BCC Minutes 04/01/2004 TH (District 1)April 1, 2004
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER
COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
TOWNHALL MEETING-DISTRICT #1
Naples, Florida, April 1, 2004
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County District #1
Townhall Meeting in and for the County of Collier, having conducted
business herein, met on this date at 7:00 PM at the East Naples Community
Park, East Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
CHAIRMAN:
Commissioner Donna Fiala
Commissioner Fred Coyle
Commissioner James Coletta
Commissioner Tom Henning
Commissioner Frank Halas
ALSO PRESENT:
Jim Mudd, County Manager
Leo Ochs, Deputy County Manager
Norman Feder, Transportation Administrator
Joe Schmitt, Development & Environmental Services
David Weigel, County Attorney
Jim DeLony Public Utilities
Len Golden Price, Administrative Services
John Dunnuck, Public Services Administrator
Board of County Commissioners
District 1 Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, April 1,2004
7:00 PM
East Naples Community Park
3500 Thomasson Drive
HOSTED BY
Donna Fiala, Chairman
Commissioner, District 1
1. Introduction and Pledge of Allegiance
2. East Naples Civic Association (Ken Drum)
3. US41 East Overlay (Bob Murray)
4. Triangle and Bayshore Update
5. Collier Boulevard (CR951)/US 41 Intersection (striping, etc.)
6. Greenway/FPL Transmission Line (linear park with bike paths, sidewalks,
etc.)
7. Median Landscaping
8. Overpass
9. Stormwater Management
10. Eagle Lakes Community Park Improvements (plans for a water play
feature)
11. Question and Answer Period
April 1,2004
1. Commissioner Fiala opened the meeting at 7:05 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance
and introductions. (Commissioners and Staff members present)
2. East Naples Civic Association (Ken Drum)
Mr. Drum gave a history of the Association and its Boundaries. They involve the
citizens in Civic Affairs and meet for lunch every third Thursday of the month with an
Annual Dinner. They have a Board of Directors and a newsletter. Some of the projects
they are and have been involved in are the following: · Protecting Neighborhoods
· Library Services Improvements
· Redevelop 41 Corridor & Town Center
· Bayshore & 41
· #1 Project - New Hospital
· Rattlesnake & 951 - economic incentives
3. US41 East Overlay {Bob Murray)
Gave a power point presentation with the following information:
· Two year ago committee went before the BCC bringing attention to selected
right-of-ways with abandoned and dilapidated conditions.
· Lack of services for residents was noticed
· Encountered road problems
· Had to learn the Growth Management Plan and Land Development Code
· Asked for a partnership with government for guidance.
· Promote more Jobs was very important.
· Needed a plan for economic incentives through jobs in and around East Naples,
· Acquire properties and build for good growth
· Free market to build.
· Investment strategies.
· Try to change the future - citizen involvement
· Acceptable Growth
· Committee today consists of architects, private sector planner and business
persons with many skills.
· Ready to seek funding - planner and full time assistant
· Need help to make the changes they want to see.
4. Triangle and Bayshore Update - Joe Schmitt - Administrator for Community
Development and Environmental Services - announced officially the CRA
(Community Redevelopment Area) is no longer reporting to the County. They have a
new Executive Director, Aaron Blair, reporting to the CRA Board which will now be the
Board of County Commissioners. Aaron and Bill Neal will be separate from the staff.
They hired a planner to do an overlay of the Bayshore/Gateway district for future plans.
Bayshore is paying $357,000 out of their own pockets. McCabe's is building 218 unit
gated community.
April 1, 2004
5. Collier Boulevard (CR 951) US 41 Intersection (striping, etc.) - Norman Feder
Transportation Administrator.commented on thc data for Livingston, Lely and Santa
Barbara extension and road widening.
Bob Tipton - 3 issues addressed by the County: (Showed on visualizer.)
· SR951 &CR951-61anesUS41 and expanded both County and State 951.
