Agenda 02/22/2011 Item # 6A
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
Office of the County Manager
Leo E. Ochs, Jr.
3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 202. Naples Florida 34112-5746' (239) 252-8383' FAX: (239) 252-4010
February 9, 2011
Mr. John Lundin
3524 Plantation Way #412
Naples FL34112
Re: Public Petition Request by John Lundin requesting that the Board of County Commissioners pay
his legal fees in the amount of $8,738.68 for the lawsuit "Lundin vs. Coyle et al"; Case 10-6034-
CA, Circuit Court, 20th Judicial Court
Dear Mr. Lundin,
Please be advised that you are scheduled to appear before the Collier County Board of Commissioners at
the meeting of February 22, 2011, regarding the above referenced subject.
Your petition to the Board of County Commissioners will be limited to ten minutes. Please be advised
that the Board will take no action on your petition at this meeting. However, your petition may be
placed on a future agenda for consideration at the Board's discretion. If the subject matter is currently
under litigation or is an on-going Code Enforcement case, the Board will hear the item but will not
discuss the item after it has been presented. Therefore, your petition to the Board should be to advise
them of your concern and the need for action by the Board at a future meeting.
The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the Board's Chambers on the Third Floor of the W. Harmon Turner
Building (Building "F") of the government complex. Please arrange to be present at this meeting and to
respond to inquiries by Board members.
If you require any further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact this office.
Sincerely,
~~~~
Mike Sheffield
Business Operations Manager
MJS:mjb
cc: Jeffrey Klatzkow, County Attorney
Packet Page -24-
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
BrockMary
~rom:
jent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
TorreJohn
Wednesday, February 09, 2011 5:37 PM
BrockMary
FW: Request to Speak under Public Petition
BCCpublicpetition.pdf
From: Qothiclilies@aof.com rmailto:aothiclilies@aof.coml
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 5:33 PM
To: OchsLeo; TorreJohn; HillerGeorgia
Cc: Ifreeman@naolesnews.com; dhusty@news-press.com; ramills(Ci)naplesnews.com; diosborn(Ci)naolesnews,com;
kalbers@naplesnews.com; jlvtle(Ci)naplesnews.com; ahale(Ci)naolesnews.com; rwilliams(Ci)f1oridaweeklv.com;
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Subject: Request to Speak under Public Petition
Request to Speak under Public Petition (attached)
Collier Board of County Commissioners
Attention: Leo Ochs, County Manager
Date of the Board Meeting you wish to speak: Feb. 22, 2011
Reason you are requesting to speak:
Commissioners Jim Coletta and Donna Fiala violated the Florida Sunshine Law on July 16-17, 2010 on a "fact finding tou,. to Jackson
Labs in Bar Harbor, Maine. I perfonned a civic duty in the public interest by exposing the Sunshine Violation by filing a lawsuit.
Action you are asking the Commission to take:
I request the Board of County Commissioners to pay my legal fees for the lawsuit
"Lundin vs. Coyle et a"" (Case No. 10-6034-CA) Circuit Court 20th Judicial District,
in the amount of $8, 738.68. The lawsuit has been voluntary dismissed.
John Lundin
407-920-2422
(Back up Documents)
Plaintiff's Notice of Voluntary Dismissal (Feb. 4, 2011)
Plaintiff's Attorney Invoices
Government-In- The-Sunshine-Manua/, pg. 51-52, 70-72 (2010 Edition)
CollierBCC minutes, pg. 73-75 (June, 8, 2010)
Fax to Commissioner Fiala (June 15, 2010)
Commissioner Coletta Request for Board Approval (July 16-18,2010)
Commissioner Fiala Request for Board Approval (July 16, 2010)
Naples Daily News, "Two Commissioners support Jackson Labs" (July 18, 2010)
Collier BCC Minutes, pg. 1-13 (July 27, 2010)
Naples Daily News, "Jackson Lab: Commisioners approve loan (July 27,2010)
~) Photographs: Coletta and Fiala at Jackson Labs "fact finding tour" (July 16-17, 2010)
1
Packet Page -25-
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
Reauest to Speak under Public Petition
Please print
~OHN LUND\N
Address: 3Q"r fLANfATlDN WA\.1 '"* 1/~
--1VAfLt~ 'fL 3411~ J )
Phone: 407 - 0 J..O- ~4~
~'E:a - 9 2011
Name:
Date of the Board Meetina vou wish to speak:
FEB. d.~/ ~ f) II
Must circle yes or no:
Is this subject matter under litigation at this time? Yes @
Is this subject matter an ongoing Code Enforcement case? Yes @
Note: If either answer is "yes", the Board will hear the item but will have no
discussion regarding the item after it is presented.
Please explain in detail the reason vou are reauestina to speak (attach additional
paae if necessarv):
(bl~1"tt\+ (-'1M \JIOlftT'eJ) 1a~ flo~o.1.~N5Hf~ /.tt.W
..
Please explain in detail the action vou are askina the Commission to take (attach
additional paae if necessarv):
.1
V'
~l
H:\Mary-Jo\Public Petition Request Fonn - 2008 new fonn.doc
Packet Page -26-
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTIETH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL ACTION
JOHN LUNDIN.
PlaintitT.
vs.
CASE NO. 10-6034-CA
FRED W. COYLE, FRANK HALAS. JIM
COLLETf A, DONNA FIALA, and TOM
I-IENNING. as the duly elected Board
of County Commissioners of Collier
County, Florida,
Defendants,
/
PLAINTIFF'S NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY DISMISSAL
Plaintiff hereby gives notice that this action is voluntarily dismissed without
prejudice.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Notice was
fumished vi~ U.S. Mail IJ Facsimile IJ Hand Delivery to: Jacqueline Williams
Hubbard, Esquire, Office of the County Attorney, 3301 East Tamiami Trail, 81h Floor,
Naples, Florida 34112, and Gregory T. Stewart, Esquire, 1500 Mahan Drive, Suite 200,
Tallahassee, Florida 32308 on this 4'day of February. 2011.
By:
SEEN CARTA. ESQUIRE
F "Cia Bar No.: 126494
Packet Page -27-
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
HENDERSON & CARTA
~~d~
ROBERT P. HENDERSON
STEVEN CARTA.
1619 JACKSON STREET
POST OFFICE Box 1906
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA 33902
. BOARD CERTIFIED-REAL ESTATE
October 01,2010
TELEPHONE (239) 332-3366
FACSIMILE (239) 332-7082
John Lundin
3524 Plantation Way, Unit 412
Naples FL 34112
FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:
RE: Board of Collier County Commissioners/Sunshine Law
Invoice #6186
Professional Services
HrslRate Amount
1.00 350.00
350.00/hr
2.20 770.00
350.00/hr
3.20 $1,120.00
($3,500.00)
($3,500.00)
($2,380.00)
9/29/2010 Conference with J. Lundin.
9/30/2010 Draft Complaint; review and redraft Complaint; draft e-mail to J. Lundin;
review e-mail from J. Lundin.
For professional services rendered
9/30/2010 Retainer - Thank you (Check #: 130)
Total payments and adjustments
Credit balance
Please make checks payable to STEVEN CARTA, ESQUIRE
Packet Page -28-
HENDERSON & CARTA
~d~
1619 JACKSON STREET
POST OFFICE Box 1906
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA 33902
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
RO:BERT P. HENDERSON
STEVEN CARTA ·
November 02,2010
TELEPHONE (239) 332-3366
FACSIMILE (239) 332-7082
. BOARD CERTIFIED-REAL ESTATE
John Lundin
3524 Plantation Way, Unit 412
Naples FL 34112
FOR PROFE:SSIONAL SE:RVICE:S:
RE: Board of Collier County Commissioners/Sunshine Law
Invoice #6228
Professional Services
10/1/2010 Review e-mail from J. Lundin; telephone conference with J. Lundin; review
e-mail and _ from J. Lundin; telephone conference with J. Lundin redraft
Complaint and draft e-mail to J. Lundin; review e-mail from J. Lundin and draft
reply.
10/4/2010 Review e-mail from J. Lundin and redraft Complaint.
10/7/2010 Review and redraft Final Complaint
Review e-mail from J. Lundin.
1')/B!2r)'10 Revi'3,'; e-mail ann County r:!or.ulTle.,ts frlJm J. L1mdin; review e-mail and
telephone conference S. Kolpil-.iBC, [elephone conference with News-Press
Reporter; draft e-mail to J. Lundin.
10/11/2010 Review e-mail from T. Pires, draft reply and draft e-mail to J. Lundin;
telephone conference with T. Hanson/Naples Daily News; telephone
conference with J. Lundin; review e-mails to T. Pires; telephone conference
with T. Pires; review e-mails from T. Pires; telephone conference with L.
Finch/Naples Daily New
10/12/2010 Review e-mails from J. Lundin.
10/13/2010 Draft e-mail to J. Lundin; teler:>hone conference with J. Lundin: telephone
conference with J. Wong/ Portland Radio
Packet Page -29-
Hrs/Rate
Amount
1.40
350.00/hr
490.00
0.20 70.00
350.00/hr
0.20 70.00
350.00/hr
0.20 70.00
350.00/hr
0.90 315.00
350.00/h(
1.50 525.00
350.00/hr
0.20
350.00/hr
0.90
350.00/hr
70.00
315.00
John Lundin
10/15/2010 review e-mails from J. Lundin; draft e-mail to T. Pires and review reply.
10/18/2010 Review e-mail from J. Lundin and draft reply.
10/20/2010 Review e-mails and attachments from T. Pires, draft reply and draft e-mail to
J. Lundin; review e-mail and photos from T. Pires and draft e-mail to J.
Lundin; review e-mail from J. Lundin and draft reply.
10/25/2010 Review Notice of Appearance and returns of service; review e-mails from T.
Pires and draft e-mails to J. Lundin; review e-mail from J. Lundin;review
e-mails from T. Pires and dJ. Lundin and draft reply,
10/26/2010 Review e-mails from T. Pires and J. Lundin.
