Loading...
Agenda 10/10/2017 Item #11A10/10/2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recommendation to approve the proposed Collier County State and Federal Legislative Priorities for 2018 and adopt the attached resolutions. ______________________________________________________________________________ OBJECTIVE: To formalize and endorse Collier County’s State and Federal Legislative Priorities for 2018 and adopt applicable resolutions. CONSIDERATION: Each year, prior to the convening of the State Legislature in Regular Session, staff prepares a proposed list of State and Federal Legislative Priorities for the upcoming year for consideration and subsequent endorsement by the Board of County Commissioners (Board). Each member of the Board has previously been provided the attached Government Affairs Memorandum for review. Four resolutions on applicable issues are also attached for approval. The Collier County Legislative Delegation is scheduled to conduct its public hearing for local bills and local budget requests on Thursday, October 19, 2017, at 9 a.m., at the North Collier Regional Park located at 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, FL 34109. Applicable issues from the Priorities document will be presented at that meeting. This year, the State Legislature convenes, at noon, on January 9, 2018, and concludes its Regular Session on March 9. FISCAL IMPACT: This executive summary has no immediate fiscal impact. GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This executive summary has no immediate growth management impact. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the Count Attorney, raises no legal issue, and requires majority vote for approval. -JAK RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners approves the proposed Collier County State and Federal Legislative Priorities for 2018, and adopt the attached resolutions. Prepared by: John Mullins, Government Affairs Manager and Tim Durham, Executive Director Corporate Business Operations ATTACHMENT(S) 1. 2017_Resolution_IMMOKALEE_POST_IRMA_RECOVERY (DOCX) 2. 2017_Resolution_VETERANS_NURSING_HOME (DOCX) 3. 2017_Resolution_TAX_EXEMPT_MUNICIPAL_BONDS (DOCX) 4. 2017_Resolution_PICAYUNE_STRAND_Revised (DOCX) 5. Government Affairs Memo (DOCX) 10/10/2017 COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners Item Number: 11.A Doc ID: 3841 Item Summary: Recommendation to approve the proposed Collier County State and Federal Legislative Priorities for 2018 and adopt the attached resolutions. (John Mullins, Government Affairs Manager) Meeting Date: 10/10/2017 Prepared by: Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager – County Manager's Office Name: MaryJo Brock 09/29/2017 10:47 AM Submitted by: Title: County Manager – County Manager's Office Name: Leo E. Ochs 09/29/2017 10:47 AM Approved By: Review: County Manager's Office Tim Durham Additional Reviewer Completed 09/29/2017 12:00 PM Office of Management and Budget Valerie Fleming Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 10/02/2017 10:16 AM Budget and Management Office Mark Isackson Additional Reviewer Completed 10/02/2017 11:45 AM County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 10/03/2017 8:59 AM County Manager's Office Nick Casalanguida Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 10/03/2017 2:03 PM Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 10/10/2017 9:00 AM 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2017 - ______ A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION BY ECONOMIC INCUBATORS, INC., FOR FUNDING FOR THE IMMOKALEE POST IRMA RECOVERY AND INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITY ADDITION. WHEREAS, Immokalee was recently devastated by the impacts of Hurricane Irma; and WHEREAS, Immokalee is a part of one of the only four designated rural United States Promise Zones; and WHEREAS, Economic Incubators Inc., is seeking to rebuild and improve agricultural production, economic activity, job growth, educational opportunity, and improve the quality of life for its citizens; and WHEREAS, Economic Incubators Inc., a 501 (c)(3) private non-profit, seeks additional state investment in the development of a commercial kitchen and high-tech food processing facility to support the needs of start-up and small food producers; and WHEREAS, Economic Incubators Inc., proposes building a new 40,000 square foot manufacturing and cold storage space on County property at Immokalee Regional Airport; and WHEREAS, Economic Incubators Inc., proposes to purchase high pressure processing and thermal pasteurization equipment to allow multiple users to develop new culinary products and expand the manufacturing base of the region. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, to support an application by Economic Incubators, Inc., for up to $5,750,000 for the Immokalee Post Irma Recovery and Infrastructure facility addition. THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion, second and majority vote on this the 10th day of October, 2017. ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DWIGHT E. BROCK, Clerk COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA By:_____________________________ By:_____________________________ , DEPUTY CLERK PENNY TAYLOR, CHAIRMAN Approved as to form and legality: ___________________________ Jeffrey A. Klatzkow County Attorney 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2017 - ______ A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING LEGISLATIVE AUTHORIZATION OF A NEW NEEDS-BASED STUDY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW STATE VETERANS’ NURSING HOME. WHEREAS, based on elderly veteran demographics, Florida has been identified as a state of “great need” for veterans’ nursing home beds as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA), giving it priority over other states applying for VA grants for new construction; and WHEREAS, in 2013, the Legislature appropriated funds for the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) to contract with a private entity to conduct a Site Selection Study; and WHEREAS, the study found that Collier County was the county in greatest need; and WHEREAS, Ave Maria donated a 20 acre site that would have served eight counties and 110,000 veterans over the age of 65; and WHEREAS, during the evaluation of county sites, new requirements emerged that deviated from needs-based criteria, costing Collier County a new veterans’ nursing home; and WHEREAS, a new study giving due consideration to needs-based criteria should again identify Collier County as the county in most need of veterans’ nursing home beds. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, to support legislative authorization and funding of a new, needs-based study for the construction of a new veterans’ nursing home in the State of Florida. THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion, second and majority vote on this the 10th day of October, 2017. ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DWIGHT E. BROCK, Clerk COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA By:_____________________________ By:_____________________________ , DEPUTY CLERK PENNY TAYLOR, CHAIRMAN Approved as to form and legality: ___________________________ Jeffrey A. Klatzkow County Attorney 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2017 - ______ A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, OPPOSING ANY CONGRESSIONAL EFFORTS THAT ELIMINATE OR LIMIT THE TAX-EXEMPT STATUS OF MUNICIPAL BONDS. WHEREAS, counties own and operate 45 percent of public roads and highways, own almost a third of the nation’s transit systems and airports, own 961 hospitals, manage 1,943 health departments, and own many of the nation’s jails; and WHEREAS, Congress is expected to address comprehensive tax reform before the end of 2017; and WHEREAS, the potential elimination or limitation of the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds has been acknowledged by the President and congressional leaders as a potential partial revenue stream for reducing overall tax rates; and WHEREAS, tax-exempt bonds are a well-established state and local government financing tool for infrastructure and capital needs including schools, streets, highways, hospitals, bridges, water and sewer systems, ports, airports and other public works; and WHEREAS, between 2003 and 2012, counties, localities, and states financed $3.2 trillion in infrastructure investment through tax-exempt municipal bonds; and WHEREAS, without the tax-exemption on municipal bonds, counties would pay more to raise capital, those costs ultimately borne by taxpayers. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, to oppose any congressional effort to eliminate or limit the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds. THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion, second and majority vote on this the 10th day of October, 2017. ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DWIGHT E. BROCK, Clerk COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA By:_____________________________ By:_____________________________ , DEPUTY CLERK PENNY TAYLOR, CHAIRMAN Approved as to form and legality: ___________________________ Jeffrey A. Klatzkow County Attorney 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2017 - ______ A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING FULL FUNDING OF THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS COMPREHENSIVE EVERGLADES RESTORATION PLAN (CERP) TO INCLUDE COST- SHARING ON OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES OF CERP PUMP STATIONS. WHEREAS, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) have partnered to restore the Everglades based on the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP); and WHEREAS, the Picayune Strand Restoration Project was the first CERP project initiated and includes 55,000 acres of native Florida wetlands and uplands located in Collier County between Alligator Alley and the Tamiami Trail; and WHEREAS, the Corps is constructing three large pump stations designed to spread water back over the land while maintaining flood control for the homes to the north of the project in Golden Gate Estates; and WHEREAS, the first pump station is complete and operational; the second is in the final testing phase; the third should be ready for final testing in 2018; and WHEREAS, federal funds needed for the cost-share of operation and maintenance of these pump stations are currently not being budgeted in the FY2018 appropriation for the Corps; and WHEREAS, restoration will not be achieved without congressional appropriation for federal cost-sharing on the operation and maintenance expenses of CERP projects, including Picayune Strand. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, to support the Corps and SFWMD’s Everglades restoration efforts and Picayune Strand’s three CERP pump stations, and urge Congress to provide the Corps with additional operation and maintenance funds in FY2018 to pay the federal cost-share for the pump stations. THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion, second and majority vote on this the 10th day of October, 2017. ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DWIGHT E. BROCK, Clerk COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA By:_____________________________ By:_____________________________ , DEPUTY CLERK PENNY TAYLOR, CHAIRMAN 2 Approved as to form and legality: ___________________________ Jeffrey A. Klatzkow County Attorney Pg. 1 Office of the County Manager G OVERNMENT A FFAIRS M EMO DATE: October 10, 2017 TO: Board of County Commissioners Leo E. Ochs, Jr., County Manager Nick Casalanguida, Deputy County Manager FROM: Tim Durham, Executive Director Corp. Business Operations John Mullins, Government Affairs Manager SUBJECT: Proposed State and Federal Legislative and Administrative Priorities for 2018 This memo contains proposed state and federal legislative and administrative priorities for 2018. It is based on prior Board direction; legislative and project needs identified by County staff in support of Board-approved programs and projects; ongoing or unresolved legislative and administrative issues from 2017; and legislative priorities shared with FAC and NACO. Our contract lobbyists/partners provided valuable input throughout this process, and they work very hard to continually identify and monitor legislative trends, issues, administrative activity, and opportunities throughout the year. Once reviewed and approved by the Board of County Commissioners, the County’s legislative and administrative priorities will guide all advocacy efforts in Tallahassee, FL, and Washington, DC, for the upcoming year. The following priorities are for the Board’s review, consideration and input: ISSUES: REQUIRING STATUTORY CHANGE ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1. Title: EMS Station at Mile Marker 63 Need: To remove the statutory expiration date of the toll revenue stream covering the operating costs for the Collier County EMS station at Mile Marker 63. This EMS station predominately serves travelers on Alligator Alley. (The current estimated annual operating cost is approximately $1.48 million.) Action: BILL/AMENDMENT (STATE) - Amend section 338.26, Fla. Stat., striking the expiration date language and continuing reimbursement of a county or local government entity for direct costs of operating the EMS Station at Mile Marker 63. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Title: Workers Compensation Insurance Reform Need: To mitigate unfunded liabilities. The Florida Supreme Court recently invalidated the state's temporary total disability provision, ruling in Bradley Westphal v. City of St. Petersburg et al. that limiting benefits to 104 weeks is unconstitutional and creates a system that “no longer functions as a reasonable alternative to tort litigation.” Further, the same court ruled in Marvin Castellanos v. Next Door Co. et al. that the Florida's attorney fee schedule is Pg. 2 unconstitutional, as it hinders an injured worker's ability to obtain legal representation. To cover the projected impact of Castellanos, the National Council on Compensation Insurance Inc. subsequently proposed a 19.6% statewide average rate increase. In addition, NCCI has estimated that both cases present a potential unfunded liability to insured and self insured employer/carriers of $1,000,000,000. Both rulings present a signific ant cost impact to employers, such as Collier County. Action: BILL/AMENDMENT (STATE) - Amend Chapter 440, Fla. Stat., to address the cost implications of the Westphal and Castellanos decisions to include a revised statutory cap on temporary total disability benefits at a level commensurate with objective, actuarially sound case data and/or in accordance with the severity of the injury. Further, we would request that the attorney fee statute be amended to allow for a reasonable plaintiff attorney fee, subject to a statutory cap with discretion delegated to the Judge of Compensation for special circumstances. (HB 7085 & SB 1582 failed in 2017.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Title: RESTORE Act Debt Financing Need: To pass legislation authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to use debt instruments, as part of the RESTORE Act, to be financed by $20 billion in BP Oil civil penalties, providing more immediate access to moneys for restoration and program/project improvements that would otherwise take years to accumulate. Action: AMENDMENT/ADVOCACY (FEDERAL) - Protect debt financing language currently in HR 2923 and/or amend similar language into S.1373 with support of sponsors. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Title: Long-Term, Transparent National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Reauthorization Need: To seek the long-term reauthorization of the NFIP in order to provide housing market stability while ensuring transparency and fairness in rate setting. Action: BILL/ADVOCACY (FEDERAL) – Support S.1368, cosponsored by Senators Rubio and Nelson, that provides for a six year reauthorization, freezes interest payments on NFIP debt, provides low interest loans for homeowner mitigation projects, and provides additional funding for current mitigation assistance grant programs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Title: Emergency Shelter Registration Lists – Public Record Exemption Need: Counties are taking more responsibility for operating emergency shelters from the Red Cross. Where registration information, as gathered by the Red Cross, remains confidential, county registration would be subject to Florida public records laws. Hesitance to have their registration information made public might dissuade some from seeking shelter in an emergency and needlessly put first responders and others in jeopardy. Action: BILL/AMENDMENT (STATE) – Advance or amend legislation to protect/exempt county- operated emergency shelter registration lists from Florida public record laws. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. Title: FEMA Deobligation Need: To pass legislation regarding recovery of FEMA assistance funds, providing that FEMA may Pg. 3 not take any action to recoup covered assistance from the recipient if the receipt occurred on a date that is more than three years before the date on which FEMA first provided written notification of intent to recoup the assistance. Action: BILL/ADVOCACY (FEDERAL) – Support HR 1678, passed by the House in May, and S. 1641, recently introduced by Senator Rubio, both of which would amend the Stafford Act and impose a three year recoup provision. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. Title: Texting as a Primary Offense Need: To pass legislation making texting while driving a primary offense. Currently, tickets for texting while driving can only be issued if a driver is pulled over for committing another traffic violation. Florida is one of 46 states that ban texting while driving; however, it is only one of only five states that do not enforce it as a primary offense. Action: BILL/ADVOCACY (STATE) – Support legislation, such as SB 72 and SB 90, both of which have been filed for the 2018 Regular Session and make driving while texting a primary offense. FUNDING REQUESTS: STATE & FEDERAL ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1. Title: County Funding Streams Need: Full funding of grants and continued appropriations for programs or funds applicable to Collier County, including by not limited to, Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Airport Improvement Program (AIP), Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG), Stafford Act, Fire Management Assistance Grant Program (FMAGP), Rainy Day Fund, Local Housing Trust Fund, Sadowski Act, and State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP). Action: Advocate for full funding of grants and continued appropriations for programs or funds applicable to Collier County, and oppose State or Federal actions that would utilize moneys for other purposes than originally intended. (STATE/FEDERAL) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Title: Everglades City Utility Rehabilitation Need: To aid Collier County’s recent tri-party agreement for oversight of the rehabilitation of the Everglades City utility. Hurricane Irma’s impact compounded problems with the wastewater and drinking water plants which require significant upgrading. This is an unbudgeted event. Action: Identify and obtain funding support via appropriation, grant, or loan. (STATE/FEDERAL) ($20-30 million in total funding needed.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pg. 4 3. Title: Goodland Dr. Rehabilitation Need: To elevate Goodland Dr. (CR 92A) so that vehicular access to Goodland remains open during and after rain events. Action: Request $1 million for construction costs. (STATE) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Title: Golden Gate City Outfall System Replacement Program (Phase I) Need: To improve the collection, treatment and conveyance of stormwater runoff in Golden Gate City; the stormwater system in Golden Gate City is 50 years old and in desperate need of rehabilitation. Action: Request $950,000 for Phase I construction. (There is local match for $950,000.) (STATE) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Title: Bayshore Gateway Triangle CRA Waterline/Fire Suppression Improvements Need: To upgrade the waterlines in the Bayshore Gateway Triangle CRA. The existing distribution system is undersized with mains varying from 2 to 6 inches in diameter, some of which are over 40 years old. Upgrading the waterlines will increase water flow and allow for the installation of fire hydrants. Action: Request $750,000 for Phase II of this project. (Phase I was jointly funded by the City of Naples, $201,000, and the County through CBDG funds, $330,000. For Phase II, the County will match any State appropriation with CDBG funds and other sources.) (STATE) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. Title: NE Water Resource Optimization Need: To build Aquifer Storage Recovery (ASR) wells to optimize the availability of irrigation quality water/re-use water in the northeast portion of Collier County. Action: Identify and obtain funding support via appropriation, grant, or loan. (STATE/FEDERAL) ($30- 50 million in total funding needed.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. Title: Naples Park Area/Basin Need: To fund a basin water utility infrastructure optimization program: stormwater, water & sewer. Action: Request $2.5 million for Phase III. (There is a local match for $2.5 million.) (STATE/FEDERAL) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8. Title: Lake Trafford Sidewalk Need: To construct a pedestrian walkway from the entrance to the lake that is safe for children. Action: Identify and obtain funding source via grant or appropriation. (STATE/FEDERAL) Pg. 5 9. Title: Growing Connections to Create Mobility Opportunities in Immokalee Need: Design and construct 20 miles of new sidewalk facilities, 4.5 miles of street lighting, 20 bus shelters and drainage improvements within the designated Southwest Florida Promise Zone. This infrastructure