Agenda 03/27/2018 Item #16A1503/27/2018
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to approve a Research Agreement between Florida Gulf Coast University and
Collier County for a 10-year wetland study at Freedom Park.
OBJECTIVE: To partner with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) to study the nutrient uptake from
stormwater run-off, establishing baseline efficiencies (of nutrient removal and biomass production)
while harvesting the legacy nutrient sink through soil management. The findings will help to enhance
proper function and maintenance of the stormwater wetland and treatment system located within the
Freedom Park.
CONSIDERATIONS: Freedom Park was purchased specifically to reduce flooding and to treat
stormwater run-off from the 4,000-acre sub-basin along the Goodlette Road corridor from the City of
Naples and Collier County prior to discharge into Naples Bay via the Gordon River. Untreated
stormwater is captured from the ditch along Goodlette-Frank Road (North of Golden Gate Pkwy) and
flows into and through a series of man-made wetlands/filter marshes providing wildlife habitat,
indigenous landscape and trails enhanced by boardwalks, observation gazebos and an education center.
The efficient management of the system is critical to the treatment of the retained nutrients and the water
quality discharged into the watershed.
FGCU is seeking to partner with the County for faculty and students to conduct a 10 -year intensive
research effort within the Freedom Park alongside the complex man -made filter marshes. This effort will
be conducted by FGCU Everglades Research Park and FGCU graduate students, and includes long term
monitoring, field research, data analysis and science-based management practices, which may identify
best practices and new methods to treat a larger amount of stormwater and a practical treatment of the
nutrient sink. A 10-year study is estimated as the time necessary to investigate the hydrological and
ecological issues from establishing individual functional ecosystems, through maturation to nutrient
recycling, converting the mesocosm into a harvestable crop.
Collier County Parks and Recreation Division has set aside a previously maintained upland area
approximately 20’ x 50’ in the NW corner of Freedom Park that is further described in Exhibit A. This
area will be maintained by FGCU for the duration of the experiment. The Parks and Recreation Division
Director will be included as an additional point of contact for this Agreement, including the study and
deliverables.
The attached agreement provides a detailed explanation of the study and deliverables. The partnership
with FGCU benefits the City of Naples and Collier County, as well as the Southwest Florida community
in general.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact related to this request. In accordance with the Research
Agreement, FGCU will operate at is sole cost and responsibility in the designated area at Freedom Park.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is approved as to form and legality and requires majority vote
for approval. - CMG
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This item is in accordance with the goals, objectives, and
policies of all applicable sections of the Stormwater Management and the Conservation and Coastal
Management elements of the Growth Management Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: To approve a Research Agreement between Florida Gulf Coast University and
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Collier County for a 10-year wetland study at Freedom Park (A Wetlaculture Mesocosm Experiment), at
no cost to the County, and authorize the Chairman to execute the attached agreement.
Prepared By: Pawel Brzeski, Operations Analyst, Capital Project Planning, Impact Fees and Program
Management Division
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Research Agreement signed 3.19.18 (PDF)
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.A.15
Doc ID: 5138
Item Summary: Recommendation to approve a Research Agreement between Florida Gulf Coast
University and Collier County for a 10-year wetland study at Freedom Park
Meeting Date: 03/27/2018
Prepared by:
Title: Senior Grants and Housing Coordinator – Capital Project Planning, Impact Fees, and Program
Management
Name: Gino Santabarbara
03/15/2018 5:04 PM
Submitted by:
Title: Division Director - IF, CPP & PM – Capital Project Planning, Impact Fees, and Program
Management
Name: Amy Patterson
03/15/2018 5:04 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Capital Project Planning, Impact Fees, and Program Management Amy Patterson Additional Reviewer Completed 03/15/2018 5:06 PM
Growth Management Department Judy Puig Level 1 Reviewer Completed 03/16/2018 8:19 AM
Growth Management Department Lisa Taylor Additional Reviewer Completed 03/16/2018 11:04 AM
Growth Management Department Gino Santabarbara Deputy Department Head Review Skipped 03/15/2018 5:03 PM
Growth Management Department Thaddeus Cohen Department Head Review Completed 03/16/2018 12:36 PM
County Attorney's Office Colleen Greene Additional Reviewer Completed 03/19/2018 10:23 AM
Parks & Recreation Barry Williams Additional Reviewer Completed 03/19/2018 1:59 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 03/19/2018 2:01 PM
Office of Management and Budget Valerie Fleming Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 03/19/2018 2:06 PM
Budget and Management Office Mark Isackson Additional Reviewer Completed 03/19/2018 2:44 PM
County Manager's Office Leo E. Ochs Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 03/20/2018 9:54 AM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 03/27/2018 9:00 AM
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