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CCLAAC Minutes 01/12/2015 D 45 January 12, 2015 By MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CONSERVATION COLLIER LAND ACQUISITION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Naples, Florida, January 12, 2015 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 A.M. in REGULAR SESSION at Administrative Building "F", 3rd Floor, Collier County Government Complex Naples, Florida with the following members present: CHAIRMAN: Bill Poteet VICE CHAIRMAN: Clarence Tears (Absent) Tracey Dewrell Todd Allen John Burton, II (Vacancy) (Vacancy) (Vacancy) (Vacancy) ALSO PRESENT: Alexandra Sulecki, Conservation Collier Coordinator, Program Manager Jennifer Belpedio, Assistant County Attorney Christal Segura, Environmental Specialist 1 January 12,2015 I. Roll Call Chairman Poteet called the meeting to order at 9:00AM. Roll call was taken and a quorum was not established. The Chairman reported the Committee will hear the items for information purposes and no action will be taken. II. Approval of Agenda None III. Approval of October 13,2014 Minutes None IV. Old Business A. General Land Management Update Ms. Sulecki provided the "Land Management Report for Preserves Prepared for the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee January 12, 2015"for information purposes. The following was noted in addition to the itemized report: Cocohatchee Creek 10' by 8' viewing platform is proposed and Staff is considering installation of security cameras to deter defacing of County property. Logan Woods Unauthorized use of ATV's on site and bollards will be installed to prevent access to any restricted areas. Otter Mound Replacing informational signs due to cracked plexi glass and fading lettering. Alligator Flag Staff is ascertaining bids for annual exotic removal and trash continues to be an issue. Staff to contact area schools to determine their interest in initiating in developing a Program to routinely remove trash from the trails. Nancy Payton Staff planning to open preserve to the public over the next two months. Staff is Investigating the feasibility of establishing an area MSTU to improve Blue Sage Drive so parking may be developed in accordance with County requirements. Pepper Ranch Staff has hired a weekend park ranger. Staff and Committee to consider requests by emergency services for use of the Preserve for training exercises. Gordon River Greenway Staff considering installation of cameras to enhance security measures in the Preserve. Speaker Ellie Krier,Southwest Florida Land Preservation Trust reported bollards are to be installed at the south end access point to prevent unauthorized access to the site. B. Land and Funds Donations Update Ms. Sulecki provided the"Land and Funds Donations to Conservation Collier 2014"dated January 12,2015 for information purposes. 2 January 12, 2015 The Members present suggested Staff includes a copy of the updated financial data in the quarterly meeting packet for information purposes so the Committee is apprised of any changes and may direct any questions to Staff as necessary. C. CDC Parcel Update Ms. Sulecki presented the Executive Summary"Discussion regarding acquisition of the CDC Parcel" dated January 12, 2015 for information purposes. Speakers Pat Utter,Collier Enterprises (owner) reported they are in the initial stages of developing plans for the parcel which includes residential single family lots. If the County does not move forward with acquisition of the parcel within 6 months, they intend to move forward with the engineering and permitting required to develop the parcel and offer it to sale to an outside party upon receipt of the permits. Ellie Krier, Southwest Florida Land Preservation Trust reported they continue to support acquisition of the parcel as it will enhance the experience for users of the Gordon River Greenway; She expressed concern the opportunity for the County to acquire the parcel is diminishing. Nicole Johnson,Conservancy of Southwest Florida reported they continue to support acquisition of the parcel which may be used for a small parking lot. She noted the Landings at Bear's Paw community donated funds in the amount of$103,000 for the specific intent of the County's acquisition of the property. The Committee noted they had taken action on the item at the October 13, 2014 meeting and Members present continue to support acquisition of the parcel. D. Ordinance Amendment Reducing Number of Members and Quorum Ms. Sulecki presented the Executive Summary "Recommendation that the Board direct staff to advertise for a public hearing an ordinance amending the Conservation Collier Ordinance 2007- 65, as amended, to reduce the number of members on the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (CCLAAC)from nine to seven and the quorum requirements from five to four members"dated January 12, 2015 for information purposes. She noted the item will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners on January 13, 2015. The Members present reported the Committee took action at the October 13, 2014 meeting supporting the proposed Ordinance revisions. V. New Business A. CCLAAC applications Ms. Sulecki provided an application for membership on the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee submitted by Susan Calkins. She noted the application will be forwarded to the BCC for consideration. Members present supported Ms. Calkins application. B. Good Deal offer—Willett Parcel in Mcllvane Marsh Ms. Sulecki presented the"CCLAAC January 12, 2015 Conservation Collier Property Summary— Willett Property Good Deal Offer" and"Conservation Collier Initial Criteria Screening Report 3 January 12,2015 Property Name:Mcllvane Marsh— Willett Parcel for information purposes. She presented a Slideshow on the proposed acquisition highhlighting: • The parcel is 2.02 acres in size located on the westerly side of Mcllvane Marsh adjacent to other