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CCLAAC Minutes 06/11/2018June 11, 2018 MINUTES OF THE CONSERVATION COLLIER LAND ACQUISITION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Naples, Florida, June 11, 2018 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 10:00 A.M. in REGULAR SESSION at Administrative Building "F", 3`a Floor, Collier County Government Complex Naples, Florida with the following members present: CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN Bill Poteet Pat Sherry Susan Calkins Michael Seef John Psaras (Excused) Jacob Winge (Excused) Carol Pratt (Excused) Gary Bromley (Vacancy) ALSO PRESENT: Melissa Hennig, Sr. Environmental Specialist Jennifer Belpedio, Assistant County Attorney Molly DuVall, Land Manager 1 June 11.2018 I. Roll Call Chairman Poteet called the meeting to order at 10:00AM. Roll call was taken and a quorum was established. II. Approval of Agenda Ms. Sherry moved to approve the Agenda. Second by Mr. Seef. Carried unanimously 5 — 0. III. Approval of May 14, 2018 minutes Mr. Seef moved to approve the minutes of the May 14, 2018 meeting as presented. Second by Ms. Calkins. Carried unanimously 5 — 0. IV. Old Business A. Gore and Hack projects — Acquisition Update Ms. Hennig reported the appraisals are due on June 18 and if all details are in order the contracts for purchase will be prepared and be considered by the BCC at their July 10 meeting. B. Ordinance 2007-65, as amended — recommended revisions Ms. Hennig presented "Draft Ordinance No.. 2018 for review — An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2007 6365, which established the Conservation Collier Program for consideration. Speakers Meredith Barnard, Florida Wildlife Federation expressed concern that discussion on changes to the criteria for acquisition may be premature given there has not been a funding source identified for future acquisition cycles. The proposed changes for the management funding merit consideration but she recommended the item be delayed pending the meeting next month with the BCC. Devin Tibor, Conservancy of Southwest Florida supports increased funding for the management activities and agrees with Ms. Barnard's comments on consideration of the item being delayed. Brad Cornell, Audubon of the Western Everglades agreed with the other speakers noting the existing criteria provide flexibility for the County on which properties qualify for acquisitions. Committee discussion occurred on how to proceed given the item was to be reviewed by the Ordinance Policy and Rules Subcommittee this morning however there was not a quorum present. Commissioner McDaniel is proposing changes to the Ordinance and it may be beneficial to review the Ordinance to provide him guidance on the Committees position. It was noted the BCC supported Cormrrissioner McDaniel's request to present changes for consideration by the full Board. The Committee reached consensus on reviewing the propose Draft Ordinance and forwarding it to Commissioner McDaniel for review. They noted it would be beneficial to request he review the Ordinance and if any changes are proposed, it be returned to the CLAAC for review and comment. The Committee reviewed the Draft and recommended the following changes: Page 1: delete the language "WHEREAS, on Tuesday, November 5, 2002, the electorate of Collier County authorized the County to levy a 0.25 mill Ad Valorem property tax for a period not to exceed 10 (ten) years, for acquisition, protection, restoration, and management of environmentally sensitive lands in Collier County for^ the benefit of present and f lure generations. Acquisitions for June 11, 2018 this period ended in 2011 due to the economic downturn. In January 2017, the Board of Coumly Commissioners restarted the Conservation Collier Program; and" Section 5 — Definitions #10.- states "Urban Area shall mean those areas as portrayed as urban on the Future Land Use Map (FLUM)" — The language was added to address a concern raised by Collier County Planning Commission Chairman Mark Strain and clarification is needed on which areas in the County are subject to the definition. Ms. Sherry moved to forward the proposed Ordinance to Commissioner McDaniel subject to the changes referenced above and seeking clarification on the definition of "Urban Land. " The Committee requests Commissioner McDaniel to provide thein with a copy of his proposed Ordinance for their review and comment. Second by Mr. Seef. Carried unanimously 5 — 0. C. Letter drafted by Chair requesting Board guidance The Committee reviewed the Chairman's letter dated May 30, 2018 sent to Collier County in care of Commission Chairman Andy Solis (Re: Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Committee) seeking direction from the Commissioners. Discussion occurred on the status of the program's available funds and expressed concern the BCC may access the funds to pay for emergency service as a result of Hurricane hma. The Committee requested Staff to contact the County Manager's office and determine the status of the County's emergency reserves. D. Pepper Ranch Projects - Update Ms. Hennig provided the update noting: • The