BCC Minutes 09/25/2018 R September 25, 2018
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TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Naples, Florida, September 25, 2018
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: Andy Solis
William L. McDaniel, Jr.
Donna Fiala
Burt L. Saunders
Penny Taylor
ALSO PRESENT:
Leo Ochs, County Manager
Nick Casalanguida, Deputy County Manager
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
Crystal K. Kinzel, Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Troy Miller, Communications & Customer Relations
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September 25, 2018
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Community Redevelopment Agency Board (CRAB)
Airport Authority
AGENDA
Board of County Commission Chambers
Collier County Government Center
3299 Tamiami Trail East, 3rd Floor
Naples, FL 34112
September 25, 2018
9:00 AM
Commissioner Andy Solis, District 2 - BCC Chair
Commissioner William L. McDaniel, Jr., Dist. 5 - BCC Vice-Chair; CRAB Co-Chair
Commissioner Donna Fiala, District 1; CRAB Co-Chair
Commissioner Burt Saunders, District 3
Commissioner Penny Taylor, District 4
NOTICE: ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS MUST
REGISTER PRIOR TO PRESENTATION OF THE AGENDA ITEM TO BE
ADDRESSED. ALL REGISTERED SPEAKERS WILL RECEIVE UP TO THREE
(3) MINUTES UNLESS THE TIME IS ADJUSTED BY THE CHAIRMAN.
REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON SUBJECTS WHICH ARE NOT ON
THIS AGENDA MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING WITH EXPLANATION
TO THE COUNTY MANAGER AT LEAST 13 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF
THE MEETING AND WILL BE HEARD UNDER “PUBLIC PETITIONS.”
PUBLIC PETITIONS ARE LIMITED TO THE PRESENTER, WITH A
MAXIMUM TIME OF TEN MINUTES.
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD
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September 25, 2018
WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDING PERTAINING THERETO,
AND THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD
OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE
TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.
COLLIER COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. 2003-53 AS AMENDED BY
ORDINANCE 2004-05 AND 2007-24, REQUIRES THAT ALL LOBBYISTS
SHALL, BEFORE ENGAGING IN ANY LOBBYING ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ADDRESSING THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS), REGISTER WITH THE CLERK TO THE BOARD AT THE
BOARD MINUTES AND RECORDS DEPARTMENT.
IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS ANY
ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCEEDING,
YOU ARE ENTITLED, AT NO COST TO YOU, THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN
ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE COLLIER COUNTY FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT DIVISION LOCATED AT 3335 EAST TAMIAMI TRAIL,
SUITE 1, NAPLES, FLORIDA, 34112-5356, (239) 252-8380; ASSISTED
LISTENING DEVICES FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED ARE AVAILABLE IN
THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DIVISION.
LUNCH RECESS SCHEDULED FOR 12:00 NOON TO 1:00 P.M.
1. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A. Pastor Heath Jarvis, New Hope Ministries
2. AGENDA AND MINUTES
A. Approval of today's regular, consent and summary agenda as amended (ex
parte disclosure provided by Commission members for consent agenda.)
3. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
A. EMPLOYEE
B. 20 YEAR ATTENDEES
a) Brian Bower, Water
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September 25, 2018
b) Nancy Mesa, Community and Human Services
c) Javier Perez, Road Maintenance
d) Terry Stuller, Wastewater
C. 25 YEAR ATTENDEES
a) Yves Cazimir, Water
b) Travis Gossard, Road Maintenance
c) David Sirenord, Road Maintenance
D. 30 YEAR ATTENDEES
a) John Conti, Transportation Engineering
b) Samuel Poole Jr., EMS
E. 35 YEAR ATTENDEES
F. ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
G. RETIREES
H. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
1) Recommendation to recognize Katie Sibert, Human Resources
Technician, Administrative Services Department as the August 2018
Employee of the Month.
4. PROCLAMATIONS
A. Proclamation designating September 25, 2018, as National Voter
Registration Day in Collier County. To be accepted by Jennifer J. Edwards,
Supervisor of Elections; Melissa Blazier, Chief Deputy Supervisor of
Elections; Heather Doane, Voter Education Coordinator, and Trish
Robertson, Communications Coordinator.
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5. PRESENTATIONS
A. Presentation to recognize contributions made by twelve (12) Eagle Scouts to
the Conservation Collier Program.
B. Presentation to provide an update on the countywide “BearWise” initiative
to bring bear-resistant trash roll carts to Collier County residents as directed
and provide an overview of a draft ordinance for the use of bear-resistant
solid waste containers.
6. PUBLIC PETITIONS
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS NOT ON THE CURRENT
OR FUTURE AGENDA
8. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
A. This item requires ex parte disclosure be provided by the Commission
members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are
required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve a Resolution of the
Board of Zoning Appeals of Collier County, Florida, relating to a variance
request from Section 4.02.01.A of the Collier County Land Development
Code, to reduce the minimum side yard setback from 30 feet to 8.6 feet for
an accessory garage/shed structure on property in the Estates (E) zoning
district located at 4190 3rd Avenue NW in Section 3, Township 49 South,
Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida. [PL20180001342]
9. ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. This item continued indefinitely. Recommendation to approve by
Resolution proposed amendments to the Golden Gate Area Master Plan
(GGAMP) and related elements of the Growth Management Plan (GMP) for
transmittal to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) for
review and objections, recommendations and comments (ORC) response.
[Transmittal Hearing]
B. Recommendation to approve petition PL20170003768/CPSS-2018-1, a
Growth Management Plan Small Scale Amendment specific to the Seed to
Table Commercial Subdistrict and adopt the proposed ordinance. (Adoption
Hearing) (This is a Companion to Agenda Item #9C)
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C. This item requires ex parte disclosure be provided by the Commission
members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are
required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve an Ordinance
amending Ordinance No. 2004-41, as amended, the Collier County Land
Development Code, which established the comprehensive zoning regulations
for the unincorporated area of Collier County, Florida by amending the
appropriate zoning atlas map or maps by changing the zoning classification
of the herein described real property from a Residential Single Family (RSF-
3) zoning district to a Commercial Planned Unit Development (CPUD)
zoning district for the project known as Seed to Table CPUD to allow offsite
employee parking for the Seed to Table commercial development in the
Carlton Lakes Planned Unit Development and to allow Collier Area Transit
(CAT) park & ride and County utility facilities, and by providing an
effective date. The property consists of 6.82± acres and is located north of
the terminus of Piper Boulevard at the northwest corner of the intersection of
Livingston Road and Immokalee Road, in Section 24, Township 48 South,
Range 25 East, Collier County, Florida. [PL20170003766] (This is a
companion to Agenda Item #9B)
10. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
11. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT
A. Recommendation to accept staff’s recommended concept of the revised
mainline alignment, side street frontage road connections, and Cypress
Canal relocation between Massey Street and 13th Street NW of the
Vanderbilt Beach Road Extension project. (Project No. 60168) (Thaddeus
Cohen, Department Head, Growth Management)
B. Recommendation to approve the First Amendment to Agreement No. 17-
7198 with Manhattan Construction, Inc. in the amount of $3,199,984.81 for
Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) first phase construction services
for the Collier County Sports Complex and make a finding that this
expenditure promotes tourism; and to receive a project update and approve
the staff recommended layout plan and approximate final acreage takedown.
(Nick Casalanguida, Deputy County Manager)
C. Recommendation that the Board direct the County Attorney to advertise and
bring back for a public hearing an ordinance which would create the Golden
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Gate City Economic Development Zone. (Jace Kentner, Director, Office of
Business & Economic Development)
D. Recommendation to direct Staff to prepare amendments to the Growth
Management Plan (GMP), Rural Fringe Mixed Use District (RFMUD) based
upon the completed public planning process and direction provided to Staff
at three individual workshops conducted with the Board during 2017. (Mike
Bosi, Director, Zoning Division)
E. Recommendation to complete the Annual Performance Appraisal for the
County Manager. (Leo E. Ochs, Jr., County Manager)
F. Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners extend the
County Manager Employment Agreement with Leo E. Ochs, Jr., fixing the
end date of the fourth extension term as September 30, 2021. (Leo E. Ochs,
Jr., County Manager)
12. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
A. The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney.
B. Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners extends the
County Attorney Employment Agreement to September 30, 2021.
13. OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
14. AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND/OR COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
A. AIRPORT
B. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
15. STAFF AND COMMISSION GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS
A. Proposed Future Workshop Schedule
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16. CONSENT AGENDA - All matters listed under this item are considered to be
routine and action will be taken by one motion without separate discussion of
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each item. If discussion is desired by a member of the Board, that item(s) will
be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately.
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A. GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
1) Recommendation to approve a Local Area Program (LAP) Agreement
with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in which
Collier County would receive reimbursement up to the amount of
$451,560 for the purpose of retiming signalized intersections at
multiple locations on Airport Road, Pine Ridge Road, Vanderbilt
Beach Road and Livingston Road; and to execute a Resolution
memorializing the Board's action and to authorize the necessary
budget amendment. (Project No. 33589)
2) Recommendation to approve an agreement for the purchase of a fee
simple property (Parcel 3197POND) required for the Vanderbilt
Beach Road Extension (Project #60168). Estimated Fiscal Impact:
$176,500.
3) This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by
Commission members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all
participants are required to be sworn in. Recommendation to
approve for recording the final plat of Azure at Hacienda Lakes –
Phase 1 Replat (Application Number PL20180001774), the standard
form Construction and Maintenance Agreement, and the amount of
the performance security.
4) Recommendation to approve a Resolution for final acceptance of the
private roadway and drainage improvements, and acceptance of the
plat dedications, for the final plat of Coquina at Maple Ridge Phase 1
Application Number 20140000068; and authorize the release of the
maintenance security.
5) Recommendation to approve a Resolution for final acceptance of the
private roadway and drainage improvements, and acceptance of the
plat dedications, for the final plat of Mandalay Place, Application
Number 20130001582, and authorize the release of the maintenance
security.
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6) Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the potable water
facilities for GFS Market Place, PL20130001599, accept
unconditional conveyance of a portion of the potable water facilities,
and to authorize the County Manager, or his designee, to release the
Utilities Performance Security (UPS) and Final Obligation Bond in
the total amount of $8,635.28 to the Project Engineer or the
Developer’s designated agent.
7) Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the potable water and
sewer facilities for Signature Club Phases 3 and 4, PL20160002830,
accept unconditional conveyance of the potable water facilities, and to
authorize the County Manager, or his designee, to release the Utilities
Performance Security (UPS) and Final Obligation Bond in the total
amount of $17,991.58 to the Project Engineer or the Developer’s
designated agent.
8) Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the potable water and
sewer facilities for Kalea Bay Phase 1B, PL20160002553, accept
unconditional conveyance of a portion of the potable water and sewer
facilities, and to authorize the County Manager, or his designee, to
release the Utilities Performance Security (UPS) and Final Obligation
Bond in the total amount of $98,202.30 to the Project Engineer or the
Developer’s designated agent.
9) Recommendation to authorize the Clerk of Courts to release a
Performance Bond in the amount of $130,340 which was posted as a
development guaranty for an Early Work Authorization (EWA)
(PL20180001798) for work associated with Winding Cypress Phase 3.
10) Recommendation to authorize the Clerk of Courts to release a
Performance Bond in the amount of $34,000 which was posted as a
development guaranty for an Early Work Authorization (EWA)
(PL20180001846) for work associated with The Enclave of
Distinction.
11) Recommendation to authorize the Clerk of Courts to release a
Performance Bond in the amount of $4,040 which was posted as a
development guaranty for an Early Work Authorization (EWA)
(PL20180000700) for work associated with Titan America Concrete
Batch Plant.
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12) Recommendation to authorize the Clerk of Courts to release a
Performance Bond in the amount of $30,500 which was posted as a
development guaranty for an Early Work Authorization (EWA)
(PL20170003991) for work associated with Legacy Naples New Hope
Ministries – Phase 2.
13) Recommendation to award a Work Order to Wright Construction
Group, Inc., for construction of the “Vanderbilt Beach Road Wall
Replacement” project in the amount of $616,735.77 (Project #60130).
14) Recommendation to approve the release of a code enforcement lien
with a value of $33,130.36 for payment of $10,000 in the code
enforcement actions entitled Board of County Commissioners v.
AT&T Wireless Services of FL, Code Enforcement Board Case No.
CEPM20150012708 relating to 1173 Sun Century Road, Collier
County, Florida.
15) Recommendation to review and approve the Fiscal Year 2019 Capital
Improvement Plan of the Big Cypress Basin, a part of the South
Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).
16) Recommendation to award RFP #18-7375 “Laboratory Services” to
TestAmerica Laboratories, Inc. and Pace Analytical Services,
LLC.Labratory services Bid
B. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
1) Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners (BCC),
acting in its capacity as the Community Redevelopment Agency
(CRA), approve the attendance of two Immokalee Local
Redevelopment Advisory Board members at the Florida
Redevelopment Association 2018 Annual Conference and allow the
other Board members to attend the Awards Dinner; authorize payment
of attendees’ registration, lodging, travel and per diem from the
Immokalee CRA Trust Fund (Fund 186) travel budget; and declare the
training received as serving a valid public purpose.
C. PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
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1) Recommendation to award Bid #18-7311, “Electrical Contractors,” to
Hart’s Electrical, Inc., as the primary, Simmonds Electrical of Naples,
Inc., as secondary, and Technical Management Associates, as tertiary,
for Countywide Electrical Contractors Services.
2) Recommendation to award Invitation to Bid #18-7416 to ProLime
Corporation, in the unit amount of $17.29 per cubic yard, for the
purchase of services for removal and disposal of non-pressed sludge
(created from the softening process) from the holding pond located at
the South County Regional Water Treatment Plant.
3) Recommendation to award Invitation to Bid #18-7348, “Tamiami
Well House #18 Generator Replacement,” to Simmonds Electric of
Naples, Inc., in the amount of $124,824, Project Number 50154, plus
a $15,000 owner’s allowance.
4) Recommendation to award Contract #17-7117 “South County
Regional Water Treatment Plant Reactor Tank No. 4” (Project
#70135), for professional engineering services for a new reactor tank
at the South County Regional Water Treatment Plant, to Carollo
Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $335,659 and authorize the chairman
to execute the attached contract and authorize the necessary budget
amendment.
5) Recommendation to Award Agreements to EMA, Inc., Gray Matter
Systems, LLC, and Stantec Consulting Services, Inc, under Request
for Proposal #18-7287, “Enterprise Asset Management Consulting
Services.”
6) Recommendation to approve the annual rate resolution to establish the
fees, rates, and charges for the use of Collier County Solid Waste
Facilities, including landfill tipping fees, recycling drop-off center
fees, and residential multi-family and commercial waste collection
fees for FY19. This resolution adopts the rates that fund the FY19
budget for solid waste collection and disposal and increases the rate to
a total of 4.1 percent; 2.1 percent in accordance with the consumer
price index and 2 percent for hurricane recovery reserve.
7) Recommendation to approve a Second Amendment to Ground Lease
Agreement and Memorandum of Lease with the Verizon Wireless
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Personal Communications LP d/b/a Verizon Wireless at the North
County Water Reclamation Facility.
D. PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT
1) Recommendation to approve an amended and restated Agreement
authorizing affordable housing density bonus and imposing covenants
and restrictions on Real Property as a companion item to the
Esperanza Place RPUD. (This is a companion to Agenda Item
#17A)
2) Recommendation to approve “after-the-fact” agreements and
attestation statements with the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest
Florida, Inc. (AAASWFL), Community Care for the Elderly (CCE),
Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative (ADI) and Home Care for the Elderly
(HCE) grant programs for Services for Seniors and to authorize
Budget Amendments to ensure continuous funding for FY 2018/2019.
3) Recommendation to approve demolition of the Caretaker’s Residence
at Conservation Collier’s Pepper Ranch Preserve.
4) Recommendation to award Agreement No. 18-7379 Forest Lakes
Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) Landscape Maintenance to
Ground Zero Landscaping Services Inc. in the amount of $53,427.
5) Recommendation to Award Agreement No. 18-7380 Golden Gate
Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) Landscape Maintenance to
Green Effex, LLC. in the amount of $139,648.31.
6) Recommendation to approve an Underground Facilities Conversion
Agreement (UFCA) with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) for
Phase IV of the Vanderbilt Beach Municipal Service Taxing Unit
(MSTU) Utility Conversion Project and to approve payment to FPL in
the amount of $287,680 for materials and services as received and
provided by FPL.
7) Recommendation to Award Invitation to Bid (ITB) Solicitation No.
18-7437 “Vanderbilt Beach Boardwalk Replacement” to Interstate
Construction, LLC for conversion/construction of a boardwalk and
shower at Vanderbilt Beach Park in the amount of $249,500, authorize
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the Chairman to execute the attached agreement, and authorize any
necessary Budget Amendment.
8) Recommendation to approve First Amendment to Agreement #18-
7243-NS between the Board of County Commissioners and the
Collier County Sheriff for seasonal traffic management services
adjacent to the entrance to Delnor-Wiggins State Park and approve the
reimbursement for the law enforcement services through the duration
of the Agreement with an anticipated annual spend not to exceed
$70,000 per fiscal year.
9) Recommendation to approve eight (8) mortgage satisfactions for the
State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Loan Program in the
combined amount of $51,460.
10) Recommendation to approve a resolution for technical revisions to the
Collier County State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Local
Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for Fiscal Years 2016-2017, 2017-
2018, and 2018-2019 revising the Demolition and Replacement of
Site Built Mobile/Manufactured Housing strategy, by (1) clarifying
that relocation expenses will be considered a grant and excluded from
the maximum mortgage amount for four existing strategies, and (2)
providing for an exception to the State regulation on a twenty (20%)
percent maximum annual allocation for mobile/manufactured homes
thereby increasing the maximum SHIP loan amount to $150,000 with
a cap of $75,000 for the mobile/manufactured unit and a maximum of
$75,000 for infrastructure and site related improvements per owner-
occupied lot.
11) Recommendation to authorize execution of the FY18 Section 5339
grant award from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in the
Transit Award Management System (TrAMS) and authorize a Budget
Amendment in the amount of $411,466 for paratransit software and
warranties; and new bus shelters.
12) Recommendation to award Contract Number 18-7279, Big Corkscrew
Island Regional Park Design Services for Phase II, to Q. Grady Minor
and Associates, P.A., for professional engineering services in the
amount of $749,176 and authorize the Chairman to execute the
attached contract.
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13) Recommendation to authorize the Chairman to sign Agreements with
74 Family Fun Park and Florida Tracks & Trails to provide Collier
County residents with tickets to ride their All Terrain Vehicles (ATV)
and Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) at qualified riding locations in
Southwest Florida at a cost not to exceed $20,000 annually and to
authorize staff to use this form agreement going forward should
additional qualified parks wish to participate in the Ticket to Ride
Program.
14) Recommendation to approve an agreement in the amount of $605,978
with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), approve an
agreement with Collier Health Services, Inc. (CHSI), and authorize
necessary budget amendments to participate in the Medicaid Low
Income Pool (LIP) Program, generating $682,755 in federal matching
funds that will provide additional health services for the citizens of
Collier County.
15) Recommendation to award Invitation to Bid (ITB) Solicitation No.
18- 7457, Eagle Lakes Artificial Turf Conversion, to SCG Fields,
LLC for conversion and construction of one (1) artificial turf soccer
field at Eagle Lakes Park in the amount of $794,452 and authorize the
Chairman to execute the attached construction agreement.
E. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
1) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to execute
the Seventh Amendment to the Agreement for Medical Examiner
Services (Contract #11-5776 Medical Examiner) in the amount of
$1,434,400, which will extend the term of the Agreement to
September 30, 2019.
2) Recommendation to ratify Property, Casualty, Workers’
Compensation and Subrogation claim files settled and/or closed by the
Risk Management Division Director pursuant to Resolution #2004-15
for the third quarter of FY 18.
3) Recommendation to approve the purchase of Flood Insurance for
Fiscal Year 2019 in the estimated amount of $417,639.
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4) Recommendation to approve the purchase of Liability, Automobile,
Workers’ Compensation, Aircraft, Airport and other insurance
coverage for FY 2019 in the estimated annual amount of $921,569.
5) Recommendation to execute a Resolution adopting the Pay and
Classification Plans for the County Manager’s Agency and County
Attorney’s Office effective October 1, 2018; and to approve the
creation of new classifications, modification and/or deletion of
classifications, and assignment of pay ranges from the proposed Pay
and Classification Plans, from July 1, 2018 forward, using the existing
point-factor job evaluation system.
6) Recommendation to approve an Assumption Agreement to Granicus,
LLC assigning all rights, duties and benefits, and obligations under
Agreement #15-6431 “BCC Agenda Software Replacement.”
7) Recommendation to approve the Administrative Reports prepared by
the Procurement Services Division for change orders and other
contractual modifications requiring Board approval.
8) Recommendation to extend the term of the Interlocal Agreement
between Collier County and the City of Everglades City, relating to
damage caused by Hurricane Irma, to March 31, 2019.
9) Recommendation to authorize a single source waiver for the purchase
of gasoline and diesel fuel at the Seminole Petroleum commercial
refueling site located at South Horseshoe Drive and authorize an
After-The-Fact payment of $51,132.29 for outstanding Seminole
Petroleum invoices for July and August.
10) Recommendation to approve a Lease Agreement with Immokalee Fire
District on County-Owned property located within the Town of Ave
Maria, authorize impact fee credits to Ave Maria Development, LLLP
for the one-acre parcel, and authorize the disbursement of $121,000 to
Ave Maria Development LLLP for site development improvements.
F. COUNTY MANAGER OPERATIONS
1) Recommendation to Award Bid Number 18-7352, “Management
Services for Pelican Bay Services Division” to Dorrill Management
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September 25, 2018
Group, LLC and authorize the Chairman to execute the related
agreement.
2) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a
one- year extension to the Memorandum of Understanding between
the Collier County Board of County Commissioners and the Early
Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida Inc. to provide local match
funding in the amount of $75,000 in Fiscal Year 2019.
3) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign
Extension of Agreement with Southwest Florida Economic
Development Alliance, Inc. for FY 2019 in continued support of the
established public-private partnership designed to advance the
County’s economic development efforts.
4) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign an
Extension of Agreement with Partnership for Collier’s Future
Economy, Inc. (“Partnership”) in continued support of the established
public-private partnership designed to advance the County’s economic
development efforts.
5) Recommendation to adopt a resolution approving amendments
(appropriating grants, donations, contributions or insurance proceeds)
to the FY2017-18 Adopted Budget.
6) Recommendation to adopt a resolution approving amendments
(appropriating grants, donations, contributions or insurance proceeds)
to the FY2018-19 Adopted Budget.
7) Recommendation to approve a report covering budget amendments
impacting reserves and moving funds in an amount up to and
including $25,000 and $50,000, respectively.
8) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the
annual Agreement between Economic Incubators, Inc. and the Board
of County Commissioners in continued support of the established
public-private partnership designed to advance the County’s economic
development efforts.
G. AIRPORT AUTHORITY
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1) Recommendation to approve an after-the-fact acceptance of the
attached Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant offer in the
amount of $3,553,411, for the construction of airfield safety
improvements at the Marco Island Executive Airport, and approve the
associated budget amendments. (Fiscal Impact: $3,553,411 FAA, and
$394,823 County).
2) Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners, acting as
the Airport Authority, award Bid No. 18-7402 Fuel Trucks for Airport
Authority in the amount of $112,283 for an Avgas refueling truck to
SkyMark Refuelers, LLC.
H. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
1) Proclamation designating October 10, 2018 as Republic of China
(Taiwan) Day in Collier County. To be hand delivered by
Commissioner Penny Taylor at the Taipei Economic and Cultural
Office in Miami, Florida, on October 4, 2018.
I. MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
J. OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
1) Recommendation to approve Tax Collector request for advance
commissions in accordance with Florida Statute 192.102(1) for FY
2019.
2) Request that the Board approve and determine valid public purpose
for invoices payable and purchasing card transactions as of September
19, 2018.
3) To record in the minutes of the Board of County Commissioners, the
check number (or other payment method), amount, payee, and
purpose for which the referenced disbursements were drawn for the
periods between August 30 and September 12, 2018 pursuant to
Florida Statute 136.06.
K. COUNTY ATTORNEY
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September 25, 2018
1) Recommendation to approve an Amendment to a Retention
Agreement for Carlton Fields P.A. extending the expiration date to
October 27, 2020, and increasing the firm’s rates for services.
2) Recommendation to reappoint a member to the Collier County
Planning Commission, representing Commission District 1.
3) Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners reviews
and approves the proposed FY 2018 - 2019 Action Plan for Jeffrey A.
Klatzkow, County Attorney.
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17. SUMMARY AGENDA - This section is for advertised public hearings and
must meet the following criteria: 1) A recommendation for approval from
staff; 2) Unanimous recommendation for approval by the Collier County
Planning Commission or other authorizing agencies of all members present
and voting; 3) No written or oral objections to the item received by staff, the
Collier County Planning Commission, other authorizing agencies or the
Board, prior to the commencement of the BCC meeting on which the items
are scheduled to be heard; and 4) No individuals are registered to speak in
opposition to the item. For those items which are quasi-judicial in nature, all
participants must be sworn in.
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A. This item requires ex parte disclosure be provided by the Commission
members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are
required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve an Ordinance
amending Ordinance No. 2008-28, as amended, the Esperanza Place RPUD,
to reduce the maximum number of residential dwelling units, from 262 to
159 units, to allow a maximum of 45 group housing units, to add single
family dwelling units, child day care services, and group housing as
permitted uses in Tract A, to add new development standards for group
housing, to add a new deviation relating to fence and wall standards, to
amend a developer commitment relating to affordable housing, and to amend
the Master Plan. The subject property is located on the north side of
Immokalee Drive, approximately one quarter mile east of Carson Road in
Immokalee, in Section 32, Township 46 South, Range 29 East, Collier
County, Florida, consisting of 31.6± acres; and by providing an effective
date. [PL20170001326]. (This is a companion to Agenda Item 16.D.1)
Page 18
September 25, 2018
B. This item requires ex parte disclosure be provided by the Commission
members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are
required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve an Ordinance
amending an Ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of Collier
County, Florida amending Ordinance No. 2001- 59, the White Lake
Corporate Park Planned Unit Development by increasing the maximum
number of hotel rooms from 150 to 281, by adding tool rental and leasing as
a permitting use and adding general warehousing and storage as an
accessory use; by increasing the commercial development area by 3 acres
and reducing the industrial development area by 3 acres; by adding a cap on
traffic trip generation for the commercial development area; by revising
development commitments; and revising the PUD master plan to move the
Tract C boundary to the east of the FPL easement; and providing an
effective date. The subject property, consisting of 144.4+/- acres, is located
northeast of, and adjacent to, the intersection of I-75 and Collier Boulevard
in Section 35, Township 49 South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida.
[PL20170004428]
C. Recommendation to adopt an Ordinance amending Ordinance 97-82, as
amended, which created the Bayshore Beautification Municipal Service
Taxing Unit, to expand the district boundary to include County owned right-
of-way identified for the purpose of constructing pedestrian streetscape
improvements within the right- of-way along Thomasson Drive.
D. Recommendation to adopt an ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 76-24
(Gain Time for Prisoners) and adopt, by resolution, a revised policy of
authorizing gain time for County prisoners pursuant to Section 951.21,
Florida Statutes.
E. Recommendation to adopt a resolution approving amendments
(appropriating carry forward, transfers and supplemental revenue) to the
Fiscal Year 2018-19 Adopted Budget.
18. ADJOURN
INQUIRIES CONCERNING CHANGES TO THE BOARD’S AGENDA SHOULD
BE MADE TO THE COUNTY MANAGER’S OFFICE AT 252-8383.
September 25, 2018
Page 2
MR. OCHS: Ladies and gentlemen, if you'd please take your
seats.
Mr. Chairman, you have a live mic.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the
September 25th, 2018, Board of County Commission meeting.
We'll begin today with Pastor Heath Jarvis who will give the
invocation.
Item #1
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PASTOR JARVIS: Good morning. Let's pray.
Father in heaven, we thank you, first of all, for this wonderful
country that we live in, a country where we can come before you freely
like we are right now and invoke your presence and your wisdom. We
thank you for this opportunity to come together as the leadership of
Collier County, and we ask for your guidance as decisions are made
that will affect all who live here.
May we never take our responsibilities lightly. Order our steps
and order our words. May we always do what you desire, for we know
that your desires towards us, your thoughts towards us, and your plans
for us are always good, always perfect, and always for our benefit.
Plans to give us a future, a hope, and an expected end.
Lord, I know that there are a lot of significant issues that come
before this board, issues that often have the potential to turn into
heated discussions and emotional conversations. God, I pray that you
would give each of us the wisdom, the temperament, and the
self-control to communicate with each other fairly, reasonably, and
respectfully. Help us to reach decisions that are only the best decisions
for our community. God, if Option A and Option B won't work, I ask
September 25, 2018
Page 3
you to show us Option C.
We thank you for your blessing on our great nation, this
magnificent state of Florida, and our beautiful community here in
Collier County. We know that whatever blessings we enjoy, it is
because of you. For you, Lord, are the giver of wisdom, the giver of
all good and perfect gifts, and the god of all sufficiency.
We ask for your guidance in all of these things. And I pray this in
Jesus' name. Amen.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Saunders, would you lead
us in the Pledge.
(The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.)
Item #2A
APPROVAL OF TODAY'S REGULAR, CONSENT AND
SUMMARY AGENDA AS AMENDED (EX PARTE DISCLOSURE
PROVIDED BY COMMISSION MEMBERS FOR CONSENT
AGENDA.) – APPROVED AND/OR ADOPTED W/CHANGES
MR. OCHS: Good morning, Commissioners. These are the
proposed agenda changes for the Board of County Commissioners
meeting of September 25th, 2018.
The first proposed change is to continue Item 16A14 to your
October 9th, 2018, BCC meeting.
The next proposed change is to move Item 16F3 from the consent
agenda to become Item 11G on your regular agenda. This is an item to
approve an extension of an agreement with the Southwest Florida
Economic Development Alliance, and it has been moved to the regular
agenda at Commissioner Saunders' request.
The next proposed change is to move Item 16F4 to become Item
11H on your regular agenda. This is an extension of an annual
September 25, 2018
Page 4
agreement with the Partnership for Collier's Future Economy. That
item has been moved at Commissioner Saunders' request.
And the next proposed change is to move Item 16F8 from the
consent agenda to become Item 11I on the regular agenda. This is an
extension of an annual agreement between Economic Incubators,
Incorporated, and the Board of County Commissioners. That was also
moved at Commissioner Saunders' request.
I have one agenda note this morning, Commissioners. It relates to
Item 16A1. The resolution for that item was inadvertently omitted
from the agenda packet, but copies have been previously provided and
distributed to the board members and to minutes and records.
We have three time-certain items this morning, Commissioners.
They'll be heard at 11 a.m. in sequence beginning with Item 11G,
followed immediately by Items 11H and 11I.
And those are all the changes that I have this morning, Mr.
Chairman.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you.
MR. OCHS: County Attorney, sir.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: County Attorney.
MR. KLATZKOW: No changes.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Madam Clerk?
THE CLERK: No, thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Disclosures on the consent.
Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. Good morning.
I have none on the consent, but I have meetings on 17A and 17B;
meetings, emails, and phone calls on both the summaries.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. I've only had a staff report on
17A and 17B. No disclosures on anything else.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Taylor?
September 25, 2018
Page 5
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I have had emails on 17A and
then also on 17B, 17C, and that's it, and no changes or additions to the
agenda.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I have no disclosures on the
consent agenda or -- and no changes to -- no additional changes to the
agenda.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: And I have no disclosures on the consent
or the summary as well.
Is there a motion to approve the agenda with the changes?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: So moved.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: There's a motion and a second. All in
favor, say aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: They're approved.
Proposed Agenda Changes
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
October 9, 2018
Time Certain Items: Item 11A to be heard at 10:00 a.m. (Commissioner Fiala’s
request)
10/10/2018 9:43 AM
September 25, 2018
Page 6
Item #3B
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION – 20 YEAR ATTENDEES –
PRESENTED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, that takes us to Item 3 on this
morning's agenda, awards and recognitions. If the Board would join us
in the front of the dais, please, for our service awards.
Commissioners, we're pleased this morning to have the
opportunity to recognize several of our county team members for
dedicated years of service to county government. We'll begin this
morning by recognizing employees with 20 years of service.
Our first recipient from our Water Division, 20 years of service,
Brian Bower. Brian?
(Applause.)
MR. OCHS: Celebrating 20 years of service with our
Community and Human Services Division, Nancy Mesa.
(Applause.)
MR. OCHS: Celebrating 20 years of service with our Road and
Maintenance Division, Javier Perez. Javier?
(Applause.)
MR. OCHS: Now, our final 20-year service award recipient this
morning, from our Wastewater Division, Terry Stuller. Terry?
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Looks like your fan club showed up,
too.
MR. OCHS: Congratulations, Terry.
(Applause.)
Item #3C
September 25, 2018
Page 7
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION – 25 YEAR ATTENDEES –
PRESENTED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, we're pleased to honor three of our
team members this morning celebrating 25 years of service with
county government.
Our first recipient from our Water Department, Yves Cazimir.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Thanks for sticking with us.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: You've got to get in the middle; somewhat
in the middle. Sort of in the middle.
MR. CAZIMIR: Okay.
(Applause.)
MR. OCHS: Congratulations.
Celebrating 25 years, leading our Road Maintenance Division,
Travis Gossard. Travis?
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Thank you for what you did this
weekend. You were out there and your crews. You kept those
people's homes dry, thank you.
MR GOSSARD: You're welcome.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Nobody argues with him.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER FIALA: You folks have no idea how much --
how often, how many times a week he comes to your rescue, and I'll
tell you, he's a joy to work with. He always has that smile on his face.
(Applause.)
MR. OCHS: Our final 25-year awardee this morning, also from
road maintenance division, David Sirenord. David?
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER FIALA: You stuck with us.
September 25, 2018
Page 8
MR. SIRENORD: Absolutely.
(Applause.)
Item #3D
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION – 30 YEAR ATTENDEES –
PRESENTED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, we have the privilege of honoring
two of our team members this morning celebrating 30 years of service
with Collier County Government.
Our first recipient, from our Transportation Engineering Division,
John Conti. John?
(Applause.)
MR. OCHS: Congratulations.
And our final 30-year service awardee this morning, from our
EMS department, Sam Poole. Sam?
(Applause.)
MR. OCHS: Congratulations.
(Applause.)
Item #3H1
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION – EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
– PRESENTED
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, that takes us to Item 3H1 this
morning. This is a recommendation to recognize Katie Sibert, Human
Resource technician in our Administrative Services Department, as the
August 2018 Employee of the Month.
Katie, would you step forward, please.
September 25, 2018
Page 9
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Is that your daughter? You need
to bring her up.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Oh, you've got to bring her up.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: We love that little girl.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: She's part of it.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Have her come up.
MS. SIBERT: Get her, okay.
MR. OCHS: Katie, stay right there for a minute while I tell the
audience a little bit more about you.
Commissioners, Katie's been with county government since 2013
working in our Human Resources Division. Katie was instrumental in
coordinating site inspections required by FEMA to capture Hurricane
Irma-related damages. She undertook an enormous responsibility
having to synchronize the site visits with representatives from FEMA,
Collier County, and our disaster recovery consulting service, all the
time continuing to perform her regular job duties as a customer service
specialist in Human Resources.
Because of her tireless efforts, Collier County and FEMA
completed all pre-site and on-site visits of damaged infrastructure
sustained from the impact of a Category 4 hurricane within nine
months following landfall. A mere thank you does not begin to
express our appreciation.
Katie's determination and endless ability to find ways to schedule
these inspections while coordinating all parties involved demonstrates
how very deserving she is as Employee of the Month. And,
Commissioners, it's my honor to present Katie Sibert, your Employee
of the Month for August 2018.
Congratulations, Katie.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Let's get the parents in here as well. It's a
September 25, 2018
Page 10
family photo op.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I didn't do anything. This is what
we do. This is what we do.
(Applause.)
Item #4A
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 25, 2018, AS
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY IN COLLIER
COUNTY. ACCEPTED BY JENNIFER J. EDWARDS,
SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS; MELISSA BLAZIER, CHIEF
DEPUTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS; HEATHER DOANE,
VOTER EDUCATION COORDINATOR, TRISH ROBERTSON,
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, AND SARA BROWN,
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, that moves us to Item 4A. This is a
proclamation designating September 25th, 2018, as National Voter
Registration Day in Collier County. To be accepted by Jennifer
Edwards, Supervisor of Elections; Melissa Blazier, Chief Deputy
Supervisor of Elections; Heather Doane, voter education coordinator;
Trish Robertson, Communications Coordinator; and Sara Brown,
Administrative Assistant. If you'd please step forward.
(Applause.)
MR. OCHS: Let's go get a nice picture there, ladies.
Congratulations.
MR. EDWARDS: Thank you. May I say a few words?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Of course.
MR. OCHS: Can't stop you.
MR. EDWARDS: Good morning. Can't stop me, that's right.
You know that I was working here in this agency when some of
September 25, 2018
Page 11
these folks that we just recognized came to work. So it's quite an
honor for me.
You met some of our staff. I'm very proud of them. And I want
to thank you all, the Commissioners as well as the County Manager
and staff, for placing this proclamation on the agenda.
Voting is one of our most fundamental rights as American
citizens, and while our office registers voters every day, today
symbolizes a national effort to register voters and remind them we've
got an election coming up, don't we?
We are pleased to report that during the August primary we
exceeded our anticipated turnout with over 33 percent of our voters
taking advantage of their right to vote. We are committed to keeping
that momentum going, and today is a perfect example of that.
Today we have partnered with Parks and Recreation, libraries,
local radio stations, and local businesses to help us celebrate National
Voter Registration Day.
Currently in Collier County we have 211,000 registered voters,
and we are encouraging those voters to be election ready for the
upcoming general election. Voters can visit Colliervoteslocal.com,
which was created as a tool to allow voters to review their registration
information, make updates accordingly, study their ballot to familiarize
themselves with the candidates and issues, and determine how they can
cast their ballot whether it is by mail or early voting, or many people
still like to go to the polls on election day.
Florida voters will see a long, long ballot in this upcoming
election, and we are providing several tools and resources on
Colliervoteslocal.com encouraging voters to know before they go
when casting their ballot.
The 2018 local elections will have a direct impact on our voters
and on our community, and voter participation, as you all know, is
crucial.
September 25, 2018
Page 12
We hope to continue seeing our voters break the trends of low
turnout during midterms and make their voices heard this fall. The
future of our community depends on it.
Thank you all very much.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Jennifer, would you just please
tell us how many amendments are on the ballot for decision in
November.
MR. EDWARDS: There will be 13 in Collier County on the
ballot and that, of course, includes the one-cent sales tax referenda. It
will be a two-page, 17-inch both sides ballot. We really, really
recommend you request a mail ballot because there will be lines, folks,
because many people do not review their sample ballot or study what's
going to be on the ballot, and it's going to take them maybe 10 minutes
to vote.
So we encourage you request a mail ballot. You can do that at
Colliervotes.com.
Thank you very much.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: That's the way to go.
MR. OCHS: Thank you.
Mr. Chairman, if I --
MR. EDWARDS: Thank you, Leo.
MR. OCHS: I'm sorry. If I could get a motion to approve today's
proclamation, sir.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: So moved.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So moved.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Second.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Motion and a second to approve it. All in
favor, say aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
September 25, 2018
Page 13
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: They're approved.
MR. OCHS: Thank you, sir.
Item #5A
PRESENTATION TO RECOGNIZE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY
TWELVE (12) EAGLE SCOUTS TO THE CONSERVATION
COLLIER PROGRAM – PRESENTED BY ALEX SULECKI,
CONSERVATION COLLIER PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Commissioners, that takes us to Item 5A. This is a presentation to
recognize contributions made by 12 Eagle Scouts to the Conservation
Collier program. Ms. Alex Sulecki will begin this morning's
presentation.
Alex?
MS. SULECKI: Good morning. It'll take just a moment here to
get this ready.
Again, good morning. For the record, Alex Sulecki, coordinator
of your Conservation Collier program. And I have with me here this
morning Bill Poteet. He's the chairman of the Conservation Collier
Land Acquisition Advisory Committee.
And I am here this morning, and it's my pleasure, to highlight the
partnership Conservation Collier has with the Boy Scouts of America
and give recognition and thanks for their Eagle Scout projects done
between 2015 and 2018. There are 11 scouts who have done them on
Conservation Collier properties and one who's done his project on our
September 25, 2018
Page 14
partner, the Shy Wolf Sanctuary.
The projects done including building picnic tables, benches,
campsites, fire rings, kiosks, hitching posts, mounting steps,
observation platforms, and cages, animal cages.
So I just wanted to tell you something briefly about this Eagle
Scout rank, because it's very difficult to achieve, very challenging
requirements, and it must be done before the scout reaches the age of
18.
It was originally conceived of as a merit badge in 1911 when it
began, and it was meant to be awarded to any scout who had achieved
21-merit badges.
