.
As I studied this, I carefully read the letter from Bill Poteet and
marked it all up and everything to see what points he was making.
I've carefully watched their progress. And I'm very, very pleased with
all that they have done. I would hate to ever see us lose that land; I
would hate to see us give it away. I think it's an important part of our
community. And we must keep it, we must preserve it. And I'm sure
that we'll find the ways to do that continuously.
But what I think now is I think we need to keep that committee
intact. Even if they meet just a couple times a year, just for advice, if
nothing else. If there's some important projects that come up or how
to spend the dollars, what's -- how can they best be used, what animals
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need to be preserved, what plant life needs to be preserved, what water
sources do we need to reach out and make sure are totally preserved as
well. So I would hate to see us lose that committee.
And isn't it funny, there's 11 of them on that committee, and
nobody wants to leave. And they're not getting paid a thing. They're
ready to do all the work as required and they're just volunteering their
services. I think that's admirable in itself.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, and I would agree. My
perspective is similar to Commissioner Fiala's. I did not mark up
Bill's letter like that. In fact, when I looked over and saw how
Commissioner Fiala marked it up, I was afraid she was going to say
you got a D, because there were like so many, you know, underscores,
red lines and comments. But as it turns out, you got an A, so it's the
unintended positive consequence of her review.
But seriously, I think what we ought to do is relabel the
committee and label it, you know, the management advisory
committee and have the committee meet as needed by request to the
County Manager and let the committee come to the County Manager
and say, you know, we feel the need to meet because we have this
issue that we want to work on and address, and allow for a cooperative
spirit between staff and that committee to deal with what needs to be
done.
One thing we don't want to do is to mandate that the committee
must meet so many times a year and it turn out that there's really no
need for as many times, or maybe there are more times that are
needed, and have some flexibility in the process to allow the
community to work with the County Manager to agree when you want
to meet, what resources you need to work on whatever project you
have in front of you at a point in time.
So I know we have speakers on this, but I would preliminarily
like to make a motion that we amend the ordinance -- that we direct
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the County Manager to amend the ordinance to come back with a
redefinition of what this committee does and, you know, how they will
meet based on what I just described.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I'll second your motion and I like
the idea of management. We could call it land management advisory
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, or preservation management
advisory committee, you know, in keeping the spirit of--
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: -- that alive.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, Mr. Chairman, I'm going to
speak to this a little bit different, because I think we're at a very
important juncture with Conservation Collier. I think we're really
entering a very different phase of this project. And this is being
proposed today as a 10-year financial plan. So actually what I want to
do with your indulgence to the audience and the Board is I want to
speak to a little bit about what this 10-year financial plan says and
some of the concerns I have about it so that we can go forward and
ensure that Conservation Collier is healthy and that it's operating and
doing everything that we said it was going to do and everything that
we hoped for.
But I just want to go through a few things that I observed by
looking at these numbers, because I am a numbers guy and I want to
just bring a few things to the attention.
I looked with a great interest on how this 10-year financial plan
and the presentation that the Board received today differs from what
the Advisory Committee presented as an intermediate financial
projection on the 7th of January.
One of the things that's an obvious omission in what's being
presented to the Board today as a treatment of the perpetual escrow
funding that's required for restoration work required under the
Mitigation Credit Agreement with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
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what that does to this fund over the next 10 years.
And basically what it does is Mr. Carnell had it on a couple of his
slides here, but what's not present in this presentation and certainly
should be are the payments totaling $5,887,000 which we have to
place in a single purpose escrow fund for the perpetual maintenance of
these panther habitat units which we claim we're going to sever.
That is important. Why is that important? Because what it does
is it effectively reduces at the end of 10 years the fund balance from
$37 million to $27 million. That's a 25 percent reduction of the fund
balance in the first 10 years of the life of this perpetual Conservation
Collier program.
Where I come from, perpetual means forever. I have a little
anxiety when we have so much front-loaded spending in the first five
years that we reduce our fund balance in the first 10 by 25 percent, or
nearly $10 million.
I think some of the weaknesses in this financial plan -- and I'm
going to suggest that we do some more work on it. I think it's very
front-loaded, as Mr. Carnell indicated. As a matter of fact, the loss, as
presented in this plan, occurs in the first five years. There's a loss of
over $4 million to the fund balance in the first five years.
What does that mean? That means that our financial plan calls
for us to spend money upfront and find savings later. That's always
risky because I think everybody would admit that the financial
situation that we find ourselves in, the financial situation that we find
ourselves in, the financial position, is not as strong as we would like.
So I think it deserves extra work. I believe quite possibly that
costs are understated in here. I don't think the fully-loaded cost of
some of the maintenance is what it should be.
As a matter of fact, if you go to the right edge and you do a little
bit of calculations with one of your little $9.00 calculators, you'll see
that out of the total expenditures and uses reported in this first table,
$10,698,000, 42 percent of that money is in staff administrative and
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overhead. 42 percent. Only 30 percent of those expenditures are
designated as preserve maintenance expenditures. That's the phase
we're supposed to be in here. And only 28 percent of those are in
improvements. And certainly these improvements that we have,
which all in the five years have been cut to the bone, don't
contemplate the full development of the amenities, which is what we
talked about in this program, and certainly no programming.
In addition, one concern that I have, and there's a little statement
in the executive summary that says they're going to transfer Pepper
Ranch ranger responsibilities to the Parks and Recreation Department.
So I would like to know exactly how much of the expense of running
this program is now being assumed by Parks and Recreation. It was
my understanding that this program was supposed to pay all costs.
We shouldn't be delegating some of these expenses to Park and Rec.
So can somebody tell me how many dollars are being transferred
from this program over to Parks and Recreation?
MR. WILLIAMS: Commissioners, Barry Williams, Parks and
Recreation Director.
As you mentioned, Commissioner Nance, part of our plan with
the AUIR over the last five years has been to look at the campground
operations of Pepper Ranch's being transferred to the Parks and
Recreation Department. That's consistent from a couple of different
reasons.
One, as you mentioned, you know, Conservation Collier's
primary mission is the preservation of lands. And one of the things
that the County Manager's done in associating Conservation Collier
with our department is our ability to manage recreational type
programs. So that benefits our AUIR and the requirements that we
have for the Parks and Rec Department.
We want to, in this coming AUIR cycle, transfer acreage
associated with Pepper Ranch that is more recreational to the Parks
Department. That helps us in identifying our level of service, but also
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allows us to -- we're in a better position we think to manage the
campground and the activities of Pepper Ranch. Part of that is we do
have a system where we are able to collect fees. Conservation Collier
doesn't have that system. So we think that we're better suited for that.
And that's been in the plan for the last five years for us to do that.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I understand. I have no problem
obviously in the operation and synergy. But I think it should be made
clear what Parks and Recreation is assuming relative to Conservation
Collier. The taxpayers have a right to know clearly what is associated
with Parks and Rec and Conservation Collier.
MR. WILLIAMS: Yes, sir. And the position, it's a half-time
position. We're looking at about $17,000. What we're able to do,
though, is that we can offset that cost in general fund with the
revenues that we do receive from the recreational opportunities of
Pepper Ranch.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: You know, in summary, I don't
want to belabor this, but the presentation that was made today,
obviously everybody wants to put it in the most positive light. I don't
mind that. I like things in a positive light. But I think when we're
accepting a 10-year financial plan, that it's time for a little tough love
on this program. And I do think it needs additional considerations. I
think there are some -- some suggestions have been made that have
been alluded to in the executive summary about synergies with other
county and state agencies that will afford us an opportunity to save
money.
And, you know, we certainly have to work on it from both sides.
I think we have to work on it from the spending side and we have to
work on it from the revenue side. And I do agree that there are some
opportunities for us to get enhanced revenue. But I'm not completely
thrilled with this 10-year financial plan for these reasons.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, can we stay on this for a minute
and get some explanation? That's -- is it $5 million to the agency or
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we need to put into reserve for maintenance of the PHUs?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Commissioner, the way I
understand it, it is a single purpose escrow account that we have to
transfer money in. It's a single purpose account per our obligations and
mitigation -- with our mitigation credit agreement with U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: That's the PHUs?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, for PHUs. And this 10-year
financial plan calls us, for example, to sever some from the Caracara
Preserve and sell them to solid waste. I assume that the $700,000 that
we're selling to solid waste is in this year's budget.
MR. CARNELL: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Okay. And then $600,000 the
following year. So before we can sever those, I believe that we are
obligated to have this money in escrow. And likewise with severing
PHUs from the Pepper Ranch which are included in here, between
those two items, you've got one-time revenue into Conservation
Collier of a $1,606,000.
Now, that's well and good. But what that does is that basically
places in escrow I assume permanently nearly $6 million which
doesn't provide income to this program. Dedicated income is for the
mitigation; am I right?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I think you need to ask is (sic) when
we sell those credits and it has to be at market value, because the
government needs to get the best price. Solid waste department needs
to, when they buy or any government entity, needs to go at the best
lowest price.
So are we selling it to them at the best lowest price?
MR. CARNELL: We're selling it to them at cost. And the plan
right now, sir, that's based on the prior direction of the Board five
years ago. That doesn't mean the Board couldn't change that direction.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, we need to take a look at what
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the market value is. So then you needed to consider should these --
should we go after panther credits or other kind of credits.
MR. CARNELL: The plan -- I'm sorry.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: We need that analysis.
MR. CARNELL: Sure. Well, let me tell you what the
assumptions are for the sake of this 10-year plan. The assumptions are
that we will be collecting impact fee credit payments from the Solid
Waste Department over a two-year period, FY 14, FY 15 for the
Caracara site -- I'm sorry, panther habitat units.
And then for Pepper Ranch in FY 19 -- 19 or '18? '20. All right,
what we're going to be doing is when we get to the Pepper Ranch
project, we will begin selling those credits. And right now they're
designated for sell to county departments.
And if you remember the discussion way back, at the time the
intent was -- I mean, it's a choice of do you want to make money or do
you want to save money. And the five of you are presiding over that
question, because it affects the five of you in managing the county in
either way.
If you want to save money, save money on county projects, then
you sell at cost. If you want to make money so that Conservation
Collier's financial position is improved, then you sell, as
Commissioner Henning is talking about, at market rate or perhaps
something between cost and market rate.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Has the committee ever discussed
that, the PHUs and the cost?
MR. CARNELL: I'm not sure.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Not only the cost but --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I think the question is legally what
are we obligated to do.
MR. KLATZKOW: It's really the same thing. I mean, staff gives
a discounted cost or you sell it to the outside market, the end result to
the county is the same thing. So whatever the Board's preference is.
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CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yeah, it's just coming out of one fund
or the other.
My preference is you need to take a look at the enterprise fund.
And you need to take a -- we need to know what the market is.
And County Manager, quite frankly I would like to see an
analysis on what the market is, what it's going to cost us to maintain a
credit bank, PHU bank credit, and find out if it's cost feasible for us to
do so.
MR. CARNELL: I can tell you just briefly, if we charge the
credits at market rate, it's about 125,000 a year difference, versus cost.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I don't know what, is that black, red,
indifference, or what is it?
MS. SULECKI: Hello. For the record, Alex Sulecki,
Conservation Collier.
The market rate, which is our contract rate for mitigation, panther
habitat units, is 725 each. And in this model we're proposing we sell
them for 600 each.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. So we're selling it below cost,
or below market.
MS. SULECKI: We're selling them at the amount it's going to
take to fund the escrow account to pay for the management of the
property.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: For 10 years.
MS. SULECKI: Yes. We've look at it in that 10-year period.
But those payments for what we estimate are between 8,000 and 9,000
PHUs actually go on long after this spreadsheet you see. I think they
go on for something like 80 years.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, you need to maintain the
property for more than 10 years, so --
MS. SULECKI: Yes. And the cost of those PHUs pays for that
maintenance of that property.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay.
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COMMISSIONER HILLER: So you've basically done a
matching analysis. You've figured out what your costs were and you
basically married whatever the price of the PHU is.
MS. SULECKI: Exactly.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: What was some of the other things
you brought up, Commissioner, that need to be answered?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, you know, I'm just
concerned that the reduction -- the things that I mentioned are that the
costs are I think strongly front-loaded. It's heavy in my view, in staff
administrative and overhead as a percentage of the budget.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Can we deal with that issue? Because
actually you've got two on here; you've got staff maintenance and
administrative staff. So I think we need to explain that. It might be --
MR. CARNELL: At the present time the program has four
full-time positions. And that is three environmental specialists of
different persuasions and then one administrative staff person. And
then we have a half time, what we call job bank or temporary arranger
position.
And the plan is in FY 15 -- as I said earlier, we haven't nailed this
down over the life of the 10 years, because we're going to see how
things play out on a number of fronts. But in FY 15 the plan is to take
half of the administrative persons salary and benefits and fund that
through Parks and Recreation, and I believe the park ranger as well?
MR. WILLIAMS: Yes.
MR. CARNELL: Okay, the ranger -- that's that 17,000 that
Barry was talking about shifting out beginning in FY 15.
And then there is a plan as well to remove one of the
environmental specialist's positions in FY 19. As we're moving -- and
the basis for that is the timing of activity. We'll be through the bulk of
new projects. Really the new projects will be done, and we'll be
moving in, transforming towards that steady state which comes in
2022. We'll still have some maintenance activity at a little higher
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level, but the project activity will especially be done.
So again to summarize it, we go from four permanent positions
now plus one temporary position to eventually two permanent
positions.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes. Well, my point is, Mr.
Carnell, in this is if you look at these 10 years, by the time you get to
year 17, which is only three years from now, you've made this
commitment. You've already spent down the fund balance by
$4,228,000. By the time you get to that point, it's in the mill, it's
committed, it's done.
What you do with the next five doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.
You've already made the impact on that. And by the time you put this
money in escrow you're down to $27 million. There's no way you can
change that over the next five years. Nothing we can do.
The commitment we're making in the next three years -- the
commitment we're making with this first time we approve the plan is
going to tell us where we're going to go. There's nothing you're going
to do to recover. If you're not happy with the results through year '17,
it doesn't matter, there's no recovery. You can't come back from it, sir.
MR. CARNELL: Yes, this is a conservative plan in the sense
that we are not identifying new revenues for the program, and nor are
we identifying new scope in terms of activities or properties beyond
what's been envisioned for some time.
I think your point's very salient, Commissioner. We are talking
about losing a quarter of the fund's capital taken out of production.
Now, we do need to be clear, that 5.8 million will still be there,
you're absolutely right, in a dedicated purpose, and it can't be used to
support other operations, but it will be there.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, it needs to be in this report,
sir. And it was in the earlier report. And I don't know why you didn't
present it to the Board today. Because it is significant. And actually, I
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don't care for that a lot. I think it's a little on the disingenuous side.
MR. CARNELL: Well, sir, again, if you look at the slide that's
up on the screen, you see that the PHUs are accounted for.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I understand, sir, I understand it's
on this slide. But it's not in the materials that were provided to the
Commissioners here on this dais.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: It's new evidence. Do we need to
accept that?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: No, I think we should reject it.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: No, because staff can add
whatever they want at the dais.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I'm not trying to be hypercritical.
Please don't understand (sic). I take those very seriously. I am a big
supporter of Conservation Collier and I want to see it in perpetuity.
MR. CARNELL: I understand, sir.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: And the next time if somebody
decides to take it to the public, I want Conservation Collier to look
everybody in the eye and say you know what, we did a great job,
which they did. I commend the committee on what they did. But they
got caught by the economy. Everybody needs to understand that. We
don't need to try to hang onto something that we can't do. We need to
have other ways to reach out to the community.
And I've spoken to the committee members, spoken to yourself
about things we can do to engage the committee. I do not think that
we need to go forward with the Advisory Committee as it's currently
constituted; I'll just throw that in at this time. I think we need to have
a dedicated Conservation Collier maintenance advisory committee.
Our mission at this point --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: So you're agreeing with the
motion.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Excuse me?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: You're agreeing with my motion.
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COMMISSIONER NANCE: I think we need to reconstitute the
committee. I do not believe we need to continue the current
committee, I think we need to go out and constitute a new advisory
committee that has as its stated purpose maintenance, and that is
completely different from land acquisition.
And that's not a criticism of the Land Acquisition Committee in
any way. I think they're all community champions, and I've said that
from the beginning. But we have a situation here where honestly I
don't think we're as strong financially as everybody would like. You
know, that's just me. I'm just putting that on the table in view of
honesty. And I think we need to work on this to make sure that we get
the additional programming that people are expecting, that we get the
full development of the amenities that we're talking about.
And this 10-year plan not only does not contemplate it, I think it's
going to cause us to be in a position where we can't.
MR. CARNELL: Let me -- just a couple of points. First off, the
escrow funds are accounted for, backup material as well as the slides.
Accounted for throughout the calculations. And I think Commissioner
Nance, I think you and I would have the same view here and the staff
would have the same view that the fund going forward is not going to
have a lot of play in it, that we are at a point where we're not going to
be able to fund new initiatives if no new revenue is introduced.
What we are telling you is, though, with some reasonable
management, with proper economies of scale, year to year as we
manage our operating budgets in the county and we follow through on
the management plans that have been previously approved, although
as you noted in the executive summary we scaled back that activity
and we have several hundred thousand dollars worth of savings
identified. When you put all that together, I think you end up, $27
million does give us room to operate. It does allow us to maintain
what we have, or pretty darn close.
And I say the pretty darn close, we're going to have to evaluate it
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year to year. I'm not going to sit here and promise you the world
because I don't know what happens to interest rates over 10 years. I
don't know what happens to inflation over 10 years.
I can tell you, we've taken an inflation rate that's more -- that's
higher than the interest rate earning in these calculations. So we've
tried to bleed the fund a little bit already.
But I think the public needs to understand that the fund in terms
of what it was commissioned to do 12 years ago is able to meet that
obligation. And based on what we see, we think we can keep that
fund in the upper 20 million, that middle to upper $20 million fund,
level, the balance going forward.
Now, one thing the Board may want to do that's alluded to, and I
really do appreciate all of your comments. Commissioner Nance has
made several suggestions about trying to change the direction of the
fund and look for ways to maybe bring some new revenue through the
community into the process, and we're going to look at that in the
future where opportunities present.
But what I'm saying to you now is we're in a position where we
think we can by and large hold serve going forward. And obviously
we'll have to look as a community as to whether we want to introduce
any new revenue or if there is opportunity to introduce new revenue,
that would be tied to new acquisitions or to new amenities, not to
what's planned and identified already. So I want to be clear about
that.
And if there are any others questions from any of the
Commissioners, (sic) happy to address those as well.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. Are you done, Commissioner
Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Coyle? And if you
don't mind, I'd like to go.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay.
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Comments in three areas. One with respect to the committee
itself. I think certainly we should continue to have an advisory
committee. And I think we should recognize that the skills we have in
the advisory committee even now are not just skills for property
acquisition. There are people with exceptional skills on that committee
that I think we should certainly retain. We can add some other people
to it, there's no question about that, and perhaps that would be wise.
But I wouldn't like to see the Board, in their interest in continuing
the committee, to eliminate all the people who are on the committee,
because I think they've done a great job and I think they can continue
to do a great job.
The second thing is that with respect to the panther habitat units,
if we're charging exactly what it's costing us, we're not going to go
broke. It's only when you start charging less than it costs us that you
go broke.
And I don't see that as a serious threat, but there are many areas
here where you can improve on the budget. There are not many areas
where I think the budget would be worse than what you have
projected.
The interest rates that you are anticipating over the next 10 years
are, in my estimation and in the estimation of just about every person
who invests, are extremely, extremely low. Even at existing interest
rates, investing in the safest possible instruments, which are treasuries,
if you were to invest this fund equally laddered over two, three and
five-year treasuries, you could almost double your rate of return and
not risk the capital. Because you will be getting the full face value of
the bonds as they come to term. And as the ones on the shorter end;
that is, the one or two-year investments, mature, you can role those
over into another five-year and continue to take advantage of any
increases in interest rates that have occurred since you started
investing.
