ATV Ad Hoc Committee Minutes 04/12/2018 - DRAFTMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION
ATV Ad Hoc Committee
Naples, Florida, April 12, 2018
The Collier County Parks and Recreation ATV Ad Hoc Committee, having
conducted business herein, met on this date at 6:10 p.m. at North Collier Regional
Park, Administrative Building, 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, Florida with the
following members present:
ATV Ad Hoc Committee Members Present:
Mr. Josh Sturgeon
(Chairman Joe Pelletier absent, but excused)
Also Present:
Mr. Barry William, Division Director, Collier County Parks and Recreation
Ms. Jeanine McPherson, Assistant Director, Collier County Parks and Recreation
Ms. Ilonka Washburn, Operations Manager, Collier County Parks and Recreation
Mr. Miguel Rojas, Administrative Assistant, Collier Coun ty Parks and Recreation
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I. Call to Order
The April 12, 2018 ATV Ad Hoc Committee meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m.
by Mr. Sturgeon.
II. Approval of Agenda
Approval of the meeting agenda was not possible due to the lack of a committee quorum.
III. Approval of Minutes
Approval of the previous meeting minutes was not possible due to the lack of a
committee quorum.
IV. New Business
A. Ad Hoc Committee Applicants: Two applications have been submitted in
consideration of Ad Hoc Committee membership, however could not be voted upon due
to the lack of a committee quorum.
V. Old Business
A. Tickets to Ride: A discussion was had for information purposes only, due to the
lack of a committee quorum.
Mr. Williams referenced the Executive Summary which details the plan to reestablish the
Tickets to Ride program, as well as the user agreements for participating locations. The
program will remain open to any park willing to participate; Lazy Springs is presently not
under consideration as a participant in the program. A Staff recommendation was made
to reimburse participating parks $20 per redeemed ticket, rather than 50% reimbursement
of the cost of admission.
The ATV park site most recently under consideration at Lake Trafford remains
problematic due to the existence of arsenic found in the soil. Remediation estimates
range between $3M-$12M, with an additional $3M-$5M subsequently required for
development, far exceeding the available $3M available for the project. Following
extensive efforts in pursuing potential park locations, a pro forma analysis was
performed, which indicated the park would be run at a deficit, requiring subsidy for
operation. Mr. Williams further explained that damages to County Parks following
Hurricane Irma resulted in $150M spent in recovery/repair efforts. Reimbursement from
FEMA is expected, although the timeframe for receipt of these funds is unknown,
resulting in an overall lack of financial resources to be applied to the ATV park project.
Mr. Williams stated that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has committed
$3M, plus accrued interest, to the ATV Park program, which will remain available in
perpetuity.
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The reinstitution of the Tickets to Ride program will therefore provide a beneficial
alternative to the community
In consideration of these variables, Staff has therefore recommended to “sunset” the ATV
Ad Hoc Committee until such a time there is further interest to develop a site for the
proposed park. This recommendation will be made to the BOCC on April 24, 2018 for
further direction. Staff will subsequently apprise Ad Hoc Committee members via email
as to the Board’s final recommendation.
VI. Committee/Public Comments
Mr. Sturgeon concurred with the recommendation to sunset the ATV Ad Hoc Committee
due to the present lack of adequate funding, as well as lack of viable sites at which to
build the park. Further, reinstitution of the Tickets to Ride program was favorably
viewed as providing a benefit to the community.
Mr. John Strathman agreed that there was not adequate funding available to purchase
land, pay mitigation costs, as well as construct an ATV park, and was in favor of
reinstituting the Tickets to Ride program.
Mr. Don Hatfield also agreed with reinstitution of the Tickets to Ride program.
Question: Would two tickets per household still be the maximum allowed per request?
Answer: Yes, two tickets per household maximum would be given per request.
Question: Would the $20 reimbursement apply to each ticket redeemed?
Answer: Yes, $20 per ticket reimbursement.
Mr. Williams encouraged meeting participants to continue to recommend eligible parks
for participation in the Tickets to Ride program. Big Cypress National Preserve and the
Redneck Yacht Club were mentioned as possible future participants in the program.
Mr. Williams thanked meeting participants for their long-term interest and support, and
advised that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will now serve as the appropriate
platform to field questions, issues, or concerns regarding the ATV Park.
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VII. Adjournment
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned
by Mr. Sturgeon at 6:30 p.m.
ATV Ad Hoc Committee
_______________________________
Mr. Joe Pelletier, Chairman
These minutes approved by the Board/Committee on __________ as presented, or as
amended __________.
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