So the first Eagle Scout medal was awarded in 1912, and since
then, almost 2.5 million scouts have achieved this rank with a recent
average of about 55,000 a year. That sounds like a lot, but it's really
not. It's only 4 percent of all Boy Scouts.
And to earn this rank, a Boy Scout must progress through five
other ranks; earn 21-merit badges; serve six months in a troop
leadership position; plan, develop, and lead a service project for a local
organization; take part in a scouting conference, and successfully
complete an Eagle Scout board of review.
So some famous Eagle Scouts include Neil Armstrong, who's a
U.S. astronaut, first man on the moon; Michael Bloomberg, mayor of
New York; Gerald Ford, our 38th president; and Sam Walton, founder
of Walmart; and Steven Spielberg, and I think Jaws, Jurassic Park,
Indiana Jones, many others holding positions of authority and power in
the U.S.
So we're proud of these exceptional young men who have chosen
to serve our community through scouting and wanted the Board and
citizens to be aware.
So I would like to put up some photos of their projects and then
call our scouts up one by one and recognize them.
September 25, 2018
Page 15
We'll start with Alec Lydon. And you can see Alec's project up in
the top left-hand corner. This was done in 2016; did a kiosk for
Caracara Prairie Preserve.
(Applause.)
MS. SULECKI: The next scout is Jorge Cortez. Is Jorge with us
today?
(No response.)
MS. SULECKI: Okay. Unfortunately, some of the Eagle Scouts
could not make it because it's a school day, and some of them are gone
to college. So we'll recognize Jorge. Jorge did his project in May of
2016, and you can see it up here on the second to the left. There's a
play area at Pepper Ranch Reserve. Jorge, thank you very much.
The next one is William Mentillo. Is William here?
(No response.)
MS. SULECKI: No. William Mentillo is the young man
standing in the top picture, and he did his project at Pepper Ranch
Preserve planting shrubbery between the campsite so they can have
privacy.
Joseph Manuel?
(No response.)
MS. SULECKI: No? Joseph Manuel, as you can see in the top
right-hand photograph, did some benches for our Pepper Ranch
Preserve in May of 2017.
Thomas Hogle? And his mother, Jeannine Hogle McPherson, is
going to -- McPherson Hogle -- is going to accept this for his --
(Applause.)
MS. SULECKI: Okay. And the next one is Jeffrey Harth.
(Applause.)
MS. SULECKI: And Mr. Harth worked with Mr. Mentillo in
putting the shrubbery in at Pepper Ranch Preserve to give privacy to
the campsites.
September 25, 2018
Page 16
So our next one is Charles Niveyro.
(No response.)
MS. SULECKI: Charles is not here. All right. Charles did some
projects at Pepper Ranch Preserve, and you can see them on the screen
in the center on the right side. He did a bench for our overlook and a
bridge that helped people get from campsite to campsite without
wading through a ditch.
Connor Jenkins?
(Applause.)
MS. SULECKI: And Conner did a project at our Pepper Ranch
Preserve building a bridge and boardwalk for our bikers.
And you can see his project on the bottom left side of the screen.
The next one is Jonathan Poteet. And I believe his mother,
Cheryl Poteet, will be accepting in his stead. He's off at college.
And we've got Lincoln Stranger. Is Lincoln here with us today?
(No response.)
MS. SULECKI: Lincoln did a project at the Gordon River
Greenway. You can see at the bottom, second from the right, and he
partnered with us in planting about four acres of hardwood hammock
on the preserve. So we appreciate that.
Nicholas Laws? Is Nick Laws here?
(No response.)
MS. SULECKI: Okay. Nicholas Laws did another planting
project for us at the Greenway; planted about three acres of hardwood
hammock on the Gordon River Greenway south side.
And then we have William McDaniel, III.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'll stand still.
MS. SULECKI: Thank you. And then I'd like to call up all the
scout masters, those folks in the audience who've worked with these
boys, and thank them as well for the work they do for this community.
September 25, 2018
Page 17
(Applause.)
MS. SULECKI: I wanted to mention -- I didn't mention Mr.
McDaniel's project. I don't have a picture of it here. But he did animal
cages for the Shy Wolf Sanctuary. So he helped protect the bobcats'
source of supply: Food.
All right.
(Applause.)
MS. SULECKI: Thank you so much.
(Applause.)
MR. POTEET: Commissioners, if I can just take one moment. I
wear two hats here. As chairman of Conservation Collier, I wanted to
thank all the youth that come out and participate on our preserves,
because they bring an incredible value to what we do out there and
share the experience with us.
The other hat I wear is I'm a member of the board of directors of
the Southwest Florida Council of Boy Scouts of America, and I want
to thank the County Commission and Conservation Collier for
allowing these scouts to participate on the preserves.
Thank you very much.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: William, before you --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: May I?
I just would like to say, if I may, two of the young men who
received their Eagle Scout today -- there were a total of four from our
Troup 25, that did -- that accomplished this goal, and I was blessed to
be able to have an opportunity to be able to help these young men.
But how many Eagle Scouts did you and Cheryl produce?
MR. POTEET: Two. My daughter married one, so that's even
better.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, there you go. You got an
September 25, 2018
Page 18
extra one by default. But I want to say out loud a special thanks to you
for all that you have done for scouting for years.
Every time -- William and I have been in scouting since -- they
developed a new program now, and they start them when they're
young, first grade, called Tiger Scout. William and I have been in
since he was six years old. And everywhere I go, every time I come
around the corner, there you are. So thank you very much.
MR. POTEET: My pleasure.
(Applause.)
Item #5B
PRESENTATION TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE
COUNTYWIDE “BEARWISE” INITIATIVE TO BRING BEAR-
RESISTANT TRASH ROLL CARTS TO COLLIER COUNTY
RESIDENTS AS DIRECTED AND PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF
A DRAFT ORDINANCE FOR THE USE OF BEAR-RESISTANT
SOLID WASTE CONTAINERS – PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, that moves us to Item 5B this
morning. This is a presentation to provide an update on the
countywide "BearWise" initiative to bring bear-resistant trash roll carts
to Collier County residents as directed, and provide an overview of a
draft ordinance for the use of bear-resistant solid waste containers.
Mr. Rodriguez, your deputy department director for Public
Utilities, will begin the presentation.
MR. RODRIGUEZ: Thank you, Leo.
Thank you, Commissioners, for the opportunity to bring back an
update that you requested back at your June 12th meeting.
This initiative is to give you the status update of where we're at
with the bear-proof carts that we've been testing over the summer as
September 25, 2018
Page 19
well as to bring back a draft ordinance. And, again, it is just a draft at
this point for you to look at and show you our progress in that as well.
With that, I'd like to introduce our delivery team. Sarah Peltier
with FWC is here, will give a short presentation to tell you where they
are in their excellent education outreach.
Over the past summer, as you commissioners have initiated as
well and our senator and representative, provided education outreach
in different communities in Collier County this summer. We have Al
Sanchez, our code compliance manager, who is responsible for your
collections program. And just as a reminder how large this task really
is, every day there's about 34,000 waste can collections every day;
34,000.
And in a lot of surveys of government agency, the biggest
complaint is missed pickups. And I'm happy to say that thanks to Al,
the team, and our contractor, they do a great job of ensuring that those
waste cans get collected every day.
In addition, I'd like to introduce Delia Comacho, your interim
director of solid waste, who's done a fabulous job managing the
program and meeting demand of our customers.
So with that, Sarah's going to give a short presentation. Thank
you.
MS. PELTIER: Thank you, Dan.
Good morning, Commissioners.
Are we able to pull up -- you want me to do it over here? Okay.
Bear with me while I open this up.
MR. OCHS: No pun intended.
MS. PELTIER: No pun intended.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It's a special container. You
can't open it.
MS. PELTIER: Well, good morning. As Dan mentioned, my
name is Sarah Peltier. I am a bear biologist with the Florida Fish and
September 25, 2018
Page 20
Wildlife Conservation Commission. I'm actually based here in Naples,
so I'm your local go-to with anything bear related.
You may recall, of course, at your June 12th meeting, Mike
Orlando, the assistant bear management program coordinator, gave
you a very general overview of bears. And county staff have asked me
to do that, but this is going to be much shorter, much quicker. I'm just
going to cover -- kind of hit the high points in terms of bears
specifically in Collier County with some specific county data.
Okay. So maybe a familiar image as well. Just kind of, again,
where we have bears in the state. We've got it estimated a little over
4,000 distributed in seven unique subpopulations, and most relevant
for us here in this room, of course, is our South Bear Management
Unit, which is centered around Big Cypress; a little over a thousand
bears. We have an expanding population geographically, so they are
moving into new areas of Collier County as well, and north into Lee
County.
And now, specifically, we're looking here at a map of Collier
County. There are two different things to look at here. The blue dots
are bear calls from 2012 to 2016, and that's any bear call. It's "I saw a
bear," "There's a bear in a tree," "There's a bear on the road," "There's a
bear in my yard." The whole gamut.
And then in green there are just 2017 bear calls. So hopefully you
can get a sense of kind of where most of our human/bear conflicts are
occurring. Again, mostly centered around attractants such as garbage.
Historically, a lot of our bear activity is east of 75 around the
Golden Gate Estates area. It's a more rural landscape; bears, panthers
are in that area. But, again, we do have an expanding bear population,
and so we do see a lot of activity moving westward, which, you know,
five, 10 years ago that wasn't as common.
And now, again, Collier County specific data. This is just to give
you some insight into the number of calls we receive as an agency,
September 25, 2018
Page 21
bear-related calls. So, again, 2012 to 2018. You can see kind of a
steady increase in calls. So thus far in 2018, we're at 672. And, again,
this is anything bear related. And I'll show you a breakdown of what
they are.
There's natural fluctuation in calls based on food availability.
Some years we have a really good mass crop, so our acorn production
in the fall, that tends to keep bears in the woods and away from our
backyards and our garbage cans. So we expect that sort of natural
fluctuation. There's also a lot more awareness now of who to call and
why you should call. So, potentially, that increases our call volume as
well.
So taking those calls, just to give you some insight into what they
are, what are people calling us about. The majority, about 43 percent
in Collier County, specifically, is general interaction, and that's
something like "I saw a bear in my yard," "I saw a bear on the road," "I
saw a bear up a tree." General interaction.
And then the next biggest piece of that pie, about 33 percent is in
garbage, so that's someone that calls us and says, "There's a bear that
knocked over my garbage can. It's been eating my trash."
So as an agency, we do a lot of education and outreach to help
address the reasons the bear shows up in your backyard in the first
place, and that's what a lot of what Mike Orlando talked about back in
June.
Further, to our policy and kind of what we do on a detail basis, as
an agency we do put a lot of emphasis on personal responsibility, and
we do give a lot of technical assistance over the phone. You saw this
year alone, we've got a little over 600 calls. A lot of those are handled
by the phone, and that resolves it, but we will go and do in-person site
visits to help determine what's been going on on that particular
property.
And, again, the emphasis always being securing the attractant
September 25, 2018
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because, until that is done, the bear will continue to have a reason to
come back and try and get into it. We live in bear country. Another
bear will show up. It's going to become a process.
A lot of people ask, do we trap and relocate bears. The answer is
yes, but there are a number of things that have to be considered
beforehand. We're potentially moving a problem to a new area, which
is something that we don't really want to do. A lot of the bears that we
relocate become repeat offenders; about 50 percent. So they were
getting into garbage in a particular community. We trap and move it,
and it will start doing that same thing, potentially, in the new area that
we've moved it to.
Another great chunk of our bears, about 70 percent, will return or
wander to wherever it was they were captured. They have a very
strong homing instinct, which just means they're capable of finding
their way back to wherever it was they were previously.
So if the bear isn't moved a large enough distance, it's capable of
finding its way back. And then, if the reason the bear was in that
community to begin with was not addressed, they've got their problem
all over again.
And we don't really have the luxury, unfortunately, here in
Florida, to move a bear to a remote or empty enough area where we
can say with 100 percent confidence that it will not encounter a Florida
resident. We, unfortunately, just don't have that luxury. We do have
very great swaths of public land that we do relocate bears to, but, you
know, there's few areas where we can feel confident that they won't
encounter someone.
And, really, the take-home message that -- when we're speaking
with people, whether it's on the phone or in person, is getting back to
securing that attractant. Whether it's your residential garbage can or
the commercial-size dumpsters or a bird feeder or your dog food, you
need to secure it somehow. And there are a number of ways in which
September 25, 2018
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we advise people how to do that.
Bears will return to check and see if that attractant is still there.
They are intelligent animals, but it can take them up to three weeks to
realize that an attractant has either been removed or secured. So you
have to remain vigilant. You know, if you slip up, you know, that bear
may show back up.
And we do emphasize people to scare that bear. It's a phrase that
we use a lot. Every time a bear comes into your backyard, into your
front yard, we want it to be a negative interaction. We want to scare
that bear. We want to haze that bear, if the person feels comfortable
doing, so that way when it walks into Sarah's yard, she screams at me
every time, and she yells at me, and it's a negative thing. So it
hopefully learns to stay away. So the big take-home messages that we
share with people are scare and secure.
Now I think I'm going to pass over to Delia for the county update.
I just want to echo that, you know, we work very closely with the
county staff. We have for a number of years, and we will continue.
We've got a great partnership, and we're thrilled about this pilot study,
and I think you'll like to hear the results of how it went.
Yes.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I have a couple questions. Can you go
back to the map that shows the interactions.
MS. PELTIER: Yeah, absolutely. This one?
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: No. Actually, the map that shows --
MS. PELTIER: Oh, yes, yes, yes.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: -- with the blue and green dots.
And just a couple of District 2 related questions. There seems to
be a lot of green dots west of I-75 in North Naples. And I was just
wondering, have you figured out why that seems to be the case that
suddenly there's a lot of bears up in that area?
MS. PELTIER: Yeah, great question. It can be due to a number
September 25, 2018
Page 24
of things. Again, we do have a growing bear population so we have --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: They're actually growing?
MS. PELTIER: Yes. From where we were in the 1970s to where
we are now is tremendous growth. So we've not only had more bears,
we also have more people. But this particular area that you're
mentioning, you know, west of 75 in North Naples, about a year ago
there was a sow and three cubs. And what we're experiencing now is
that family unit has broken up. Once the cubs are a year and a half old,
they're considered yearlings. Mom kicks them out. They go establish
their own territories.
So a lot of that activity is attributed to those particular bears. But
there are very large preserves west of the interstate in North Naples
that are suitable habitat for bears to live in. So as they're expanding
and growing in number, they're finding these new locations.
And bears are really habitat generalists. They can live just like
you and I do in these kind of suburb areas. As long as they have some
woods to retreat into, they're happy. So they do share our habitat
requirements. So it's not uncommon to see them in those more
suburban areas.
And you're right, this is a new thing for Collier County. I mean,
if we talk five, 10 years ago, in that side of the county, that was very,
probably, uncommon to have encountered a bear. But it's becoming
more common. So we're trying to address attractant issues there as
well.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Yeah. There's been a few -- or a family, I
guess, that's even west of 41.
MS. PELTIER: Yes, yeah. And we've -- so we've had multiple
trapping efforts, because not only is -- you know, that area west of the
interstate, it's not ideal for the people. It's not really ideal for the bear.
They are doing -- the bears are doing fine, and they could probably
stay there, but, you know, there's a level of tolerance that is just -- we
September 25, 2018
Page 25
recognize that.
And so we did actually capture a bear west of 41. But there are
still bears in the area, and it's -- you know, they're wild animals.
They're difficult to capture.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: We had a resident bear in the City
of Naples that liked to go around Naples High School --
MS. PELTIER: I mean, they can show up --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: -- years ago.
MS. PELTIER: -- anywhere in the county, and they have.
They've shown up in some strange places. And, again, you know,
historically that east of the interstate is our hot spot.
There's certainly more bears in that area than there are in North
Naples. Again, what we know is that it's a handful of bears generating
a lot of calls, a lot of activity because it's so uncommon.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: And just a couple more questions. What --
if you're unable to locate a bear or a bear becomes a repeat offender,
what's the percentage of those that end up being put down?
MS. PELTIER: Yeah. That's a great question. I don't know the
percentage off the top of my head, but we have a policy that dictates
what we do and when. So, for example, if a bear does A, B, and C, I
have to respond in a certain way.
So if a bear is deemed to be a public-safety threat, that bear -- we
will attempt to capture that bear and kill it for management reasons.
If it's a non-target bear or if it's just a wayward bear that kind of
showed up in a bad spot, we will relocate those.
So, again, based on our policy, if it's determined to have been a
public-safety risk, it will be killed for management reasons.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Well, thank you for all of the outreach and
informational things that you've been doing, at least in District 2. It's
been very helpful for residents that have had a lot of interactions lately.
Commissioner Taylor.
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Just a question. I'm looking at
this, but can you tell me -- this is -- what is the hot spot? What are the
hot spots in Collier County; what areas?
MS. PELTIER: So if you ask me, it is east of the interstate and
north of the interstate. So if you, you know, draw a big rectangle or
square, again, north of Alligator Alley, east of, you know, the interstate
as it goes north, the whole Golden Gate Estates area. You could even
say, you know, south of Immokalee, that kind of big chunk.
Historically that's where all -- the majority of our bears are. A lot
of these people are used to bears probably now at this point. And
sometimes they may or may not call us to report what's going on,
because they live in Golden Gate Estates. It comes with the territory
almost.
Maybe they know how to manage their garbage. They have their
own ways of doing so, but that is our hot spot. And these new, kind of,
pop-off areas are a new thing, certainly, and they may continue to
become, you know, an issue. But, historically, it's east of the interstate
and then north of Alligator Alley for the most part.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Thank you.
MS. PELTIER: Thank you, Commissioners.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I was thinking that the food was better in
North Naples, but...
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: It's Golden Gate where it really --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: It's those palmetto berries.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: While we're waiting, how many
cubs does a bear have at a time?
MS. PELTIER: Range is from one to five, but two to three are
most common. And they breed every other year, because those cubs
will stay with their mom for a year and a half. But two to three are
most common.
September 25, 2018
Page 27
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Just a quick question, Sarah.
Do you recall the date when Mr. Orlando came and gave us the bear
presentation back in June? I actually caught it by happenstance a
second time. I was here for it, and then I caught it again on TV, and
it's really -- if you have a moment, if you could just share that date. It's
archived, and folks can go watch it. It's extremely informative. It
answers all kinds of questions.
MS. PELTIER: Yeah, all the biology/behavior sort of questions,
yep.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right. And what date was
that?
MS. PELTIER: It was June 12th.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: There you go.
MS. PELTIER: Yep.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Thank you.
MS. CAMACHO: Good morning, Commissioners. For the
record, Delia Camacho, interim director for the Solid and Hazardous
Waste Management Division.
This morning I'll be providing a brief update on the "BearWise"
pilot study, the "BearWise" ordinance, and Florida Fish and Wildlife's
grant application.
We'll begin the study with an update on countywide "BearWise"
initiatives to bring bear-resistant trash roll carts to the county as
requested at the June 12th Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Currently, we're servicing two districts. District 1 services
approximately 118,000 customers, and District 2 services
approximately 7,200 customers.
In total, the franchise contractor has approximately 260,000 trash
and recycling carts distributed throughout the county; of that, they
complete a total of approximately 39,000 combined collections daily.
That's with District 1 and District 2.
September 25, 2018
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CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Those are carts, not dumpsters. We're just
talking about carts?
MS. CAMACHO: These are just residential carts.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: But that doesn't add up to District
1 and District 2; 260,000 doesn't add up to the number of customers
you serve there. You just added that in for information.
MS. CAMACHO: Yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: But District 1 is what, the central
Collier County, and District 2 is the Immokalee area?
MS. CAMACHO: That's correct, yep.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It's not correlated to any
political bounds. It's their districts, so...
MS. CAMACHO: The objective is to incorporate a functional
user-friendly bear-resistant roll cart that could be integrated with
Waste Management and Waste Connections automated service.
Now, the division has completed a total of two pilot studies. The
first pilot study was completed in 2016 partnering with Waste
Management and Toter and Kodiak, two bear-resistant manufacturers.
They tested approximately 30 carts in the Weber South Boulevard
area. Feedback received from the studies revealed that customers
found the carts -- both carts to be bulky, heavy, and difficult to
maneuver and also had difficulty with the locking mechanism with the
automated system.
Fast forward to 2018. We just recently completed a study up in
the northeast quadrant of the county right in the Wilson area north of
Immokalee Road. We tested approximately 100 carts from Rehrig
Pacific that had the potential to be lighter in weight, and they were
easier to maneuver.
A couple of features of the bear-resistant carts: They have
reinforced lids around the cart; they have a dual locking mechanism;
they're very light weight; they have a child-proof release lock inside of
September 25, 2018
Page 29
the container; and they have a bear imprint on the lid for bear
recognition.
So if bears continuously go and try to get into these carts, they
recognize the bear picture on them, and that will deter them from
trying to open those containers. They're smart.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Excuse me. You're telling me the
bear can tell the difference in lids?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Do what?
MS. CAMACHO: Yes, they do.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Wow.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'm not buying that.
MS. CAMACHO: They're smart.
MR. OCHS: They're smarter than the average bear.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And just --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Oh, gosh. There had to be -- oh,
wow.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: For the record, we did not
rehearse that at all. That was perfect.
MS. CAMACHO: So the way the locking mechanism works, it's
a gravity lock and allows for customers to manually open it and also,
through natural-force gravity, it allows for the automated system to
open.
So how this works is -- so this would be the cart at the standing
position ready for collection. The arm picks it up, and it goes through a
rotating motion, and this is the little weight that has to travel down as it
goes through a particular rotating motion thereby releasing the latch
and opening the lid.
So currently Waste Management has two types of automated
systems. They handle two different types of trucks. The first truck is a
rail system which actually picks up the cart through the rail, as you can
see on the picture on the left, and then goes through the motion similar
September 25, 2018
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to the motion that I just described with the locking mechanism.
That particular system had a 5 percent fail rate of not opening
without assistance and a 12 percent fail rate of not opening on the first
attempt.
The second system is the automated arm system which is
basically maneuvered by the joystick. It has a lot more pressure, it has
a lot more thrusting action. So when the cart is lifted upward, it goes
more into a 90-degree angle rather than going into a rotational motion.
So that particular system had a 20 percent fail rate without opening on
the first assistance, and a 12 percent fail rate of not opening on the first
attempt.
Just brief examples of the carts in the testing phase. This is the
actual cart that works, which is the one in the railing system. As you
can see, the truck is leaning towards the cart. It picks it up nice and
smooth, goes up the rail system, releases the lock, opens the lid.
This is the Python automated system. You see the arm grab it.
It's not much of a smoother action. It's like a coarser action. Tilts it
over, and the lid doesn't open.
So customer feedback was a vital component to the success of the
pilot study. We submitted approximately three surveys throughout the
study, and we mailed it out to approximately 100 surveys -- to 100
residents. A total of 33 were received back for the first survey.
Ninety-one percent of the participants confirmed that they had some
type of interaction with bears within the last 12 months.
The second survey was mailed out during the midpoint of the
survey. Total of 100 surveys were mailed; 37 were received back.
Ninety-nine (sic) of the participants confirmed easy functionality and
bear opening and closing locks of the bear-resistant carts, and they
actually found the carts, that they're easier to maneuver.
So the third survey was mailed out at the very end of the study. A
total of 100 surveys mailed; 38 were received. Sixty percent of the
September 25, 2018
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participants confirmed bear interactions with the bear-resistant carts;
74 percent confirmed interactions in the yard, garbage, and in the
general area; and 62 percent confirmed they attempted to get into the
bear-resistant carts.
Overall, the study was well received with the participants of the
tested areas. We received numerous feedbacks. A couple of
examples: They love the carts. They were amazing. We can actually
take out the trash without worrying.
And then we did receive a video, a short video clip of a mama and
a baby bear trying to get into one of the carts from one of the residents.
There we've got baby bear walking around wanting some food
and mama bear trying to figure out how to open this thing. Now you
see it's tilting, but it's not following the rotational motion, so this cart's
not going to open. But what it does do, it releases a lot of that yummy
garbage juice that they like.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: That's what makes the world
go round.
MS. CAMACHO: The garbage juice?
So then we have mama and baby bear trying to get that garbage
juice out.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, Delia, you mentioned,
and Sarah did as well, that, you know, there's an attractant that's there
that's bringing them in, and few people realize that these animals smell
on a molecular level. So the tiniest little scent that's whiffed from afar
will bring them right to the food source.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: It's the bacon.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And the bacon helps.
MS. CAMACHO: Okay. So now I'm going to move on to the
update for the "BearWise" ordinance.
So the purpose is to develop a Board-directed "BearWise" draft
ordinance for residential property owners to voluntarily purchase
September 25, 2018
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bear-resistant carts when carts become available. The "BearWise"
draft ordinance will create guidelines for commercial properties and
special outdoor events that produce food waste. The draft ordinance is
in line with Board direction, is focused on adding new definitions that
will be used when referring to the "BearWise" program.
A total of four counties and one city have passed an ordinance
regarding bear-resistant carts or securing solid waste. They include the
City of Fort Walton Beach, Santa Rosa County, Orange County,
Seminole County, and Lee County.
Brief highlights of the ordinance for residential customers:
Residential customers shall have the option of using a county-approved
curbside bear-resistant solid waste if available, and curbside resistant
solid waste containers' lids shall be closed at all times.
For commercial customers and special outdoor events, the first
one kind of goes hand in hand. They're both similar. Commercial
customers and special outdoor events that are located in the areas of
the county that have reoccurring bear-related conflicts may be required
to obtain commercial bear-resistant containers for solid waste.
For the second guidelines for the special outdoor events,
bear-resistant containers for special outdoor events would be
determined and required upon application of a temporary permit.
Now, moving on to our "BearWise" grant application. It's a cute
little picture. So FWC provides state appropriated funding to counties
and cities that have bear-resistant containers and ordinances in place.
They provide 60 percent of the funding towards communities that have
adopted an ordinance and 40 percent to communities that do not have
an ordinance.
Preference for the funding will be given to locations within 18
counties that have had the most human/bear conflicts reported in 2017.
A minimum of 10 percent match is required for grant funding amount
by the recipient.
September 25, 2018
Page 33
Total of the FWC grant for 2017 is approximately $500,000.
Of that, 300,000 would be allocated to communities that have an
ordinance in place, and 200,000 would be allocated to communities
that do not have an ordinance in place. This year a total of 10 counties
applied for the grant in excess of 500,000 --
Collier County proposed an amount of $100,100 to purchase
approximately 442 bear-resistant carts. In September 12th of 2018,
FWC came back and awarded Collier County 45,000. Of that, 5,000
would have to be a match of the 10 percent.
So to summarize all three presentations, the "BearWise" pilot
study currently has no financial impact. Staff will continue to test pilot
studies. Right now we are planning to do the next phase of a pilot
study in District 2 to make sure that it's 100 percent success rate with
our automated systems in District 1 and in District 2.
Bear-resistant carts: Currently, the cost of them are
approximately $270 versus the $65 carts that we have out there right
now. And right now we're recommending a voluntary residential
participation program when it's available.
For the draft ordinance, we kindly ask the Board to review the
"BearWise" draft ordinance and provide some feedback on the
bear-resistant residential, commercial, and special-events program.
For the "BearWise" grant, staff is reviewing the grant awarded
amount and will provide recommendations for award disbursement
when bear-resistant carts have tested at 100 percent success rate.
Currently, again, the grant award is approximately 45,000 with a
10 percent county match of 5,000. Total award is approximately
$50,000.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Outstanding.
MS. CAMACHO: This concludes my presentation. I'm ready for
any questions you may have at this time.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Fiala?
September 25, 2018
Page 34
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. How much does a can cost?
MS. CAMACHO: The actual can right now for the bear-resistant
cart, it's approximately $270.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: $270?
MS. CAMACHO: Yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay. And you say that there is
financial assistance, right?
MS. CAMACHO: We've only received 50,000 this year from
FWC.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Oh, I see. And, you know, I don't
know anymore because I haven't read anything in the newspaper
recently, but about three, four years ago we had quite a few of them in
the Manatee Road area, and they were pretty brazen where they would
even break into the screened-in porches and everything.
MS. CAMACHO: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And so they were told to keep their
cans inside but, of course, if they broke in the screened-in porch, there
was nowhere else, I guess, to put them other than some kind of a shed
or something.
So I was wondering if these people are required to buy it -- these
are all senior living mobile home parks, and many of them are lived
(sic) on a fixed income. Would there be help for them and, if so, how
would they apply for it?
MS. CAMACHO: At this point in time, since we're still in the
testing phase, we still have that 20 percent flaw rate with one of the
automated systems. We haven't rolled out those carts right now.
They do have the options of maybe doing some type of retrofit
where they can go ahead and get the containers locked. They would
need to sign a waiver with the franchise contractor to make sure that
when the carts are pulled out in the morning, they unlock them,
because if they don't unlock, then they're not going to be serviced for
September 25, 2018
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that day.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay.
MS. CAMACHO: Did I answer your question?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I don't quite understand that.
MS. CAMACHO: Okay. So, basically, right now -- the bear
carts are not out there right now for use because we have that 20
percent flaw rate.
A second option to that that other residents have chosen to do is
maybe retrofit the containers where they can put locks on the side
preventing the bears to go ahead and try to get into those cans. The
only setback from that is that when you place your container out for
collections in the morning, you would need to unlock the lids so that
service could work. If they fail to unlock it, then they miss out on that
collection day.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: That would be helpful, yeah. That's
good.
I don't even know, has -- I haven't read of any bear interactions
recently on Manatee Road, or I shouldn't just say Manatee because it's
all of those mobile home parks. There must be, what, 10 of the mobile
home parks right in that area, and I haven't heard any. Are they still
going on, or have they moved someplace?
MS. CAMACHO: I haven't -- I haven't been aware of any recent
bear conflicts in that area. I'm not sure.
MS. PELTIER: Yeah. I think those bears have probably moved
elsewhere at least for the time being, because I'm not familiar of
anything recently.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. And I may help. I'm the
one that's been stirring this pot. Ms. Sarah and Daryl and I have been
meeting for, what, over -- we started last year. And this is about -- and
September 25, 2018
Page 36
it's important for my colleagues to hear this. This is about education.
It's not about regulation.
It specifically said in the ordinance, the draft of where we're
looking to go is a voluntary utilization of these containers. And it's a
requisite with FWC for us to be able to qualify for and receive grant
funding.
So to me this is the beginning of the process. The more we keep
this in front of the people -- just because bear or bear issues, not
necessarily conflicts, aren't in the paper doesn't mean that they're not
happening. Mr. Orlando talked about how the bears become
humanized, and they start to get used to people. And, my goodness,
there's -- a portion of his video has that one bear walking up to a lady
holding her cell phone and sniffing her knee, a wild, 300-pound bear.
So watch it. It was on June 12th. It was pretty amazing.
So this process is -- our population, the human population is
growing, as we all know, and we're expanding into the habitat.
Commissioner Solis, a large portion of the issues in District 2 are
coming from more people.
And when you have more people and the bears are there, and then
the bear population is a success, and its population is growing,
inevitably you're going to have that interaction.
Educating people on how to do it and interact with them in a
manner to not have negative conflicts such as that fellow in District 2
that walked out and surprised the bear and got swatted and lashed -- I
think that was -- was that this spring or last?
MS. PELTIER: January.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It was January of this year.
So it's all about education at the end of the day. And it's
important for you-all to know and understand that there's no -- there's
no maneuver here for -- from my standpoint to have any kind of a
mandate requisite to force people. I want to educate, and I want
September 25, 2018
Page 37
voluntary assistance with this as we go through the process and
working with our contractors, Waste Management. We have to have a
-- we have to have a functioning system. You know, 20 percent's not
acceptable. You know, 39,000 containers and 20 percent, that's too
high a math for me right now, but it's not -- it's not sufficient yet, so...
COMMISSIONER FIALA: It looks like bears are multiplying
faster than people.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, no. They only have
babies every two years and, so -- and, typically, it's as Ms. Sarah said,
it's two -- the usual brood is two.
So I really want to thank you both for the time and effort, the
educational outreach. I know the folks in Golden Gate Estates at my
office have been eating up the "BearWise" magnets, and the kids love
all of the paraphernalia that the State's put out, so -- and it's all about
education.
MS. CAMACHO: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Could I ask one more question, and
that is, the locks that you were talking about, where do you go buy
them, if somebody wanted to put a lock on their trash can now?
MS. CAMACHO: Oh, you mean, like, the retrofit? There's
companies out there that do the actual retrofitting of the containers.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Google.
MS. PELTIER: Yeah. We've got -- there are directions on
FWC's website. There's two different ways that people could choose
to retrofit their can. So if they go to myFWC.com/bear, they can find
directions on how to retrofit their trash can.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And I've got it on my website
for District -- our website for District 5. And, again, please, if you
haven't, watch that. It's a 30-minute presentation Mr. Orlando did the
night of our 12th meeting, and it's extremely informative. It talks
about the different containers and how to retrofit and the like, so...
September 25, 2018
Page 38
MS. CAMACHO: Just on a final note, I just wanted to add, we
do have additional pilot testings coming up with the Rehrig REI
company along with Waste Management. I know that they've been
working with the actual manufacturer of the arm to see if maybe they
can go ahead and adjust the pressure of the arm, to see if they could be
-- if that could work a little bit more efficiently. So they are working,
and they are working on enhancements on their locks. So we will be
testing those bear carts shortly. I would probably imagine between the
next three months or so.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Taylor?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I think we all got a letter from the
Conservancy on Friday. And I just want to read -- it's a pretty long
letter, and I was going through it thinking, oh, my gosh, but then I'm
looking at what's been referenced, and it's Fish and Wildlife has been
referenced throughout it.
And their conclusion, Fish and Wildlife, is unless it's a mandatory
ordinance that requires folks that are in these high-risk areas to have
these containers, it just didn't work well.
And, apparently, we are number one, I guess, in bear calls, and
then Santa Rosa was ranked second, Lake County was ranked third,
and Seminole was ranked fourth. Seminole passed the most -- the
strongest "BearWise" ordinance in Florida. They're subsidizing the
cost of these bear-resistant cans for the residents, and they've seen a
reduction in bear conflicts in Seminole since the passage.
And for -- and I don't think it's -- it's an odd thing that happened,
they got the most money from Fish and Wildlife; $144,000.
So I'm not suggesting here that this is an easy decision, but I think
if we are going to move forward to make our residents safe and to
manage this problem, it's got to be more than just voluntary, because --
but at the same time there has to be some subsidization of the
September 25, 2018
Page 39
difference between $65 and $260 for these special containers.
So it's a budget question, but I'm fairly convinced after reading
this 9-page letter from the Conservancy with Florida Fish and Wildlife
being referenced throughout it. So it's not the Conservancy. They're
just bringing what the studies have said, that this may be where we
need to go with everything.
MR. OCHS: That's all we have, sir.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Thank you, Ms. Delia.
MS. CAMACHO: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Very nice.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Interesting.
Item #7
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS NOT ON THE
CURRENT OR FUTURE AGENDA
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, that takes us to Item 7 on today's
agenda, public comments on general topics not on the current or future
agenda.
MR. MILLER: Mr. Chairman, I have eight registered speakers
under public comment today; seven speakers will all be ceding their
time to Nicole Black.
Ms. Black will have a total of 24 minutes.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: She's already assured me she's
not going to go that long.
MS. BLACK: I promise.
MR. MILLER: I'm sorry. I overlooked a step. I'm sorry. I need
to confirm the people are here.
September 25, 2018
Page 40
Aaron Black?
(Raises hand.)
MR. MILLER: Thank you.
Elizabeth Foster.
(Raises hand.)
MR. MILLER: Thank you.
Jennifer Hubbell?
(Raises hand.)
MR. MILLER: Thank you.
Kelly Bebe?
(Raises hand.)
MR. MILLER: Thank you.
Alexander Popoff?
(Raises hand.)
MR. MILLER: Thank you.
Jason Shook?
(Raises hand.)
MR. MILLER: Thank you. And Shauna Livingston?
MS. LIVINGSTON: Shannon.
MR. MILLER: Yes, Shannon.
They are all here. You may proceed.
MS. BLACK: All right.
Well, first I want to say good morning and thank you for the
opportunity to speak to you today.
I come to chat on behalf of the Floridians who did vote yes on
Amendment 2, so it should give you an idea of what my speech is
about.
My name is Nicole Black. I'm a wife, a mother, and a local
business owner; however, I'm also permanently affected by the opioid
epidemic as a motherless daughter.
Unfortunately, our -- I'm going to read a little bit, sorry, but I feel
September 25, 2018
Page 41
like it will keep me together.
Unfortunately, our community is plagued heavily with the
ever-growing opioid epidemic. This has become far too clear to me
personally when my mother came to visit us here in Naples. She
landed in the NCH ER due to severe back pain from traveling. Mind
you, I had just given birth to a tiny little infant five days before this
trip. I was in no way, shape, or form in the shape to be at the ER.
I dropped her off, and within 20 minutes she was discharged with
a huge prescription of pain killers.
It just so happens that across the street from the NCH is a CVS,
and within a few minutes of being discharged, it was already filled,
and she was on her way.
The rest of that trip she was, of course, a bit off. I would say a
little vegetable, in my opinion. That state of mind became more and
more common in her world as the pain never subsided, but the
addiction to pills that clearly weren't working was only getting worse
and worse.
Growing up my mother was vibrant and tenacious. Her talents
were endless, and her spirit was infectious. At any given moment, she
would be cracking jokes, dancing to some epic tunes, and whipping
something up in the kitchen chock full of butter and deliciousness.
Butter makes everything better.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Nice.
MS. BLACK: When my friends came around, I was beyond
proud to call her Mom. She made everybody feel important and
special in a way that always was racked in laughter.
Then came fall 2001. My mom went in for her first of many back
surgeries. The struggle with back pain -- she struggled with back pain
as far as I can remember and tried best to manage it but, ultimately, her
doctor said surgery was the best option, and so began the pain-killer
saga in our household.
September 25, 2018
Page 42
The first surgeon didn't do much in the way of relief, and so a few
years later, another surgery. After years of battling this pain and failed
surgeries, I began to realize that we had another huge elephant in the
room: Addiction.
Years would pass and more doctors would be included in this
pain-management course that would drive my desperate and addicted
mother to take matters into her own hands: Duplicating forged
prescriptions in order to get more pills that aren't working.
At this point, my vivacious, beautiful, fun-spirited mother had lost
a significant amount of weight for her frame and was popping
anywhere between 10 to 12 extra-strength Vicodins at a time multiple
times a day. You can only imagine that that didn't last very long
before the authorities caught on and our story about pain becomes a
story about addiction and jail.
In an effort to get herself together, she was offered rehabilitation
services. Mind you, at this point we had already hit rehab once or
twice. She did very well in the program but noticed a new issue. She
had lost a significant amount of her hearing due to the drugs. That
alone was a hard pill to swallow, let alone the fact that the pain I had
mentioned in the beginning before the addiction or surgeries was still
there. The pain never went away.
We had dried up the addictive substances but we had never
addressed the root cause of the problem: The pain. Time passed, and
my mother would do her very best to stay sober, but the pain was still a
consistent reminder of the pills. The false sense of temporary relief
and, out of desperation, her relapse was inevitable.
Finally, after years and years of battling pain, major health issues,
addiction, and lack of alternatives, my mom's health turned for the
worse.
On October 21st, 2017, my mom lost her battle to opioid
addiction. After two weeks in the ICU and a very long Hospice stay,
September 25, 2018
Page 43
she suffered total organ failure initially caused by a failed TIPS
procedure where the varices in her esophagus ruptured, causing her to
bleed internally.
The TIPS procedure was conducted to reroute the blood and take
the pressure off the veins but, unfortunately, too much dirty blood
entered her system, and her brain could not function. This was not the
first trip to the ER for varices bleeds, but it would be the last.
The take-away from that, obviously, life-changing event for me
was the lack of options. Had she had access to cannabis years ago, that
stomach damage would not have been an issue. Had she had access to
cannabis, the TIPS procedure never would have been necessary. Had
she had access to cannabis, her life -- she would have had her life back
from addiction and finally found real pain relief; long-term pain relief,
I should add.
What I mean about access: I mean, had she had healthcare
providers that were educated on cannabis and not just opioids, she
would have known her options. Instead, when it comes to cannabis as
medicine, patients are left to forge the road, semi alone.
Losing my mother has and will continue to be the hardest thing I
have ever had to deal with in my life, but it has also given me such a
passion and a platform to bring change. If I can help one family not
lose a mother or a father or anybody that they love, I would be beyond
thankful and know that my mom's brilliant light has been shared with
the world in a bigger way than her very short life ever could.
I am on a mission to help families find real pain relief and
alternatives to medication that, while may be easier to get and work in
the short term, are far more harmful in the long term.
As it stands today, over 2.5 million Americans are currently
addicted to opioids, and of those, nearly 115 die a day. That number,
however, can be a bit deceiving and only represents overdoses, not
collaterally damaged patients who die from total organ failure from
September 25, 2018
Page 44
using the pills as a long-term solution. She's not accounted in that 115
daily number. I just want you to imagine that; how many other people
may be accounted for it.