is necessary to provide safe mobility options to the citizens of Immokalee where nearly 45% live below the poverty line and 50% utilize public transit, bike , or walking as their means of transportation to and from work. The project would also provide pedestrian access to a technical center, elementary school, middle school, high school, community park, and museum. Action: Request up to $10.5 million (There is a 20% local match available.) (FEDERAL) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10. Title: West Goodlette-Frank Road Area Stormwater, Septic to Sewer Improvement Need: Project design has begun and construction funding is needed in coordination with the City of Naples Wastewater Collection System for roadside stormwater and sanitary sewer improvements to address stormwater flooding problems and existing septic system failures during high rainfall on several streets between Goodlette-Frank Road and US-41. Stormwater runoff from this area flows into upper Gordon River then to Naples Bay. Work will include water quality improvements designed to decrease nutri ent loading of sensitive, impaired receiving waters. Action: Request up to $1.2 million for Phase 1 construction. (The project is located in unincorporated Collier County, but within the water and sewer service area of the City of Naples. County f unds will support the stormwater portions of the project, City of Naples will place an assessment against affected properties for sanitary sewer portions of the project.) (STATE) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11. Title: Griffin Road Area Stormwater Improvement Project Need: The Griffin Road Stormwater Improvement Project is located near the southwestern terminus of Griffin Road in the East Naples area of Collier County off of US-41 and Barefoot Williams Road. The project includes construction of a water quality treatment and dispersal area on Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (RBNERR) property . The focus of the project is to provide water quality treatment facilities and an adequate stormwater outfall for the area. The current stormwater outfall is restricted and the RBNERR desires to receive more flow into wetlands on their property. Action: Request up to $500,000 for construction. (Based on proposed local match of 50%.) (STATE) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ISSUES: REQUIRING ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1. Title: Southwest Florida Promise Zone Need: To actively support the mission of the Southwest Florida Promise Zone (SFPZ), in improving economic opportunity through education; crime prevention, including combating human trafficking; infrastructure improvements; and economic development. Pg. 6 Action: ADMINISTRATIVE (FEDERAL) - Work with County staff and stakeholders to promote suitable Promise Zone (PZ) projects that will benefit Immokalee and the region. Facilitate coordination between County staff to support SFPZ partners. Mobilize elected officials to support specific initiatives from the SFPZ, including congressional pass age of federal tax incentives for employers, and prompting participation of the U.S. Dept. of Transportation in Promise Zone grant preference benefit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Title: FEMA Remapping Need: To expedite FEMA approval for Collier County flood remapping which is five years behind schedule. Two-thirds of Collier’s population is represented by outdated maps. Action: ADMINISTRATIVE (FEDERAL) – Engage agency officials and congressional delegation to prompt FEMA approval for Collier flood remapping completion and support funding for mapping programs and tools under the Risk Mapping Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) program. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Title: Shore Protection Study Need: The Army Corps of Engineers to initiate a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement and commence the long-awaited shore protection study of Vanderbilt, Park Shore, and Naples beaches that was authorized by Congress in 2007, but not funded by the Army Corps. Action: ADMINISTRATIVE (FEDERAL) – Mobilize congressional delegation and White House Intergovernmental Affairs staff to prompt Corps initiation of this study authorized since 2007, and to initiate the cost-share funding agreement for the study. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Title: Roberts Home Stabilization and Rehabilitation Need: The Museum Division has applied for grant funding for the stabilization and rehabilitation of the Roberts Home at the Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch. The Special Categories Grant provides for preservation of significant historic structures. (There is a ten percent local match available in Fund 314, Museum Capital Projects Reserves.) Action: ADMINISTRATIVE (STATE) – Monitor and advocate, as allowable, for grant application approval and awarding of $480,150 by the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. ISSUES: RESOLUTIONS OF SUPPORT/OPPOSITION ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1. Title: Immokalee Post Irma Recovery & Infrastructure Need: To rebuild and improve agricultural production, promotion, and education; increase and improve economic activity; and create immediate job opportunities. To build a n additional 40,000 sq. ft., USDA/FDA regulated, high-tech culinary production facility on County property at Immokalee Airport with processing equipment to support the needs of start -up and small Pg. 7 food producers. Action: ADOPT A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT of an application by Economic Incubators Inc., for up to $5,750,000 from State DEO funds for the Immokalee Post Irma Recovery & Infrastructure facility addition. