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Agenda 04/30/2003 District #2 TownhallBoard of County Commissioners Town Hall Meeting April 30, 2003 St. John The Evangelist Church 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Hosted by: Frank Halas District 2, Commissioner Pledge of Allegiance Agenda a. Invocation - Father Richard Mueller, St. John the Evangelist Church Code Enforcement - Michelle Arnold > Parking in Naples Park and Sign Regulations Planning Services - Don Schneider > Vanderbilt Beach Overlay Study and MSTU Public Utilities - Jim DeLony and Ray Smith ~, USACOE Vanderbilt Lagoon Study Transportation - Norman Feder > Future enhancement on Vanderbilt Drive ~, 111th Avenue/Bluebill > East/VVest Livingston Road connection to US 41 Parks and Recreation - Maria Ramsey > Beach Access Emergency Management - Ken Pineau > Healy-Palm River Piper/Eulid Avenue Bridges Evacuation Routes Public Utilities Division Read Ahead Memorandum Item 3c District 2 Town Hall Meeting, April 30, 2003 Date: April 23, 2003 To: Board of County Commissioners Cc: James V. Mudd, County Manager Leo Ochs, Jr., Deputy County Manager James W. DeLony, P.E. Public Utilities Administrator Skip Camp, Administrative Services Administrator John Dunnuck, Public Services Administrator Joe Schmidt, Community Development & Environmental Services Administrator Norman Feder, Transportation Services Administrator From: Ray Smith, Pollution Control and Prevention Department Director Re: Vanderbilt Lagoon Restoration Project Purpose: To provide background information regarding the proposed Vanderbilt Lagoon Restoration Project. Background/Considerations: Vanderbilt Lagoon is a tidal bay almost completely surrounded by seawalls and residential/commercial properties (Figure 1). The only access to the Gulf of Mexico is north through Turkey Bay and Wiggins Pass. To the west and south are condominiums, hotels and residential homes; to the east is Naples Park. Vanderbilt Lagoon receives storm water runoff from these developed areas. The construction of Vanderbilt Lagoon began during the early 1950's. A 1952 aerial photograph and 1942 soil survey map do not clearly indicate any historically open channels connecting Clam Bay, Turkey Bay or Wiggins Pass to Vanderbilt Lagoon. Vanderbilt Lagoon was surrounded entirely by mangrove forest that permitted only Page 1 of 4 tidal flow through the area. There were also no observed channels linking Vanderbilt Lagoon to the Gulf of Mexico. Since the 1990's the Vanderbilt Beach Property Owners Association has raised numerous concerns about the poor water quality within Vanderbilt Lagoon. Members are attributing this poor water quality to storm water runoff from a highly urbanized area and the lack of natural tidal flushing action that exists within the lagoon. On October 7, 2002, a meeting was held to discuss what steps could be taken to address the degradation of Vanderbilt Lagoon's water quality. As a result, County staff began researching a cost share project between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and Collier County. Through this cost share project, the Corps may provide up to $5,000,000; however, the availability of federal funds is currently unknown. This capability exists within Section 206 of the Water Resource Act of 1996, which requires the submittal of a "Letter of Intent" from a local governing board. Following the October meeting, the Pollution Control & Prevention Department sent a letter to all attendees requesting their organizations' written support to pursue a cost share project with the Corps. Only three (3) letters supporting this initiative were received. Prior to requesting authorization from the Board of County Commissioners to submit a "Letter of Intent" to the Corps, a second letter requesting feedback from the community was mailed on March 28, 2003 .... ~ As a result of the March letter, I have had three telephone conversations with separate interest group representatives. They will submit letters indicating their support for the proposed cost share project. Russ Rote, P.E., Chief, Flood Control Section, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and I will give a brief presentation at the April 30, 2003, District 2 Town Hall Meeting. Additionally, the Public Utilities Division and the Transportation Division Team Members are working together to draft an Executive Summary for presentation to the Board of County Commissioners. Fiscal Impact The proposed "Letter of Intent" notifies the Corps that Collier County has an interest in working with them to develop and implement an ecosystem restoration project at Vanderbilt Lagoon. If the Corps accepts the Letter of Intent, in accordance with Section 206 of the Water Resource Act of 1996, they will perform a "Reconnaissance Study" to identify the problem(s), proposed solution(s) and an