Another interesting fact, opioids' primary objective is to stop and
block the pain, right, for a short-term period. They do this by blocking
the pain receptors, whereas cannabis works to not only block those
pain receptors but ease the originating pain or inflammation causing
some healing, right? Not just numbing the pain. We're hopefully
trying to get to the root of the problem.
If you don't think that the opioid crisis is affecting you now, wait
until someone you love is in a car accident, has surgery, gets sick or
any number of things that would promote an opioid prescription.
And then let me ask you this question. I don't expect you to
answer, but you can if you want. I can roll with the punches. How
would your life be affected if you personally didn't have access to
pharmacies or medicine or your medicine for that matter? How would
it affect your life? I'm sure it would not be easy.
So many of our local residents and patients are struggling right
now with a lack of access to their medicines. Let me give you just a
few examples of our current Collier County patient options. Some of
these dispensaries that aren't within our county offer delivery, as I
mentioned. They only deliver on certain days and times of the week.
Some charge additional fees, so additional cost for our patient. Patient
orders must be scheduled on a few days in advance, on average. I
don't know about you, but sometimes you just don't know when you're
not going to feel well. I can't schedule that five days in advance. I'm
not a mind reader.
Not all products can be delivered. There's some restrictions. And
even if we had had a perfect delivery system offered by all
dispensaries, patient are missing out on a very important piece, an
in-person purchase.
September 25, 2018
Page 45
Where cannabis differs from other medications is that there is a
great variety of options and strains and strengths. By using the
delivery system, our local patients here in Collier County are missing
out on the options by being forced to web browse and wait. This
delivery system is frustrating, dysfunctional, and a deterrent for new
patients who might even look to cannabis instead of a long-term opioid
use, creating this cycle once again.
Now that you know a little bit more about our delivery system
and, shall I say, lack thereof, a better picture and the real threat from
the opioids and how cannabis can play a role in relieving that issue, I
really implore you to take action and change the current Land
Development Code to approve dispensaries here in Collier County.
Our patients and residents deserve their medicines just like
pharmacy-driven patients.
Let's work together to accomplish and establish -- our established
patients while offering solutions to future patients who can find relief
with cannabis, not just pills.
Thank you so much your time. I feel blessed to be able to share
my family's story, and I come together for the community. Thanks.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Thank you.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Thank you for your comments,
and, obviously, we all feel badly for what happened to your family,
and to the --
MS. BLACK: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: -- tens of thousands of other
families around the country.
We're scheduling a hearing on this issue in October, so I thought
it might be appropriate to find out when that hearing is so the folks that
are here will know when that is.
September 25, 2018
Page 46
And also, Mr. Klatzkow, I think you were going to take a look at
some of the dispensaries and their operations in Lee County so we
would have a little bit of a feeling as to how those operate.
So when is that information coming back to us? When is this item
coming back?
MR. KLATZKOW: Yes. Staff and I went on a site visit last
week. We're finalizing the executive summary with the backup
material for the Board. The County Manager schedules hearings. I'm
not sure when he's scheduling this one.
MR. OCHS: October 23rd is our scheduled date, sir.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Thank you.
So for those that are interested in this issue, pro or con, we're
going to have a debate/discussion on -- I'm sorry, it was October --
MR. OCHS: Third.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: -- 23rd. At that point in time
the Commission will make a decision whether to move forward with
the amendments to the Land Development Code to permit these or not.
So be prepared for that hearing.
MS. BLACK: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Mr. Chairman, I was handed one additional slip
for public comment, if that's all right with you. Yvette Stafford.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Can I say something on the
prior subject? Just -- Commissioner Saunders just -- and for the folks
that are here as well. I have drafted language and sent it off to State
Rep Rodriguez, Ray Rodriguez, with regard to this to make some
amendments to -- or adjustments to the current statute as well
irrespective of what our county's going to do or not do.
But, primarily, as opposed to, by statute, adhering to what the
State has dictated as to where the dispensaries can be, the suggestion is
to set those statutory preemptions as minimums for local municipalities
who choose to allow the dispensaries. So keep that in mind as you go
September 25, 2018
Page 47
and when we start to move into the legislative session support in that
regard, if you're happy with that kind of language as well.
So that's just another effort that's happening other than what
Commissioner Saunders is bringing up.
So I'm sorry, for taking your -- you didn't start her time yet, did
you?
MR. MILLER: I did not.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: You're out of time already.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah. Sorry about that.
MS. STAFFORD: You're familiar with me, anyway, so.
My name is Yvette Stafford. I'm with the Crohn's Charity Service
Foundation. We've been established in Collier County and the state
since 2011.
In connection with the last speaker, I think what's been missing
from the first time I've come here to speak before you is to look at
what it would look like in Collier County. Here's Trulieve. Trulieve is
one of the top MMTCs here. They have over 17 dispensary mortar
buildings here in the state of Florida. They're really one of the top.
And I just heard today they just got on the stock market, so they're
celebrating that.
And then you have Knox. You have Knox who started out with
Trulieve. You have Surterra. You have Modern Health Concept,
which is now called Curaleaf. These are all the main dispensaries that
was here 2014, '15, '16, like that before. You have a new kid on the
block, MuV. They're here. They're in other states also. I'm just trying
to give you a look at what a dispensary -- the names would look like.
And then the other thing I wanted to compare -- we talk about
opioids, pharmaceuticals, here's from Publix. Here's your wrapping.
Anybody can pick it up. I can pick your medicine up. I can pick
everybody's medicine up here, if you want me. I'm going to Publix. I
can do it for you, okay.
September 25, 2018
Page 48
And then here's the same thing. Oh, the difference is -- and I
want to watch my time, because I don't want to -- they have all of how
to take it on the pill box and everything from Publix. They do the same
thing from Curaleaf. You guys have never seen it. You'll have your
name, what it takes, what's in it; the whole nine yards.
I just wanted you guys to get a look at it, because we asked you to
come in and get educated, and I don't know if you do or don't. I'm at
almost every conference/seminar in the state from here to Tallahassee.
They just had a dosing -- a dosing meeting last Monday, so that's hard
coming from here to there.
So I just think we need to get more educated before you make
your decision. It's a lot of education you need to get, and that's it. I
just wanted to show you just what it would look like. And I see there's
many a people here. Thank you.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any other speakers?
MR. MILLER: No, sir. That was your final speakers on public
comment.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Thank you.
Item #8A
RESOLUTION 2018-170: A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF
ZONING APPEALS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA,
RELATING TO A VARIANCE REQUEST FROM SECTION
4.02.01.A OF THE COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT
CODE, TO REDUCE THE MINIMUM SIDE YARD SETBACK
FROM 30 FEET TO 8.6 FEET FOR AN ACCESSORY
GARAGE/SHED STRUCTURE ON PROPERTY IN THE ESTATES
(E) ZONING DISTRICT LOCATED AT 4190 3RD AVENUE NW
IN SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 49 SOUTH, RANGE 26 EAST,
September 25, 2018
Page 49
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA. [PL20180001342] – ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, with the Board's permission, I think,
just before the break we might be able to get through Item 8A. There's
no registered speakers, and if you don't mind, sir, we could take 8A
and then do our break.
This is an item that requires ex parte disclosure be provided by
commission members. All participants are required to be sworn in.
It's a petition to approve a variance request from the Collier
County Land Development Code to reduce the minimum side yard
setback from 30 feet to 8.6 feet for an accessory garage and shed
structure on property in the Estates zoning district.
Ex parte disclosure.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Ex parte?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. I've had meetings on this.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: No disclosures.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I have no disclosures.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I've had discussions with staff on
this.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: And I've had discussions with
staff on this as well.
MR. OCHS: Swear any participants at this point.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Swear the witnesses.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Did everyone that was going to speak on
this --
MR. KLATZKOW: Is the applicant here?
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Is the applicant here as well?
MR. KLATZKOW: They're the ones who need to present.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Did you take an oath there, sir?
MR. LEITI: No.
September 25, 2018
Page 50
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: You did not. I think we need to do it
again.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir. Please come to the podium and --
MR. KLATZKOW: Staff can assist with this.
MR. OCHS: Just briefly state what you're requesting, sir.
MR. KLATZKOW: Staff can assist with this, but it's their item.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Sir, would you like to present something?
MR. LEITI: What we're going for here is the variance. I built a
shed on my property too close to the property line. Supposed to have,
I found out, a 30-foot variance. I'm 8-foot-6 off the property line.
Through our, whatever -- through your system here, we had a --
our neighbor. He does not oppose it. Nobody in the neighborhood has
opposed it.
And, you know, I really don't know what else to say on it. It's a
nice-looking building. I think you folks should have a copy of it.
And we had a pool; we had a permit for that. And when we got
the, you know, the permit for that, we had the county tax guy come
around. He was taking pictures of everything. And I was right in the
middle of building that and, you know, he didn't say anything. For the
structure -- for a shed, I didn't think I needed a permit is what it all
boils down to. And, well, I found out otherwise three years later.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Is staff --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: No, no. I had my light on here.
I just would like to make a motion to approve this man's variance.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I would like to hear from staff.
MR. BOSI: Good morning, Commissioners. Mike Bosi,
Planning and Zoning director.
This petition has been routed through the Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission recommended approval. Staff is
September 25, 2018
Page 51
recommending approval of the variance. It's met all the procedural
requirements necessary of a petition of this type. There's been no
public opposition. There's been support from the closest neighbor. So
based upon all those, staff is recommending approval. The Planning
Commission was recommending approval.
The only reason we're on the regular agenda is there's one
commissioner who objected to the principle of a variance and not the
specifics of the case.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I'm going to support the
motion to approve this. I'm troubled by it, though, quite frankly. We
have to be very careful in approving variances. I mean, obviously
there are certain standards that are set up for that: Land-related
hardships. Obviously, there's no land-related hardship.
A mistake was made, an honest mistake, I believe, based on the
gentleman's testimony. But I don't want the message to go out that
people can build illegal structures without permits and then come back
and get a variance, because I will look very closely at those types of
requests.
I'm going to approve this one because I do believe that this was
just an honest mistake and there's no harm done; the neighbor doesn't
object to it. So I just wanted to make that statement for the record.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Taylor?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I am going to approve it also, but
thank you very much, Commissioner Saunders, for your statements
because I totally agree with you on this.
I had a lot -- I had a lot of angst about this, and I wasn't going to
approve it until you came before us. And I believe it's an honest
mistake on your part, and, therefore, I will support it.
But I have one question. I know you said staff supported it, Mr.
Bosi, but I thought I read that at some point staff didn't support it.
September 25, 2018
Page 52
MR. SABO: Commissioners, James Sabo, principal planner, for
the record.
We recommended against it. Our actual recommendation was
denial with the understanding that there are some mitigating
circumstances here: They -- he was not aware of the requirement for a
permit; the neighbor to the west does not object.
There were -- you know, I feel for the gentleman. You want to
build a shed, you don't think you need a permit, then you find yourself
in this situation. So we have the empathy for the applicant but had to
recommend denial because it doesn't meet the Land Development
Code.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Okay. Very good. I just think
that needed to be on the record. Thank you very much.
MR. SABO: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I've got some real concerns as well. And I
saw the staff report that recommended denial.
I have a couple questions. I mean, is there -- is there a fence
along the west boundary?
MR. LEITI: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I mean, is there going to be access issues
with -- well, I was asking staff. I mean, is there going to be any access
issues, fire issues?
MR. SABO: I don't believe so. There is a landscape buffer
between the properties. The property owner to the west does not
object. It's pretty green, pretty dense between the properties.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Is the structure -- is this, like, a
prefab structure, or was this something that was actually constructed
on the site?
MR. LEITI: I constructed it, sir.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Oh, you built it yourself.
Okay. I saw the pictures that it's up on some posts. You know, in
September 25, 2018
Page 53
granting variances, there's certain criteria that you have to meet, right?
MR. SABO: Correct.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: And one of them being that it's not an
issue that was self-created by the applicant and, you know, I think this
is a really, this -- and I feel for you, and I understand that not knowing
the rules, you know, even though that's not necessarily a valid excuse
under the law, you know, I think this just can set a really bad
precedent.
So I can't support it. But -- and I wish I could, but I think if
there's standards that we have to meet, we have to meet them, and if
you don't meet them, I don't know that we have the option.
Mr. County Attorney, can we -- can we approve a variance if
evidence hasn't been presented that meets the criteria?
MR. KLATZKOW: You're a legislative body. I mean, if this
was a court and this was -- and there was opposition to this, the Court
would rule against the applicants. But this is a legislative body. And I
think the legislator recognizes that you have -- different than a court,
you have more discretion in these things.
If this was in opposition, I think what I might be telling you might
be different. But there is no opposition here, so you're clearly within
your rights to approve it.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Just a -- you mentioned the
issue of this being a precedent, and I just want the County Attorney to
advise us as to whether or not any type of a decision on a particular
variance application would have any bearing, have any precedential
value on any other application even one that was, in most respects,
identical to this, would there be any precedential value to that?
MR. KLATZKOW: Yeah. As a matter of law, every land-use
item is unique and does not set any precedent.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Oh, okay.
September 25, 2018
Page 54
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. And that -- on that point,
I wanted to first off thank Commissioner Saunders for bringing up the
-- just because I was in -- I was the motion maker to approve this
variance, it certainly isn't the thought process that we can go willy-nilly
and go build what we want and violate the setback requirements and
the code and the like. I appreciate Commissioner Saunders for actually
bringing that up.
And I would like to also bring up just the unique area of Golden
Gate Estates, the large lots, the large lot widths, and the like, and that --
when I spoke with the County Attorney, that, you know, these variance
requests are unique in and of themselves and we're not setting
precedent by doing this. This is a unique circumstance. And I want to
see it go forward.
MR. SABO: Mr. Chairman, if I could add, we gave the petitioner
an opportunity for a lot-line adjustment with his neighbor which would
have removed the need for the variance. His neighbor did not have
that willingness, so it kind of put him in this -- the neighbor did not put
him in this predicament. He, obviously, put himself in the
predicament, but the neighbor was not willing to do a lot-line
adjustment to eliminate the need for the variance.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any discussion about whether or not it can
be moved and what the cost of that would be?
MR. SABO: I'd defer to Mr. Leiti for that.
MR. LEITI: I looked into it, and there's only one crane service,
and he's never returned my call; Hershell Crane Service. I tried to get
a hold of him to see what he would charge to move it. It would
probably -- I'm sure it would cost 6-, $7,000 just for the foundation and
-- it would be very expensive.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Fiala?
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. I just want to say, if I were in
the same position and I wouldn't have known the rules or anything,
and, you know, I was just innocently going about my business and just
trying to put something on my property, I mean, I would hope that
people would understand also that I didn't -- it isn't something that I
plotted to do or anything. So I'm voting for him for his shed, or for
approval.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Any other questions, comments?
(No response.)
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I'll second the motion if there's
not a second.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: There was a motion and a second.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: My last comment's going to be that I think
we have to be very, very careful with these variances because, you
know, it can become a trend where people come in and say, well, after
the fact that, having built something, you know, that I need a variance
because I built something that doesn't meet the Land Development
Code. I'm sorry. And that is a very, very slippery slope and throughout
the entire county. I don't think it's particular to just Golden Gate
Estates.
So there's a motion and a second. All in favor, say aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
Aye. It's approved.
MR. LEITI: Thank you very much.
MS. LEITI: Thank you.
MR. OCHS: Commissioner, it's time for your court reporter
morning break, sir.
September 25, 2018
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CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Take a break. Come back at 10:45. I'm
sorry -- 55. I can't do math.
(A brief recess was had.)
MR. OCHS: Ladies and gentlemen, if you'd please take your
seats. Thank you very much.
Mr. Chairman, you have a live mic.
Sir, you have about four minutes before your scheduled
time-certain items. I thought perhaps we could take one of the items
on the County Manager's report before we start the time-certains.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Yes, sir.
Item #11C
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE BOARD DIRECT THE
COUNTY ATTORNEY TO ADVERTISE AND BRING BACK FOR
A PUBLIC HEARING AN ORDINANCE WHICH WOULD
CREATE THE GOLDEN GATE CITY ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ZONE – APPROVED
MR. OCHS: I'd like to take Item 11C, with your permission,
Commissioners. This is a recommendation that the Board direct the
County Attorney to advertise and bring back for a public hearing an
ordinance which would create the Golden Gate City Economic
Development Zone.
Mr. Kentner, your director of the Office of Business and
Economic Development, will make a brief presentation, and then I
know Commissioner Saunders wants to speak on this item as well.
MR. KENTNER: Good morning. I'm pleased to discuss the
recommendation that we advertise this ordinance to establish the
Golden Gate Economic Development Zone in Golden Gate City.
It is based on our current innovation zone ordinance, and it
September 25, 2018
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follows that with some additional features that will make it very user
friendly there in Golden Gate City. Again, it's a value capture
economic development opportunity for Golden Gate City.
I believe the Commissioner has some nice details on it in
addition.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Thank you.
The executive summary, I think, did an excellent job of outlining
what these economic development zones are established for and what
the process is, and the -- it also outlines the fact that there will be a
seven-member advisory committee composed of residents as well as
business owners within the economic zone.
And I wanted to spend just a quick minute explaining why I
wanted to establish this. When I was running for the County
Commission, one of the areas in my district that I felt needed some
really serious attention by the County Commission was the entire
four-square-mile area referred to as Golden Gate City.
There were a lot of infrastructure needs, a lot of housing that is in
need of repair, a lot of businesses that are, perhaps, in need of some
freshening up a little bit.
And so I had kind of a three-pronged approach dealing with
trying to improve the quality of life in that four-square-mile area but
also improving the business climate along the Golden Gate Boulevard
-- Parkway, rather, corridor.
So the first issue was the takeover of the utility system. And this
commission took over that utility system in March of this year, and
ultimately -- what that will mean is that the 21,000-plus residents in
that four-square-mile area ultimately will have county water instead of
having just wells predominantly and ultimately will have county sewer
instead of septic systems.
September 25, 2018
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And this was very important for a couple reasons: One, health
reasons for the residents; the other was simply leachate from failing
septic tanks ultimately getting into the Naples Bay through the canal
system; and also the fact that the original FGUA water and sewer
system, their rates were 30 or 40 percent higher than county rates.
So those residents automatically saw a reduction of 30 to 40
percent in their water bills. When the sewer systems are in place,
they'll certainly see that reduction as well as the elimination of septic
tanks. So that was Phase No. 1, and we've done that.
Phase No. 2 was trying to find a way to provide some better
infrastructure along the Golden Gate Parkway corridor, lighting, trying
to make that area more pedestrian friendly, and also providing some
needed infrastructure in some of the commercial areas there.
So this Economic Development Zone ordinance will generate
about a million dollar a year from existing tax revenue. This is not a
tax increase. It's the tax increment from this point forward that will
fund this in that area. And that can be used for street-lighting, it can be
used for some economic development incentives. There are a lot of
opportunities, I think, that will come from this.
We've had, with our staff, meetings with some of major business
owners there, and I think there will be a real partnership in trying to
improve some of the business climate and attract more business to that
area.
The third -- and so this is just kind of a warning to the
Commission: There's going to be a third element, and that will come
to you probably in January, and that is a zoning overlay over the
commercial area along Golden Gate Parkway and in some of the other
commercial areas adjacent to Golden Gate Parkway.
The idea there will be to provide flexibility to property owners
and businesses to have multi-use, multi-story type of businesses and
development to encourage more development. That will go hand in
September 25, 2018
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hand with the Economic Development Zone.
So my hope today is that the Board will continue this process of
helping improve conditions in the Golden Gate City area.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I think your ideas are brilliant. I
think it's been needed for many, many years, and nobody even came up
with the idea. It's like a copycat CRA except it's individualized, and I
think that's -- I'm really impressed with that.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Thank you. And it does
operate similarly to a CRA without the different findings and things of
that nature. But it operates very similarly to that. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Great idea.
Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'd like to second
Commissioner Saunders' motion. He didn't make it, but I'm --
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I'll make the motion to move
forward with this.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: He kind of made it, but I'm
liking to second it.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: There's a motion and a second. Any other
discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: All in favor, say aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
(No response.)
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Thank you.
September 25, 2018
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CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Motion carries.
MR. OCHS: Thank you, Commissioners.
And in speaking with Commissioner Saunders, I think his plan is
to have this back in front of you for a second reading at your
November meeting.
Mr. Chairman, Commissioners, that takes us to our scheduled
time-certain hearing items this morning.
Item #11G
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIRMAN TO SIGN EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT WITH
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ALLIANCE, INC. FOR FY 2019 IN CONTINUED SUPPORT OF
THE ESTABLISHED PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
DESIGNED TO ADVANCE THE COUNTY’S ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS – APPROVED THE AGREEMENT;
BRING BACK SPECIFICS FOR ANALYSIS (AROUND
DECEMBER)
The first item to be heard this morning is Item 11G. This was
moved to the regular agenda at Commissioner Saunders' request. It's a
recommendation to authorize an extension of the existing agreement
with the South Florida Economic Development Alliance for Fiscal
Year 2019, and we have Mr. Reynolds --
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Chairman?
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Yes.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I'd like to make a comment on
why I took these items off the consent agenda.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Sure.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: And this -- I'm not picking on
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any particular individual item here. These are all three somewhat
related in terms of their economic development issues.
We have an office that deals with this. We have several
employees that deal with economic development. And my concern is
whether or not we're getting a good public benefit for the money that
we're spending, not only on individual programs, but in terms of
staffing and all that's associated with it. So that's one question.
Next question is, should the county even be involved in economic
development? I think that's a policy issue that I think we probably all
agree we should be, but I think we just need to have a little bit of a
discussion on that.
And I think we need to understand more fully what it really is
costing the taxpayers. You know, I was not fully aware of how much
we're spending on economic development. I don't think the board, as a
whole, is particularly well informed on how much we're spending.
You may be, but I wasn't, and I would not be surprised if you would
have some questions as to how much the total budget is on all of the
expenditures.
In all three of these agreements there are provisions for
termination at will after 30 days' notice. So my goal today is to kind of
set the table for going forward with these agreements, letting
everybody know that there's a 30-day notice -- termination notice
provision in each of those, bring this back -- approve the agreements
today so the funding doesn't stop today, bring these back for a full
discussion in front of the Commission as to what our policies should
be in terms of economic development and a good analysis of what
we're spending.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I like it.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Bring it back when?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Sometime in October. I don't
know that everybody's going to be prepared to make final decisions
September 25, 2018
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today; that's my point. I mean, we may be prepared to make decisions
on individual contracts today, but I think in terms of long-term policy,
I think we need some time to have staff provide us information and
also have the different groups that are involved in economic
development better prepared to address those policy issues.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Taylor?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Thank you, Commissioner
Saunders. As the Commission liaison to the economic development in
this county, I think it's very important that we hear from these different
groups that are here today only because when we start questioning the
value of economic development, it casts a shadow over economic
development. And I think we probably -- it doesn't mean that staff
shouldn't come back and talk about it at a later date, but I do think
we've got significant people here that could perhaps start the
conversation that we will continue at a later meeting.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I was in concert with
Commissioner Saunders and, really, I mean, if it's the will of the Board
to have these presentations today, I'm certainly willing to hear those.
But I think -- I was under the -- I like the idea of passing them, moving
them along, bringing them back on an individual basis. But it's up to
the pleasure of the Board. And Commissioner Fiala is having issues
with her computer and not listening to me again.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Is that a motion or --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I don't know.
Commissioner Saunders -- more of a question. Do you want to
hear the presentations today or just move these along and --
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I think some brief
presentations today, everybody's here, and as I said, I think we should
approve the agreements --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right.
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: -- but I think we really have to
come back and have a thorough discussion in October/November on
what we're spending and what benefit we're getting.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, you raise some really
good points, whether or not we should be there and whether we should
-- and how involved we are or not with the expenditure of taxpayers'
money. So I'm totally fine with that, too.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: So I guess the operative part being brief?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Hopefully so.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Brief presentations.
Mr. Manager?
MR. OCHS: Sir, I'll ask Mr. Al Reynolds, the Chair of the South
Florida Regional Development Economic Alliance, to come forward.
MR. REYNOLDS: Thank you very much, and good morning,
Commissioners. It's a pleasure to be here. I have the privilege of
serving as the voluntary chair for the Alliance this year.
Very briefly, the Alliance is one of three entities that collectively
collaborate together to market and fulfill the economic development
initiatives for Collier County.
We started back in 2015 as an incorporated 501(c)3 -- I'm sorry --
(c)6. The Alliance was borne out of a collaborative effort between
Florida Gulf Coast University, Collier County's Naples Area Chamber,
and the Horizon Council in Lee County.
And the simple premise was that, number one, we can do a better
job of diversifying our economy in Southwest Florida when we're
together, working together in a collaborative effort.
And the role for the Alliance specifically is, number one, we are
the marketing arm of economic development for Southwest Florida,
five-county region. We have a website that serves as the data
repository for all of the demographic and economic information for the
entire five-county region. We work collaboratively with FGCU to
September 25, 2018
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maintain that website.
We also serve to work with all of the economic development
partnerships in Southwest Florida to do outreach to go to events;
basically, to keep Southwest Florida visible in -- really in the national
and international market for development.
You may not know this, but prior to creating the Alliance,
Southwest Florida was the only region in the state of Florida that did
not have any kind of an economic development alliance.
And, frankly, we were not really visible on the larger stage
lacking that kind of a region entity, because what we know is that
particularly with site selectors and businesses looking for new places to
move and expand, they always want to look at a region, because the
region is the economic conglomeration of everything that works
together.
So they really start by trying to reach out to organizations like the
Alliance to get good data, to have us help facilitate any potential
interest, and then working collaboratively with our partners.
So we work with education, we work with the workforce entities,
we work with local governments, all the EDOs in Southwest Florida,
and basically just try to make sure that we are putting our best foot
forward, that businesses have ready access to the most accurate current
data, and then when we have an opportunity for somebody that is
interested in the region, working with the partners to facilitate that
process.
If you've been to our website -- and if you haven't, I would really
encourage you to visit it. It's one of our real strong assets. We have,
among other things, access to the Economic Almanac for Southwest
Florida. We have a property locator so that you can actually find
buildings and sites that would serve your needs if you're a business
that's looking to relocate or expand.
We have a fantastic board of directors. Commissioner Taylor
September 25, 2018
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serves on our board currently, as does Leo. Commissioner Solis is
prior board and, actually, Dudley Goodlette and Dick Grant were both
founding board members of the Alliance back when we first put it to
together. We have Dr. Martin from FGCU serves on our board and
representatives from all of the major players.
So it's really the only entity where we get everybody together that
address all facets of economic development and look at critical issues
for the region and do our best to try to promote the area.
So that's a brief overview, and I would be remiss if I didn't
introduce Susan Pareigis who --
MS. PAREIGIS: Good morning.
MR. REYNOLDS: I think many of you know, Susan just joined
us last month as our new president. She's a familiar face, I think, to a
lot of folks because she formerly served as the president of our
Economic Development Council back when I was, you know, working
-- we were all working with that group.
So if I could, I'd just like to -- because she's just come on board
recently, if I could just let her say hello, and thank you very much.
MS. PAREIGIS: Thanks, Al.
Good morning. Susan Pareigis. And I am very grateful to be
here back in my home county. I would tell you that since I left Collier
County working with the EDC and the first public partnership with the
public sector side and the private sector side in Collier, I then went and
worked at the state and ran the state agency for a billion-and-a-half
dollars, which you know, Senator, so I understand the importance and
the significance of public dollars and safeguarding them.
Our goal at the Alliance is to ensure that we safeguard these
public dollars and that we grow them and leverage them with
private-sector dollars. We are about that business now. We know that
we need to get some funds in so that we can market the region, if you
will.
September 25, 2018
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We also know that in economic development you really need this
public/private partnership. It cannot be one or the other. As soon as I
get a prospect, which I talked to last week, they wanted to know about
the region, and then they want to know about each county, and they're
not ready to come forward within the public to announce what they're
looking at. So we can serve as that liaison.
I would share with you that working with Jason, the county here,
is pivotal, so that when it is appropriate, he has the certified sites, he
knows where the indicators are, he knows where the innovation zones
are so we can direct those clients to the area.
I think one of the things that -- one of the reasons I was brought to
the Alliance is to make certain that we bring this public and private
sector together. I have worked in Lee County at the Tourist
Development Council years ago with Bud Nocera, and I also worked
with a economic development group there, worked with the
International Trade and worked on the Foreign Trade Zone designation
at the airport. After that I came down to Collier County for seven
years and worked with the EDC.
I think I really understand Lee and Collier significantly. I see a
lot of opportunity up in Charlotte County as well, and we will be
working with them to grow the public-sector dollars as well up in that
area.
I think Hendry and Glades are very unique to our region, and I
can tell you that there are unique companies that will look for railhead,
heavy industrial, that may be appropriate for their areas as well. I
think what you get with the Alliance is the ability to offer many
different types of situations for the client. Let the client drive it, and
then assist them in each of the counties as to who to connect to and
land the deal, sign the contract, get the jobs and, as we know, to
diversify the economy in Collier is critical. We need high-wage jobs.
That's why I'm here.
September 25, 2018
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And I look forward to working with you. It's good to be back.
Thank you, Senator.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Just one quick question for
Mr. Reynolds.
In terms of the other counties, do they participant financially as
well? I know you mentioned the Horizon Council and FGCU, but
what about the other counties? Are they contributing?
MR. REYNOLDS: Lee County has a reimbursement agreement
with the Alliance similar to what Collier County has. The other
counties have not yet participated financially, but they do participate in
other ways to help us try to put forth sort of the unified information
that's available. But we're hopefully that -- and we've had ongoing
conversations with the counties, and one of our goals is to pull the
other counties in on a final basis as well.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: What is the financial
contribution from Lee County?
MR. REYNOLDS: It's a $100,000 maximum reimbursement,
which is the same reimbursement as Collier County has.
And I should have said this at the beginning, but I wanted to
thank you, you know, at the outset, because Collier County actually
stepped up in 2015 when our organization was literally just coming out
of the ground. We didn't have full-time staff yet and made the
commitment to enter an agreement with us to fund it along with our
private-sector partners. So Collier County actually helped us really
springboard into being able to hire a full-time professional staff and do
some of the things that we needed to get the basic infrastructure
together.
So you've been a partner with us since that point in time, and we
are very appreciative of that, so thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any other discussion?
September 25, 2018
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MR. KLATZKOW: Yeah, just one thing for the record.
Commissioner Saunders, during our discussions yesterday, we were
talking about the 30 days. I was focusing on the EII agreement, which
is 30 days. The other two agreements are both 120-day termination
notices.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: All right.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I'd like to make a motion to
approve the extension of the agreement with Southwest Florida
Economic Development Alliance.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: There's a motion. Is there a second?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, sure; yes, I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: You'll second it?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. So there's a motion and a second.
Discussion? Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: On the motion, I'm going to
support the motion, even though I understand it's 120-day termination
provision, with the hope that the Board will bring this back --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Sure.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: -- so we can go through the
budget and really get an analysis of that. So with that in mind, I'll
support the motion.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And that was my -- just to
repeat what I already said, I pulled these three issues last year when
these three contracts come up. Mr. Reynolds came forward with a
presentation, so did the EII, and so did the Chamber. So I satisfied
myself over the summer break as to what this organization does and
am quite pleased with it, so...
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah. I'm just hoping that we can
September 25, 2018
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get some more reports or let us know what you're doing. I mean, it
seems you've been in existence for three years, but we haven't really
heard what you're doing, and it's kind of hard to back you fully because
we don't know what you're doing. Would you call on us, or at least on
me?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Commissioner Saunders has a
request to actually come back and give us a report. I mean, one of the
notes that I have over here -- I spoke with Leo about it yesterday -- is
while we're supporting these organizations, I really want to see a
movement towards evidence-based performance from the contributions
that come from our tax dollars.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I know what Commissioner
Saunders said.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I was listening to that. What I just
mean is get into my office. Let me ask you questions. Come in and
tell me what's going on. I mean, face-to-face something or another so I
can ask you questions as well.
MR. REYNOLDS: We will.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: My only comments is that having served
on the board for a while and seeing and coming to understand some of
the behemoths that are out there that we have to compete with as a
region, and really not having competed at all with the Tampa Bay area,
you know, the Orlando area, this is a really important function in my
view. But it certainly does -- we should periodically understand, all of
this collectively, what you're doing and where the money goes.
So there's a motion and a second.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah. One more thing. I know
about creating jobs, and that's what you're trying to do, and creating
high-wage jobs and so forth. But we don't seem to have the people
here to fill any jobs. That's the biggest problem. Everywhere you look
September 25, 2018
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there's, you know, "help wanted" signs, but they can't find the people
to fill the jobs.
And I don't know how you're going to resolve that if you do
create something that is very functional, and so -- but I don't know that
there's -- if our economy continues like it has been, I mean, we're in a
great place, but we don't have any employees to fill those jobs, so...
MS. PAREIGIS: I would share with you, Commissioner Fiala,
that this is something that I take very seriously. This is an issue that
we will need to address.
You may recall I worked for the Governor, the tall one, Jeb,
narrowly on workforce development. So I absolutely understand how
the federal dollars can be used at the local level and how we can
leverage those. This is an issue we need to get our arms around.
And I do believe, again -- you mentioned the Tampa Bay area. It
is a large region where you may live in Clearwater and work in St. Pete
and, you know, your folks are in Tampa. So it is seen as a region. I'm
not certain that we see it that way down here yet. But I will tell you
that just coming back to the area over the last month, it is a region, in
fact.
And when you talk to Enterprise Florida -- I've been on the board
for years -- you didn't hear anything about the Southwest Florida
region. We want to change that. We want to make sure that when
they're meeting with clients, that we're on their top list to make certain
that they understand not only the workforce that we do have and that
we can improve upon but also the certified sites that Jace has ready.
You-all have a lot of significant benefits within Collier County that we
all know about, and we want to make sure other people know about it.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you. There's a motion and a
second. Any other discussion?
(No response.)
September 25, 2018
Page 71
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: All in favor, say aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: It's approved. Thank you.
Item #11H
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIRMAN TO SIGN AN EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT WITH
PARTNERSHIP FOR COLLIER’S FUTURE ECONOMY, INC.
(“PARTNERSHIP”) IN CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE
ESTABLISHED PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP DESIGNED
TO ADVANCE THE COUNTY’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EFFORTS – APPROVED THE AGREEMENT; BRING BACK
SPECIFICS FOR ANALYSIS (AROUND DECEMBER)
MR. OCHS: Item 11H is a recommendation to approve an
extension of the agreement with the Partnership for Collier's Future
Economy in support of the public/private economic development
initiative.
Mr. Dalby, representing the Chamber, will make a brief
presentation.
MR. DALBY: Good morning, Commissioners. Michael Dalby,
president and CEO, not just the Chamber, but also the Partnership for
Collier's Future Economy.
And myself, along with Kristi Bartlett, who's the vice president
September 25, 2018
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for economic development, are the partners with you on economic
development. Kind of in some key areas of business retention and
expansion, also working on the attraction side of the house and dealing
with those workforce issues like Commissioner Fiala brought up.
So let me kind of go back through that. Our contract with the
county asked us to do 50 one-on-one visits with businesses that are
existing in our community to try to find out what is going on with
them, what expansion opportunities they see, or what challenges they
are seeing in their being here in Collier County.
Maybe a -- just recently this past year we did over 60 of these
visits. A good example of that one is a company here locally, Lenkbar,
which does medical devices. They're off on the East Trail. They're
looking at doing an expansion here in the area, and so that's an existing
business that we're looking at helping them with that expansion
project.
During Economic Development Week, some of you participated
with us. We took you on some of these visits. You can see the
different topics that happen from these visits. Sometimes -- I think it
was Commissioner Solis, we were talking with MassiveU, and it kind
of got into a discussion about mental health and how that affected them
and the efforts that they wanted to try to work on that issue as well.
And the attraction standpoint, maybe one of the most high
visibility attraction projects would be ACI Worldwide, the payments
processing company that's in the Kraft building, a global company that
relocated their headquarters operations here from Omaha, Nebraska,
worked very closely with the county and every one on that project to
bring them here with incentives at the state and the local level, and
they're a great project now with over a hundred staff members here in
Collier County. They're in financial technologies, which is one of the
areas we feel like we have opportunities for expansions here in Collier.
We also are a connection to Enterprise Florida, to Florida Power
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& Light, and their economic development staffs, FEDC as well. Kristi
sits on the board of the Florida Economic Development Council.
Again, trying to make those critical connections and liaisons between
the county and economic development opportunities.
We are working a project right now we received through Florida
Power & Light that is a company that does block chain and uses that to
help from a security standpoint. So they're looking for space here in
the area and, again, that would be an attraction project to have a new
company here in our region.
Also, an attraction, sometimes you're working projects for many
months, and they don't come to pass and yet you spend still the same
amount of time you have to work on those projects. So Project
BlueWave, some of you may remember that one, a company that was
looking to use brackish water for a consumer product. And we did a
number of different meetings and worked with the county and others
who all came together, made a great presentation to them, but you
learn from those kind of projects where the challenges are in our
county, and the challenge there was available land that was zoned
properly and had a price tag that was amenable to the client.
The price of the land was way beyond what the client wanted to
pay, and so you lose the project. They'll go someplace else. But it
teaches us a number of different lessons about things like
county-owned properties that we are able to leverage and being able to
see what are the things we can bring to the table to help those
companies not just become attracted to Collier County but actually do
the deal here in Collier County; bring those jobs here.
We're also involved in workforce training. Obviously, when you
meet with businesses, you hear the challenges they have, just like
Commissioner Fiala mentioned, trying to find qualified employees,
employees that are trained and can take the jobs that our businesses
have, and we've been working on that workforce training issue.
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We applied for a $3 million grant through the Governor's Job
Growth Grant Fund, received that grant, and so now you see us
working with the school district and to try to do an expansion of i-tech
and create a center for manufacturing excellence that's a little closer
here into the -- to the urban area.
So on all those ones, you see these are the challenges, that we try
to work with the businesses that are here, existing here, that are those
primary employers that are selling products outside of the area and
bringing new dollars in, and then looking to attract new companies
here to the area, and work those projects. They all just take -- they
take time, they take effort, they take connections.
We're also responsible for running the website, the
CollierEDO.org website, economic development resource website
that's available to those entities that are looking at doing business in
Collier County and help through the website to make connections to
the various contacts both at the county and private-sector contacts that
can help them.
And we're always looking to make improvements to that website.
Recently we added the ability for our realtors to add properties to that
website. This coming year we're looking at added some resources to
help with workforce awareness of what type of workforce we have
here, and the emerging workforce that comes forward in our area each
year through our colleges, universities, and high schools and training
centers.
So you can see that it's kind of multi-focused in the type of
resources that we provide. Your funding is then matched, more than
matched by funding through our members. So for a little -- each one
of our members, what they pay the Chamber, a little portion of that
goes towards the Chamber's contribution towards economic
development as well; so the overhead, the expense of staffing and
other things that come together to support our economic development
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effort.
So that would be the connections that we have with you-all, and
we appreciate very much the support that you've given us. I think this
would be the third year of the contract that we've had with the county
to partner in economic development.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Taylor?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Mr. Dalby, the Opportunity
Naples strategy, is it the same as Opportunity Naples?
MR. DALBY: Yes, yes. I mean, that's right.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Okay. I never heard it --
MR. DALBY: The partnership for Collier's future economy,
right, it's that name, and then that strategy that Opportunity Naples put
together, those deliverables are still the ones that we're working off of
today.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: That was a game changer in this
community. And what I've seen from at least my brief interaction with
the work that you do; I call, Kristi's there. We've gone and visited
companies. We've -- I mean, you really are involved on the grass-roots
of this community in the economic development. I think you work
very, very hard at this.
What to me is the most exciting thing that's happening -- and
there's no silver bullet here for -- you know, we can't become
Greenville or, you know, places -- Spartanburg right away. It takes 20
years, 20, 25 years, I've been told by folks who have been up there that
long.
But what we're too doing is we're laying the groundwork which
will just be the building blocks as we grow and develop and diversify
our economy.
MR. DALBY: Right.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: And the Chamber is a big part of
that. And the idea of the schools now being on board and having that
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training is so essential to our future, because economic development
isn't tomorrow. It's 10, 20 years from now. What are we going to be?
And as we found out clearly by environmental issues, diversifying our
economy is critical to our future here in Collier County.
MR. DALBY: Absolutely; absolutely, thank you.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: You're welcome.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. I think that you hit another nail
on the head, and that is the housing, and I think we do need to -- one of
the things we need or we understand we need, we need educated
employees, we need trained employees, we need skilled employees;
we're looking for all of those.
But up until just recently we haven't been building the housing for
them, but the development community has really stepped up to the
plate. All of a sudden they're building many things, a lot of rentals, but
for that particular category, and we're seeing more and more coming
out of the ground. And as we're beginning to train them, and attract
them, now we'll have housing for them.
