Loading...
Agenda 03/11/2014 Item #16D9n 3/11/2014 16.D.9. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recommendation to approve an after- the-fact submission of a Letter of Intent to the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, indicating Collier County's intention to submit a Site Selection Criteria application to be considered the location for the State's planned seventh State Veterans' Home OBJECTIVE: For Collier County to compete to be selected as the location for a State Veterans' Home. CONSIDERATIONS: The Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs (FDVA) has issued an invitation to governments in ten areas of the state to submit a Site Selection Criteria application to be the location for a State Veterans' Home long -term healthcare facility. The facility envisioned is described as "a new, state - of -the -art 120 -bed nursing home facility, which, when completed, will employ approximately 190 personnel ... and operate with an annual budget of over $7 million." A statement issued by the FDVA reported that an independent study recommending the construction of additional veterans' homes in Florida indicated the area of Collier and Lee Counties as having the greatest need for a skilled nursing facility. Under the Site Selection process outlined by FDVA, applicants must identify a site to be donated for the facility and make assurances as to its suitability and readiness. Competitive applications will demonstrate the following: • Need for the facility based on the number of veterans over the age of sixty -five living within a seventy - five -mile radius of the site; • Suitability of the site, including assurances that the site complies with environmental and permitting requirements; • Appropriate infrastructure is readily available; and • Whether there is and will be sufficient availability of healthcare professionals and emergency healthcare facilities within the area. A Letter of Intent indicating that Collier County is an applicant wishing to nominate a site for this facility was due by close of business March 5, 2014. Staff prepared and submitted the Letter of Intent, indicating therein that it was subject to subsequent Board ratification. The completed Site Selection Criteria application is due May 14, 2014 and will be submitted to the Board not later than its May 13, 2014 meeting. The application effort will be coordinated through the Public Services Division in concert with the County's Office of Business and Economic Development. FISCAL IMPACT: FDVA anticipates that $17 million in State funds will be used to build this facility and is applying to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for an additional approximately $30 million. FDVA anticipates that the facility will employee 190 people and have an annual operating budget of over $7 million. Collier County's commitment to attract this facility would be the value of the donated land (20 acres minimum), the cost of any due diligence items such as environmental site assessments and soil borings, the cost of any infrastructure and fill required to make the site construction- ready, and the forfeiture of any impact fees that would have resulted from other development. The Site Selection Criteria states that "applicants are encouraged to provide funding in the amount of $500,000 to be applied toward the project costs, but inability to do this will not disqualify your proposal from consideration." Staff will consider these factors in selecting a site to nominate and make every attempt to submit an application that maximizes the county's chance of selection while minimizing its financial commitment. Packet Page -881- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to form and legality, and requires majority support for approval. -JAK GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: None. RECOMMENDATION: That the Board approves an after -the -fact submission of a Letter of Intent to the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, indicating Collier County's intention to submit a Site Selection Criteria application to be considered the location for the State's planned seventh State Veterans' Home. Prepared By: Amanda Townsend, Public Services Operations Director Packet Page -882- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners Item Number: 16.16.D.16.D.9. Item Summary: Recommendation to approve an after - the -fact submission of a Letter of Intent to the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, indicating Collier County's intention to submit a Site Selection Criteria application to be considered the location for the State's planned seventh State Veterans' Home Meeting Date: 3/11/2014 Prepared By Name: AlonsoHailey Title: Operations Analyst, Public Services Division 3/3/2014 1:18:10 PM Submitted by Title: Director - Operations Support, Public Services Division Name: TownsendAmanda 3/3/2014 1:18:11 PM Approved By Name: AlonsoHailey Title: Operations Analyst, Public Services Division Date: 3/3/2014 1:55:09 PM Name: TownsendAmanda Title: Director - Operations Support, Public Services Division Date: 3/3/2014 2:20:30 PM Name: CamellSteve Title: Administrator - Public Services, Public Services Division Date: 3/3/2014 3:34:38 PM Name: KlatzkowJeff Title: County