lands of Conservation Collier. • It is being offered to the County for$2,500 with a fair market value is $4,000. • Its habitat is mangrove swamp and salt marsh and is a breeding ground for numerous species of fish. • The parcel meets 4 of 6 initial screening criteria and received an Initial Screening Criteria Report score of 280 out of a possible 400. The Members present endorsed the concept of acquiring the parcel. C. Alligator Flag LMP—5 Year Update Ms. Segura presented the "Alligator Flag Preserve Land Management Plan—Revised 5 Year Update" for information purposes and noted the revisions include the name change to"Alligator Flag Preserve,"updated budget,updated maps and updated plant lists. She reported Staff will incorporate the Member's suggestion to contact area schools to propose an"adopt a trail"program into the Plan. The Member's present endorsed the update and requested Staff to place the item on the next meeting Agenda so formal action may be taken for the record D. Use of Pepper Ranch Preserve for EMS training exercise—Lt.John Harradan Lt.Harradan addressed the Members on the feasibility of utilizing the Preserve for training exercises. He noted: • The purpose is to allow the Department to familiarize itself with the Preserve should a emergency action be required on site given the types of uses allowed(horseback riding, hunting,hiking,mountain bike riding, etc.)and provide valuable training to individuals on rescue techniques. • The activity may be one day or two day training events including overnight stays. • The small scale exercises proposed would include grid search techniques,rout searching etc. • Full scale training would involve outside Agencies with an organized Command Center,a mock rescue and possible Medevac events. • Canine teams would be involved with service dogs that are highly trained and obedient remaining on leash or under control of the master. • Any vehicles used in the operation would be required to stay on designated trails or roads. Members present endorsed the concept and directed Staff to work with the Agency to develop permit conditions for the proposed activity. E. Amendment 1 Opportunities—Discussion Ms. Sulecki submitted the White Paper"AMENDMENT#1: The Florida Water and Land Conservation Amendment"dated January 12,2015 or information purposes. Two main items were discussed: 4 January 12,2015 1. Given Counties within Florida control 10 percent of the lands in conservation Statewide, an allocation of funds for the purposes of managing these lands would be beneficial given the costs associated with the activity and limited availability of funds. 2. Concern if the County participates in acquisitions with the State,the title of the land is held solely by the State of Florida, not jointly. F. Relocation of Injured Wildlife onto Conservation Collier Lands—Discussion Ms. Sulecki reported the Committee may want to consider developing a policy for relocation of injured wildlife on Preserve properties. Other Agencies such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have policies based on a"case by case" basis with certain restrictions(types of species allowed, etc.). . Representatives of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida have reported they steward injured animals and their first priority is to release the animal where they were originally found, however additional options would be beneficial. The Members present noted Staff should consider developing a policy utilizing the "case by case"basis and bring a recommendation to the Committee for consideration. G. Pepper Ranch Preserve brochures done by volunteer Ms. Sulecki provided the"Pepper Ranch Preserve PDF Field and Trail Guide" and"Pepper Ranch Preserve Trail System"for information purposes. The Members present suggested the trails identified on the brochures list the English translation of their names. Speaker Wayne Jenkins expressed concern some of the uses being allowed on Pepper Ranch may be adversely impacting the wildlife in the area. He visits the Preserve on a routine basis and lately he has noticed a decline in visible wildlife. The activities being permitted on the Preserve such as the construction and use of mountain bike trails and horse riding, etc. may be disrupting the animal's daily activities causing them to seek refuge elsewhere. He noted the goals in the Management Plan include reducing human impacts and encourages preservation. He recommended the issue be monitored by Staff and an analysis completed to determine the impacts of these uses. Staff reported: • The Preserve is closed to public access from May through November and they have recently witnessed wildlife on site. • They continue to enhance wildlife habitat on site through a variety of activities. • The trails as currently in exist have been approved by the Board of County Commissioners. • They will investigate the feasibility of installing wildlife cameras on site to aid in monitoring activity/ • They agree the concern is legitimate and will monitor the situation to determine if there are any decreases in wildlife activity. The Members present requested Staff to notify them on any additional bike trails proposed for construction. 5 January 12,2015 VI. Coordinator Communications A. BCC Items 10/28/14—Youth Hunt Agreement approved. 11/18/14—The Breeze at Calusa donation parcel was approved. 1/13/15 —The Program's Ordinance changes will be considered. B. Misc. Items Staff will be investigating a request to allow star gazing at Pepper Ranch and will report back to the Committee their findings. VII. Chair Committee Member Comments None VIII. Public General Comments None IX. Staff Comments None There being no further business for the good of the County,the meeting was adjourned by order of the chair at 12:05P.M. Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee Bill Poteet, Chairman These minutes approved-by the Board/Committee on ® 1, is- as presented or as amended 6