They're looking for something of a little better quality than we've
been focusing on before, and so I think that should help us as well.
MR. DALBY: Thank you. It is one of the challenges that
businesses frequently mention.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: And I'll just mention that I've also been on
some of the retention visits with Kristi. I think she does a phenomenal
job and really has the pulse of the business community and what they
need and how to keep them here. So I would commend you both for
the job you're doing on that.
So if there's no other discussion.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I'd like to make a motion to
extend their agreement, the Partnership for Collier's Future Economy
agreement.
September 25, 2018
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CHAIRMAN SOLIS: There's a motion. Is there a second?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Second.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: There's a motion and a second. All in
favor, say aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: It's approved.
MR. DALBY: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you.
Item #11I
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE ANNUAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN
ECONOMIC INCUBATORS, INC. AND THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE
ESTABLISHED PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP DESIGNED
TO ADVANCE THE COUNTY’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EFFORTS – APPROVED THE AGREEMENT; BRING BACK
SPECIFICS FOR ANALYSIS (AROUND DECEMBER)
MR. OCHS: Item 11I is a recommendation to approve the annual
contract extension between Economic Incubators, Incorporated, and
the Board of County Commissioners for the operation of the business
accelerator program.
MS. PELLECHIO: Good morning, Chairman and
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Commissioners. My name is Jennifer Pellechio, and I am the COO of
Economic Incubator, Inc.
Before I begin our presentation, I would like to ask, or I would
like to just introduce our members of our EII board. Fred Pezeshkan is
our chair, Dick Grant is our vice chair, Dudley Goodlette is on our
board, as well as Fred Krieger, who has been an instrumental volunteer
and partner through this process. And then -- oh, sorry. I forgot.
There's also staff and participants in the room.
EII operates within an ecosystem. This is really important.
Without Collier County's participation and our partners, EII could not
operate on its own. We want to thank you because you have made this
possible.
Over the past few months, we have embarked on a new marketing
campaign. This is dedicated to explain what EII is and explain that
we're more than a single entity. We're here to help build your business
in paradise. That's our brand. Through either the Naples Accelerator or
now our Culinary Accelerator in Immokalee, we have diverse areas
where businesses can come grow their business, succeed, and spin out
into the community.
Here is just a quick look at our organizational chart. EII operates
currently with five staff and three locations.
The timeline. This is near and dear to my heart, I have to say.
I've only been with the organization about two years, and I really had
to understand the history in order to move us forward.
I want to just point out two items on this timeline. The first item
is that in September 2015 the Naples Accelerator opened at the Kraft
location. In March of 2018, the culinary incubator -- or accelerator in
Immokalee opened. This was made possible with federal, state, and
local commitments, partners, and others, but not only; it was the
foresight of the commissioners and the leaders in this community that
determined that economic diversification in Collier County was
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necessary.
I'm going to just highlight quickly on some of the
accomplishments. This is some of the items that we have been able to
do over the past year: First and foremost, the kickoff of the Culinary
Accelerator was launched. To me, this is so exciting. In March we
had a culinary connection day. It was the second culinary connection
day. We plan to have another one in March of 2019 and hope
everybody will attend. It's a great way for you to be able to tour the
facility, see the types of businesses that are in the facility, and really
understand how that accelerator operates.
We also obtained a clean audit for the second year in a row.
We're pretty proud of that.
And then -- and we also worked with multiple levels of
collaboration. We encourage partners and volunteers to assist. This
cannot be done alone.
The economic development team of Collier County continues to
be an instrumental partner. With Jace's team and others, we are able to
help our businesses in these facilities and move them forward.
While we are in the business of helping and assisting others in EII
to continue to evolve, it is important to grow the business and adapt as
necessary. Focusing on new revenue sources such as cooking classes
in Lee County and different special events and hosting all kinds of
events at both facilities is just one way that we can grow our lines of
business.
And then the most importantly exciting new thing that is
happening is recently the university's partnerships have obtained an
MOU to begin to move forward on having our educational partners
align with the accelerators and economic mission.
Here's just a quick snapshot. We have to say we're really, really
thankful because the University of Florida, IFAS, stepped up, and they
have been a part of our Culinary Accelerator. We have in our Culinary
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Accelerator a food-science expert that is there. We have a UF lab that
is there. We are extremely excited we can offer this type of value to
our members in Immokalee.
So how do we bring in the other partners? Well, we have a great
team of universities/educational identities right here in our region. I
personally have to tell you I've been here for 37 years, and I've had --
I've been fortunate enough to attend both -- well, I like to call it Edison
still, but Florida Southwestern State College and FGCU.
As companies grow and expand, the thought of finding talent in
our own backyard utilizing these collaborations is truly what economic
development is about.
So what does EII do, you might ask? I would like to say a lot, but
let's just say with starters, we provide access and connect to companies
with educational opportunities, provide space, depending on what type
of business you're looking into, from our Culinary Accelerator to our
technology accelerator, that's also diversified in other aspects, and then
we also provide meeting location.
We've been fortunate to work with several partners and figure out
ways that they can come and utilize our facilities and they could help
with mentoring or additional programs through the accelerators.
One of the also really exciting things that we have been able to
roll out in the past couple of months is we've been able to, for our
members, if they're a certain membership type, they have access to our
esteemed Board of Directors. This is huge. This is also a way for our
membership to be able to access leaders in the community through just
booking some time in our portal.
So we are trying to add value-add to our members. We are trying
to engage to help these businesses succeed and grow.
Here is just some statistics. Since 2014 the Naples Accelerator
has helped 101 members. I can tell you we've had more than 101
members that have come through the facility, through the door, but
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have decided not join. 101 members have been in the facility since
2014. That's pretty exciting stuff.
Currently, we have 36 active, and in the last couple months we've
changed our pricing structure which we believe will allow for --
continue our numbers to grow. In Immokalee, as I said, we just
opened in March 2018. We've served 16 members, and 13 are active
at the Culinary Accelerator.
Here's just a list of some of the partners. Our participants or
members need help. They need help on multiple platforms. We do not
have all the expertise, but what we do know is through the
collaboration and the right partners we can connect the dots.
I can tell you that in the last probably month a few of the
members that have come in have asked for space, and I believe
everybody's just heard not only does the Naples Chamber have an
access where you can see space on their websites, so does the Regional
Alliance. So we can point these companies to our partners and have
them help identify space also with Jace Kentner.
This slide is pretty exciting to me. I'm going to highlight just one
of our companies. Now, please understand that we are also a
non-profit. We do not take equity in companies. That is not our model.
But what we do is we can, through our partners, hand over companies
that we feel might be ready, but they have to go through an application
process to receive funding. ConnexPay, for example, just received
venture funding; I believe it was in the tune of $355,000. They are a
company active in our Naples facility. They started at a low-level
reserved office. They have now moved to a half office. Next month
they are moving to a full office, and they're hiring their first employee
locally in Collier County. This is exciting. This is one way to track
measurement as we move into the future.
And now I'm going to just show you some pictures briefly about
our Culinary Accelerator launch. Again, as I said, in March was the
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ribbon cutting. Here's the state-of-art 5,000-square-foot facility that is
located in Immokalee, Florida.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Who's that handsome guy in
the blue shirt on the right?
MS. PELLECHIO: He looks pretty good, I have to say.
And here's just a sample of the types of product that can be made
in the facility and our great manager/leader, Ruth Fehr, who I believe
you'll hear from some today.
Here is just an example of some of the participants and just
different snapshots of what the facility looks like.
And then this is really exciting, very exciting for us. The
Culinary Accelerator delivers. What does that mean exactly? The first
product was launched in Immokalee. It is now being sold in the
Wynn's Market here in Collier County. We are very excited about this.
This is one of many that we hope will happen in the near future.
And Cahrina's Hot Sauce, she has now hired three employees, and
I believe -- and Ruth could probably correct me, but I know at least
one is from Immokalee because he said it's great to only have to go
five minutes up the road to work. I would like that. Two of them are
from Immokalee.
Woodstock's Micro Market. This was a vision. This was an idea.
What this is is a micro market that is located in Naples underneath the
Naples facility, but the whole idea was to have a self-serve micro
market that product in Collier County could sell to people in Naples.
This has now been moved under direction and leadership of the
Immokalee facility, and we are working towards bringing product from
Immokalee over to Naples to help them with their sales. And if
anybody's been watching, Amazon is popping these up all over the
place.
And, of course, we can't forget our great Naples Accelerator.
Since our new pricing structure, I encourage everybody to come check
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out both facilities. We have members in both. It's exciting. It's bright.
It's fun. It's cheerful. Things are happening. Entrepreneurs talk at the
copy machine; they get great ideas. They leverage off of each other.
They network. That's what this is about.
We have an executive action plan. I like to thing that there are
five key priorities that we work towards, but the biggest one that I find
in listening to all of our partners here is to continue to expand and
diversify Collier County economic development.
I'm going to briefly go over this slide because I have to tell you
we're very fortunate to have Fred Krieger, a dedicated volunteer CPA
who knows all the budget information.
So we have a budget. We work towards the budget. We like our
budget for Fiscal Year 2019.
And then we have also three different websites. We've since
rolled out a new website for EII, which is Economic Incubators, Inc.,
which will then show you all of our different lines of business, and you
can get to either one of our websites. We use our website for
everything. If you want to become a member, you fill out an
application. If you want to find out information, you go to our website.
Anything else that you need to do, we point you to our website, and
then, of course, our staff as well.
Any questions?
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: We have public speakers. How many
public speakers do we have?
MR. MILLER: Excuse me. I have six registered public speakers
on this item.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: And, Commissioner Fiala, you're on.
Would you like to --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Let them go first.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: You want to hear the speakers first?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Sure.
September 25, 2018
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MR. MILLER: Your first registered public speaker is Paul Thein,
to be followed by Reshma Tannassee, excuse me.
MS. FEHR: I'm going to hand out sauce.
MR. THEIN: Thank you. I'll be brief. My name is Paul Thein.
I've been at the Accelerator for nearly a year and just want to reiterate
some of the positives that I've experienced and I heard today.
It is an incubator of knowledge and entrepreneurship. I
thoroughly enjoy the board. I enjoy working with Jace and the county.
It really helps you connect and learn from each other.
We're at the point now with my company, Core Health Partners,
we bridge gaps where there's community health needs where we're in
the hiring phase yet small and an infant here in Naples. Our vision is
big. We stem from a company out of Des Moines, Iowa, and there's
offices and work in Kansas City and Detroit. It's a best-practice
model. It really puts health to work where the community -- 80
percent of the community doesn't necessarily seek to be well, and we
try to inspire them to do so.
Yesterday we put the advertisement out for our first physical
therapist. We hired a registered nurse. So these are not low-end jobs.
These are jobs at the 70-, $80,000 level, and we anticipate growing
many of them, and it's because of the work and the mentorship at the
Accelerator. We hope to keep the juice going and keep the community
well.
Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Reshma Tannassee,
followed by Joe Garcia.
MS. TANNASSEE: Hi. My name is Reshma Tannassee.
And I didn't expect to be up here, so -- I would like to thank both
Accelerator Naples and Immokalee to give us a great community to
make our product.
And we have been doing sufficiently. We launch our first 300
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case. We already on seven employees. And four is from Immokalee
and two is from Naples, and myself, so eight total.
And we didn't expect to grow this big so fast, and we started
about a month ago, about a month ago, and we already touch our first
$5,900 in sales within two weeks. So we're looking to grow and
getting bigger.
And so I want to thank everyone, the Collier County, the
Accelerator, for helping us out and give us a great opportunity.
MR. OCHS: Thank you.
MR. MITCHELL: Your next speaker is Joe Garcia, followed by
Ruth Fehr.
MR. GARCIA: How you guys doing? I want to thank the
Culinary Accelerator for leading me in the right direction because, you
know, a lot of guys are doing stuff the wrong way, and I want to do
stuff the right way, you know, with the permits. And they helped me
get my food manager license, my catering license, so now I'm ready to
go.
And I'm -- I do barbecue; Mexican food also. You know, try to
target the Hispanic community that can afford it. You know, because a
lot of the other guys try to take advantage of the Hispanic community,
so I'm trying to target where they can afford the business, you know.
And I just want to thank everybody for helping me out to get
started. And thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: What's the name of your company?
MR. GARCIA: Big Joe Barbecue.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Imagine that.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Just want to know.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Get a plug in there for Big Joe.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Ruth Fehr, followed by
Dian Edwards.
MS. FEHR: And he forgot to mention that he's from Immokalee.
September 25, 2018
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I think that's important.
Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'm Ruth
Fehr. I'm one of the managers in the Culinary Accelerator.
And in the three minutes that I have, I just want to highlight a few
activities, exciting activities I would say that we have there at the
Culinary Accelerator. And I want to preface by saying that since our
grand opening in March of this year, we have been focusing in three
areas, really. One is to create awareness of our facility within the
different cities of -- you know, in the area. The other is building and
nurturing relationships with local businesses, and then doing education
classes.
So in the area of creating awareness, I think that we are starting to
see our efforts. As Jennifer mentioned, we had 16 members already.
They have been busy getting -- going through their licensing process.
Last week, for example, we had two of the members that he have --
they received food licenses, which the last step for them to start using
our facility. And this week we had three: Two yesterday that passed
and tomorrow we have one.
The other area that is very exciting is creating partnerships with
local communities. And one that I think is a very successful
partnership was the Seminole Tribe and the Seminole Casino. So this
summer we started with the Seminole Tribe doing cooking classes for
their youth, and this fall we're going to be doing cooking classes with
the adults. They are very happy with what we've done so far. They
have verbally committed to starting monthly classes starting in
January.
And we are now in conversations with the Seminole Casino,
which is a different entity. I didn't know about that. We are in
conversations with the food and beverage director. They have a food
truck that they use in the different casinos, and they want to produce
the food in our facility and load it in the truck and they take it, because
September 25, 2018
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they don't have enough space at the casino.
And with the casino, we met with the executive chefs, and during
high season they do not have enough capacity to produce food in the
restaurants, so they would like to use our facility as an extra kitchen, so
that's in terms of creating partnerships.
And in terms of education, we started doing cooking classes for
the public educating in how to roast coffee, how to grow micro greens,
how to make pastries and so on and so forth. So that's just at the
beginning of what we're doing. But I feel that with all the effort we've
done, we have more positive results coming up, and I'm hoping that
next time we meet with you guys, we will have -- we will need an hour
to give you all the updates that we have.
So if you have any questions, I'm more than happy to answer.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Dian Edwards; will be followed by Jeanie
Bonavita.
MR. EDWARDS: The great Chinese philosopher once said, if a
man is hungry and you give him a fish, you'll feed him for a day. If
you teach him to fish, you'll feed him for a lifetime. When we were
hungry for space to launch our business, the Naples Incubator, and
thanks to the Board of County Commissioners, did not give us one
day, but they gave us almost a lifetime in giving us space.
So I want to thank you very much, the Naples Incubator and the
Board of County Commissioners, for the wonderful job you've done in
helping us to launch our business.
After two months of occupying, starting there, we had a small
space, and within two months we have increased to a large office, and
thanks to the wonderful board.
We are also involved in training youngsters. They are young men
who are not able to work because of their physical incapabilities.
September 25, 2018
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They're disabled. So there's a young man who could not talk, so we
took him out and we train him in the accounting field, and now he's
one of the fastest workers in the company. He can type as fast as
almost a normal able-bodied person. And, once again, thanks to the
Naples board.
We'd also like to thank the Board for the wonderful job they've
done in helping us with training facilities, because there are
approximately six million vacancies here in the USA. So there's a
great shortage of workers. There's a lot of jobs available but not
enough workers so, therefore, we're involved in training young
workers in skills, in accounting, in different areas. So that's one of our
main areas is training youngsters so they can fill these vacancies.
So, once again, I want to thank you very much for the wonderful
job, and may God bless you.
MR. MILLER: Your final speaker on this item is Jeanne
Bonavita.
MS. BONAVITA: Good morning. Thank you so much for
allowing me to speak today.
I'm Jeanne Eordekian Bonavita, and I'm from Massachusetts;
Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I moved down to Punta Gorda about two
years ago, as I just retired as a captain, 25 years in law enforcement for
Barstable County Sheriff's Office.
So during my tenure at the Sheriff's Office, my husband and I
liked to entertain quite a bit, a lot of police officers, a lot of politicians,
a lot of correctional officers, and people loved our food.
I'm Armenian and Assyrian, and my husband is Italian. So along
the way I had a few family specialties, one being I marinated olives.
Go figure.
It was my mother Rachel's recipe. So everybody would say to
me, Jeanne, why don't you put those in a bottle. And I'd said, oh, no,
just here you go. Here is a container, and I'd pass them out to friends.
September 25, 2018
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And then one day I was sitting in my kitchen. I said, why don't I
do that. So I tried. I tried on Cape Cod, and I kept getting, no, you
can't, no, there's vinegar, you can't do it, you have to do this, you have
to do that, and don't even bother.
Until I moved down here and I was Googling commercial
kitchens in South Florida, and I found the Culinary Accelerator. I just
stumbled upon it, and then I read information. I looked at their video.
It actually was on their opening day that Jennifer was talking about.
And I watched Ahmed who -- Ahmed L. who -- I don't believe he's
here today, but Ahmed's presentation. I spoke to Ruth. And they were
saying everything that I needed to hear to launch my business to finally
be my own boss. As you all know, in law enforcement, you know, it's
sort of a quasi-military organization, and I wanted to be my own boss.
And these were the people that were going to help me get there.
So here I am. My product is Dream of Jeanne Olives. They're in
a bottle. And these people have been instrumental in my inspiration to
telling me this is what you need to do. Here is the outline. And I
followed my rules all my life, you know. I needed the licensing, I
needed all of the requirements, and they have led me through that
process.
And Reshma right here is absolutely an incredible inspiration to
me. She's a great friend. She has helped me along the way. And I
have to tell you one day maybe I'll bring it back to Cape Cod and let
them know that I finally became successful, but it's because of these
people. So thank you very much.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Last speaker?
MR. MILLER: That was your last speaker, sir.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay. Well, mine was way back.
I'll start at the beginning, but I'll try and go through this quickly.
September 25, 2018
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Is this -- are these facilities designed to be self-sufficient? That's
my first question. Who do -- I don't know who to ask. We've had a
plethora of people speaking, but --
MR. GRANT: Commissioner, let me try to answer that question.
I'm Dick Grant. I'm the vice chairman of the board of EII.
I wasn't going to speak. Fred Pezeshkan wasn't going to speak.
We'll speak as we need to.
You're asking the $64,000 question, and the answer is, at the
moment, the two accelerators must have public funding or some source
of funding. They do not generate enough business-income revenue or
private-sector donations or grant fund to carry on their operations. The
budget for this year has figures in it. Don't ask me to be the one to tell
you exactly what they are -- Fred Krieger can tell you -- which are
goals and projections for generating business-revenue income and
private-sector donations, and $600,000 from Collier County, which is
25 percent less than last year, which was 800,000. And we didn't
spend 800,000 in the current year. We spent something less than that.
And we understand the Commission wants to further reduce that
level of funding in future years. We understand that, as of a year ago,
and we're very well aware of that. And we understand that to make
these facilities work, other funds and other sources of funds are going
to have to be located and found.
And can we guarantee it? No. Nobody's going to sit here and tell
you that. What would happen? Do we think we can make it work? I
believe we believe that. We wouldn't be all spending the time and
energy being members of the board of this organization if we didn't
think there was a chance.
I don't think Jennifer spent enough time talking about the recent
MOU with the universities, which right now is very generalized, but
we do have an MOU that was entered into. I don't know if it's been
fully signed or not, but with FGCU, FSW, and Hodges, and the
September 25, 2018
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incubator, providing for them to lend branding to our organization,
which is huge, because many successful accelerators are connected
with universities. They are, in fact, mentoring functions. That's what
we do. We're here to mentor. We're not here to make money.
And so some level of support and nurturing, not a huge
commitment of money right now from the universities but, what we
think and we hope is that with their support and enthusiasm, we might
be much more attractive as a source of money from foundations that
tend to like to give money to universities.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Thank you.
MR. GRANT: Okay. And so that's the plan. And we'll tell you at
the end of the year, and you'll ask us regularly how we're doing, and
we think we'll do well.
The one comment I would add is you have to decide whether you
think this is worthwhile. That's not for us to decide. That's for you.
And what we do ask, though, is if you're going to do it, do it with some
enthusiasm, okay, because there's nothing more stimulating and more
helpful to try to get other people to join the bandwagon and help out
than enthusiasm. Okay. You heard a lot of enthusiasm from Jennifer
and these people speaking today. There's a lot of good things that have
happened.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Let me say then -- I hate to interrupt
you, but I -- so I understand the answer to my first question.
My second is, you and all of these people in this audience, the
people that are involved in this, are really great businessmen, not just
regular ol' businessmen, but impressive businessmen. And I was
wondering -- I don't know if it's happening now, but maybe it would be
a good idea for each and every one -- because you are devoted to this
project -- to spend some time at each facility once a month.
MR. GRANT: Right.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Not 15 minutes to visit. You know,
September 25, 2018
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spend a few hours and see how the students are progressing, and
different people coming all the time if one person takes it one day and
another another and you get regular input from outstanding
businessman, you can probably cultivate outstanding businesspeople.
That's just a suggestion. I don't know if it's something that you can do.
MR. GRANT: Could I respond to that?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Huh?
MR. GRANT: Could I respond to that briefly?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Sure.
MR. GRANT: Because one of the things we've set up -- as I said,
mentoring is the key. We've had to reengineer this organization a bit
in the past six months to fill in the mentoring gap. That's what the
university alliances are about.
But, yes, you're right, we've got a pretty good group of people on
this board of directors, some of whom have started businesses, some of
them have run -- one of whom ran a major corporation. He's
tremendous; J.P. Garnier.
And many, if not, all have committed, and we have a regular
schedule set up now, two days a month for an hour apiece at a regular
time. Participants can sign up to have conversations with us, and we all
show up at whatever the appointed day was and hope that we can
impart some degree of brilliance or help or whatever and do a little
mentoring, because that's what this is all about. It's mentoring. It's not
supposed to be about renting real estate.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And my last comment is I think
they're trying to also generate new business in Immokalee --
MR. GRANT: Yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- and generate new professions in
Immokalee, but we haven't been talking about housing for those in
Immokalee. And we -- it seems like not many people are building
anything right now, especially for entry level, but also I don't know of
September 25, 2018
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anybody that's building for moderate income.
And I think that we -- you know, we ought to start focusing a
little bit. If we want to get people working there and being a strong
part of the community, we have to give them someplace to live. So
that's my last comment. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you. Any other questions?
Comments?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: No.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Just a quick comment. I think
this -- these three presentations and, in particular, this last one, has
been very instructive.
And I'll make a motion to approve the agreement, again, with the
understanding that we're going to have some policy discussion on how
much we actually are spending, not just on these grants, because that's
the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we're spending. So we'll have a
better understanding of how much commitment we are making of
taxpayer dollars, and then some analysis of that benefit. So I'll make
the motion to approve that. I don't know if the -- Mr. Chairman, I don't
know if the Clerk had any comments.
THE CLERK: Thank you, Commissioner Saunders.
I think we've spoken to most of the commissioners with our
concerns, and I think you're headed definitely in the right direction.
It's difficult for us to audit agreements without those tangible
deliverable, with vague deliverables, or with some things that don't
return.
We've been working with staff, we've been working with
management, and working with the Board to try to correct those, but
we would be looking and very interested in the conversations you're
recommending regarding the contracts in particular.
Thank you.
September 25, 2018
Page 94
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I seconded it for comment
purposes as well, so...
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Further discussion?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. I'd like a comment for
Commissioner Fiala's discussion with regard to the housing in
Immokalee.
If you have time sometime, come visit our CRA meeting in
Immokalee. They meet once a month. As you are well aware, we are
about to finalize and adopt the master plan for the Immokalee overlay
area, which is going to greatly assist with the adjustments in the zoning
and the like.
As you are also aware, last year we adopted a pilot program that
hasn't been all that successful as far as participation as of yet, but to
alleviate folks and allow for an amortization of the impact fees that
currently exist within Collier County that greatly enhance housing
affordability.
So those are issues that are going on far outside of what our
accelerators are, in fact, doing, but I wanted you to know they're not
going unattended, so...
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: No further discussion. There's a motion
and a second. All in favor, say aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: It's approved unanimously.
Thank you for the presentations, and congratulations to all the
companies in the accelerator and the Naples Accelerator.
September 25, 2018
Page 95
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: So what are we --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: And just one other thing. And I'd be
remiss, again, if we didn't thank, you know, what I consider the pillars
of the community spending their very, very valuable time in supporting
this effort: Fred Pezeshkan, Dudley Goodlette, Dick Grant, J.P.
Garnier, the entire board, Mr. Krieger. It's really a dedication to our
community, and thank you for doing all of that.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: So do we have a date that we are
going to be discussing this in detail to understand what our policy is
going forward?
MR. OCHS: November. You have one meeting in November,
one in December. I don't think we'd be ready probably before
November. I want to spend some time with the Clerk as well. The
pleasure of the Board.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: As far as I'm concerned,
whatever schedule you get together.
MR. OCHS: I would probably look to December,
Commissioners, frankly, because we're loading up already for
November. So I'm thinking December, if that works for the Board.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: All right.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Very good.
MR. OCHS: Or first of the year. Whatever you want to do.
There's holidays and all that stuff. But whatever works for the Board,
we're happy to work towards that.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: That's fine.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Would we have a report --
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: December.
MR. OCHS: Got it.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- from these people at that time as
well to see what they've been -- you know, how they've been moving
along in this new direction?
September 25, 2018
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MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am. I anticipate a more detailed discussion
with all of these folks and your own internal economic development
staff at that time.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Call on me anytime.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Crystal has a button, Mr.
Chairman. Mr. Chairman, she's got a button, too.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay.
THE CLERK: And just to reiterate on the comment about the
plan or what will we see, that is one of the Clerk's concerns in that that
the contract's moving forward.
Particularly in the EII deliverables, their business plan isn't even
due to you for 2019 until the end of December. So you would,
theoretically, be funding and agreeing to these funds without the
business plan having been provided. Their fundraising plans aren't due
to you until March 1. That means you would be five years into the
expenditures of the funds on this agreement without the plan moving
forward.
So December would probably be the latest that I would like to see
some resolution of those kinds of issues, because those are our audit
struggles with the deliverables that are currently in your agreement.
And I'll be glad to work with Leo over the next couple months, and
let's shore those up and make us all able to work well.
MR. GRANT: We can get an updated business model done a lot
before December.
THE CLERK: Thanks.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you.
THE CLERK: Thank you, Dick.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Mr. Manager, the next public hearing, can
we -- is our court reporter -- can we continue on, say, till at least 12:30
and at least get it started?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: That's a good idea. I would agree
September 25, 2018
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to that.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Is everybody okay with that?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Bring me a brownie.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: We'll bring out the brownies.
Item #9B
ORDINANCE 2018-48: RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE
PETITION PL20170003768/CPSS-2018-1, A GROWTH
MANAGEMENT PLAN SMALL SCALE AMENDMENT
SPECIFIC TO THE SEED TO TABLE COMMERCIAL
SUBDISTRICT AND ADOPT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE –
ADOPTED
Item #9C
ORIDNANCE 2018-49: RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2004-41, AS
AMENDED, THE COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT
CODE, WHICH ESTABLISHED THE COMPREHENSIVE
ZONING REGULATIONS FOR THE UNINCORPORATED AREA
OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA BY AMENDING THE
APPROPRIATE ZONING ATLAS MAP OR MAPS BY
CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF THE HEREIN
DESCRIBED REAL PROPERTY FROM A RESIDENTIAL SINGLE
FAMILY (RSF-3) ZONING DISTRICT TO A COMMERCIAL
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (CPUD) ZONING DISTRICT
FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS SEED TO TABLE CPUD TO
ALLOW OFFSITE EMPLOYEE PARKING FOR THE SEED TO
TABLE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE CARLTON
LAKES PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AND TO ALLOW
September 25, 2018
Page 98
COLLIER AREA TRANSIT (CAT) PARK & RIDE AND COUNTY
UTILITY FACILITIES, AND BY PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE. THE PROPERTY CONSISTS OF 6.82± ACRES AND IS
LOCATED NORTH OF THE TERMINUS OF PIPER BOULEVARD
AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF
LIVINGSTON ROAD AND IMMOKALEE ROAD, IN SECTION
24, TOWNSHIP 48 SOUTH, RANGE 25 EAST, COLLIER
COUNTY, FLORIDA. [PL20170003766] – ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, these are companion items on your
agenda, Items 9B and 9C. Item 9B is a petition to approve a Growth
Management Plan small-scale amendment specific to the Seed to Table
commercial subdistrict and recommendation to adopt the proposed
ordinance. That would be an adoption hearing, and the companion item
that will be heard together with 9B is 9C, and this is an ordinance
proposal amending the Collier County Land Development Code to
rezone an area of -- excuse me -- of real property, rezone from a
residential single-family RSF-3 zoning district to a Commercial
Planned Unit Development zoning district for a project known as Seed
to Table CPUD, which would allow off-site employee parking for the
Seed to Table commercial developments in the Carlton Lakes Planned
Unit Development and to allow Collier Area Transit Park and Ride and
county utility facilities all on property consisting of 6.82 plus-or-minus
acres located north of the terminus of Piper Boulevard at the northwest
corner of the intersection of Livingston Road and Immokalee Road.
These items do require ex parte disclosure by commission
members, and all participants under 9C need to be sworn in, Mr.
Chairman.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: So we start with disclosures.
Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes, 9C, and B, they're kind of
September 25, 2018
Page 99
commingled, but I've had meetings and phone conversations on both.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. Thank you. I've met with Rich
Yovanovich, Alfie Oakes, I've had mail, I've had emails, I've had calls,
and I've spoken with staff.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Taylor?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Emails and telephone calls. No
meetings.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I've had some meetings with
representatives of the petitioner, reviewed staff reports, and some
emails.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: And I have also had several meetings with
the applicant and the representatives, numerous emails, and some
correspondence.
So we swear the witnesses. Anyone that would like to testify,
please stand and raise your right hand.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I always think they're waving
at me.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Mr. Mulhere.
MR. MULHERE: Good morning -- afternoon. For the record,
Bob Mulhere, here with Rich Yovanovich, Alfie Oakes, who is the
petitioner. As Mr. Ochs -- seems to be the name here. As Mr. Ochs
mentioned, there are two companion petitions. The small-scale
amendment is for 6.33 acres. The PUD is slightly larger because it
includes the Collier County utility site, which didn't need to be
changed in terms of the Comprehensive Plan.
This is the -- I'm sure you're familiar with the location, but, you
know, for folks that may be watching from home or whatever, here's
the location. Immokalee Road right here. Livingston Road right here.
September 25, 2018
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Here's the former Albertson's, the store that Mr. Oakes is redeveloping
for Seed to Table. This is the location of the off-site parking. This is
the Collier County utility site. This is Piper Boulevard here. This is
actually FP&L improvements.
This is just a larger aerial exhibit in case we need to refer to it
from perspective of access to this site. This is not the subject of this
petition, but just in case I have that available.
The property is designated urban. As I said, we're doing a
small-scale amendment to commercial use. Really -- it's not really a
commercial use. It's really restricted to parking, but it's not a residential
use either, so the best way to describe it is it isn't supportive of
commercial use as commercial.
I'm not going to spend a lot of time on the specifics. At the end of
this presentation, I have all the conditions that were imposed by staff
and by the Planning Commission that we are in agreement with. I'd
rather spend time talking about those, because I think those are more
important, but there are a number of limitations and conditions that are
both in the subdistrict -- this is the subdistrict language -- and in the
PUD.
The permitted uses, as I said, are very restricted. There are two
tracts. There's the parking tract and the utility tract, and the utility tract
uses for Collier County -- Collier County utility, facilities, and services
are the only permitted use. In the parking tract, there are two uses
permitted: Parking for Collier Area Transit. There are 24 spaces being
reserved for Collier Area Transit, and there's access for Collier Area
Transit; and then the employee parking that will be -- that is the subject
of the lease between Seed to Table and Collier County.
This is the site plan. There's a lot of information on there. I'll just
point out a few things for you.
These dry detention areas here are necessary not only for
stormwater but because within these locations, there are guy wires and
September 25, 2018
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other FP&L improvements that we really can't provide parking in close
proximity to, so the parking is here and here and here. This is reserved
for the CAT Park and Ride as well as these spaces right in here for a
total of 24 spaces.
A couple of things: If the CAT bus -- these points of ingress and
egress here will be gated, and we will be constructing that as part of
the improvements to the parking facility. If -- and so the access is
limited to only county and FP&L vehicles and, of course, the CAT
bus. If the CAT bus enters from here and travels north, it's required to
exit onto Livingston. So the impacts are minimized on Piper
Boulevard.
There will be a wall and a landscape buffer around the perimeter.
Part of the reason that that wall is important, at least along Livingston,
is it will direct any pedestrian traffic down to the appropriate location
to cross which, of course, is at the intersection. But there will also be a
shuttle bus which Mr. Oakes will be providing to pick up the
employees.
We did have a neighborhood information meeting on May 31st.
There was quite a few people in attendance; 60 to 70 people in
attendance. We also -- and based on that neighborhood information
meeting, we listened to the comments. We made some additional
changes to the site plan. For example, we confirmed that we would
build a wall as well as a landscape buffer around the property.
We have a staff recommendation of approval. The Planning
Commission held its meeting on the 16th of August and recommended
approval by a vote of 5-1 (sic).
These are the conditions per the CCPC motion. I won't spent a lot
of time. I know there are some public speakers, but I just do want to
go over these because I think, in combination, this is really what makes
this very appropriate.
Again, we said parking only for employees of the commercial
September 25, 2018
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development located to the east in the Carlton Lakes PUD. There will
be no required -- required parking for that commercial development in
Carlton Lakes. They can meet the required LDC parking on the site,
but because this type of use will, not by the code, but because of the
business model, we know it will require additional parking. This is
why Mr. Oakes has gone through the expense of getting through this
process and then actually building the parking.
There's no other off-site uses permitted. The site will be
designed, as I mentioned, to allow the CAT buses to enter and exit.
Let's see. We talked about that. The site -- that site off of Piper will be
gated allowing only appropriate vehicles to enter. We talked about the
wall.
Structures on Parcels P, which is the parking tract, are limited to
CAT or shuttle bus call stations, a shade structure for a parking
attendant and lighting and shade structures, but they're all limited to 14
feet in height.
So I just want to go back to the aerial real quick. This area here is
not part of the parking lease. It will not be improved. It will be
retained. So it provides a pretty substantial buffer to the housing that's
over here, and limiting the structure and the lights to 14 feet and also
shielding those lights, there should be no impact.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: How wide of an area is that?
MR. MULHERE: It's 152 feet, I believe. It's 150 -- let's say 150.
I think it's a little bit more than that, but I'm not positive of the exact
width.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: And just a quick question. There's going to
be -- so there's 150-foot or so buffer there, and then there's going to be
a wall, and there's also going to be landscaping on the outside of the
wall?
MR. MULHERE: Actually, the landscape all the way around the
perimeter.
September 25, 2018
Page 103
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: All the way around, okay.
MR. MULHERE: Yes.
The site can't be used for truck or tractor trailer unloading,
parking, or deliveries, vendor parking, not for off-site storage, and not
for overnight parking.
We talked about the 24 spaces for CAT for Park and Ride. We
talked about the design to cause people to -- if they're going to cross as
pedestrians, do it at the right location. Stormwater's going to be in the
design.
Oakes Farms will widen the existing sidewalk along Livingston
Road frontage to create a 10-foot-wide multi-use pathway. We're
going to install security cameras to monitor the site. There was
concerns that maybe people would be doing nefarious activities there.
So with the lighting and the location and the security monitors, we'll
ensure that that doesn't happen.
And as I said, we will have a shuttle bus. I think probably a really
important condition is the next one there that the shift changes for the
employees using the parking lot will not occur between -- these are
peak hours. This is when your traffic impacts are the greatest.
So we're not going to have those shift changes from 6 a.m. to 8
a.m. or 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. By keeping those shifts out of those peak-hour
times, we'll have the minimal impact on traffic in the area. And, of
course, with the shuttle bus, that will help as well.
And at one point there was maybe a request, I think it came from
the county, to potentially use the parking area for special events,
maybe support parking, but we -- there really was concerns over that,
and so that's been eliminated.
That concludes my presentation. I'd like to reserve the
opportunity to respond to any comments, and I'll answer any questions
or -- if not me, Rich; if not us, Alfie.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: We have two public speakers.
September 25, 2018
Page 104
MR. MILLER: Yes. I have six public speakers.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Oh, six.
MR. MILLER: The first public speaker is Alex Chapel or
Chappler -- I'm sorry. I'm having trouble reading that; to be followed
by Charlie Hirschfeld.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I don't see Charlie anymore.
MR. CHAPPLER: Good afternoon. My name's Alex Chappler.
It's nice to be in front of the Board today, especially Mr. Solis; this is
your district.
I want to bring up a couple points that have been brought up
before. One, that FWC was here earlier. You saw those green dots.
That's Willoughby Acres that those bears are affecting, and they live
on this power line road. We've had issues in the community over and
over again with it that FWC cannot do anything about. They can't just
remove a bear. A bear was actually just hit on Livingston a couple
days ago trying to cross that area.
We have safety concerns with our children who are going out to
the bus stops at 6:30 in the morning, 7:00 o'clock in the morning, 7:30
in the morning with the bears being out that are being pushed from this
wildlife area that's on the side of the road. I'm sorry.
It's been brought up that there is a commercial property that is
available that's another tenth of a mile further on Immokalee Road with
lights, with access, and could be used for this parking lot if he's going
to be shuttling his employees there. It also has CAT transit at that
location. Everything needed on a commercial property is a tenth of a
mile further from where this location is being proposed.
So I still don't understand taking a residential community, putting
a parking lot in it, and affecting more when there are spots available.
Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Charlie Hirschfeld followed
by Jerry Grandey. I don't think Mr. Hirschfeld is here. Jerry Grandey.
September 25, 2018
Page 105
Mr. Grandey will be followed by Pamela Wood.
MR. GRANDEY: Good afternoon. I've attended the
neighborhood information meeting the end of May and the Planning
Commission meeting in the middle of August. I've heard a lot of
information. A lot of the things that were brought up during those
meetings have been addressed, and I commend the applicant for that.
Mr. Oakes has done a good job. Mr. Mulhere has done a good
job. I think they've answered a lot of questions, but I'm afraid they
haven't answered all of them for me.
One of the things that has not been addressed in any of the
documentation that I've seen and any of the presentations that have
been made previously or made today is what the path of the shuttle is
going to be, what the shuttle is going to consist of, what type of
vehicle, how many passengers. We're talking about 4- to 500 stated
employees that are going to be employed here in three shifts working
24/7 is what's been stated so far. So that's a lot of people.
There's 237, I believe, parking spaces in this lot planned. I'm
curious how many vans, buses. Whatever the shuttle is meant to be
hasn't been stated. We don't know what that is and, more importantly,
what is the path that those shuttles will take to shuttle the employees
from the parking lot that's proposed to the commercial operation that is
planned and, in part, already exists because, in addition to construction,
there's also food preparation going on in that area now, we understand.
So there are a lot of questions, in my view, that haven't been
answered and, unfortunately, when we've asked the questions before,
we've been given information that varies a bit, and part of the concern
that I have is that I'm here representing the homeowners that live
closest in Carlton Lakes to that. Edgewater Homeowners Association
is the closest to this parcel.
The lighting issue was one issue. I'm happy to say that I think the
description of 14-foot maximum height fully shielded, if that happens,
September 25, 2018
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we support that. We think that's good. The idea of putting a pervious
parking -- an impervious parking lot in an area that has previously
been impervious, I think, is something that is serious. I think it is
actually right on the edge of the surge zone, so that has additional
impact.
The biggest impact is the path of the shuttles. If they're going to
turn onto Carlton Lakes, it is entirely inconceivable that they can do
this safely and within Florida vehicle regulations. You need 100 feet
to put on your turn signal to make a turn; 30 feet from the exit of this
parking lot to the left turn lane into Carlton Lakes. So if that's the path
that's going to be taken, this doesn't meet that.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Pamela Wood. She'll be
followed by Mara Marzano. Ms. Wood?
(No response.)
MR. MILLER: Mara Marzano. And this would be our final
registered speaker for this item, Mr. Chairman.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MS. MARZANO: Good morning. I am the vice president of the
homeowners association of Edgewater, which is Mr. Grandey's
neighborhood that he's spoken about.
We are the closest to this new parking lot. We are directly across
the street. We are directly behind the building that Mr. Oakes is
working on there, and we are affected most by the lighting situation.
But I have to tell you that the problem that I see and the biggest
problem that you have up there is it is a traffic nightmare as we sit here
today without adding in all of the shuttles, the CAT bus, all of that, if
you allow the shuttle buses or the CAT bus to come out onto
Livingston to head first, perhaps, south, but how they're going to get
north is beyond me.