Attorney, Date: 3/3/2014 3:49:31 PM Packet Page -883- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. Name: FinnEd Title: Management/Budget Analyst, Senior, Transportation Engineering & Construction Management Date: 3/4/2014 8:53:47 AM Name: OchsLeo Title: County Manager, County Managers Office Date: 3/4/2014 9:28:00 AM Packet Page -884 Mike Prendergast Executive Director February 6, 2014 3/11/2014 16.D.9. State of Florida DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS Rick Scott Office of the Executive Director 11351 Ulmerton Road, #311 -K Largo, FL 33778 -1630 Phone: (727) 518 -3202 Fax: (727) 518 -3407 Collier County Commission 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 303 Naples, FL 34112 -5746 Dear Chairman Henning, www.FloridaVets.org Governor Pam Bondi Attorney General Jeff Atwater Chief Financial Officer Adam Putnam Commissioner of Agriculture As you may be aware the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs (FDVA) operates a State Veterans Homes Program, currently consisting of six State Veterans' Homes, The 2013 Florida Legislature has provided, and the Governor approved, funding this year to initiate planning for a seventh State Veterans Home. Our recently concluded Nursing Home Study established that this next facility will be constructed in one of 10 service areas so as to accommodate some of the high concentration of veterans in those areas who may require Long Term Healthcare services. This program, as currently structured, will be very valuable to any community as it will bring a construction project for "a new state of the art 120 bed nursing home facility, which, when completed, will employ approximately 190 personnel, both state and contract personnel, and operate with an annual budget of over $7 million dollars. Accordingly, FDVA is commencing the site selection process to locate a suitable site for this new facility. We are pleased to provide you the approved State Veterans' Nursing Home Site Selection Criteriaforthe newest state Veterans' Nursing Home of Florida. This facility will be financed by both federal (65 %) and state (35 %) funds. FDVA is inthe process of applying to the USDVA forthe 65% federal fund ing, and state funding for construction will be requested in FY 2014/15. We truly hope that your County will view this as an opportunity which merits your serious consideration. The general process is that a County or City wishing to compete to have this new facility located in theirarea must nominate site(s) and meet the site selection criterion that is attached. I encourage you to review the detailed requirements and undertake the task of providing a superior site to locate this newest FDVA facility in your area. Each applicant desiring to nominate a site(s) is required to so indicate via a "Letter of Intent" by close of business, (5:00 p.m.), on March 5, 2014. Please submit the Letter of Intent to: Florida Nursing Home Site Selection Committee State Veterans' Home Program Attention: Connie Tolley, RNC, CNHA, Program Administrator 11351 Ulmerton Road, Room 311 -K Largo, FL 33778 -1630 "Honoring Those Who Served U.S." Packet Page -885- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. The Letter of Intent must state that the governmental entity with the authority to sign the application will submit a proposal by the deadline stated below. Letters of Intent must be received by the above noted date and time. The completed Ste Selection Criteria application must be delivered to the address indicated above by close of business (5:00 p.m.), on Wednesday, May 14, 2014. Site selection applications received after that date /time will not be accepted. If you are submitting proposals for more than one site, you may copy the form, and you must submit a completed separate application for each site. When the site selection application is received by FDVA, a site selection committee will evaluate all submissions, including visiting each nominated site, and make a recommendation to the Executive Directorofthe Department. The Executive Directorwill make a recommendation to the Governor and Cabinet, who will approve the final location decision. The selection process will be open to all interested parties underthe Government in the Sunshine Law. All required test results and information requested in the criteria will be due when the application is submitted. Applicants are required to use this veteran population count for calculations in determining the veterans' population that is within 75 miles of each proposed site. The selection committee will recommend the site demonstrating the best overall benefit to the state, and to the most veterans residing in this area. Please call the FDVA point of contact, Connie Tolley, 727 - 518 -3202, ext 5585 to acknowledge receipt of this document and for any additional information required. Sincerely; Mike Prendergast Colonel, US Army (Ret) Executive Director "Honoring Those Who Served U.S." Packet Page -886- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS STATE VETERANS' HOMES PROGRAM SITE SELECTION CRITERIA FOR A STATE VETERANS HOME February 6, 2014 Packet Page -887- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. n FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS State Veterans' Home