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BCC Minutes 08/28/2006 E (Tropical Storm/Hurricane Ernesto) August 28, 2006 EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Naples, FL August 28, 2006 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 12:00 p.m. in EMERGENCY SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the following members present: CHAIRMAN: Frank Halas Jim Coletta (Telephonically) Donna Fiala (Telephonically) Tom Henning Fred Coyle (Absent) ALSO PRESENT: Jim Mudd, County Manager Leo Ochs, Deputy County Manager Michael Pettit, Assistant County Attorney Page 1 COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ~ EMERGENCY AGENDA TROPICAL STORM/HURRICANE ERNESTO August 28, 2006 2:00 p.m. Frank Halas, Chairman, District 2 Jim Coletta, Vice-Chairman, District 5 Tom Henning, Commissioner, District 3 Donna Fiala, Commissioner, District 1 Fred W. Coyle, District 4 NOTICE: ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY AGENDA ITEM MUST REGISTER PRIOR TO SPEAKING. SPEAKERS MUST REGISTER WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER PRIOR TO THE PRESENTATION OF THE AGENDA ITEM TO BE ADDRESSED. COLLIER COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. 2004-05, AS AMENDED, 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. 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". ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS PERTAINING THERETO, AND THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBA TIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. ALL REGISTERED PUBLIC SPEAKERS WILL RECEIVE UP TO FIVE (5) MINUTES UNLESS THE TIME IS ADJUSTED BY THE CHAIRMAN. Page 1 August 28, 2006 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, TO THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE COLLIER COUNTY FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT LOCATED AT 3301 EAST TAMIAMI TRAIL, NAPLES, FLORIDA, 34112, (239) 774-8380; ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED ARE AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE. 1. Call to Order 2. Updated track information for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Emesto and its effects on the citizens of Collier County, Florida (Presented by Emergency Management Director, Dan Summers) 3. Update from the Sheriffs Office 4. Discuss any appropriate action for the Board to take 5. Determination of Necessity of Dec1aring a State of Emergency 6. Adjourn Page 2 August 28, 2006 August 28, 2006 MR. MUDD: Ladies and gentlemen, if you'd please take your seats. Mr. Chairman, you have a hot mic. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Thank you very much, County Manager. And welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the emergency meeting of the Board of Collier County Commission in regards to what's happening out there with Ernesto. At this time, if you'll all rise, we'll say the pledge of allegiance. (Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.) CHAIRMAN HALAS: I believe we have some commissioners that are going to be joining us by phone. And I'll start with Commissioner Fiala. Are you present? COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, sir, I am. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Okay, the next one is Commissioner Coletta, are you present? COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Yes, I am. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Okay. Now that -- and I believe Commissioner Coyle is out of touch, out of cell phone range. So at this time we'll have an update on the Hurricane or -- MR. PETTIT: Mr. Chairman? CHAIRMAN HALAS: -- Tropical Storm Ernesto by -- yes? MR. PETTIT: Chairman Halas, excuse me. I would like it if you would just acknowledge that because of the extraordinary circumstances, you can make a motion and get a second here, just that they can participate by telephone. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Sure. MR. PETTIT: Even though this is a special meeting because of an impending emergency. CHAIRMAN HALAS: I make a motion that the two commissioners that are answering by phone be allowed to join in on the discussion. Do I have a second? COMMISSIONER HENNING: Due to uncertain -- or Page 2 August 28, 2006 undetermined circumstances, I'll second that. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Okay. And I believe that's all we need? MR. PETTIT: That's correct. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Okay. At this time, I'll turn this over to the County Manager and we'll have an update of what's taking place out there with the Tropical Storm Ernesto, possibly a hurricane later on. Okay? MR. MUDD: Yes, sir. This is a special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners to discuss Tropical Storm/Hurricane Ernesto. It keeps flopping back and forth on its ramifications on Collier County. One of the things we'll ask the Board of County Commissioners to do at the end of this meeting is to declare a state of emergency -- the Governor declared a state of emergency over the weekend for the state -- in order to follow suit. As you can tell from what's transpired over the last four days, I mean, we had a hurricane that was going to go into the Gulf of Mexico. Yesterday it was going straight for Naples, according to the Weather Channel, and today it's got its