So at the present time you are assuming investments in nothing
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more than three years. And that's a very short horizon for a fund that is
supposed to last in perpetuity. But I would not recommend going
beyond five years, because interest rates are moving rapidly and we
want to be in a position to take advantage of those things.
And five years is certainly not out of the question. You can
protect your principal that way and probably double the rate of return
that you're expected here. If you do that, you wipe out the loss that
you are budgeting in the early years and you make things even better
for the later years.
And as far as staff is concerned, I definitely think we need to take
a look at the costs associated with that. And also, by having an
advisory committee that focuses on maintenance, I see them doing a
lot of things that could reduce our administrative costs. So I think we
need to look into all those things.
But with respect to the investment policy, we are the ones who
make the investment policy, not the Clerk. We make the investment
policy. This is a long-term fund, it needs to be managed with some
recognition of that. That doesn't mean that I would recommend
investing anything for 10 years or more. But we can certainly go
ladder these things out for two, three and five years and do
substantially better on interest rate than we're doing right now.
And because this is a long-term fund, we don't intend to use it up
early, we don't need all the money early, so there's no problem with
investing it for those short periods of time for two, three and five
years.
So I think if the Clerk does not do that, we need to provide him
direction to do it. Or alternatively he can come back and tell us why
he thinks it's a bad idea. But we really do need to move on that, we
can't just sit around and start -- and accept half of a percent interest on
$36 million.
So anyway, that's my take on the whole thing.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Crystal, would you convey that and
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get back to us on thoughts?
MS. KINZEL: Yes.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: About the committee, reconstituting
the committee as a maintenance committee, understand that we have a
maintenance -- a management plan on these properties.
Are you saying to look at the effects of the management plan,
possibly critique it?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: That would be one of the
functions. I mean, we can define. And that's an actually good thing to
look at.
It's looking at the program activity, the maintenance of the
environmental component. There are many different ways that you
can look at maintenance. I think the scope is broad enough that they
can do a lot of good.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. Well, what about
reconstituting the tax?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: That's a separate question.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I know, but that's the real issue here
on why there's a desire to continue it, in my opinion.
Is anybody in favor of reconstituting, have the committee re--
COMMISSIONER FIALA: That's such a separate subject. I
haven't even --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: It has to do with Conservation
Collier.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Well, you know, if they want to
re--
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Same players are there.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: -- let them discuss it, let them
evaluate it, and come back and --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Have the committee do that?
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March 11, 2014
COMMISSIONER HILLER: They could.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I'm not in favor of that.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I don't think the committee would
want to do that, but I think that the people who started it originally
would want to discuss it and if--
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I'm flexible.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- they want, to go ahead.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: If the Board would --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Let's do it in 2017.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: If the Board would like to, you
know, limit the scope of the committee to certain specific enumerated
tasks, we can do that. Or we can leave it broader and let them come
back to us with what recommendations, you know, they would like
based on what they see as the need with respect to maintenance.
But it is with respect to maintenance. And I guess to go back to
your question, you know, would bringing back the tax fall under the
committee. Not if it's a maintenance committee. Because we're not
going to levy a tax to maintain.
And as staff properly pointed out, they're basically going to start
treating -- actually, I believe you pointed it out, you're going to start
treating part of this program in effect as an enterprise fund where
you're going to have fees for, you know, the various services that the
program will provide.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And I don't even --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And I like the idea of blending it
with Parks. I mean, I think that's great. I think the fact that we can
actually leverage the relationship between Conservation Collier and
Parks is what has always been recommended and what should be
done.
I don't see a negative financial picture as Commissioner Nance
describes. I mean, I agree --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, wait a minute --
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March 11, 2014
COMMISSIONER HILLER: -- with Commissioner Coyle.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- I'm not done yet.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Okay, I didn't know. I thought that
was --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I was asking what this committee's
going to do. Because --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: What are the discussions about?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- the ordinance, when you create the
ordinance there has to be specificity so they don't go out there --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Right.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- on other things --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: As we always do.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- like global warming or something
like that.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: So that's why I brought it up.
If reconstituting the tax, bringing that up, which I'm not in favor
of, but if you're in favor of it, that's fine, they can -- if the majority is
in favor of it. That's the question. But I have other --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Let me suggest that --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I have questions from staff.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Right.
I think that -- and I think you raise a very good point and I think
we should be clear that the purpose of-- and I think Commissioner
Fiala supports your position that the purpose of this committee -- and I
agree with Commissioner Coyle that we want to bring forward the
same people. If we want to add, we can, but the group of people that
have been the core of this committee have worked very hard and have
done a very good job. So we're not intending to dismantle the
committee. It's in evolution. We're moving from the acquisition
phase to the maintenance/management phase.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I think you --
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COMMISSIONER HILLER: And that would not include --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: You want expertise.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Right. And we can supplement --
yeah, supplement with experts, you know, if we don't have them
currently on the committee.
But my point is that maintenance and programming, which is
essentially the management of these preservation lands, is not taxed to
buy more land. That is a separate issue and a separate group. And I
think that's Commissioner Fiala's point and your point, Commissioner
Henning, and I agree with that.
So I'll make sure that that's clear in my motion. I'll amend my
motion to include that clarification.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: The questions that I have in the
recommendations, and let me get to them, is delay some maintenance.
I guess removing exotics from a few properties?
MR. CARNELL: Yes, they're outlined in the executive
summary, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Right. But I don't know why you're
making those recommendations to delay the maintenance of it,
removing exotics.
MR. CARNELL: Are you talking about delaying or reducing the
costs?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Delaying. Delaying.
MR. CARNELL: Well, what we're delaying is listed at the
bottom of the first page. Alex?
MS. SULECKI: Yes, we're delaying the capital type projects,
several that we have. That's in --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Say that one more time, please?
MS. SULECKI: We're delaying the capital type projects for
public access amenities, not the exotic removal.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay, the -- then why would we
delay making improvements to the one off old 41?
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MS. SULECKI: The railhead scrub --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Railhead, thank you. Why are we
delaying that?
MS. SULECKI: One of the reasons is that the road that we were
depending on to get people to that preserve has been put out in our
long-range transportation plan into 3035 (sic). So we felt that it was, in
this time looking ahead these 10 years, that it would not be -- we could
do that without a problem because we probably couldn't build it
anyway.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. Is that the same thing with the
other, delaying the other improvements?
MS. SULECKI: No, Rivers Road Preserve, we chose that to
delay some of the amenities because of some comments that were
made by Commissioner Nance about stars in our program and
focusing on the amenities of those star properties. So we chose that to
remove.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. I listened to the last
Conservation Collier committee and there was talk about -- well,
Commissioner Nance was talking about transferring some properties
to other agencies. And the committee says yeah, we took a look at
that and it doesn't make sense, or something like that. But there was no
explanation. However, I see in the report at least one property there is
a little bit of interest in doing so.
MS. SULECKI: Which one was that?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I think it's the one in the CREW
lands.
MS. SULECKI: The CREW land?
MR. OCHS: Camp Keais.
MS. SULECKI: Camp Keais?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yes, Camp Keais.
MS. SULECKI: And we're talking about U.S. Fish & Wildlife,
right?
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March 11, 2014
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yes.
MS. SULECKI: Okay. What they had told me was that they
could see in the future there may be a way to annex it, because it's
close enough to their Florida Panther National Wildlife boundary, but
that is something that is way, way in the future, if it's possible.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Why don't we provide something in
writing to agencies? Rookery Bay is one. There's a parcel down there
that we require that --
MS. SULECKI: Shell Island Preserve.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yes. It has literally no access to it.
MS. SULECKI: Well, I did, actually. I asked in writing DEP for
a response about whether to trade or donation. And I asked that back
in January, and I didn't get a response.
I finally talked to the lady who's in charge of that last night at the
state and she told me that they've had a very sudden leadership change
of the state and that she was not able to get an answer before that
change happened. So she's asked me to wait a little bit longer.
But I did send her some information about that property.
But the problem with that is The Conservancy helped pay for
that, and they object to divestiture. One of the problems.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: How much did they pay?
MS. SULECKI: I think they contributed $125,000.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: And what would the value of the land
be if sold?
MS. SULECKI: The purchase price for us was $5 million. I
don't know what its value is today.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: So, I mean, one of the things, if--
and I'm not suggesting that we will consider selling it, but we could
refund The Conservancy their monies.
MS. SULECKI: I suppose you could, but -- and I don't want to
get too far down a rabbit hole here, but that property, the value of that
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property was enhanced by the fact that the previous owner felt he had
an agreement with the county to build on a small portion of it. And so
that value was greatly expanded beyond just its face value because of
that. So I don't know what we could get for it now.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Well, we can take a look at it. We
don't want to get into those details.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I'm done.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Could we hear from our speakers?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yeah. Well, it's up to the
Commissioners, if they're done with their questions. I think we've got
some direction on what we want to do.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I've just got one more comment,
Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yeah, we've still got two more.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I would like to request that
whoever prepared this 10-year financial plan go back and include the
escrow funding in here. Because I believe that the numbers that are
presented to this Board are in error. The interest calculation and for
year '23 for example is stated as $659,600, which relies on a fund
balance of 32 million plus, almost 33. And I believe that should be
more like 27 million in the fund balance when you take the escrow
into account.
So I believe it's in error. It's certainly, at the very minimum, it's a
big divergence between what was presented on January 7th and what's
being presented today. So which one is wrong? One of them is in
error.
MR. CARNELL: Let me answer your question. Just to confirm.
This was prepared jointly between Public Services staff and O&B.
MR. FINN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Edward Finn, Office of
Management and Budget, for the record.
If we could just put that in the visualizer, please, Steve?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: If I'm wrong, just show me where I
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am.
MR. FINN: Well, actually, the large spreadsheet attached to
your executive summary does attempt to present an all-in approach in
that the interest earnings on the escrow money is calculated there, as
are the expenses for the escrowed preserve areas. I attempt to put that
all in there.
You'll see the sheet on the visualizer, which I believe is the first
attachment after the executive summary, attempts to illustrate the
difference or the components of the ending balance with -- at year 10.
The Conservation Collier portion that's general in nature is 27
million, and the escrow portion is 5.6 million. So we attempted to roll
all that in.
I would certainly concur that there could be a neater way to
identify those in a large spreadsheet and I'd be happy to give that a
shot.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: So you're telling me it's in effect a
wash?
MR. FINN: Yes, sir, I believe it is.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Okay, thank you.
MR. FINN: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Well, that's what I wanted to say,
that it was a wash. I mean, and it clearly appears that way to me based
on all the information presented.
What Commissioner Coyle said is correct. I mean, this is actually
a conservative proforma projecting out to those 10 years, and we will
consistently direct staff to evaluate levels of hiring, cost to operate.
And I believe Leo, it is your commitment, as I have heard you
say in the past quoting me, to provide the highest level of service at
the lowest possible cost, correct?
MR. OCHS: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: So I don't think that the
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recommendations that staff is presenting here today is what we really
should be adopting in our motion, because in our budget guidance to
you we have made that clear, and we have asked you consistently year
after year to make sure that, you know, not a dime is wasted. I mean,
it's certainly not anyone's intent to have staffing at a level that is not
needed.
Again, we're going to achieve efficiencies and savings by
working with Parks, we are going to create revenue streams by
building these parks out so that the public can use them. It is intended
that these parks be accessible to the public and they're to be enjoyed
by the public. So if we don't have the amenities in place, the public is
not going to go out there. I mean, they are not going to go out simply
to look at a green field, right? So we want the programs, we want the
infrastructure there so the public can enjoy it.
So the investment has to be made now in those improvements to
allow the community to get a return on their tax dollar.
I don't see this as negative as you're portraying, Commissioner
Nance. And I don't see the problems --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, that's somebody's opinion.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I understand. But it's not opinion
because we're dealing with, you know, numbers here. And again,
what Commissioner Coyle said, that this is really a very conservative
profile is what we should be looking to when we make our decisions
going forward.
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
And Mr. Chairman, just a brief comment to Commissioner
Nance's concern about the PHU drawdown from the fund balance.
You recall when you a acquired Pepper Ranch and Caracara, the
discussion at the time in the midst of a very aggressive capital
improvement program was that the Board was spending quite a bit of
money on mitigation costs as a percent of their capital projects.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yes.
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MR. OCHS: So the intent was to look for a way to leverage
these investments to lower our construction mitigation costs. That
was essentially the idea.
Now, you're not married to that, Commissioner. In fact, most of
that five million drawdown comes in the second 10 years of this
10-year program. So if the Board in today's environment decides that
you're comfortable buying mitigation credits on the open market, $4
million of that five can revert back to the fund balance for
maintenance and more improvements to the program. So you have
another policy option there available to you.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And you're absolutely right, Leo.
In fact, I was a strong advocate of the policy option that you have
reflected in this proforma because it came up at the time when we
went to market to buy those PHUs from the Collier's bank. And I was
very upset about it because I kept on saying why have we not created
the mitigation banks on these preserve properties as was intended
when we made these acquisitions so that we didn't have to go to the
open market and do it.
So everything that's presented here today is consistent with what
the Board's direction was from back then right until now.
And you're right, prospectively we could change all that. But as
of right now this is a reflection of the Board's position and policy. So I
think you've accurately depicted what was directed.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, Commissioner Hiller, because
of your comments, we have two other commissioners that want to
comment.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I won't take more than 10 seconds.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay, you go first then.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. The other thing to
remember is that we have an escape clause. Sometime over the next
30 years we will have the public vote on another Conservation Collier
program.
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CHAIRMAN HENNING: If the majority of the Board agrees to
put it on there.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Or if they get enough signatures to
do it. And I think they can do it. And you set up another one and you
allocate some of that money for maintenance. So if you ever run into
problems, remember that, because I won't be here.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, I just want to add one thing,
and this is kind of in response to comments that Commissioner Hiller
made.
You know, each one of these properties, and there are some very
good properties here that do have opportunities for access that are
quality. There's some of them that aren't. Some of them there's no
reason to do a lot of development in them. But there's some that
would have some very good opportunities to allow public access.
My concern in this plan is in the way it's been, particularly in the
last five years, is that it doesn't contemplate doing anything with them.
It doesn't allow them. And if you look at the revenue and the
expenses that are projected, all you do is hold serve. You don't have
any opportunities to do anything other than what we're going to do this
year, as a matter of fact, with the greenway, which is one of the stars I
mentioned to the committee, and of course the Pepper Ranch which
could have much, much more done with it.
So that's my concern. My concern is the allocation of the dollars
over the different things that we could do as far as staff, preserve
maintenance and improvements. I just think we could do better.
That's the point of my whole discussion.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: And you guys can have further
discussion over lunch on this. We're going to go to the public
speakers.
MR. MILLER: Mr. Chairman, you have 12 registered public
speakers for this item. Your first speaker is Nancy Payton. She'll be
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followed by William H. Poteet, Jr.
MS. PAYTON: Good morning, Commissioners. Nancy Payton,
representing the Florida Wildlife Federation. And thank you very
much for the very encouraging and informative discussion today.
Appreciate your interest in keeping Conservation Collier going.
We have five messages, brief messages for you today. One is to
keep all the land that's been purchased with Conservation Collier
dollars.
Two is to retain the committee. And we support its reconstituted
goal or a different mission or expanded mission.
We need to update the ordinance to reflect the new funding
options, possibly, the relationship to other agencies, the scope of the
program, and again the role of the committee needs to be addressed.
And we ask that that be done with the committee and with staff and
with the public participation.
And we ask that you carve out the Conservation Collier money
for a more aggressive investment policy so we can get maximum
amount of money for what we have.
And lastly, please consider sponsoring a 2006 (sic) ballot
question. And it's to put before the voters to simply say yea or nay for
renewing a Conservation --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Do you mean 2016?
MS. PAYTON: 2016, sorry. 2016.
And those are my comments. And thank you to you and thank
you to the committee and thank you to staff.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Bill Poteet. He'll be
followed by Becky Newell.
MR. POTEET: Good morning, Commissioners.
First I'd like to start off and thank Commissioner Henning for
appointing me to this committee 10 years ago. He didn't realize at the
time but this was a legacy type of appointment. Because what we've
got to do over the last 10 years is going to be here for the next 100
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years, and my kids and my grand kids will enjoy that.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: So no term limits, right?
MR. POTEET: No term -- well.
And I want to thank Commissioner Hiller for giving me an A.
I'm going to tell my kids I got an A in school today.
I want to applaud the members of the Conservation Collier
committee. We've had an outstanding group of individuals on the
committee over the last 10 years with a variety of expertise. And
without them we couldn't accomplish what we have so far.
We did recommend that we extend the committee. I'd like to
make a suggestion on the renaming. Instead of just making it
management or land acquisition, just make it Conservation Collier
Advisory Board or Advisory Committee. Just simple. Because there
may be a time that you want to look at acquisitions only through
donations.
We've developed a mitigation policy where they could actually
donate in lieu of paying for site development or site preserves in
certain areas, so that could come into play.
We talked about the county budget and we talked about why it
was so fiscally restrained. And nothing of staff, because they do a
phenomenal job on providing the information there.
But, you know, at first we thought it was the State of Florida,
then we thought it was the Clerk's Office. And then it came back, we
found out that it's actually the Commission years ago set this policy
and it was in response to a state law that was created because of the
junk bond issue in California.
And, you know, it's typical what we consider overkill, and we
thought you ought to relook at your policy and see if it makes any
sense to be a little bit more aggressive than what you're doing.
Because right now you have $37 million in there making less than a
half a percent and that just didn't make sense for me from a business
standpoint.
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And then the third area that we wanted to talk to you about real
briefly is we think you should take this to the public and let them
make a decision. Ten years ago -- or 12 years ago they went and
voted on it. It received a 60 percent approval rating. Four years after
that they went back to the public and there was over 80 percent. This
is 80 percent to tax yourself, which is just unheard of.
Subsequently we've had hearings, discussions, meetings, and
nobody talks in the negative about this program. They all love what
we're doing. So it makes sense to let the people decide if they want to
do it again. Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next public speaker is Becky Newell.
She'll be followed by Judith Hushon.
MS. NEWELL: My name is Becky Newell and I'm here today
representing the League of Women Voters of Collier County, and I'm
here to express the League's support for continuing the Conservation
Collier Advisory Committee.
The League approaches this from two different viewpoints. The
first is advisory committees in general, and we strongly believe, as I'm
sure you know, that it's very important to have public input into
government and that there be mechanisms for that to happen, and that
you carefully consider that public input.
We have been concerned on a slightly different note. We have
been concerned with the disbandment of many of the advisory
committees at the county level recently and we would encourage you
not to disband this one.
The second way that we approach this is by supporting
Conservation Collier itself. This is a popular program, you all realize
that, it's a very effective program.
We agree with Mr. Poteet's report that you have all read and that
you've given an A, and we greet with that. We think it's very
thorough. And that in his recommendations for what the committee
do in the future, he looks at what should be changed based on current
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circumstances and he makes some very reasonable requests for how
that could be handled.
I like the fact that he refers to the committee as stewards to the
public trust. Because that's exactly the League's perspective for what
this committee is.
On another topic that you have also been discussing that is not on
the agenda today, we would also like to express our support for
bringing this issue back to the voters. We think that's the appropriate
way for any decision to be made about this, it's the way it has to be
made. But we would hope that you would appreciate the fact that the
public should be allowed to weigh in on this. And I hope you'll bring
it back in 2016 to the voters. Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Judith Hushon. She'll be
followed by Brad Cornell.
DR. HUSHON: Good morning, Commissioners.
This is such high public support. We have almost nothing in this
county that everybody loves as much as this program. They voted for
it 82 percent. That is phenomenal. Nobody -- none of you are sitting
here because you were elected by 82 percent. Just -- oh, I'm sorry,
Donna Fiala. Pardon me. Yes, it's true.