Program SITE SELECTION CRITERIA TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I: Need for Veteran Nursing Home (0 -100) Page 3 Care (0 -50) Page 3 A. Veteran Population B. Nursing Home Beds and (0 -50) Page 5 Part H: Other Medical Services (0 -50) Page 7 g Suitability of Donated Site Page 8 Page 9 A. Suitability of Donated Site Page 11 (Narrative) Part Ill: B. Specific Land Requirement (0 -50) Page 13 C. Assurances Page 13 Page 14 Availability of Infrastructure at Site A. Narrative B. Assurance Checklist PartlV : Availability of Health Care Professionals (050) Page 15 A. Narrative Page 15 B. Institutions Page 15 C. Nursing Workforce Page 16 Part V : Availability of Emergency Health Care (0 -50) Page 17 Emergency Health Care Facilities Page 17 B. Emergency Room Holding Beds Page 17 C. In -House Physicians Page 17 D. ER Visitation Rates Page 18 E. Medical Specialties and Equipment Page 18 Closing, Deadlines, andAddress for Submission Page 19 2 Packet Page -888- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. PART I: NEED FOR STATE VETERAN NURSING HOME It is essential that a selected site provide nursing home availability to the greatest number of eligible veterans within a reasonable distance of the facility. The number of eligible Florida veterans living in a site area will be determined by using the most current VA statistical resources. A majority of veterans admitted to state veterans 'nursing homes reside within a 75 mile radius of a facility. Beyond the 75 miles radius few veterans utilize a facility. The need for veteran nursing home care in the vicinity of a site will be assessed by these criteria. Numerical scores will be awarded based on the objective calculation of the number of veterans living in counties within 75 miles of a proposed site. The information required will establish the number of counties in the market area and the total number of veterans 65 or older living in those counties. Scoring will be awarded based upon proportional population. To help determine the need for additional nursing home beds in a proposed area, information on the number and type of existing beds will be required. Additionally, information on the medical services available in the immediate area is also required. This includes hospitals, emergency clinics, walk in services, etc. Itis anticipated that the State of Florida via State Veterans' Homes Trust Funds,will provide approximately $17,000,000 for this project. Applicants are encouraged to provide funding in the amount of $500,000 to be applied toward project costs, but inability to do this will not disqualify your proposal from consideration.. A. Veteran Population (0 -50) One description of the relative need for veteran nursing home beds in the area of a proposed site is the number of Florida veterans 65 or older living in the counties that are included in a circle with the radius of the circle being 75 miles from the proposed site. To calculate this number, indicate the exact location of a proposed site, and list all of the counties that fall within the 75 mile circle. Where only a part of a count is enclosed in the circle, the county's veteran population will be included in the total if at least 25 % of the county's total population resides inside of the circle. The exact location of a proposed site is: Packet Page -889- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. 2. The counties that are within the 75 mile radius of a site, the veteran population, and the aging veteran population of those counties are to be set forth below. County Veteran Pop. Population > 65 0 Packet Page -890- ■ . 7� k» > k� =f% Cu E 2 0 o ■ � \f O� Cl CL e §70 2 . u . 3 00 _/� 2 2 > ��$ �L � �E$k _ � IL k & ƒQ2 3 2// E\C �C� Cu a m k Z§� \k & ¥_ §3 Oz § Lek W © ff2 © 2 =� V % �■ CD CD k� )� ■ ■ o / o © o &� of wc o _ $/� #2 � O c o > 2 °k© k 0E/ I 2 U) / m w k '0 E �$o 2 i §22 $ o ¢ ® c m§ 02 k o 2 42E @ E 2 � 2 . � L) Ed L Packet Page -g1 3/11/2014 16.D.§. r 1 M 0 L > O 0.. N C1 V N N .a Q m L1. N Cu Z ,U (0 Packet Page -892- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. 3/11/2014 16.D.9. PART 11: SUITABILITY OF DONATED SITE Utilizing the criteria below, each site will be evaluated based upon the quality of the response to Part i i and awarded 0 -50 points. • Each site must consist of 20 or more acres for a 120 bed facility. The parcel that is being donated must not be in one of the following hurricane evacuation zones A, B, C, D, or E. • It should be appropriate for a building, roads, retention ponds and parking as necessary to meet local government requirements. • The intended construction of a multi -bed nursing facility must be consistent with all state and local land use laws, rules, and regulations. Appropriate verification of said laws and zoning will be required. • All fill and other preparation necessary to place a site above the flood plain, and make suitable for construction will be provided at no cost to the state. • All environmental concerns ofthe U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the State must be met. A Phase IEnvironmental Assessmentwillbe required for all submissions. All requirements of a Phase I Environmental Assessment will be required for all submission. These assessments will be due before site selection