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BCC Minutes 04/02/2003 TH (District 5)April2,2003 TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TOWNHALL MEETING Naples, Florida, April 2, 2003 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Board of County Commissioners in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 7:00 PM at a TOWN HALL WORKSHOP MEETING in Immokalee Middle School, Immokalee, Florida, with the following members present: CHAIRMAN: Commissioner Tom Henning Commissioner James Coletta Commissioner Donna Fiala Commissioner Frank Halas ALSO PRESENT Jim Mudd, County Manager Leo Oaches, Assistant County Manager Joe Schmitt, Development & Environmental Services Norman Feder, Transportation Administrator James DeLony, Public Utilities Fred Thomas, Housing Authority Randy Cohen, Community Redevelopment Mgr. John Dunnuck, Public Services Administrator Helen Caseltine, Economic Dev. Manager Tammy Nemachek, Director/Economic Dev. Council Maryann Devanas, Senior Planner, Planning Services Robert Tweedy, Interim CC Airport Authority Director Dora Strickland, Interdepartmental Supervisor Melody Benbeau, Interdepartmental Supervisor Eva Deyo, District Director, Water-Sewer District Board of County Commissioners Town Hall Meeting April 2, 2003 Immokalee Middle School 7:00- 9:00 p.m. HoSted by: Jim Coletta District 5, Commissioner Invocation Pastor Steve Bellman, The Immokalee Christian Center Pledge of Allegiance Agenda a. Road Improvements Norman Feder, Transportation Administrator b. Economic Incentives Joe Schmitt, Community Development Administrator Fred Thomas, Housing Authority c. Trailer Park Compliance Randy Cohen, Community Redevelopment Manager Dora Strickland, Interdepartment Supervisor d. Ave Maria University Maryann Devanas, Senior Planner e. Airport Authority Robert Tweedy, Interim Airport Authority Director f. Immokalee Water-Sewer District Eva Deyo, District Director April 2, 2003 Invocation was given by Pastor Steve Bellman, the Immokalee Christian Center. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Opening remarks were made by Commissioner Coletta. He introduced the translators while they explained the procedures. He explained the questions and answers will be held at the end of the Agenda Agenda A. Road Improvements - Norman Feder, Transportation Administrator Mr. Feder gave an overview of the major projects they have in their five year work program. There are five segments: Immokalee Rd from Collier Blvd. to 43rd. Project Development Environment Study (State) - Oil Well to 29. US 41-I75 -from 4 to 6 lanes I75 to Collier Blvd. - 6 laning - design 2006 - 2007 Immokalee to Golden Gate - 6 laning - 2005 Golden Gate to Green Blvd. - 2007 Davies to 41 - 2006 - Immokalee to Lee County Line - Golden Gate Parkway to Davies - design 2005 Vanderbilt Beach Road Airport to Collier - later this year Collier to Wilson - design & right-of-way within 5 years Golden Gate to Wilson - completed first section 4 laning Wilson towards Everglades - design 2007 - Wilson - from Immokalee to Golden Gate $200M associated with the five major corridors. Smaller activities for improvements are being done. Commissioner Coletta introduced the other Commissioners. Bo Economic Incentives - Joe Schmitt, Community Development Administrator He mentioned Collier County is looking for different economic incentives to entice industries to look at Collier County. Fred Thomas, Housing Authority. Mr. Thomas stated Collier County is doing a fine job in attracting wealth to the County with the development standards and programs, but also has a major commercial hub to a large agricultural area. Commissioner Coletta understands the situation and is trying to find other ways to encourage growth and diversify the economic base in Immokalee. He stated he is no longer the Director of the Housing Authority and introduced the Executive Director. April 2, 2003 There will be a Board of County Commissioners Workshop on June 11th, 9- 12:00 with the Immokalee Community Development Corporation. Helene Caseltine - Economic Development Manager-Collier County Planning Services Dept. A workshop was held with the BCC in which they came back with a toolbox of incentives for consideration. They have proposals in which the qualifying firms must meet predetermined requirements to be eligible: - Pay new hires 115% of the Collier Counties private average wage. - Be in a targeted industry or project located within the Immokalee enterprise zone. - The Board of County Commissioners liked the ideas presented and asked staff to develop all six ideas for consideration. Tammy Nemachek - Director for Economic Development Council-Collier County Planning Services Dept. The six programs were presented: 1) Fast Track Program 2) Revolving Loan Program 3) Property Tax Abatement Program 4) Job Creation Grant Program 5) Workforce Development Grant Program (Immokalee area) 