You're going to have some serious traffic crash up there if that's
September 25, 2018
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the path of travel that's allowed for these buses, to come out onto
Livingston and to have to figure out some way to get over to the site.
The site has no really easy way to get into it unless you approach the
site from going east on Immokalee and then turning north onto
Livingston Road, and then there's an area you can pull right into the
parking lot directly.
The way it's planned right now, my understanding is that the
buses are going to cross over Livingston three lanes, get into a turn
lane, turn onto Carlton Lakes Boulevard, and then head to the building
that way. If you allow this to happen in that manner, you are going to
have a terrible traffic problem.
And it's really, to me, all about safety. It's already dangerous
enough on that corner of Livingston and Immokalee Road. It is going
to become increasingly more dangerous if you allow this to happen in
the manner that it's being proposed, if those buses are allowed to come
out onto Livingston Road where they are currently proposed to come
out.
So, you know, obviously, a lot of this sounds sometimes like "not
in my backyard," "but it's not in my backyard where people's lives are
going to be put in danger." Thank you.
MR. MITCHELL: That was your final speaker for this item.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner McDaniel, or do you want
to wait till Mr. Mulhere responds?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: No, I'll wait till he responds.
Maybe he'll answer my question.
MR. MULHERE: Thank you. For the record, Bob Mulhere. Let
me just bring up that aerial I thought we might need.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Bless you. That's two.
MR. MULHERE: Because this gives us at least a larger
perspective.
I guess I wanted to say at the outset that these issues were
September 25, 2018
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reviewed both at the staff level -- the access issues, the course of
direction of the vehicles, and the potential use of the shuttle bus were
reviewed at the staff level both by Planning staff and Transportation
staff. They were reviewed and discussed specifically at the Planning
Commission.
And, in general, yes, the access will be -- for the shuttle bus will
be that the shuttle bus will have to head north on Livingston, will have
to make a U-turn at the closest and safest location. It may be right here.
There's been discussion -- one of the gentleman, I think, it's Mr. Hirsch
(sic), who wasn't here.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: No, he was not here.
MR. MULHERE: They can go straight across right here. No, I
get that, but it depends on the traffic flows was my point.
The reason I mentioned him was that there's been discussion
about the need for a traffic light here but, obviously, you know that
will only happen when warrants are met. They may be met at some
time, and then there would be a traffic light there, which would change
the --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Tell me, where again, was traffic
light.
MR. MULHERE: Right here at this main entrance. I don't know
if you can see that on your -- yeah.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: There is no traffic light.
MR. MULHERE: I know that. I didn't say there was a traffic
light there. Thank you.
So, anyway, the shuttle bus will -- and the CAT bus will enter --
the CAT bus will enter from Piper and then exit onto Livingston
southbound, because you can't turn northbound there. I don't know the
route from there, and I don't know if staff's here, that they could speak
to that issue, the Collier Area Transit.
For us it will be the same kind of an effort. We'll have to enter
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into the parking lot, exit back out, and make our way around to a point
to drop off the employees. This is going to happen, again, outside of
the peak hours of traffic impact. The shift change will occur both after
or before those peak hours. If we have to adjust that, we'll adjust that.
But we really don't know until we start practicing that effort. And I do
not know myself, and maybe Mr. Oakes can speak to the issue of what
type of vehicle it is. I'm not aware.
MR. OAKES: The vehicle we will be using for our --
MR. OCHS: Get on the record, please.
MR. OAKES: The vehicle that we intend to use for shuttling our
employees is actually a -- we bought it from a county auction. It's one
of the old CAT buses, so that's the equipment that we'll be using.
MR. MULHERE: Thank you. I'm happy to answer any other
questions that you might have.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: He did not answer it.
You regularly refer to this as employee parking only.
MR. MULHERE: Yes.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Only.
MR. MULHERE: Yes.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: But you're providing for 12
CAT -- or you're providing for CAT bus access --
MR. MULHERE: Yes.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: -- which doesn't line up, in my
mind, for having employee-only parking and then public access for
transit on our bus system.
MR. MULHERE: Yes. Well, it's employee-only parking as far
as not allowing customers or deliveries. There is -- there are two uses.
One is employee parking for Seed to Table. The other is 24 spaces
being reserved, as you indicated, for Park and Ride for Collier Area
Transit.
September 25, 2018
Page 110
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And how are you going to
control that from a perspective as -- God bless you. She's over here
sneezing.
THE CLERK: It was contagious obviously. Sorry.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. God bless you.
How are we going to control the access from the public as far as
shoppers that want to get there and all?
MR. MULHERE: The property's going to be signed --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah.
MR. MULHERE: -- and monitored. So the CAT Park and Ride
spaces will be signed for CAT Park and Ride. The rest of the spaces
will be limited to employee parking. We will monitor it. If there's any
issues, we will resolve it. We don't believe there will be any issues.
The whole point of moving the employee parking across the street is to
have, you know, more available parking for the customers who will
come to the facility. So we don't think that will be a problem, but if it
is, we will address it.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I'm sorry. You could probably just have
stickers for the employees. That's how you're going to mark and
monitor?
MR. MULHERE: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, that's where I was
actually going. I know Mr. Oakes well, and I do believe that he'll
endeavor to do the right thing. But there isn't enough signage to
control the access. You're just not going to be able to do it.
So eventually you'll need some sort of a gate system or something
that will segregate it off, so -- and I'm not suggesting that now. I just
know that you're not going to be able to -- when your parking lot's full,
and it will always be full in front of your store, they're going to park
over there, and they're going to walk through that intersection, and it's
going to get tricky. Eventually you're going to be carting customers
September 25, 2018
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across the way. So that was my statement and my comment. I just --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: That's not the agreement, correct,
that they would cart customers over?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: No, no, no, no, no. This is
strictly for -- I went down a different path there.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: But the comment -- or the
statement is in real life, signage and monitoring doesn't really control
the traffic flow. There needs to be enforcement along with it at some --
I mean, certainly, if you start towing people's cars away for illegally
parking in the facility, that will deter those others that are not supposed
to be there, of course, but...
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: And I would assume that that's what
would happen. You're going to have signage that if you park in an
employee parking space, you could be towed --
MR. YOVANOVICH: For the record, Rich Yovanovich.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: -- if not an employee.
MR. YOVANOVICH: We talked about this at the Planning
Commission. If it becomes an issue where people are parking there
that shouldn't be parking there, I'm sure there's a series of things we
can do first before we get to the point of having to tow people. I don't
really think that people who are going to come to what we hope to be a
very successful business are going to go across the street to park there.
I just think it's not in human nature to do that.
Employees will, but I'm not -- if I were to go on there, I would
just, if it was too busy, I'd go somewhere else. I don't think I would
park across that street. I probably wouldn't even know it was there, but
I certainly wouldn't go out of my way -- it wouldn't matter that much to
me. But if it becomes a problem, we'll look -- if we have that problem,
we'll look at other alternatives including maybe having to do some
September 25, 2018
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expanded parked in front of the Seed to Table.
I know Mr. Oakes hopes he has that problem that he has to look at
maybe building some additional parking at Carlton Lakes. But right
now we're prepared to address it through -- if we have to tow, we will,
but I don't think it's going to come to that, to be honest with you.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner McD -- sorry.
Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I agree with Mr. Yovanovich.
I don't think people are going to go to a store, buy stuff, and push their
cart, or whatever, across the six lanes of highway. They'll just come
back at a later time.
I met with the petitioner yesterday, and I really didn't have any
issues with this, but an issue's been raised, and I'm not sure how to go
with that. One of the speakers indicated that there's a commercial lot
that's a tenth of a mile away that could be used for this. I don't know
anything about the --
MR. YOVANOVICH: There -- I'm not aware of a commercial
parking lot that is available for us to purchase and acquire to serve the
needs of this business. It's not going to change the traffic issues. Even
if we did go to a different location, you're still going to have people
coming in there.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I understand that.
MR. YOVANOVICH: But there's an activity center there, but
we're not aware of any available commercial lots that make physical
sense for this to occur.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Could I -- Mr. Chairman,
could I just ask the speaker if he could identify that location.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Get the map up.
MR. CHAPPLER: Actually, if you could bring up that aerial, I
can show everyone. It is on the corner here right there down the
September 25, 2018
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stretch by where the car wash and the new storage center has been
built. And I have measured it. It is one-tenth of a mile further.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Mr. Mulhere, are you familiar
with that?
MR. YOVANOVICH: I'm familiar with that site, and I've looked
at that site. It's a small piece of property that's not going to yield the
amount of parking spaces that are necessary for the employee parking.
If you go out there, you'll see that that extra space storage, as built
on the southern portion of that property, it's a very small outparcel
sized property, but it's not going to yield the amount of parking. So
we're familiar with that area, and it doesn't meet the needs of the
business.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any other discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I've just got a couple. And I think Mr.
Oakes answered the issue of what the vehicle would be. And I'm
assuming that whoever's going to be driving this vehicle's going to
have their commercial license and will have to operate --
Ma'am, if you'd like to say something, you have to sign up to
speak.
MS. BRITT: I will. I'm sorry.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: So -- they'll have a commercial license?
MR. OAKES: Absolutely, yeah. Right now I have almost 100
employees with a commercial driver's license.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay.
MR. OAKES: So obviously this, by law, requires that to be the
case.
Also, just one point I wanted to make up is, you know, if we were
to try to squeeze our employees into the parking lot and leave less
room for customers on, you know, the site that's approved by PUD,
September 25, 2018
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that would increase the traffic much more than a bus shuttling back
and forth only during shift changes. So I think that it actually greatly
reduces the traffic exposure at the corner doing it this way. And --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Just one other question, too, is if there's an
issue -- I mean, making the left at the entrance behind the store, I
mean, if that's not available, the option is just to go down and --
MR. OAKES: Catch the light.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Catch the light or further down and turn --
MR. OAKES: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: -- farther down Livingston.
MR. OAKES: Traffic doesn't warrant -- the great thing is our
shift changes are during the nonpeak areas where it presumably should
not be a problem. But if it is, then, of course, that's the discretion of
the CDL driver. If he feels like he can't safely make that turn, then he's
going to have to go to the light just like any of us would.
The other point that I wanted to bring up is with Food and
Thought, I don't know the parking lot there, but I monitor it. I'm there
every morning around 5:30, 6:00 o'clock in the morning, and I had a
lot of the people from the high school parking their cars there. So I
monitor that. I run a bunch of them off in the morning myself. So I'm
-- as far as being on top of riff-raff, the -- you know, they're worried
about the 24 spaces of the CAT parking. Our driver that would be
running the loop, he would -- part of his duties would be to always
look to identify any issues that might be in that parking lot, whether it
be on our employee side or the CAT bus side. If it seems like
something is not kosher there, then that -- you know, we have cameras
that we're going to put in place but also that employee, as he's not
going to be there 24/7 in the parking lot as a security guard, he's going
to be passing through there, I would say, every four hours at a
minimum. And he'll be -- he'll kind of be some type of security to
keep an eye on what's going on in the parking lot.
September 25, 2018
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CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you.
Okay. And I guess we have one other public speaker, and --
MR. MITCHELL: Yes, ma'am. Jacqueline Britt has signed up to
speak.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MS. BRITT: My question is this, and it's never been answered --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Can you state your name for the record,
please.
MS. BRITT: Oh, I'm sorry. The question is this, and it has not
been answered since all the meetings. And I would like to know first
how many buses, employee buses, are you going to have.
MR. OAKES: Just one.
MS. BRITT: That's it?
MR. OAKES: Just one bus, yeah.
MS. BRITT: So you have 200-and-something parking spaces,
and you have one shuttle?
MR. OAKES: That's correct.
MS. BRITT: Okay. I'd like to know where you're going to exit
the shuttle with your employees.
MR. MULHERE: Exit from the parking lot?
MS. BRITT: Correct.
MR. MULHERE: Right here.
MS. BRITT: Show us on here.
MR. MULHERE: Excuse me. I need to -- you're asking a
question. If you look at that right there -- I'm trying to show you.
MS. BRITT: I want everyone to see it.
MR. MULHERE: Okay. I'm just trying to help.
MR. OAKES: It's the same on there.
MR. MULHERE: Yeah. So I'm saying generally in this area
right here, I'm --
MS. BRITT: No. There shouldn't be a "generally."
September 25, 2018
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MR. MULHERE: Please. Excuse me. Just give me one second.
Just give me one second. Here. Here. Right here. Oh, you want me to
show that site plan? I can do that.
MS. BRITT: Yeah, and then show us where you're going to exit.
MR. MULHERE: I got it right here. Right here.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: That is the same as this.
MR. YOVANOVICH: What we explained --
MS. BRITT: And then where do you end up?
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Ma'am.
MR. YOVANOVICH: What we explained at the Planning
Commission was that we will exit where the double arrow is. We will
go in on Carlton Lakes Boulevard, which we already pay to use. We
will come around and drop our employees off in the front of the store.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: In the front of the store.
MR. YOVANOVICH: In the front of the store. So we will be
coming in Carlton Lakes Boulevard, which you can see on that aerial --
I'm sorry -- on that map, right here. I can't point there.
We're going to come in this way right through here onto Carlton
Lakes. Now it ends, but you -- it continues on. We'll come in and we
will be dropping people off in the front of the store.
MS. BRITT: According to the statute --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Ma'am, you need to speak into the
microphone.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Maybe she can come to this
podium.
MS. BRITT: According to the statute, 316 -- and I can't say the
exact number, but I did look it up -- you have to show you are going to
turn within 100 feet. We have measured that, and it's 37 feet to the
turnoff from where they exit. How do I show them on the --
MR. MULHERE: I think --
MS. BRITT: We're talking about -- would you want to show --
September 25, 2018
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MR. MULHERE: I think you're talking about -- excuse me.
You're talking about this distance between this point here and this
point here?
MS. BRITT: Correct.
MR. MULHERE: Yeah, I have not measured that.
MS. BRITT: It's a three-lane highway.
MR. MULHERE: It certainly looks longer than that to me, but --
MS. BRITT: It looks longer, but we measured it because of the
way you have this blocked out.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Sir, we can only have one speaker
at a time.
MS. BRITT: It's just that we've worked very hard on this and --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Please use the microphone.
MS. BRITT: -- we're very upset with the idea that they're going
to make that turn; I think it's very dangerous. Then they are going to
use Carlton Lakes Boulevard, which is only one lane going one way,
one lane going another way. And then they're going to turn up -- and I
don't know the name of the road, and they don't show it on their map.
They turn up a little road that's where Dunkin Donuts is -- anyone
know -- I don't know what it's called -- and drop off their customers
(sic). And then how are you going to go back to pick up your
employees? How are you going to go back to pick up more
employees?
MR. YOVANOVICH: I mean, it's a loop. It's a loop, if we can --
if you will.
MS. BRITT: Well, explain it.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I think, ma'am -- there was three minutes.
So I think you've explained your issue, so thank you.
MR. YOVANOVICH: We understand it, and then we'll have to
obviously --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Just show the loop again.
September 25, 2018
Page 118
MR. YOVANOVICH: We'll have to go back out. Okay. We're
going to come in here. This is how we're going to arrive. We'll come
back out, get onto Livingston Road. Obviously, we don't have a
left-turn lane here, so we're going to have to go up, do a U-turn, come
back down into our property and then start all over again, and we're
going to do the same thing in the off-peak hours.
And if it ever becomes -- this ever becomes an unsafe move, we'll
have to continue on south through the intersection and do a U-turn
south of Immokalee Road to get our people there. And we will drive
safely and make sure that that happens and -- in the off peak.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you. Any other questions?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Is there a motion?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'll make a motion for approval.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Is there a second?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: There's a motion and second. Any other
discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: No discussion. All in favor, say aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Motion carries.
MR. YOVANOVICH: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Mr. Manager, we're going to break for
lunch. Our court reporter, I think, needs a bit of a break.
September 25, 2018
Page 119
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And a raise.
MR. OCHS: One hour, sir?
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Yes, one hour.
(A luncheon recess was had.)
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, you have a live mic.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Mr. Manager, are we back to Item 11?
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir.
Item #11A
RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT STAFF’S RECOMMENDED
CONCEPT OF THE REVISED MAINLINE ALIGNMENT, SIDE
STREET FRONTAGE ROAD CONNECTIONS, AND CYPRESS
CANAL RELOCATION BETWEEN MASSEY STREET AND 13TH
STREET NW OF THE VANDERBILT BEACH ROAD
EXTENSION PROJECT – MOTION TO NOT ACCEPT –
APPROVED; TO BE BROUGHT BACK AS A WORKSHOP TOPIC
IN 2019
We're moving on to Item 11A. This is a recommendation to
accept staff's concept of the revised main line alignment side-street
frontage road connections, and Cypress Canal relocation between
Massey Street and 13th Street Northwest of the Vanderbilt Beach Road
extension project.
Mr. Cohen, your department head for Growth Management, will
begin the presentation.
MR. COHEN: Thank you, Manager.
Chairman, as he said, we're here to seek your approval of our
recommendation for the Vanderbilt Beach Road extension design
project Collier Boulevard to 16th.
When we were here last, as you can see, we're moving forward.
September 25, 2018
Page 120
We have a contract, and what you asked us to do was to reach out to
the community to see how we could have this road fit more
appropriately with some of the issues that had been raised at our last
meeting.
And as you can see by our public-involvement timeline, we've
had an opportunity back in May of 2018 to meet with the folks at
Golden Gate Estates in particular to talk with them about how we can
make an improvement. And two things came out of those meetings.
One was a frontage road, which was something that people were
looking for, and then later we'll talk in terms of another great idea that
came from the community, which is the relocation of the canal.
As you remember, in our original design we were looking at
trying to connect all the streets for various reasons. The plan
connections of eight streets was previously approved by the board. It
provided us with maximum access to Vanderbilt Beach Road, and it
was a maximum alternative for routes for emergency vehicles and
residents and improves response time. But it was not something that
the folks in the community wanted to see us do, so we kind of pushed
that off to the side. The residents were interested in no connections.
But we have some issues: No vehicular access to Vanderbilt Beach
from the eight streets; no change in existing circulation; did not
improve the response times; and it also did not improve pedestrian
access or provide current design that we had for the sidewalks and bike
lanes. So we kind of moved that off to the side as well.
So what we came towards was, why couldn't we do a frontage
road? One of the gentlemen here at the meeting actually made that
suggestion for the community. And then also, why couldn't we
relocate the canal? And I'm an architect, and interestingly, you know,
engineers, as you know, can do anything, pretty much, and I said
relocate the canal.
We weren't sure, but we went back and took a look at it, and we
September 25, 2018
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saw that there were some advantages for us to do that. Reloaded (sic)
canal provides a 100-foot buffer from the residents on the south side,
the canal and ponds with the bridges provide an aesthetic benefit, and
then a frontage road also reduced the number of bridges that we
needed to cross the canal compared to the original design which had all
of the streets connecting. So we thought that by and large this was an
improvement, and it came from the community.
So we wind up with two frontage roads as part of our
recommendation. One goes from 27th and picks up the street all the
way through 21st, and the second canal will connect 19th all the way
through to 15th, and a relocation of the canal provides at least 10,000
linear feet of opportunities.
So, one, we get alternative routes for the residents, emergency
access, improves response time, and the design discourages -- one of
the key issues that we heard, which was cut-through traffic, if you're
going west on Golden Gate, will people be able to cut through our
community. So, again, a little bit more highlighted as to what we're
able to do. The modelers --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: The happy face means we like
it?
MR. COHEN: That's engineering humor.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Oh, okay.
MR. COHEN: Okay.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Engineering humor?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I saw it pop up.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Or could it be architect's humor?
MR. COHEN: No, no. That's engineering humor.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Okay. Just checking.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Architects --
MR. COHEN: I say I'm an architect every time I have a chance,
you know, compared to my good friends who are engineers.
September 25, 2018
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So what we have here is the traffic modelers were looking at the
fact that we have currently six-lane and four-lane facility networks in
place. So what is the opportunity for people to use these alternative
routes to be able to have an impact on the residents for that cut-through
traffic? And what we'll show you is that if you're heading west on
Golden Gate, that it will take you a while. It's a very circuitous route to
be able to go up 25th, stop, make a turn on a frontage road, stop, go
across the canal, stop, then go west on Vanderbilt Beach and then go
east on Vanderbilt Beach.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: You're assuming those guys
are going to stop.
MR. COHEN: True. But even if it's a rolling stop and you're
over at 27th, for example, it's another 1,300 feet in order to be able to
get to where you want to go. It's, like, 1.3 miles from 27th, for
example, to take you all the way back to where you started.
So what the model's not able to pick up is the fact that you may
do this once, but we don't think that this is going to be a traffic reliever
that you would repeat this on an ongoing basis.
So from our work with the community, they were pretty much
satisfied that there was not direct connection from any of the streets
into their community. The frontage road works well for them, and
then it also eliminates -- well, let's not say it eliminates, but it currently
reduces dramatically people wanting to use this as a cut-through.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: That certainly was the case in Pine Ridge
when they closed off some of the cut-throughs in Pine Ridge and you
had to wind your way around. It is effective.
MR. COHEN: So in summary, Commission and Manager, we've
had public-involvement process that actually came up with two
solutions that work well integrated in the overall design: The
relocation of the canal, the establishment of a frontage road. That's
going to improve circulation, improve safety, provides an alternative
September 25, 2018
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route, which we think is important for our street networks, and
improves emergency response.
And for public, in particular, the concern is it increases the buffer,
which they get, which you saw on that opening slide, and it also
creates a project that has better aesthetics than where we started in the
beginning.
So we're here currently looking for your approval for us to be able
to move forward and to accept staff recommendation that the concept
of the revised main line alignments, side-street frontage road
connections, and the Cypress Canal relocation between Massey Street
and 13th Street Northwest of the Vanderbilt Beach Road extension
project, and we're looking, hopefully, for your approval today.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you.
MR. COHEN: I'm sorry. That ends the presentation.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: We have a couple of public speakers.
MR. MILLER: Yes, sir. I have five registered public speakers.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner McDaniel, you were first.
Do you want to go to the speakers?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes, please.
MR. MILLER: Your first speaker is Laura Reed. She'll be
followed by Kirk Reed.
MS. REED: Okay. All right. Thank you for --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Can you pull the microphone -- there you
go.
MS. REED: Thank you for hearing me this morning, or this
afternoon, I guess it is already.
I live on 27th Street Northwest, and when we went to look for our
lot, we thought, oh, wow, it's a dead-end street, cul-de-sac, we'll love
it. It will be nice and quiet, and we paid a premium cost for that. So
there have been several of us that are disagreeing with this gentleman
that we have spent our time and our resources, we've talked to the
September 25, 2018
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engineers, made several appointments with them, and to keep 27th
Street Northwest closed. We don't see any reason to have all these
through streets. There's no reason to have that many -- like last night,
there was a couple out pushing their baby in the stroller. There are
elderly people walking down the street. People bike, you know.
And the roads have not -- it says that it's mandatory. It's a
violation of the county code stating all connecting roads will be
widened and sidewalks provided for the safety of the people living on
the street. Well, our road will not be safe because this will not happen
when you connect a road.
We people that are walking and stuff -- the people that are driving
vehicles and they go by you, they slow way down, they go around you.
You can tell the people that do not live on this street when you're
walking because they fly down. That little area at the end is not going
to stop anybody from slowing down. They're going to go 55, 60 down
our street to get to that little area to go around. So it's not going to --
the traffic is going to be speeding by. It's not going to help at all.
So last time you guys voted 5-0 that you agreed with us to keep
our street closed. I'm just talking about 27th Street Northwest. And
we'd really love to have you guys vote the same, because we do not
believe that it's necessary to have so many roads go as connector
streets.
Please keep 27th Street Northwest closed. Thank you for
listening.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Kirk Reed. He'll be
followed by David Meffen.
MR. REED: Thanks. Kirk Reed, 27th Street Northwest; very
close to where she lives.
Yeah, we come here not asking for money like those people who
were put ahead of us this morning. We're here to save you millions and
millions of dollars. You guys want to raise the one-cent tax. You gave
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this watershed goofiness more dollars in cost, and now they want to
spend millions of dollars for roads and bridges that nobody wants.
You can take that money, and you can use it for the road and then,
how about this, not tax us any more money. We already pay an
exorbitant amount of real estate taxes which, by the way, pay for these
guys' jobs, the same guys that we have to come here on our own time
and resources to oppose, and hopefully we don't have to go to court
over this thing.
But the millions of dollars that you can save can be used wisely.
You know darn good and well, just like Mr. Saunders pointed out,
they're not going to stop at those stop signs. They're going to go
speeding thorough because they don't give a rip because they don't live
there.
And the road's not wide enough. It's not legal to be a connector
road. They know that, and they've said very clearly that they're not
going to spend the money to make the road to code with the 20-foot
width and the sidewalks.
So let's be smart about this deal. You know, we don't have
money to waste like this. Everybody else is here begging for more
money. We're coming to you with millions of dollars in savings. You
know, for these guys that just want to ruin our neighborhoods, they
don't live there. If you want it on your street, then that's fine.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Sir, I mean, I don't think anybody wants to
ruin your neighborhood intentionally.
MR. REYNOLDS: Yes, they do.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: So I would just ask you to be courteous,
because I don't think that anybody in staff has the intention of ruining
your neighborhood, so just -- please.
MR. REED: Well, we've been fighting this for how long? And
you guys did vote, and you also directed them to give you three
options. They've done one. Well, I'm giving you the second one.
September 25, 2018
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Leave them as they are the way we bought them. We don't need them
for fire rescue; Dave will talk about that. We don't need them for
access; we all have access. We don't need them for anything except to
justify the purchase of those lots and going around the golf course.
Well, you know what, if you have extra space after you put in the
road, put in a bike path, something that's beneficial for people. Would
be very low cost and something that's useful instead of endangering the
people that are walking on our roads.
I mean, you know, I don't mean to get terse about it but, you
know what, I'm kind of sick of wasting my time and resources to come
in here and have to do this and then on top of this to have to go to court
possibly and, you know, use far more resources of my own in order to
keep my neighborhood safe.
Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is David Meffen. He'll be
followed by Jeanette Meffen.
MR. MEFFEN: Afternoon.
You can see by our terminology that we've all colluded together,
so please don't convene an independent counsel.
I've been asked to talk about the EMS portion of this, because
we've been told that you need the roads open for the fire service, okay.
I took my own time. I went to our first response, which is Station 71,
okay, Station 71, for illustration purposes, let's say Station 71 is down
here. I am the homes that are going to have our streets opened, and
Station 73 is over here. Okay. Now, Station 71 is much closer than
Station 73. Even if you open our streets, Station 71 is still closer. That
is our first response. So our second response is from Station 73.
Now, there are hundreds and hundreds of homes and businesses
that are not even as close as our second response to any fire station. So
our first response and our second response is already closer than most
-- than a lot of homes are to a fire station, okay.
September 25, 2018
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So nix the EMS has to be open, let alone the fact all the hospitals
are to the south, okay, Physicians down Collier, the other one down
Pine Ridge, they're closer than any hospitals to the north. So as far as
EMS is concerned, as far as fire's concerned, there's absolutely no
reason to open those streets.
As far as vehicle accidents go, if you have Vanderbilt done and
you have an accident on one side, just cone off the other side, direct the
accident traffic around it for that little bit and then back onto the other
side. There's no reason to direct that traffic down our streets.
Again, we would like to keep it an express road with not a lot of
connections, and so we don't want our roads open so, again, we would
ask you, as you did the first time, to vote no. We don't want our roads
connected.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Jeanette Meffen. She'll be
followed by Michael R. Ramsey.
MS. MEFFEN: Good afternoon.
Dear Commissioners, I was here last time for the meeting. I went
away hopeful because I saw your response that was very positive to
where our hearts were at.
We don't want them opened; you've heard it over and over again.
We don't want it to be a thoroughfare. I think, Commissioner Fiala,
you have family, I believe, that lives in that area also.
When we intentionally purchased our home, we purchased it for a
reason; because we were looking for the dead-end streets, because we
have the concern our family. I bought because I have 13
grandchildren, and I could start naming ages, three, three, five, six, six,
seven, and we're talking the neighbors know them. They ride when
they come. They hook up their bike with the little ones and then the
other ones follow. You could never do that. And this is why I bought
September 25, 2018
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there. And I'm not the only one. We just had a family move in with a
little two-year-old.
I mean, I'm a nurse. I'm a retired ICU nurse, so I see different
facets than other people do. Making connections is not what life is
about when it's not needed.
There is connections everywhere. You can find them. Ours is
very small. As he spoke, it's only 1.7 mile, I believe, from the first fire
station, so we don't need a connection there, if we understand that. I've
seen children hit, pushed out through windows of cars, dragged on the
streets. They end up in my units. Life is never the same.
You cannot take that back. And I saw that years after years with
crying parents, you cannot take that back. And those parents are the
ones that are suffering.
We bought there for the insurance that we could bring our kids
out to ride, just like a normal parent would want to do, a normal
grandparent. There's older people that walk their dogs; it's just not the
young ones with children. There's horses that we have that come
through our neighborhood. There's even a lamb that follows the
horses.
We bought because it was rural, and it's totally -- this intent was
to provide for far Collier west. It wasn't made for us. We are seven or
eight streets, whatever the plan is, but we beg that our streets will not
make a difference in your Collier west. Just keep it an express road.
That's what we're asking. It will save you money that we don't have, it
will save lives, and there is at least 120 petitioners. But people work,
people are in school that actually have signed petitions to be able to
back us. And I believe you saw them before in the folder, right,
Commissioner William McDaniel?
So it's not just us four. There is a lot of people. And the three
options, the one that was most liked was not the frontage; that is not
true. The one that was most liked was keeping them closed. You can
September 25, 2018
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never have that back again.
Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your final registered speaker on this item is
Michael R. Ramsey.
MR. RAMSEY: Good afternoon, Commissioners. Michael R.
Ramsey. I'm the president of the Golden Gate Estates Area Civic
Association.
In this process on Vanderbilt Beach Road expansion, we were
kind of in the middle being a middleman trying to get the people to
express their opinions and help staff trying to understand and work
with them.
I'm here today to compliment staff on a very good process.
We've been doing this since about June last year. We started off with
80 to 100 people with many different opinions. Nick has visited us.
Thaddeus has been out. Andy's been out. I think Trinity came out. It
got a little heated some nights. They got some very interesting
commentary.
Staff was very diligent. They listened to every person in there.
They took into consideration every concern they had. They tried to
work through all the issues. I'm here to compliment the staff on the
process. This was a very -- I thought this went through a very good
process, and we've come up with some good suggestions. They came
out with some good compromises. They came out with some areas
that we could possibly still work on.
All in all, I think, knowing the history of Vanderbilt Beach
extension from its beginning, this is not a bad place to be.
So thank you guys for all the work you did and all the time you
came out, and I think we're getting to the point where we're starting to
finally get to the final few, and I hope you guys can help us with a
good decision. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: That's it? That's it?
September 25, 2018
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CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Yeah. What would the good decision be
from the Golden Gate Civic Association?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yeah. Come on now.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: The president's not going to give us --
okay.
MR. COHEN: He must be running for something.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: What's that?
MR. COHEN: I'm sorry. I just --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Is that our last speaker?
MR. MILLER: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. Thaddeus, I just -- you
know, the folks that spoke today bring up a very valid point, and it's
something that we've experienced in real life. And when we were
bequeathed the $10 million from DOT for the three bridges in Golden
Gate Estates and burnt through 9 or so million dollars on the first
bridge on 8th because it was determined by our staff that the
improvements that were requisite to the balance of 8th were necessary.
You can't just plug the bridge in.
And my question is, what's going to trigger those improvements?
Because there will be an increase in traffic. Though, as you say, the
circuitous route is not conducive for people to be doing cut-through.
But there will be increased traffic on these streets.
And my second portion of that question is, what's going to -- well,
the first part is what's going to trigger the improvements necessary to
the streets that are opened up if, in fact, we do vote to do it? And my
second question is, can we still -- or is it possible for us to go ahead
and move the road north and effectuate the savings by digging up the
canal and not connecting right now?
MR. COHEN: Let me answer a fourth question that you didn't
ask.
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I thought I only asked two, but
okay.
MR. COHEN: I understand. Well, it was three because you were
asking about the savings.
Let's go to the question of the traffic. And one of the things that
we heard from the community is how to alleviate and to reduce the
impact. So there's two things from this circuitous diagram that I think
is important.
One is the speed, which, as the young lady's talking, in terms of
folks walking their children, playing in the street, et cetera, bike lanes
-- we have on Vanderbilt, but it's slow traffic.
And then the increase in traffic over the next 20 years at the peak
time, a.m. and p.m., we're only talking about an additional 50 cars, so
that's roughly two-and-a-half cars per year over the next 20 years is
what the modeling shows that would increase. And then as an adjunct
to that, opening to Vanderbilt actually reduces some traffic for folks
going south, because currently there's not an ability for them to get to
Vanderbilt.
So part of that traffic will go north and part of that traffic will go
south, so there will probably be a net reduction early on.
With that, let me have our consultant talk to you in terms of,
could we build a road and not connect the streets to start with? I would
suggest that that's not a good place for us to be because part of what we
think is important is the connectivity of the total network. And as we
go forward, being able to have that frontage road, I think, is what the
community, by and large -- we had, what, some 700-some-odd
individuals at the church? I think it was some 750 folks we had at the
church. And, yes, there were folks --
MR. MEFFEN: They did not support that. That was the only
alternate you gave.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Sir?
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Hang on, David. He knows
better than that.
MR. COHEN: There was two things. It was a series of meetings,
as the Golden Gate associations can attest to, that brought us to this
compromise. The compromise came from parts of the community
which is do you connect, not connect, or can you do a frontage road.
And we think the frontage road is an appropriate compromise in being
able to have this circuitous route; speaks to the issues that the
community has about traffic coming through their neighborhood.
So as the gentleman indicates, I think it's a balancing of how to be
able to have a total network work well.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I think it's important --
Commissioner Saunders, are you wanting to get in on this?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Yeah, at some point. I didn't
want to jump in front of you.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah. Well, I'm not done with
him yet, so...
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Commissioner McDaniel, when -- you
asked two questions, and if I could answer a little bit as the engineer
comes up. There are streets on the south side of Golden Gate
Boulevard right now as we live in that community, from Weber going
back to about, I want to say, 23rd that connect between White and
Golden Gate. They don't have improvements on them because the
average daily traffic doesn't exceed a certain amount. This would be
the same.
So you asked if we would do improvements. Obviously, if these
modeled like 8th or 16th, then we would do improvements. But if they
function similarly to those roads on the south side of the boulevard, we
would not do improvements. And then the engineer will tell you that
there will be a significant cost to do this at a different time because of
maintenance of traffic and construction.
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: The one comment that I do
want to make, Thaddeus -- and it's something that you brought up.
And, you know, I have spoken to the residents that live in the area.
I've spoken to folks that live on these streets. I've spoken -- I have
spoke to folks who don't.
And by and large every single person says our first choice is no
connections. Our first choice is no connections.
And we've come from a whole bunch of individual connections to
this compromise, and that's distressing to me. I am -- I can see the
validity in it, but I can also see the rationale with not having them at
all.
MR. COHEN: The no connections on this slide, we show that
there's, between Collier and Wilson, you're talking five miles of no
access.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Say that one more time, please.
MR. COHEN: Between Collier and Wilson, we're talking in
terms of five miles of no access. So, again, one of the things that we
believe is important is to be able to provide that access being mindful
of the community's concerns, and we think that from the community,
that issue of being able to have a frontage road, all connections, no
connections, a frontage road with just two points of connection we
believe works for the network and is a reasonable compromise within
budget limitations.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Forgive me. But you've come
-- I'm going to be asking you some questions that I think have probably
already been answered two or three times, but my memory is not that
great.
The rationale for having the frontage road, go through that with
me again. Now, not just that there will be five miles without access,
but who's going to use that access, those cut-through streets? Because
September 25, 2018
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I think at one point you're saying there's not going to be that much
cut-through traffic, but we want to have the openings for connectivity.
So those are, I think, somewhat inconsistent. I'm just trying to
understand why we feel we need those connections.
Also, is this an emergency-vehicle issue? What are the real issues
here in terms of connectivity?
MR. COHEN: And I would say that they're all of those that you
just described. So being able to connect for an overall network point
of view, anytime we have the opportunity to connect our major
arterials, we try to do that. That's why our original thought was have
all the streets connect.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: But I want to focus just on this
particular segment, not what our general policy is throughout the
county to have connectivity.
MR. COHEN: Okay.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: What is the rationale or the
need to have connectivity on those five or six streets that we're talking
about here?
MR. COHEN: I would say to be able to provide relief for traffic
internal to the community so they have alternate methods of traveling.
You can get up Vanderbilt Beach without having to go a five-mile
segment which increases the amount of traffic that is on Golden Gate
to be able to provide that reliever to be able to get up to Vanderbilt
Beach.
I understand what the gentleman says about emergency access,
but we had our EMS at all of our meetings, and they were supportive
of being able to have that access as well. So I think those are two of
the key factors that I would suggest that we would look at. And I don't
know if we have others.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: The EMS issue, you can
provide EMS access by having a gate, for example. You could have
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the connection but not have it open to the public, but you could have it
open via gate for emergency vehicles. So I think that you could solve
the emergency-vehicle issue without having that connectivity of those
streets.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: You still have to bridge the
canal, sir.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Build a road and then -- and just
have the gate?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I'm just trying to -- I'm trying
to understand why we need connectivity.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: No, I was trying to understand
you.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Yeah. So I'm asking a couple
of questions about that. I'm not suggesting anything in particular. I'm
just trying to understand that.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Okay.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: All right. So then in terms of
the connectivity, you're going to have people going down Golden Gate
Boulevard that ultimately want to get over to Vanderbilt Beach Road.
So you don't want them to have to drive all the way to Collier
Boulevard, make a turn, and go all the way down Vanderbilt Beach
Road that way. You're trying to eliminate that circuitous connection
there. And I'm not sure how important that is.
MR. GRAMER: For the record, Bill Gramer with Jacobs
Engineering.
The intent of the frontage road connections is not to alleviate
traffic on Golden Gate Boulevard or to move traffic between
Vanderbilt and Golden Gate Boulevard unless it's a necessity, okay.
That's what the discussions were -- with regards to emergency services
and emergency response were related to.
September 25, 2018
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The idea of -- the people who actually live on those roads will be
the ones that benefit the most from having a connection to the north of
Vanderbilt Beach Road, and the people that live on the south sides of
the road that are connecting up to Vanderbilt Beach Road are actually
going to end up seeing a decrease in traffic, because the people who
live north of them, closer to where the canal is now, will end up going
north to Vanderbilt Beach Road.
And so the way we've designed the roads per your and
transportation's direction, was to make it as circuitous as possible so no
one would be enticed to have a cut-through traffic. So it's not intended
to be used as the cut-through traffic and, realistically, as you're driving
down Golden Gate Boulevard, as you can see from this diagram, you
would have to make the decision that the intersection of Golden Gate
and Collier Boulevard is impacted enough that you would want to use
a cut-through traffic. But you have to make that decision two miles
before you even get to the intersection. So you can't see two miles
ahead of you. You don't know it's there two miles ahead of you, so
there would be nothing there to entice you to actually use it as a
cut-through traffic.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Just one more question, Mr.
Chairman.
Then what is the length of the frontage road?
MR. GRAMER: I'm sorry?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: What is the length of the
frontage road?
MR. GRAMER: The frontage road -- the first frontage road goes
between four streets, so it's about one mile in total, and the second one
connects two streets, so it's 2,600 feet, plus or minus.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: And how many bridges are
involved?
MR. GRAMER: There would be two bridges.
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Taylor?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: What did these people in this
neighborhood do -- what are they doing right now about emergencies?
MR. GRAMER: Right now they get -- emergency response
comes from Golden Gate Boulevard because there's no way to get any
emergency response from the north.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Do we have any data about the
timing of that emergency response in this neighborhood? Is it within
the limits set by the county?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Yes, ma'am, it is.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Okay. So we're not looking at a
deficiency for this neighborhood. We're looking at a policy issue.
There's not a need. It's a policy; is that correct? The policy is network.
And I'm having a lot of trouble with this because these people
bought here because it was country. These people bought here not
because there's a policy that requires something to be done to their way
of life. And I'm struggling with this.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Ma'am, if I could -- and I'm close to
this as well, because I started this project in 2004. And so I'm familiar
with Thaddeus and David Wilkison, before Thaddeus -- you know, we
redid this design.
Part of -- it's not necessarily a policy. It's good planning. And I
think many times you've talked to me about good planning. By having
an interconnected network, you give yourselves an alternative, not only
during emergencies but during any time of day.
A closed street, not an emergency but just because there's an
accident, we have to reroute right now Golden Gate Boulevard all the
way to Wilson. That's -- and while that diagram shows five miles,
that's one direction. So if right now Golden Gate Boulevard, which
from time to time gets closed down for an accident one direction, your
September 25, 2018
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alternative is to go three to four miles to Wilson, two to three miles
north, and five miles down Immokalee Road.
Now, if you add Vanderbilt, you'll take two miles of the
north/south out, but you're not going to take the five miles all the way
around.