· Showed the turns on the different roadways. Showed the modified and merging
lanes in the areas discussed. Guidelines were changed in some of the
intersections for better move ability.
· New US 41 Roadway lighting - Cobra head lights. Are on and operating.
6. Greenwa¥/FPL Transmission Line (linear park with bike paths, sidewalks, etc.)
Mr. Feder commented when they knew they were not going to extend Livingston further
south than Radio Road, they have a solution and are going to turn it into a recreational
facility for East Naples and Collier County.
Diane Flagg added Bob Tipton is the County Traffic Engineer and they are putting
together a Traffic Signal Team. The Team will go throughout the County to see how the
signals are operating. She encouraged residents to either e-mail or call them on any
signals not functioning properly or that need revisions. The computerized traffic signal
system is now a program that is in place for Phase 1. They are working on Phase 2 in
conjunction with the City of Naples at this time.
If a problem is called in they will look at the intersection and re-time it if needed. They
will then do a follow-up phone call to let the person/s know what was done and that it had
been looked at.
Naples Greenway - this is the area that had the potential of Livingston Road extension.
They took the segment and determined it was feasible after hiring a team called "Rails to
Trails". They are a National team that puts corridors together. It will go from Radio
Road south to Rattlesnake Hammock.
Pictures were shown on the visualizer. Showed the trail with a cyclist etc. They are
designing the trail with input of the residents that live along the trail. It will be a paved
trail with landscaping on both sides with a curvature. The final segment to Rattlesnake
was shown with a crossing on Davis Blvd. Traffic Operations will work with Rails to
Trails to make the crossing. First Greenway in Collier County. Will have access from
various roads. Will be for pedestrians, bicyclists, roller bladders, persons walking dogs,
but no motorized vehicles.
7. Median Landscaping - Diane Flaee - Master Plan Beautification Program was
approved by the BCC in 2003.
· It is for landscaping the medians and sides of the roads in Collier County.
· Before and after pictures were shown with street trees etc.
· The different road sections were shown.
· Rattlesnake Hammock to Polly Ave. will be landscaped.
· Next year US 41 East from Rattlesnake Hammock to St. Andrews will be done.
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April 1, 2004
Other projects are: Airport Road from Cougar Drive to Vanderbilt Road
Pine Ridge Road from Airport to Logan, Livingston Road from Radio Road to
Pine Ridge Road and Golden Gate Blvd. Collier Blvd. 1 mile east.
· Bids will be awarded in 3-4 weeks and planted this summer and completed by
October of this year.
· Easements need to be gotten in some areas.
Diane Flagg - CAT System- started in February 2001 - as of today they are
transporting over 50,000 people a month. Many routes they have to leave people behind
and send a van to pick them up because of no standing room. They will now serve the
current location of the Ave Maria students and Cleveland Clinic. Marco Island will have
an express route from Immokalee to Marco and a Marco circulator route that connects to
the other buses.
Shelters have been installed in various areas of the County, and more will be put in.
Hours will be expanded for service also. All based upon the input and feasibility they
have received. Can call or e-mail www.colliergov.net for schedules and more
information.
8. Overpass - Greg Strakaluse - Director of Engineering Construction
Management - Covered major projects on visualizer as follows:
Construction of the overpass project will be very challenging
· Raw water main (water for Naples) and high tension transmission lines don't want
to impair the service with construction.
· Pictures shown before and after of what the overpass with lighting, water main
etc. will look like.
· Showed the architectural structures
· Getting ready for bidding, going to the SFLYVMD Board for acquiring permit.
· Acquiring property necessary- PUD's reserved for project. Don't see any
challenges.
· Another project on Golden Gate Parkway interchange - 18,000 vehicles are
estimated coming off interchange - hope to start construction by August and is a
2 ½ year project. FDOT's project is 2 ½ to 3 years.
· Rattlesnake Hammock improvement for 2 lanes between Polly Avenue and 951.
90% design with good comments. Acquiring right-of-way.