eyes on Lake Okeechobee. So it's changing, as all hurricanes do. And so this meeting is basically to set the stage for Collier County to basically be prepared for any event from this particular tropical storm and hurricane. And without further ado, Mr. Summers, if you would please present. MR. SUMMERS: Commissioners, good afternoon. Dan Summers, director of the bureau of emergency services/emergency management for Collier County. I'd like to take a second, just jump right into a weather briefing and a couple of -- several announcements that I'd like to make, couple of issues I'd like to discuss with you. In addition to the State of Emergency Declaration, I do want to Page 3 August 28, 2006 bring up with you a necessary budget amendment for the EOC to activate, and I want to make sure I yield some time to Sheriff Hunter, who also is here, would like to make some comments as well. I'll start off with this first particular graphic that we have that just sort of shows you the -- if you will, the best track or the best guess track for Tropical Storm Ernesto. I show you this particular graphic to indicate the topography here of Cuba, where this storm has experienced some sheer and some degradation in its overall intensity. This is what has the forecasters truly baffled, because the track models do not do well over land. So you -- we have heard an awful lot of margin for error, if you will, in the discussion from the National Hurricane Center, because the tracks and the models just don't give good data over land. We know that this storm is hitting some mountainous region right now. We have seen a very ragged storm; in other words, a storm without good symmetry. So it is having a hard time in its development. However, when it comes into the Atlantic, those water temperatures where the curser is, that water is approximately 90 degrees, and that really is what has the Hurricane Center concerned, that there is an opportunity for that storm to reenergize significantly at that point. However, I say significantly. While they maintain a Category 1 hurricane event in their discussion, and they will also tell you that they would prefer to have at least one category of a hurricane margin of error. Because this will be very little time, from the time it exits Cuba, to make landfall with the Peninsula of Florida for the models even to gauge intensification. So the bulk of that study will have to be done with aircraft reconnaissance. We'll have to monitor that accordingly. Just to show you, there's the models. And they continue to show a little bit of shift to the east, which is good. And again, as you remember, as Mr. Mudd alluded to earlier in the week, we had a storm Page 4 August 28, 2006 that was headed northwest, now it's headed practically due north. So that's the challenge that the forecasters are wrestling with right now. Let's go to the Hurrivac model. And you're used to our blue lines and our black lines on the drawing here. The big black circle here that centers Collier County is the point of what we call closest approach. That's a decision-making arc that we use to identify where we need to be with certain timing elements related to protective action recommendations. And you see the blue line now where we're looking at Tropical Storm Ernesto, and you see its particular shape. You'll notice that it's not very even; it has a flat side. There's obviously some sheer and some degradation going on with that storm. The area highlighted here in the pink refers to our hurricane watches and -- hurricane watches at this particular time. I'll advance the storm as we normally do going through time here based on pretty much the average track. It's important for you to be aware that Collier County, as well as most of the entire Peninsula of Florida, remains in the cone of uncertainty. And as you know, we always take great efforts to err on the side of safety whenever any of our county -- any portion of our county is in that cone of uncertainty. Again, just to make sure that we're not at the last minute making protective action recommendation so we address that accordingly. I'll go back and move the storm forward again. And as you see -- let me get a little closer here. Our areas of concern -- actually, we've gained a little bit of time in our preparedness activities with the fact that we're close to a decision tool or a decision point, rather, at 12 noon tomorrow. Now, it's just coincidental, or I'll give Collier County district schools credit for great planning in that tomorrow they only had a half a day. So a half a day, they had an early recess scheduled for tomorrow. So that works out real good. In the unlikely event, and I can stress unlikely event right now, Page 5 August 28, 2006 that we have to do some sheltering, it is too early for us to make a determination at this point for any mandatory evacuation. However, I do have a suggestion, and that is that those individuals that are tourists or non-residents in the area south and west of 41 consider a voluntary precautionary evacuation. This is not the case for any of our permanent residents who are special needs. I do think it would be helpful, just in case we have any situations that are not forecasted at this point, that those folks that are not residents or not guests -- or who are guests here go ahead and use this