But it's just -- it's such an important program that we should be
doing everything we can to keep it, maintain it and move it forward.
Maintaining that committee, yes. Change the name, fine, no
problem.
Maintaining -- these properties need to be better maintained. I've
had people come to me and tell me, oh, you can't even walk on that
property, it's so overgrown, it's got all these invasives on it. It's
Conservation Collier and they're not maintaining.
I would like to see us step up to that program. You know, we're
cutting back on some of these things. Be sure we don't cut back on the
maintenance and the development of these properties. These
properties are there for the people. We have to let the people get to
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them. So that's something that you as commissioners have as a
responsibility.
We should redirect funds -- we should not be redirecting funds
away from the Greenway Bridge. I don't know how that ever got in
there. It doesn't seem to even make sense. Yes, buying a piece of
property on the Greenway, that makes sense buying that last little
piece. I didn't have any problem with that.
I am all for putting this on the ballot in 2016. I am fairly certain
that the people of Collier County would once again vote to tax
themselves at the low rate that they are taxed to support Conservation
Collier going. And therefore some of this discussion about going out
and is it fiscally responsible and everything. I think we actually are
there to support this, we as county people.
And I do not recommend taking staff away from this program
and shunting them over to Parks and Recreation, only because this
program has jobs to be done in maintaining those properties and we
have to keep doing those jobs. So we can't strip the Conservation
Collier team down to where they cannot do anything in the future.
So that's -- those are my words, and keep it up, because it's good.
Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Brad Cornell. He'll be
followed by Patricia Forkan.
MR. CORNELL: Good morning, Commissioners. I'm Brad
Cornell and I'm here on behalf of Audubon of the Western Everglades,
formerly known as Collier County Audubon Society, as well as
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
I want to thank you very much for your constructive
conversation, for the discussion that you've been having up to this
point. I really do appreciate the ideas you're putting on the table and
the positive nature that they represent.
Audubon fully supports keeping the advisory committee. We
also support the proposal that Commissioner Coyle has put on the
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table and that all of you have weighed in on to some extent about
looking at a better investment strategy for the public's money.
Also, it doesn't make sense, having looked at this in detail, to sell,
trade or gift any of the current properties that we have purchased. It
just doesn't work out. Nobody wants them at this time. And if they
did take them, we'd have to give them a lot of money to manage it. So
it makes a lot more sense for us to keep them.
And the last thing is of course that we fully support putting
Conservation Collier on the ballot in 2016. Let's give voters another
chance. I think that is only fair. This program is not done. I think it
-- all you have to do is look around the landscape. As it continues and
renews its urbanization push as development is ramping up again, this
is good for the economy and good for business. But if we aren't
careful, we're going to squander the quality of life that we have in our
urbanized areas and where we live.
Yes, we have opportunities to do other things as well, including
mitigation, integrating with the Watershed Management Plan, but our
quality of life is ultimately I think what the voters of Collier County
voted for in 2002 and again in 2006. And, you know, let's let them
vote. Putting it on the ballot doesn't say anything other than we want
to hear what you have to say, people of Collier County.
One other thing I want to --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: That's a straw ballot, Brad.
MR. CORNELL: Sorry?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: That's a straw ballot.
MR. CORNELL: It is. It's a referendum, unless it's bonding,
then it's obligatory.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, that's what we had before and
that was a referendum. And what you just said was a straw ballot. So
which one would we do in 2016, a straw ballot or a referendum?
MR. CORNELL: A referendum. A referendum is a straw ballot.
It's -- basically you have the authority right now to levy that tax, to
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levy any tax and to implement any program. You can do that right
today.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I'll send you the Florida statutes later
on.
MR. CORNELL: What's that?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I'll send you the Florida statutes later
on. I'm sorry, I took up too much of your time.
MR. CORNELL: That's all right. That's all right. No, it's a good
distinction to discuss.
We think that the people ought to have a chance to register their
opinion by virtue of a vote, and so we encourage you to do that. Thank
you very much.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Patricia Forkan. She'll be
followed by Michael Seef.
MS. FORKAN: Good morning. My name is Patricia Forkan,
I'm a resident of District 1. And I want to thank Commissioner Fiala
for making it possible to have this time certain point. Because there
were so many people interested in it, it really makes it a much more
meaningful event.
I'm new to the area. I've been coming here for many years but
I've only recently moved in the last three and I've been very interested
in some of the environmental issues that have been started here.
And I only heard about Conservation Collier last year, and I
attended the workshop you all did and became much more interested
in what's the future, because I think it's very important, and the future
for what I'm calling the Naples brand. Naples has a look, a feel, and
it's an attraction for a lot of people, many people of a lot of means.
And how do we keep that brand? One of the ways is to put it --
put more of our green space into something like Conservation Collier.
Because we do see a lot of development, and that's fine. But on the
other hand we need to keep the very thing that brings people here.
And I for one was brought to Collier and to Naples over any other
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place in the country because of the amenities, the beauty and access to
wildlands. And I want to have those somewhat in my neighborhood
and not out with the alligators. So that is one of the things that I found
really fascinating about this.
And also I agree with the previous speakers who have much more
experience in this. But it does seem to me that the voters would
support this. I don't know whether you can vote on it today or not, but
that would be fabulous if you could.
Reconstituting a committee I think needs to be -- or something
needs to be done to keep the committee. I think that you have 37, 27,
however many million, that's a lot of dollars. And there needs to be
somebody from the public looking at that and keeping it before the
public's eye.
So I think there are a number of things that should give you the
desire to go ahead and do something very proactive and positive with
this program.
I think that's probably all I need to say. But it sounds like you're
already moving in that direction. I appreciate the fact that you're
looking at what to do with this committee, not to just dump it, so that
is a really good thing. And I'm hoping that we can all come away as
very happy citizens from this meeting. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Your next speaker is Michael Seef.
He'll followed by Bonnie Michaels.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Go ahead and start the clock.
MR. MILLER: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I'm getting hungry.
MR. MILLER: As am I, sir.
MR. SEEF: Good early afternoon, Commissioners. Michael
Seef. I live in North Naples. I live in a small community called
Beachwalk, and I'm the community affairs chairman.
I want to start out briefly by giving a broader perspective. In
fact, let me put this on the viewer.
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MR. DURHAM: Can you also give a copy to the court reporter?
MR. SEEF: I don't have a -- can I do that later?
MR. DURHAM: Yes.
MR. SEEF: Okay. All right.
What I want to show here is something that is based on a
common number that seems to be floating around, and quite
understood, that something like 80 percent of Collier lands are in
preservation. And what you see before you is a list of the major state
and federal lands, plus private lands, plus Conservation Collier lands.
And that in fact if you look at the bottom line here, which is the
red circle on the lower right hand, that number totals up to 67 percent,
okay. So you can see the little pie chart and you can see roughly
two-thirds is state and federal lands, excluding Conservation Collier.
Conservation Collier, as you know, is just a little teeny tiny
percentage of the total.
Now, there's an issue with many of these lands. For instance, Big
Cypress Preserve. They're far away. We go there last Sunday, it's a
two and a half hour round trip. Cost about 10, $12.00 in gas. And a
lot of your constituents are not going to be interested in going to Big
Cypress or at least not going frequently. And that's one reason we
have Conservation Collier.
The same holds true for Facahatchee Strand, Picayune Stand
Forest. And by the way, the forest is managed for anything the forest
wants to be managed for, which is oil and gas exploration and drilling,
whether it's forestry or what have you.
Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, and the other ones that
I've underlined, Everglades National Park and Ten Thousand Isles.
Now, the next page, let me just put that up. The next page takes
out those properties that are so remote and basically hugely
inaccessible. The bottom line here is that 17 percent.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Sir, can you wrap it up, please.
MR. SEEF: Okay. I would urge you to support Conservation
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Collier in every way possible.
I also just want to mention subsequent to Commissioner Coyle's
comments about the interest rates and inflation rates being very much
unusual, I have to say that the City of Naples is going to a much
higher rate from those similar kinds of rates. So I think it's important
to keep that in mind as a source of revenue not only for the
maintenance, as you've been talking about, but also for possible
acquisition.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Thank you.
MR. SEEF: Commissioner Hiller has suggested that there may
be times when this committee will look at expansions as well of some
sort or other. Thank you very much.
MR. MILLER: Your next --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Wait. Cherie', do you need a break?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I have a question.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. Do you -- do we need a break?
THE COURT REPORTER: I can wait. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: You'll wait? Okay.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Very brief question.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Sure.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: How do you account for the
Eastern Lands stewardship area, the protected lands?
MR. SEEF: They're included in the non-public lands, 416,000
acres.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. But they are preserve.
You're considering them preserve lands or not?
MR. SEEF: I did not consider them as preserve.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: That's why you're --
MR. SEEF: Because they're ag. lands.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: They're protected lands and they
will not have construction on them.
MR. SEEF: Well, we've talked about protecting 40,000 acres but
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not the reminder, which was going to be towns and whatnot.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Well, how were the 40,000 acres
included in your analysis?
MR. SEEF: They're also not included, as were the rest.
However, if you take out the 40,000 acres, you still have a pretty small
percentage.
And really, the point of this whole thing is that the urban areas
need to have -- with all the expansion that's going on, 30,000 units
going up here and there and everywhere, and we're talking about
cutting the program. We're talking about cutting it to shreds and not
investing in anything else.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I understand your point. I'm
sticking with my 80 percent, because there's so many things you
haven't included here at all. You just haven't included them.
MR. SEEF: Okay. I'm not sure what if they are. I'd be
interested to hear later.
MR. MILLER: Your next public speaker is Bonnie Michaels.
She'll be followed by Marisa Carrozzo.
MS. MICHAELS: Thank you so much for all your support on
this program.
I think if we look at this, if preservation is a priority, there are
many creative ways that we can figure out how to afford being able to
preserve land.
And I'm one of the citizens who did vote; I'm one of the 82
percent. And I think the public should be able to decide the future of
this.
In the last year, many years we've lost a lot of the committees
that Debbie Newell mentioned that were kind of environmental
committees. And now that development is booming there really aren't
a lot of programs to address the need for green space and the county's
sustainability program.
A perfect example is the Opportunity Naples, which is a project
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going on right now. There were no questions on the environment on
the survey. And as far as I know now, there isn't anybody on the
steering committee that is looking at ways that the environment is
going to be impacted or part of this whole economic plan.
I'm just one of many who feel that sustainability is being
overlooked a little bit in lieu of development at all cost. As a citizen I
don't know find this good for Naples; preserving paradise, as we talk
it, and certainly even for economic vitality. Sustainability is really
important.
Please help to keep this program going, as well as thinking about
the future of 2016 so that we can let the voters decide on preserving
land. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Your next speaker is Marisa
Carrozzo. She'll be followed by Ellen Goetz.
MS. CARROZZO: Good afternoon, Commissioners. I'm
Marissa Carrozzo on behalf of The Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
We really appreciate the opportunity to speak to you this afternoon on
the future of Conservation Collier, and we also very much appreciate
the very constructive discussion that you've had today.
So one of the most important elements of the program to date has
been the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee.
And it provides a sounding board for public input, as well as providing
the expertise of the committee members themselves.
So ensuring that the club can continue to meet or a renamed
simply Conservation Collier Advisory Committee to provide the
public oversight of the 37 million in the management fund vetting of
the public access amenities and land management we believe is
absolutely essential for the future success of this program.
In terms of the financial resources, The Conservancy absolutely
supports the idea of exploring alternative investment opportunities.
Commissioner Coyle suggested different years of treasury bonds, and
we believe that is certainly something that we hope that you will direct
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staff to explore further.
And we also want to stress that as of right now the financial
situation is not immediately dire. There is the 37 million in the
management fund, and looking at these potential opportunities for
further investment and prioritizing the capital improvements, we can
safeguard the future of the Conservation Collier lands and their
financial status.
The CCLAC and staff have been excellent stewards of
Conservation Collier's finances and lands. They have been adaptively
managing over the past several years to deal with the downturn in the
economy.
As people have mentioned before already, that we are looking to
a referendum in the future which will also help resolve some of the
questions of long-term funding for management and allow the
program to continue a more active acquisition program.
And we will hope that you as the Board will support a ballot
initiative to continue Conservation Collier's work to protect our
county's unique natural resources.
Finally, regarding the disposition of properties that was
mentioned in the executive summary, we support CCLAC's
recommendation that the Conservation Collier properties remain in
county ownership.
And moreover, the Shell Island property, which was mentioned
during staffs presentation, was a partnership opportunity between The
Conservancy and Conservation Collier and the county. And we
participated in that partnership with the understanding that the
property would remain in conservation status in perpetuity.
So finally, we just want to express our appreciation for all of
Conservation Collier's efforts with the county and that you will
maintain the CCLAC as an advisory board, explore the investment
opportunities and support a 2016 referendum in the future.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: How many more speakers do we
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have?
MR. MILLER: Three, sir.
MS. GOETZ: The most important one.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yeah. Well, it's the same message.
Does anybody have any new messages on what --
MR. KRASOWSKI: I do.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay, great.
MR. MILLER: Ellin Goetz, followed by Ellie Krier.
MS. GOETZ: Yes, I'm Ellin Goetz. I am a resident of Collier
County for 30 years. As a landscape architect I own and operate a
small business in the City of Naples that depends on development.
Yet I became involved in Conservation Collier back in the 2000s,
because we recognize the need for balance.
And one of the things that makes Collier County so special is the
balance that we have, whether it's economic development, economic
diversity, natural resources, development and natural lands. And I
want to commend you today for this very healthy robust conversation.
I really appreciate the energy that was put into the looking at the
budgeting and looking at the income streams, and I really appreciate
Commissioner Hiller's comments about how it's important for the
public to have access to these lands.
I believe that continuing the committee as a management
committee is very valuable for that very point, and I want to thank you
very much, and I hope very much that -- who knows what the future
will bring, but we'll hope it brings another ballot issue. Thank you so
much.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Ellie Krier. She'll be
followed by Bob Krasowski. He is your final speaker.
MS. KRIER: Good afternoon. For the record, I'm Ellie Krier,
and I actually registered as an individual today to provide support for
the continuation in whatever the appropriate iteration is for the
committee.
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But I will now identify myself at the executive director of the
land trust and provide you some clarity on the bridge.
On your recommendations, you'll see the recommendation which
says to consider removing planned expenditure. The Gordon River
Greenway in its entirety will have three bridges. You have already
built own one. The other -- the bridge number two from the airport to
the Conservation Collier land is designed and is getting ready to be
built.
The third bridge, which is in your Conservation Collier budget is
not your problem. You don't have to build it. We're not taking money
away that you have to get later. This is a bridge that will be built from
City of Naples land to Naples Airport Authority land. There is no
rational nexus from your Conservation Collier ordinance to allow you
to expend that money on that bridge.
I was in front of City Council last week where they pretty much
made it clear that I have to raise the money for that bridge, so -- and
we're on the way to doing that. So that's $645,800. It's nothing you
have to reconstitute later. It is money that is available to you, and it
does say in your executive summary the final portion of the Gordon
River Greenway. We had that parcel now down through a
combination of efforts to 297,000. So we sort of let that money ride
there, knowing that we needed to acquire this land. You do not need
to build that bridge. In fact you probably legally can't. And I wanted
to provide that clarification for you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your final public speaker on this item is Bob
Krasowski.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Hello, I'm Bob Krasowski. Good afternoon,
Commissioners. I think I was joking a bit when I said I had something
new to add.
I do support, though I'll try to keep this real sort, Bill Poteet and
his letter that was in your agenda packet. And Commissioner Fiala's
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comments earlier on. And I think that the ideas of Commissioner
Coyle should be considered by the committee as you extend it and go
on with it.
And yes, we should have this put on the ballot and let the people
support it.
And I'll add one new thing and that is let's go to lunch.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I'll second that motion.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay, you'll second that? All right,
let's adjourn for lunch.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Wait, let's go ahead and vote on
this, because we have a motion on the table. We have a motion and a
second.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Do you want to table the motion?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: No, I think we should just get it
done.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: What was your motion?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: The motion was basically to
reconstitute -- not reconstitute but to continue the committee as a
management committee to address the management and the programs
of the preserve lands.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Does that include looking at a new
tax?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: No, it doesn't.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And that was my second.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And that was Commissioner Fiala
second, and she supported you on that point.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: All right. Any discussion on the
motion?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah, I have some. The staff has
made a whole bunch of--
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I know they have.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: -- recommendations.
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COMMISSIONER HILLER: And I want to address that.
All of this stuff that's in here is addressed really through our
budget approval process. You know, reductions to personnel,
operating and amenity expenditures, that's all done through the
budget. We're not voting on that now. When you bring the budget
forward, you will propose what the staffing levels are, what the
expenditures ought to be. You know, we've discussed the capital
improvements, you know, we've made it clear that what was proposed
is necessary to make the lands usable. That doesn't have to be in the
motion because we're not making any changes.
The issue about the bridge is really not something we should be
talking about here today. We need more details on the land, on the
purchase price of the land, you know, on assurances that that bridge is
going to be built by the City of Naples, that we're not short a bridge. I
mean, there's a lot that has to go into that. We can't vote on that today;
you need to bring that back, you know, as a separate item.
We're certainly not going to -- you know, working with the Clerk
of Courts on investment strategy is what Mark has to do, so he will
come back with, you know, what the maximum, you know, return can
possibly be in terms of how we invest those monies.
You know, the -- I mean, all of this other stuff is standard county
business that staff does daily. And we don't have to direct you to do
what is your, you know, daily mandate.
So the only thing that I think that is before us today is the issue of
the committee, and that's what my motion reflects.
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: My question really --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Who's first?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I was, because I had made the
statement --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: That's right.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: -- that we ought to include some of
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these things, and Commissioner Hiller said no, we shouldn't.
So I will be satisfied with that if you, County Manager, will tell
me that you're going to continue with all of these recommendations
here and get them done as a normal course of your responsibilities.
MR. OCHS: Well, sir, I don't believe with regard to directing the
Clerk on a car route for the investment of these funds that I'm in a
position of authority to do that. The Board has an investment policy,
and if they want to direct the Clerk as the manager of that investment
to make a certain investment, that's something that this Board needs to
direct. Mark can't direct it.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Well, but Mark can -- what Mark
can do is work with the Clerk to see what can be done and --
MR. OCHS: We've already tried that, ma'am.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: -- bring back -- and what did the
Clerk say?
MR. OCHS: He -- I believe he didn't have an interest. We asked
him to be here to discuss that with the Board today --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Could Mark --
MR. OCHS: Crystal may be able to represent -- we went to the
finance committee. But so far what's reflected in your report in terms
of the interest rate of return is what we've been told is going to --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: The legal limit.
MR. OCHS: No, not the legal limit. But the existing investment
practice by the Clerk's agency.
So if you wanted an alternative, then I think the Board needs to
direct that inasmuch as it's your policy.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Well, I think what we need to do is
have a completely separate discussion on investment policy and what
are our legal limits with respect to that, whether it's as to this program
or any of the other, you know, reserves that we can invest over time.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: That should be the recommendation
to the finance committee to bring back --
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COMMISSIONER HILLER: Right.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- some recommendations.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Exactly. I mean, and that will be
-- I want to do that as a separately motion independent of
Conservation Collier. Because that is a broader issue and we should
have two separate votes. Because one isn't really related to -- it's
indirectly related to this agenda item but it's an overall issue that we --
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: -- should look at.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Is there any other discussion on the
motion?
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir. Just the other point to Commissioner
Coyle's challenge to me is that with regard this question on the
Greenway Bridge and the potential acquisition of this remaining
parcel along the greenway. I mean, I can't move forward on that
unless I get some direction from the Board.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: All right. Then I will add to my
motion that you research this and bring us back all the information for
us to be able to evaluate what we want to do and how.
MR. OCHS: Fair enough. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And can we do that rather quickly?
