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BCC Minutes 05/15/2002 W (District 4)May 15, 2002 District 4 Town Hall Meeting Professional Development Academy Minutes May 15, 2002 Collier County Commissioner Fred Coyle, host, opened the meeting at 7:00 PM with a Pledge of Allegiance. ATTENDANCE: Collier County Commisioners: Fred Coyle; James D. Carter; Donna Fiala; Tom Henning Collier County Staff: Tom Olliff; David Weigel; Ron Hovell; Roy Anderson; George Yilmaz: Marla Ramsey; Norm Feder: Bob Tipton; Joe Delate; Joe Schmitt City of Naples: Bonnie R. MacKenzie, Mayor; John Steiger Public: Jim Kramer; Tim Zellers; Richard Dobler; Steve Meek; Roger Hough; Bill Kerdgan; Don Sperry; Edward Follmer; Bob Krasowski; Erika Hensen; Bob Koch; Robert Bowman Commissioner Coyle introduced the Commissioners, Mayor and staff at the head tables and said that this was the last in a series of Town Meetings held in each of the five Districts. He stated that the Commissioners will not vote at this meeting, they will listen to comments from those in attendance. He explained the procedure for those wishing to speak at the meeting, and the format for staff presentations followed by citizen participation. He introduced County Manager, Tom Olliff. Mr. Olliff thanked those in attendance and the School Board for use of the facility and explained that tonight's agenda was comprised of items of interest to City of Naples' residents and County residents. He then reviewed the agenda as distributed. BEACH UPDATES Ron Hovell, Coastal Projects Manager, Collier County PUED, described beach renourishment efforts from Tropical Storm Gabrielle of September 14, 2001. He showed photographs of damage from the Storm, stating that beaches were under water and some sand dunes were toppled. He explained that recovery from the storm's damage is underway with a FEMA grant application pending to replace 187,000 cubic yards of sand. Contracts have been obtained for engineering, sand production and hauling. Sand is being replaced with sand from another county that best meets the organic content and color. Mr. Hovell next presented Project Rocks, a rock removal plan in effect for Naples and Vanderbilt Beaches. He explained that they will test the beach for rocks and execute a removal plan before doing beach renourishment and maintenance. Mr. Hovell said they have dredged Clam Pass and put that sand in the Park. He stated that the goal is to get the beaches back to where we were before the 1995 storm. He showed photographs of the areas before and after the storm. He stated that the long range plans are to continue to remove rocks as they appear and to develop a beach management strategy. They will begin off shore sand search this summer to identify areas for fill. John Steiger, City of Naples Natural Resources Manager, next explained the innovative Parker Sandweb system used on part of Naples Beach. This system is considered experimental by the State of Florida and no other cities will be allowed to employ the system until a final report on this project May 15, 2002 is issued in 1.5 years. He explained that the system is costly because the required engineering and monitoring fees cost $16 per cubic yard, and sand replenishment cost $8.50 per cubic yard. The lengthy monitoring process involved 24 hour logging and checking contents of nets. If proven to be effective, the process would involve less monitoring and be less costly. One advantage to the system is that heavy machinery was not used in the process. He explained that this is a joint effort by the Board of County Commissioners and the City of Naples. The size of the test area was one-half mile of beach, plus 500 feet on each side that was monitored. CITY-COUNTY UTILITY INTERCONNECTIONS Roy Anderson, Director, Collier County PUED, presented the Water-Sewer Interconnections and history of those facilities. He displayed a map showing the proposed and existing interconnections. He said that the City executed an agreement in September, 2001 to identify further points of wastewater interconnections for the future. The south wastewater plant is being expanded which will allow the transfer flow freely between the two systems. He says that it makes good operational and planning sense to have these facilities in place for future construction. YARD WASTE AND LANDFILL LIFE EXTENSION George Yilmaz, Director, Collier County Solid Waste, presented Yard Waste and Landfill Life Extensions. He began with the results of the yard waste composting efforts which began in August 2001: over 80,000 lbs of yard waste and over 25,000 lbs of sludge was diverted from the land fill. He explained that a high quality of mulch was created that can compete with market conditions. A yard waste composting program was initiated and an agreement with the City of Naples allows for joint implementation of this program. Mr. Yilmaz said that fifteen or more years of Naples' landfill life has been generated. He explained that the County will convert transfer stations in three areas. The County endeavors to create recycling centers to serve small businesses, and to decrease waste disposal. BEACH PARKING AGREEMENT Marla Ramsey, Collier County Parks and Recreation Director, described the status of the inter-local agreement between the City and County for beach parking. The County pays a portion of the beach parking for county residents. She said that the existing agreement expires on September 30, 2002 and that a new five inter-local agreement is currently in draft form. It has been submitted to the City for their review. ROAD AND TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS Norm Feder, Transportation Administrator, Collier