is complete. Exact time frames will be specified when site selection commences. • Soil samples of the proposed site will be required for all land that is being considered for construction. The reports will include soil borings one (1) per acre throughout the parcel under consideration.The reports must be done by a certified Geotechnical firm, and be properly certified. These reports will be due before selection is complete. • The State Land Trust will not accept land until the donor has successfully completed the "ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA." A site must be able to qualify for a favorable review by the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, conducted pursuant to convey clear and unencumbered title to the property before the commencement of construction. Failure to meet any of these requirements will eliminate a site from consideration. Failure on the part of a sponsor to meet these requirements will disqualify a site from further consideration. The environmental assurances that the state must make to the VA regarding a site selected are shown on pages 7 and 8. A series of questions designed to determine if a proposed site can be approved are set forth beginning on page 9. Each of these questions MUST be answered in the affirmative. Packet Page -893- 3/1112014 16.D.9. A. Suitability of Donated Site - Narrative and Specific Questions j0 -50) Provide a narrative description of the site interms of its general surrounding and support capabilities. Clarifying comments may be added and may address any of the following items. (This list is not all - inclusive; additional items may be added at your discretion) • Land -- -Shape of the parcel Soil types and quality Surrounding area land usage Urban or rural setting Trees on site, and types of ground cover Indications of pesticides or herbicides Strong or pungent odors • Iistory- -Any historical significance. Usage history Title history Environmental liens Land fill history, if applicable • Misc. - Availability of all pertinent utilities Description of area transportation network Availability of community support services and facilities. 8 Packet Page -894- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. B. Respond to the Following Questions by Answering 'Yes" or "No" 1. Is the land use of each site for a nursing home consistent with the community's comprehensive plan adopted and approved pursuant to Part II chapter 163, Florida Statutes (2013)? Please attach a copy of the county's Land Use Plan. Yes No 2. Does the sponsor assure that the following will be provided with no additional cost to the State? a. All fill necessary to meet the VA requirement that the building, access road, and parking be above the flood plain. Yes No b. All site preparation necessary to include, but not limited to fill necessary to make the site suitable for the construction of the building Yes No 9 Packet Page -895- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. Has the sponsor reviewedthe U.S Department of Veterans Affairs environmental documentation requirements found at 38 CFR Part 26 and does the sponsor provide the following assurances? The site will qualify for a Categorical Exclusion; or an Environmental Assessment prepared in accordance with the above cited VA regulation will reveal no significant effect onthe human environment? Yes No 4. Has the sponsor reviewed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of State Lands, Bureau of Land Acquisition, Environmental Audit Requirements which must be met before land will be accepted by the State Land Trust that a favorable environmental audit of a proposed site can be certified to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida? Yes No 5. Title transfer must be completed before construction begins, but after selection. Can the sponsor assure that a clear and unencumbered title to the real property be obtained and the site will be conveyed to the State Land Trust by deed in a timely manner? Yes No io Packet Page -896- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. C. Assurances As part of the application process of the USDVA, the following "Assurances" concerning environmental matters must be given by the State at the time of pre- application is filed and again when the application is filed. The assurances below are directly related to the selection of a suitable site: 1. The site will comply with environmental standards, which may be prescribed pursuant to the following: • Institutions of environmental quality control measures under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91 -190), and Executive Order, (EO),11514. • Notification of violating facilities pursuant to EO 1173 8. • Protection ofwetlands pursuant to EO 11990. • Evaluation of flood hazards in flood plains in accordance with EO 11988. Assurance ofproject consistency with the approved State management ^ program developed under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, 16 Conformity of federal actions to state (Clean Air) implementations plans under section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act of 1955, as amended 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq. • Protection of underground sources of drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended, P.L. 93 -523. • Protection of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended P.L. 93 -205. 