Because that parcel --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: How much time do you need, Leo,
to --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: At least the parcel.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I'm not sure if the parcel -- the
indications I got from Ellie, that might be part of somebody else's
bailiwick. Doesn't necessarily need to be ours.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Left staff go and figure that all out
and bring it back. That's not, you know, really part of what we're
evaluating here. It's a nice --
MR. OCHS: As long as you tell me go ahead and do the
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evaluation, we can --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: It's in my motion.
MR. OCHS: -- turn it around quickly.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: It's in my motion.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Just one other item. Divesting
properties at this time. We should have a policy that we're not going
to consider divesting any of those properties at this time.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah, I think you're right. At this
time.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Well, why don't we --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I personally think there's a number
of attendant issues that we need to discuss independently of this
motion. The motion is to continue -- my understanding is to
reconstitute the committee. But I think there are a num-- I think
Commissioner Coyle is right, there are a number of different issues
that I don't think we should just gloss over here without significant
discussion.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Right. And that's why these
should come back. Oh, the Clerk's here.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Maybe we could even discuss them
after lunch --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Sure.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- with the rest of the things. We
can get this one done --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I think there's a lot of stuff in here
that needs a lot more information for us to be able to vote on.
And staffs recommendations, you know, obviously they should
bring forward these items individually so we can take appropriate
action with the right level of information.
The two things really before us today was the evaluation of their
proforma so that we're informed and we know where we're going
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financially.
And the other issue is the management committee. I know that
staff has all this stuff in here, but that's not really --
MR. OCHS: We're happy to bring those all back individually.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, I think you need to bring
them all back with the right level -- there's just -- this is like a, what do
you call it, kitchen sink or whatever you call it, you know, when you
throw everything in one thing.
So let's stay focused, you know, on really the most important
issues before us today and that is we know where we stand financially
now and we know that we want to continue the committee as a
management committee and have Jeff bring back an amendment to the
ordinance.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Mr. Clerk, how are you?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Can you please restate your motion
at some point.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I will. Go ahead. Jeff, do you
want to comment on that?
MR. KLATZKOW: Your original motion was for the County
Manager to do it. Do you want me to work with the County Manager?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah. And I don't care who does
it. But, I mean, legally the ordinance has to be amended and work
with the County Manager to get it done and then bring back all this
other stuff with the right level of backup to make sure we have an
opportunity to make informed decisions.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And let me ask, just is there a time
limitation with the availability of that land parcel? Or is that just --
MR. OCHS: I don't know, Commissioner. At this point in time I
don't know.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Well, you will act within the
reasonable time so that --
MR. OCHS: As quickly as I can.
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COMMISSIONER HILLER: -- we do not lose opportunities --
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: -- that are before us. So whatever
time it takes, it takes. If you think it can wait, you deal with
accordingly. I mean, we'll defer to your judgment on that.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Mr. Brock?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: It's all your fault if we lose it.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: It is all --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Mr. Brock.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: -- my fault. I have broad
shoulders.
MR. BROCK: Thank you --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: These guys will keep going on.
MR. BROCK: -- Mr. Chairman. My name's Dwight Brock, I'm
the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
I just happened to be walking by the television and saw Mr. Ochs
make the following statement: We asked Mr. Brock to be here today
and he chose not to.
There is nobody asked me to be here today. Now, I just asked
Ms. Kinzel if anybody had asked her. I know nothing about this. I
know I did have a conversation with the budget office.
And let's talk about the interest for a moment. That's the only
thing that I've had a conversation with anybody about. 2833 provides
the Clerk as the party who makes the investments for the county. I
think we have clearly had that defined for us.
I have worked with the Board of County Commissioners to
develop an investment policy. That investment policy says we will use
the pool concept approach, okay. It further directs through policy
made by this Board where that money is supposed to go. It goes into
the general fund. If the Board of County Commissioners wishes to
employ that pool concept and allocate more interest to Conservation
Collier, there's absolutely nothing in the world.
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But I can assure you, we have some long-term investments in that
pool portfolio and we have some short-term investments in that pool
portfolio.
In an attempt to protect the taxpayers. I'm not quite sure what the
agenda is here. But, you know, you want me to stick money into some
risky long-term investment in this type of environment? I mean, do so
at your own peril. None of us know where interest rates are going,
except in all likelihood they're going up. And what's going to happen
when interest rates go up? You're going to lose principal.
So I'm not quite sure what the objective here is. But if you're
wanting to generate revenue for Conservation Collier, the simple
solution to that using the pool concept approach, which is exactly
what I told him, is to direct me to allocate more of the proceeds from
that investment pool to Conservation Collier. That's totally within
your discretion.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Thank you very much, Clerk. We
appreciate your clarification of that.
So again, my first motion is to have the County Attorney work
with the County Manager to restate the ordinance to include the
continuation of the committee as a management advisory committee,
to look at the management of the preserve lands and the programming
on those preserve lands, and to -- and for the number of-- the
frequency of meetings to be based on an as-need basis and where the
committee will come back, work with the County Manager and
present what, you know, they want to meet about and have the County
Manager approve it.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: My light is on, because I have a
question to ask the Clerk.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I thought your second motion to go to
lunch --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Can we just --
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COMMISSIONER COYLE: That was before the Clerk came in.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yeah, but that's going to be an
argument that should be after --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: No it won't be an argument. I just
want to find out --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: It should be after lunch, because that's
not part of the motion.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Will you be back after lunch?
MR. BROCK: Preferably not.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Can I ask a favor? And I'm asking
in the most informal voice. Could we just vote on my motion and
Commissioner Fiala's second so that we can set this whole issue of the
committee aside and then deal with, you know, this whole investment
policy --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: After lunch.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: After lunch.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: After lunch, that's fine.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: While the Clerk is not here, right?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Would you come back after lunch,
Clerk?
MR. BROCK: Preferably not. I mean, if it is a simple question,
you know, I'd be more than happy to answer it.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. All in favor of the motion,
signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: And we're going to take a one hour
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lunch, be back at 1 :40, and further this discussion about Conservation
Collier.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Actually it's furthering the
discussion about the investment policy --
MR. BROCK: I'm assuming you want me back after lunch?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: If you would.
MR. BROCK: I'll be more than happy to. No, I won't be more
than happy to, but at your request, I will.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: You will dignify us with your
presence. Thank you.
(Luncheon recess.)
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, you have a live mic.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Thank you. Back in session, the
Board of Commissioners, and finishing up on the topic of
Conservation Collier. And the topic is interest, how much interest we
earn?
MR. BROCK: How much what?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Interest. Well, the issue is the
investments. And you clearly stated under Florida Statute 28 it is up
to the Clerk to provide the investment for the Board of
Commissioners. However --
MR. BROCK: Your Honor, the way the investments --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: You called him Your Honor?
Please retract that statement.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Please.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Please.
MR. BROCK: I'm back in the old environment.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Well, if Commissioner Henning
inspires you to think of--
MR. BROCK: Mr. Chairman --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Big compliment.
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MR. BROCK: -- the Florida Statute, in order for us to make the
determination of what we have to invest in, we have to create an
investment policy. That investment policy sets out the average life of
the portfolio, the methodology by which we do it, and all sorts of
things such as what portion can be invested in this type of security and
what portion can be invested in that.
And years ago we did that, okay. And within the confines of that
we have to comply with that particular policy with the methodology in
which we invest the county's funds. And that's the methodology by
which we do it.
And all of the yield from that entire portfolio goes into the
general fund of the county.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: How large is that portfolio?
MR. BROCK: Depending upon --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Average.
MR. BROCK: -- the time of year, somewhere between 600 and
$900 million.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Wow. So the investment that is
Conservation Collier's portion is relatively small out of that pool.
The only reason I was asking is --
MR. BROCK: You know, I've not looked at the portion of the
corpus related to that particular fund, but yeah, I suspect it is.
Yes, ma'am.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: A long time ago I remember we had
this discussion about where the interest went, and it had nothing to do
with you, but we were talking about which pot it should go in. And
weren't there a few departments that were able to keep their interest, I
think like Parks and Recs or something like that, so that that interest
went back to supporting some of their --
MR. BROCK: I think the policy that is applied today which was
created by the Board was that it is allocate by corpus.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Right, that's what I was asking.
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MR. BROCK: And if you want that changed, that's simply a
policy decision made by -- tell me how you want to allocate. If you
want to allocate more to, for example, Conservation Collier, you will
allocate less to the general fund. Because there will be a tradeoff.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: What about impact fee interest rates,
do they all go into the general fund also?
MR. BROCK: No. Impact fees have certain characteristics that I
think they are -- they go back -- well, it goes into the general fund, but
then it's allocated out by the corpus.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: So essentially right now,
Commissioner Fiala, if the Clerk has about 600 million under
management and Conservation Collier's portion is 30 million, then
five percent of the total interest earned on that pool could be
reallocated back, if you want to do it on a proportionality basis, in
proportional to the corpus.
MR. BROCK: And that is entirely your decision as to how that
interest or yield or return, whatever you would like to call it, on that
portfolio gets allocated. And I'm simply telling you that the policy
decision that you have made today is that it gets allocated based upon
the corpus. That means the portion of the money in the pool.
Now, there are going to be some limitations associated with that
with regard to such things potentially as impact fees. I haven't looked
at that, because it's allocated based upon the corpus now, but we
would have to look at that because there's some limitations on how
that can get spent, and there may be some limitations as to how the
return gets applied. But I don't know the answer to that without
looking.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah, let me make sure I
understand this. If we decide that the Conservation Collier people,
we'd like for that fund to get five percent return on its money, all
we've got to do is just tell you to allocate that amount of money to
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Conservation Collier; is that right?
MR. BROCK: All you have to do.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah.
MR. BROCK: That is correct. It gets allocated based upon the
way that you desire. It's a discretionary decision of this Board.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: And you think that is legal?
MR. BROCK: Well yes, sir, I do.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: So we just arbitrarily decide that
somebody's going to get a large amount of interest and somebody else
is going to get a small amount of interest and that's okay?
MR. BROCK: Well, it goes into the general fund. You can
spend it for whatever you want, as long as it's general and
governmental business. Obviously you can't spend it for private
purposes.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Commissioner Coyle, can I ask
just to clarify where you're going? Because there are really two issues
here. The first issue is whether that money should stay in the pooled
investment or not. Which means, for example, pull it out of the pool
and invest it separately at a higher yield, or that it stays in the pool and
we don't use the proportionality standard and just allocate more out of
the general fund.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: And that's the question.
MR. BROCK: I mean, about it under the investment policy.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I'm just telling you, those are the
two issues.
MR. BROCK: Think about the average life of the investment
portfolio, okay? You know, if you go out on the Eurocard (phonetic)
to try to chase yield, you know, you're going to have to extend the
period of the investment portfolio. I mean, in the way it's done now, it
is looked at as the county as a whole in a pooled portfolio. That was
the concept that everybody decided was -- and it's the portfolio almost
every -- or the concept that almost everyone uses today to try to
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allocate that in that particular method. The yield, any way you look at
it, is going to go into the general fund.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Right.
MR. BROCK: So all you're -- you're still going to have to
allocate it out.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: No, that's understandable. It's just
a question if you deal with a --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I thought I was asking the question.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: No, go ahead. I just wanted to
clarify what you were saying in my own head out loud. Sorry.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Well, first of all, I do not think it is
legal or fair for us to tell you to allocate more money to one fund than
it's really earning. And I don't think you would let us do that if we
gave you instructions to do it because --
MR. BROCK: Try it.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: -- we have tried spending money in
the past and you have said no, you cannot do that.
MR. BROCK: Try it. I will tell you, I will.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I won't, because I think it's not
right to do that.
MR. BROCK: There's nothing about it that's right. It's not a
question of right and wrong, it's --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah, it is.
MR. BROCK: -- a question of what's legal and not legal. You
make the decision, the discretionary decision of what you perceive to
be right and wrong. All I do is look at it from a legal perspective.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. What is the maximum
duration of your investments now, average?
MR. BROCK: I don't have that figure off the top of my head. I
mean, I think it's on our website from the last month. I mean, it's
readily available, but I don't have it off the top of my head today.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. Do we have any other
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investments that are supposed to be perpetual funds?
MR. BROCK: What do you mean perpetual funds?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Well, it's supposed to be
self-sustaining and it exists forever.
MR. BROCK: I don't know the answer to that, Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. I don't know of any others,
but we might have some others, other than this particular one. But it is
a unique situation.
And so here is -- was my statement from earlier today. It looks
to me like the interest rate that this fund is getting, however it is
allocated, is well below what it could get by investing in very, very
safe short-term treasuries. And I'm talking about treasuries of three --
two, three and five years in duration. Nothing beyond five years.
Now, a five-year treasury is yielding somewhere in the range of
1 .6 percent right now. And if you laddered those things up in
essentially equal amounts, you would almost double the interest that
the Conservation Collier people have used in their financial analysis.
Doubling that interest return is significant, because early on you
probably have seen that they're working themselves into a deficit a bit
in that financial analysis.
MR. BROCK: Commissioner, I will bet you, you will discover if
you look at the portfolio that there -- you know, I haven't examined it
recently, but I will bet you, you will find that there is well over $30
million invested in short-term secure investments such as treasury
with greater than a three-year life -- expected life.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay, well --
MR. BROCK: So you've already got that today.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Well, if I do, then that's not what
I'm being told by staff. And so I'd just like to confirm that. If we do
have something beyond three years, five years would be fine, I don't
know that we need to chase it much further than that at the present
time. But according to my calculations, the interest return would be
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substantially higher than the staff has presented in their financial
analysis.
MR. BROCK: You've got -- in the pool concept you've got some
that have longer life and you've got some that have shorter life.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Right.
MR. BROCK: And that's what we're trying to accomplish is
making a reasonable return without putting the taxpayers' money at
risk.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: And that's my proposal.
MR. BROCK: And that's what we do now. So we don't need to
change anything. You just allocate it the way you want to.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Then we -- no, I'm not going to get
into allocating interest from one fund higher than interest from another
fund because I don't think that's the right way to do it.
But if what you're telling us is true, then I will get with staff,
we'll look at what they have and what they got from you with respect
to estimates for return and we'll try to sort it out.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: You're going to bring something
back?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I'm not bringing it back, County
Manager will be bringing it back. His staff provided the financial
analysis.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Is that a direction?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I would suggest it be.
MS. KINZEL: And Commissioners, maybe I can help a little.
I'm looking at the portfolio, and Derek just walked in with a hard copy
for the boss, but you currently have about 60 million out there until
2017. And remember, part of the issue is will interest rates go up,
which is part of the portfolio management concept that we use.
But you currently have 60 million as far out as '17, so I think we
are managing that with the direction you just described.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Well, I did say go out to '17. But
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nevertheless -- yeah, some of it go out to '17.
But I just want to make sure that it is laddered out from the
present time to five years from now.
MR. BROCK: My concept, Commissioner, is and always has
been to ladder the portfolio to come up to the average life of the
securities in conformance with the makeup provided in the investment
policy.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. Can we get -- you
communicate that investment policy to your investment manager, I
presume, right?
MR. BROCK: Sure. I think we communicate it to you all.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. And where is he?
MR. BROCK: My investment manager?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Who does that for you?
MR. BROCK: I have people here that does it and I have one in
Arizona that does it.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: All right. And what does the one
in Arizona do?
MR. BROCK: He assists us with the investment of securities.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: He executes the investments?
MR. BROCK: He does.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. All right, thank you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Fiala, you okay with
that direction?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: So am I.
Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: (Nods head affirmatively.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yeah, Mr. Chairman, I would like
to make one final motion on -- at least one motion on my part
regarding Conservation Collier. And I think this executive summary
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was brought forward indicating the desire to have a 10-year financial
plan accepted by the Board.
I would like to request and make -- I make a motion that we
request staff to go back and take this financial plan that has been
presented today and to clean it up and reconcile it a little bit to include
but not be limited to separating out the PHU mitigation bank escrow
funding so that that's clear.
And I would also like them to include, as they did in their
January presentation in public meeting, the baseline assumptions, so
that everybody understands what the assumptions were. That includes
inflation, interest earnings. I want to make sure that the properties
underneath improvement and amenities include all of those that have a
management plan, which each of them have, and contemplates an
amenities or an improvements is included in that list, and that the
maintenance costs are so differentiated between the properties that
have an access and amenities plan and those that don't. And just give
a little cleaner 10-year financial projection to the Board that's a little
bit easier to work with and that we can find acceptable.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I second the motion.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I just don't like the one we have
now. I think we can do a little better. I would be more than glad to
work with anybody to assist in any way.
MR. BROCK: Mr. Chairman, do you need me anymore?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I don't think so.
MR. BROCK: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Until we talk about the next topic.
By the way, I have a meeting tonight to continue our
conversation from prior, Mr. Clerk.
MR. BROCK: I'm sorry?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I have a meeting tonight. We had a
previous conversation, you and I, and I'm just telling you I have a
meeting tonight.
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MR. BROCK: Okay.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay, there's a motion.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: There's a motion by Commissioner
Nance, seconded by Commissioner Hiller.
Discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Seeing none, all in favor of the
motion, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion carries unanimously.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Most important is the notation of
the assumptions.
MR. OCHS: Yeah, they're right on the spreadsheet, ma'am.
We'll bring them back again.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Are we done with this topic?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, we have three more items that
we haven't really discussed. All the rest of them that have to do with
investments and so forth have been. But the three that we should be
discussing, if not at this meeting then the very next one, is the money
that we don't need any more for a bridge and to buy that land parcel
instead.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: And they're bringing that back. The
County Manager is bringing that back.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And we don't need to have a time --
I mean, we're not going to lose the property because we --
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March 11, 2014
MR. OCHS: (Shakes head negatively.)
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay, fine.
Then the next one is about divesting the properties at this time,
and consider divesting them -- or against divesting the properties at
this time.
And the last one is about eliminating -- and we've already
discussed the eliminating so we don't have to worry about that
anymore. The CCLAC. We're going to keep them.
MR. OCHS: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: That's already voted on.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So those are the two then you're
going to bring back to us? The two that have to do with the buying
the property and the -- and the conversation against divesting the
properties. Or is that already -- I don't remember discussing that. I
don't think we did.
MR. OCHS: Neither do I.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: No.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So we'll -- that will be coming back
for the next time, right?
MR. OCHS: I'll bring you a list of the properties again and you
can tell me if you want to keep them or get rid of them.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, I think staff has already taken a
look at that and there's only one potential --
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- in the future. So that was
discussed.
My preference is, is to follow up with that in the future when it's
right.
Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I think you should always look at,
you know, acquisitions and sales -- or acquisitions and dispositions
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when you're looking at a real estate portfolio. Because, for example,
we could sell one that continues to keep that property in preservation
but shifts the burden of the maintenance, for example, to the state.
And then we could turn around and use that money to buy another
parcel that might be less expensive to maintain or provide more public
access.
I don't think we should be close minded about these kind of
things --
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: -- and we should just evaluate
opportunities as they present themselves. I don't think it's a -- I don't
think we should have an absolute policy one way or another. I think if
an opportunity presents we should evaluate and consider accordingly
at that point of time. But for right now we're just holding.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, I agree with Commissioner
Hiller. And I think fortunately or unfortunately I'm responsible for
some of that discussion on that. Because what I requested them to do
is precisely what Commissioner Hiller just said. Find synergies
between state and federal agencies, the way we can get these lands in
conservation, shift some of the burden away from us, maybe do
something that makes sense for another agency, swap properties
around, give us something that has more access. So I would endorse
that always.
And that wasn't to harm the whole process, it was to engage
actively with our partners that are involved in the same process we are
to find synergies.
Now we can do that with cost too. I think we can avail ourselves
of the South Florida Water Management District on some of their bulk
contracts for killing exotics or doing prescribed burns. There's all
sorts of synergies that are available, and we need to look at them.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Absolutely.
