BCC Minutes 02/09/2005 TH (District 2)
February 9, 2005
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER
COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
TOWNHALL MEETING-DISTRICT #2
Naples, Florida, February 9, 2005
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Board of County Commissioners
in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on
this date at 7:00 PM at S1. John the Evangelist Church, Naples, Florida, with
the following members present:
CHAIRMAN: Commissioner Fred Coyle
Commissioner Frank Halas
Commissioner Donna Fiala
Commissioner Tom Henning
Commissioner James Coletta
ALSO PRESENT: Jim Mudd, County Manager; Leo Ochs, Deputy County
Manager; Jim DeLony, Public Utilities; Don Scott, Transportation; Len
Golden Price, Administrative Services; Joe Schmitt, CDES Director; Marla
Ramsey, Public Services Administrator; David Weigel, County Attorney;
Bob Tipton, Traffic Operations; Diane Flagg, Director/Alternative
Transportation Modes; John Vliet, Maintenance; Ricardo Valaro, Storm
Water; Ron Hovell, Coastal Project Mgr.; Michelle Arnold, Code
Enforcement Director; Dave Strickner, Code Enforcement Investigator; Patti
Patriella, Supervisor Code Enforcement; Connie Deane, Public Information;
Gwen DeCrow, Public Information; Dale Bathon, Project Manager; Gary
Ponatue, Project Manager; Linda Abbott, School Board
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er County
Board of County Commissioners
District 2 Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, February 9,2005
7 P.M.
81. John the Evangelist Church
625 111th Avenue North, Naples
HOSTED BY
Frank Halas
Commissioner, District 2
Introduction and Pledge of Allegiance
1. Transportation Projects Update - major projects in District 2
2. Transportation Division staff to discuss potential future traffic signals along U.S.
41 in North Naples.
3. 1-75 issues:
· Current forecast for widening and projected time for the project
· Staff to discuss legislative initiatives for widening I-75and how community
can assist in advocating expansion in Tallahassee
· Post-hurricane briefing - including discussion of evacuation issues
4. Protection of Listed Species in Collier County
5. Wiggins Pass and Cocohatchee Estuary System Initiatives
· Dredging at Wiggins Pass
· Friends of Barefoot Beach - Tom Crowe
· Estuary Conservation Association - Joe Moreland
· North Bay Civic Association, Vanderbilt Beach and Bay Association, and
Vanderbilt Beach Property Owners Association - Doug Fee
· The Conservancy of Southwest Florida - Jennifer Hecker
Question and Answer Period
February 9,2005
Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners Fred Coyle welcomed everyone to
the Town Hall Meeting at 7:00 PM. He introduced Commissioner Frank Halas.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Introductions were given.
1. Transportation Projects Update - major projects in District 2:
Don Scott/Transportation - some projects given were as follows:
· Immokalee from 41 - I-75 - 4/6 lanes - end of April/May
· Immokalee from I-75 - 951 - 4/6 lanes - design build in 2/3 months.
· I-75 - Immokalee major project - Loop going north
· Vanderbilt - Airport to 951 - under construction - 6 lanes
· Goodlette from Pine Ridge to Vanderbilt - complete end of April
· Santa Barbara & Rattlesnake - next year
· County Barn - 2006
· Identified resurfacing projects
· Pedestrian/Bicycle Projects given
· 111 th - Vanderbilt/Bluebill - turn lanes
· CA T shelters
· Landscaping Projects - LivingstonlUS 41 to County Line
2. Transportation Division staff to discuss potential future traffic signals along
US 41 in North Naples - Don Scott
· Signals - Scoot approved along Pine Ridge - help with capacity
· Registers cars before and after the intersections -
· Stonn Water projects were listed & given
· Discussed signals between County Line & Wiggins Pass
3. 1-75 Issues: Johnny Limbaugh - Map was shown of 1-75 projects.
· Current forecast for widening and projected time for the projects
· 6 lane Golden Gate under construction now
· Advanced Golden Gate south of Bonita Beach Road
· Replace Alico Road - redo interchange
· Discussed PD&E studies
· Staff to discuss legislative initiatives for widening 1-75 and how
community can assist in advocating expansion in Tallahassee
· Discussed Representative Davis' bill- funding tolls to pay for expansion
ofI-75
· Transponder readers - no tollbooths would be needed.
Commissioner Halas mentioned a TOWNHALL meeting at Florida Gulf Coast
University on February 19, 2:30 PM to let the Legislative body realize how
important it is to widen the road.