For professional services rendered
11/2/2010 Payment - Thank you (from Trust)
Total payments and adjustments
Balance due
Please make checks payable to STEVEN CARTA, ESQUIRE
Packet Page -30-
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
Page 2
Hrs/Rate Amount
0.50 175.00
350.00/hr
0.20 70.00
350.00/hr
0.60 210.00
350.00/hr
0.90 315.00
350.00/hr
0.20 70.00
350.00/hr
7.90 $2,765.00
($385.00)
($385.00)
$2,380.00
HENDERSON & CARTA
~d~
1619 JACKSON STREET
POST OFFICE Box 1906
FORT MYERS. FLORIDA 33902
ROBERT P. HENDERSON
STEVEN CARTA ·
. BOARD CERTIFIED-REAL ESTATE
December 01, 2010
John Lundin
3524 Plantation Way, Unit 412
Naples FL 34112
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
TELEPHONE (239) 332-3366
FACSIMILE (239) 332-7082
FOR PROFE:SSIONAL SE:RVICE:S:
RE: Board of Collier County Commissioners/Sunshine Law
Invoice #6246
Professional Services
11/1/2010 Draft e-mail to J. Lundin; review photographs from J. Lundin.
11/2/2010 Telephone conference with J. Lundin
11/8/2010 Review e-mail from J. Hubbard and draft e-mail to J. Lundin.
11/9/2010 Review Defendant's Motion to Dismiss, legal research regarding "judicial
notice" and draft e-mail to J. Lundin.
11/10/2010 Telephone conference with J. Lundin; legal research legal analysis and draft
Motion for Attorney fee's and draft correspondence to J. Hubbard; review
e-mail from J. Lundin regarding article; draft e-mail to J. '_undin.
11/12/2010 Review e-mail from J. Hubbard and draft e-mail to J. Lundin; telephone
conference with J. Lundin.
11/17/2010 Review e-mail from J. Lundin and draft reply and review e-mail from J. Lundin.
11/22/2010 Review e-mails from J. Lundin regarding lawsuits.
11/29/2010 Review e-mail from J. Lundin and draft reply; telephone conference with J.
Lundin.
11/30/2010 Review e-mail and Request for Admissions from T. Hubbard and draft e-mail
to J. Lundin; telephone conference with J. Lundin.
Packet Page -31-
Hrs/Rate Amount
0.40 140.00
350.00/hr
0.20 70.00
350.00/hr
0.20 70.00
350.00/hr
0.40 140.00
350.00/hr
1.40 490.00
350.00/hr
0.40 140.00
350.00/hr
0.30 105.00
350.00/hr
0.30 105.00
350.00/hr
0.40 140.00
350.00/hr
0.40 140.00
350.00/hr
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
John Lundin
For professional services rendered
Hours
4.40
Additional Charges:
11/15/2010 Service of Process/Complaint upon Defendant
Total costs
Total amount of this bill
Balance due
Please make checks payable to STEVEN CARTA, ESQUIRE
Packet Page -32-
Page
2
Amount
$1,540.00
90.00
$90.00
$1,630.00
$1,630.00
1
HENDERSON & CARTA
~d~
1619 JACKSON STREET
POST OFFICE Box 1906
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA 33902
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
ROBERT P. HENDERSON
STEVEN CARTA'
"BOARD CERTIFIED-REAL ESTATE
January 03, 2011
TELEPHONE (239) 332-3366
FACSIMILE (239) 332-7082
John Lundin
3524 Plantation Way, Unit 412
Naples FL 34112
FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES,
RE: Board of Collier County Commissioners/Sunshine Law
Invoice #6273
Professional Services
12/1/2010 Review e-mail and answer to Request for Admissions; draft Response to
Request for Admissions and draft e-mail to J. Lundin; review e-mail from J,
Lundin and draft reply/
1217/2010 Review e-mail from J. Lundin regarding NDN Story and draft reply; review
e-mail from J. Lundin and draft reply.
12/15/2010 Review e-mail and Request for Production of Documents from J. Hubbard and
draft e-mail to J. Lundin; tele;phone conference with J. Lundin; review
correspondence from J. Hubbard and draft e-mail to J. Lundin.
12/16/2010 Telephone conference with T. Pires; draft e-mail to J. Hubbard and to J.
Lundin; review e-mail from J. Lundin and draft reply,
12/17/2010 Review e-mail from J. Hubbard and draft reply.
12/20/2010 Review Request for Production of Documents and draft response; draft e-mail
to J. Lundin.
For professional services rendered
Previous balance
12/16/2010 Payment - Thank you (From Trust)
Total payments and adjustments
Packet Page -33-
Hrs/Rate
Amount
1.00 350.00
350.00/hr
0.40 140.00
350.00/hr
0.70 245.00
350.00/hr
0.70 245.00
350.00/hr
0.20 70.00
350.00/hr
0.70 245.00
350.00/hr
3.70 $1,295.00
$1,630.00
($1,085.00)
($1,085.00)
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
John Lundin
Page
2
Amount
Balance due
~
$1 ,~o.oo
~
----
( i~f',{)
Please make checks payable to STEVEN CARTA, ESQUIRE
Packet Page -34-
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2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
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February 07,2011
John Lundin
3524 Plantation Way, Unit 412
Naples FL 34112
RE: Board of Collier County Commissioners/Sunshine Law
Invoice #6315
Professional Services
Hrs/Rate Amount
0.30 105.00
350.00/hr
0.40 140.00
350.00/hr
0.20 70.00
350.00/hr
0.20 70.00
350.00/hr
1.10 $385.00
2/1/2011 Review e-mail and interrogatories from J. Habbard and draft e-mail to J.
Lundin.
2/2/2011 Review e-mail from J. Lundin and draft reply; draft Notice of Voluntary
Dismissal.
2/4/2011 Review e-mail from J. Lundin and draft reply.
2/7/2011 Review e-mail from J. Lundin an ddraft reply
For professional services rendered
Additional Charges:
2/2/2011 Postage
2/3/2011 Postage
2/4/2011 Postage
0.44
0.88
1.32
Total costs
$2.64
Total amount of this bill
$387.64
Previous balance
$2,836.04
($1,325.00)
2/1/2011 Payment - Thank you (Check#: 093)
Packet Page -35-
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
John Lundin
Page 2
Amount
Total payments and adjustments
Balance due
($1,325.00)
$1,898.68
Please make checks payable to STEVEN CARTA, ESQUIRE
Packet Page -36-
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GOVERNMENT-IN-THE-SUNSHINE-MANUAl
For example, s. 120.525(2), ES., relluires that agencies subject to the Administrative
Procedure Act must prepare an agenda in time to ensure that a copy may be received
at least seven days before the event by any person in the state who requests a copy and
who pays the n:asonable cost of the copy. After the agenda has been made available,
changes may be made only for good cause. ld.
Therefore, agencies subject to the Administrative Procedure Act must follow the
relfuircmt:nts in lhat statute. See Inf. 01" to Mattimore, February 6, 1996 (notice of each
item to be discusscd at public meeting is not required under s. 286.011, ES., although
other statutes, codes, or rules, such as Ch. 120, ES., may impose such a requirement).
Mort:owr, evt:n though the Sunshine L.'\w does not prohibit a board from adding
topics to the agenda of a regularly noticed meeting, the Attorney General's Office has
advised boards to postpone form~ll action on any added items that are controversial.
AGO 03-5.l "In the spirit of the Sunshine Law, the city commission should be
sensitive to I ht: cummunity's concerns that it be allowed advance notice and, therefore,
meaningful participation on controversial issues coming before the commission." Id.
3. Does the Sunshine Law limit where meetings of a public board or commission
may be held?
a. Inspection trips
The Sunshine Law docs not prohibit advisory boards from conducting inspection
trips provided that the board members do not discuss matters which may come
before the board for offlcial action. See Bigelow v. Howze, 291 So. 2e1 645 (Fla. 2d
DCA 1974) (where two of five county commissioners, as members of a fact-finding
committee, went on an inspection trip to Tennessee they should not have discussed
what reconlll1t:lldations the committee would make while they were still on their
trip, but should have waited until such discussion could occur at a meeting held in
compliance with the Sunshine Law). And see AGO 02-24 (two or more members of
an advisory p;l"OUp created by a city code to make recommendations to the city council
or planninp; commission on proposed development may conduct vegetation surveys
without subjecting themselves to the notice and minutes requirements of the Sunshine
Law, provided that dley do not discuss among themselves any recommendations the
committee may make to the council or planning commission, or comments on the
proposed development that the committee may make to city officials).
.. . The "fact-finding" exception to the Sunshine Law, however. does not apply to a
f'.b~with "lIltlrmlte decision-making authority." Su Finch v. Seminole County Sc!JooL
;:t~Bo- 995 So. .2d 106H W!a. 5t~ DCA 20(8), in which the court held that a district
.";:;.school board VIOlated the Sunshme Law when the board, together WIth several school
'~:. ofJicials and two members of the media, took a bus tour of nei~hborhoods affected
:C by the board's proposed rezoning. School board members were separated from each
:.. o~on the hus, did not express any opinions or their preference for any of the
rezoning plans, and did not vote during the trip. However, since the board was the
ulrlfiio:'tte decision-making body, the conduct of the bus tour constituted a violation of
~unshine I.aw.
Luncheon meetings
51
GOVERNMENT-IN-THE-SUNSHINE-MANUAL
Public access to meetings of public boards or commissions is the key clement
of the Sunshine Law and public agencies are advised to avoid holdinJl; meetings in
places not easily accessible to the public. The Attorney General's Office, therefore, has
suggested that public boards or commissions avoid the use of luncheon meetings to
conduct board or commission business. These meetings may have a "chilling" effect
upon the public's willingness or desire to attend. People who would otherwise attend
such 1\ meeting may be unwilling or reluctant to enter a public dining room without
purchasing a meal and may be financially or personally unwilling to do so. Inf. Op. to
Campbell, February 8, 1999; and Inf. Op. to Nelson, May 19, 19RO.