· Collier Blvd. between Davis and US 41 - negotiating contract with consultant -
under construction 2006 taking 4 lane cross section to a 6 lane cross section and
sidewalks and bike lanes.
Mr. Feder discussed the alternatives of the overpass being evaluated. Will be no
commercial around the intersections - all landscaped. It will be the Gateway to
Collier and Naples. The overpass will cost $29M - $4.5M is landscaping to make sure
it is brought into scale. There have been many meetings after surveys, consultants,
studies and meetings with the City for the need of an overpass. Many alternatives
were discussed.
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Apfill, 2004
9. Stormwater Management - Jerry Kurtz - Engineer with Stormwater section with
Transportation Division - gave a slide presentation as follows:
· Storm Water - not just rain water going down dirty drain. It is a valuable
resource.
· But not getting rid of it quick enough. Can be a great concern.
· It is a Community Asset - need to provide more than flood control.
· Has to be controlled - Have to capture it in appropriate areas such as swales,
lakes, piping and drainage systems. Have to retain it and then release it in a
controlled fashion.
· Wetlands need storm water - State mandate.
· Important for drinking water.
· Aquifer recharge - holding the water so it seeps into the ground and becomes
part of the aquifer which they use to draw out of to drink. Important for water
management facilities retain the water and have the aquifer recharge.
· Use stormwater as part of the Everglades Restoration Project. Can divert some of
the water.
· Coordinating with Big Cypress Basin weekly and daily to attempt the diversion
into the wetlands so it can flow naturally into the tidal waters.
Peter Hayden - Project Manager in the Stormwater Management Dept.
Showed slides:
· Discussed Gateway Triangle - project started 1998
· Conceptual plan for flooding control - not much support
· CRA established in 2000 and has been big support on flooding issue
· Bought 5 acres in middle of triangle for storm water retention to provide flood
control in area.
· Lely area stormwater improvement project shown - in final phases of permitting
· Lely Drainage Basin Master Plan
Mr. Mudd stated in the Big Cypress Basin's 10 year plan they have earmarked $15M for
the Lely project and $12M for the Gordon River extension project. Will have a cost
share, but $27M will help.
10. Eagle Lakes Community Park Improvements (plans for a water play feature)
Maria Ramsey - Parks & Recreation Dept.
· Refurnished Bayview - received state funded grant for $120,000 to renourish and
refurbishing.
· $50,000 grant was received to help with parks on the south side of Naples
including East Naples and Eagle Lakes.
· Community Park received grant for 3,000 square feet to expand senior lunch
program. Enhance and expand.
· Soccer field will be added.
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April 1, 2004
· Phase II of Eagle Lakes Community Park will have two shelters added, 2 tennis
courts, a storage building for maintenance facility and a water play area.
· Final construction documents in park - bid in late May - construction 6 months
for entire project with cost being approx. $400,00 all coming from impact fees.
· Played "What a Water Feature Is" on the visualizer. A water diversion for
children, parties etc. With playground adjacent to it they are assured it will be
utilized. Construction in August after permitting and bids.
Joe Schmitt covered various items that are being planned and being built such as
follows:
· 951 & 41 - Eagle Creek Plaza pre-application meeting for Loews - 28-24 months
· Lands End behind Eagle Creek offTower Road - 3 condo projects - Mansions
North
· North on 951 - across from Verona Walk (first Phase sold out)
· Stock Development bought Lely a year ago - will put a development along 951 -
650 garden type units. (a little town)
· Artesa- Henderson Creek PUD - across from Eagle Creek - commercial zoned
project - Wal-Mart Super Center
· Wentworth Estates - 12 mid-rises
· Sable Bay at Rattlesnake and US41 - coming for a PUD Rezone - DRI will be
abandoned. Back for Board approval for 1,999 units. (Village Center units,
upscale to Wentworth Estates - golf course) This is a reduction of 2,000 units.
Commissioner Fiala noted they are trying to balance developments but very cautiously.