2. The applicant will comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968,. related to protecting components or potential components of the national wild and scenic rivers system. 3. The State will assist the awarded applicant in assuring compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended 16 U.S.C. §470, EO 11593, Identification and Preservation of Historic Properties, and the Archaeologicaland Historic Preservation Act of 1974, 16 U.S.C. § §469a -1 etseq. 11 Packet Page -897- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. Are there any known reasons or conditions that would in any way inhibit State from certifying compliance with the conditions listed above in "C "? Yes No is Packet Page -898- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. PART Ill: AVAILABILITY OF INFRASTRUCTURE AT SITE It is essential that roads and utility infrastructure services be available to the property. Roads, water, sewer, telephone lines, electricity and/or natural gas services must be brought to the property line as required by local code before construction begins at no cost to the State. Since no funds are provided by the federal grant to bring these services to the property it is necessary that the donor or local community provide them to the site at no cost to the project. A series of questions designed to ascertain the willingness of the sponsor of a site to provide the needed services and infrastructure to a site are set forth below. Infrastructure requirements must be completed before construction commences. If concurrency requirements are not met, and further infrastructure services are not adequate and timely, then a site cannot be approved, and no further consideration is warranted. A qualifying official must make the following assurances in writing: • The FDVA will not be charged any impact or any other type of fees by either the County or the City inwhich the site is located. • Infrastructure will be in place at the beginning of construction. If grants or any other application for funding to provide infrastructure are needed to secure the infrastructure requirement, the FDVA will not be a participant in that process. The applicant cannot obligate the FDVA for additional requirements or information. All infrastructure requirements must be completed as outlined above. • If construction is delayed due to the applicant's inability to provide infrastructure to the site any costs associated with the delay will be solely the responsibility ofthe applicant. A. Narrative Provide a narrative description of the infrastructure that is currently in place. Include identification of roads that provide access to a site; main, county, state, or federal l roads and/or interstate highways, and average travel time from major population centers to the site. Indicate the availability of water and sewage treatment facilities. Indicate the source of telephone,electric power, and a natural gas supplier,if available, in a site area. 13 Packet Page -899- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. B. Respond to the following questions by responding "YES or "NO" Does a site provide 20 acres or more acres clear of any easements that would interfere with the construction of a 120 bed facility, and such additional space for access roads, retention, and parking as required by the local governing body? Yes No 2. Will the local governing body ensure that all concurrency requirements made necessary by the development of a site for the proposed use will be provided? Yes No 3. Are the local utility companies capable of ensuring that utility services adequate for the needs of the proposed facility can be brought to the property line in accordance with local government code requirements? Yes No 14 Packet Page -900- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. ^ PART IV: AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS A major concern when you site a Nursing Home is the national shortage of health care professionals. It is essential that a supply of health care professionals sufficient to support this facility be available in the surrounding community. Out of state resources are not to be excluded. The presence in the community or area of accredited educational institutions offering health care programs that can provide a source for these professionals can ameliorate this condition. Willingness on the part of these institutions to establish or expand such programs is essential. Scoring in Part IV will be subjective based upon the total section response and will result in a total point award in the range of 0 -50 points. The presence of accredited health care training in the community is important to the success of the home. Given the national shortage of health -care professionals, the presence in the vicinity of the site of educational institutions accredited to train health- care professionals is a key to having a steady production of individuals to support the Home who can render valuable service as student or graduate assistants. A. Narrative Provide a narrative description ofthe accredited educational institution(s) located within 50 miles of a site that