In addition, discussions at such meetings by members of the board or commission
which arc audible only to those seated at the table may violate the "openness"
requirement of the law. AGO 71-159. Public boards or commissions are, therefore,
advised to avoid holding meetings at places where the public and the press arc effectivdy
excluded. AGO 71-295. Cf City of Miami Beach v. Berns, 245 So. 2d 3R, 41 (rIa. 1971),
in which the Florida Supreme Court observed: "A secret meeting occurs when public
officials meet at a time and place to avoid being seen or heard by the puhlic."
c. Meetings at facilities that discriminate or unreasonably restrict access
prohibited
Section 286.011 (6), ES., prohibits boards or commissions subject to the Sunshine
Law from holding their meetings at any facility which discriminates on the basis of sex,
age, race, creed, color, origin, or economic status, or which operates in such a manner
as to unreasonably restrict public access to such a facility. And See s. 2H6.26, (':S.,
rdating to accessibility of public meetinh'S to the physically handicapped.
Thus, a police pension board should not hold its meetings in a filcility where the
public has limited access and where there may be a "chillingu effect on the public's
willingness to attend by l"elJuiring the public to provide identification, to leave such
identification while attending the meeting and to reGuest permission before entering
the room where the meeting is held. AGO 96-55. And See /\GO 05-13, concluding
that a city may not reGuire persons wishing to attend public meetings ro provide
identitication as a condition of attendance. This is not to say, however, that an agency
may not impose cerrain security measures on members of the public entering a public
building, such as requiring the public to go through metal detectors. !d. Tho Attorney
General's Office has also expressed concerns about holding a public meeting i~ a
private home in light of the possible "chilling effect" on the public's willingness tc?
attend, See Inf. Op. to Galloway, August 21, 2008.
d. Out-of-town meetings
The courts have recognized that the mere fact that a meeting is held in a public
room does not make it public within the meaning of the Sunshine Law. B~r;efo/l! v.
Howu, 291 So. 2d 645, 647-648 (Fla. 2d DCA 1974). Fora meeting to be "public,u
the public must be given advance notice and provided with a reasonable opportunity
to attend. Id.
Accordingly, a school board workshop held outside county limits over too miles
away from the board's headquarters violated the Sunshine Law where the only advantage
52
GOVERNMENl
to the board resulting from the ou
expense due to the fact that the b
site) did not outweigh the interest~
to attend, Rhea v. School Board ~
1994). The court refused to adopt
held at a site more than 100 miles I
balancing of interests test is the mt
predominates in a given case. As 5
having a reasonable opportunity to
the Board's need to conduct a worl
at 1385.
In addition, there may be othel
held. See e.g., s. 125.001, F.S. (mee
be held at any appropriate public p
meetings may be held at any appro
03-03 and 75-139 (municipality may
its boundaries).
Conduct which occurs 01'~ t
of the Sunshine fM'IW is a see. )Ie
violations are prosecuted in the co
conducts its official business. Secti(
4. Can restrictions be placed on
a public meeting?
a. Public's right to attend or reo
(1) Size of meeting facilities
..
The Sunshine Law requires th
"open to the public." For meetinw
public boards and commissions sho
where the mt:eting will be held wit
held at a facilitv which can accomm
when a large p'ublic turnout can rea
rClJuirement of S. 286.011, I~S., by 1
huge public turnout is anticipated f,
meeting room cannot accommodr.
lIse of video rt:chnology (e.g., a tel
appropriate. I n such cases, as with (
opportunity for public participation
(2) Inaudible discussions
A violation of the Sunshine LT
board members discuss issues bef
to the public attending the rr.~:
nonetheless violates the letter. 1
Packet Page -38-
GOVERNMENT-IN-THE-SUNSHINE-MANUAL
Gtt!fCotmty, Florida, 600 So. 2d 1187 (Fla. 1st DCA 1992) (court rejected plaimiff's
argument that she was denied a fair and impartial hearing because rhe board only hridly
deliberated in public before a vote was taken, stating that there was no evidence that
the board had privately deliberated on this issue); and Law and Informatioll St'rvim /1.
City ofRivi~ra Beacb. 670 So, 2d 1014 (Fla. 4th DCA 1996) (patent speculation. absent
any allegation that a nonpublic meeting in fact occurred, is insufficient to statl' a cause
of action).
Future violations may be enjoined by the court where one violatioll has heen
found and it appears that the future violation will bear some resemhlance to the past
violation or that the danger of future violations can be anticipated from the course
of conduct in the past. Board of Public Instruction of BrowIlrd Cottllty II. Damn, 22-1-
So, 2d 693 (Fla. 1969). Su W00d v. Marston, 442 So. 2d 934 (rIa. IlJH3) (trial court's
permanent injunction affirmed). Campart Leach- Wells v. City of Bradenton, 734 SI t, 2d
1168, 1170n.l (Fla. 2d DCA 1999), in which the court noted that hacl a citizen appealed
the trial court's denial of her motion for temporary injunction based on a selection
committee's alleged violation of the Sunshine l.aw, the appellate court "would have had
the opportunity to review this matter before the project was completed and to direct
that the City be enjoined from entering into a final contract with the developer until
after such time as the ranking of the proposals could be accomplished in c< 1I1lpliance
with the Sunshine L'lw."
Although a court cannot issue a blanket order enjoining any violation of the
Sunshine ] .aw on a showing that it was violated in particular respects, a coun may
enjoin a future violation that bears some resemblance to the past violation. Port
Everglades Autbority v. International Longshoremen's Association, Local /922-/, (l.'i~ So,
2d 1169, 1173 (Fla. 4th DCA 1995). The future conduct must be "specified, with such
reasonable definiteness and certainty that the defendant could readily know what. it
must refrain from doing without speculation and conjecture." Id., guoting from Bwtrrl
of Public Instruction v. Doran, supra at 699.
Declaratory relief is not appropriate where no present dispute exists hut Whlot'l'
governmental agencies merely seek judicial advice different from that advanced hy Ih..:
Attorney General and the state attorney, or an injunctive restraint on the prosl'cutorial
discretion of the state attorney. Askew v. City ofOcala, 3-1-8 So. 2d 30H (1'1:1. 11)77),
6. Validity of action taken in violation of the Sunshine Law and subsequent
corrective action
Section 286,0 II, ES., provides that no resolution, rule, regulation or formal act ion
shall be considered binding except as taken or made at an open meeting.
Rccohrrllzing that the Sunshine Law should be construed so as to frustrate all
evasive devices, the courts have held that action taken in \'iolation of the law is void fib
initio. Town of Ptllm Beach v. Gmdison, 296 So. 2d 473 (Fla. 1974); Blackford 1/. Schoo/
Board ofOmnge County, 375 So. 2J 578 (Fla. 5th DC1\ 1979) (resolutiuns made dming
meetin!-,'5 held in violation of s. 286.01/, ES., had to be re-examined and re-discussed
in open public meetings); Silz'er E-.;pl'~ss Company v. District Board of LOll/a hilJIIl/al
Trwtees, 691 So. 2d 1099 (Fla. 3d DCA 1997) (agency enjoined from emering into a
70
GOVER
contract based on a rankir
accordance with the Sunsl
(Fla. 1st DCA 1991) (coni
board failed to properly t1I
^ violation of the SUI
to be invalidated, because
a resulting official action
law or resulting prejudice
Association, Local 1922-1 , I
Properties, Inc. v. City of Tn
So, 2d 343 (Fla. 1979) (cit
from claiming contract im
Law).
Where, however, a p
ratify or ceremoniously aCI
at an earlier secret meetinf
the decision of the board,
Liberty County, 39H So. 2d
by independent, final actio
Beach, H23 SO. 2d 167, 17'
2d 515 (rIa" 1st DCA 19f
735 (Fla, 4th DCA 1982)
subscl.Juent formal action
decisions or ceremonial al
BoaI'd 995 So. 2d 1068, 1
sch,)[)j board was cured ~
plan was the subject of e:
Cf Board ofCoutlty Comrr.
DCA 1995) (no evidence
to reconsider and deny a
public hearing held a few
Thus, in a case invo
commissioners after an :
the lease, a court held tr.
of count\' commissioner:
efti lrt wa~ madc to make
the hoard approved a Ie:
the advisorv committee,
advisory c~mmittee had
Park, [nc" 647 So. 2d 85'
adoption of the open go
the I:jorida Constitution,
861.
I t must be cmphasiz
a violation of the Sunsh
.1.
t rejected plaintiff's
Ie board only briefly
as no evidence that
formation Services v.
speculation, absent
ient to state a cause
violation has been
nblance to the past
~d from the course
~unty v. Doran, 224
1983) (trial court's
'{1tUnton, 734 So. 2d
d a citizen appealed
lsed on a selection
Irt "would have had
,Ieted and to direct
the developer llntil
ihed in compliance
.y violation of the
pects, a court may
1st violation. Port
al 1922-1, 652 So.
;pecified, with such
lCilly know what it
[uoting from Board
e exists but where
at advanced by the
n the prosecutorial
08 (Fla. 1977).
nd subsequent
n or formal action
ting.
as to frus trate all
. the law is void ab
Blackford v. School
tions made during
1 and re-discusscd
of Lower Tribunal
m entering into a.
_U~2/2011Item 6.A.
contract based on a ranking established qy a selection committee that did not meet in
accordancewith the Sunshine-Lllw); andTSI Southeast, Inc. v. Royals, 588 So. 2d 309
(FIa. 1st DCA 1991) (contrnct for sale and purchase of real property voided because
. hoatdfailed to properly notice the meeting under s. 286.011, ES.).