Also a Public Workshop will be held at the Golden Gate Community Center to
show plans for the 6-lane project for I-75.
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February 9, 2005
· Post-Hurricane briefing - including discussion of evaluation issues -
Dan Summers - introduced Jamie Sourbaugh (Public Infonnation &
Training with Bureau of Emergency Services) Mr. Summers report
consisted of some of the following issues:
Emergency Response
Emergency Medical Services - Emergency Management (Multi-
Hazards) including Homeland Security
Med-Flight Helicopter
Medical Officer office
Touched on the 2004 Hurricane Season in Naples area
Gave FEMA statistics - 1.2 Million people in Florida registered
for FEMA disaster assistance - largest ever recorded for one
natural disaster season.
Still many homes under tarp and uninhabitable.
Gave corrective actions
FP&L realized they need more liaison with local governments
Recovery issues, 2-way communications, radio station towers and
Sprint were discussed.
Naples not large enough for full-time local radio or television
station
Discussed evacuation, highways, timing recommendations, and
goals of adequate timing for decisions and to load cars during
daylight hours.
Stonn Surges, Highway challenges, radar screens and local media
are important.
Protection of Listed Species in Collier County - Joe Schmitt (Slide
Presentation given)
Gave Background - compelled by three Documents - Growth
Management Plan, Land Development Code and Florida Building Code
March 2004 - Glitch was found in the Growth Management Plan
Gave History with different requirements - NEP A, Clean Water Act,
All rules and regulations and developers - asked if it is all in balance -
difficult issue
Listed Stakeholders Group was fonned - worked on recommendations.
Do they want more Local Standards - what species do they want to protect
and how.
Gap Analysis
Incentives - Federal and State Programs
Changes to GMP
Controversy - public meetings
Findings at Workshop - controversy pointed out - encourage public to
express OpInIOns.
5. Wiggins Pass and Cocohatchee Estuary System Initiatives - Ron Hovell
· Dredging Wiggins Pass -
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February 9, 2005
Dredging this winter - gave dimensions and depths
Environmental concerns are: working outside Turtle season, can't
remove any solid rock layer, keep up manatee warning signs and
observers during operations, minimize turbidity and below mean
water off Barefoot Beach.
Notice to Proceed given - mobilization - January 17th
Final preparations are in progress
Scheduled to complete in early April
· Friends of Barefoot Beach - Tom Crowe
- Represents Friends of Barefoot Beach Preserve
Gave history and background - 400 paid memberships with
approx. 700 members.
Serves the County and work with them
Has a learning and reception center at the Preserve staffed with
Docents.
They educate the public
Built nature trail and do research
Discussed the pass, reducing the erosion, having public access,
Mangroves and a boardwalk.
· Estuary Conservation Association - Joe Moreland
Gave history and background of Association
Non-profit Organization - 19 years old
Objective - to be a resource to County Government and various
organizations within the citizen's activities groups.
They promote scientific research, maintenance of ecology, water
quality, monitoring, preservation and much more.
Do not to take a position unless apparent.
Made comments on beach renourishment and dredging.
Gave different activities and projects they are involved in.
Gave future goals
· North Bay Civic Association, Vanderbilt Beach and Bay Association,
and Vanderbilt Beach Property Owners Association - Doug Fee, Dr.
Richard Bing & BJ Savard-Boyer
Associations come together to share their ideas and issues.
Issues: Cocohatchee River is a valuable resource.
Discussed mangroves and wildlife
Slide presentation by BJ Savard-Boyer - Birdseye view of the area
they are discussing. ...... .. Vanderbilt Lagoon, the Dunes, Water
Turkey Bay, Vanderbilt Canal, Wiggins Pass, Barefoot Beach the
County Park and many more.
Dr. Bing stated the Vanderbilt Beach and Bay Association and
Vanderbilt Beach Property Owners Association are cooperating to
defend the Counties position against the claim the Vanderbilt Inn
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February 9, 2005
owners have placed on the County for $18M because of the
overlay they supported for lower building heights and setbacks etc.
. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida - Jennifer Hecker - (Jessica
Ludy gave slide presentation)
Showed drainage areas, Lake Trafford and the Cocohatchee Water
Shed
Briefly discussed how water enters the system, surface water run-
off and the flow.
Conservancy has developed an estuary report card - grading
system for water systems in the County to assess their ecological
health.
Hydrology- fair grade - moderately altered.
Future Developments
Problems and status of wetlands GMP
Protecting the Wetlands
Conservancy proposing Cocohatchee Watershed initiative of other
interested parties getting together for protection and restoration of
its health and other management plans and issues.
QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD
SPEAKERS
Carol Reuss - Stonebridge County Club - Have checked with the County and been told
they cannot get a stoplight off Immokalee - so would like one on Airport-Pulling Road.
Having problems and are seriously impacted by the construction on Immokalee Road.
Bob Tipton - Traffic Operations Director - a study was done last week at the Airport
Road entrance to Stonebridge and found it did not yet meet the warrants for a traffic
signal. When Immokalee road construction starts, it will change considerable. They
expect it will meet the warrants in the near future.
Gary Edson - wants to get rid of inconsistencies in GMP and have developers keep their
promises when they promise to protect the eagles. No north/south highway and Boston is
the problem called the Big Dig. They are getting money from our funds through gas tax.
He wanted to know what they can do to get their money back.
Commissioner Coyle mentioned Commissioner Albee in Lee County has conducted an
extensive study that demonstrated they do not get their fair share of dollars back from the
gas taxes. Need to put pressure on elected representatives.
Ben Briskey - Pelican Isle - would like the Commissioners to consider the condo
proposed for that area as they will be in his front door. Is also a member of North Bay
Civic Organization and the Board does not represent how he feels about the project.
He talked about the Eagle and 2 hawks in his area.
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February 9, 2005
Dodie Briskey - Member of North Bay Civic Assn and Vanderbilt Beach Property Assn.
- in favor of preserving the wildlife and clean water. Discussed the Wiggins Pass Marina
area and felt the least impact would be if the condo project was approved and would
appreciate the commissioners' support.
Dave Trecker - Pelican Bay resident - Disappointed, angry and frustrated by the Board
of County Commissioner's decision on Pelican Bay with the reclaimed water. Wondered
about the legality.
Commissioner Halas responded on his decision of the way he voted.
Jim Carter - Government Affairs - Waived
Angelo Sabia - President of Piper's Grove Assn. - 300 units - concern of noise level
from trucks and motorcycles from Exxon Mobile Station at all hours of the night.
Widening of Vanderbilt Road will exacerbate the problem. Phase 3 will bring a
restaurant with outdoor seating. Concerned with amplified music and rodents. Will send
letter or email to Commissioner Halas.
Dr. Sam Durso - Habitat for Humanity - attended Strategic Meeting and concerned.
Need the Board of County Commissioners support.
C0'!lmissioner Halas responded they are concerned with density placed on roadways.
Tom Gamber - Wilshire Lakes - wants a sound barrier or wall because of the proposed
widening ofI-75.
Bill Wagener - Discussed the bridge situation over Vanderbilt Drive. Concerned about
everyone's safety. Very narrow bridge with a lot of traffic, and no bicycle path or
sidewalk.
Don Scott stated it has been designed for several years and keeps getting pushed out.
FDOT has design program in '06/07 and construction is not programmed. He addressed
several ideas with a proposal that could possibly be made and put before the MPO.
Gary Mulennix - Pelican Isle - represents the Homeowners - discussed the Coconilla
Hotel and Condos along with real estate taxes, upkeep and reserves.
Claire Goff - she asked what influence the Commissioners had with the North Naples
Fire District. They are having a problem getting maintenance on their fireplugs.
Commissioner Coyle stated they are independent.
Henry Price - Pelican Bay - Board and Chairman of the Legal Committee -
mentioned some erroneous assumptions have been made. Discussed meetings with the
City and the County Manager and effluent water. He addressed the issue concerning the
sur-charge and potable water. He felt the County's charges are much higher than the
City's charges even with 25% sur-charge. He felt they are doing a disservice.
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February 9, 2005
Ted Raia - Pelican Bay - supported the comments by Dave Trecker and Henry Price.
They will still be part of the County by paying their taxes. Talked about the sur-charge of
25% for surplus water by the City. Supports Habitat.
David Weigel - County Attorney - reported they are talking about water - a commodity
for sale.
Bill Eline - heard the best recommendation tonight by Joe Moreland. Urged the
Commissioners to put together a group to study the whole Estuary area.
Sharon Nelson - Stonebridge - concerned about the timing of the traffic lights at
Airport and Immokalee. It is very difficult for them to get out oftheir community. The
timing at Immokalee and US41 is also extremely long. These need to be addressed.
Don Scott responded the widening of Immokalee will help.
Kyle Kinney - Waived
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was
adjourned by order of the Chair at 9:11 PM.
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COLLIER COUNTY TOWNHALL MEETING
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