asbestos inspection for the caretaker's cottage has been ordered. • The cottage is intended to be demolished and Staff has not had a response from the Fire Departments on the feasibility of utilizing the structure for a practice exercise. • The construction of the RV pad is moving forward. V. New Business A. Wildlife Monitoring Update Ms. DuVall presented the PowerPoint "Conservation Collier Wildlife Monitoring Update" reporting the program consists of following activities: Swallow-tailed Kite nest monitoring Breeding Bird Surveys for Railhead Scrub, Nancy Payton and Gordon River Greenway Preserves • The Swallow-tailed Kite migratory raptors undertake 10,000 mile round trip migrations to nest in Southeaster US and winter in South America. • Prior to the early 1900s, they nested throughout 21 states however sharp population declines have led to a breeding population of 2,500 pairs nesting in only 7 states today. • Florida provides key nesting habitat for population recovery as the Kites arrive to SWFL in mid February and begin nesting in early March. • In Conservation Collier Preserves there were 10 active nests leading to 5 chicks successfitlly fledged. • The preserves are surveyed 5 times throughout the breeding season and monitored for species presence, diversity, and richness across habitats and preserves. Gordon River Greenway Preserve Survey Highlights: • The Yellow Crowned Night Herons are found nesting beside Gordon River Bridge. June 11, 2018 Eastern Bluebirds have been spotted near newly installed nesting boxes. A Bald Eagle nest was active in 2018 but failed following a March 19 brush fire. Survey points have been established throughout the restoration areas for long term monitoring of trends. Railhead Scrub Preserve Survey Highlights: • A Great Crested Flycatcher pair has been observed nesting in an Eastern Screech Owl box. • A nesting Swallow-tailed Kite has been foraging over the preserve. • A Bobcat with kittens is utilizing the preserve. • A Common Nighthawk is daytime roosting in an oak scrub. Nancy Payton Preserve highlights: • Red-headed, downy, and red -bellied woodpeckers are nesting on the property. • 5 Bobwhite Quail heard calling in preserve. • A Brown Headed Nuthatch nesting (Jan) and foraging in the preserve. • 5 woodpecker species observed using the preserve. • Increased Florida panther activity/tracks noted during surveys Frog Breedings Call Surveys - Pepper Ranch Preserve • Monitoring for species presence, diversity, and chorus intensities. • Monitoring for presence of exotic, predatory frog species on the preserve • Collecting baseline data for future hydrologic studies. White -Tailed Deer Surveys Pepper Ranch Preserve Staff conducted nighttime spotlight surveys from May 22nd - 31 st and an average of 26.4 deer observed per night during 2018. Red Maple Swamp Preserve Ly2odium Staff discovered 12.8 acres of heavy Lygodium Infestation and treatment began in May 2018 by Sandbill Native Growers and Environmental Services. VI. Coordinator Communications A. BCC Items 6/12/18- Review of the Memorandum of Understanding between the County and Wildland Restoration International; review of youth hunt agreements for Pepper Ranch; consideration of appointing applicant to be seated on the Committee. 7/10/19— Review of the Cycle 9 Active Acquisition List; Eagle Scout recognition. B. Mise Items — August Recess The Committee acknowledged receipt of a letter from Anne Daley, President of Wing South Airpark (dated May 21, 2018) requesting a fence be installed along the border of their property and the SD Corp parcel (should the parcel be acquired by the County) to prevent the intrusion of individuals into the Airpark property. Upcoming Meeting Schedule Ms. Sherry moved for the Committee to hold their next meeting on June 27, 2018 at 3:00prn at a location as determined by Staff. Second by Mn Seef. Carried unanimously 5 — 0. June 11, 2018 VII. Subcommittee Reports A. Lands Evaluation & Management - No Report — Set Upcoming Meeting None B. Outreach - Last Meeting 5/30/18 Mr. Seef reported: • Work continues on the development of the Program's panels to be displayed at Naples Preserve. • A grand opening ceremony is being planned upon acquisition of the Hack Living Trust and Gore parcels. • Investigation is underway to determine the feasibility of extending Lee County's proposed railway trail system into Collier County to Railhead Scrub Preserve. C. Ordinance Policy and Rules - Last Meeting 5/14/18 Ms. Sherry reported consideration should be given to expanding the membership of the Committee to ensure a quorum is obtained at meetings. VIII. Chair Committee Member Comments None IX. Public General Comments Brad Cornell, Audubon of the Western Everglades noted the funding requirements for Cycle 9 will be clarified at the July 91b BCC meeting which may also answer any question regarding their emergency funding options. X. Staff Comment None There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the chair at 11:48A.M. Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee z , Bill Poteet, Chairman These minutes approved by the Board/Committee on 20/ S as presented or as amended ' i 4-3