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Leo, take note.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Are you okay with that --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: The bottom line is that --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- Commissioner Fiala.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: -- if there is no need to do
anything, there's no need to bring it back. Only if there's an
opportunity that makes sense should it be brought back. I mean, it's --
but it should be constant. I mean, the policy really is that staff should
be continuously evaluating, you know, what is best to do with these
properties. Because swapping it might be best in one instance, you
know, going into maybe some joint management arrangement with
some other agency. I mean, I can't even begin to describe all possible
options. And I'm sure staff is doing that. Consciously. It looks like
our director of parks says so.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: We have a consensus on that, Leo.
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Next item?
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir. Next item is public comment on general
topics.
Item #7
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS NOT ON THE
CURRENT OR FUTURE AGENDA
MR. MILLER: Mr. Chairman, I have two registered speakers. I
believe the first speaker has left. Kenny Thompson?
(No response.)
MR. MILLER: And Fred Thomas.
MR. THOMAS: My name is Fred Thomas. I'm representing
Immokalee, especially the Immokalee Chamber of Commerce right
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now. And I should have left also, but Nick Casalanguida said I didn't
have to go to the CAC meeting, the joint meeting that I have to go to,
for this.
What I'm here about is very simple. We are helping the
Chamber, through my wife, are helping Edgerrin James convert a
facility to be more useful in the Black community of Immokalee.
We went to see the staff at Horseshoe Drive and got all the
directions we were supposed to get, what have you. We even got
some engineers that developed drawings for us at half price and that
kind of stuff to help us get the process right. And I took photos from
all aspects of the facility. And it took staff only four weeks of what
normally is about a three-month process to get us to the point where
we can come in and give them the money for the conditional use,
okay.
My wife told me when she talked to them over the phone that the
conditional use price was $530. So I had that. And I came over to do
that, to pay that, and they said no, no, no, it's 5,000, that was only a
deposit. Oops. Oops.
So all the paperworks been done, everything's ready. In fact, if I
had 5,000 in my pocket right now I can go pay this stuff and be out of
here.
And we're just asking for a waiver so that the money that he was
going to use for computers, intelligent games and that kind of stuff
would be in the facility to help these folks that have to go get on the
bus, come over here to work in Naples and get on the bus and come
back. Because it's going to house preschoolers and the kids going to
school with the bus to come there, pick the kids up, take them to
school, bring them back there. And they'll have a chance.
Because you know, in Immokalee one of our problems is the
parents don't have the time to properly prepare the kids for their
future. And this could be a facility where that could happen. And
that's why we're all so interested in making it happen. It's just the fee.
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I mean, the staff didn't have to do almost anything because we
took even the pictures, the photographs and all that stuff so that it was
really ready.
And I'm just asking, you know, for that help. And Nick said --
Leo Ochs said I need to come to you all, and Nick said I need to come
to you all. And I'm just -- please help us out.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yeah, there's no such thing as waiver
of fees. It has to come out of somebody's pocket.
MR. THOMAS: I'm sorry --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: So we could have --
MR. THOMAS: -- could you please give us the money to do it.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Leo, would that be acceptable, to
issue $5,000 out of the general fund?
MR. OCHS: It's a policy decision, ma'am.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: And if we're going to make that
policy decision, we should make it a public purpose and make it fair to
everybody, if we're going to do that.
MR. THOMAS: It would be similar to what you did in
Everglades City with the water project.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: With the what?
MR. THOMAS: The water project that they did in Everglades
City.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Water park?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Permitting fees on the municipal
water in the City of Everglades.
MR. THOMAS: Right.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: And what did we do there?
MR. OCHS: The Board I think waived -- forgave the fee.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yeah, we forgave the fee.
MR. OCHS: Forgave the permitting fee.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: How much was that?
MR. OCHS: I don't recall, ma'am.
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COMMISSIONER NANCE: Mr. Thomas, I think in order for it
to be considered, we need to take a look at exactly what you're asking
us to forgive or waive so that we know exactly what it is, what the
details are and what the amount is and so on and so forth.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Can I make a suggestion?
Because it's not on the agenda and this is under public comment, could
you just put it on -- you know, work with Mr. Thomas, come forward
with a staff recommendation, work it through Leo, of course, you
know, what he thinks is appropriate, and then bring it back.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Sure. If that's the Board's direction,
ma'am.
MR. THOMAS: Okay, I was just wanting to do it fairly quick so
we can open it up before the school year is out. And we're not talking
about near as much money as they did in Everglades City. We're
talking about less than $4,800.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: 44,800?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: I'd have to look at what the fees are.
MR. THOMAS: No, 4,800. It's less than that. And that was less
than what it cost down in Everglades City, from what my investigation
was.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Commissioners, as the County
Manager pointed out, you are basically saying for nonprofits that
you're considering putting in a fund that you would allow them to take
out of the general fund and replace those Enterprise funds in 113, so --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Mr. Thomas, does Mr. James have
a nonprofit? Has he established a nonprofit to do this work through,
or where is he out with that, sir, can you tell --
MR. THOMAS: He hasn't established nonprofit. He's just
giving it out of his pocket. He's not looking for tax credits or anything
like that. He's just trying to help the community. That's all he's trying
to do. He's got -- all the land he owns --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: One of the things we need to know
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is who it is that we're conveying money to for certain.
MR. THOMAS: To the county.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Can I make a suggestion? Instead
of having this detailed debate here, since this is under public
comment, why doesn't growth management work with Fred to get all
the details necessary to bring back a proposal that the Board can vote
on.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Thank you.
MR. THOMAS: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Also in your motion, can you include
the County Attorney? You know, I would like to --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: To work with the County -- go
ahead.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I would like to know whether we're
pre judging a zoning issue by --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Waiving the fee?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- waiving the fee, yeah, or whatever.
MR. THOMAS: The zoning issue is not the issue. The staff has
already said it's good, we can go. All we need is to pay the fee.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. Well, my understanding,
you're asking for a fee to waive for a conditional use which comes
back to the Board. It is a zoning issue.
MR. THOMAS: Oh, I'm sorry.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: All right, I'll add that --
MR. THOMAS: It's been 20 years since I've been on the
Planning Commission. I apologize.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I'll go ahead and amend my
motion to include what you just said, Commissioner Henning.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay, discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: All in favor of the motion, signify by
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saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Opposed?
Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion carries 4-1, Commissioner
Henning dissenting.
Item #10A
THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO ADVERTISE A HEARING TO
RESCIND ORDINANCE 85-02 AND TO RETURN WITH A NEW
ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A FUNDING SOURCE TO FUND
SEAWALL REPAIR AND/OR REPLACEMENTS COMMUNITY
WIDE - MOTION TO DENY — APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, that takes us to Item 10.A, Board of
County Commissioners. This is a recommendation that the Board
directed the County Attorney to advertise a hearing to rescind
ordinance 85-02 and return with a new ordinance establishing a
funding source to fund seawall repair and replacements countywide.
Commissioner Henning brought this item forward.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yeah, the reason I put this on the
agenda is, you know, when we make laws or policy decisions, it
should be equal and fair to all. And if we're going to create MSBUs or
MSTUs for seawalls and fund, we should provide that to all, including
single-family homes.
However, we do have an ordinance, a long-standing ordinance
that makes seawalls that are not maintained for repair a Code
Enforcement issue, actually a public nuisance. And I included some of
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the previous actions by Code Enforcement on those. So either we're
going to enforce it, the ordinance, or finance it. And so that's why I
put it on the agenda.
Besides, the ordinance really needs to be put on the agenda. I
wanted to put it on the agenda so everybody's clear what that
ordinance is.
People have rights to transverse on waterways, and if you have a
derelict seawall creating a nuisance to people that want to travel that
waterway, it takes away somebody's liberties.
So anyways, that's why I put it on the agenda.
Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, my understanding of that
ordinance, and correct me if I'm wrong, Jeff, is that if there is a
damaged seawall that the property owner has not repaired, that the
county can go in, repair that wall and lien the property owner's site. So
that it is actually being funded.
And then of course, I mean, if the property owner doesn't, you
know, pay off that lien we can foreclose that property.
MR. KLATZKOW: I had the same understanding.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Say that again? I'm sorry.
MR. KLATZKOW: I had that same understanding.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: So essentially that the issue --
MR. KLATZKOW: It's public nuisance.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Right, and so -- exactly. And so
the issue of funding is answered.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. Can you tell me which section
that is in? Because what I'm seeing is a $250 a day fine if--
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I don't have it in front of me. If
you want to --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: It's on the agenda.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, I don't have it in front of
me. I just don't have it in here, my book.
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MR. KLATZKOW: In a public nuisance situation, ultimately,
and it's very, very rare because they usually resolve through the code
enforcement process, ultimately the county would have the right to go
in there and do the work themselves.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Would you talk into your
microphone.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, it's hard to hear you.
MR. KLATZKOW: I'm sorry.
In a public nuisance situation, the most common one would be a
deteriorated home. We would start off with Code Enforcement
proceedings.
If we do not get voluntary compliance with that, eventually the
county could go in there, do the repairs, and then go back to the
owner. If that wasn't paid, then eventually they could lien the
property. If that wasn't paid, eventually they would foreclose on the
property. That's a very rare procedure that we do.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: That's not in the ordinance, though. It
only provides for the Code Enforcement Board to exercise its
authority by applying up to $250 a day.
MR. KLATZKOW: By declaring it a public nuisance, I believe
it also brings in the type of action --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: No other ordinances say that, that the
board -- it's like our weed ordinance, that a board -- I mean, the county
can go in there. It's actually within that ordinance, the county can go
in there and cure the problem and put a lien on the property.
I'm just not seeing it in the ordinance, so I'm trying to figure out
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I thought it was. Keep scrolling.
Isn't it -- I thought it was in the ordinance.
MR. KLATZKOW: I think it brings in our public nuisance
ordinance. And I think by implication all the powers that the Code
Enforcement Board would have and by implication I think ultimately
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you could, once you declare it a public nuisance, do the remedies that
we've talked about. It's very, very rare that we get there.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Has it ever incurred?
MR. KLATZKOW: Public nuisance? Yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: On a seawall?
MR. KLATZKOW: On a seawall, no. To my knowledge, no.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Keep going.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Fiala, if you want to
go next and get that answered.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, I was just -- I realize that this is
all about this particular thing, but these people are asking to repair the
seawall. They're asking to fix it and they're asking for a way to be
able to fund it themselves to get that job done. And I think that's what
we're here for.
I know I as a commissioner feel that we're here to serve our
community. We're here to help them accomplish some of the things
they want to do. If they want to bury electric lines, maybe nobody's
ever done it before, but we'll help them to do that, because that's
something that's important to them. And I think in each case, whether
it be to eliminate stormwater problems or to put in beautiful
landscaping, if they want to do it and they don't have the funds, we
give them an opportunity to apply for an MSBU, they pay for it
themselves, and we're just giving them the way to that MSBU. That's
all it is. And I think that this is -- I don't know why we have to
remove this ordinance.
MR. KLATZKOW: I thought the purpose of this -- and maybe I
misunderstood when I read the executive summary -- was to create a
financing mechanism for everybody.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: To be equal to everybody.
MR. KLATZKOW: Equal to everybody.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yeah.
MR. KLATZKOW: So that you wouldn't have to go in, create an
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MSBU and fix the problem. The county would have a global
ordinance that people with seawall problems would come to for help
from the county. That's what I understood the executive summary to
be getting at.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And then what kind of-- you create
an ordinance for what? So we have -- the county then has to put
money aside to do this, is that what you're saying, rather than create an
MSBU? I'm just trying to figure out what you're saying. I have to
understand.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Under other enforcement remedies
and penalties, it talks about foreclosure of liens.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: But it doesn't talk about repairing, it
talks about a Code Enforcement up to $250, so --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: No, that's in addition. In addition
to that. It goes on to say that this constitutes a misdemeanor, that
every day this it isn't done constitutes a separate offense, and that in
addition that the Board may take any other lawful action in any court
of competent jurisdiction necessary to prevent or remedy any failure
ore refusal to comply with any of the provisions of this ordinance.
Such other lawful actions shall include but shall not be limited to
inequitable action for injective relief or action at law for damages or
foreclosure of liens.
So basically what that means is that they can -- we can go in,
repair the wall and lien the property and foreclose on the lien if they
don't pay up.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Instead of them doing it themselves
you mean?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Right, right.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Why would we want to do that?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: No, no, we can. Because if it
creates a public hazard and we have to repair the wall because it is a
public hazard, we can choose to do that. We don't have to but we can
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choose to.
What it says is that if the wall has to be prepared -- has to be
repaired, we have a number of options on how to remedy the situation.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And you're trying to eliminate that?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: If the disrepair rises to the level of
a nuisance, you know, of a public safety issue.
CHAIRMAN HENN ING: Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah, the -- I don't know how the
County Attorney arrived at his understanding of the intent of this
particular proposal. Because it clearly says that in the fiscal impact
this proposal will cost the county $1,626,324,500.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: It won't.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: And what Commissioner Henning
is asking for is the county to establish a fund that will take care of all
the seawalls in the entire county and treat everybody exactly the same.
And of course we all know that that's impossible.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: But there's also no need.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Then there's no need, that's right.
Rather than a simplification, this proposal essentially stonewalls
the initiative of citizens to take care of their own property. It places
obstacles in front of communities that want to make improvements,
and it accomplishes nothing toward getting it done.
First of all, we're -- I'm not going to vote for funding all of the
seawall repairs in Collier County by the government or by the general
fund.
The other assumptions here are totally false. The La Peninsula
project has not been assumed as a responsibility by Collier County
government, it's being paid for by the residents of La Peninsula. I
don't know how people keep making these allegations that it exposes
all the taxpayers in Collier County to these expenses. It does not.
Underlined, it does not. And we heard that from our auditors today
when they presented the results of the audit.
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So this proposal accomplishes absolutely nothing except to force
us to debate whether we want to eliminate the individual citizens' right
of initiative to take care of their own property. I see no way to do that.
What are we going to do, by the way, with dredging of the canals
in the cities and the county? Suppose the people who live on those
canals want to dredge them deeper because they're getting felted in. Is
the county supposed to pay for that? What if the residents get together
and tax themselves to do it themselves? What's wrong with that?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: They're already doing that in
Haldeman Creek.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: That's exactly right, in Haldeman
Creek.
We had a community in North Naples that had a pond that was
overgrown and polluted and had a lot of trash in it. The people
wanted to improve it. They taxed themselves and they improved it.
Collier County shouldn't bear the cost for those kinds of things. And
there's no need to change any ordinances, we're doing quite well here.
And one final comment: Any attempt to develop a single
ordinance which will take care of all the future infrastructure
improvements for seawalls or anything else are doomed to failure.
There's no way to anticipate all of the kinds of needs of our
community. We have to deal with them one at a time. And that's the
way our ordinances are set up.
So I can't support this. It's a waste of time even to discuss this.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes. Actually, I don't mind having
this conversation because I think it is provocative and I think it speaks
to problems that we're likely to have, and so I actually welcome this
discussion.
I don't want to go through a word by word on this ordinance, but
I will remind the Commissioners what we have done in the past with
MSTUs and communally owned private infrastructure.
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One of the things that we've done on several occasions where
we've had private roads, roads that are privately owned that were
improperly maintained and became a risk to health of the neighbors,
we took that communal infrastructure and we told the owners in those
areas that if they did not repair it at their own expense we were going
to impose an MSTU on them. And in fact we have done that more
than one time. We have actually one going on right now.
So on a situation where you have a condominium on a piece of
land, if those people commonly ignored maintaining their seawalls
and they fell in the waterways, the navigable Waterways, we've
actually in the past gone in and said look, if you're not going to do
this, we're going to put an MSTU on you against your will and we're
going to mandate that you take care of this public health and safety
hazard. Not that I'm saying that's a good thing to do but I'm saying we
have done things like that in the past.
We've also participated with public monies. On Hideaway Beach
we went in and we made a proportional determination on what our
responsibility was on constructing and paying for T-groins with TDC
money, and we participated with those people that had a special
assessment made to renourish their own private beaches and I believe
pay for a portion of the T-groins. So they actually had an MSTU I
believe with Marco Island to take care of their own needs.
So the idea that we have never had MSTUs involving marine
things is simply not true.
Now, the reason that I have a greater concern over just this one
issue is that almost all of the seawalls and marine infrastructure in the
State of Florida has been built since 1960. You do an evaluation and
you find as soon as people started moving in here in the ways that they
did starting in the late Sixties and early Seventies, that's when all this
stuff was built. Marco Island, a great deal of it was built in 1965. I
believe the La Pensi wall was built in and around that time.
All of this infrastructure is going to have to be replaced. It is
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going to put a tremendous burden on individuals, it's going to put a
tremendous burden on communities, much as Commissioner Coyle
has described, with dredging and other inland waterway maintenance
and so on and so forth.
So I just think we should have an open mind and try to develop a
mechanism where government can assist people to pay for what they
rightfully should pay for and/or what it is they think they need to take
care of. I don't see anything more American than allowing people to
pay for what they want. If it costs nobody else any money, I think it's
a good concept.
I think the MSTU concept is a good one and we've used it for
many, many things successfully and we've had universal
acknowledgment it's produced great results, and I haven't heard
anybody, frankly, complain about an MSTU -- I've never had anybody
complain about an MSTU that somebody else was funding, never. So
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Fiala, then
Commissioner Hiller.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Thank you very much.
You're absolutely right. Boy, I agree with you, with
Commissioner Hiller, with Commissioner Coyle. You all have said it
beautifully. We do have a mechanism in place for people who want to
help themselves to better their community to make it a better place to
live. Whatever they want to do, we help them to do that. That's our --
that's what we're here for is to serve our community. And not
ourselves, to serve our community.
And in this particular instance, to determine the immediate needs
for all of the seawall repairs and replacements, can you imagine how
much that's going to cost us just to have people going out to do that
and then -- and of course we're not going to pay for that, the taxpayers
are going to pay for it. And why should we charge the taxpayers
when somebody wants to go in and fix their own problem? I just don't
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see any need to do that.
So I make a motion to deny.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Second.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: There's a motion by Commissioner
Fiala and second by Commissioner Coyle to deny the action.
Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, this situation with the
seawall is no different than culverts that private property owners have
a duty to maintain in order to ensure that our tertiary drainage system
is working. Because very clearly, if it isn't, there is a public health,
safety and welfare implication.
And what we do in the case of culverts, if someone does not have
a culvert or has a culvert that has failed due to neglect, we give them
notice, tell them that they need to get it done. And if they don't, we
will get it done and we will impose a lien that they have to repay. We
do it, it works, and it's necessary.
The mechanism for these other seawalls is in place. We don't
have to fund anything to ensure that what needs to get done is done.
The issue with the MSTU is very different because it's as
Commissioner Fiala pointed out, there what we're looking to do is one,
ensuring that there is a valid primary public purpose for the creation of
that MSTU, and then allowing whatever the cost is to be paid back by
the individual property owners that are being directly benefited by that
improvement. There has to be a link between the improvement and the
cost and who is benefited. And that's basically how it's works.
So it's not like anyone else is paying for the improvement that
only benefits a few. The few that are benefited are bearing the burden.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Do we have one --
MR. MILLER: Yes, we have one registered speaker. Kathleen
Bruns.
MS. BRUNS: Thank you so much.
I just need to say, you said it so much better than I could that I'm
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not going to speak at this point. Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Thank you.
Yeah, I see where there could be confusion on my executive
summary. Obviously I need to rework it and bring it back. And I'm
sure Commissioner Fiala, you want to be fair to everybody; is that
correct?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: That's absolutely right.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: So, you know, the fiscal impact is a
true statement based upon La Peninsula's needs. Whether it's an
MSTU or anything involving the county, the general taxpayer is
exposed. Because that MSTU, that financial mechanism, whatever it
may be by government, it goes on directly to our debt and it speaks
directly to our bond rating. So I'll clean it up and bring it back as a
different item.
Any further discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: All in favor of the motion, signify by
saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion carries unanimously.
Next item?