A violation of the Sunshine Law need not be "clandestine" in order for a contract
~\. to be invalidated, because "the principle that a Sunshine Law violation renders void
\;......e-..resulting official action does not depend upon a finding of intent to violate the
.:; law OJ: rc.'iultin~ prejudice." Port EverglatUS Authority v. International Longshoremen's
~:. Association, LOC(11 1922-1, 652 So. 2d 1169, 1171 (Fla. 4th DCA 1995). Bllt See Kilkarn
~.. Properties, Inc. II. City ofTttllahassee 366 So. 2d 172 (Fla. 1st DCA 1979), cert. denied,378
. So. 2d 343 (pIa. 1979) (city which had received benefits under contract was estopped
from claiming contract invalid as having been entered into in violmion of the Sunshine
L'lw).
Where, however, a public board or commission does not merely perfunctorily
ratify or cerClll1 'niously accept :\t a latcr open meeting those decisions which were made
-'at an eaJ.'lier secret meeting but rather takes "iodependcot..liaal action in the sunshine,"
the decision of the hoard or commission will not be disturbed. Tolar v. School Board of
Liberty County, 398 So. 2d 427, 429 (Fla. 1981). Sunshine Law violations "can be cured
by independcnt, final action completely in the Sunshinc." Bruckner v. City of Dania
B~ach, 823 So. 2e1 167, 171 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002). And See Yarbrough v. Yollng, 462 So.
2d 515 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985); B.MZ Corporation v. City of Oakland Park, 415 So. 2d
735 (Fla, 4th DCA (982) (where no evidence that any decision was made in private,
. subsequent formal action in sunshine was not merely perfunctory ratification of secret
decisions or ccrcmonial acceptance of secret actions); Pinch v. Seminole COUTlty School
Board, 995 So. 2d 1068, 1073 (Fla. 5th DCA 2008) (inadvertent Sunshine violation by
school hoard was cured by subse'Iuent well attended public hearings where rezoning
"~plan wa.~ the subject of extensive public comment and debate before being adopted).
..' Cf Board o/County Commissioners ofSarllJota County v. Webber, 658 So. 2d 1069 (Fla. 2d
DCA 1995) (no cvidence suggesting that board members met in secret during a recess
to reconsider and deny a variance and then perfunctorily ratified this decision at the
public hcarill~ held a fcw minutes later).
Thus, in a casc involving the validity of a lease approved by a board of county
commissiol1l.:rs after an advisory committee held two unnoticed meetings regarding
the lease, a CI lUrt held that the Sunshine Law violations were cured when the board
of county commissioncrs held open public hearing:; after the unnoticed meetings, an
effort was made to makc available to the public the minutes of the unnoticed meeting:;,
the board appflJ\"cd a lease that was markedly different from that recommended by
the advisory committee, and most of the lease negotiations were conducted after the
advisory Ct lI11mittce had concluded its work. Monroe COllnty v. Pigeon Key Historical
Park. II/C., (147 So. 2d 857, 860-H61 (Fla. 3d DCA 1994). The court also said that the
adoption of lhe open ~ovcrnment constitutional amendment, found at Art. I, s. 24 of
the Florida Constitution, did not overrule the TolaT "standard of remediation." Id. at
861.
[t Illllst he t:l11phasized, however. that only a full open hearing will cure the Jefect;
a violation of the Sunshine Law will not he cured by a perfunctory ratification of the
71
GOVE.RN MENT - IN-THE -5 U NSHIN E - MANU AI.
action taken outside of the sunshine. Spillis Candela & Partners, Inc. /1, Cm/msl !>~lllings
Bank, 535 So. 2d 694 (pIa. 3d DCA 1988). For example, in Zorc I). City (JIVe/'(} BetlclJ,
722 So. 2d 891, 903 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998), review denied, 735 So. 2d 1284 (Fla. 19/)9),
the Fourth District explained why a subse'luent city council meeting did not cLlre the
council's prior violation of the SUllshine Law:
I t is evident from the record that the meeting was not a full rccxaminati/ In
of the issues, but rather, was merely the perfunctory acceptance of
the City's prior decision. This was not a full, open public hearing
convened for the purpose of enabling the public to express its vicws
and participate in the decision-making process. Instead, this was men:ly
a Council meeting which was then opened to the public for commcnt at
the City's request. There was no significant cliscussion of the issues or a
discourse as to the Ian!:,lUage sought to be included. The City Councill11l:n
were provided with transcripts of the hearings, but !lone reviewcd the
language previously approved, and the Council subsel]L1ently votcd lo
deny reconsideration of the wording.
Similarly, a public hearing held by a count)' commission following ;1Il advisory
committee's violation of the Sunshine L'lw failed to cure the "Sunshine Law problem"
because the county commission did not "review the complete deliberative proCl'SS fully
in the sunshine." Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority v. Board of GmlllY C'ofJ/llliJsioners,
Monroe Cotmty, Florida, No. CA-K-OO-1170 (FIa. 16th Cir. Ct. May /(1,20111). "\X'here
there are secret or non-public meetings by an advisory board. . . thl' problem can be
cured, but only by scheduling a new meeting of an appropriate deliberativl' bod)' which
will cover the same subject matter previously covered in violation of the Sunshine
Law." Id. A11d see Gateway Southeast Properties, IlIe. v. TrnvlI of Medii:)" 14 I': I .. \X'. Supp.
20a (Fla. 1 lth Gr. Ct. October 24, 20(6) (subseLJuellt public meeting did Ilol cure the
defects of earlier closed meeting where no evidence ...vas presented or cOllsidered at
the subse'luent open meeting and no questions were asked or diKcussions pursued by
council membcrs).
7. Damages
In Dasc(Ju v. Palm Beach County, 988 So. 2d 47 (Fla. 4th De/\ 200H), rl'llil'1/J rlt'Jlied,
6 So. 3d 51 (Fla. 2009), tbe coun held that an employee who had prevaikd ill her lawKuit
alleging that her termination violated the Sunshim: Law was not enritled to rCCllver back
pay as an elluitable remedy since the only remedies provided for in the Sunshinc Law
were a declaration of the wrongful action as void and reasonable attorney li.'l's.
72
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A. WHAT IS A PUB,
AND COPYING
1. What materials a
Section 11 9.011 (12), F.
all documents, p;
recordings, data p
form. characteristi
or ordinance or i
agency.
r~,
fi
V
~{,~~,
,.
The Florida Sup'
materials made or rect:
used to perpetuate, cc:
Schaffer, Reid and Asso.
regardless of whether
the Legislature has ex.
Company, 372 So. 2d '
Records Act, is found
ti.
r'
r;
l:r
ii
~,
;~:
t
The term "public
statutory definition sta'
software, or other matI
transmission" can all c
is irrelevant; the mater
agency in connection'
National Collegiate Ath
[st DCA tiled Oetobe!
but applies, as ...vell, to
Hood, 906 So. 2d 122(
20(5), in which the c(
2000 presidential elect
nor "perpetuate, comt
becomes a public rec(
received b\' tht: superv
voting." fd. Clearly. as
manage, and store infe
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information open to it
i"
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General Opinions and
have been found to cc
~
..
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
.
June 8, 2010
.
CO?vfMISSIONER FIALA: Would you --when you're doing
that, one of the things that -- it seems to have been a great loss, and
that is, first of all, ComCast put the government channel, all .of the
government channels, all the way down at the end of the 90s, and it's
difficult for people. We used to get a lot of people commenting and
watching. We like that. We like people to watch our meetings and
participate in them. Once they put it down i~to the 90s, the channel
surfers didn't come across it anymore.
So maybe the new company, nwnber one, would put it up into a
channel area where people could see it, and the second thing is, when
people who have tried to save money on cable have then switched to
either digital or dish, they can't get the government channels at all.
So in keeping with this, when you start discussing this with the
other cable companies, would you add that the government channel
should be allowed?
MR.OCHS: Yes, we will.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I mean, if thatagrees-- if the other
commissioners agree, of course.
.CHAIRMANCOYLE: Okay.
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: It sounds very reasonable.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Now, do you have any other comments?
I'll just jump to you since you were started.
The only thing I have is my standard, very quick, update on
Jackson Labs discussions. Two things happened just recently . We
had a Project lnnovation meeting--
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I wasn't done.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Oh, I'm sorry,
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: And you haven't got to me yet
either.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Well, I wasn't intending to get to you.
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Okay, fine.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay. Go ahead, Commissioner
e
.
Page 73
Packet Page -42-
-\
" \ "~J ..~ ..
, ,
.
~
-
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
June 8, 2010
HeMing. .
COrviMISSIONER HENNING: Mr. Klatzkow sent a memo to
the BCC about traveling to Orlando. I had intentions to go but will
yield to the other commissioners that want to go. So that's off my
calendar knowing that we have to have just one commissioner travel.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Sure, sure.
COMMISSIONER COLEIT A: And if it's going to be one, it
should be you because you're one that's -- I'm sorry, but it should be,
because you're going to have a number of dignitaries from our area
going up there. You've been on top of this since day one, so it needs
to be you; but, however, with that said, I do reserve the right to be able
to go back on my own at some future time to be able to view this.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Well, our plan is -- and I'm going on the
bus with all of the people because a member of Jackson Labs will be
on the bus, and I don't want to leave them alone. I think we should
have a representative on that bus with them. So I'm going to ride up
on the bus there, and hopefully they'll let me ride back.
But our plan was to arrange for all of you to go.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Actually I've made arrangements for
me to go already, and separately.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Yeah, yeah.
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: I wanted to go, but I was told it
would be a violation of the Sunshine Law.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: No. We are prepared to take you up
there individually if you wish. The EDC will coordinate that for you.
COMMISSIONER COLEIT A: Let's refer to our COWlty
attorney. How can we do this? Can we advertise this ahead of time?
MR. KLA TZKOW: No, no. It can't be a public meeting because
it's too far away from here.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: We're not having two commissioners
there at the same time. We're talking about them going up
independently at different times --
Page 74
Packet Page -43-
'-'...,-..... ~~
I
I
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~
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
I
June 8, 2010
MR. KLATZKOW: That's fine.