offer health -care programs,and describe the programs offered. (0 - 25) B. Institutions List the institutions) described above and the health -care program(s) offered by each. Institutions) 15 Packet Page -901- Program Offered 3/11/2014 16.D.9. PART V: AVAILABILITY OF 24 HOUR EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE It is essential that emergency health care facilities be available near each State Veterans' Nursing Home to provide rapid response to emergency situations and to accommodate acute conditions. A health care facility capable of providing emergency services and care for any emergency medical condition as defined at F. S. Section 395.1041, must be within a 25 mile radius of a proposed site. The following questions are designed to ascertain the adequacy of available emergency medical health care. Part V points will be awarded based upon distance between the proposed site and the nearest emergency health care facility. (0 - 50) Provide the following infonnation for all emergency medical services within a 25 mile radius. A. Emergency Health Care Facilities Identify each hospital and .1 or emergency care center within 25 miles of the proposed site. For each, specify the distance to the proposed site: Facility F 03 m., . -0-kam B. Emergency Room Holding Beds Provide an inventory of the number of ER holding beds per facility. Facility Number of Beds 16 Packet Page -902- C. In -House Physicians Indicate whether the facility maintains in -house physicians on staff in the emergency department/room 24 hours, seven days a week: Facilily Physician on Duty 24/7 (v /n) 3/11/2014 16.D.9. 1. Provide data that shows the title of health care programs and the number of health care graduates that each institution or program has produced annually for the last five years. 2. Provide a narrative statement, supported by assurances from the institution(s) Involved, setting forth their willingness to utilize existing programs, or add additional programs to the health care curriculums of the institution to provide a source Isupply of health care professionals. 3. Provide a narrative statement of the willingness of local institution (s) located within 50 miles of.a site to cooperate with the Home by supplying student assistants to render services to veterans in the home as a part of its curriculum of training. D. Nursing Workforce 1. Please provide the following information for both Registered Nurses and 1Licensed Practical Nurses by county: (0 -25) a. RNs per 100,000 b. LPNs per 100,000 2. Turnover Rate: 17 Packet Page -903- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. 3. Vacancy Rate: 4. Average Hourly Wage: This should be reasonable within the state average as defined by the AAHSA Nursing Home Salary and Benefits Report. 5. ER Visitation List the number of ER visits within six months of this application, per facility. Facility Number of Visits 6. Medical Specialties Identify all medical specialties available on staff, all specialized services provided, and all major medical equipment owned or utilized by the hospital. Facility Specialties Equipment 18 Packet Page -904- 3/11/2014 16.D.9. A Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs selection committee will evaluate all responses. The Department will be in contact with each submitting entity if further clarification is required. Key dates are summarized below. • Notification of intent to submit an application must be received at the address below by 5:00 p.m_ • Completed applications must be received at the following address by 5:00 PM. • Site Selection Committee visits to each proposed site are currently scheduled to be conducted during the period • The Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs will recommend selection of the most suitable site to the Governor and Cabinet during cabinet meeting. Thank you for completing this site selection questionnaire. Submit applications to: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS ATTN: Connie Tolley 11351 Ulmerton Road #311 -K Largo, FL 33778 -1630 (727) 518 -3202 Ext 5585 19 Packet Page -905- March 3, 2014 Florida Nursing Home Site Selection Committee State Veterans' Home Program Attention: Connie Tolley, RNC, CNHA, Program Administrator 11351 Ulmerton Road, Room 311 -K Largo FL 33778 -1630 Dear Ms. Tolley: Please accept this Letter of Intent as an expression of Collier County's intention to submit a Site Selection Criteria application .by the May 14, 2014 deadline to be considered the location for the State's planned seventh State Veterans' Home. I am certain that Collier County can produce a strong application attractive to the Site Selection Committee. However, due to the timing of receipt of notification of the Site Selection process, the County's intention has not yet been ratified by the Board of County Commissioners. The Board will consider this opportunity at its March 11, 2014 meeting. Should the Board decide that Collier County does not want to pursue submitting an application; County staff will notify your office immediately. I sincerely look forward to the site selection process and the prospect of being able to provide first -rate housing and medical care to our community's elderly veterans. Sincerely, Leo E. Ochs, Jr. County Manager Packet Page -906-