Not allowed anything over 75' height, limiting the density with concurrency in place.
Can't build anything unless the water, sewer and roads are available. Proceeding
cautiously and carefully.
Hamilton Harbor is trying to be stopped by some citizens in Port Royal. The suit will not
be successful but delay the project.
12. Question and Answer Period
SPEAKERS
Jim Tierney asked about the widening of County Barn Road.
Mr. Feder responded it is slated for construction for FY 2005. Was a source of delay
with Lely permits for the stormwater project - County Barn is in that area.
Jim Kramer - District #3 - handed out and read a letter dated March 26, 2004
Re: Security and Safety at Naples Municipal Airport. (Attached)
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April 1, 2004
Commissioner Coyle reminded Mr. Kramer the Naples Municipal Airport is part of the
City of Naples Government and have no authority to give any documents to him. He
needs to take his concerns to the City Council.
Ed Tappen - Queen's Park Homeowners Assn. - he discussed the East Naples Civic
Assn., the newsletters and read a "letter to the editor" concerning Commissioner Fiala'
record of attending the Board meetings etc. The contents of the letter was concerning her
leaving one of the BCC meetings when a controversial item was being voted on
concerning the Pelican Bay issue.
He mentioned areas in need of assistance.
He asked about Santa Barbara - response - scheduled for 2006 project.
HMA was discussed.
Chris Mogelvang, MD - Botanist - was a plastic surgeon in 1975. He gave a history of
the names for several roads. Talked about growth, water flow, retaining it and digging
canals. Talked about a resident that may lose his home in south Golden Gate due to the
water flow.
Ron Cummings - asked questions about:
· Ave Maria University - what are they doing about insuring the covenants of the
community?
· New Library for East Naples - no confirmation on it.
· Talked to management of Carrabas and Outback coming to East Naples.
Wondered when they are coming to the area.
John Dunnuck responded the construction of libraries is dictated by annual growth
report (Population growth) and Board decision.
Joe Schmitt responded on the Ave Maria question. It is being developed by two entities.
One Ave Maria University and the other is Collier Enterprises. It is a special district - a
board of governors that will govern the district, but district will still report to the Board of
County Commissioners. They will pay taxes and pay the appropriate impact taxes.
Commissioner Henning explained it is an Independent District like East Naples Fire
District. The Independent District will do certain things such as infrastructure and protect
the flow way of Campkeis Strand.
Commissioner Coyle also explained they have to pay for their own infrastructure. If not
a Special District, they would have to take money from Collier County to fund it. They
have asked to tax themselves. Must be careful that there is no legislation that may
change that relationship. They will follow the Growth Management Plan and the Land
Development Code.
Commissioner Coletta added they will be net gainers with it being self-contained. They
will still pay road impact fees.
Commissioner Henning discussed the resident in southern Golden Gate Estates. The
Board of Commissioners has no involvement in that issue. It is a restoration area and a
State restoration project. He has concerns about the resident (Mr. Hardy) whether the
April 1, 2004
project will affect his property and question why the State would want to buy the
property since it doesn't fit. The decision is up to the Governor of the Cabinet.
He discussed seeking information and encouraged residents to find all the sources they
can about what is happening around them. Don't go to just one media source. Important
to find what is going on in the County. Two sources is the government channel, Comcast
and a website. The Commissioners are available for everyone.
Since Commissioner Fiala has been a Commissioner, they have added many thousands of
acres into preserves that will never be built on.
Commissioner Coyle added 100,000 acres of land has been preserved and never be built
on. Stops urban sprawl and protects environmentally sensitive land. He stated
Commissioner Fiala is running for re-election and asked for everyone's support to re-
elect her.
Commissioner Coletta agreed that everyone should support her for re-election.
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was
adjourned by order of the Chair at 9:15 PM.
COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
" Fiala
China
ATTEST:
DWIGHT E, BROCK, CLERK
S:T'~::C~]n~pproved by the Board on
or ~ corrected
~?/~)-~/~, as presented