Item #11B
CHANGE ORDER #5 TO CONTRACT #10-5541 WITH
PARADISE ADVERTISING AND MARKETING, INC. FOR UP
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TO AN ADDITIONAL $1 .5 MILLION IN MEDIA AND
PRODUCTION BILLING AT A NEGOTIATED GROSS RATE OF
10% AGENCY COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIRMAN TO EXECUTE THE CHANGE ORDER AND MAKE
A FINDING THAT THIS EXPENDITURE PROMOTES TOURISM
— APPROVED
MR. OCHS: This next item's 11.B. It's a recommendation to
approve change order number five to contract 10-5541 with Paradise
Advertising and Marketing for up to an additional one and a half
million in media and production billing at a negotiated gross rate of 10
percent agency commission, and authorize the Chairman to execute
the change order to make a finding that this expenditures promotes
tourism. Mr. Wert will present.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Do you want to say something right
now?
MR. OCHS: If you want a presentation, sir.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Motion to approve.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I'd like to make a comment.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yes, Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I have a real problem with this. I
completely support funding tourism, advertising and promotion,
because it does go to economic development.
What I have a problem with is change orders of this magnitude to
a contract which should have been put out to bid at a completely
different price point.
We go through this every single year that you put out the
Paradise -- or what ends up being the Paradise contract at a
substantially lower price point and then you come back and you
change order it up consistently. That is just not acceptable. We are
not going to give people the opportunity to come in as low bidders and
then make these changes.
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I mean, this happens every single year. I can't support it for that
reason. It's a million and a half dollars. Put it out to bid.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And again, going back, if this
contract comes back to this Board again at that lower price point and
we get a low bid and then it gets change ordered up to the tune of
millions, I will not support it.
And this is not the first time this has happened. And I don't care
what the explanation or the reason is or the terms are, it's just not fair.
It's not how we do business, or not how I will accept business being
done.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Mr. Wert?
MR. WERT: I will just make one comment related to the amount
of the contract with Paradise Advertising.
When this was bid, our budget was $2 million for destination
marketing. That's how it went out. The change orders that we've had
over the last four years have gone down in the amount of money each
year from 800,000 to 100,000 last year. And the reason for those
change orders in each and every case was we were going through
almost a three-year process to identify ways to find more destination
marketing dollars for our area to be competitive.
What we were doing was each year where we ended up with a
surplus amount of revenue from the marketing dollars that we used
and the new people that we brought, we asked the Board to recognize
that revenue. It all came from our fund; we didn't transfer it from any
other funds, it was all dollars that we generated from more visitors
coming to the area.
And each time, yes, because of the way that contract is set up, we
do have to ask for a change order in order to spend those dollars to do
exactly what all five of you have helped us do over the last period of
years is to find more dollars to bring more people to the destination.
And we've done exactly that.
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What we're looking at here is a combination of things. We
finally did last spring come to an agreement on how to reallocate the
tourist development tax. And it did generate and has been generating
more dollars for destination marketing in our fund 184 since July of
last year.
With that in hand and you had approved that reallocation of
funds, we anticipated what the additional revenue was going to be, we
wrote the marketing plan which you approved last October. You
approved our budget which had $3.5 million in it for destination
marketing and that's how the budget was approved.
All we're really doing now is saying okay, we've allocated the
dollars, we have approved the uses for those dollars. Now we're
simply saying because of the contract, the way it's set up says we need
to come to you to be able to spend those dollars. That's all we're
saying.
To your point about the contract, will it come back at the same $2
million, this is the end of our agreement with Paradise Advertising at
the end of this fiscal year. We intend this spring and summer to rebid
destination marketing services, and we will look at what our current
budget is for destination marketing, and at this point in time it's $3.5
million. If nothing changes, that's what that RFP would go out at. If
it's more than that, and frankly I anticipate by the end of the year we're
going to have generated more dollars than we projected, the budget
office projected we would.
And I think based on all I've heard from all of you, we want to
invest as much as we can in destination marketing. So that RFP will
go out with the then current budget for destination marketing, just as it
did back in 2010 when this was bid when it was only $2 million.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I thank you for your explanation,
Jack. Again, it's a million and a half dollars. This should be put out to
bid. It's not a change order.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Nance?
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COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, you know, I share
Commissioner Hiller's concern about this. And, you know, I went in, I
looked at it, worked through it with the TDC, and the contract that we
have with Paradise Advertising has been written to be an open contact
in this manner. What's being proposed is exactly what's in the signed
contract we have with him, with the methodology that we have.
I agree, and I frankly am a little bit uncomfortable with the whole
unknown amount of money that we spend through the collection of the
tourist development tax, but I don't know how to get around it. I just
don't know how to deal with it.
You know, I've been pretty tough on Mr. Wert here, beating him
up on his administrative costs. Because, you know, I kind of want
him to toe the line and be a sharp manager and so on and so forth, but
I don't know how you do it when you don't know how much revenue
you have.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Well, we're not obligated to give
him this change order. This is subject to our approval. And it should
-- a million and a half should be put out to bid.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Jack -- or I guess County Manager,
why can't we put requests for proposals out based upon what the
ordinance said, and that's an allocation amount with the historical
dollar amount? In other words, what is it, 25 percent of the tourist
tax?
MR. WERT: The total for destination marketing now with that
reallocation, it's about 47 percent.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay, whatever the percentage is,
that's what it should be based on.
MR. WERT: True.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Not only the bid, but the -- or the
RFP, but also the contract. So we're not having to do -- because it
could go down. Our income could go down. So then you're stuck
with a contract saying you've got a contract for $3.5 million and we
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don't raise that kind of money in one year.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: They usually put it up to --
MR. WERT: There is always an up to.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: -- in that kind of situation.
MR. WERT: And a clause that if we don't collect, we can't
spend that money.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: It should be based upon the
percentage.
Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah, and when we discussed it in
2010, of course we were --
MR. WERT: Struggling.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- just trying to pull ourselves out of
a recession.
MR. WERT: We truly were, yeah.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Desperately needed some tourism.
But that's all the money we had to play with.
Excuse me, this pine pollen is driving my allergies crazy.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Oh, isn't it terrible? I agree.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Anyway, but I think it would be
rather difficult to go out to bid now, because you've got one company
that's already had the theme for us. To bring another company in,
they'd have to go all through that again. They can't use the same ones
that we already have in place.
I think we ought to continue with what we have. We have no
idea how much money we'd get, and here we go. So I would have to
go along with this.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Nance, you made a
motion?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: There wasn't a second, if I don't recall
(sic).
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March 11, 2014
COMMISSIONER NANCE: There was not a second that I
heard, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: All right. So it dies --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: What was the motion, sir?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: It dies for a lack of a second.
Is there another motion?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah, I'll make a motion to approve.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Is there a second?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: All in favor of the motion, signify by
saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Opposed?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Aye.
Motion carries 3-2, Commissioner Hiller and Commissioner
Henning dissenting.
MR. WERT: Thank you, Commissioners.
Item #11C
A CONTRACT WITH TKW CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.,
IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,429,676 UNDER
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 13-6020, "NORTH COUNTY
WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY ELECTRIC RELIABILITY
AND MECHANICAL OPERATIONS UPGRADES," PROJECT
#73950 — APPROVED
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MR. OCHS: Item 11.0 is a recommendation to approve a
contract with TKW Consulting Engineers, Incorporated in an amount
not to exceed $1,429,976 under Request for Proposal Number
#13-6020. It's the north Collier water reclamation facility, electric
reliability and mechanical operations upgrade.
Mr. Chmelik, your Director of Planning and Project
Management, is prepared to make a presentation or respond to Board
questions. Pleasure of the Board.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Pleasure of the Board.
You want a presentation?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, I'd like to just make a motion
to approve.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion by Commissioner Fiala.
Seconded by? Commissioner Henning.
Anybody want to see the presentation?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I would -- thanks for your time the
other day. It's very enlightening.
You stated that this was part of the consent order for DEP, or
something similar to those words?
MR. CHMELIK: Yes, Commissioner Henning. Tom Chmelik
for the record.
This RFP actually includes two projects. One is bringing the
electrical service for the north half of the north treatment plant up to
Class I reliability standards of the EPA. And yes, that was part of
earlier FDP direction.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. Can you provide that
correspondence to me in the future?
MR. CHMELIK: Yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Maybe to all of us would be good.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: All right, there's a motion and a
second on the floor.
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Discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Seeing none, all in favor of the
motion, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion carries unanimously.
MR. CHMELIK: Thank you, Commissioners.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Before we go on to the next item, I
just want to ask a question of the County Attorney related to 11.B. I
don't recall if this is in -- or maybe the County Manager. I don't know
if it's in the current -- or in the proposed purchasing manual or if it's in
the ordinance, because we've been working on all these issues it's kind
of like muddled in my head.
But if my memory serves me correctly, either it was included or
we were going to propose, and that's where I need clarification, that
change orders in excess of a specific percentage of the original
contract I thought was -- were going to go back out to bid. Because I
know we had discussion with that with Mr. Casalanguida, you know,
related to his contracts in that regard.
Do you remember -- or just help refresh my memory. It's kind of
like --
MS. MARKOWITZ: Joanne Markiewicz, Purchasing Director.
In the ordinance itself it's 10 percent comes back to the Board
prior to execution of the change order.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: So if it's 10 percent -- if it's in
excess of 10 percent of the original contract, it has to come back for
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Board approval, not that it has to go back out to bid?
MS. MARKOWITZ: That's correct, Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I remembered something, I just
don't recall what it was. Okay.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And I think maybe we need to
evaluate that and consider bidding.
MR. KLATZKOW: It's hard. I mean, if you've got an existing
road project that's --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah.
MR. KLATZKOW: -- over-budgeted, I don't know how you
rebid it.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, I can see that in the --
MR. KLATZKOW: The balance of the change orders coming to
you.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: But it's something we -- maybe
there's something that we can look at, because it's a serious concern to
me.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I certainly support it,
Commissioner Hiller, to have a discussion on this, particularly these
items where we don't know what the expenditure is. I think we need
to have an option --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: But --
MR. KLATZKOW: You have to --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: -- to encourage -- you know, in this
particular issue here we got a concession with a reduced agency
commission on the additional monies. I think those should be
included in those open contracts, for example. I think we should
mandate, you know, reductions in commissions or something. There's
certainly ways we can construct it on these open contracts.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: But we don't even know that the
commission that we're receiving is lower than what the competition
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might offer, because this hasn't gone out to bid.
And the statement that you made that we don't know what the
expense will be is not true. Because if we have an idea of what the
revenue stream is, we can spend more because we direct that more
will be spent. It is not the same like building a road. This is not a
construction project. This is truly a variable project where we can add
or subtract as we choose.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Can we do this under commissioner
comments? We already --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, but this is --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- voted on that item.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I wanted to go back to it, because I
just wanted to make sure we fell within the boundaries --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: You can't go back.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Well, I wanted to make sure that
what we --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: We can't reconsider it either.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Not reconsidering. But if they
voted incorrectly against the law, it should be on the record.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: That's why we hired this guy over
here.
What's the next item?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I want a salary share with you.
Item #1 1 D
AN AFTER-THE-FACT SUBMISSION OF A LETTER OF
INTENT TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS'
AFFAIRS, INDICATING COLLIER COUNTY'S INTENTION TO
SUBMIT A SITE SELECTION CRITERIA APPLICATION TO BE
CONSIDERED FOR THE LOCATION FOR THE STATE'S
PLANNED SEVENTH STATE VETERANS' HOME — APPROVED
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MR. OCHS: Next item is 11.D. It was previously 16.D.9. And
that is a recommendation to approve an after-the-fact submission of a
Letter of Intent to the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
indicating Collier County's intention to submit a Site Selection Criteria
application to be considered the location for the State's planned
seventh State Veterans' Home.
Commissioner Nance has moved this to the regular agenda.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: So he can make a comment.
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: So let's hear it, Commissioner Nance.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, I would first of all like to
make a motion to approve the submission of the Letter of Intent.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Is there a second?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: What I would like to say is this,
and the reason I brought this up is I believe this was so important. I'm
talking to Mr. Greg out there in the audience with the Naples Daily
News.
This is a huge opportunity for Collier County and a very, very
important project.
But in order for us to do it in a short timeframe and to qualify,
what they're suggesting that they want for this seventh State Veterans'
home is 20 acres -- like a donated site of 20 acres, $500,000 in
monies. They're looking for deferrals of impact fees, they're looking
for fill, they're looking for basically a shovel ready site for a 120-bed
facility that's going to construct -- $17 million to build, having a $7
million a year budget and employ 190 employees.
Not only would this be a wonderful service for our veterans, and
we have many aged veterans in this community, but this is almost like
an economic development project.
And I just want to say that in order for us to be able to be
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competitive to gain this seventh home, in my view we're going to need
to have everyone in our community support this, including the
Chamber of Commerce, our leaders, private interests, veterans groups.
And, you know, hopefully this is going to get some publicity and get
people to step forward and help the county in this effort. Because I
think this is an absolutely wonderful, wonderful opportunity.
I know I have veterans in this town that travel as far away as
Gainesville to the VA Hospital up there to get service. There's not
enough services. We need it. This would be terrific. I hope we really
push as much as we can for it.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, thank you. It was well said.
All in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion carries unanimously.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Commissioner, would the
gentleman that stayed here all day long that drove in from Washington
want to say something?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: He spoke.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Oh, he's still here. He didn't sign up to
speak.
MR. VIA: I signed up.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: You did?
MR. OCHS: He spoke this morning.
MR. MILLER: He signed up and spoke earlier under the agenda
approval item earlier in the day.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: He was kind enough to leave his
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cards. Any of you that would like his cards, I have some, you're
certainly welcome to one, and contact Mr. Via.
MR. VIA: Thank you. There is also an extra $30 million
available from the National Department of Veterans Affairs. We did
use some of that at the home in St. Augustine.
And at the time the director of Department of Veterans Affairs
here in Florida was Admiral LeRoy Collins. And with respect to the
bicycle riders, he was killed on his morning ride a month before the
dedication of that home.
But he got extra funding from the Federal Veterans Affairs to
make that a two-bed per room facility instead of a four-bed ward. So
there is extra funding available.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: So we should apply for that?
MR. VIA: Well, that would be through the Veterans Homes.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Through Veterans Homes?
MR. VIA: Right.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Will you work with us to make
that happen?
MR. VIA: Say again?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Can you help us?
MR. VIA: I actually live in Naples, but I happen to be a national
vice commander of the AMVETS. So we do have -- I do have a
legislative officer in the State that is in Tallahassee a lot. And we also
have a VA rep, which is the same guy. And we can sure work on
helping.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: That would be great.
And what I had also asked, because Mr. Via and I spoke earlier,
is that if he would kindly send images of the St. Augustine facility to
you, Leo, so you can see what they did and what it looks like, so we
can have an idea in our mind.
And if you could stay in touch with our County Manager, that
would be awesome. Because you could help us through the process
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and turn this into a reality.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: That's great.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: With your help behind it, I'm sure
it would be that much better.
MR. VIA: Very good.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Thank you for coming. And I love
your tie.
MR. VIA: And remember, hire vets.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: What's that?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Hire vets.
MR. VIA: Hire vets.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Oh, yeah, definitely. No question.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Commissioner Hiller, that was
great. I'm glad you've been working so closely. And maybe the
County Manager can send us all a picture of it too so we have a
general idea.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, yeah, that would be a great
idea, Leo. Once you get the information, send it to us.
But the idea of having two instead of four bedrooms is nice. That
would be a real asset to our vets.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: All in favor of the motion, signify by
saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion carries unanimously.
Item #12A
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THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESCINDING
ITS DIRECTION THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK
WITH THE CLERK TO OBTAIN AN ATTORNEY GENERAL
OPINION AS TO THE LEGALITY OF THE LA PENINSULA
MSBU ORDINANCE AND INSTEAD DIRECTS THE
FOLLOWING: (1) THAT THE LA PENINSULA
CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION PAYS THE COUNTY IN
ADVANCE FOR THE ESTIMATED COSTS TO BE INCURRED;
(2) THAT THESE FUNDS BE HELD IN TRUST FOR LA
PENINSULA CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION IN A SEPARATE
FUND AND NOT BE CONSIDERED PUBLIC MONEYS; (3)
THAT UNTIL THERE IS A JUDICIAL DECISION ON THE
BOND VALIDATION PROCEEDING, ALL EXPENDITURES IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS MSBU BE MADE OUT OF THESE
PRIVATE FUNDS; (4) THAT IF ADDITIONAL MONEYS ARE
NEEDED, THEY COME FROM THE SAME SOURCE AND BE
DEPOSITED IN THE SAME ACCOUNT; AND (5) THAT IF, AND
ONLY IF, THERE IS A JUDICIAL DECISION ARISING OUT OF
A BOND VALIDATION PROCEEDING WHICH UPHOLDS THE
LEGALITY OF THE ORDINANCE AND THE FINANCING,
THEN AT THAT POINT THE MONEYS PREVIOUSLY PAID
COULD BE REIMBURSED TO THE CONDOMINIUM
ASSOCIATION AS PART OF THE FINANCING — APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Takes us to Item 12.A, Mr. Chairman. That was
previously 16.K.3. It's an item from the County Attorney relative to
the La Peninsula MSBU ordinance.
MR. KLATZKOW: Do you want a discussion from me or just
questions?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, Commissioner Fiala pulled the
item. Maybe she can explain her concerns.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. Well, actually, the La
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Peninsula people asked me to pull it and so I said I would.
And would one of you like to come up and talk about it?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Do we have any registered speakers?
MR. MILLER: Yes, I have two. I have Abbe Gault and
Kathleen Bruns.
MS. GAULT: I'm going to let Kathleen speak. Thank you.
MS. BRUNS: Thank you for the opportunity to address you
again.
Hurdles have been created and continue to be created that
normally don't exist for MSBUs or TUs. And under this proposal it
says the La Peninsula Condominium Association pays the county in
advance for the estimated cost to be incurred.
It's my understanding that you created the MSBU for the
property openers that live within La Peninsula, not the association. In
fact, it's my understanding that an association cannot be given an
MSBU.
Private individuals are asking for this to happen, not the
association.
I'm asking that the La Peninsula MSBU be treated like other
approved MSBUs/TUs in Collier County, and that you permit us to
move forward in partnership with the county to repair or replace a
seawall that does have a primary public purpose.
I understand any governmental entity in the State of Florida that
plans to issue debt has the option of validating its bonds in the circuit
court in the county where the entity is located. The validation of debt
is voluntary under state statutes with the result having a court
determine or validate the issuer's authority to incur bonded debt and
the legality of all related proceedings, including the taxes or revenues
to be pledged as security for the indebtedness.
Municipal home rule powers in the state constitution provide
municipalities with broad authority to incur indebtedness, and most
bonds are issued without a court determined validation. However, the
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bond validation process provides an additional level of protection by
having the Court's action forever conclusive.
So this brings us back to the question of: Is there an equitable or
unbiased reason to single out the La Peninsula MSBU to seek
advanced funding, or can you follow the long-standing determination
that loaning money to an MSBU would serve a county purpose or dual
purpose of both the county and the MSBU. Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: County Attorney?
MR. KLATZKOW: I'm not sure I understand. If you don't mind,
maybe you can help me understand.
We had gotten a check from you good people and the Clerk
returned it because at that point in time there was no advisory board.
I'm just asking for that check back. That check back was the advanced
payment.
It was always the understanding that the residents would be
paying, that there would be no taxpayers monies utilized.
The Clerk and I are indifferent -- and I hate to speak on his
behalf, but we're indifferent if it's the condominium association check
or private individual's checks. But that was always the understanding,
that it was going to be the community's money utilized. And it was
always the understanding that once we got the bond financing in place
that prepayment as it were would get rolled into the bond payment and
at that point in time you could be reimbursed.
So this executive summary is no different than the way we
originally set this up.