So from a network perspective, we don't do this just to,
quote-unquote, improve traffic. We provide alternatives during
wildfires. We had one on 17th last year one street over from where I
was, and we had them around. So you get a second alternative
anytime.
If we start not building the network going forward long term, then
the value of the roads we build get diminished. We have to build
more. This is the reason we brought you a bridge study that said 11
new bridges in Golden Gate Estates, because the network is
insufficient.
MR. AHMAD: Mr. Chairman, can I add one thought to what
Nick just added? This is Jay Ahmad, director of Transportation
Engineering.
We had the fire, I think, a couple years ago near Weber, and half
of the people down on that street did not have the ability to access
Golden Gate Boulevard. This will provide them that access. I think it
would be extremely troubling, at least from a traffic standpoint to me
that, we have five miles without connection and, for safety standpoint,
to another roadway that's available to these folks.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Is there any prohibition to putting
some significant traffic-calming impediments on all these streets?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: No. I think -- but you want to stick to
something that's consistent. If the volumes trigger that -- if, let's say --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: No, no, no. It's not about
volumes. This is about opening up streets for transit. It's like living on
-- it's all of a sudden a dead-end street where, you know, you're pretty
September 25, 2018
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sure -- you know the people on your street --
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Right.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: -- and now you're opening it up to
Naples. And if you can't put significant traffic impediments, then that
will not only discourage people from going down there, make it slow
so they will -- so that they probably won't do this circuitous route.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: So, in essence, you're saying like a
speed table where you have to --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yes.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Ma'am, we could look at that. The
only problem I worry about is that if you do it here, you've got to be
consistent across the board. And we have roads that probably are
going to have much higher volumes of these that don't meet our
warrants for speed table.
The streets directly south where that Golden Gate says, they're
connected to White Boulevard, and they're seeing a lot more traffic
than these roads will see. Now, if we stick to the -- what we normally
do is if we open the road up and then the volumes significantly
increase and we measure that and it does and it meets warrants, we
would certainly put speed tables in. But if it's the will of the Board for
us to look at that, we certainly will as well as, too, but this is an
important process for us.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I understand that, but I understand
this is a retrofit, and there's got to be some accommodations to the
residents living on these streets, because it is a retrofit. They didn't
buy to have their streets opened.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: On the frontage road, ma'am, I think
we'd be pretty comfortable doing that. There's not a lot -- because
those are pretty long. Maybe that will discourage them on that rather
than on a 20-foot-wide road. On the frontage roads, we could probably
put speed tables on those.
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: And be quieter for the folks on
the street also.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Yes, ma'am.
MR. KLATZKOW: Commissioners, this is going to be coming
back to you again, because eventually when you get 60 percent plans,
you're going to get condemnation and we're going to have to come
back here for a condemnation hearing, and everybody whose parcels
are going to be taken are going to be talking to you about this asking
you for alternative routes at that time.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: To boot.
MR. KLATZKOW: So this is not the final say on this. Now, it
will result in 60 percent plans, which has a cost to it, but once that cost
is done, we've got another hearing, because I'm guessing that this new
plan is going to require even more taking just to build a frontage road
and to relocate a canal, and you're going to have people whose
properties are being taken coming back here and asking you for a
possible alternative route.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner McDaniel, but I have one
question, and then I think -- are you done? I'm sorry.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yeah. I'm just -- and please do. I
just -- it's Commissioner McDaniel's district, and I'm very interested in
his thoughts also, but certainly yours, Mr. Chair.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I just have one question, if I can --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Go ahead. You're the chair.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: One question. This is a long-term --
excuse me?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I was mumbling. Forgive me.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: What was the mumble?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I can't say it out loud again.
Okay.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I'm curious, what is -- what's the
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percentage of lots that are built out, or do we know, between Golden
Gate and the proposed road? I mean, it -- as this builds out in that area,
it is -- are most of the lots built out? Is it the traffic what it's going to
be, or is this going to continue to increase in traffic as more people
build their homes?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: The second, sir. It's -- from Wilson
west, it's over 50 percent. My street's typical. I think theirs is as well,
too. We've got maybe a half a dozen to a dozen vacant lots. As you get
from Wilson out to Everglades, there's more vacant lots. We've got
quite a bit of growth left in the Estates, sir.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. And in this corridor there, between
Golden Gate and Vanderbilt?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Yes. And less that corridor; more to
the east. But, yes, there are still vacant lots.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. But we don't know, is it 50 percent,
is it --
MR. CASALANGUIDA: It's over 50 percent built out.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Over 50 percent built?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: I'd say so, sir.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, the entire Golden Gate
Estates is approximately 50 percent built out, so that's a fair
assumption.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. I want to share this,
Commissioner Taylor. You asked for my opinion. It hasn't changed
from when we voted on this the last time and directed staff to not have
any connections at all.
I can understand the prudence of good planning, as Nick talks
about, but I take exception to some of the things that Nick says: The
bridge study that he regularly refers to was one that he and I derived
back 2004 to 2006 at the East of 951 Horizon Study. It's how many
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years old? Twelve.
And we have a large change in our demographic. We have new
fire stations and EMS stations; the circumstances that prevailed 12
years ago are certainly different than those that are now.
The comparison of these streets to those to the south of Golden
Gate Boulevard that already connect into White Boulevard, they
always have connected into White Boulevard. The people that bought
on those streets walked in with their eyes wide open knowing what
was, in fact, transpiring.
So I hear a lot of modeling discussions. I hear a lot of "circuitous
route should deter traffic." I hear a lot of "I don't think," "It shouldn't
be bad for those sort of things."
I -- you know, I'm torn, but at the end of the day, I'm not torn.
This is -- I like the idea of relocating the canal and moving the road up.
There's a cost savings that's effectuated there.
If -- and, you know, Commissioner Saunders, you maybe were
moving to another subject matter, but if there has to be a connection in
there somewhere, why can't it be gated? If staff's actually stomping
their feet saying that we have to -- if it is good planning, why can't we
gate it and only allow it for emergency access to protect those people?
And I know there's mobility costs and relocation costs that come
along with putting in the bridge -- or putting in the bridge or not
putting in the bridge while we're doing the construction on Vanderbilt.
But the reality of this whole process, the exacerbation of the traffic that
we have in Eastern Collier County right now is because of the
infrastructure roads, the roads that are in place.
Of course, certainly, no one could have foresaw the great
recession and the necessity to divert -- to deter the construction of
Vanderbilt. But if it were -- if it were constructed when it was
originally planned, we wouldn't -- Commissioner Saunders wouldn't --
and Commissioner Solis, they wouldn't be having the trouble on
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Immokalee Road imminently failing in the next five years. We
wouldn't be having the issues that we have because this -- these roads
would be in, and the folks would be able to move.
So, personally, I understand staff's rationale for having the
connections, but I don't see -- I don't see the downside at this stage for
allowing it for -- because Vanderbilt predominantly is going to be an
east/west mover as it is, so I don't think the connections are requisite.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Could you put on the screen
there the visual that showed all seven of the roads? I think it was an
aerial.
MR. COHEN: This one?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Yeah. That will be fine.
Well, there was one that I thought actually identified the numbers
of the streets.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Right there.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Okay. So we've got seven
streets that we're talking about connecting. And this may be a stupid
question, but I'll ask it anyway. Are all seven of these streets pretty
much the same? So, for example, is there a street that is largely
undeveloped? Is there a street that is, perhaps, more improved?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: I drive it. They're predominantly the
same.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: They're all the same. So there
would be no advantage in saying let's open up one street for that
emergency connection or for those times when Golden Gate Boulevard
might be blocked? You'd have one or two streets open. Do you have
to have all seven? That's not necessarily particularly fair to the two
streets. But I'm just wondering if there are one or two streets that
would be more suitable for that connection, and I think what you're
saying is they're all the same.
September 25, 2018
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MR. CASALANGUIDA: Yeah. And I'd hate to pick the winners
and losers, you know, trying to do that.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Okay.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any other discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: So we're asked to either accept staff's
recommendation or do something different. Is there a motion?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'll make the motion to not
accept staff's recommendation.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Second.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay.
MR. OCHS: With regard to the frontage road, sir?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Correct.
MR. OCHS: The relocation --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: The relocation of the canal, I
like everything else. Getting the road built, I like that. Just -- I would
prefer to have no interconnects. That's been -- and when I make that
motion, it's just important -- since we like to expand a minute. When I
talked to the folks that were part of the Golden Gate Estates Civic
Association -- you-all were chirping at Michael for walking away and
not telling us.
It's really important to -- our first choice, regularly our first choice
is no interconnect. This is an okay compromise if you have to have a
compromise, but I don't feel that, other than -- I don't feel that it has
been shown to me that you have to compromise.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. There's a motion and second. Any
other discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: All in favor, say aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
September 25, 2018
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CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Motion carries.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: May I speak? May I say
something?
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Sure.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: As we grow, this situation -- not
necessarily exact situation -- is going to come up again and again and
again. And I think it's incredibly important that we decide as a
commission -- and this is the planning I think I asked for at the other
meeting -- we decide -- we always decide on the projects rather than,
how many people do we really want here? What is our limit? What is
our ceiling? And how are we going to accommodate them, and what
kind of roads are we prepared to build? And I'm not talking about 10
years from now. I'm talking about 20 and 30 years, looking the long
term.
And to me, in the policies that we get involved in that are policy
issues, that it's very important to have a policy for people who have
invested in property and a belief in a way of life that was promised to
them and that we're going to change because of growth somewhere
else.
So this is not an easy issue to discuss, but I would like to be able
to bring this back and to have a -- you know, hopefully an educated
and hopefully informative discussion on exactly what are we doing
with growth and how many people do we expect to have in Collier
County.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Am I allowed to speak?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Excuse me. Let me ask, expect to
September 25, 2018
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have, or do you think it would be healthy to have?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: You know what, you're right.
Land is already encumbered. It's already. We can't do anything about
that. But we can say how many people -- what's our limit? Do we
want 300,000 people here? Well, that's gone 10 years ago. Do we
want 400,000 people? Okay. Let's say we want 400-. Okay. So that's
going to determine everything we do.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And we've all been getting letters
from our constituents saying, enough, enough. Don't grow so fast.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Please slow down. Smart growth.
That's what they're saying all the time, right?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So that's what you're talking about.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yes. And it doesn't mean that --
it doesn't mean that our land values are going to fall. In fact, on the
contrary. Land will become more expensive in terms of the investment
of people, and their property will become even more profitable to the
individuals.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Can I say something, Mr.
Chair? I mean, because --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: You know, I think we're --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I think I need to say something,
if I might, please.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Well, go ahead then. I'm trying to move
the meeting forward. Go ahead.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: We have -- and I just want to
say this out loud. We have a GMP. We have vested real property
rights that are there.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yes.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: There are estimates as to what
September 25, 2018
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the population is, in fact, going to tip over at. And a taking in those
regards to less than those that are already, in fact, vested, is going to be
far more financially devastating than the considerations as to what
you're proposing with regard to this.
Now, the issue here --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Excuse me. Just -- I am not
suggesting a taking. I am not suggesting we divest people of what
they're vested in.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Honoring that, but -- okay. So
you have someone that's vested in 10 or 20 acres, and they can build
four units an acre. We don't come back and give them seven units an
acre; we don't do that. Because we know that that's the cap. We know
what the cap is, and that is the balance that we work against as we plan
and approve plans in this county.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: We need to have a workshop
on this where we can go around on this.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yes, we do.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: We need to have a workshop on this
because the next item we're going to be talking about is the RFMUD.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right. We're going to get there
in a second.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: And these programs and these plans that
we have are based upon, for purposes of conservation, having more
density where intensity say -- let's not call it more density, because the
overall density remains the same. But to have the intensity of the uses
and bring the developable units into the areas that we want it to be in
as opposed to spread out all over Eastern Collier County.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Right, but --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: So just to say that you can't have a certain
density anywhere is going to be inconsistent with some of these
September 25, 2018
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programs that we've been working on for years.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I'm not saying that. What I'm
saying is we know what the density is in Collier County. We know
that it's this. It's this. Okay. So where are we going to put that
density?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It's not "this," though,
Commissioner Taylor. It's not -- it's not fixed. It's not carved in stone.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: No, it's not, but we know what the
population -- I misspoke. We know what the population -- we know
how many people we want here.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: No, we don't. That's --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: That's our problem.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, it's not our problem, and
this is where the discussion needs to come at some stage. You know as
well as I do that the current population estimations are somewhere
between 800- and a million people total buildout for Collier County.
You can't say out loud 400,000 people and expect to not have a ripple
effect coming down the line with a proposition. In order to get from
800,000 to 400,000, something has to give. You can't say out loud --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I don't know that. I don't know
what's in -- I don't know what's been vested. I don't know what the
underlining zoning is. And I think we need to determine that, and then
we can figure out where we're going.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Let me make a decision since -- if that's
the case --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yes.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: -- then we do need to have a workshop,
another workshop, and we can work through all that, because sitting
here debating it without any information, without any input from staff,
we're just going to be here all day.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Thank you, good.
September 25, 2018
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CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. So we can bring that back as a
workshop.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. Not in November.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Not in November.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: A new year workshop.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Next year.
MR. OCHS: Very good.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: So that will be a good lead-in to 11D.
MR. OCHS: Well, we're scheduled for 11B first, sir, if --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: 11B, I'm sorry.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: 11B first.
Item #11B
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT
TO AGREEMENT NO. 17-7198 WITH MANHATTAN
CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,199,984.81 FOR
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AT RISK (CMAR) FIRST
PHASE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE COLLIER
COUNTY SPORTS COMPLEX AND MAKE A FINDING THAT
THIS EXPENDITURE PROMOTES TOURISM; AND TO
RECEIVE A PROJECT UPDATE AND APPROVE THE STAFF
RECOMMENDED LAYOUT PLAN AND APPROXIMATE FINAL
ACREAGE TAKEDOWN – MOTION TO APPROVE STAFF’S
RECOMMENDATION AND STAFF TO RETURN IN THE NEXT
60-90 DAYS WITH POSSIBLE PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL 2.5
ACRE PARCEL – APPROVED
MR. OCHS: This is a recommendation to approve the first
amendment to the current agreement with Manhattan Construction in
the amount of $3,199,984.81 for Construction Management at Risk
September 25, 2018
Page 150
first phase construction services for the Collier County sports complex,
make a finding that this expenditure promotes tourism, and to receive a
project update, approve staff recommended layout plan, and proximate
final acreage takedowns.
Mr. Casalanguida will make the presentation.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Thank you, Boss.
Good afternoon, Commissioners. I guess, like in sports, when
you don't win something, you've got to be humble and move on, right?
So I appreciate the thoughtfulness you put in the last discussion,
and this leads into this one, and a lot of the hard work staff put in both
in this project and the prior one, we're grateful to be in front of you all
the time and bring you some, you know, ideas and suggestions.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Can I interrupt you for a
second?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Sure.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: The compliment that Mr.
Ramsey paid you was very, very worthy, and it's not a matter of
win/lose.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Touche. Agreed.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: No touche. You, our staff, are
due that compliment for the process.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: And, sir, when we -- at the end of the
day, however it shakes out and you make your decisions, we're good
with that. We wake up, and we go to the job and get it done.
So onto the sports complex. So what we have in front of you is
the phase zero; we call it phase zero. It is the final layout in phase zero
of the sports complex, and I wanted to show the final complex layout.
Commissioner Taylor was kind enough to join us at a couple
design charrettes. We had the full design team: Populous, Parker
Mudgett, Davidson, Manhattan was there, and a bunch of community
members.
September 25, 2018
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So what you have in front of you is the final complex layout in
this graphic. The last time we were in front of you, you asked us to
look at making sure we included baseball, and we had the option of
some dual-use fields. Both the consultant and the end user said, you
know, if you can get pure baseball in there, get pure baseball if you can
get the pure field. So we went back to that, and I think that made
everybody happy. So I think, you know, the Board is -- look at you. It
works.
Collier County 305 is on the right of your screen, City Gate Phase
1. The project we're working on right now is on the left of your screen.
So we've broken out the projects into two phases: One that's zoned and
ready to go and one that has to go through zoning and permitting.
This is the phase zero construction contract that's in front of you.
It is completely in the Phase 1 construction portion of the project. It's
the complete lake construction and drainage tie-ins; clearing and
grubbing of the City Gate parcel of the project; and the fill processing.
It also includes the drainage connection to City Gate north and the base
for the City Gate Boulevard south construction as well, too.
We have two options in the purchase and sale agreement that
survived closing; one of them was 2.5 acres anywhere along City Gate
along the project that we could leverage or for the 5.6-acre temporary
parking lot. When we went through the 5.6-acre lot, Davidson looked
at what it would cost, and evaluated the impacts to the design, and it
doesn't make sense from the design team, from Populous and
ourselves, to try and do a temporary lot there and then, you know,
rebuild it, give it back to them and move the temporary parking to
permanent parking someplace else.
So out of the 5.6-acre option, your staff is recommending 4.83
acres is taken down for the first phase of the project. We do not need
right now the 2.5 acres in the design that's in front of you.
The next couple slides are really to give you a better look at what
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we've designed as part of the final project. This is the area where the
stadium is, and I'm going to go back and show you that if the visualizer
allows. Right here is the stadium and the field house, the recreational
lake on the left-hand side of the screen, and the great lawn that's right
there. They went to a lot of effort into trying to make this all
integrated with the great lawn and the stadium and the field house. So
you notice two access points east/west in yellow and north/south in
blue-green.
They have a promenade, like, covered between the field house
and the stadium and the seating that's over there. The graphics on the
right give you a visual of something that we're looking at, and then
we'll have some massing diagrams that will give you a better feel for
what that might look like going forward.
There's also a dual screen use that's done with the promenade and
the great lawn to the north, so north side of the stadium will also
feature a screen that goes into the great lawn. This has become quite
popular around the country, these big viewing areas where you have
concerts, sports events, people sit outside the stadium and get to enjoy
what's going on inside, or if there's a show you want to broadcast under
the great lawn.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Or a county commission meeting.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Yeah. I don't think the great lawn
would draw that much use.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: For all three people.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: These get into some of the massing of
what our project would look like. You can see the profiles to the right,
and the overlap. The field house and the stadium themselves are
connected by a causeway or a second-floor mezzanine that connects
the two. And you can see a little bit better in that diagram. So that ties
into the concept of the field house and the stadium in the north/south as
well.
September 25, 2018
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We are looking at one more update in the design of this, and that's
the fields to the right but we also did some planning to show that in
Phase 1 there's 3,000 seats. We can accommodate future 3,000 seats,
and we're planning ahead, if the stadium is successful, to go all the way
up to, potentially, 12,000 seats. It's not going to be designed as part of
this, not going to be constructed as part of this.
The only thing that will be done in the first phase is this, but we
want to make sure we're thinking ahead if this is a successful project,
which we think it will be.
We've also looked at a raised field to the east with the berm. And
why would we do that? We've seen some other places in the country
where parking's a premium, and they can garner as much as 50 to $75
for a weekend or an event to park in a secure area in the shade. If you
raise the field, you do parking underneath. And this diagram gives you
a feel of what that might look like with the berm.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Did he talk to you about that? I
saw Commissioner Solis making a face.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Parking underneath?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Yes, sir. We're going to cost it out and
see if it makes sense. That's what -- the contractor will give us a price
on that fairly soon.
Parking's at a premium in this location and, obviously, shaded
parking and secured parking. But at events around the country people
are buying their parking in advance, secured, and they pay a premium
for that parking.
I think, Commissioner Fiala, you've always told me you always
look for the shade and a secure place to be.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: That's right, I do.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Right.
And so that's an update of the project. Really, what we're looking
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for in the recommendations are approve this phase zero contract with
Manhattan, approve the final layout plan, and then allow me to go
forward with City Gate and secure that 4.8 acres, approximately, to
close that out.
And with that, we'll take some questions, if you have any.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Questions? Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Thank you. Couple questions.
In reference to the -- I agree with everything that you've presented
and certainly agree with your recommendation, and I'm sure there will
be a motion to do that.
But in addition to that, the 2.5-acre option, that parcel, if I'm
looking at it correctly, is right in front of our proposed field house, and
that's going to be, to my way of thinking anyway, something that's
going to be very important. We don't want, you know -- if that gets
into private hands --
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Right.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: -- it could be developed into
just about anything.
So I'm going to suggest that we keep that issue alive; that you
come back on that 2.5 acres. When does the option expire?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: One year from the closing date, sir,
which was this spring. So we've got about four or five months before
we've got to make that call.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Well, I would suggest you
come back in a couple months. Let's find a way to purchase that
property, because I think we're going to be very sorry if we don't down
the road. It's going to be right in front of our $60 million, $70 million
sports complex, and I think we're going to want to control that.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And I'll second that. We've known
other times when we should have bought property and then didn't, and
then we're sorry afterwards, yeah.
September 25, 2018
Page 155
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Just like the car dealership.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Okay.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: So the motion, then, would be
to approve staff's recommendation but, in addition, have staff come
back in the next 60 or 90 days to talk about the 2.5-acre option as well.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I second.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Motion and a second.
Commissioner Taylor, any more discussion?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yeah, just quickly.
If -- and I think your motion is very good, Commissioner
Saunders, and your foresight in looking at this piece of property is
extraordinary. But if we decide we don't want to use it or it's sitting
there, we could -- could we sell it?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: No, ma'am. I think what we
represented to the seller was that it would have to be part of our
project.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Okay.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Not to make profit on it. He's giving us
a discount on the property. So if we said we're going to do something
with it and include it in our design, whether it be for parking or some
courts -- we talked about maybe adding some pickleball/tennis courts
there --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Pickleball.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: -- then that would make sense, and that
could be allowed to be used for something else later, but it would have
to be part of our project.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I just wanted to -- I was lucky
enough to be able to make a meeting or even two meetings with the,
you know, the whole room filled with design professionals and Josh
and Davidson Engineering and all the people contributing to this, and
the energy is -- you hear about energy, but it is such an exciting,
September 25, 2018
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exciting process, and everyone is contributing; no one has been
dismissed to sit on the sidelines. Everyone -- everyone's ideas are taken
into consideration.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Were you participatory in
getting baseball back into the program?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I've champion -- no. But that's
good, but I think --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: There was a brow beating, I think, by
another commissioners.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah. We're going to give a
gold star to whoever was behind that.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Do you know, this is the people's
park, too. And if we've heard anything, we've heard there's not enough
baseball diamonds.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, that's a matter of opinion,
but...
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: So this is very important to have.
This is so, so wonderful.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: And instead of the foul balls being in the
lake, you've got to hit a home run. I like that design change. That will
be a challenge.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I know who to give the gold
star to.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Before the -- I'm sorry. Are you finished?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: No, no, no. I'm done.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Before I saw the parking under the field
thing, what came to mind was there's a lot of parking, and the FP&L
covered parking solar energy shades.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Are those working?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: They are. And, matter of fact, we have
September 25, 2018
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a private vendor and FP&L. And we're going to meet with -- Charlotte
Miller here today from FP&L. I'm going to actually go to the east
coast and meet with FP&L and talk to them. They're interested, and
we've got a couple private vendors that want to do solar parking here.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: For this?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: We could generate a lot of electricity, I
think, and have a lot of shaded parking, right? Wonderful.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: And, you know, one of the
greatest things about this is that there's no neighborhoods close enough
to complain. I mean, not that they're not --
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Sure.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: But this is the absolute perfect
place for this.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Don't go there.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: So there's a motion and a second. And any
other discussion? No other discussion? I shouldn't say it like that; a
leading question. All in favor, say aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: It's approved. Thank you.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Commissioners, on behalf of all of us,
Margaret, who we're making a little crazy in the design team, we're
really grateful to work on this project. It's exciting. We're going to
deliver you a fantastic complex as a team. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Wonderful.
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yeah, that's great.
Item #11D
RECOMMENDATION TO DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE
AMENDMENTS TO THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN
(GMP), RURAL FRINGE MIXED USE DISTRICT (RFMUD)
BASED UPON THE COMPLETED PUBLIC PLANNING
PROCESS AND DIRECTION PROVIDED TO STAFF AT THREE
INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOPS CONDUCTED WITH THE BOARD
DURING 2017 – MOTION DIRECTING STAFF TO MOVE
FORWARD, PREPARE AMENDMENTS AND TAKE THROUGH
THE AMENDMENT PLANNING PROCESS – APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, that moves us to Item 11D. This is
a recommendation to direct staff to prepare amendments to the Growth
Management Plan rural fringe mixed-use district based upon the
completed public planning process and direction provided to staff at
three individual workshops conducted with the Board during 2017, and
Mr. Bosi will lead the discussion.
MR. BOSI: Good afternoon, again, Commission. Mike Bosi,
Planning and Zoning director.
As you see from the title of the slide, it's a -- as the County
Manager has presented, we had visited the Board back on January 3rd
of 2017 and in May 11th and June 20th to discuss some of the
concepts, some of the policies that we're trying to promote within the
updated Rural Fringe Mixed Use District.
As we were -- as the Board was having the discussion before, this
is where we're at. We're at a policy arena, and that's what the Rural
Fringe Mixed Use District update is based upon, based upon specific
policies that we've heard when we've went out and spoke with the
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public on various areas that were of concern.
And in that public outreach -- and I want to just kind of remind
the Board where we were talking to the public about and where the
focus was related to the Rural Fringe Mixed Use District. It was to
engage the residents and the landowners and the stakeholders of the
guidance of the Growth Management Plan Oversight Committee,
coordinate with the parallel efforts of the community. We have four
restudies going on. Make sure that those restudies are communicating
an understanding of what land use as an allowance each one of those
subdistricts are provided so there's complementary aspects of the
subdistricts in terms of how they coordinate and how they satisfy the
overall needs of the community from a land-use perspective.
Improve housing diversity and affordability. We know that's
something that we've heard as an underlining tone, whether it be
economic development discussions, whether it be social equity,
whether it be the needs of the community. We know that housing
diversity is something that this community needs to engage in.
Limits for all development and alternative to gated communities.
It's some of the things that we've heard the most strongly when we're
out talking to the community. They were looking for an alternative to
the gated communities. They wanted more intersection connections
within the places that they lived.
Maintaining the existing boundaries and intensive base. It's one
of the things that this commission has always provided us when
they've spoken about what they'd like to see in terms of trying to urge
development on "make it incentive based," and then we try to follow
that direction as well.
Of course, transportation mobility is one of the cornerstones of
our conversations when we went out and spoke.
Incentivize development to provide goods and service and jobs
and help shorten the trip length. Reverse some of the commute
September 25, 2018
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patterns. Try to improve our transportation network without the
allocation of pavement but by better allocation of land uses and
complementary land uses to where those -- where the demand for those
land uses are occurring and having a better relationship between those.
Consider development patterns that support viable public transit
and walkability. One of the recommendations we're going to provide
for within our -- within the village development is directly related to
that, to what we think can be supported by its transit. And then
environmental stewardship. Of course, one of the things of the Rural
Fringe Mixed Use District, one of the main criterias or components
that we've always been trying to promote was environmental
protections; good planning around environmental concepts; prioritize
the protection of sending areas; assure sufficient compensation for the
sending landowners via the TDR credits, meaning make sure that
there's a demand for those TDR credits, that there's a market for the
commodity that we've created. Instead of being able to develop, you're
able to create a commodity at TDR, but we have to make sure that
there's a viable marketplace for that commodity to be exchanged.
Identify agency for short-term and long-term maintenance, and
this will be one of the recommendations we're most adamant about,
and it relates to the North Belle Meade area, and that's long-term
government management and ownership of those.
Embrace simplicity when possible and help owners of small
sending land parcels.
And the last were economic vitality and diversification, balance
the TDR credit, promote economic development, and diversify the
economy, and support community character and place making.
Those were the overarching topics, the areas we spoke with the
community about. Based upon those, we've had a number of
recommendations. We've spoken with the Board at, like I said, three
individual workshops. We've had individual meetings with the
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commissioners post a number of these workshops.
We think we've heard enough feedback from the Commissioners
to -- we have identified the policies that you wanted us to express and
the concepts you want to express these Growth Management Plan
amendments to be based upon.
And just let me remind you, what we're asking for you to do is to
give us the start button, the start button to develop the amendments,
take them to the Planning Commission at your transmittal hearing,
have the Planning Commission chew over the facts, the concepts, the
planning issues that are contained within. They'll make a
recommendation to you at that transmittal hearing. You'll make the
evaluation as to whether you want to see those concepts moved
forward to the Department of Economic Opportunity, and then it
comes back to you again.
The Planning Commission's going to have a second look at these
amendments that we will create, make a recommendation to you, and
then, ultimately, it's going to be presented to the Board of County
Commissioners at an adoption hearing. So at a fourth public hearing,
that's when you're going to make sure the final decision upon what's
moving forward.
What we're asking today is we think we've got the right direction
in the right areas to focus these amendments upon. Let's base those
amendments, get them out there, we'll work through them with the
Planning Commission, take them to the Board of County
Commissioners, and then go through the process --
The first and one of the most important, we think, is the sending
land area. And if you look on the overhead, it's the North Belle Meade
area. The North Belle Meade is the area where we have no
governmental agency as to date that wants to or is willing to take
ownership. The state agencies all in the South Belle Meade area are
more than welcome to receive those sending land properties, get those
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properties. The end goal of that program is to get those
environmentally sensitive sending-land properties into that managing
agency, a land-managing agency.
The state is willing to do so in South Belle Meade. The North
Belle Meade area -- and it's that North Belle Meade NRPA, which is
the Natural Resource Protection Area, that's the area we think that's the
most critical.
We think that there's some opportunities. We did have some
preliminary discussions with the Southwest Florida Land Preservation
Trust. They've expressed some interest in potentially an arrangement.
Conservation Collier, we know, is a potential opportunity.
What we're looking to do is just develop a policy towards where
we're going to explore to find the viability of local ownership, or if a
state agency was to come about, to find a managing entity for the
North Belle Meade, and we think that's a policy worthwhile for us to
explore, get to chew on the specifics, and present to the Board of
County Commissioners for your evaluation.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Can I make a comment or
questions, or do you want to wait till the end?
MR. BOSI: At your discretion.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Ask questions if you want. I know
Commissioner Fiala was first.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I didn't hit my button.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: That's all right.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Commissioner Fiala, you were
first.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I wanted to go back to that last slide,
yes. Okay. And we're talking about up here, right? Is that where
we're talking about?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I can't see where --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Oh, it's over there that we're talking
September 25, 2018
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about.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. That's North Belle
Meade. That's the North Belle Meade. This is the South Belle Meade.
This is the 6L Farms property. This is all Picayune State Forest down
there.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And Fakahatchee.
MR. BOSI: And connected to that -- and connected to that
concept of a local management in Conservation Collier or some other
local agency being the managing agency, it's directly tied to the TDR
credit imbalance. There's an imbalance right now. We look at the
amount of credits that could be available, the demand that we
ultimately think's going to be provided for to fulfill the receiving areas
and what the receiving areas allow for, and we notice -- you'll see on
the slide, there's a great imbalance. We need to recalibrate it. And
why that's related to the sending area, because if we can't identify an
agency to be the land-managing agency in that North Belle Meade, we
know that that fourth credit is not available.
So having at least recognition from a policy that we're going to try
to establish that is important, because we're -- we are going to
recalibrate this TDR system to make sure that the demand for the
TDRs and the supply for the TDRs are somewhat in equilibrium.
Of course, it won't be a perfect equilibrium. We'll have the
demand a little bit above where that supply is, but we know that it's too
great of a difference right now.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Can we go back to that?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: You've jumped two slides. I
still had a question on the one before, so...
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Go ahead.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Do we want him to finish his presentation
and then ask questions because I think it --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: It's fine with me.
September 25, 2018
Page 164
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: That will be okay, too.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Are you almost --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'll -- just back up one slide so I
can make a note on what I forgot already.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: That one?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes.
MR. BOSI: There's only 10 slides, so I think we're three in, four
in. So I think we're -- I could get it done pretty quickly. But if you
would like -- however you'd like, Chairman.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: No. Let's just finish your presentation.
That way it will be all at once, and then we can ask questions.
MR. BOSI: In the sending area -- the Natural Resource
Protection Area of North Belle Meade is tied to the credit imbalance,
and that's a portion to help us understand what's the modifications we
need to get that supply and demand and the correct equilibrium.
The second -- or another point that we really are wanting to put
forward and explore, the policy into the amendment of the village
density. Seven units per acre where we know is the one that we feel is
going to get you. And if you look at the bottom of the graphic, low
density provides you some houses and cars. You know, three units per
acre gets you a little bit more housing diversity, a little bit more
mobility options, but it's nothing -- but it's not quite the full range that
we were hoping for.
We really think seven gives you the critical mass that you would
need, the economies of scale that you need for the widest range of
housing diversity, for the widest range of transit options, and also the
greatest ability to support commercial ventures. Those economies of
scales are absolutely needed to be able to dictate to how much square
footage -- of supportable square footage an individual development
will be able to hit.
But we also are going to bring to you the village density at four
September 25, 2018
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units per acre so you can see what the difference is. We don't want to
just say, here's the only option available at seven units an acre. We'll
bring it at seven units per acre, we'll bring it four units per acre and try
to do some -- and try to do some comparisons in terms of what we
would expect in terms of yields of commercial square footage, the
yields of housing diversity, the range of housing options that are
available, the options for transit mobility. Those are the type of things
that we'll have as your backdrop, and then from there you can make a
decision as to what you think's most -- appropriate, whether it be
seven, whether it be four, whether it be somewhere within there or
some other -- some other arrangement that the Board would find
appropriate.
A fourth concept is the southern receiving area. One of the
modifications we're going to propose is agricultural TDR credits. For
the maintenance of agricultural moving into the future for the
perpetuation of agricultural activities, we want a TDR credit to
recognize that viability. Well, that TDR viability -- or that TDR credit
system has everything to do with the farming operations that will be
going on, that is currently going on in that southern area.
So we're asking to incorporate the ag TDRs with the revised
village density, with employment centers, coordination with the
landowners, and have an overall design plan for how that southern area
is going to move forward. But the most important part about that is --
and one of the things that -- when we first started this exercise, our
deputy county manager was concerned about servicing that area, so
that transportation modeling is going to have to be something that's
going to have to be in combination of -- with that effort, with the local
landowners, with all the different iterations of modifications that we're
having to the Rural Fringe Mixed Use District just to make sure that
we can handle the volumes from a traffic-capacity standpoint.
And here's some concepts that we are no longer pursuing. No
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longer pursuing the TDR bank. We're no longer pursuing the
mitigation bank. The concept of a simple majority process for village
developments is no longer being recommended. So these were three
concepts that the Board struggled with. There wasn't a tremendous
amount of support. And based upon our conversations, we think that
these ones we're going -- we're not going to pursue amendments
related to these concepts.
And then we just have a listing of some of the -- some of the areas
where the Board has agreed upon in terms of -- or amendments that
they would like to see that they've supported it with at least three of the
five board members casting support for.
As you can read on the screen, there's a number of them
specifically related to the TDR credit system: Eliminate the 25,000
base TDR credit; make TDR credits available to sending owners who
wish to continue the modified farming operation, as I indicated;
replacing that early-entry bonus with just a permanent two bonus for
participation in the program.
And then also some other ones that -- dictate to the receiving
land: To promote economic vitality; allow for business employment
centers outside of village centers, and those would be ones that are
directly tied to job-creating industrial type business opportunities.
Capped the total acreage on villages but remove the limitations of the
number, and then some modifications towards how TDRs will be
allocated in exchange in terms of for the type of developments they
were promoting.
And, overall, those were the -- a quick shoot of the number of
specific -- some of the specific modifications that the Board has agreed
upon. And here is some of the backdrops of some of the plans that we
utilized when we went and spoke with the community.
The Community Character Plan, the master mobility plan, the
housing, the housing plan, and the Collier Interactive Growth Models
September 25, 2018
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were all -- at one point in time were utilized to highlight some of the
concepts that we really wanted to engage the community on.
And the community was very vocal in terms of what they would
like to see, and what it was was an area that provides for a little bit
better interconnection, a little bit more mobility between places and
that -- and that relationship between where you live, where you work,
where you recreate, and where you gain your employment, and trying
to reduce the vehicle miles that are -- or the miles between each of
those individual locations and not have such a -- such drastic
separations between them.
And with that, I'll take any questions the Board may have.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. So now Commissioner McDaniel
was first.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay. These aren't necessarily
in any one particular order, but -- and just quickly, if you can, Michael,
review for me how soon do you want to bring these back, or are you
looking to take this to the Planning Commission after
recommendations from us today for the transmittal hearings?
MR. BOSI: This would be simply for us to go back, start drafting
the amendments, start doing some of the backwork related to the
village densities that we spoke about, get that within the system.
Currently right now we've got -- the Golden Gate Area Master Plan
was set to be on today's agenda. It's been postponed to December.
We have the rural -- we have Immokalee -- or the Immokalee
Master Plan amendments are satisfying staff review. We anticipate
those to be to the Planning Commission sometime around December.
So we're going to have two of the four in the process.
This will be the third of our fourth. We'd probably anticipate this
to be January or February where we would be talking to the Planning
Commission and then, ultimately, with the Board of County
Commissioners, I would probably imagine it in March.
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Good. That was a long answer,
but that's a good answer.
The rationale was our workshop with regard to what we're going
to look like when we grow up, what the densities are and so on and so
forth. There's time for us -- you know, for us to have that workshop
before they actually have the final tweaks on the densities and so ons.
So, you know, there's certain -- that's where I was looking to get
to from a timing standpoint for when you wanted -- for when you were
proposing to bring these things forward.
The question that keeps coming back to me, and it has to do with
the economic model, Michael. It has to do with the economic model
of supply and demand. And you -- there are propositions that you've
brought forward that have -- I think if you back up a slide -- that one,
No. 4 -- you're making changes in the requisites of the TDRs to do
multifamily, commercial, industrial, and the theoretical enhancement
of employment and economy and the like.
But have you actually looked at the supply/demand model with
the impacts of this with an estimation of the proposed acreage and
things?
MR. BOSI: Well, that's one of the -- the second slide that I
showed you, the recalibration of the TDR credit availability.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: This is existing.
MR. BOSI: Yeah. And this is your existing. So you see your --
the credits that you have available is 5,500. The demand for that is
13,500.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right.
MR. BOSI: That's directly related to how many credits we expect
to put into the system and then how many credits for the commodity
that it's proposing. And I think you're talking about the slide --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I didn't understand it. Maybe I
didn't ask the question clearly, and forgive me. I'm running out of gas,
September 25, 2018
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and it's not your fault. It's just me.
The question I'm asking is that supply/demand, that's the same --
that's the same supply/demand model that I've been looking at for a
year and a half when Mr. Van Lengen's been bringing it forward.
These suggestions, increase in TDRs for preservation and
protection of agriculture, these suggestions of reduction of TDR
requisites for commercial, multifamily, and the like have an impact on
that supply/demand model. And it would help me personally if I
knew, okay, Commissioner, right now you've got an imbalance of
8,000 TDRs currently-ish. And if we change it from 1 to .75, that
imbalance goes from here to here.
And if we and/or eliminate it completely on warehouse and
commercial so on -- if I saw that, that would really help me try to --
because as you know, you've listened to me regularly -- I'm about
establishing value for these TDRs. There has to be a marketplace for
them to go. It has to be both on the seller's side for the people who
have had their property rights displaced with these TDRs, and it also
has to be for the consumer that needs to purchase them now in order to
build commercial and industrial and warehouse and the like. So that
comparison would be a big assistance to me.
MR. BOSI: That's going to be part of the -- that's the math
equation. That -- and that's why we're -- it's one of the reasons why we
were so insistent of asking upon, do we figure out or figure the fourth
credit available for the North Belle Meade area, because that's a
component. That's a factor within that overall equation that we're
trying to evaluate.
So that will be part of the data and analysis that's going to be
attached to your -- to the specific amendment. So I don't have that for
you today, but that will be part of the transmittal hearings. And when
we get to the recalibration of the TDRs and what one TDR could get
you, whether it be, you know, for a single-family compared to
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multifamily compared to other, those will be -- that will be part of how
we got there to explain that.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'm okay with that. It will just
help me if we were -- if we had that comparison to that.
MR. BOSI: Yes.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: When you were talking about a
private not-for-profit state agency, government agency accepting the
lands in order that you -- because you don't get the release of those
TDRs until you actually make that contribution.
MR. BOSI: Well, and the -- for the conveyance bonus, that's
simply conveying your property --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right.
MR. BOSI: -- to a state agency.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Correct. So in theory -- and
that, again -- this all flies back to that supply/demand model. If you
don't have -- if you don't have a conveyance agency, you can't unlock
the conveyance credits, which is then going to deplete the theoretical
availability of credits, and are those included in the supply side now or
to be?
MR. BOSI: They are -- those were allocated within the supply
side as of now.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay. And I think that's
approximating that we have to --
MR. BOSI: Oh, that most certainly will be part of the equation.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: If we don't have an agency to
bequeath the land to, you can't get the conveyance credits, so that's
going to actually reduce the availability of the TDRs that are out there
in the marketplace. So that's -- that's a serious -- or not -- it's just
something that we need to take into consideration.