6) Broadband Infrastructure Program The programs are to entice businesses with new high wage job creations and new businesses such as information technology, bio-medical, manufacturing, corporate headquarters, research & development firms, wholesale distribution and aviation companies. She mentioned other new programs that companies can inquire about. C. Trailer Park Compliance - Randy Cohen, Community Redevelopment Manager & Dora Strickland & Melody Benbeau Interdepartmental Supervisor- Randy gave a historical overview of the Immokalee Housing Initiative Project. He mentioned the General Reserve Funds allocated for the removal of dilapidated mobile homes from Immokalee. January 2002 Ordinance passed "Non-conforming Mobile Home Park Overlay Sub-District". Purpose was to identify non-conforming mobile home parks in the Immokalee area and provide incentives to upgrade the parks or requiring the elimination of sub standard units. Dora Strickland discussed the overlay sub-district over the past year. The program is to legalize and improve the housing conditions in Immokalee. She talked about the violations and code enforcement. The program is not just for mobile home park owners but encourages persons to partake in the program. Informational booklets were distributed. 3 April2,2003 Randy covered the Code Enforcement process. There are 17 mobile home parks that have been referred to the Code Enforcement for further action. Notices of violations will be phased over a period of time. Melody reported the Immokalee Initiative staffbegan their second phase of the Housing Initiative Project that involves an inventory of the entire housing stock in Immokalee. The goal is to determine the condition of housing in Immokalee, identify illegal structures, promote existing housing improvement programs and evaluate new programs addressing unsafe housing conditions in Immokalee. A team will be trained to analyze the physical conditions of the visible exteriors of the homes. A survey will be taken. D. Ave Maria University - Maryann Devanas, Senior Planning Maryann stated the University is thc first "New Major" Catholic University in the United States in 40 years. She also reported thc following: - Located on 750 acres off Oil Well Rd and Camp Kcais Rd - Inspiration of Domino's Pizza Founder, Tom Monaghan - Mr. Monaghan has donated $220M seed money for thc project - Barron Collier Companies donated land for the campus - Curriculum will include liberal arts, sciences, engineering and a gradate program - Scheduled to open in fall 2006 with enrollment 1,200 students with growth to 5,000. - University has campuses in Michigan and Nicaragua - An interim campus is under construction for the University at the Vineyards - Will accept students fall 2003. - When open will cover 370 acres. An adjacent town of Ave Maria will also be developed Town will consist of residents, commercial and civic spaces to support the University. Town will be developed within the guidelines of the Rural Stewardship Program Many other things are planned such as a hotel, retail and office space, civic and recreational areas as well as a school from K-8. Plans are being completed with applications being submitted to the County in June with Construction starting in the summer of 2004. Fall semester of 2006 will welcome first students An educational institution near Immokalee is an exciting project The University will bring economic diversification, construction jobs and permanent year around j obs. The University hopes to collaborate with the people of Immokalee on the needs of the Community and schools. Will become involved with its neighbors. 4 April 2, 2003 - Many other ideas are being considered such as outreach programs, many events and much more. E. Airport Authority - Robert Tweedy, Interim Collier County Airport Authority Director He report on projects at the Immokalee Airport such as: US Customs and Cargo Facility (Federal Inspection Station) Creation of a Port of Entry with US Customs (Increase Revenues) Project 65% completed Industrial Park Improvements Construction of a small campground (facilitate special events at the airport and raceway) - Project 90% completed Environmental Resource Permit FAA Grants Funding for Runway Extension - Partnership Economic Council F. Immokalee Water-Sewer District - Eva Deyo, District Director Eva reported a year ago she was approached by a representative from Collier County to the Immokalec Water and Sewer District. They were asked about building the water and sewer lines on the north 11th Street extension as the road was built. Estimated costs were $11,000 for the water line and approx. $34,000 for thc sewer line. She took it to her Board in which they approved thc $11,000 for the water line but not the sewer line. They could not agree on both before the road was built. The additional monies to complete the project will need to be paid by the County or developer. John Dunnuck - Public Services Administrator - The link they have on thc project is money set aside to build the sewer line. If they can get thc contribution, they arc working on the design plan with the rest of the plans coming together. SPEAKERS Terry Abelis - Immokalee Jaycees & Vice President of the Civic Assoc. She asked what process she has to go through to have a memorial in Immokalee to honor and recognize all the military veterans including the present military. She has approx. 