County Transportation Department, described a number of major road improvement projects currently in progress and in planning stages for future construction. He said that a contract was approved at the last Board of County Commissioners meeting for construction of Phases III and IV of Livingston Road. Two other projects will begin this year, including the Goodlette-Frank road widening to six lanes between Pine Ridge and Vanderbilt Beach Road; and the Immokalee Road widening from CR 951 to 43ra Avenue North. There are six major projects to be let next year. These include the six lane widening of Golden Gate Parkway to Airport Highway to coincide with the new interchange on 1-75. He explained that they are working to keep the corridor residential. Also in the works is an Overpass for Golden Gate Parkway and Airport Road that would direct traffic over Airport Road once the 1-75 Interchange opens. May ! 5, 2002 George Dumas spoke on the Sandpiper improvements. He explained that there are efforts to improve the exit from RT 41 to Sandpiper. The turning radius will be opened up and some landscaping improvements made. Bob Tipton, Collier County Traffic Operations Manager, showed an overhead of a local safety project on Davis Boulevard and Commercial to alleviate the congestion in the median. Commissioner Coyle added that this is the main access from Sandpiper to the Royal Harbor area. Mr. Tipton next described a capacity recapture program on Airport-Pulling Road south of Golden Gate Parkway that will reduce the number of median openings interfering with the traffic flow and increase traffic capacity. Mr. Tipton stated that the traffic light at Longboat would not be removed. The audience responded to the news with applause. The public information stage is just beginning on this project with neighborhood meetings being planned. GROWTH MANAGEMENT/SMART GROWTH Tom Olliff, County Manager, described several commercial development, cultural and recreational projects underway. He began by describing an overlay district for the RT. 41 east corridor accomplished with the East Naples Civic Association. He showed a photograph of the Towne Center Shopping Center from the Community Character Plan that was built with traditional strip center planning concepts. Through computer modeling, the Center was shown as what can occur in the corridor, using good landscaping, on- street parking, moving buildings closer to the corridor similar to 5th Avenue South, and parking in the rear. They hope to develop some land development code incentives and disincentives to enhance this type of smart growth commercial development. He said that this type of development will help pull traffic out of the City of Naples. Mr. Olliff next described the proposed 1.8 million square foot Coconut Point Mall north of Bonita Beach Road, with 200,000 square feet of office space, 100,000 square foot of medical offices, 500 rental units, 500 condominiums and 200 assisted living units. This project is currently in Regional Planning Commission review. The construction of this mall, to be largest mall in the area, will have an impact on business traffic patterns by drawing northern Collier County residents to travel north to shop. Mr. Olliff also described several proposed hospital expansion projects. He said that several cultural and recreational facilities will provide other opportunities for residents in lieu of coming to downtown Naples. This includes: the Naples Botanical Gardens on Bay Shore Drive in east Naples, and the Golden Gate Community Centers' proposed 7 acre outdoor recreational facilities to include skate parks and an amplitheater. These outside events will not put pressure on downtown Naples. He said the new regional library in the southeastern part of the County will lessen the intensive traffic pressure in Naples. Also, the proposed Collier County Government Services Center will house all constitutional officers and the Board of County Commissioners in one single location for all County services on a larger scale than the Center in Golden Gate. This concentrated delivery of local government services in one facility in north Naples will prevent residents in North Naples with local government needs from driving south to the City. Mr. Olliff described several smaller projects: the new Lely residential development at 41 and 951 and its proposed amplitheater project; boat ramp and parking facilities at the 951 boat launch; and a proposed boat launch facility parking expansion at Rookery Bay. The Bay Shore overlay district will have a Community Redevelopment Agency that allows the increase in taxes after improvements to be retained in the area and spent on improvements. Bay Shore improvements include a new entranceway. The area will be seen as an artsy waterfront community. The Bay Shore Advisory Committee is discussing holding street festivals and art shows similar to those held on 5th Avenue May 15, 2002 South. There are commercial opportunities in Golden Gates Estates, the largest platted subdivision in the USA. The Golden Gates Estates Master Plan update is underway and more commercial opportunities is planned that will create more jobs and shopping opportunities for persons residing there, thus preventing less traffic downtown and having a positive impact on the City of Naples. He said that the County recognizes the impact of County services on the City of Naples and that these projects will directly or indirectly benefit the City. Commissioner Henning said that the new 1-75 Interchange at Golden Gate Parkway will have a rural setting. He stated that the Mayor has worked very hard to ensure special lighting to meet expectations of the new