And the last -- I just -- I had heard some discussion, and there was
some discussion about 6Ls being removed from or set aside from
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existing rural fringe process; is that still on the table out of there?
MR. BOSI: Not set aside a unique aspect, and that is related to
the southern area approach. This is a one-area approach where we're
sort of -- I don't want to say "sort of." It's going to be akin to a sector
plan or a master planning for this. We're going to engage -- hold a
number of public meetings, engage the landowners down there.
Obviously, 6Ls being one of the majority landowners of --
incorporated.
Here's all the updates that have been provided with the Rural
Fringe Mixed Use District. Here's your opportunities. What's the --
what's your companies or, from a landowners' perspective, what's your
plans on how you want to build within these confines and what's the
best way to arrange these so we get the greatest efficiencies, but we
also have to recognize the limitations.
As of now, we have one road that services that southern receiving
area, and that's problematic. So the transportation modeling is going to
have to be a necessary component of that discussion, because it's going
to place some realities upon us to what we can and can't do in
relationship to the box that we're going to be working within.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, and in that light, then,
you know, there are -- it is currently included in the Rural Fringe
Mixed Use District.
MR. BOSI: Yes.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: They do have vested rights
with regard to the ownership there. There is potentially an
enhancement of the supply side of TDRs if 6Ls were to decide they
wanted to perpetually be farmers and never build homes on that so
they could generate TDRs by perpetually protecting that land and add
to the supply side.
So I'm -- as we're moving through -- and, again, you have to take
into consideration the current vestitures that are in place, but some
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scenarios of how many credit generate -- how many TDRs are going to
be generated for the protection of agricultural acreage and what that,
again, is going to fly back into the supply -- demand/supply side of the
equation, because that's ultimately going to be your determining factor
for the valuation of the TDRs.
MR. BOSI: And I agree. And as -- you've hit a number of things.
It's a very sensitive equation, and each individual movement has an
affect upon it, and we have to be conscious of that, and that's what --
we're going to try to bind that balance.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I will be done.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. On that map that you have up
there right now --
MR. BOSI: Yes, ma'am.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- my question is there's a square
that's a complete square. What is that? Doesn't look like it's included
in this section. What is that?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: What color is the square?
MR. BOSI: That -- that square right here?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes.
MR. BOSI: That's individual ownership.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: That's outside of 6Ls.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay. Oh, I see. Okay, fine. Okay.
Do you know, what is it owned by, or is it an industrial area, or is it a
--
MR. BOSI: No. It's receiving area. It's within that receiving
area. It's within -- it's just individual ownership.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: But inside the 6Ls?
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: It's not part of 6L.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: What'd you say, Bob?
MR. MULHERE: Sorry. I'm sorry. Excuse me. It's just a bunch
September 25, 2018
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of different landowners. That just represents small parcels of
ownership. So there's a whole bunch of -- I'm not referring to their
stature. Holders of smaller parcels of land.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Like hunting lands and stuff like
that?
MR. MULHERE: No. Farmland, single-family homes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Oh. I didn't even know there were
any homes out there.
MR. MULHERE: Like, off of Greenway, for example.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Greenway Road.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Oh, Greenway Road. Is that -- oh, I
see. Oh, then that's all Habitat owned back there, is that?
MR. MULHERE: Some of it, yeah.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. And another thing I wanted to
know was -- oh, yeah. I got the square off of there. We always brag
about how much land we keep in preservation and then we talk about
the animals and so forth, and the animals have plenty of place to roam
and play and copulate and so forth, so --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I just poked myself in the eye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I was just wondering, is this going to
be --
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Could we get that read back?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I thought I was the one running
out of juice.
(Multiple speakers speaking.)
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: -- mouthing those words --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I didn't know a good word to use.
Propagate maybe. That would be --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: That was a good word. Reproduce.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Reproduce. Anyway, I was just
wondering, was this land that you -- that we're now looking at, is that
September 25, 2018
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any part of that preserve area, or is that not in that area?
MR. BOSI: Well, if you look at the map that I just brought up --
and that's the overall designation of the entire Rural Fringe Mixed Use
District -- the color that you see the most predominant -- and I'm not
good with colors because I'm a male. I believe it's orange, brownish --
that is sending. That means those are the areas we've deemed the most
environmentally sensitive for all those activities that you've described.
And the blue areas are the areas where we anticipate the development
to be sent to.
So the exchange of environmentally sensitive to areas that can be
developed is much more predominant toward the environmentally
sensitive areas, as you can see from the map. So, yes, it has most
certainly been considered, and it's one of the underlying principles of
the Rural Fringe Mixed Use District.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So where -- when this is all said and
done, we're still not violating into the Everglades, are we?
MR. BOSI: No.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And we're still not taking any of that
preserve land. We're going to still be able to have bragging rights over
79 percent of our land in preservation, right?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Plus.
MR. BOSI: What we're doing today --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I'm not asking you.
MR. BOSI: What this Board of County Commissioners did in
2004 when they adopted the Rural Fringe Mixed Use District and said,
we understand that we are the very next door to the CERP. CERP is
the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program. We're next door,
and we're going to influence, and we will have the ability to influence
a federal program that -- it's $17 billion to -- for the Comprehensive
Everglades Restoration Program.
So we're doing a better job and a mindful job of what's the best
September 25, 2018
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way to arrange our land uses, condense them on the least amount of
impactful space, but be most sustainable and efficient in terms of how
we provide for those land uses. And it's directly related to that
sensitivity that sits just to the east of this area.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay. Yeah. I think that we're
going to need to know that, because we always -- and I'm going to
speak just for myself. And I always say, when people say we've got too
much growth going on, we can't have any more growth, I always say, it
feels like that because we have all this land set aside, but that's where
the animals are living. That's why they're so healthy and they
reproduce, and we're on the rest of it. But if that's going away, too,
we're not going to have --
MR. BOSI: Commissioner? Commissioner? We -- two-thirds of
Collier County will never be developed. We have spent -- the 16 years
of my career here, we have spent endless deliberations on the most
efficient and best way to impact one-third of our county. That -- that's
a math equation that always favors that we are not overdeveloping.
We are trying to be mindful of the footprints that we are laying down
for the greatest amount of sustainability within environmental
stewardship and the backdrop of what we're trying to do.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay. Two more questions. What
is "defined affordable housing"? Under receiving lands
recommendation, it says "defined affordable housing." What is that?
MR. BOSI: Affordable housing is defined by our Growth
Management Plan and our LDC, and actually we're -- we're bringing
some changes to the Board as it was directed from your housing plan
for the allocation of density bonuses related to affordable housing. But
it's simply the same affordable housing -- housing affordability that
we've been talking about for a year and a half.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay. Because I haven't heard that
word before. So I've heard "approved," but I haven't heard "defined."
September 25, 2018
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MR. BOSI: And just as a sidenote, the Rural Fringe Mixed Use
District is the only area within our Growth Management Plan that we
require affordable housing within our village development.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: It looks like it's going to be mostly
affordable housing when we see a huge block of it all just -- all just
low income or very low income. Is that going to be the concentration
of it, then, for the rest of the county?
MR. BOSI: If you're referring to those individual parcels of land
that we --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes.
MR. BOSI: No. Those are just -- those are five-acre lots. Those
are ag lots -- existing ag lots. They're not really part of the
development schedule that's going to be provided for within the Rural
Fringe Mixed Use District, the type of developments we're promoting.
So it's somewhat separate.
The component -- the anticipated -- the reason why we are
suggesting higher densities within the village was related to housing
affordability. We want to make sure that we have a wide range of
housing that -- not only home ownership but rental is provided for as
well so we can hit a wider spectrum of the needs of the community.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So we're planning on it being in the
-- the RLSA, right? No, not RLSA -- RFMUD, right?
MR. BOSI: The Rural Fringe Mixed Use District, we're -- we
want to promote the widest range of housing diversity that we can
within the Rural Fringe Mixed Use District. And per the GMP, 10
percent of a village development has to be affordable housing
currently.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Right, but that doesn't always
happen when they move it to another area and get the credit for it,
right? Yeah -- well, you know that. Okay. Thank you very much.
MR. BOSI: Thank you.
September 25, 2018
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CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Taylor?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Just a question. So the
underlying zoning right now is one unit per five acres?
MR. BOSI: In the Rural Fringe Mixed Use District, it's left over
from ag, so yes, 1-to-5.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: One-to-five. And so you are
looking at 1-to-4 and 1-to-7 scenario?
MR. BOSI: Within the villages.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Okay, good. Within the villages.
MR. BOSI: Only within the villages. And outside the villages
it's capped at one unit per one acre.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Forgive me. That was a --
1-to-4 and 1-to-7. It's the other way around. It's 7-to-1 and 4-to-1.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Oh, yeah. Okay.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Yeah, it's 1-to-5 and then --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yeah, I know what I meant. Yes,
seven units per acre.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay. She's writing down
everything that I misspeak, so...
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I was corrected. Make sure you
note that in the minutes that I was corrected by Commissioner
McDaniel, vice chairman.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: But it was done respectfully.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yeah. You're right. That's
correct.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: So --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: That's it.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So now with this -- I'm sorry. I
didn't push my button.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Do you have something else?
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah. When we -- now that we've
discussed all of these things, have we worked out anything that we're
going to be voting on, or do we just --
MR. BOSI: The only thing -- what staff is seeking from the
Board of County Commissioners is the -- just on the direction to move
forward, develop the amendments that will be contained to the Rural
Fringe Mixed Use District, we'll develop those amendments, take them
to the Planning Commission, they'll make a recommendation, and then
we'll present those to the Board of County Commissioners, so --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: So moved.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: You're just asking for direction to go
forward and start --
MR. BOSI: Correct.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: -- preparing these amendments?
MR. BOSI: Correct.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Persevering. So moved.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Let's pull the trigger and have staff start
doing the work.
MR. BOSI: We did that with Immokalee as well as Golden Gate,
and it was basically we just wanted to make sure that we had hit all the
key areas from a policy perspective that the Board of County
Commissioners were desiring.
So this is the request to have staff go out, develop the
amendments, and bring it through the amendment process.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: So moved.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Second.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: There's a motion and a second. There are
some public speakers.
MR. MILLER: Yes, Mr. Chairman. Two public speakers on this
item. Your first speaker is April Olson. She will be followed by
Robert Mulhere.
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: She should get extra minutes for
listening to us for so long.
MS. OLSON: Good afternoon, Commissioners. April Olson here
on behalf of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
And the Conservancy appreciates all the hard work that staff has
put into these recommendations, and we want to thank Commissioner
McDaniel for some of your comments, because we do have some
unresolved questions that we would like clarification on as well before
the language is drafted.
At the beginning of the RFMUD review, we had jointly submitted
with Thousand Friends of Florida our suggestions for the RFMUD
review. And through stakeholder processes, we believe there are a
number of consensus recommendations that should be pursued.
Staff provided you last year with a white paper containing a
number of recommendations for program modifications along with
their justifications for these changes, and many of these
recommendations are supported by the Conservancy, such as limitation
of the 25,000 minimum price for the base TDR.
Others we have concerns about, especially the impacts and
implications of adding more TDRs to all sending lands, even those
lands where TDRs have already been severed.
And in looking back at the three workshops with the Board, they
are likely recommendations on the -- there are likely recommendations
on this list that may not have Board consensus.
And we appreciate staff's desire to move forward on the GMP
language for the RFMUD. On the other hand, it's unclear if some of
the recommendations have been sufficiently vetted as to be appropriate
for moving forward to the amendment drafting stage. For example, the
recommendation for adopting a standard whereby Collier County
agrees to take clear title to land donated by sending owners in locations
where no other public agency is available and willing to take title. Is
September 25, 2018
Page 180
there board consensus that this is in the best interest of the county? It
didn't seem to be resolved at the end of last year's workshops.
A suggestion would be to include a recap of this in your October
workshop before authorizing Comp Plan amendment language on
these recommendations. You have not discussed these
recommendations for over a year. It might be worthwhile to recap
before directing staff to proceed; however, if you do authorize staff to
move forward today, we look forward to providing inputs on these --
as these recommendations move forward.
Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next and final speaker on this item is Robert
Mulhere.
MR. MULHERE: Thank you. I know it's late. I'll be as brief as I
possibly can be.
Bruce Anderson and I -- Bruce is probably sitting on a beach with
a convivial somewhere, but I'm still here. We worked to represent a
group of landowners out there which really started this process,
because we came forward with a white paper. The Board reviewed
that white paper, agreed with not all of the items on it, but said this is
worth studying, and that resulted in these four restudies that you're
doing, one of which is the Rural Fringe Mixed Use District.
I also represent a few other clients out there, and I support staff's
recommendation. I think the best way at this point is for you to react
to some specific language and for the Planning Commission to take the
first bite at that apple and, you know, do some hard work on it, and
then it will come to you, and you get two sets of public hearings on
that.
But I do have a couple of small items that I want to bring to your
attention, I think relatively small. The non-village sending land, you
know, by my estimate, there's probably about 8,500 -- if 100 percent of
the acreage allocated to villages got built, there's about 8,500 acres,
September 25, 2018
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plus-or-minus, of non-village acreage that would be left in receiving.
That's capped at one unit per acre. It's already been demonstrated that
one unit per acre is not supportable in the marketplace.
I would suggest that the staff look at where it might be
appropriate to increase that. Now, I want to be clear, I'm not talking
about adding more density, because the landowner would have to go
and get TDRs to be able to get up to that higher density, which may be
two, two-and-a-half, or three units per acre.
I think there's general agreement in this area right here, and this
area down here, as Mike said, may be the subject of a separate
analysis.
So I just want to suggest that that would be something important
for staff -- I've talked to staff about it, and they agree that they would
look at this issue, but I think it's important that the Board also be aware
of it.
The other thing is that there's a little -- part of the thing -- one of
the elements of this whole restudy was not only to look at the receiving
areas for residential development, but also commercial, business park,
maybe even industrial in some locations that would be job-creation
areas, and I think, Commissioner McDaniel, you referenced that. I'll
be real quick.
These areas are surrounded by the Estates. So if you do
something that's job creative or that is commercial in nature, you're
going to change the travel patterns in a favorable way, as Mike
suggested.
There's a little area of industrial about -- I don't know what it is,
100 acres, maybe 200. It's right here.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Acres?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes.
MR. MULHERE: Yeah. It's a little industrial area. It's got some
industrial development, and at one time it had a road building kind of
September 25, 2018
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function down there.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Can he have an extra minute?
MR. MULHERE: I'll be really quick.
All I'm suggesting is that there ought to be a policy -- I have
clients that own land adjacent to that. There ought to be a policy that
they could come in and ask for an industrial PUD or industrial zoning.
You're still going to get the chance to look at it. They've got to rezone
it.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right.
MR. MULHERE: You're still going to have the opportunity. But
right now they've got to do a Comp Plan plus a rezone. Doesn't make
any sense. So those are my two suggestions to be added.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you.
MR. MULHERE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you. I think we're past due for a
break for our court reporter. I'm sorry -- oh, we have a motion and a
second.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: We do.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: And before we vote, are we okay
with staff considering the remarks of both speakers here in
understanding that -- not to change it, not to necessarily to bring it
back, by to consider that as they go forward? Are we okay with that?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Mostly everything that both of
the speakers said's already part of what's in the white paper and
presentation that staff made today.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Right, and it's been submitted to
us.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Mr. Mulhere's got a couple of
specificities that maybe weren't or not, but he can make sure that that --
again, it's all going to get vetted when it goes to the Planning
Commission.
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Didn't waste your time.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: No, no.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Very good. There's a motion and a
second. All in favor, say aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Recommendation's approved.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I don't know. You're kind of
tying Commissioner McDaniel at, like, some meetings here.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: You think? What's up with the
-- let's go to break. Poor Terri needs a break.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. We'll come back at -- 10 minutes?
3:52.
(A brief recess was had.)
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, you have a live mic.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thank you, Mr. County Manager. We're
on to 11E?
Item #11E
RECOMMENDATION TO COMPLETE THE ANNUAL
PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL FOR THE COUNTY MANAGER –
MOTION TO APPROVE – APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Yes. This is a recommendation to accept the
completed Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Manager.
September 25, 2018
Page 184
Commissioners, as you know, my employment agreement with
the Board requires each year that the Board conduct an annual
performance review of the County Manager based, at least in part, on
the self-appraisal that I've submitted. The Board has graciously and
dutifully completed their assignment and provided me with their
individual appraisal assessment.
I do truly appreciate the Board's acknowledgment of our
accomplishments over the last year and equally appreciate the
constructive criticism and the suggestions for improvement in my
performance that some of you have indicated, and I take those
seriously, and I'll be working on those over the course of the next year.
I will tell you from my perspective I thought we've had a very
successful and productive year, thanks in large measure to the
leadership of this Board and dedicated staff work. I think we've got an
organization that we can be proud of. It's high performing, I would say
financially sound, pretty driven by the customer, and I think generally
well-respected in the community.
So, again, I appreciate it, and a motion, I guess, sir, would be in
order to accept the appraisal for the past year.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I'll make a motion.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Second -- third.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I think we all second it.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. It's a 5-0 second.
MR. OCHS: I guess I should put the total score. It's on a scale of
1-to-3 on the bottom. The overall average grade is about 2.65, so...
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Oh, leave it up there, please. So
I'm not very good at math. If we could just change that 2.32 to 2.34,
it's really what I meant. I'm only off by what, two-tenths of a decimal,
so I'm not sure --
MR. OCHS: We'll make sure that we get that into the record.
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: All right. Good.
MR. OCHS: Thank you very much.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Forget your calculator?
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: There's a motion and four seconds. All in
favor, say aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: It's approved.
MR. OCHS: Thank you, Commissioners.
Item #11F
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS EXTEND THE COUNTY MANAGER
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH LEO E. OCHS, JR., FIXING
THE END DATE OF THE FOURTH EXTENSION TERM AS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 – MOTION TO APPROVE – APPROVED
Item 11F is a recommendation that the Board consider the
extension of the County Manager's employment agreement through
September 30, 2021.
Commissioners, again, as you know, as a condition of my
employment agreement with the Board, the year preceding the
termination of the then existing contract, I have an opportunity to ask
the Board for an extension of the agreement.
There's a lot of work in the pipeline right now that I'd like to see
September 25, 2018
Page 186
completed, not the least of which is the expansion of our utility system.
I think the completion of our four land-use plans is something that's
important I'd like to see through; the development of our transportation
network going forward; the development of our amateur sports
complex is an exciting project; certainly the implementation of your
Community Housing Plan; the development of the Big Corkscrew
Island Regional Park; the economic incentive zones that were created
this morning in Golden Gate City and the one recently at Davis and
951, I think, is an exciting project; certainly, the implementation of the
TIGER grant that just got recently awarded.
A lot of good things happening in Immokalee in the next few
years; and, of course, the mini-triangle project here in the
Bayshore/Gateway mini-triangle. We're hoping in the spring, once we
get that communications tower issue resolved, that can move forward
in full force.
So, again, I think there's a lot of good work ahead of us, and I'm
certainly strongly desirous of leading the organization. I think I've
demonstrated my ability to do that and would appreciate an
opportunity to continue serving you and the county.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I'll make a motion to approve
the agreement, but I would like to point out that the Manager didn't
mention anything about stormwater utilities.
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And I'll second it.
MR. OCHS: I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: You're smarter than the
average bear.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: But could I --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Sure.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- put a caveat? This time will you
September 25, 2018
Page 187
try and involve us more in these decisions before they're presented to
us and involve the community as well?
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am, absolutely. I'm already working on it.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I would just add, you know, I think the
real challenge, I think, for a leader certainly is a natural disaster, and
we certainly had one of those. And I would just like to commend the
County Manager for leading us through that and leading the staff and
having the right staff. I mean, that's -- the proof is in the pudding, so...
MR. OCHS: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: A job well done.
MR. OCHS: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Thanks.
And, Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. You know, we make a lot
of jokes with regard to what's, in fact, going on. I went through the
previous agenda item and read what my colleagues wrote with regard
to your performance, and I'm sure they read ours. We all read each
others'.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: If we could read their writing.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, I'm sorry. I notice you
typed yours out. I didn't.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah, I did. You wouldn't be able to
read mine.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: So with that, it's certainly a
pleasure -- certainly a pleasure working with you. And I know we're
just going to do nothing than get better as we continue to meld.
MR. OCHS: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Is there a motion?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: There was.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: A motion and four other seconds?
September 25, 2018
Page 188
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It was predicated on no
stormwater fee. I do want to say that.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: All in favor, say aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: All opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: It's approved.
MR. OCHS: Thank you very much, Commissioners.
Item #12A
THE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL FOR THE
COUNTY ATTORNEY – MOTION TO APPROVE – APPROVED
That moves us on to the County Attorney's report. Item 12A is to
approve the completion of the Annual Performance Appraisal for the
County Attorney.
MR. KLATZKOW: And, like Leo -- and we have substantially
identical contracts -- my contract also requires an Annual Performance
Appraisal for the County Attorney. I appreciate the comments, and I
appreciate your completing it. And I'm here for any questions.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Move approval.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Motion and a second. All in favor?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
September 25, 2018
Page 189
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: It's approved.
Item #12B
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS EXTENDS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 –
MOTION TO APPROVE – APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Item 12B is a --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Motion to approve 12B.
MR. OCHS: Yes, to extend County Attorney employment
agreement through September 30, 2021.
MR. KLATZKOW: And again, like Leo, my contract requires a
year beforehand to come back to the Board for another two-year term.
I'm respectfully requesting that two-year term.
I'd like to really thank my staff. I have what I think to be the best
staff in Collier County. And Leo may disagree, but I believe my
people are really as good as they come. They work hard. They care
about what they do.
I come out of the private world, and that was in-house counsel for
15 years, and came to here, and it is an absolute privilege working for
the Board of County Commissioners doing public service. The
difference from what I used to do, every now and then I'd shave and I
just did not look at my face. And what I do now is just night and day.
I can't think of a thing I've done in the years I've been here that
I'm not proud of. I'm proud of the people I work with; Leo's staff, my
September 25, 2018
Page 190
staff. I've yet to find anybody in the county who didn't think first of
what's right for the public. I may disagree with them from time to time,
but everybody here truly cares about the public, and it's just an
absolute pleasure to work in this environment, and I would appreciate
another two years.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: You already moved.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: There's a motion and a second. All in
favor?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: It's approved.
Item #15
STAFF AND COMMISSION GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, that takes us to Item 15, staff and
commission general communications.
Again, Commissioners, you just have one workshop for February
5th on your BCC transit system scheduled for 9 a.m. We'll have
another workshop for the item we talked about today on your next
agenda, probably in March, I think, which is the discussion about the
future growth plan. You said you wanted to have a workshop about
that.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: About the RFMUD?
MR. OCHS: No. Commissioner Taylor suggested --
September 25, 2018
Page 191
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yeah, but that's about the
RFMUD, too, so it probably needs to be before March.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes.
MR. OCHS: Okay.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: If we're going to look at --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Well, the amendments aren't going to
come back from staff --
MR. OCHS: Probably till April, but --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Oh. Oh, okay.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, we'd want to have something
in place, a policy in place way before that.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Because it's got to go to the Planning
Commission.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I mean, if we can do it earlier, we
can do it earlier.
MR. OCHS: Okay.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: As always; yesterday.
MR. OCHS: Get ready for January then, right after the holiday.
We'll schedule it then.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Good new-year discussion.
MR. OCHS: Thank you. That's all I have.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Well, I mean, are we going to be -- I mean,
I'd like to talk about that. I mean, I'd -- I think it's going to be a
function of how far along staff is with their analysis, because what we
authorized today was to go forth and do the analysis and bring us back
the kind of analysis that Commissioner McDaniel was talking about.
MR. OCHS: Yeah. Sir, what I heard was the Board had some
interest in talking in the larger context about, you know, what's our
ultimate buildout going to be and --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Density.
MR. OCHS: -- having that discussion compared to what it
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currently is in our current planning documents. I mean --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Preservation.
MR. OCHS: We do know, as Commissioner McDaniel stated, in
our plan there is a buildout plan, and there is a projected maximum
population, and there currently is a land-use plan for the whole county.
And my understanding is the Board wants to kind of revisit that in
a workshop setting. That's a big undertaking. And, you know, if
you're going to try to do these individual restudy plans in between, it's
going to be difficult to make it all sync up.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Makes sense, right. I mean, changes that
-- some of the changes that were referenced today in the RFMUD may
have an impact on that.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Of course it will. That's why we
have to make a decision how many people we want here before we put
these changes, these very important changes, into -- into stone.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: It's just my opinion that the changes -- the
total population's going to be a function of how many TDRs, how
many credits there are, and that's a function of what the goals are of
these programs. So, I mean, I think we have a chicken-and-the-egg
problem. I just don't want to have -- I think January would be, I think,
way too early just because it's two months away and we have the
holidays, so -- or three months away, but it's --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: But it should be while people are
here, because that's who we're hearing the complaints from.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Sure.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I'm sure you-all are getting those
same complaints.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I just want to make sure -- we've had
workshops, and we've had other workshops. I'm just hoping that this
will be the workshop where we get to answer these questions and we
can move forward with these plans. I think that's -- we have spun our
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wheels somewhat.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: But I think you said it. You know,
you were very articulate. And if I'm incorrect, correct me. But I think
what you said is that the amount of TDRs that we create will determine
our eventual population; that is why it's critical that we decide what
our population should be before we give more TDRs.
So, again, are we doing it project by project, plan by plan, or are
we looking at the larger picture and then using that framework by
which we make our decisions for plans and for projects and for
different developments that will be coming before us?
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. And I have thrown this system out
of whack, so --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I hit my button three times.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Well, you're here, but Commissioner
Fiala's first, and then Commissioner Saunders.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Just on that subject, just a little bit,
and that is, there's two ways of looking at that. For instance, right now
we're saying about what the people have said and, you know, limit the
TDRs or limit the densities and so forth because they're beginning to
feel very crowded. On the other hand, to go back an eon ago, Sarasota
tried that, and they stopped building roads and, you know, had a way
of controlling the growth, except they didn't have any control at all
over it. The people kept coming whether they liked it or not.
So you can't really stop people from coming in. You have to
figure out how best to accommodate them. But, you know, maybe
there's a way to slow it down; I don't know.
And then as far as the Growth Management Plan, that thing has
changed so much over the last 20 years; it doesn't even look like the
same piece of paper that it used to be. So those are my comments.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Yeah. I'm kind of concerned
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about the staff time that we have. Obviously, we have a limitation on
how many things staff can do at the same time. When we start talking
about a workshop on how many people we want to have in the county,
I'm not sure how you get your arms around that.
We have all these different Growth Management Plans, and those
plans will, in large measure, determine how many people are going to
be moving into the eastern part of Collier County. And I think it may
be more efficient to deal with each one of those plans and make
determinations then.
For example, we're talking about four units per acre versus seven
units per acre. Those are the types of decisions that are going to
impact the number of people that we have here. But just to try to come
up with a number, I mean, I'm not sure if that's what we're talking
about. If it is, then, I don't know how staff can, over the next couple of
months, put something together for us.
So I think that -- I agree that if we're going to do this, we should
have something during the time period when we have our people here.
But trying to cram something in until January, I think you're going to
take away a lot of effort on all of the other things that staff's working
on, and I think that's a mistake.
I just don't understand -- I'm not sure how staff can do it. Maybe
the Manager can enlighten me on that, but I just don't know how you
put something together.
MR. OCHS: Well, that's why I raise it, sir, not to be
argumentative. But from a scheduling standpoint, we've put the
Golden Gate Area Master Plan amendments on hold for 90 days. We
just talked about a potential schedule for the RFMUD amendments.
We still have the RLSA to do.
If we're talking about getting to a final number before any of
those things come forward, then that's one way to approach it, I guess,
but it's not the way we had been proceeding, and that's why I wanted to
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have a little discussion on what the Board's expectations were for this
workshop and how it -- how it may or may not affect the sequencing of
the amendments that are being developed currently.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. And the timing is -- I
would like to have the discussion, because if nothing else it will help
remind some about what's already, in fact, in place. That's on the
global thing.
I mean, you know, we made a decision today to move the
RFMUD transmittal processes forward based upon the
recommendations and the like. But I think if we were to present the
FLUE, present the GMP, present the RFMUD in its current density
position, the RLSA in its adopted original plan with the units and the
population that's associated with it, the Golden Gate Estates map. I
mean, we all talk about 50 percent, but nobody talks about the people
and the densities that are associated with that.
And then -- and there's where we are, and we can apply Nick's
2.34, .43 people, however many people he applies per the units to the
population. And then we can go, okay, here's where we're talking about
over here in the RFMUD if we increase these TDRs and what that
applies to in units and, ultimately, people, and then the same thing with
the RLSA.
Some people consider them innocuous increases in credits that,
ultimately, end up being more people. Some people don't think they're
so innocuous. But there are some -- there are specific totals that are
already in place.
So -- and, again, Commissioner Saunders, you bring up a very
valid point. We have a lot of -- we have a lot of things that are going
on, but I think a meeting while our visiting or part-time residents are
here is a good time to do that and have a discussion as to what the
current allowances, in fact, are.
September 25, 2018
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Because, like you said, Commissioner Fiala -- you mentioned it a
couple times, Commissioner Fiala, that, you know, we all get these
letters of objection of don't let anybody else come and how much are
we preserving and protecting, and we can do that, I mean, and actually
show it as a definitive, and then express our opinions accordingly.
MR. OCHS: So would you like me to refrain from bringing any
amendments forward until you have that workshop?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: No, I think it's requisite. I
mean, actually, the -- my personal opinion, I think -- I mean, the rural
fringe isn't going to be done for -- or excuse me, RLSA's not going to
be done for a while. Immokalee's substantively done. We're in the
final stages of that. Golden Gate Estates, really, the only reason we're
continuing its transmittal hearings is just to tweak the commercial and
the compatibility with commercial development with a right-of-way
taking, so -- and we're not really proposing any large density changes
there other than -- unless an expansion of those commercial nodes is
there.
But I wouldn't stop working on any of the transmittals. I mean,
they're all in process. But having that discussion on a global
population, our existing FLUE map, Future Land Use Map -- Element
is -- I think will be, if anything, a really good education for our people
-- for our population.
Sorry, Terri, I'm stuttering.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Taylor, I was just going to
add, I would just remind everyone, we just had a presentation a couple
months ago from staff on the RLSA and the history and the numbers
and the calculations, right? We all recall that?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I do. I live with it.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I mean, we've had that, so -- on at least the
RLSA.
Commissioner Taylor?
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: For me this is a lot more than just
-- and extremely important that folks are, you know, writing. I think
Commissioner Fiala's accurate about that; there are great concerns out
there.
But I started reviewing my Hurricane Irma folder yesterday and
looked at one of the things we need, which is more safe places for
people to go in hurricanes. That's infrastructure. So what are we doing
here? And then, of course, the other aspect is the amount of roads that
are going to be built and what the cost of those roads are to the
taxpayers, not only this generation, but future generations.
So I think it's incumbent that we look at how many people we
expect here, what kind of infrastructure we can provide for those
people in case of emergencies like hurricanes, but also what kind of
infrastructure are they going to be -- is going to be required for
transportation, for fire, for all those things that go along with living in a
community like ours.
So for me this is a necessary planning exercise that will hopefully
provide the framework so that when projects come before us we have a
standard, or we have a framework by which we can decide whether or
not we want to grant extra density. Not what's existing. What's
existing's existing. It's vested. We must respect that. I'm talking about
the request for more, so that's why I'd like to do this. And I think the
sooner we do it the better but, clearly, it has to be done with staff's
being able to do it and do it in the right way.
MR. OCHS: We'll get it done.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: All right. Probably March.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Okay. Great. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Very good.
MR. OCHS: That's all I have.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: That's all you have? That was enough.
MR. OCHS: That's enough trouble for one day.
September 25, 2018
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CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. Mr. County Attorney?
MR. KLATZKOW: Nothing, sir.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Madam Clerk?
THE CLERK: No. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Just one comment. I'm positive
that you're running these meetings longer than my budget hearing.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: You're not helping me.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'm just saying it out loud.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Come on.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I'm timing this. He's over.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I just have one quick comment
that I want to make, and I want to bring it to your attention again.
County Manager and I spoke about it yesterday. We have an RFI
out for the Immokalee airport for the public/private partnership out
there. Please make it part of your world. If you know of anyone, any
aviation business or of the like that would be interested in looking at
that.
The RFI is available -- or there's term on it until October. And we
spoke about continuing that for a period of time, but I just would like
to -- maybe when we come back in our first meeting in October I could
get a report on how many inquiries we have; and if you know of
anybody that might have an interest in participating with us out there,
please bring it up. It's a white paper. Do you even -- you know we
have one out on it.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: No. Don't know it.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Imagine that. So the --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Can I get a copy of it?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes, ma'am. It's really simple.
It's a very nice, very simple, here's our 1,300-acre pen. We make
$250,000 and spend 110-. What do you want to do?
September 25, 2018
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COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Okay.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Here's the zoning. Here's the
things we're looking for. We're looking for some sort -- when I was in
D.C. back in March, I went and met with the folks at the FAA, talked
about the pilot program that the Feds have with regard to the
public/private partnerships of municipal airports, and that was what
precipitated this RFI, so that's my only comment.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I have a number of them, but I'll try
and keep them very short.
First one is, do you have those awards over there or --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: They're right down there in
front.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay, good. First of all, these are all
awards to the Tourism Department. They received the U.S. Travel
Association Destiny Award for Social Media Campaign last month.
The CVB won it for its Hurricane Irma organic Facebook response,
and so that was one of them. I don't know where that is, but --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It's right here by you.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: No, that isn't it at all.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Oh, it's not. This one?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: No, it isn't. Sorry. You're trying to
assist me. I'll let you know when to assist.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes, ma'am.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: The second thing is the Visitors
Bureau won two Excellence in Craft awards for the tourism member
self-promotion category. One of them was the glide through the
Everglades on a pole boat. It was a video, and it was used on the
destination website paradisecoast.com and third place for the one
entitled "Paradise Coast is clear" video used in destination advertising
and social media after Hurricane Irma.
So they won three different awards for all of those things, and I
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think that's wonderful. And we just heard about it yesterday at the
TDC meeting.
But the biggest award they won is -- would you hand -- now you
can show that. Stand up with that beautiful thing. And that's called
"The Henry," the top award in the tourism advocacy category of the
annual Flagler award for the 2017 Paradise Coast Tourism Star awards
program themed "Put Paradise on the Map," and there it is.
Okay. So I wanted -- I'm so proud of what they're doing; I
thought I should brag about that a little bit, don't you think? That's it
for that.
Then I have something on a totally different topic, and that is we
were -- as we were -- as we finished the 951 expansion, and it was so
beautiful but, of course, we had to leave a lot of area in the middle for
a future overpass so that they can take that overpass and just place it on
there. But right now it just left a lot of grass. And a little birdie -- can
I tell them who told me, who suggested this?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Sure.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay. Nick Casalanguida said,
wouldn't that be great if we had some type of a sculpture or something
in there? He said, that would really be so nice.
And I said, yeah, that would be good.
So we talked to the people down in landscaping, because that
being an area that I'm -- you know, where I live, so we talked to the
people down in landscaping, and they said, yeah, that would be good,
but we didn't know what to do with it. So they went out and asked for
people, if anybody had ideas or artwork or whatever, to be in the
middle of the road. And so it went out, and we got a couple offers, and
it just didn't feel right in the road.
So I called an old friend of mine. His name is Marton Varo. He
is the sculptor who created the angels over there at the Garden of Hope
at NCH. He also created the Ascension at Ave Maria. Not created; he
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exculpated it. I think everybody watched him doing it for two years.
His son is a movie producer, by the way. So he is also going to
produce a movie for us, and they're going to make sure it hits national
television.
Anyway, so he gave us -- he said, you can't put a fish in there.
You can't put a woman in there. You have to put something abstract.
And so we asked him to bring something forward.
And would you please model that? This will be 15 feet tall, of
course, or thereabouts. It might even be a little taller.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It weighs 20 pounds.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Turn it around.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: It's very heavy.
And so we said, well, that would be a wonderful thing. We know
he's a master sculptor. This isn't just a run-of-the-mill thing now. It's a
big thing.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Are they going to do water out
of the top?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: No, no water.
And so we asked what the price was, and it was a big price,
because it's a big price for a master sculpture. So we knew we couldn't
do that. So we communicated with the Community Foundation to see
what we could do about arranging for them to get some donors to
donate to it, and we've gotten some donors. And as their money comes
in -- we only have a little bit left to go. As their money comes in --
he's going to have to fly to Italy. That's where he finds the Carrara
marble, and then he has to find the perfect ones that are that white,
white beautiful, and then he has to sculpt it there. He has a shop there
with people that can help him. And then from there, then, after they
they've got it sculpted and so forth, then they have to bring it back to
the United States of America on a ship, and then they will install it
there at that intersection.
September 25, 2018
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It ought to be just beautiful. And the price is -- and it's not out of
Mr. Taxpayer's pocketbook at all; not out of ours. We don't even have
to worry about coming up with the money; $250,000.
And I think it's going to be wonderful with all that he has to do,
and it's going to be something that we can focus on, the beauty in that
area. I'm just delighted, and I just wanted you commissioners to know
that this is all going on.
Still -- he's in Italy now, but we can't get him to start until we get
the last couple donors to offer their -- and I haven't checked with the
Community Foundation, so they might have gotten it, but I don't know.
But once the Community Foundation receives their donations, then we
can begin.
So that's all of my news.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Ma'am, there's an additional cost
to that, and that's the maintenance. And the maintenance over a period
of time can be as much as the cost of the sculpture. So when you're
getting your donations, there should be maintenance, or else it will go
off to the taxpayers.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Oh, okay.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: And I know that from being on
the Public Arts Commission in the city.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, we'll have to check on that and
see what we can do, then. Thank you for letting us know that, and we
can always have our people find out. First of all, we have to find out
what kind of maintenance that would be involved.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: I'm just curious. Are we going to have a
public hearing on what the front is?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I was afraid to ask. I was
going to ask, what is that?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I was trying to figure it out myself.
But it is abstract.
September 25, 2018
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MR. CASALANGUIDA: And one clarification. I have no art
background, so, you know, I wasn't involved in selecting. We just --
we try to do gateway features as the Board directed us. As we do the
landscape master plan, they said, bring the intersections alive a little bit
more. We've done some public/private parks, Commissioner Solis, in
your district where a developer donated a bunch of statutes. The Palm
River Park. So we have this huge 80-foot area that's reserved for the
next 20 years, and we thought, okay, we can put something there that
would be a gateway to the East Naples area.
And then I think staff and a commissioner reached out to many
different artists, and I think that one caught people's eye, and it was big
enough and bold enough. But I'm not the good judge of art, so I don't
know what's good or bad, but you're the judge of that.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: How tall is it going to be?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Fifteen feet.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Fifteen feet.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Fifteen.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Okay. That's it?
Okay. Commissioner Taylor?
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yes. First of all, I wanted to
compliment Growth Management, specifically Amy Patterson and
Thaddeus and also Travis Gossard, for the extraordinary work they did
Friday evening. With pouring rain, with five inches of rain in Golden
Gate alone, Travis and his crews were out there manually managing
the -- what is it, the gates -- the gates that allow -- that control the
amount of water going in and out, manually, and they did save homes
from being flooded, or else they would have been flooded. And there
were a lot. It wasn't just west of Goodlette. It was up in the Big
Cypress. It's called Big Cypress just south of Pine Ridge.
Extraordinary work.
And the neighbors have their cell phones, so when things happen,
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they got called, and they're there. So I just -- congratulations, County
Manager, and Mr. Cohen and all of you for such a great, great job.
MR. OCHS: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: The other thing is, you know,
with this RFMUD discussion, just compliments to staff again. I said it
-- I said it again, but -- quietly in between the meeting. But, you know,
you listened and brought back our concerns. And, you know, it's
changed, and it's to your credit. Well done. Well done.
MR. OCHS: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: And then, finally, with your
efforts in January, Commissioner Saunders, for the economic
development or overlay of Golden Gate, I learned quite by accident
that we heard from the Blue Zone folks, we heard from a Joe
Minicozzi who talks about the economic development and tax issues
and how it can benefit us.
It turns out that Blue Zones will underwrite his services by
$30,000. There's a grant to bring him into communities, the
communities that they're involved in, which means his services to
maybe look at what the plans are for you in your area would be only
$30,000 that would be part of the taxpayers. So it would be 60,000 in
total.
I think it's something that we kind of have to move on rather
quickly, because I think there's a time period. But I don't know about
you, but I was fairly impressed with his analysis of where our tax
dollars would be returned with maximum return in areas. And I just
think it might be something that we could direct staff to look into.
So that's all I've got, if you agree. Do you --
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Oh, I have no problem with
having staff look into that, and we can make a determination as to
whether or not to go forward with that. I think that's a good idea.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: All right, great. Thank you. And
September 25, 2018
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that's it.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Just one thought on that. If
we're going to look into it, check with the folks at the city as well, just
because it is a community-based assessment of your overall economic
sustainability and what you do and don't do within the unincorporated
area as well as the incorporated area, so...