estimated cost of the restoration project. Page 2 of 4 If the County elects not to proceed after the Reconnaissance Study, the Corps will pay all associated costs to that point. If, however, the County elects to continue by signing a "Project Cooperation Agreement" there will be a 35% (County) / 65% (Corps) cost share for all associated costs, to include costs of the Reconnaissance Study. Proposed Future Actions/Considerations: Present this proposed initiative at the April 30, 2003, District 2 Town Hall Meeting for the purpose of informing the community and obtaining feedback prior to requesting action by the Board of County 'Commissioners. Figure 1:2000 Aerial Photograph of Turkey Bay, Vanderbilt Lagoon, Naples Park and Clam Bay Turkey Bay North Naples Park Vanderbilt Lagoon Clam Bay (Area) Page 3 of 4 PREPARED BY: DATE: Ray Smith, Pollution Control and Prevention Department Director REVIEWED BY: DATE: James W. DeLony, P.E., Public Utilities Administrator Page 4 of 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY DISCUSSION RELATING TO EXISTING AND PROPOSED BEACH ACCESS POINTS AND FACILITIES. Obiective: To continue to provide a quality beach experience to a growing population. Considerations: The Parks and Recreation Department is currently finalizing a comprehensive plan to provide a network of beach access points and beach park facilities that will accommodate the County's growing population without compromising the quality of the beach experience. The 2003 Beach and Boat Access Report was presented to the Board of County Commissioners at a workshop on March 12, 2003, and direction was given to staff to formulate a plan that would address the needs identified in the report. Following are the beach access projects on which the Department will focus over the next ten years, listed by their location from north to south: Back bay pier at Barefoot Beach Preserve. Currently excursion vessels drop off visitors at the southern tip of the park. This practice is damaging to the fragile ecosystem at Wiggins Pass. A dock and pier are planned for the inland side of the island to accommodate waterborne visitors while prbtecting the beach and dunes. This area will also allow Preserve visitors a better look at the mangrove habitat, which presently is only accessible by canoe. Educational programs and signage will accompany the facility. North Vanderbilt access. The Parks and Recreation Department developed Conner Park on Bluebill Avenue with eighty parking spaces to serve a future access point between Delnor-Wiggins State Recreation Area and the Vanderbilt Inn. The Department is working the State Parks and Recreation Department to secure an access easement in exchange for improvements at Delnor-Wiggins. It may be possible to gain an easement from the owners of the Vanderbilt Inn in the future, as well. Vanderbilt Drive walkways. Refurbishment of the walkway easement on Vanderbilt Drive at the Mansions condominium is currently underway. Staff recommends improvements to the other five walkways, as well. At the workshop on March 12, 2003, staff was given direction to provide rest room facilities in conjunction with the improved accesses. Transportation shuffle service. Because the purchase of land west of US 41 is ofmn cost prohibitive, the County plans to purchase appropriate available lots along the US 41 corridor to be used for parking in conjunction with shuttle service to Vanderbilt, North Gulf Shore, and Clam Pass Beaches Parking garage at Vanderbilt Beach. A two-story, 400-space parking garage is planned for Vanderbilt Beach Park. This project is currently delayed by litigation in which Collier County is suing WCI developers over deed restrictions on the site. A preliminary judgment was given on April 28, 2003, but the losing party is expected to appeal. Resolution of the issue and completion of the project remains a recommendation of staff. Boardwalk at Tigertail Beach. The tidal lagoon at this park is now almost completely enclosed. A boardwalk connecting the mainland to Sand Dollar Island may be necessary in the future to allow visitors tree Gulf-from access. The Parks and Recreation Department is currently reviewing a feasibility study commissioned to evaluate the environmental impact of this endeavor. Fiscal ImpaC,t: Tourist development monies will be sought to fund the proposed projects along with developer contributions. Growth Mana.qement Impact: Beach access is an element of the Growth Management Plan. Recommendation: That attendees of the District 2 Town Hall Meeting support the County's efforts to expand beach access while preserving the quality of the current beach experience. ~anda 07Townsend, Operati~s Coordinator Parks ~d Recreation D~partlt~nt . ~ Maria O. Ramsey, Director i ks and Recreation Department J~t~m DunnuCk, Administrat° ~¥ Date: Approved by: Division of Public Services '