COMMISSIONER COLEIT A: Oh, oh.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: -- so that we don't have to advertise it;
we won't have a conflict. And the same thing could apply to trips to
Bar Harbor, too. So, you know, I'd hate to create a situation where we
have even the suspicion that two commissioners are going to be at the
same place at the same time, because that always creates roomers, and
I don't care how careful you are.
But we have discussed this at the EDC and at staff level, and the
staff is going up there independently, too, to talk with some of the
people, and we're setting up video conferences with the people in
Orlando so that we can have discussions with them about what their
experiences were and how they went about negotiating an
arrangement and how successful it's been. We don't want to have to
be running up there every week to do that, so we're going to try to set
up video conferences with them.
So yeah, please, if you want to go see these things, there are
ways to do it individually without complicating the Sunshine Law. So
you just let the county manager know. And EDC is going up there
from time to time. They have committed to arranging a tour for you
whenever it is convenient for you. So by all means, take advantage of
that. And we'll deal with the sunshine thing by handling it that way
and having individual meetings.
Okay. Everybody happy?
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Well, anything you want to add
to that?
MR. KLATZKOW: No, that's fine.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, good. Okay,
I think it was Commissioner Henning. We're never sure ifhe's
finished.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: And I'll let you know later. I'm
not sure.
Page 75
Packet Page -44-
)
-.
"
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
PACSIMlLE TRANSMIITAL PO~
BOARD OF COLLIER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
3301 East Tamiami Trail
Naples, FL 34112
PHONE (239) 252-8097
FAX: (239) 252-3602
DATE:
July IS, 2010
TO:
Comllli~sloner Donna Fiala
FAX # 207"!288-2719
FROM: Sue Jacobs
SUBJECT: Jackson Labs
This message consistS of G page(s), including this cover page.
Hi Roger and Pat:
Would you please be so kind as to get this to Commissioner Fiala
when she comes in tonight? Thank you so much.
If you have any problem receiving all or part of this mess. please telephone the: CommilifiOl) office
at (239) 252-8097,
Packet Page -45-
2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
,JacobsSusan
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
KlatzkowJeff
Thursday. July 15, 2010 2:j9 PM
JacobsSusan; PrietoEvelyn
Mltchalllan
FW: JacKson Lab - blog posts (FYI)
Please speak with your %eSpective Commissioners. My undor5tanding is that the Naples Daily News is sending a reporter
and a photographer. To the ex.tent possible, Commissioners Fwa and Coletta should not be in a position where they can
be photographed logether this trip.
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow
County Attorney
(239) 252-8400
from: JacobsSusan
sent: Thursday, July 1S, 2010 2:05 PM
To: KJatzkowJeff
Cc: ochs_'
SUbJect: FW: Jackson Lab - bIog posts (FYI)
Sue JacODS
Executive AIde
Board of Collier County Commissioners
Commissioner Donna Fiala. District 1
W. Hannon Turner Building, (F)
3301 Tamlaml Trail East
. Naples, FL 34112
(239)252~097-phone
(239) 252-3602 - fax
su~niac9~s@collierRov.net
~ Please ccnsIder the envirQnmcmt before pr1nting thI$ e-mail.
Under Flo~ Law. tomall -'dreAeS are public F8OOI'US. If you dO not wam yoI.I' e-mail 4Iddnl$$ /'IIeQed In ,..~ to . puClIio *'OIds reques~ do not send
electronlC; m.. to 1tI1& entity.lnslead. oortlaol this office by telephone or In \lilting.
From: PrletoEvelyn
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 1:44 PM
To: JacobsSUSan
Subjecb Jackson Lab - blog posts (FYI)
QPamarmv writes:
Commissioners Coletta and Fiala's Utact finding tourll to Jackson Labs in Maine on July 16 & 17 is a
violation of the Florida Sunshine Law.
Under the Florida Sunshine Law (2 or more) Advisory Board members are allowed to go on "fact
finding toursu.
1
Packet Page -46-
. . 2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
. But (2,or more) elected County CommIssIoners are not allowed to go on coumy pala .,.act T1nolng
tours. ,
It you can document a Sunshine law violation, you can file a complaint along with your documentation
with the State Attorney's Office. Alternatively, or If the State Attorney won't prosecute, you could hire
an attomey to take the county commission or individual commissioners to court.
As a general rule, the Sunshine Law applies to any discussion of pubfic business between two or
more members of the same board or commission. This means that two commissioners can sociaUze
with one another and can, as in the case, actually travel together without viofating the law so long as
while together they don't discuss public business.
Also, if the two commissioners met with Jackson Labs for the sole purpose of receiving information
and didn't discuss the project among themseives, It's hard to prove they violated the law. Advisory
committees formed for the so'e purpose of fact-finding are not generally subject to the sunshine law.
The fact-finding exception, however, doesn't apply to an advisory committee comprised of
commissioners.
Barbara A. Petersen, President
First Amendment Foundation
illahassee, FL
800/337-351e
James Parker Rhea
Director
First Amendment Foundation
336 E. College Avenue, Suite 101
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 224-4555
jim @fforidafaf.ora
Florida Sunshine Law
Can two members of a public board attend social functions together?
Members of a public board are not prohibited under the Sunshine law from meeting together sooially,
provided that maUers which may COme before the board are not discussed at such gatherings.
"hat are the requirements of the SunShine law?
· · he Sunshine law requires that 1) meetings of boards or commissions must
l
Packet Page -47-
· be open to the public; 2) reasonable notice of such meetings must be given, 2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
· and 3) minutes of the meeting must be taken.
What qualifies as a meeting?
The Sunshine law applies to all discussions or deliberations as well as the formal action taken by a
board or commission, The law, in essence, Is applicable to any gathering, whether formal or casual,
of two or more members of the same board or commission to discuss some matter on which
foreseeable action will be taken by the publlo board or commission. There is no requirement. that a
quorum be present for a meeting to be covered under the law.
What agency can prosecute violators?
The 10081 state attorney has the statutory authority to prosecute alleged criminal violations of the open
meetings and public records law. Certain eMl remedies are also available.
~Y'~~
~_Jtilfeto~ :Rm.~
~t!fctN#tJJ~
C<<1llr CtJ~ j'own&meItt Center
>>01 ~~!.f.tsst... ~ ![L1U1U
2..19.tSJ..IOST (p) tJ' Ll9.2S2SS4 fj)
~~~.ntt
unaGr Floride l.aw, e-mail add..........publlc:r~..lfyoudonot-.nl ~ur lil-matll~ress .....lHCIln r~ '0 8 putlllc I8COl'l1f; requeet, do not.end
electl'Ol'llc m8ll to IIlI3 .mtty. Insteed, c:ol1tact thil office by "'phonr~ Of In writing.
3
Packet Page -48-
A
.
~ -
F10rida officials to tour Jackson Lab - Bangor Daily News
PRINT THIS, CLOSE WINOOW
Florida offldals to tour Jackson Lab
11lfJ/l0 12;00 &lU
ByM.~,_~
BDN Staff
BAR HARBOR, Maine -There's a lot of talk in Collier County, P10rlda these
days about a proposal to raise $130 million in taxpayer dollars in order to
bring a Jackson Laboratory research facility to the Naples area.
.rve never seen so much pllblic reaction," Collier County Commissioner Jim
Coletta said in a telephone interview Wednesday. -rhere are a large number
of people who are very, very supportive of going forward and about the same
number who don't want us to go forwa.ni at all."
In preparation for their July 27 decision deadline, Coletta and his colleague
Donna Fiala are headed l:o Maine this weekend, separately, to get an on-the-
ground look at the laboratory's operations in Bar Harbor.
"I want to see with my own eyes what's going on on the ground, n Coletta
said.
The two commissioners are traveling separately, staying in separate
acconunodations and maintaioing distinct agendas in order to comply with
Florida's .sunshine law" that prohibits elected officials from meeting
privately to discuss official business.
Their trip to Mount Desert Island coincides not only with a high-profile visit
by a vacationing President Barack Obama and his fam.1ly but also with
Jackson Laboratoty's own annual business meeting and alumni reunion that
attracts dozens of former students, scientists, donors and others to the
facility. Coletta and Fiala will have their choice of pre-arranged student
presentations, facility tours, awards dinneni, meetings and other events to
attend, as well as some specialllttention from laboratory officials, said
spokeswoman Joyce Peterson.
"'Ibis is a very good opportunity for people to learn about the lab," she .said.
The Jackson Laboratory has proposed building a genetic research facility in
Naples, m. Laboratory officials have indicated that if the project goes
forward it will employ approximately 200 people within the next several
years.
The project could form the hub of an expanded research park in the area and
provide a significant boost to the regional economy, Coletta said. He said the
county already has heard from a number of biomedical firms expressing
interest in the project. One study has shown that such a research park could
generate u:p to 7,000 biotechnology research jobs in the area.
"Collier County has been looking for some sort of venture for aome time to
take Wi to the next le'\'eI," Coletta said. The region's traditional reliance on
tourism and construction, he said, is not enough to stabilize the economy.
The state of Florida. has committed $130 million to bring Jackson Lab to the
area, with $50 million. already approved in the state budget
hUp:/lwww.bangordailynews.comldetai1l1487 i'2 .~~_~.~ ~K~:4~-
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2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
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Florida officials to tour Jackson Lab - Bangor Daily News
1>6___~___...._..__._......_.__
"We'll be required to put up another $130 million," Coletta said. H
coxnmi5Sioners approve the project, that money could be raised in the form
of increased property taxes or an excise tax on electrical bills, he said. The
revenue-raising initiative could be spread over a number of years, he said.
But feelings are running high in Collier County. .According to local news
coverage, many residen,ts oppose the tax increase generaIly, whIle others say
government incentives should be used to help local businesses and not to
bring in out-of-state Org~lltiOns. At 11 public meeting in June, about 50
emJ?loyees from a local medical devices manufacturing firm protested the
project, some canying signs reading -Keep the Mouse Moochers in Maine,"
according to lllocal news outlet.