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Yeah, and I think it's just the city
-- Golden Gate City, and I think you're talking about changing the
heights of buildings and attracting --
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: They're really looking at
Golden Gate Parkway corridor.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: The Parkway.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: That specific corridor. But, I
mean, his proposition, if I'm not mistaken, was 30,000 total for the
whole county.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: No, I don't --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Check with him. They could
check on it and see.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: We can check on it.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Because I had a conversation,
nice conversation, with Councilwoman Penniman in regard to that, so
-- and it might go in well in concert with the CIGM, the Collier
Interactive Growth Model, as well, so...
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: And if not -- if not -- if it doesn't
work there, we could look at the CRA on Bayshore, because they're
talking about making a complete street and, you know, they're talking
about attracting economic growth. And do we want new buildings, do
we want old -- do we want to renovate old buildings, do we want new
buildings to increase the tax base? There's lots of opportunity here.
So maybe that's something, County Manager, that you can have a
conversation with them and then come back, and we could know
September 25, 2018
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clearly what they're willing to do in the time frame that they have to
work with.
MR. OCHS: Sure. I'd be happy to do that.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: But they can extend theirs, can't
they; just like the City of Naples did, right? They could extend their
CRA, I mean. Well, they have to ask us, right?
MR. OCHS: Yeah, you can. You're the CRA, yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah. Okay. Good.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Commissioner Saunders?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Just a couple quick things.
Diane Ebert was the Planning Commission from District 3, and
she has served out her term, and I wanted to publicly thank her. I'm
not sure what we do when folks like her leave those important boards.
I don't know if we have any kind of formal way of thanking them. If
we don't, we should. So I just want to pass that out. And I think we're
trying to solicit people that might be interested in serving on that, so if
we could proceed with that solicitation, that would be very helpful.
And then I think, just as a quick comment, we've -- I don't want to
say we've beaten up staff, but we've had a couple decisions in the last
couple weeks that were contrary to our staff's recommendations. I kid
a little bit about the stormwater utility; that was a big deal. And the
meeting was run so well by Commissioner McDaniel that -- actually, it
really was run really well.
And then today we still have our transportation and planning staff
and everybody here that was involved in the Vanderbilt Beach Road
thing, and we said, no, we're not going to do this. And, of course, staff
is certainly disappointed, but I want to compliment all of you, because
you're very professional. We said no on these big issues that you
worked a long time on, and no one got upset. Everybody took it very
well.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: You don't see what happens after
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hours.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Trinity got upset. Just for the
record, Trinity got upset.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: That could be an ugly sight.
But I just want to compliment you on your professionalism --
MR. OCHS: Thank you, sir.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: -- and the way you handle
these types of issues.
MR. OCHS: Thank you. Very kind.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: That's all?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes, it was good. Just a
compliment to Commissioner Saunders. That -- again, fine statement.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: That's it?
Okay. I've only got a couple things.
One, can I get an update on the wall construction on Vanderbilt?
I know there was some delay for the --
MR. OCHS: It got approved --
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: We approved it today.
MR. OCHS: The contractor for it got approved.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Right. We approved the contract today,
so...
MR. OCHS: We'll get you the schedule.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Can you -- yeah, if I could get the
schedule ASAP. There was a lot of people that want to know when
that's going to start.
MR. OCHS: Sure.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Secondly, I wanted to bring up Orange
Blossom, the section of Orange Blossom from Airport Road to
Goodlette-Frank Road. There's been a lot of concern from the
residents in there, me included, in relation to this proposed fire station
that, frankly, came out of nowhere that the fire district had purchased a
September 25, 2018
Page 208
9-acre parcel off of Yarberry, which is just past the government center,
to build some significant facility that would supposedly house the fire,
the Sheriff's Department, EMS as well.
That led to a lot of concerns that that would require Orange
Blossom to be widened. And I've been trying to allay those fears for a
lot of people that are -- that live there that Orange Blossom's going to
be widened. There was even, you know, some concerns that we were
going to open up Carica then across Goodlette-Frank. I mean, it was
really -- it was spiraling.
And I'd like for the Board to consider, and I'd like staff to bring
back -- there is a provision in the Growth Management Plan about
constrained roadways, and I'd like for us to consider just designating
that piece of Orange Blossom as a constrained roadway. There's no --
as I understand it, there would be no need to four-lane Orange
Blossom. I mean, it's all built out on either side. There's no additional
traffic that's going to be created there, and it doesn't go all the way
through to 41, so it's not a collector or whatever we call it.
So I'd like -- I'd like staff to look at that. There's a lot of concern
about that, and I think it would go a long way in just putting the issue
to rest. If there's really no reason to do that, then why even -- let's just
take the issue off the table.
MR. OCHS: Is there consensus?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Sure. Because that's exactly what
we've been talking about today with a couple of the other things, right?
That's exactly --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Just -- if I might ask a question,
and it's -- you know, if I recall, the Fire Department has owned that
land over there for quite some time.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: No. They just purchased it --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Before the referendum.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: It was just before, I want to say, July.
September 25, 2018
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They just purchased it.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Oh, really?
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Just before the election.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: It's probably for sale.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: It became an issue.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Maybe it -- it, obviously, was
another piece that they purchased.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: This is off of Yarberry that's --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes, yes.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: -- just off of --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And, basically, what we're
going to do is, in concert with -- I would assume we'll have some input
from the emergency services with regard to the utilization of Orange
Blossom.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: Yeah. And I've discussed that already,
that it's -- Orange Blossom's four-laned up to Yarberry, and I think
that's one of the reasons that they thought it might make sense,
although Yarberry -- I really question whether or not they're ultimately
going to go through with trying to create that into a fire station just
because of some of the improvements that are going to be required, as
I see it, and I know that there's already some opposition from at least
one of the fire commissioners.
So, yeah, I don't think that there would be any concerns on that
but, certainly, that's something we'd have to look into.
MR. OCHS: Will do.
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: And, lastly, I was just going to mention
anyone that's still with us that on October 11th I'm having my next
coffee with the commissioner at the main library at 10 o'clock, and this
particular one we will be featuring coffee roasted at the Culinary
Accelerator and pastries from the accelerator, the company there. So
we're going to be featuring what's going on at the accelerator and the
September 25, 2018
Page 210
great companies that are coming out of there, so thank you.
Anything else?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SOLIS: We're adjourned. Thank you.
**** COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL MOVED, SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER FIALA AND CARRIED THAT THE
FOLLOWING ITEMS UNDER THE CONSENT AND SUMMARY
AGENDAS BE APPROVED AND/OR ADOPTED ****
Item #16A1
RESOLUTION 2018-159: MEMORIALIZNG A LOCAL AREA
PROGRAM (LAP) AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) IN WHICH
COLLIER COUNTY WOULD RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT UP
TO THE AMOUNT OF $451,560 FOR THE PURPOSE OF
RETIMING SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS AT MULTIPLE
LOCATIONS ON AIRPORT ROAD, PINE RIDGE ROAD,
VANDERBILT BEACH ROAD AND LIVINGSTON ROAD; AND
TO EXECUTE A RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE
BOARD'S ACTION AND TO AUTHORIZE THE NECESSARY
BUDGET AMENDMENT
Item #16A2
AN AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A FEE SIMPLE
PROPERTY (PARCEL 197POND) REQUIRED FOR THE
VANDERBILT BEACH ROAD EXTENSION (ESTIMATED
FISCAL IMPACT: $176,500) – CONSISTS OF FIVE
September 25, 2018
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UNIMPROVED ACRES LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF
12TH AVENUE NW AND WEST OF WILSON BOULEVARD N.
Item #16A3
RECORDING THE FINAL PLAT OF AZURE AT HACIENDA
LAKES – PHASE 1 REPLAT (APPLICATION NUMBER
PL20180001774), THE STANDARD FORM CONSTRUCTION
AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT, AND THE AMOUNT OF
THE PERFORMANCE SECURITY
Item #16A4
RESOLUTION 2018-160: FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE
PRIVATE ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS,
AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE PLAT DEDICATIONS, FOR THE
FINAL PLAT OF COQUINA AT MAPLE RIDGE PHASE 1
APPLICATION NUMBER 20140000068; AND AUTHORIZE THE
RELEASE OF THE MAINTENANCE SECURITY
Item #16A5
RESOLUTION 2018-161: FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE
PRIVATE ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS,
AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE PLAT DEDICATIONS, FOR THE
FINAL PLAT OF MANDALAY PLACE, APPLICATION
NUMBER 20130001582, AND AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF
THE MAINTENANCE SECURITY
Item #16A6
September 25, 2018
Page 212
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER FACILITIES
FOR GFS MARKET PLACE, PL20130001599, ACCEPT
UNCONDITIONAL CONVEYANCE OF A PORTION OF THE
POTABLE WATER FACILITIES, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE
COUNTY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO RELEASE THE
UTILITIES PERFORMANCE SECURITY (UPS) AND FINAL
OBLIGATION BOND IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $8,635.28
TO THE PROJECT ENGINEER OR THE DEVELOPER’S
DESIGNATED AGENT – FINAL INSPECTION TO DISCOVER
DEFECTS IN MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP WAS
CONDUCTED BY STAFF AUGUST 15, 2018, IN
COORDINATION WITH PUBLIC UTILITIES, AND THE
FACILITIES WERE FOUND TO BE SATISFACTORY AND
ACCEPTABLE
Item #16A7
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER AND
SEWER FACILITIES FOR SIGNATURE CLUB PHASES 3 AND
4, PL20160002830, ACCEPT UNCONDITIONAL CONVEYANCE
OF THE POTABLE WATER FACILITIES, AND TO AUTHORIZE
THE COUNTY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO RELEASE
THE UTILITIES PERFORMANCE SECURITY (UPS) AND
FINAL OBLIGATION BOND IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF
$17,991.58 TO THE PROJECT ENGINEER OR THE
DEVELOPER’S DESIGNATED AGENT – FINAL INSPECTION
TO DISCOVER DEFECTS IN MATERIALS AND
WORKMANSHIP WAS CONDUCTED BY STAFF AUGUST 16,
2018, IN COORDINATION WITH PUBLIC UTILITIES, AND THE
FACILITIES WERE FOUND TO BE SATISFACTORY AND
ACCEPTABLE
September 25, 2018
Page 213
Item #16A8
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER AND
SEWER FACILITIES FOR KALEA BAY PHASE 1B,
PL20160002553, ACCEPT UNCONDITIONAL CONVEYANCE
OF A PORTION OF THE POTABLE WATER AND SEWER
FACILITIES, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY MANAGER,
OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO RELEASE THE UTILITIES
PERFORMANCE SECURITY (UPS) AND FINAL OBLIGATION
BOND IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $98,202.30 TO THE
PROJECT ENGINEER OR THE DEVELOPER’S DESIGNATED
AGENT – FINAL INSPECTION TO DISCOVER DEFECTS IN
MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP WAS CONDUCTED BY
STAFF AUGUST 20, 2018, IN COORDINATION WITH PUBLIC
UTILITIES, AND THE FACILITIES WERE FOUND TO BE
SATISFACTORY AND ACCEPTABLE
Item #16A9
CLERK OF COURTS TO RELEASE A PERFORMANCE BOND
IN THE AMOUNT OF $130,340 WHICH WAS POSTED AS A
DEVELOPMENT GUARANTY FOR AN EARLY WORK
AUTHORIZATION (EWA) (PL20180001798) FOR WORK
ASSOCIATED WITH WINDING CYPRESS PHASE 3 – WORK
ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SECURITY HAS BEEN INSPECTED
AND THE DEVELOPER HAS FULFILLED HIS COMMITMENTS
WITH RESPECT TO THIS SECURITY
Item #16A10
September 25, 2018
Page 214
CLERK OF COURTS TO RELEASE A PERFORMANCE BOND
IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,000 WHICH WAS POSTED AS A
DEVELOPMENT GUARANTY FOR AN EARLY WORK
AUTHORIZATION (EWA) (PL20180001846) FOR WORK
ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENCLAVE OF DISTINCTION –
WORK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SECURITY HAS BEEN
INSPECTED AND THE DEVELOPER HAS FULFILLED HIS
COMMITMENTS WITH RESPECT TO THIS SECURITY
Item #16A11
CLERK OF COURTS TO RELEASE A PERFORMANCE BOND
IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,040 WHICH WAS POSTED AS A
DEVELOPMENT GUARANTY FOR AN EARLY WORK
AUTHORIZATION (EWA) (PL20180000700) FOR WORK
ASSOCIATED WITH TITAN AMERICA CONCRETE BATCH
PLANT – WORK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SECURITY HAS
BEEN INSPECTED AND THE DEVELOPER HAS FULFILLED
HIS COMMITMENTS WITH RESPECT TO THIS SECURITY
Item #16A12
CLERK OF COURTS TO RELEASE A PERFORMANCE BOND
IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,500 WHICH WAS POSTED AS A
DEVELOPMENT GUARANTY FOR AN EARLY WORK
AUTHORIZATION (EWA) (PL20170003991) FOR WORK
ASSOCIATED WITH LEGACY NAPLES NEW HOPE
MINISTRIES – PHASE 2 – WORK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS
SECURITY HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND THE DEVELOPER
HAS FULFILLED HIS COMMITMENTS WITH RESPECT TO
THIS SECURITY
September 25, 2018
Page 215
Item #16A13
A WORK ORDER TO WRIGHT CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC.,
FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE “VANDERBILT BEACH ROAD
WALL REPLACEMENT” PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF
$616,735.77 – FOR THE ROADWAY WALL REPLACEMENT
ALONG THE SOUTH RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF VANDERBILT
BEACH ROAD IN FRONT OF THE VILLAGES OF MONTEREY
SUBDIVISION
Item #16A14 – Continued to the October 9, 2018 BCC Meeting
(Per Agenda Change Sheet)
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE RELEASE OF A
CODE ENFORCEMENT LIEN WITH A VALUE OF $33,130.36
FOR PAYMENT OF $10,000 IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
ACTIONS ENTITLED BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
V. AT&T WIRELESS SERVICES OF FL, CODE ENFORCEMENT
BOARD CASE NO. CEPM20150012708 RELATING TO 1173
SUN CENTURY ROAD, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
Item #16A15
REVIEW AND APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2019 CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PLAN OF THE BIG CYPRESS BASIN, A PART
OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
(SFWMD) – AS DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16A16
September 25, 2018
Page 216
AWARDING RFP #18-7375 “LABORATORY SERVICES” TO
TESTAMERICA LABORATORIES, INC. AND PACE
ANALYTICAL SERVICES, LLC.LABRATORY SERVICES
Item #16B1
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BCC), ACTING
IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY (CRA), APPROVE THE ATTENDANCE OF TWO
IMMOKALEE LOCAL REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD
MEMBERS AT THE FLORIDA REDEVELOPMENT
ASSOCIATION 2018 ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND ALLOW
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS TO ATTEND THE AWARDS
DINNER; AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF ATTENDEES’
REGISTRATION, LODGING, TRAVEL AND PER DIEM FROM
THE IMMOKALEE CRA TRUST FUND (FUND 186) TRAVEL
BUDGET; AND DECLARE THE TRAINING RECEIVED AS
SERVING A VALID PUBLIC PURPOSE - THE CONFERENCE
WILL BE HELD OCTOBER 24 - 26, 2018 IN SANIBEL
HARBOUR MARRIOTT, FORT MYERS, FLORIDA. TWO
LOCAL REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY BOARD
MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND: THE COST IS
APPROXIMATELY $790 FOR REGISTRATION ($395/PERSON),
APPROXIMATELY $954 FOR LODGING ($159/NIGHT/ROOM)
AND APPROXIMATELY $45 FOR PARKING
Item #16C1
AWARDING BID #18-7311, “ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS,”
TO HART’S ELECTRICAL, INC., AS PRIMARY, SIMMONDS
ELECTRICAL OF NAPLES, INC., AS SECONDARY, AND
September 25, 2018
Page 217
TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES, AS TERTIARY,
FOR COUNTYWIDE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS SERVICES
Item #16C2
AWARDING INVITATION TO BID #18-7416 TO PROLIME
CORPORATION, IN THE UNIT AMOUNT OF $17.29 PER
CUBIC YARD, FOR THE PURCHASE OF SERVICES FOR
REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF NON-PRESSED SLUDGE
(CREATED FROM THE SOFTENING PROCESS) FROM THE
HOLDING POND LOCATED AT THE SOUTH COUNTY
REGIONAL WATER TREATMENT PLANT
Item #16C3
AWARDING INVITATION TO BID 18-7348, “TAMIAMI WELL
HOUSE #18 GENERATOR REPLACEMENT,” TO SIMMONDS
ELECTRIC OF NAPLES, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $124,824,
PROJECT NUMBER 50154, PLUS A $15,000 OWNER’S
ALLOWANCE
Item #16C4
AWARDING CONTRACT #17-7117 “SOUTH COUNTY
REGIONAL WATER TREATMENT PLANT REACTOR TANK
NO. 4” (PROJECT 70135), FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING
SERVICES FOR A NEW REACTOR TANK AT THE SOUTH
COUNTY REGIONAL WATER TREATMENT PLANT, TO
CAROLLO ENGINEERS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $335,659
AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO EXECUTE THE
CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZE THE NECESSARY BUDGET
September 25, 2018
Page 218
AMENDMENT
Item #16C5
AWARDING REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL #18-7287, TO EMA,
INC., GRAY MATTER SYSTEMS, LLC, AND STANTEC
CONSULTING SERVICES, INC, UNDER “ENTERPRISE ASSET
MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES
Item #16C6
RESOLUTION 2018-162: THE ANNUAL RATE RESOLUTION
TO ESTABLISH THE FEES, RATES, AND CHARGES FOR THE
USE OF COLLIER COUNTY SOLID WASTE FACILITIES,
INCLUDING LANDFILL TIPPING FEES, RECYCLING DROP-
OFF CENTER FEES, AND RESIDENTIAL MULTI-FAMILY AND
COMMERCIAL WASTE COLLECTION FEES FOR FY19. THIS
RESOLUTION ADOPTS THE RATES THAT FUND THE FY19
BUDGET FOR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL
AND INCREASES THE RATE TO A TOTAL OF 4.1 PERCENT;
2.1 PERCENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSUMER
PRICE INDEX AND 2 PERCENT FOR HURRICANE RECOVERY
RESERVE
Item #16C7
AMENDMENT #2 TO GROUND LEASE AGREEMENT AND
MEMORANDUM OF LEASE WITH THE VERIZON WIRELESS
PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS LP D/B/A VERIZON
WIRELESS AT THE NORTH COUNTY WATER
RECLAMATION FACILITY – TO ALLOW VERIZON
September 25, 2018
Page 219
WIRELESS LP (VERIZON) CONTINUED USE OF COUNTY
PROPERTY AT THE NORTH COUNTY WATER
RECLAMATION FACILITY FOR THE OPERATION OF A
TELECOMMUNICATIONS MONOPOLE
Item #16D1
A RESTATED AND AMENDED AGREEMENT AUTHORIZING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DENSITY BONUS AND IMPOSING
COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS ON REAL PROPERTY AS
A COMPANION ITEM TO THE ESPERANZA PLACE RPUD (A
COMPANION TO AGENDA ITEM #17A) – AS DETAILED IN
THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16D2
“AFTER-THE-FACT” AGREEMENTS AND ATTESTATION
STATEMENTS WITH THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING FOR
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, INC. (AAASWFL), COMMUNITY
CARE FOR THE ELDERLY (CCE), ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
INITIATIVE (ADI) AND HOME CARE FOR THE ELDERLY
(HCE) GRANT PROGRAMS FOR SERVICES FOR SENIORS
AND TO AUTHORIZE BUDGET AMENDMENTS TO ENSURE
CONTINUOUS FUNDING FOR FY 2018/2019 (NET FISCAL
IMPACT: $11,072.09) – THE CONTRACTS HAVE A ONE (1)
YEAR TERM, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2018, THRU JUNE 30, 2019,
WITH A THREE (3) YEAR RENEWAL OPTION
Item #16D3
DEMOLITION OF THE CARETAKER’S RESIDENCE AT
September 25, 2018
Page 220
CONSERVATION COLLIER’S PEPPER RANCH PRESERVE –
A CONCURRENT PROJECT IS DEVELOPING AN RV PAD
WITH UTILITY HOOKUPS ADJACENT TO THE
CAMPGROUND SO VOLUNTEER CAMPGROUND HOSTS
CAN MOVE THEIR RV’S ONTO THE SITE FOR THE CAMPING
SEASON IN EXCHANGE FOR AN ONSITE PRESENCE FOR
CAMPERS AND TWENTY (20) HOURS PER WEEK OF
MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Item #16D4
AWARDING AGREEMENT #18-7379, FOREST LAKES
MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNIT (MSTU) LANDSCAPE
MAINTENANCE, TO GROUND ZERO LANDSCAPING
SERVICES INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $53,427
Item #16D5
AWARDING AGREEMENT #18-7380, GOLDEN GATE
MUNICIPAL SERVICE-TAXING UNIT (MSTU) LANDSCAPE
MAINTENANCE, TO GREEN EFFEX, LLC. IN THE AMOUNT
OF $139,648.31
Item #16D6
AN UNDERGROUND FACILITIES CONVERSION
AGREEMENT (UFCA) WITH FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT
COMPANY (FPL) FOR PHASE IV OF THE VANDERBILT
BEACH MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNIT (MSTU)
UTILITY CONVERSION PROJECT AND TO APPROVE
PAYMENT TO FPL IN THE AMOUNT OF $287,680 FOR
September 25, 2018
Page 221
MATERIALS AND SERVICES AS RECEIVED AND PROVIDED
BY FPL – CONSISTS OF VANDERBILT DRIVE, FROM
IMMOKALEE ROAD TO WIGGINS PASS WITHIN THE MSTU
BOUNDARIES
Item #16D7
AWARDING INVITATION TO BID (ITB) #18-7437,
“VANDERBILT BEACH BOARDWALK REPLACEMENT”, TO
INTERSTATE CONSTRUCTION, LLC FOR CONVERSION/
CONSTRUCTION OF A BOARDWALK AND SHOWER AT
VANDERBILT BEACH PARK IN THE AMOUNT OF $249,500,
AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO EXECUTE THE
AGREEMENT, AND AUTHORIZE ANY NECESSARY BUDGET
AMENDMENT – ON THE SOUTH SECTION OF THE
BOARDWALK AT VANDERBILT BEACH PARK
Item #16D8
AMENDMENT #1 TO AGREEMENT #18-7243-NS BETWEEN
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND COLLIER
COUNTY SHERIFF FOR SEASONAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
SERVICES ADJACENT TO THE ENTRANCE TO DELNOR-
WIGGINS STATE PARK AND THE REIMBURSEMENT FOR
LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES THROUGH THE DURATION
OF THE AGREEMENT WITH AN ANTICIPATED ANNUAL
SPEND NOT TO EXCEED $70,000 PER FISCAL YEAR – TO
CONTROL THE INTERSECTION OF GULF SHORE DRIVE AND
BLUEBILL AVENUE DURING THE HEIGHT OF TOURIST
SEASON
September 25, 2018
Page 222
Item #16D9
EIGHT (8) MORTGAGE SATISFACTIONS FOR THE STATE
HOUSING INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP (SHIP) LOAN
PROGRAM IN THE COMBINED AMOUNT OF $51,460 – AS
DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16D10
RESOLUTION 2018-163: FOR TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO THE
COLLIER COUNTY STATE HOUSING INITIATIVES
PARTNERSHIP (SHIP) LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN
(LHAP) FOR FISCAL YEARS 2016-2017, 2017-2018, AND 2018-
2019 REVISING THE DEMOLITION AND REPLACEMENT OF
SITE BUILT MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOUSING
STRATEGY, BY: (1) CLARIFYING THAT RELOCATION
EXPENSES WILL BE CONSIDERED A GRANT AND
EXCLUDED FROM THE MAXIMUM MORTGAGE AMOUNT
FOR FOUR EXISTING STRATEGIES, AND (2) PROVIDING
FOR AN EXCEPTION TO THE STATE REGULATION ON A
TWENTY (20%) PERCENT MAXIMUM ANNUAL
ALLOCATION FOR MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES
THEREBY INCREASING THE MAXIMUM SHIP LOAN
AMOUNT TO $150,000 WITH A CAP OF $75,000 FOR THE
MOBILE/MANUFACTURED UNIT AND A MAXIMUM OF
$75,000 FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND SITE RELATED
IMPROVEMENTS PER OWNER-OCCUPIED LOT – AS
DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16D11
September 25, 2018
Page 223
EXECUTION OF THE FY18 SECTION 5339 GRANT AWARD
FROM THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION (FTA) IN
THE TRANSIT AWARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (TRAMS)
AND AUTHORIZE A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $411,466 FOR PARATRANSIT SOFTWARE AND
WARRANTIES; AND NEW BUS SHELTERS – THE COUNTY
HAS RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM FDOT FOR THE USE OF
$102,867 IN TOLL REVENUE CREDITS AS A SOFT MATCH IN
FY18 CAPITAL GRANT FUNDS
Item #16D12
AWARDING CONTRACT #18-7279, BIG CORKSCREW ISLAND
REGIONAL PARK DESIGN SERVICES FOR PHASE II, TO Q.
GRADY MINOR AND ASSOCIATES, P.A. FOR PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEERING SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $749,176 AND
AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT
– DESIGN, PERMITTING, AND POST DESIGN SERVICES
DURING CONSTRUCTION FOR THE CONTRACT ARE
EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN LATE 2022
Item #16D13
AGREEMENTS WITH 74 FAMILY FUN PARK AND FLORIDA
TRACKS & TRAILS TO PROVIDE COLLIER COUNTY
RESIDENTS WITH TICKETS TO RIDE THEIR ALL TERRAIN
VEHICLES (ATV) AND OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLES (OHV) AT
QUALIFIED RIDING LOCATIONS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $20,000 ANNUALLY AND
AUTHORIZE STAFF TO USE THIS FORM AGREEMENT
GOING FORWARD SHOULD ADDITIONAL QUALIFIED
September 25, 2018
Page 224
PARKS WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TICKET TO RIDE
PROGRAM – TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ATV AND
OHV ENTHUSIASTS TO RIDE THEIR VEHICLES AT
QUALIFIED LOCATIONS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA USING
FUNDS FROM THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER
MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (SFWMD) SETTLEMENT
AGREEMENT W/STIPULATIONS
Item #16D14
AN AGREEMENT FOR $605,978 WITH THE AGENCY FOR
HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION (AHCA), APPROVE AN
AGREEMENT WITH COLLIER HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
(CHSI), AND AUTHORIZE NECESSARY BUDGET
AMENDMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEDICAID LOW
INCOME POOL (LIP) PROGRAM, GENERATING $682,755 IN
FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS THAT WILL PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE CITIZENS OF
COLLIER COUNTY
Item #16D15
AWARDING INVITATION TO BID (ITB) #18-7457, EAGLE
LAKES ARTIFICIAL TURF CONVERSION, TO SCG FIELDS,
LLC FOR CONVERSION AND CONSTRUCTION OF ONE (1)
ARTIFICIAL TURF SOCCER FIELD AT EAGLE LAKES PARK
IN THE AMOUNT OF $794,452 AND AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIRMAN TO EXECUTE THE CONSTRUCTION
AGREEMENT – WILL PROVIDE GREATER AVAILABILITY
AND USE OF FIELDS FOR PLAY, MINIMIZE MAINTENANCE
TIME, AND RESTING TIME REQUIRED BY EXISTING
September 25, 2018
Page 225
NATURAL GRASS FIELDS, IMPROVE FIELD DRAINAGE,
AND PROVIDE FOR MORE DURABLE FIELDS FOR PLAY
Item #16E1
AMENDMENT NO. 7 TO THE AGREEMENT FOR MEDICAL
EXAMINER SERVICES (CONTRACT #11-5776 MEDICAL
EXAMINER) FOR $1,434,400, WHICH EXTENDS THE
AGREEMENT TERM TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2019
Item #16E2
RATIFYING PROPERTY, CASUALTY, WORKERS’
COMPENSATION AND SUBROGATION CLAIM FILES
SETTLED AND/OR CLOSED BY THE RISK MANAGEMENT
DIVISION DIRECTOR PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION #2004-15
FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF FY18
Item #16E3
THE PURCHASE OF FLOOD INSURANCE FOR FISCAL YEAR
2019 IN THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $417,639 – TO
PROTECT COUNTY REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY
ASSETS AGAINST LOSSES CAUSED BY A FLOOD AND IN
ORDER TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 311 (42 U.S.C 5154) OF
THE STAFFORD ACT
Item #16E4
THE PURCHASE OF LIABILITY, AUTOMOBILE, WORKERS’
COMPENSATION, AIRCRAFT, AIRPORT AND OTHER
September 25, 2018
Page 226
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR FY19 FOR AN ESTIMATED
ANNUAL AMOUNT OF $921,569 – TO PROTECT AGAINST
FINANCIAL LOSS FROM CASUALTY RELATED CLAIMS
AND LAWSUITS AND COMPLY WITH STATUTORY
REQUIREMENTS THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A
COST EFFECTIVE, BEST VALUE CASUALTY INSURANCE
PROGRAM
Item #16E5
RESOLUTION 2018-164: ADOPTING PAY AND
CLASSIFICATION PLANS FOR THE COUNTY MANAGER’S
AGENCY AND COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE EFFECTIVE
OCTOBER 1, 2018; APPROVE THE CREATION OF NEW
CLASSIFICATIONS, MODIFICATION AND/OR DELETION OF
CLASSIFICATIONS, AND ASSIGNMENT OF PAY RANGES
FROM PROPOSED PAY AND CLASSIFICATION PLANS, FROM
JULY 1, 2018 FORWARD, USING THE EXISTING POINT-
FACTOR JOB EVALUATION SYSTEM – AS DETAILED IN THE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16E6
AN ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT WITH GRANICUS, LLC
ASSIGNING ALL RIGHTS, DUTIES AND BENEFITS, AND
OBLIGATIONS UNDER AGREEMENT #15-6431 “BCC
AGENDA SOFTWARE REPLACEMENT
Item #16E7
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS PREPARED BY THE
September 25, 2018
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PROCUREMENT SERVICES DIVISION FOR CHANGE ORDERS
AND OTHER CONTRACTUAL MODIFICATIONS REQUIRING
BOARD APPROVAL – TO PROMOTE ACCOUNTABILITY AND
PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY TO THE PUBLIC
Item #16E8
EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
BETWEEN COLLIER COUNTY AND CITY OF EVERGLADES
CITY, RELATING TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY HURRICANE
IRMA, TO MARCH 31, 2019 – TO CONTINUE PROVIDING
ASSISTANCE TO EVERGLADES CITY IN SUPPORT OF
RECOVERY EFFORTS FROM EFFECTS OF THE HURRICANE
Item #16E9
AUTHORIZING A SINGLE SOURCE WAIVER FOR THE
PURCHASE OF GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL AT THE
SEMINOLE PETROLEUM COMMERCIAL REFUELING SITE
LOCATED AT SOUTH HORSESHOE DRIVE AND AUTHORIZE
AN AFTER-THE-FACT PAYMENT OF $51,132.29 FOR
OUTSTANDING SEMINOLE PETROLEUM INVOICES FOR
JULY AND AUGUST – THE BOARD HAS APPROVED FUEL
PURCHASES AT THE SOUTH HORSESHOE SITE SINCE 2001
Item #16E10
LEASE AGREEMENT WITH IMMOKALEE FIRE DISTRICT ON
COUNTY-OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF
AVE MARIA, AUTHORIZE IMPACT FEE CREDITS TO AVE
MARIA DEVELOPMENT, LLLP FOR THE ONE-ACRE PARCEL,
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AND AUTHORIZE THE DISBURSEMENT OF $121,000 TO AVE
MARIA DEVELOPMENT LLLP FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT
IMPROVEMENTS – REQUIRED FOR IMMOKALEE FIRE
DISTRICT TO CONSTRUCT A MULTI-PURPOSE PUBLIC
SAFETY FACILITY ON THREE ACRES OF COUNTY-OWNED
PROPERTY WITHIN THE TOWN OF AVE MARIA
Item #16F1
AWARDING BID #18-7352, “MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR
PELICAN BAY SERVICES DIVISION” TO DORRILL
MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC AND AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIRMAN TO EXECUTE THE RELATED AGREEMENT
Item #16F2
AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN A ONE-YEAR
EXTENSION TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS AND THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION
OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC. TO PROVIDE LOCAL MATCH
FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2019
– THIS IS THE EIGHTH YEAR THE BOARD HAS BUDGETED
FUNDS FOR THE COALITION
Item #16F3 – Moved to Item #11G (Per Agenda Change Sheet)
Item #16F4 – Moved to Item #11H (Per Agenda Change Sheet)
Item #16F5
September 25, 2018
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RESOLUTION 2018-165: APPROVING AMENDMENTS
(APPROPRIATING GRANTS, DONATIONS, CONTRIBUTIONS
OR INSURANCE PROCEEDS) TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2017-18
ADOPTED BUDGET
Item #16F6
RESOLUTION 2018-166: APPROVING AMENDMENTS
(APPROPRIATING GRANTS, DONATIONS, CONTRIBUTIONS
OR INSURANCE PROCEEDS) TO THE FY2018-19 ADOPTED
BUDGET
Item #16F7
A REPORT COVERING BUDGET AMENDMENTS IMPACTING
RESERVES AND MOVING FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT UP TO
AND INCLUDING $25,000 AND $50,000, RESPECTIVELY –
BUDGET AENDMENT #18-789, FUEL EXPENSES ($25,000)
Item #16F8 – Moved to Item #11I (Per Agenda Change Sheet)
Item #16G1
AFTER-THE-FACT ACCEPTANCE OF A FEDERAL AVIATION
ADMINISTRATION (FAA) GRANT OFFER IN THE AMOUNT
OF $3,553,411, FOR CONSTRUCTION OF AIRFIELD SAFETY
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE MARCO ISLAND EXECUTIVE
AIRPORT, AND APPROVE THE ASSOCIATED BUDGET
AMENDMENTS (FISCAL IMPACT: $3,553,411 FAA, AND
$394,823 COUNTY) – THE COUNTY MANAGER ACCEPTED
THE GRANT OFFER FROM THE FAA ON AUGUST 24, 2018
September 25, 2018
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Item #16G2
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ACTING AS
THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, AWARD BID #18-7402, FUEL
TRUCKS FOR THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY IN THE AMOUNT
OF $112,283 FOR AN AVGAS REFUELING TRUCK TO
SKYMARK REFUELERS, LLC. – FOR THE IMMOKALEE
REGIONAL AIRPORT
Item #16H1
A PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING OCTOBER 10, 2018 AS
REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) DAY IN COLLIER COUNTY.
TO BE HAND DELIVERED BY COMMISSIONER PENNY
TAYLOR AT THE TAIPEI ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL
OFFICE IN MIAMI, FLORIDA OCTOBER 4, 2018 – ADOPTED
Item #16J1
THE TAX COLLECTOR’S REQUEST FOR ADVANCE
COMMISSIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FLORIDA STATUTE
192.102(1) FOR FY 2019 – IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,301,437.41
Item #16J2
DETERMINING A VALID PUBLIC PURPOSE FOR INVOICES
PAYABLE AND PURCHASING CARD TRANSACTIONS AS OF
SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 – AS DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
September 25, 2018
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Item #16J3
TO RECORD IN THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS, THE CHECK NUMBER (OR OTHER
PAYMENT METHOD), AMOUNT, PAYEE, AND PURPOSE FOR
WHICH REFERENCED DISBURSEMENTS WERE DRAWN FOR
A PERIOD BETWEEN AUGUST 30 AND SEPTEMBER 12, 2018
PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE 136.06
Item #16K1
AN AMENDMENT TO A RETENTION AGREEMENT FOR
CARLTON FIELDS P.A. EXTENDING THE EXPIRATION DATE
TO OCTOBER 27, 2020, AND INCREASING THE FIRM’S
RATES FOR SERVICES – THE COUNTY HAS PRIMARILY
USED CARLTON FIELDS, P.A. IN COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION
LITIGATION; ALTHOUGH THERE IS CURRENTLY NO SUCH
LITIGATION EITHER PENDING OR EXPECTED, THE FIRM
HAD ACHIEVED OUTSTANDING RESULTS FOR THE
COUNTY IN THE PAST, AND SHOULD BE RETAINED IN
CASE SUCH LITIGATION OCCURS IN THE FUTURE
Item #16K2
RESOLUTION 2018-167: REAPPOINTING KAREN HOMIAK,
REPRESENTING COMMISSION DISTRICT 1, TO THE
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION (CCPC), TO A
FOUR-YEAR TERM EXPIRING ON OCTOBER 1, 2022
Item #16K3
September 25, 2018
Page 232
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REVIEW AND
APPROVE THE PROPOSED FY 2018 - 2019 ACTION PLAN FOR
JEFFREY A. KLATZKOW, COUNTY ATTORNEY
Item #17A
ORDINANCE 2018-44: AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2008-28,
AS AMENDED, THE ESPERANZA PLACE RPUD, TO REDUCE
THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL DWELLING
UNITS, FROM 262 TO 159 UNITS, ALLOW A MAXIMUM OF 45
GROUP HOUSING UNITS, TO ADD SINGLE FAMILY
DWELLING UNITS, CHILD DAY CARE SERVICES, AND
GROUP HOUSING AS PERMITTED USES IN TRACT A, TO
ADD NEW DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR GROUP
HOUSING, TO ADD A NEW DEVIATION RELATING TO
FENCE AND WALL STANDARDS, TO AMEND A DEVELOPER
COMMITMENT RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND
TO AMEND THE MASTER PLAN. THE SUBJECT PROPERTY
IS LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF IMMOKALEE DRIVE,
APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER MILE EAST OF CARSON
ROAD IN IMMOKALEE, IN SECTION 32, TOWNSHIP 46
SOUTH, RANGE 29 EAST, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA,
CONSISTING OF 31.6± ACRES; AND BY PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. [PL20170001326]. (COMPANION TO
AGENDA ITEM 16.D.1)
Item #17B
ORDINANCE 2018-45: AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2001-59,
THE WHITE LAKE CORPORATE PARK PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT BY INCREASING THE MAXIMUM NUMBER
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OF HOTEL ROOMS FROM 150 TO 281, BY ADDING TOOL
RENTAL AND LEASING AS A PERMITTING USE AND
ADDING GENERAL WAREHOUSING AND STORAGE AS AN
ACCESSORY USE; BY INCREASING THE COMMERCIAL
DEVELOPMENT AREA BY 3 ACRES AND REDUCING THE
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AREA BY 3 ACRES; BY
ADDING A CAP ON TRAFFIC TRIP GENERATION FOR THE
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AREA; BY REVISING
DEVELOPMENT COMMITMENTS; AND REVISING THE PUD
MASTER PLAN TO MOVE THE TRACT C BOUNDARY TO
THE EAST OF THE FPL EASEMENT; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. THE SUBJECT PROPERTY, CONSISTING
OF 144.4+/- ACRES, IS LOCATED NORTHEAST OF, AND
ADJACENT TO, THE INTERSECTION OF I-75 AND COLLIER
BOULEVARD IN SECTION 35, TOWNSHIP 49 SOUTH, RANGE
26 EAST, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA. [PL20170004428]
Item #17C
ORDINANCE 2018-46: AMENDING ORDINANCE 97-82, AS
AMENDED, WHICH CREATED THE BAYSHORE
BEAUTIFICATION MUNICIPAL SERVICE-TAXING UNIT, TO
EXPAND THE DISTRICT BOUNDARY TO INCLUDE COUNTY
OWNED RIGHT-OF-WAY IDENTIFIED FOR THE PURPOSE OF
CONSTRUCTING PEDESTRIAN STREETSCAPE
IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY ALONG
THOMASSON DRIVE
Item #17D
ORDINANCE 2018-47: REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 76-24
September 25, 2018
Page 234
(GAIN TIME FOR PRISONERS);
RESOLUTION 2018-168: A REVISED POLICY AUTHORIZING
GAIN TIME FOR COUNTY PRISONERS PURSUANT TO
SECTION 951.21, FLORIDA STATUTES
Item #17E
RESOLUTION 2018-169: APPROVING AMENDMENTS
(APPROPRIATING CARRY FORWARD, TRANSFERS AND
SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE) TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2018-19
ADOPTED BUDGET
*****
September 25, 2018
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 4:40 p.m.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX
OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF
SPECI . P ISTRI NDER ITS CONTROL
A I Y SOLIS, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
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V.
RYSTAL J. K ft: • L, C ERK
A test is to Chairman's
These minute approved by the Board on '20a', as presented
or as corrected
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF U.S. LEGAL
SUPPORT, INC., BY TERM LEWIS, COURT REPORTER AND
NOTARY PUBLIC.
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