MS. BRUNS: I guess I am questioning the language, because it
is my understanding that an MSBU cannot be given to an association.
I may be wrong on that. Certainly there are attorneys in the room that
know far better than I.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: The issue isn't whether the MSBU
is going to an association. The issue is who is making that payment to
cover those expenses --
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March 11, 2014
MR. KLATZKOW: There's got to be a certain clause.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: -- it doesn't matter who it is.
MS. BRUNS: Then I guess I would ask that you treat us no
differently than any other MSTU or BU where you might want to do a
bond validation. If in another case like ours you would say, all right,
you have to pay this money upfront and if it goes forward and if you
prevail then the money would be --
MR. KLATZKOW: Yeah, but now we're changing the deal.
Because I was at those finance committees when this was discussed
and brought --
MS. BRUNS: Well, I wasn't, I'm sorry.
MR. KLATZKOW: -- and brought forward.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Are you speaking on behalf of
anyone in particular or just yourself?
MS. BRUNS: I'm just the chair of the advisory Board for the
MSBU at La Peninsula. And so I am just trying to understand the
language that came forth. I mean, I just actually saw it today and
that's why you saw me scribbling. But -- so I'm just questioning
because I don't know how this actually happens. I know that there was
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I guess the question is is why are
you arguing something, if the association is willing to advance the
monies as they did before under the terms that the County Attorney is
describing, is that the money has to come from some source, then, you
know, why are you going against that source of funds? I mean, if
they've agreed to do it, why are you opposed to it?
MS. BRUNS: Only because I'm not sure that the association
itself should be tied to this as closely as it is.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Why not? What difference does it
make? They're just making an advance payment.
CHAIRMAN HENNING. It's the same people, isn't it?
MS. BRUNS: It is the same people, with the exception of
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Aircraft.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: What?
MS. BRUNS: Well, Aircraft is the corporation, I guess you
would say, that owns the undeveloped land that is included with the
MSBU. They are not part of the --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Is that the one that they're not paying
their assessments?
MS. BRUNS: I didn't know someone was not paying their
assessments, but --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: No, that was the question. You made
the statement at the advisory board meeting we have members that are
not paying their assessments.
MS. BRUNS: Oh, no, that's for our maintenance fees, our
quarterly maintenance fees. As with most condominiums there are a
small number of people --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I understand that.
MS. BRUNS: -- that don't pay their fees.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: And my question is, is the Airport or
whatever, are they the ones that are not --
MS. BRUNS: No.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- paying their association fees?
MS. BRUNS: They don't pay association fees. But they are
included within the MSBU as one of the properties.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I personally don't see what your
objection is. I mean, if they're willing to pay it and this is what, you
know, they have worked out with the County Attorney, the Clerk and
the attorney -- did you talk to Pires about this?
MS. BRUNS: I did not. Because --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Not you, the County Attorney.
MR. KLATZKOW: Mr. Pires was in conflict on this one since
he's --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: What's that?
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March 11, 2014
MR. KLATZKOW: Mr. Pires was in conflict on this one since
he is also the Clerk's attorney, so --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Oh, so he didn't address it.
MR. KLATZKOW: No.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: But is the Clerk in agreement with
what's being proposed?
MR. KLATZKOW: Yes.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: For now.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I mean, I just don't see the
objection. But we don't have to -- I mean, we can still do whatever we
think is appropriate.
MS. BRUNS: I guess what I'm asking is simply that we be
treated like everyone else and that if you would normally not require
that, then I -- I would like to get us back on firm footing where we are
just an MSBU like anyone else.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: But if there's a bond validation --
MR. KLATZKOW: Hey, I mean, somebody's got to prefund on
certain expenses on this, including the engineering work. Okay, and
the county typically does not do this.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Right.
MR. KLATZKOW: All right?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And that's how it happens with
every MSBU?
MR. KLATZKOW: We don't have a lot of these, ma'am, to be
honest with you. But we don't typically prefund these things.
One approach we've taken in the past was we would set up an
MSTU, we wait for a couple years worth of revenues to come in and
then we'd use those revenues for whatever we needed to do.
We could do that here, but the seawall we were told was getting
to the point of needing the repairs right now, otherwise it would
collapse. So you don't have the time for us to set up the MSBU, wait
for the monies to come in and in two or three years after that then do
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this work.
So in order to avoid that you were going to prefund these costs,
and then when we got the financing those costs would be just loaded
into the entire financing.
MS. BRUNS: All right. As I said, I was not a party to --
MR. KLATZKOW: No, I understand.
MS. BRUNS: -- those discussions. And I'm just looking at the
paperwork that I saw today, and those were the issues that jumped out
at me.
MR. KLATZKOW: Does Mr. Pires still represent you or not?
MS. BRUNS: No.
MR. KLATZKOW: Do you have counsel?
MS. BRUNS: No.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: The MSBU does.
MR. KLATZKOW: Well, me, but it's kind of hard for me to --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Do not misunderstand yourself
personally with him representing the MSBU. I mean, he never
represented you individually, right? I mean, that's not what --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: He represented the homeowners
association.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Did he represent the condominium
association?
MS. BRUNS: He did.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And he is no longer representing
the condominium association?
MS. BRUNS: That is correct. Once the libertarian issue was
resolved --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: That's not resolved.
MS. BRUNS: -- at the last --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Trust me.
MS. BRUNS: As far as it has gone, all right. I understand, Mr.
Henning, that there are going to be hurdles all along the way. I feel a
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little bit like Tom Cruise going in another hit.
MR. KLATZKOW: We could table this --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yeah, just -- I'll make a motion to
continue it.
MR. KLATZKOW: -- and then I can have off-line discussions
with the community. Because there's obviously a failure to
communicate here on somebody's part. Maybe it's me.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, you know, interesting, I
attended the -- once I got in the gate of this gated community, I
attended their public meeting behind the gated community. And staff
was not aware of this item on the agenda, even though it was
uploaded.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Which staff?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: The staff liaison for the MSTU --
MSBU.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Who's the staff liaison for the
MSTU?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Michele Arnold.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Let's just continue this.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yeah, we --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: There's no point to discuss this
further.
MR. KLATZKOW: You have a board meeting Thursday?
MS. BRUNS: Yes.
MR. KLATZKOW: I'll tell you what, either I will or one of my
attorneys will attend that board meeting and we can hash it out there.
And then we'll just continue this --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I thought this --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And I'll come to it too. I'd like to be
there.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I thought this --
MS. BRUNS: Thank you.
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March 11, 2014
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- was an intimate (sic) thing that we
needed to attend to otherwise global warming was going to eat up the
land over there.
MS. BRUNS: I don't think I can speak to that.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Are we going to delay that more?
How much more do you want to delay this?
MR. KLATZKOW: Commissioner, I'm not -- it would be the
Board prerogative.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Maybe we need to delay it so
everybody understands what we're talking about. And I won't even be
sarcastic about that.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: My light is on.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: There's a lot of lights on.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Well, turn the others off and let me
talk.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Turn them off?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I'm going to make a motion to
continue, by the way.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. But I'm going to continue to
make my comments.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Sure, go ahead. No, absolutely.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: There is something very ominous
occurring here. Be very careful. I am greatly disturbed about what's
going on here.
MS. BRUNS: I know.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay? Now, first of all, I don't
know how this thing got on the consent agenda. It certainly never
came before us, yet it says that it rescinds our prior direction.
I don't know who told the County Attorney to write that up and
rescind our prior direction. I don't know why anybody would have put
this on the consent agenda where it would not be debated and not be
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known to the general public.
And I think Commissioner Henning's question is very
appropriate, how did this all happen? Who decided that this thing
would go on the consent agenda?
MR. KLATZKOW: I did.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Well, why did you do that?
MR. KLATZKOW: Because we put almost everything on the
consent agenda. And quite frankly I thought this was the most
unobjectionable request.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: And so you decided to ignore our
direction to you without even consulting with the Board?
MR. KLATZKOW: That's why it's on the agenda.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: No, that's not right, Commissioner
Coyle. It was on our agenda that we get an AGO and a bond
validation.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yes.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: And the community was going to pay
for the pre-engineering costs so that we can get an estimate on the
seawall.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: So?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: So the issue is the courts or the
Florida Attorney General, as it states, will not hear an item if it has
litigation tied to it. So that's -- I mean, whatever's in the executive
summary is true, and it's just rescinding the previous direction of
getting to get an AGO.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Wait a minute. Who told you that
this -- that we should rescind our prior direction?
MR. KLATZKOW: No, no. I'm asking you to rescind your
direction to me. The direction was for me to work with the Clerk to
get an AGO. I sent him a proposed AGO letter. We had a lengthy
conversation, all right, and the conclusion of that conversation was it
would be completely pointless to do this. One, we were unlikely to
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get an answer from the AGO; and two, if we did, all right, he wasn't
going to go be comfortable anyway.
What Mr. Brock wanted to do, okay, which I thought was a
reasonable approach was to segregate private funds from public funds.
And as long as he was holding private funds essentially in trust, he had
no issue with this, and we could move on with the project.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: So the Clerk influenced you to
change what we had previously directed.
MR. KLATZKOW: The direction was for me to work with the
Clerk --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yes.
MR. KLATZKOW: -- okay, in order to get an AGO so that if he
got the AGO he would then cut the check. The Clerk did not believe
that that was the right approach, all right. There's no point going to
the AGO --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: You didn't think that that was
important enough to bring back to the Board --
MR. KLATZKOW: I did.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: -- for an open discussion?
MR. KLATZKOW: I put it on the consent. All five of you had
the ability to take it off.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah.
MR. KLATZKOW: We usually have 80 things on the consent.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay, we're going to move on.
Because it's really not productive.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: You see what I'm talking about?
MR. KLATZKOW: What where you talking about --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner --
MR. KLATZKOW: -- sir? This is --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes. I just want to reemphasize to
you, I believe there's a number of commissioners on the dais here that
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would like this to move forward, that it needs to be private money to
move it forward. You need to do that.
And I have stated since the beginning that if there was not a bond
validation that declared this to be legal that I would no longer support
it.
So that's where we need to go. You can get all your AGO
opinions you like. I frankly do not care what (sic) the Attorney
General's opinion on it, because we're going to end up in court at the
end of the day anyway. Because this is going to be hashed out. It's
going to be like passing a kidney stone.
So we might as well go get a bond validation hearing. I'm not
going to support it unless you get one, so you can decide how you
want to move forward. But the longer you worry about who's going to
write the check, we're going to be here for months and months and
months having these endless conversations over nothing.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yes. I agree, I can't support it
without a bond validation hearing either. So if, you know, the county
has to be advanced costs in order to be able to move forward with that,
then you all have to come up with a means to get that done. But that's
up to you.
And the Clerk is correct in saying that, you know, that money
should be set aside in a trust account pending the resolution of, you
know, the Court's decision.
MS. BRUNS: So when I explain this to the community, the way
I read what was in this -- what do we call this -- the agenda item, the
executive summary, that the funds -- all right, if we prevail --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Then the funds will be used
against your obligation.
MS. BRUNS: All right. Okay, that's what I needed to know.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And as far as the County Attorney
goes, I mean, this is very straightforward. I mean, obviously the
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recommendation is that, you know, there's no point going forward
with a request from the Attorney General if the Attorney General is
not going to issue an opinion.
And for that matter, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense going
forward with the Attorney General, since we're going to go to court
anyway to get a validation. I mean, it's like what's the point. Because
regardless of what the Attorney General says, it's non-binding and we
need a binding opinion in order to get this done. That's the court --
MS. BRUNS: I understand you want the validation for the
conclusiveness.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Yes, absolutely.
So, I mean, and the only thing that this executive summary really
deals with is how the county will collect and hold the funds necessary
to be able to move forward with a bond validation hearing. I mean,
it's very benign. This is not going to the heart of any issue or anything
like that. It's just how to get from A to B.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Are you rescinding your motion, the
motion to approve this item?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I'm going to make a -- well, I'm
going to continue this item. My motion remains a continuance,
because there has to be clarity that, you know, your condo association
will advance these fees or you come up with some other means to
advance those fees so we can move forward on this judicially.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, if we approve it and they don't
advance the fees, then it's not going to happen.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: That too. I mean, that's certainly
another way we can do it.
Which -- what do you prefer, Jeff?
You're absolutely right, Commissioner Henning, either/or.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Now, Commissioner Henning, could
I ask why -- personally why are you so against this? And why did you
call out people to help you get rid of it? There must be a reason, a
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burning reason that's pushing you forward.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Is this on the agenda, your question?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: No, it isn't. I'm just asking a
question. You won't find it on there.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Yeah, I didn't think so.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And you won't find me being
sarcastic to you, I'm just asking you a question.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: So is there a second to the motion?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I guess I'm not going to get an
answer.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: My motion is to continue this -- let
me just ask a question: What's your preference?
MR. KLATZKOW: My preference is the community
understands what they're getting into.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Before we vote on it.
MR. KLATZKOW: And I had that understanding of Mr. Pires
and people who were formally appearing here. I don't know that
people on the current advisory board have that same understanding. I
think we may have had a change in people here. And I'm happy to
talk --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Let me ask you this: Did you say
you were going to go to their meeting on Thursday?
MR. KLATZKOW: I'd be happy to, yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And that way you can explain to
these people so everybody knows what they're talking about and we
hear, you know, what steps. Because I think there's a lot of confusion.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: So what is your motion?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: It's very hard for people to even
understand what's going on if they don't understand all of the issues.
So maybe we should continue until they understand what this all
means.
MS. BRUNS: There has been a lot of discussion and confusion
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over this.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: You need the County Attorney to
attend your advisory board meeting and clarify what is misunderstood
or not --
MS. BRUNS: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Also need counsel.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: So my motion stands, which is to
continue 12.A.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: And allow the County Attorney to
go work with the advisory board to come back with the --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion and a second to continue Item
12.A.
Discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: All in favor of the motion, signify by
saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Motion carries unanimously.
MS. BRUNS: Thank you.
Item #15
STAFF AND COMMISSION GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, that takes us to Item 15, staff and
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commission general communications.
I just have one brief reminder for my part and that is you have an
April 1st workshop scheduled. And that's all I have today.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Okay. Thank you.
County Attorney?
MR. KLATZKOW: No, nothing, thanks.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Nothing from me.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Nothing.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: None, sir.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Commissioner Hiller?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: I have a couple of remarks.
The first is with respect to dogs in parks in the county. Woof,
woof, bow wow wow.
The Board, when it voted as a matter of policy to allow people to
walk dogs in parks and basically to have dogs in parks provided that it
-- whatever staff did with respect to accommodating that direction, it
would never be done in such a way that it would bother neighbors or
create a nuisance, if you will. And so that direction hasn't changed.
And it's up to staff to do what's necessary to ensure a balance of
the interests so that the communities can live harmoniously side by
side.
And I know that staff is working on that and will continue to look
for solutions 'til they bring about world peace.
The next issue that we directed staff, and this was from an earlier
meeting, is to have staff research possible sites for dog parks. And
staff has been looking into that and has been working on a budget.
And so I'm going to direct that staff bring that back at the second
meeting in April, which gives you a month to work through what
you've done so far, and bring us back options as to, you know, where
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we can locate dog parks in the county. And that's like, you know, for
release and catch dog parks. And I don't mean fish, I mean dogs. And
I mean the bone.
So that addresses that very important issue. And it is an
important issue, because a lot of people -- yeah, that's a heart on legs.
With arms.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: A what?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: We won't go there. We will just
hide that doodle.
The other thing I want to bring up is March 17th is St. Patrick's
Day. And I want to compliment Commissioner Fiala, because I think
she looks beautiful today. I love her shamrock. I love her earrings.
And I actually -- this was the closest I could get to green. I really
couldn't find anything greener. But I have a tiny little shamrock on
my neck.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And you have a little green in your
dress.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Oh, and I have my green in my
dress, yes. And I personally think St. Patrick's Day is one of the best
holidays of the year, so I want to wish you all a very happy St.
Patrick's Day. Oh, I have green nails and green toes, and they do
match.
So happy St. Patrick's Day. Enjoy. And may the luck of the
Irish be all with you.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: I'm very curious, I read the article
about dog owners in the park earlier than when the park opens up.
And I'm very curious to know why people with animals, dogs that
should be on leashes, why can't they walk them in their own
community that early in the morning? Why do we have to make
special accommodations for one sector of the community that we're
not doing it for the other? That's one comment.
Leo, it was very curious on your comment inviting the Clerk for
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that discussion earlier today. However, he had no knowledge of that.
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir, I --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Clearly we don't have communication
correct between the Clerk.
Also, with the recent letter to -- from HUD to the county on the
HOME loan that staff received in February was not communicated
with the Clerk.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: What letter?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: We have a letter from HUD basically
-- and I haven't seen it, but just what I understand -- basically saying if
you can't account for the HOME John Barlow loan, you may
potentially have to -- county may have to pay that back. That wasn't
communicated with the Clerk. And it just seems like we can do a little
bit better on communication.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Could we all have a copy of that
letter? I've not heard about it or seen it.
MS. KINZEL: I believe it's an email he's referencing. It's an
email.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Whether it's an email or a -- makes
no difference. I think we should get it. That's important.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I know I didn't get one.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I didn't get it. I didn't get anything.
MR. OCHS: Okay, will do.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Well, we know that the Clerk's audit
came through on that, and that's a direct tie to the audit. And it should
have been communicated. Just better communication I would hope in
the future.
The second to last thing, I know of an acquaintance that applied
for a grant to study global warming, or now it's called climate change,
but wanted to study the true effects of it but he couldn't get the grant
because only the federal government is giving grants for studying
global warming climate change and how humans have affected global
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March 11, 2014
warming climate change, not what the true cause of it.
And it would be interesting if the federal government would have
a grant to scientists out there to figure out the effects of the Stone Age
or the cooling down of the world and what the effects of human beings
at that time.
Also, there was a recent report by Harvard showing that fluoride
in water causes ADD, so --
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Harvard?
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Harvard University. I'm going to
research that and provide that to the County Manager.
I'll entertain a motion to --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Motion to adjourn.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: -- adjourn.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: No, I was going to have --
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Is there a second?
No second?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Before I -- I'll second it in a
minute. I just have to read this -- that's right, there's free beer in Irish
paradise, everyone is jealous.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Say that again?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: That's right, there's free beer in
Irish paradise. Everyone's jealous.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Down to Erin's Isle, right?
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Absolutely. Just saying.