The Jackson Laboratory is one of the largest producers in the world of
genetically altered mice for research pwposes. n also is home to a
mammali3J1 genetics program that attracts researchers and students from.
around the world
The Jackson La.boratory employs about 1,200 people at its Bar :Harbor home.
Officials there have said the nonprofit organization has no plans to leave .
Maine and expects to increase its payroll by 200 positions within the next
decade.
In 2001, The Jackson Laboratory opened a satellite facility in Sacramento,
CaliC., that employs about 100 people.
Fiala said in an e-mail tl1a.t she ~edto fly into. tb,e :Hao.cock Gou.nty-BIlr
Harbor Airport on Wednesday night. Coletta planned to arrive Friday
afternoon. He said he would not be surprised to encounter minor delays
related to the Obamas' travel plans but that he hoped the commissioners'
business trip would Dot be otherWise complicated by the first famlly's
vacation.
Related Stories
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2/~2J~Ofl_I~~m 6.A.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
COMMISSIONER REQUEST FOR BOARD APPROVAL FOR PAYMENT TO
ATTEND FUNCTION SERVING A VALID PUBLIC PURPOSE
OBJECTIVE: For the Board of County Commissioners to declare a valid public
purpose for a Commissioner to attend function/event and approve payment by the Clerk.
CONSIDERA TIONS: Pursuant to Resolution No. 99-410, the Board of County
Commissioners has determined that attendance at the functions of fraternal, business,
environmental, educational, charitable, social, professional, tracIe, homeowners, ethnic,
and civic association/organizations serves a valid public purpose, provided that said
functions reasonably relate to Collier County matters.
COMMISSIONER: Jim Coletta
FUNCTION /EVENT: FactfindingtourofThe Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor,
Maine. Airfare and hotel deposit.
PUBLIC PURPOSE: Meet and interact with business and community leaders.
DATE OF FUNCTIONIEVENT: July 16-18, 2010
FISCAL IMPACT: $1,060.13 - Funds to be paid from Commissioner's travel budget.
RECOMMENDA TION: That the Board of County Commissioners, in accordance with
Resolution No. 99-410, approve payment by the Clerk for Commissioner Jim Coletta to
attend function serving a valid public purpose.
PREPARED BY: Susan Jacobs, Executive Aide to the BCC
APPROVED BY: Ian Mitchell, Executive Manager, BCC
AGENDA DATE: June 22,2010
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^9ltriCa Item NO. 1 bH~
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Page 1 of9
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
COMMISSIONER REQUEST FOR BOARD APPROVAL FOR PAYMENT TO
ATTEND FUNCTION SERVING A VALID PUBLIC PURPOSE
OBJECI1VE: For the Board of County Commissioners to declare a valid public
purpose for a Commissioner to attend function/event and approve payment by the Clerk.
CONSIDERATIONS: Pursuant to Resolution No. 99-410, the Board of County
Commissioners has determined that attendance at the functions of fraternal, business,
environmental, educational, charitable, social, professional, trade, homeowners, ethnic,
and civic association/organizations serves a valid public purpose, provided that said
functions reasonably relate to Collier County matters.
COMMISSIONER: Donna Fiala
FUNCTlONIEVENT: The Jackson Laboratory National Council Awards Dinner
PUBLIC PURPOSE: Meet and interact with business and community leaders.
DATE OF FUNCTIONIEVENT: July 16,2010
FISCAL IMPACT: $65.00 - Funds to be paid from Commissioner's travel budget.
RECOMMENDA nON: That the Board of County Commissioners, in accordance with
Resolution No. 99-410, approve payment by the Clerk for Commissioner Donna Fiala to
attend function serving a valid public purpose.
PREPARED BY: Susan Jacobs, Executive Aide to the BCC
APPROVED BY: Ian Mitchell, Executive Manager, BCC
AGENDA DATE: July 27, 2010
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PI1OTOS Tw~ Collier commissioners support Jackson Lab, 8ar Harbor trip persuasive: Naples Dally News
2/22/2011 Item 6.A. tot
naplesnews.com
?rtr1!or.frlcndly ::;\ory
Read more at naplesnews.com
PHOTOS Two Collier commissioners support
Jackson. Lab, Bar Harbor trill persuasive
By LIZ FREEMAN
Sunday, July 18, 2010
BAR HARBOR, Maine _ The trip to Maine this weekend likely did the trick for two
Collier County commissioners.
After separate tours of Jackson Laboratory's genetics research campus, meeting its
scientists and listening to presentations about the future of genetics-based medicine,
commissioners Donna Fiala and Jim Coletta all but said they are ready to bring the
nonprofit Jackson to Collier.
If nothing changes by the time the commission meets July 27, a majority vote to go
forward appears clear _ Chairman Fred Coyle has been the board's point person on
the project and Commissioner Frank Halas has indicated he supports it.
Still, both Fiala and Coletta say they need to delve into how to raise $130 million in
local money, to match the same amount expected from the state.
"Yes, I have to say that," Fiala said, when asked if she was sold on the Jackson
proposal. "I have to say that I am. I'm leaving here very comfortable with what this lab
can do for the future of Collier County. I have to know the funding source, obviously it
would be very important"
Before going to Maine, Fiala said she didn't know how she stood.
"I really didn't know what to expect," she said. "I was just as ready to say 'no' to this
as I was to say 'yes. '"
The Jackson project has been spearheaded by the Economic Development Council to
help diversify Collier's economy away from real estate, tourism and agriculture.
In general, businesses and civic associations are backing the project while some in
the community say Jackson's business plan is shaky and giving $260 million to the
nonprofit organization is corporate welfare. They welcome the lab to Collier but not at
taxpayers' expense.
Jackson proposes to create 200 jobs, phased in over time, after opening a genetics
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2/22/2011 Item 6.A. ~
research center on 50 acres on Oil Well Road that would be donated by the Barron
Collier Co. The bigger idea is that the lab would serve as an anchor to attract other
biomedical groups to the area to foster a research park with thousands of new jobs
over the long term.
Orlando, Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie are among communities in Florida that have
embarked on similar endeavors with varying levels of local and state support and
private dollars.
Collier County Attorney Jeff Klatzkow, who had one day in Bar Harbor to get a tour
and meet with Jackson officials, said he previously had thought it was more of a
mouse production facility than a scientific research center.
"I am far more impressed with these people that I was with Sanford-Burnham," he
said, referring to a nonprofit research group in Orlando that he visited recently with
others from Collier. "It's just a feeling. This would be a wonderful facility to have in
Collier if there was no cost to Collier County. It would be open arms."
Fiala said she hasn't been following the work of the citizen-based Productivity
Committee, which is examining the economic feasibility of the project. The group also
is exploring options for generating the $130 million.
The committee has put together a list of options of property tax levies that could
include bonding or pay-as-you-go funding, a franchise fee with Florida Power & Light,
a combined franchise fee and property tax, or a sales tax increase.
Fiala arrived in Bar Harbor on Wednesday and spoke with residents and city leaders
to get a handle on what Jackson means to the community with an economy that is
based on tourism and fishing. The lab has been in Bar Harbor since 1929 and is the
largest employer in the area.
"I haven't heard anything bad," Fiala said. "I would think before anyone would
complain about Jackson Lab they ought to do their due diligence like I just did and
tell me why they don't like it."
Coletta was accompanied to Maine by Nick Healy, president of Ave Maria University,
which would be Jackson's neighbor in Collier County. At a recent commission
meeting, Coletta expressed concern about Jackson potentially doing research some
day using embryonic stem cells. He asked Coyle if the lab would commit to not using
embryonic stem cells; Coyle responded that would be a deal-breaker.
In Maine, Coletta said Jackson officials explained they can't commit to what lab
leaders in the future may want to do or not do.
"They do have an ethics council in place and are willing to put one in Naples with
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PIjOTOS Tw~ Collier commissioners support Jackson Lab, Bar Harbor trip persuasive: Naples Dally News
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members of the community to weigh in," he said.
From another standpoint, Coletta said; if Jackson doesn't go to the Ave Maria
location, it could go "in a secular community that may not have the same standards."
Coletta said he tried not form an opinion before but is excited now about the
possibilities, especially science educational opportunities for Collier children by
Jackson. In Maine, the lab has prqgrams for local children and for students
nationwide to come to Maine for a summer science program.
"At this point in time I am leaning toward the positive yet to go forward, I am waiting
for the final issue of funding."
Coletta said part of Jackson administrators' problem selling the Naples project is their
honesty, which works against them when they say they can only commit to creating
200 jobs in 1 0 years.
"They don't have control over what could happen beyond that," he said. "They work
from a platform of total honesty but it makes it difficult to sell the final product."
READ MORE FROM THE DAILY NEWS FACT-FINDING TRIP TO BAR HARBOR
. Good neighbor: Jackson Lab work 'a badge of honor' to Bar Harbor
. Discovery Days at Jackson Lab draws Naples group. Obama in town
. PHOTOS Jackson Lab: Bar Harbor. Maine. to Collier County would be 'two-
way street'
.iI'" 2010 Scripps Newspaper Group - Qnl;ne
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2/22/2011 Item 6.A.
July 27-28,2010
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Naples, Florida, July 27-28,2010
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Board of County
Commissioners, in and for the County of Collier, and also acting as
the Board of Zoning Appeals and as the governing board( s) of such
special districts as have been created according to law and having
conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 a.m., in
REGULAR SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex,
East Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
CHAIRMAN: Fred Coyle
Jim Coletta
Frank: Halas
Tom Henning
Donna Fiala
ALSO PRESENT:
Leo Dchs, County Manager
Michael Sheffield, Assistant to the County Manager
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
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Item #9B
CONTINUING THE REPORT FROM THE PRODUCTIVITY
COMMITTEE REGARDING THEIR ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL
ECONOMIC IMPACT AND POTENTIAL FINDING OPTIONS
FOR JACKSON LABS PROJECT
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah. I was just wondering, from
what you had said initially and what I've learned on my own here is
that the state cannot -- although the state challenged us, each for -- you
know, they would give 130 million if we would give 130 million. I
understand that. But the state then said, they can't really pledge that
until they get money from the federal government, which they had
expected months ago and still haven't received.
