Agenda 10/13/2015 Item #16D 91_
10/13/2015 16.D.9.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to create a pilot "Tickets to Ride" program that pays for Collier County citizens
to ride at designated ATV riding locations in Florida at a cost not to exceed $10,000.
OBJECTIVE: To provide opportunities for All Terrain Vehicle enthusiasts to ride their vehicles at ATV
riding locations in Florida using funds from the South Florida Water Management District settlement
agreement.
CONSIDERATIONS: In 2011, Collier County and the South Florida Water Management District
entered into a Settlement Agreement wherein the District paid Collier County $3 million to dispose of
litigation arising out of a 2003 Agreement between the parties in which the District was to convey 640
acres to Collier County for recreational ATV use. Since that settlement, the Collier County Growth
Management Department and Collier County Parks and Recreation Division have been tasked with
searching for land appropriate and suitable for an ATV Park site. To date, and despite an exhaustive
search, no land suitable for an ATV Park has been located within or outside of Collier County.
On June 9, 2015, the Board gave the ATV Ad Hoc Committee a six -month extension to continue to
search for avenues for Collier County citizens to ride their ATVs (Agenda item 161312). While the search
continues for suitable land, the Ad Hoc Committee at its July 6, 2015 meeting voted 5 -0 to ask staff to
create a proposal for a pilot program that would use a portion of the settlement funds to fund riders'
experiences at existing parks as a short-term solution. Parameters established included limiting the
expenditures of the pilot program to $50,000 and the term to twelve months.
Staff researched and analyzed many possible pay - per -ride scenarios, including rider reimbursement,
voucher programs (both paper and electronic), and pre - purchased admission. Ultimately pre - purchased
admission was determined to be the most viable option, due to the relative ease and accountability of
program administration and the high likelihood of ATV Park participation. Staff presented this
information to the Ad Hoc Committee at their August 6, 2015 meeting. Members provided additional
guidance on which parks should be included in the pilot program and what limitations should be placed
on participants. At its September 10, 2015 meeting, the Ad Hoc Committee voted unanimously to reduce
the program not -to- exceed amount to $10,000 and to recommend to the Board that the program be
conducted as outlined below.
Staff is proposing a pilot program that provides "Tickets to Ride" to Collier County residents who have
registered ATVs. The following is a description of the pilot program:
The County will purchase daily admission tickets from Lazy Springs Recreation Park and Croom
Motorcycle Park. The Ad Hoc Committee chose five Florida parks that provided a variety of
riding experiences and had similar pricing structures. Staff contacted all five parks; among them,
these two confirmed that they are willing to sell pre- purchased tickets to the County and honor
their redemption by residents. Staff is securing letters of commitment and will not proceed until
they are received.
Initially, staff will purchase $1,000 worth of admission tickets from each venue; thereafter, an
inventory only large enough to meet demand will be maintained, based upon utilization.
Parks and Recreation will issue the admission tickets at North Collier Regional Park Exhibit Hall.
The admission tickets will be safeguarded and inventoried in a manner similar to beach parking
pen-nits.
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10/13/2015 16.D.9.
• Program participants will be qualified by ensuring they are County residents and the ATVs are
registered.
• Each ticket issued must correspond to one registered ATV. To allow for fair distribution, no more
than four tickets will be issued per month per ATV.
• North Collier Regional Park Exhibit Hall staff will distribute the admission tickets and record
how many and for which ATV Park they were distributed.
• The program participant can then present the admission ticket at the designated ATV Park, which
will honor it for admission.
• Parks and Recreation staff will be able to reconcile the inventory of admission tickets on hand to
the number distributed through a CLASS /ActiveNet report, creating a control on distribution.
FISCAL IMPACT: Currently, there is $2,967,071.77 remaining from the settlement fund, with interest
accruing on the principal. This interest is being kept within the same cost center and used as revenue for
the program. As of July 24, 2015, the account had generated $15,324.99 since October 1, 2014.
The recommendation for this pilot program is to limit the exposure at $10,000 for one year. Staff will
provide routine reports on the program to the Ad Hoc Committee. Should the program prove to be
popular and successful, staff may return to the Board prior to the expenditure of the full $10,000 for
authorization of additional expenditure while providing continuity of service. If this does not occur, staff
will nonetheless provide the Board with a report on the program after the initial outlay of $10,000 or after
the program has been in operation for one year, whichever comes first.
In the meantime, efforts will continue to identify suitable lands for ATV use both inside and outside
Collier County. Should that opportunity for park lands arise, staff may bring forward a recommendation
to suspend the pilot program in order to preserve funds for the pursuit of a more permanent solution for
the purpose of Collier County citizens having a place to ride their ATVs.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT' IMPACT: There is no growth management impact related to this action.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been approved as to form and legality and requires
majority vote for approval. — CMG
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners authorizes the
creation of a pilot "Tickets to Ride" program as described above that pays the admission for Collier
County citizens to ride their ATVs at designated ATV Parks in Flori da at a cost not to exceed $10,000.
Prepared by: Barry Williams, Division Director, Parks and Recreation
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10/13/2015 16.D.9.
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.16.D.16.D.9.
Item Summary: Recommendation to create a pilot "Tickets to Ride" program that pays for
Collier County citizens to ride at designated ATV riding locations in Florida at a cost not to
exceed $10,000.
Meeting Date: 10/13/2015
Prepared By
Name: BetancurNatali
Title: Operations Analyst, Public Services Department
9/15/2015 4:08:40 PM
Submitted by
Title: Division Director - Parks & Recreation, Public Services Department
Name: WilliamsBarry
9/15/2015 4:08:41 PM
Approved By
Name: TownsendAmanda
Title: Division Director - Operations Support, Public Services Department
Date: 9/16/2015 10:38:21 AM
Name: WilliamsBarry
Title: Division Director - Parks & Recreation, Public Services Department
Date: 9/18/2015 4:10:22 PM
Name: Washbumllonka
Title: Manager - Park Operations, Public Services Department
Date: 9/21/2015 10:34:56 AM
Name: GreeneColleen
Title: Assistant County Attorney, CAO General Services
Date: 9/22/2015 2:34:18 PM
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Name: CarnellSteve
10/13/2015 16.D.9.
Title: Department Head - Public Services, Public Services Department
Date: 9/22/2015 3:44:47 PM
Name: KlatzkowJeff
Title: County Attorney,
Date: 9/23/2015 11:08:36 AM
Name: FinnEd
Title: Management/Budget Analyst, Senior, Office of Management & Budget
Date: 9/29/2015 3:43:42 PM
Name: KlatzkowJeff
Title: County Attorney,
Date: 9/29/2015 4:02:58 PM
Name: Casa] angui daNi ck
Title: Deputy County Manager, County Managers Office
Date: 10/2/2015 8:55:04 AM
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