All right, I'll second it.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN HENNING: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
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March 11, 2014
**** Commissioner Hiller moved, seconded by Commissioner
Nance and carried unanimously that the following items under the
Consent Agendas be approved and/or adopted ****
Item #16A1
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE WATER AND SEWER UTILITY
FACILITIES FOR CABREO AT MEDITERRA, AR-11356, AND
TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY MANAGER, OR HIS
DESIGNEE, TO RELEASE THE FINAL OBLIGATION BOND IN
THE AMOUNT OF $4,000 TO THE PROJECT ENGINEER OR
THE DEVELOPER'S DESIGNATED AGENT — LOCATED IN
SECTION 12, TOWNSHIP 48 SOUTH, RANGE 25 EAST
Item #16A2
CLERK OF COURTS RELEASE OF A PERFORMANCE BOND
IN THE AMOUNT OF $89,000 POSTED AS A DEVELOPMENT
GUARANTY FOR WORK ASSOCIATED WITH MAPLE RIDGE
AT AVE MARIA PHASE 1 (PL20130000058) — CONSTRUCTION
PLANS WERE APPROVED ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2013 AND ALL
LOTS HAVE BEEN CLEARED AND STABILIZED, THEREFORE
A BOND IS NO LONGER REQUIRED
Item #16A3
RECORD THE FINAL PLAT OF CARRARA AT TALIS PARK,
(APPLICATION NUMBER PL20140000139) APPROVAL OF THE
STANDARD FORM CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT AND APPROVAL OF THE AMOUNT OF THE
PERFORMANCE SECURITY — W/STIPULATIONS
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March 11, 2014
Item #16A4
RESOLUTION 2014-48: FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF PRIVATE
ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE
FINAL PLAT OF HERITAGE BAY VISTAS SUBDIVISION
ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT
BOOK 50, PAGES 33 THROUGH 42, AND AUTHORIZING THE
RELEASE OF THE MAINTENANCE SECURITY
Item #16A5
RECOGNIZING CARRYFORWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF
$6,878.73 TO THE MPO OPERATING FUND (128) EARNED
FROM THE FY2012/13 TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED
PLANNING GRANT AWARDED BY THE COMMISSION OF
THE TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED (CTD) AND
RECEIVED BY THE COLLIER METROPOLITAN PLANNING
ORGANIZATION (MPO) AND AUTHORIZE ALL NECESSARY
BUDGET AMENDMENTS — THE FUNDS ARE FROM THE
PRIOR YEARS GRANT REVENUE COLLECTED IN EXCESS OF
EXPENDITURES, WHICH WILL BE UTILIZED FOR TD
PLANNING ACTIVITIES ENSURING THE FUNDING INTENT
AND PURPOSE
Item #16A6 — Continued to the March 25, 3013 BCC Meeting (Per
Agenda Change Sheet)
RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION GRANTING
A DESIGN VARIANCE THAT AUTHORIZES A SPEED LIMIT
INCREASE FROM FORTY-FIVE MILES PER HOUR (45 MPH)
TO FIFTY MILES PER HOUR (50 MPH) ON COLLIER
BOULEVARD FROM DAVIS BOULEVARD TO US41
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March 11, 2014
Item #16A7 — Continued to the April 8, 2014 BCC Meeting (Per
Agenda Change Sheet)
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE PRIORITIZATION OF
FIVE LIMEROCK ROADS FOR THE PURPOSE OF LIMEROCK
ROAD CONVERSION, FROM THE ROAD MAINTENANCE
LIMEROCK ROAD CONVERSION PROGRAM (LRCP)
(PROJECT #60128) IN FY2014
Item #16A8
A PROPOSAL FROM ATKINS NORTH AMERICA, INC. DATED
FEBRUARY 24, 2014 TO PROVIDE AN ANALYSIS OF THE
EFFECT OF STORM EVENTS AND BEACH RENOURISHMENT
PROJECTS TO THE COLLIER COUNTY COASTLINE FROM
2005 TO PRESENT DAY UNDER CONTRACT #13-6164,
AUTHORIZE BUDGET AMENDMENT, AUTHORIZE THE
COUNTY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE
WORK ORDER FOR A NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $14,103
(TASK 1 ONLY), AND MAKE A FINDING THAT THIS
EXPENDITURE PROMOTES TOURISM — ATKINS WILL
GATHER AVAILABLE DATA AND ANALYZE EFFECT ON
THE COASTLINE BY BEACH SEGMENT, BEACH WIDTH AND
VOLUME OF REMAINING BEACH SAND AND PREPARE A
REPORT FOR PRESENTATION TO HELP COLLIER COUNTY
IN FUTURE PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING FOR THE
BEACH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Item #16A9
AWARDING CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO QUALITY
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March 11, 2014
ENTERPRISES USA, INC., FOR REQUEST FOR BID #08-5011
NORTHERN GOLDEN GATE ESTATES CULVERT
INSTALLATION PROJECT (PROJECT NO. 60127) IN THE
AMOUNT OF $538,724.75 — TO INSTALL ADDITIONAL
CULVERTS UNDER EXISTING ROADS TO HELP DISTRIBUTE
AND CONVEY SURFACE WATER
Item #16A10
A PERMIT TO CONDUCT THE ANNUAL HARVEST FEST
CARNIVAL FRIDAY THRU SUNDAY, MARCH 28- 30, 2014
AT THE IMMOKALEE AIRPORT AND WAIVING THE SURETY
BOND IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,500 — THE CARNIVAL WILL
INCLUDE RIDES, FOOD AND BEVERAGE BOOTHS AND
BEER & WINE
Item #16B1
COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
(BCC), AS THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
(CRA), APPROVE THE SUBMITTAL OF THE ATTACHED
DISASTER RECOVERY INITIATIVE (DRI) GRANT
APPLICATION TO COLLIER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING, HUMAN & VETERANS SERVICES (HHVS),
SEEKING GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $450,000
TO FURTHER IMPLEMENT IMMOKALEE'S STORMWATER
MASTER PLAN — COMMISSIONED BY BIG CYPRESS BASIN
OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
WITH SIX (6) DISTINCT GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS IDENTIFIED
THROUGHOUT THE URBAN DESIGNATED AREA FOR
PROJECTS THAT INCLUDES DOWNTOWN IMMOKALEE,
IMMOKALEE DRIVE, MADISON CREEK DITCH, RE-SHAPING
Page 174
March 11, 2014
FISH CREEK, THE SLOUGH CROSS DRAIN ADDITIONS AND
LAKE TRAFFORD DITCH CULVERT UPGRADES
Item #16C1
SATISFACTION OF NOTICE OF CLAIM OF LIEN FOR A
SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM IMPACT FEE — FOR PROPERTY
AT 5238 MITCHELL STREET, NAPLES (FOLIO #62256560002)
Item #16D1
AN AGREEMENT TO FURNISH FOOD SERVICE BETWEEN
COLLIER COUNTY AND THE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD TO
SPONSOR AND OPERATE THE 2014 SUMMER FOOD
SERVICE PROGRAM (SFSP) AT DESIGNATED RECREATION
CAMPS FOR UNITIZED MEALS PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL
BOARD AND AUTHORIZE ALL NECESSARY BUDGET
AMENDMENTS (NET FISCAL IMPACT: $19,465.41) — TO
PROVIDE NUTRITIONAL BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES
DURING THE SUMMER FOR CHILDREN UNABLE TO GO TO
SITES OFFERED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD
Item #16D2
A SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FY2013-2014 ACTION PLAN
AND A SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF
$321,138 WITH COMMUNITY ASSISTED AND SUPPORTIVE
LIVING, INC. (CASL) TO ACQUIRE MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING
FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES — TO REMOVE THE
SALVATION ARMY PROJECT AND REALLOCATE FUNDS
TO COMMUNITY ASSISTED AND SUPPORTIVE LIVING, INC.
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March 11, 2014
Item #16D3
AMENDMENT NO. 2, TO A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN HOUSING, HUMAN AND
VETERAN SERVICES AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING A TIME EXTENSION FROM
MARCH 1, 2014 TO MAY 1, 2014 AND INCORPORATE
PROGRAM INCOME REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE IMMOKALEE SOUTH PARK
COMMUNITY CENTER — FOR AN AMENITY TO BENEFIT
LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS
Item #16D4
AMENDMENT NO. 2, TO THE SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT
WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF COLLIER COUNTY,
DIOCESE OF VENICE, INC., PROVIDING A TIME EXTENSION
FROM MARCH 11, 2014 TO AUGUST 31, 2014 FOR THE FY12
EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT — FOR HOMELESSNESS
PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND GRANT CLOSE-OUT
COMPLIANCE
Item #16D5
THE SALE OF CONCESSION INVENTORY AT NORTH
COLLIER REGIONAL PARK TO THE BOARD'S APPROVED
CONCESSIONAIRE NASA HOLDINGS OF MIAMI, INC. AND
DONATE ANY REMAINING UNPURCHASED INVENTORY TO
A NON- PROFIT — A SMALL PORTION OF PRODUCTS COULD
BE RETURNED TO THE VENDOR FOR A REFUND
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March 11, 2014
Item #16D6
SUBMITTAL OF A VICTIMS ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION
GRANT APPLICATION FOR A FY 14 ADULT DRUG COURT
DISCRETIONARY GRANT PAYABLE OVER TWO YEARS IN
THE AMOUNT OF $199,018.01 FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE, BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE, AND
ADDITIONAL COUNTY GRANT MANAGEMENT AND FISCAL
AGENT SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE
STAFF TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION ELECTRONICALLY —
FOR THE TREATMENT NEEDS OF OFFENDERS THAT HAVE
A DRUG ADDICTION THAT INCLUDE MANDATORY DRUG
TESTING, PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL GROUP THERAPY, CASE
MANAGEMENT, PARTICIPATION AT ANY COMMUNITY-
BASED SUPPORT GROUP/MEETING AND ROUTINE
PROBATIONARY/JUDICIAL REVIEW
Item #16D7
AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO A DEVELOPER AGREEMENT WITH
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF COLLIER COUNTY, INC. FOR
THE NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM 3 (NSP3),
TO REFLECT HUD NSP CLOSEOUT GUIDELINES — WITH A
DECEMBER 2014 COMPLETION DATE FOR NSP3
Item #16D8
AN AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000, WITH THE
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION (AHCA)
AND AN AGREEMENT WITH NAPLES COMMUNITY
HOSPITAL, INC. (NCH) TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEDICAID
LOW INCOME POOL PROGRAM, GENERATING $21,250 IN
Page 177
March 11, 2014
FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS THAT WILL PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE CITIZENS OF
COLLIER COUNTY — PROVIDING ADDITIONAL HEALTH
SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME CITIZENS
Item #16D9 — Moved to Item #11D during Agenda Changes
(Per Commissioner Nance)
Item #16E1
EXTEND CONTRACT #09-5260 FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES
TO ABM JANITORIAL SERVICES — SOUTHWEST, LLC (ABM),
THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2014 OR UNTIL THE BOARD
AWARDS A NEW CONTRACT (WHICHEVER IS SOONER);
AND, APPROVE NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR
PROCESSING PAYMENTS WHICH SUPPORT THE PROTEST
Item #16E2
ACCEPT REPORTS AND RATIFY STAFF-APPROVED
CHANGE ORDERS AND CHANGES TO WORK ORDERS —
COVERING THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 16, 2014 TO
FEBRUARY 13, 2014
Item #16E3
THE PRACTICE OF PROVIDING AN ESTIMATED PROJECT
BUDGET RANGE IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
SOLICITATION POSTING; AND, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, TO
PROVIDE THE AVERAGE HISTORICAL SPEND
INFORMATION ON GOODS AND SERVICES — AS DETAILED
IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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March 11, 2014
Item #16E4
AWARD BID #13-6059R "PARTS FOR FLEET VEHICLES" TO
UNI-SELECT AS PRIMARY VENDOR AND SUNBELT
AUTOMOTIVE AND THE PARTS HOUSE AS SECONDARY —
TO MAINTAIN COUNTY FLEET AND SMALL EQUIPMENT
Item #16E5
CHAIRMAN TO SIGN A "RECOMMENDATION FOR
REAPPOINTMENT" OF DR. MARTA U. COBURN AS THE
DISTRICT 20 MEDICAL EXAMINER — THE GUBERNATORIAL
APPOINTMENT IS DUE TO EXPIRE ON JULY 1, 2014
Item #16F1
AMENDMENT #1 TO CONTRACT #13-6080 WITH JACK
RABBIT SYSTEMS, INC. TO PROVIDE ENHANCED BOOK
DIRECT CONSUMER SERVICES BY ADDING FIVE NEW
BOOKING OPTIONS, AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO
EXECUTE THE AMENDMENT, AND MAKE A FINDING THIS
EXPENDITURE PROMOTES TOURISM — ENHANCEMENTS
INCLUDE: SPECIAL OFFERS & PACKAGES SEARCH ENGINE,
ATTRACTIONS & EVENTS SEARCH ENGINE, RESTAURANT
SEARCH ENGINE, AIRLINE SEARCH ENGINE AND THE
TRUST YOU REVIEW SCORES SERVICE
Item #16F2
RESOLUTION 2014-49: APPROVING AMENDMENTS
(APPROPRIATING GRANTS, DONATIONS, CONTRIBUTIONS
Page 179
March 11, 2014
OR INSURANCE PROCEEDS) TO THE FY 2013-14 ADOPTED
BUDGET
Item #16F3
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (TDC) GRANT
APPLICATION FORMS FOR CATEGORY B AND C-2 GRANT
FUNDING FOR FY 15 (OCTOBER 1, 2014 - SEPTEMBER 30,
2015), AUTHORIZE THE TOURISM DIRECTOR TO WORK
WITH A SELECTION COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE GRANT
APPLICATIONS PRIOR TO PRESENTATION TO THE TDC
AND MAKE A FINDING THAT THIS ITEM PROMOTES
TOURISM — AS DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16F4
A REPORT COVERING A BUDGET AMENDMENT (BA)
IMPACTING RESERVES AND MOVING FUNDS IN AN
AMOUNT UP TO AND INCLUDING $20,000 — BA #14-279 TO
COVER FEES NEEDED FOR COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL
CARE FOR SEVERAL HORSES AND AN INCREASE IN THE
NUMBER OF INJURED AND SICK ANIMALS
Item #16G1
RESOLUTION 2014-50: COLLIER COUNTY AIRPORT
AUTHORITY AUTHORIZES EXECUTION OF ATTACHED
JOINT PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT (JPA) NO. AR865 WITH
THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO
ACCEPT A GRANT OFFER FOR AN AMOUNT OF $44,000 TO
AMEND THE MARCO SHORES PLANNED UNIT
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March 11, 2014
DEVELOPMENT (PUD) FOR PROJECT NO. 33316, AND
AUTHORIZE ASSOCIATED BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Item #16H1
RESOLUTION 2014-51 : APPOINTMENT OF A MEMBER TO
THE OCHOPEE FIRE CONTROL DISTRICT ADVISORY
COMMITTEE — REAPPOINTING MCBETH COLLINS TO A
TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2015 — ADOPTED
Item #16H2
RESOLUTION 2014-52: APPOINTMENT OF A MEMBER TO
THE HISTORICAL/ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRESERVATION
BOARD — REAPPOINTING ELIZABETH PERDICHIZZI TO A
TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 1, 2016 — ADOPTED
Item #16H3
COMMISSIONER FIALA'S REIMBURSEMENT REGARDING
ATTENDANCE AT A FUNCTION SERVING A VALID PUBLIC
PURPOSE. SHE ATTENDED THE NAPLES PRESS CLUB
LUNCHEON ON FEBRUARY 27, 2014. A SUM OF $25 TO BE
PAID FROM COMMISSIONER FIALA'S TRAVEL BUDGET —
HELD AT HILTON NAPLES, 5111 TAMIAMI TRAIL NORTH
Item #16J1
DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD OF FEBRUARY 20, 2014
THROUGH FEBRUARY 26, 2014 AND FOR SUBMISSION INTO
THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE BOARD
Page 181
March 11, 2014
Item #16J2
DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD OF FEBRUARY 27, 2014
THROUGH MARCH 5, 2014 AND FOR SUBMISSION INTO THE
OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE BOARD
Item #16J3
ACCEPTING THE SHERIFF OFFICE'S FY2013 COPS HIRING
PROGRAM 3-YEAR GRANT AWARD — IN THE AMOUNT OF
$500,000 TO FUND FOUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS
Item #16K1
WAIVING COMPETITION PURSUANT TO SECTION ELEVEN
B 5 OF THE PURCHASING ORDINANCE AND APPROVE AN
EXPENDITURE OF $7,000.00 FOR MEDIATION SERVICES FOR
THE FIRM GAYLORD, MERLIN, LUDOVICI AND DIAZ TO
SETTLE PENDING EMINENT DOMAIN LITIGATION
(PROJECT NOS. 60171 AND 51101)
Item #16K2
FINAL JUDGMENT FOR PARCEL NO. 135RDUE AND 135SE IN
THE AMOUNT OF $71,100 IN THE LAWSUIT STYLED
COLLIER COUNTY V. KAYE HOMES, INC., ET AL., CASE NO.
10-2680-CA FOR THE COLLIER BOULEVARD ROAD
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (PROJECT NO. 68056) (FISCAL
IMPACT: $27,670)
Item #16K3 — Moved to Item #12A (Per Agenda Change Sheet)
Page 182
March 11, 2014
**** Commissioner Nance moved, seconded by Commissioner
Henning and carried unanimously that the following items under the
Summary Agenda be approved and/or adopted ****
Item #17A
ORDINANCE 2014-10: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2004-41, AS AMENDED, THE
COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, WHICH
ESTABLISHED COMPREHENSIVE ZONING REGULATIONS
FOR THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF COLLIER COUNTY,
FLORIDA BY AMENDING THE APPROPRIATE ZONING
ATLAS MAP OR MAPS BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF THE HEREIN DESCRIBED REAL
PROPERTY FROM A RURAL AGRICULTURAL (A) ZONING
DISTRICT TO A RESIDENTIAL PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT (RPUD) ZONING DISTRICT FOR THE
PROJECT KNOWN AS TEMPLE CITRUS GROVE RPUD TO
ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF UP TO 512 SINGLE FAMILY
DWELLING UNITS AND/OR TWO-FAMILY AND DUPLEX
DWELLING UNITS ON PROPERTY LOCATED BETWEEN
AIRPORT-PULLING ROAD AND LIVINGSTON ROAD IN
SECTIONS 1 AND 12, TOWNSHIP 49 SOUTH, RANGE 25 EAST,
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, CONSISTING OF 132.68+/-
ACRES; AND BY PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE [PUDZ-
PL20120002779]
Item #17B
ORDINANCE 2014-11 : AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
Page 183
March 11, 2014
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2004-41, AS AMENDED, THE
COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, WHICH
ESTABLISHED COMPREHENSIVE ZONING REGULATIONS
FOR THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF COLLIER COUNTY,
FLORIDA BY AMENDING THE APPROPRIATE ZONING
ATLAS MAP OR MAPS BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF THE HEREIN DESCRIBED REAL
PROPERTY FROM A RURAL AGRICULTURAL (A) ZONING
DISTRICT TO A RESIDENTIAL PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT (RPUD) ZONING DISTRICT TO ALLOW UP
TO 75 RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS AND A CLUBHOUSE
FOR A PROJECT TO BE KNOWN AS THE LORD'S WAY 30
ACRE RPUD. THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON THE
LORD'S WAY ON THE EAST SIDE OF COLLIER BOULEVARD
(CR 951) IN SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 50 SOUTH, RANGE 26
EAST, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA CONSISTING OF 30±
ACRES; AND BY PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE (PUDZ-
PL20130000827)
Item #17C
RESOLUTION 2014-53: PETITION VAC-PL20130002229, TO
DISCLAIM, RENOUNCE AND VACATE THE COUNTY AND
THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN A PORTION OF THE 40-FOOT
DRAINAGE EASEMENT LOCATED IN BLOCK "B" OF
IMMOKALEE INDUSTRIAL PARK, AS RECORDED IN PLAT
BOOK 14, PAGES 7 AND 8 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 47
SOUTH, RANGE 29 EAST, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA,
BEING MORE SPECIFICALLY SHOWN IN EXHIBIT A, AND
TO ACCEPT THE PETITIONER'S GRANT OF TWO DRAINAGE
EASEMENTS TO REPLACE THE VACATED
Page 184
March 11, 2014
DRAINAGE EASEMENT
Item #17D — Continued to the April 8, 2014 BCC Meeting (Per
Agenda Change Sheet)
RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO BE
KNOWN AS THE NATURAL GAS FRANCHISE ORDINANCE
Item #17E
ORDINANCE 2014-12: AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1975-16,
AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PLACEMENT AND
PRESENTATION OF MATTERS ON THE OFFICIAL AGENDA
*****
Page 185
March 11, 2014
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX
OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF
SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS CONTROL
/64,,
T`OM HENNING, A IRMAN
ATTEST:
DWIGHT E BJZOCK, CLERK
ttWA--
Y !�
Attest as td C hairm�►n+s
signature only.
These minutes approved by the Board on 4-1% (z4 , as
presented ✓' or as corrected
Transcript prepared on behalf of Gregory Court Reporting,
Incorporated by Cherie' R. Nottingham, CSR.
Page 186