So here we are talking about the funding, but we don't even know
if we're going to get it. Is this the right time to talk about it or -- that's
my question to you -- or should we be pursuing what other -- what
other industries or what other units would want to participate in this
cluster until we know what funding would be available to us?
CHAIRMAN COYLE: The problem is that if you -- if you intend
to use ad valorem taxes to do this, we have to resolve that today
because we have to set a maximum ad valorem property tax. But if we
can find a way to meet our financial obligations for the first year, we
don't have to make that decision now. We can make it next year.
So if you want to make the decision on the property tax and you
want it to be part of the funding package, you would have to make that
decision today, and then in September we would have to make a [mal
decision to either charge an incremental increase in property tax or not.
And by September you mayor may not know whether the state
has the money yet either. So there is the potential danger of taxing the
residents and not having a commitment on the state funding. You
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could -- we could always refund it to them the next year if. it turns out
that it's not needed. But if the increase is very, very small, like a tenth
of a mill, it wouldn't have a major impact.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So a tenth of a mill equates to how
much?
MR.OCHS: $6.1 million.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And how much does that -- on
$100,000, how much is one tenth ofa mill? Ten dollars? Ten dollars.
So that would be $10 a year. I mean, sometimes we have to -- we have
to understand what it's actually--
CHAIRMAN COYLE: That's right, that's right.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: What just it's going to cost me, not
you, just me.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Yeah, that's right, that's right.
And the utility franchise ~ax would cost the average customer
about $3 a month. So in both cases, they're very low, but for those
people who are just philosophically opposed to having tax dollars go
for private companies, you're never .going to get it too low, okay.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: You know, I'm going to just give
you a thought. Now, I'm not going to be giving you my thought as a
. .
commISSIoner.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I'm going to be giving you my
thought as a taxpayer, a mom, and my kids are all living here in town,
and they're taxpayers, and my grandkids are coming up to be taxpayers
shortly. And, you know, I'm thinking, if it's going to cost me $50 a
year, say -- I mean, I'm going big time now, $50 a year rather than $10
a year.
Fifty dollars a year and I get Jackson Labs down here to create
new jobs and maybe discover in just a few short years the answer to
cancer -- they're getting close anyway -- and maybe, just maybe, they
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can save one of my kids' or my grandkids' lives, or your kid or your kid
or your mom; $50, that's not much to pay at all, is it, when I could save
somebody else's life? To me, that's the thing to be thinking about here.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: All right. Then I would suggest to you
that if you want to consider the property tax option, that we do that at
the time that we're discussing setting the millage rate later today, and I
hope we'll get it done before 6 o'clock tonight.
Is that about right, County Manager?
MR. OCHS: On the time or on the combination that you're
talking about? I mean --
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Time?
MR.OCHS: If you want to wrap up by six, yeah--
CHAIRMAN COYLE: We've got two time certains --
MR. OCHS: -- I would suggest that we handle that item before
you adjourn today.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: We have three time certains.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, okay, all right.
Commissioner Halas?
COMMISSIONER HALAS: Either the county manager or Mark
Isackson, how much money would we have to allocate the first year to
have pay as you go? What are we looking at roughly?
MR.OCHS: Well, Commissioner, based on the payout schedule
that the Productivity Committee looked at, for FY11, you would need
to fund $28 million. So that would equate to, by my math -- Mark, you
can check me -- about .45 increase in the millage to raise that kind of
money in fiscal year' 11.
So it would get you almost to your rolled back millage rate, a
little over four mills, and you're at 3.564 right now.
COMMISSIONER HALAS: Okay. Do we have any money that
would be available in reserves, or would it be too much to ask for the
first year in that?
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MR. OCHS: Commissioner, what -- essentially what you have is
you have three potential funding sources if you want to move forward
on the project.
You have ad valorem taxes, there's been discussion about an
electric utility franchise fee, and the third option -- and it's a very
short-term option, but it's an option available to you for fiscal year' 11
-- if you don't want to consider an ad valorem increase or even a
franchise fee imposition given the uncertainty of the federal legislation
and the commitment of the state funds, would be to look at your
internal funds and see if you could execute some internal loans,
interfund loans, and you could raise that money through interfund
loans for fiscal year' 11, but I want you all to understand that those
internal loans have to be paid back just like outside loans.
So you would have to make a decision in fiscal '12 about how you
would want to finance the balance of the commitment not only to the
proj ect over the next ten years, but how you would pay back those
interfund loans in a period of two or three years.
COMMISSIONER HALAS: So what you're saying is, maybe we
just ought to face up to the fact and quit trying to kick the can down the
road.
MR.OCHS: Well, Commissioners, it's not so much kicking the
can down the road. The real uncertainty, as I see for the board right
now, is getting out ahead of the state funding which, of course, the
whole idea was for the board to match the state funding. We don't
know sitting here right now whether the state funding is going to hold
up or not because of the delay in the passage of the FMAP legislation
up in Washington.
Now, the Congress is in session for another week, and they break
in August. And if they don't act on it this week and they -- you mayor
may not know, as Commissioner Coyle said, in September when you
finally set your budget whether there's been any progress or not made
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on an FMAP. They may -- they may wait to act on it 'til after the fall
election.
So those are -- the only reason I bring up this interfund loan
possibility for one year, it would avoid you having to make long-term
commitments like bonding without knowing whether the state funding
was going to come through or not.
COMMISSIONER HALAS: Because if the state funding does
not come through, it's -- that's a deal breaker.
MR. OCHS : Well, it may be deal breaker or it may take the state
legislatures the session in '12, you know, next year in '11 when they
meet again, they may have to rework the current legislation, because I
don't think -- I don't think -- if the FMAP funding is not approved, I
don't believe that the state funding can go forward given the provisions
in the current state law. I think it's tied to theFMAP funding.
COMMISSIONER HALAS: Well, the other thing too is all the
people that are sitting out in the audience in support of this program,
this project, they need to get ahold of their elected officials that
represent us in Washington, D.C., and hopefully put some heat on
them to shake loose some funding so that we can go forward with this
project.
That's what needs to really happen here and -- because I feel that
this is a once-in-a-lifetime possibility for -- not only in Collier County,
but in Southwest Florida, and whatever we -- whatever it takes, we
need to try to move forward.
And maybe this one-time deal of getting funding from within the
different departments may be good, but then, of course, we've got to
meet our obligations, and we can't forego not paying these funds back.
So, you know, you've got to pay them -- you get it now, but it's
not free money. It's like using a credit card.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay. Commissioner Coletta?
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Yes. And you know, listening
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July 27-28, 2010
to everything that's taking place and understanding there's a lot of balls
still in the air -- by the way, thank you for all that you're doing being
the point person for the commission. I know it's a big load on you, and
you've still got a lot in front of you to do.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: I've got a lot of arrows in my back.
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: God bless you, yeah. I would be
very receptive with working with the idea of an interfund loan because
of the reason we can implement that with the least amount of pain to
our residents as we get a chance to evaluate what's taking place so we
can draw it down as we need it rather than have to tax somebody up
front and make one big hit on them. Give us a chance to be able to
wait to the last minute to make sure everything's together to be able to
do it.
Is it very involved to be able to draw this money down?
MR.OCHS: No. It takes some staff time though in working, you
know, internally to identify which funds would be in a position to
make those loans and what the impacts of that would be on the
programs in the -- in all those operations, but it's very doable,
Commissioner.
Again, just -- I must reiterate again to you all that this is a, you
know, a short-term solution. Really only suggesting it because of the
uncertainty of the state funding. So if the state funding firms up down
the road, you are going to have to, in fiscal '12, make a decision
long-term if you want to continue and --
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: We may never have to make that
decision. It may be determined by Washington not to send the money
down, or any number of other events could take place that won't allow
us to go forward. Who knows?
MR. OCHS: Correct. But if it does, you have to -- you have to
make funding decisions on the project going forward and the payback
of this interfund loan over a series of --
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July 27-28, 2010
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: I'm for remaining millage
neutral and not getting into an excise tax on the utilities at this time and
doing an intemalloan.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Well, I have to tell you that the internal
loan by itself is not going to do the job; however, if we -- if we instruct
staff to make the necessary preparations for the funding of the fIrst
year's commitments and have them available, have those tools
available to us so that when the state money is available, we'll be ready
to go, then that's not a bad way to go, is just instruct the staff to make
the necessary preparations and to evaluate the financing options we
have and be prepared to make a recommendation to the board, and we
can do that.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Is that a motion?
CHAIRMAN COYLE: It could be, but Commissioner Coletta is
the one who suggested it.
Is that a motion?
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Well, yes. I take your language
and turn it into a motion.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay. Then I second it.
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: You second your own motion
that I made for you.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: I got it.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: But let me go a step further. The one
thing I don't want to do is to make any of the partners in this business
cluster feel that the whole thing is going to get flushed if the state
doesn't come up with their money. There always is an opportunity for
private financing, and we should continue pursuing that. We could
look for it for private fmancing everywhere we can.
And so this is an opportunity that we should not give up just
because the state or the federal government is not going to provide the
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money. But by the same token, we don't want to get out in front of that
because the state government might have the feeling that, well, if
Collier County has so much money to throw around, we just won't
bother to contribute our amount to it. So it's a touchy situation.
So we have to indicate our commitment to a successful project,
and if that means looking for -- continuing to look for private
financing, that's what we ought t~ be willing to encourage.
And so the motion is on the table. It will provide the staff
guidance to evaluate the funding options that we have available that
can be implemented fairly quickly whenever the state declares their
money is available so that we can move quickly to exercise this
opportunity, provided that there are sufficient partners to make it an
economically viable investment, okay. So that's the whole package.
Okay. Commissioner Halas?
COMMISSIONER HALAS: One of the things that I want to
make sure of is that if we do use funds within the county government
that are used for -- that are in reserve, that we don't cut ourselves short
in case of an emergency. That's the most important thing.