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Title: Picayune Strand Operational & Maintenance Funds Need: To support full funding of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), including cost-share for operational and maintenance expenses. Currently, the Corps does not have money in their FY 2018 budget for cost-share of operational and maintenance expenses of the three CERP pump stations. Everglades restoration will not be achieved without operational and maintenance funding of CERP projects. These stations will restore 55,000 acres of native wetlands in Collier County, maintain flood control for area homes, and enhance fishing and eco-tourism. Action: ADOPT A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT of Picayune Strand’s three CERP pump stations and urge congress to provide additional operational funds in the Army Corps of Engineers’ existing appropriation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Title: Elimination of Tax-Exempt Status of Municipal Bonds Need: The White House and Congress are considering the elimination of the tax -exempt status of municipal bonds as a partial “pay-for” for comprehensive tax reform. The elimination of this tax benefit will significantly add to the financing cost of county infrastructure projects. Action: ADOPT A RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION to any federal legislation that would eliminate or limit the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Title: State Veterans’ Nursing Home for Collier County Need: In 2014, Collier County was ranked at the top of a needs-based study for the construction of a new State Veterans’ Nursing Home. New requirements introduced during the evaluation that deviated from the needs-based criteria led to Collier County losing a new facility to St. Lucie County. Action: ADOPT A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT of legislative authorization of a new, needs-based study by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs for the construction of a new State Veterans’ Nursing Home. ISSUES: TO MONITOR ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1. Title: Inland Oil Drilling & High-Pressure Well Stimulation (Fracking) Watch: Any proposed legislation that could impact Collier County. Currently, high-pressure well stimulation remains essentially unregulated and permissible. All legislation introduced in 2017 provided for a ban on high-pressure well stimulation. (STATE) Pg. 8 2. Title: Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Watch: Any proposed legislation that might provide more local discretion in dispensary location. Recently passed legislation and emergency rules only provide for banning of medical marijuana dispensaries or allowance of said facilities in areas similar to that of pharmacies. (STATE) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Title: Millage Rates Watch: Any proposed legislation that undermines local government discretion in establishing millage rates. (STATE) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Title: Home Rule Watch: Any proposed legislation that seeks to preempt or undermine local governmental authority, impose state preemption, creates unfunded mandates, or adversely impacts local funding streams. (STATE/FEDERAL) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Title: Clerk of the Circuit Court Funding Watch: Any proposed legislation that will provide a sustainable, full funding solution for the Clerk of the Circuit Courts and provide for execution of their extensive statutory and constitutional duties. (STATE) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. Title: Short Term Rentals Watch: Any proposed legislation that preempts or otherwise restricts local laws, ordinances, or regulation in regard to vacation rental frequency or duration. (STATE) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. Title: FAA Air Traffic Control Privatization Watch: Any currently introduced legislation that would privatize air traffic control services to airports. (FEDERAL) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8. Title: Hazardous Waste Disposal Funding/Collection Bills Watch: Any proposed legislation that limits collecting appropriate fees for services. (FEDERAL) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9. Title: I-75 Interchanges Watch: Funding opportunities to improve I-75 interchanges in Collier County, improving traffic flow and safety for motorists. (FEDERAL) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pg. 9 10. Title: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Program Funding Watch: Any proposed legislation, appropriation, grant, or program that could enhance Collier County’s mental health and substance abuse programs, with particular interest in programs and funding for minor level, non-violent offender jail diversion and treatment. (STATE/FEDERAL) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11. Title: Licensing & Permitting Watch: Any proposed legislation or administrative action that impacts county licensing and permitting and may impact cost and/or time in obtaining. (STATE/FEDERAL) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12. Title: Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Watch: Any proposed legislation that restricts home rule authority to create, operate or sunset county CRAs. (STATE)