65 names to date. They are planning an event to recognize and offer support to families on May 4m. Commissioner Coletta spoke of the permits that are needed and offered a donation and do the fund raiser to cover the costs of the permits. Commissioner Henning stated the City of Naples has a memorial at Cambriar Park. Mr. John Dunnuck is in charge of the Veterans Services of Collier April2,2003 County providing services to Veterans. He asked Terry to get in touch with him. Commissioner Halas mentioned his vision of a feasible plan for a by-pass at State Roads 82 & 29. H e feels with the new Mid-Airfield terminal in Lee County and the new Ave Maria University it behooves them to look at what they can do in the Immokalee area. Need another way of routing through traffic going to Miami and then the Tampa area. The numbers would be 30- 35% of the traffic that could be diverted through the by-pass. A Task Force will be put together to work and study the project. State & Federal Funds will be looked at and possibly a toll road are some of the ideas being considered. Robert Davenport - he addressed section 2.2.2.9 - the non-conforming mobile park overlay. He discussed a sidewalk issue and dealing with transportation. He was asking for a clarification on the sidewalk issue. Mr. Schmitt answered that they need to go back and revisit the entire purpose of the Immokalee initiatives and the direction the Board of County Commissioners gave staff. Diane Flagg stated it is not the Transportation Services disagreeing. The question was asked - does it allow not following the LDC based on the overlay district. It is a question of clarification and she wants to make sure they are in compliance with the Land Development Code if sidewalks are not required. They are seeking clarification of the LDC. If they can't get a clarification, they may go back to the BCC. The Land Development Code needs to be followed and they will have an answer next week. Mr. Davenport said he has spent thousands of dollars trying to comply and would like a decision made soon. He also discussed incentives for those that own mobile homes in wondering if assistance is still available. Dora stated they have discussed this with the financial office for assistance with mobile homes. It has been difficult because they are mobile type homes. Some of the funds utilized are Shift Funds but not for individual Mobile homes owners, b ut i n se cond phase o f development for individual property owners. Mr. Paul Midney - works in a clinic and visits the farm workers and those injured. He discussed the rental fees for the workers and the supply and demand of farmer worker housing. He realizes things are being done such as; new dormitories being built, Habitat for Humanity housing, Farm Worker housing, and Workforce housing. But the farm workers are stuck because 6 April2,2003 they are paying for the improvements that are being made. He wants to remind those working on the projects that these people are poorest of the poor. Ideas are created but unforeseen consequences occur. He is not sure the amount o f Farm worker housing being planned is enough for the problems they are already having. The workers are too crowed and he advices to go slow. There is definitely a shortage of housing in Immokalee. Fred Thomas - progress is being made and he understands what Mr. Midney is saying and hopes everyone else does also. Supply and demand determines price. They will hopefully have a celebration on Labor Day giving new housing to farm workers. The dormitory will be charging $7/day - $49/Wk. They are 4 bedroom efficiencies - kitchen, living area, bathroom and two bays. Each bay will house 2 persons. Barbara Cashone - s he i s working o n a p roj ect with t he County with t he housing & financial department and Collier County Housing Authority & the Impartmental Alliance looking at displaced people in housing situations and will try to buy buildings that are abandoned. They will build new structures and use Homeless funding for it. Everyone was thanked for their hospitality, attendance and comments. Commissioner Coletta thanked staff for their presentations. There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BOARD OF ZONING APPEAL/EX OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF SPECIAL T O :ROL 7 signature on~. These minutes approved by the Board on ~ As presented / or as corrected April 2, 2003