Now, if we don't have the funding there that we can provide to
move forward with this project and also make sure that we've got
ourselves covered, then I guess I'm going to have to go along with
Commissioner Coyle, that maybe we ought to look at the franchise fee
as another alternative so that we don't put ourselves into a situation
where we may regret later on because we don't have the resources to
take care of -- if we have an emergency.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: And we won't have to start that until we
find out whether --
COMMISSIONER HALAS: State money.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: -- there's state money available and
everything is going to proceed.
MR.OCHS: Yes, sir.
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CHAIRMAN COYLE: Right? So it puts us at no risk. It doesn't
require us to make a commitment to tax anybody.
MR. OCHS: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay. Now that leaves us with the issue
of the property tax millage rate. We'll discuss that later. Don't worry--
let's not complicate it.
Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: The only option that you have is
a utility tax, which is a regressive tax. It hurts the people that cannot
afford it the most which, by the way, those funds is already in the
economy, the local economy now. So it will be taking those funds
away from the local economy.
The next thing is, if you do transfers, if you're looking at the
enterprise funds, I would question the legality of using enterprise funds
other than what they're supposed to be for, okay?
MR. OCHS: That will be part of our analysis, sir, but I believe
we can do that. You've done it before as a board.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Yeah. Do you want to speak again?
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Well, it's not on the motion, sir.
It's on direction from staff. And you said we're on Page 3 of the book
now --
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: -- as far as where we're going to
end up as far as negotiations go?
CHAIRMAN COYLE: But this will get us to Page 4.
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Well, you know, there was some
very good suggestions, not that I agree with every single suggestion
the Productivity Committee made. But there was a number in there, a
number of them that I'm sure are going to be given consideration as
you go forward.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Absolutely. They're all in the hopper.
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Every one of those recommendations has been discussed with Jackson
Labs. It is part of the negotiation process, and we would expect to
proceed with that.
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Okay. Just a couple of things,
and I know you're going to bring this up for consideration when you're
talking to them again. We have Oil Well Road, and we have a
considerable amount of money going into it. When we put the -- you
put together the deal with the state as far as the money, they said they'd
recognize a certain percentage of infrastructure and improvements that
would go towards that. If we could see about picking that up and try to
lower the burden of debt. That would be very much appreciated.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: We're certainly going to consider that,
but the issue is that Jackson Labs needs a certain amount of cash to
build a building, and you can't build a building with'credits against
infrastructure.
So we're dealing with all of those issues, and they are all going to
be part of this agreement, and it's all going to be publicly vetted, and
we'll have meeting after meeting of -- hopefully it's not like this -- but
we'll have meetings like this to talk about what those agreements are
and how we've worked it out. It's a work in progress.
Okay. Are we set? You have the guidance you need?
MR.OCHS: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay. All right.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: There was a motion and a
second.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Yeah, there was a motion and a second.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Y Oil need to vote on the motion
and the second.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Well, we'll just vote on the motion. I'm
not going to vote on the second.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay.
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CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay. So we have a motion. All in
favor, please signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HALAS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Any opposed, by like sign?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay. It passes 4-1 with Commissioner
Coletta --
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: No, Henning.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: -- Henning -- they look so much alike.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I'm the youngest one on the
board.
COMMISSIONER COLETTA: But I look the youngest.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Just like Halas and I look alike.
COMMISSIONER HALAS: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: And we now have a time certain from
two o'clock.
MR.OCHS: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN COYLE: We work in virtual time, folks.
MR. OCHS: Commissioner, you want to --
CHAIRMAN COYLE: Didn't we just take a break?
MR. OCHS: Two minutes to clear the room, or --
CHAIRMAN COYLE: All right. We'll take about three minutes
to clear the room.
(A brief recess was had.)
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- http://www.naplesnews.com/news/201 O/juI/27/jackson-lab-collier-county-
commission-approve-Ioanl
Jackson Lab moving forward:
Commissioners approve short-term
loan for first-year funding
By JENNA BUZZACCO-FOERSTER, LIZ FREEMAN
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
NAPLES - Jackson Laboratory's plans to come to Collier County
remain on track with county leaders deciding to make a short-term loan
to the project while they wait for the fate of state funding.
The Collier County Commission voted 4-1 Tuesday, with
Commissioner Tom Henning casting the dissenting vote, to have staff
draw up a first-year loan of $28 million to Jackson so lab officials can
continue working to bring more business partners to a future
biomedical park near Ave Maria. Commissioner Tom Henning was the
dissenting vote.
The move also allows the Maine-based nonprofit Jackson and
supporters to work on bringing more private dollars to the project.
Jackson officials have said the project needs $28 million for first-year
funding to get started.
lilt is very doable but I have to reiterate it is short-term funding," Leo
Ochs, the county's manager, told the board of the loan.
Commissioner Frank Halas said the decision gives local residents' time
to put pressure on federal lawmakers to pass a second stimulus
package to states. The state Legislature approved $50 million this past
spring for the Jackson project contingent on a second stimulus
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package from the federal government. Congress has been stalled on
another stimulus bill.
"Whatever it takes, we need to try and move forward," Halas said.
"Maybe this one-time, inter-county loan is good."
The Barron Collier Co. has agreed to donate 50 acres to Jackson on
Oil Well Road and donate another 250 acres to the University of South
Florida, a future hospital, Edison State College's planned charter high
school and others for the future biomedical park. The plan is for
Jackson to serve as the anchor to attract others, with the first
announced partner being USF in Tampa for research, education and
clinical collaboration.
Tammie Nemecek, chief executive officer of the Economic
Development Council, said the board's decision signaled a good day. It
shows Collier leaders are still interested in bringing Jackson to the
community and developing a biomedical cluster.
"For other organizations, it is so important that Collier County is still
interested and let's see what other partnerships can be formed," she
said.
Others against the project were upset commissioners rejected putting
the issue to a referendum, where ultimately the county needs to come
up with $130 million for Jackson to come. If the state's match of $50
million comes through, state lawmakers in later years would have to
come up with the remaining $80 million.
Chris Carpenter, a 12-year resident who held up sign against tax
dollars going to Jackson, said she believes commissioners were afraid
to put it on a referendum out of fear it would be voted down.
"It is an enormous amount of money and I think they should have put it
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to a vote of the people," she said. "This is our money."
Daniel Cook left the commission chambers wondering how the county
would come up with the rest of the money and when those decisions
would be made.
"How's it going to be funded1ive or 10 years down the road?" Cook
asked.
Local resident John Lundin said he was amazed to hear Commission
Chairman Fred Coyle say the project may be able to move forward
somehow with private support if the federal dollars, as the state's
match, do not materialize. He also said Coyle squashed Commissioner
Jim Coletta's efforts to do a small property tax rate increase for political
reasons.
"He did it purely for his (primary) re-election on Aug. 24," Lundin said.
Coyle is up against Lavigne Kirkpatrick for the District 4 commission
seat.
K.P.. Pezeshkan, vice president of business development and
marketing for Kraft Construction, said the board's decision allows
Jackson to keep working on other partners. He said he didn't think the
citizen-based Productivity Committee had enough time to weigh the
impact of the USF partnership announced last week. The committee
had been studying the economic viability of the Jackson project for
seven weeks.
1l0ur industry is almost dead," he said, acknowledging that Kraft has
been supportive of Jackson. He traveled to Bar Harbor, Maine, two
weeks ago when Jackson held an annual weekend fund raiser and
educational program.
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"I don't have the job but I would like a shot at the job," he said, in
reference to Jackson wanting to build a 165,000-square-foot building
for a genetics research center. That could get 400 to 500 construction
workers back to work.
The county scheduled a 10 a.m. public hearing to debate the
contentious Jackson project and 109 people signed up to speak.
Steve Harrison, chairman of the productivity committee, gave an
overview of the groups's conclusions that a consultant's report had
overstated job projections of 7,500 jobs in the park and another 4,000
indirect, but permanent, jobs. The committee pointed out numerous
risks with the project, not the least of which is the potential that the
county would have to spend more than $130 million and get a low rate
of return on the investment. The consultants, the Washington
Economics Group, were retained by the EDC.
Scott Bonham said that Jackson Lab has been in Bar Harbor for 81
years and questioned whether it had fostered any biomedical
clustering there. He implored the board not to use taxpayer money for
the laboratory.
"The people of Collier County must not become sugar daddy to
Jackson Lab or anyone," he said. "Commissioners, the proposed
action is pure speculation (and is) gambling with the money of couples,
families. In my mind this is a stupid move. Do not do it, please."
Dr. James Talano, president of the Collier County Medical Society, told
the board that looking beyond the local economy is essential at these
hard times. The medical society supports going forward but two-thirds
of its members said taxpayer dollars should not be used, he said.
"I have come to the conclusion that their mission is helping humanity,"
he said. "Jackson Lab can only improve the knowledge and
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understanding of diseases with how they affect our citizens."
Local businessman Kevin Thomas, founder of Alternative Laboratories,
said he was originally against the project but had a complete change of
heart.
"I would like to buy 10 acres. I would like to move my facility out there,"
Thomas said. "I'm in. I want to participate in the park. I'm ready to go,
where do I send my check?"
Marielena Montesino de Stuart, an Ave Maria resident, said Jackson
has been misleading and the project would only help the Ave Maria
project that has faltered.
"(The Jackson project) is nothing but an immoral and undemocratic
bailout of (Tom) Monaghan and the Ave Maria project," she said.
Georgia Hiller, a county commission candidate for District 2 in North
Naples, called for a referendum and said the issue at hand is about
public policy.
She referenced two recent articles, one..about how Broward County
Commissioners had approved $60 million in bond funding that 10
companies. which competed for the bonds, will have to pay back on
their own. The second article was about how Palm Beach leaders are
struggling with a $100-million shortfall this year, in part due to bond
debt for bringing Scripps Research Institute there in 2003.
After a lunch break, many speakers did not return and the last speaker
addressed the board shortly before 3 p.m.
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