entrance to the City of Naples. Joe Delate, Manager, Collier County Parks and Recreation Department, described the North Naples Regional Park improvements on Livingston between Immokalee and Pine Ridge Road. He said this water-play area of 212 acres is an alternative to the beach. It will preserve wetlands that cover 60% of the land along with several pools, soccer fields, athletic fields, nature trails, board walks, fitness center, gymnasium, water slides and a lazy river to be constructed 2003-2005. The project is in the design phase. CITIZEN COMMENTS Jim Kramer said he liked attending the Town Hall meetings as it is a good way to obtain information. Tim Zellers, Tamiami Ford, appreciates that the Longboat traffic light will not be taken away. His concern is for the traffic on Mercantile going south as he has a collision center business located there. He asked if Mecantile, Dean and Arnold roads could be improved. Mr. Olliff responded that they are private roads, but it can be done through a special process as was accomplished in an industrial park area. Richard Dobler stated that there is a group of residents from Coconut River present tonight that oppose removal of the Longboat traffic light. A petition was collected that showed support for this matter. Don Sperry spoke about freshwater boat ramps and asked if there were any opportunities to add some facilities. Mr. Olliff explained the difficulties in doing so, but if there is enough public interest, he will work with residents. Commissioner Henning said he is working to construct a freshwater boat ramp at Golden Gate Lake and at Santa Barbara Park. Steve Meek said he is concerned about the overpass at Airport and Golden Gate Parkway and asked if there was enough property to make a cloverleaf design. Mr. Feder responded that there was not enough property to do a cloverleaf right-of-way, and that a number of public meetings have been held and will be held during design phases for citizen input. Roger Hough said he is happy with the decision not to remove the traffic light at Longboat. He has a commercial business in the area and said he may have some concerns on its effect on commercial properties, although it is a benefit to residential properties. He asked about a new light north of Golden Gate Parkway at Estuary entrance. Mr. Feder explained that the signal is not yet warranted. Bill Kerrigan asked that code enforcement efforts be beefed up. He cited trash put out during the day, also refrigerators and asked why two departments (County Sheriff and Department of Revenue) handle code enforcement matters. He said that he cannot see any visible improvement in sand from 4 May 15, 2002 the Parker Sandweb project. Joe Schmitt, Administrator, Collier County Community Development, responded that a night shift for after hour infractions is needed, that the Land Development Code is being amended for parking, that its language will be clarified with the amendment cycle and once approved, it will be enforced. The Collier County Interim Public Utilities Director responded, saying that he will follow up with these complaints, although there is only a staff of two persons, he will help with these matters. He said that the two departments are combining efforts to give a coordinated approach to these matters and referred complaints to John Yankosky, Department of Revenue. Edward Follmer remarked that the Longboat green light should be kept green longer, it is a 6 second green light. He also said that the Gordon Pass needs to be dredged and good quality sand could replace that sand that was lost on the beach. Mayor MacKenzie said that they would dredge Gordon Pass this year. Bob Krasowski representing Zero Waste Collier County said their group is interested in applying design techniques to solid waste issues. He said that Golden Gate deserves a permitted landfill. He said they support a commercial recycling effort. He will present these issues at the next BCC meeting and hopes to have a charette on the issue. Erika Hensen exhibited several samples of sand collected from beaches and pointed out the difference in the color samples, saying she preferred to see white sand. Bob Koch asked if the potholes on Longboat would be fixed. He also asked if garbage pick up should start before 6:00 AM on Saturday, saying that the garbage is now picked up between 5:00 and 5:30 AM on Saturday. He was referred to John Wazcowski, Department of Revenue, for assistance. Robert Bowman commends the BCC for their work. He stated that Longboat Road needs more work.. He asked why realtor open house signs are taken down on Sundays at entrances to the community as he says these signs are critical to the open house. CLOSING COMMENTS Mayor MacKenzie thanked Commissioner Coyle for hosting the meeting, thanked the BCC and staff for their participation, and stated that the former rivalry relationship between the City and County is now a friendlier, mutually respectful, and more effective relationship. Commissioner Coyle agreed, saying that the County and City are working well together. This has helped open up good communication and he is pleased at how well people are working together. He said that the BCC inherited an infrastructure deficit, but now has an aggressive road and infrastructure program in place. He has enjoyed working with the BCC. He appreciates how Smart Growth initiatives are pulling traffic away from downtown Naples. Commissioner Coyle gave out his phone number and encouraged residents to call him with their concerns. Having no further matters to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM. May 15, 2002 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS CONTROL