time to leave the area so we can have additional roadways and local resources, if we need them. But generally the conditions are good. If you'll notice that the yellow circle in here is really the extent of the hurricane force winds or greater. This is only storm force at 58. So there's some pretty conservative numbers here in terms of forecasting, in terms of intensity, maintaining just barely -- again, you'll see it as it continues to stay in the 65 to 70 mile an hour range. I'll move this up through Collier County and you'll see that the model is predicting still more of a shift to the east coast. However, the probably one-third eastern lands of Collier County remain within the 40, 39, 40 miles per hour wind area. But as you would expect, any fluctuation in this forecast east or west could make a big difference as to how we should respond or how we should maintain our protective action strategies for this particular storm. I'll advance it. And if you'll notice, back right about 3 :00 a.m. on Wednesday is the intensification point for a Category 1. So again, any particular -- we've used the term wobble or zig-zag in the forecast -- could have some pretty significant bearing on Collier County. So while the conditions are very good and looking very favorable right now, we want to be careful that we don't make a mistake and drop our guard over the next 48 hours. Page 6 August 28, 2006 I would ask the -- I'll advance it here just to go ahead and show you when we're all clear. And we're essentially looking that Collier County will be pretty clear after 1 :00 on Wednesday. So we are seeing a storm that's going to pick up in forward motion as well. Sir? CHAIRMAN HALAS: Dan, could you explain in a little more detail for the two commissioners that are on the phone the approximate path that you just showed us in regards to where the projected center of the storm will travel? MR. SUMMERS: Commissioner, thank you. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Would you do that? MR. SUMMERS: I'll be glad to. And my apologies to those that are on the phone, because I'm looking at the graphic here and talking at the same time. To our commissioners who are joining us telephonically, the models we have continued to see from Cuba almost point anywhere from north, northeast to due north out of Cuba for the particular storm track. In other words, if you could visualize somewhat dissecting the Collier, Dade and Broward line almost due north up to the Peninsula, basically from the tip of Florida right up to Lake Okeechobee is the current path -- is the current predicted path. Now, this particular model that I'm running at Hurrivac shows a little bit more of a larger shift to the east. But the cone of uncertainty covers almost the entire peninsula of the State of Florida. So again, we have to be on our guard, but we are seeing a storm here of what we would consider light intensity right now, as long as it doesn't change once it crosses Cuba. CHAIRMAN HALAS: For the commissioners, basically the track of storm would be Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach area. That would be the area where the highest concentration of winds are on this model. COMMISSIONER FIALA: Oh, thank you, Commissioner. Page 7 August 28, 2006 MR. SUMMERS: Thank you, sir. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Yes, Commissioner? COMMISSIONER FIALA: Oh, first I said thank you for clarifying that. It made it much clearer. I appreciate that. The second thing is, are we expecting a lot of rain with this? Is this a heavy rain storm or light, or do you have any idea? MR. SUMMERS: Yes, ma'am, I do. We are predicting the models -- it is early -- according to the National Hurricane Center, it is early for that, but their forecast right now would call from four to six inches of rainfall here in this period. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Mr. Summers? MR. SUMMERS: Yes, sir. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Yeah, Commissioner Coletta here. That four to six inches of rain on top of what we received in the recent weeks, is that going to pose any problem concerning water management as far as their ability to be able to move that type of water? MR. SUMMERS: Sir, I've not had a specific discussion with them. I'm checking the room to see if -- Clarence Tears is here. He has indicated that would not be an issue with him. We would expect the usual -- an occasional ponding within the roadways, but it does not appear to be of any significant challenge for us. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Thank you, Mr. Summers. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Commissioner Henning, did you have any questions? COMMISSIONER HENNING: No, I didn't. CHAIRMAN HALAS: I have a couple of questions in regards to -- if you could go back to your earlier slide where you had the projected models. What was the time line of these models? Because as you can -- I'm trying to explain this to the commissioners on line. Page 8 August 28, 2006 We have an array of models. And we have one model that's way out into the Gulf and it's green in color. And then we have a multitude of models that show the proj ection of the storm to run over the -- basically the interior center of the state. And then there's some models that show the path to be out near the Gulf stream of the Atlantic. So with that, could you explain to us, Dan, the models here? MR. SUMMERS: Sir, I'll do my best with the models. And I will profess not to be an expert on models, that's what the National Hurricane Center does best. Those acronyms that you see, the ones that we're primarily familiar with, the one that we use the most is the aviation model called A VNI. And also the band model, and that acronym escapes me right now, as well as the Navy NOGAPS model. There are three that the National Hurricane Center particularly indicate to us that has had the best accuracy to date. And again, those algorithms are subject to change and every storm has a different model that behaves better. However, the Hurricane Center has felt that with the model runs that they've had, they've had enough comfort in that to show the track that we have indicated. So this is not bad for model alignment, but this is not to what the caliber that we received and expected during Wilma. So let's not compare the accuracy of the forecast track with Wilma, because it was a much different heading on Florida as opposed to this storm that is trying to dissect upon the Peninsula. So again, we will take -- we do follow their forecasting and their modeling, and there are generally fairly good consensus here with these models. But we will remain in that cone of uncertainty and we will follow their forecast track to make our decision. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Mr. Summers? MR. SUMMERS: Yes, sir. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: I had a question realting to the Page 9 August 28, 2006 path of the storm. If the current models hold and it goes up along the east coast, I assume there we will be some evacuation from the Miami area, probably over to the west coast? MR. SUMMERS: Sir, that will be discussed later. To repeat your question, just so everyone could hear, your concern is if there is some evacuation from the east coast, what might be the impact on the west coast, depending on how this storm tracks, if I've paraphrased your question correctly. And that is yes, we will monitor that. We will continue our coordination with State Emergency Operations Center, as well as the Orlando disaster field office and FEMA Region 4 in Atlanta. There's not been any indication of that at this particular point. We have in our action plan the need to go ahead and rent some variable message sign boards and some low power AM travelers radios, should that become necessary. We want to acquire those resources so that if we do get into a hosting environment with any of the east coast communities, that we're able to direct traffic inbound. So we don't have any action plan on that at this point other than to take those steps as necessary. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Thank you. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Dan, what's your suggestion for addressing this storm? Do you have some guidelines here that you'd like to -- MR. SUMMERS: Sir, I do. Thank you. And I'd like to go ahead and let me read from my notes here, if I may. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Sure. MR. SUMMERS: Again, today maintains a readiness day for our residents in Collier County. I want to still continue to monitor closely and make additional preparatory efforts. The bulk of that concern should be Marco Island, Everglades City, Chocoloskee, Goodland and Isles of Capris. We do not have anything for the City of Naples or North Naples proper in terms of protective action Page 10 August 28, 2006 strategies at this point. As we continue to monitor, obviously our residents in Immokalee should be paying very close attention to the fact that we may have some straight line wind activity that may be detrimental in Immokalee. We'll work with all the partners up there and continue to monitor that and poise our operation accordingly. We do ask that persons with special needs continue to monitor radio and television. We did notify all of -- all of about -- about 1,700 we have in our data base of special needs individuals. We did activate an automated telephone notification system yesterday to give them a reminder to watch the storm. However, based on the current forecast, we are not, and I want to stress, we are not recommending additional action at this point with the special needs population. While we are prepared to open a shelter, if necessary, our goal right now is to have the special needs population shelter in place. Now, through our 774-8444 phone number, we'll have personnel that can assist individuals on a case-by-case basis if it becomes necessary, but we do not plan at this hour to open up a special needs shelter. I would also remind you that we have not followed up or have not made any recommendations to Marco or Everglades City for their State of Emergency Declaration. I don't know the status of that at this time. Typically they will follow our lead on these issues. I have not spoken with them in the last couple of hours as to whether or not they're going to move forward with a State of Emergency Declaration. Again, radio, television, 774-8444. Our hurricane hotline will be open until 8:00 p.m. today. And also particularly continue to monitor NOAA Weather Radio over the next couple of days, as it will be likely that we may go under a tornado watch just because of the unstable weather conditions. We are prepared -- go ahead, sir. Page 11 August 28, 2006 CHAIRMAN HALAS: Do you have any estimate of what the particular wind speeds might be expected in the Immokalee area? MR. SUMMERS: Based on the current model right now we only see gusts of 39. And that is tolerable, as we would expect maybe with any other thunderstorm activity. But again, any change in that modeling, that's what we want to be poised to watch for the next couple of days. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Thank you. MR. SUMMERS: Shelters: We are prepared and Red Cross is on standby to open shelters, if necessary. We've deconflicted that list with the Collier County district schools. Any of the school closing activity, we can defer that discussion until tomorrow. That decision will be made by Collier County district schools. We'll have our input with them on any facility needs that we might have. But as it stands right now, school is in session for tomorrow for the regular half day. We'll have ample time tomorrow afternoon, if necessary, to coordinate a closing for the following day. I will tell you that we have taken the liberty over the weekend to go ahead and activate our standby rental contract for generators and generator power distribution equipment. About 80 percent of those resources are here presently, the rest are inbound from Miami, so that tomorrow should we run into any backup power problems, our rental contract will provide us some additional equipment. I will tell you that we have no plans -- I'll double check with the administrators here, but we have no plans for any changes in routine county services. At this particular point again, we'll have to monitor that closely tomorrow. Collier County customer relations and the bureau's public information officer have been working with local media for news releases and have the ability to set up not only blast faxes to the media, but set up a joint information conference or a joint information Page 12 August 28, 2006 press conference later, if that should become necessary. Residents too are reminded again, if you do evacuate the area and we do -- for some reason the storm does become much more intensive, make sure you have positive forms of identification with you. That includes your driver's license, something that identifies your residency, such as a water bill or some other type of utility bill so that we can validate that you're supposed to be in a given area, should it become necessary. And I believe Marco Island still activates their sticker program for their windshields as well. We do -- while we may expect some spotty power outages, we really right now think that -- and in conversation with FP&L, the bulk of their resources are being staged for an east coast event, not a west coast event, but we do have good communications with Florida Power & Light, and we will be able to coordinate closely with them. Weare monitoring the events closely in Immokalee. We have a great working relationship with all the non-profits up there in Immokalee. And should landfall of this storm cause some recovery challenges in Immokalee, we are prepared to open up a satellite county emergency management office on-site there, work with all the non-profits and public safety agencies there to ensure good coordination for recovery. So we are prepared to do that. Let me stop and take just a moment. I have a few closing remarks. Sheriff Hunter is here, I'm sure he'd like to address the board for a few minutes on areas of his concern. And then I'd like to close with a few action items. Sheriff Hunter? CHAIRMAN HALAS: Sheriff Hunter. SHERIFF HUNTER: Mr. Chairman, thank you. And Commissioners. Thank you, Mr. Summers. As Mr. Summers has stated, it looks like this may be more a rain event, hopefully, than a wind and water event. So -- but nonetheless, we will be prepared as though it were a Katrina or Wilma. I think Page 13 August 28, 2006 things went very well last time a la the Wilma event. But I did want to take some time to remind the public by way of refresher some of the things that we will be doing and things that will be of particular interest to us. I'd also like to make the county commission aware of contact in the event that I am not directly or immediately available. I'd like you to know that under -- Sheriff Rambosk, who's here, will be acting in my stead with my authority in the event that I'm not immediately available. And we will staff 24/7 as always. My direct representative at emergency management will be Captain Tom Store who's here in the room as well, and his alternate will be Lieutenant Dan Anderson. Most of you know both men. And they will be available at all times to make policy decision and inform me in the event again that I'm not available. I don't expect that to happen, but you never know. We will be looking at a number of different issues, of course, prestorm. We agree, please take to heart Mr. Summers' comments. Now is the time. If you haven't prepared a plan, an emergency evacuation or emergency plan, now is the time. It's not too late. Prepare your supplies, prepare your evacuation plan, should there be a need to do so. We don't need everyone on the road at the same moment, because that presents a problem in and of itself. Do have out-of-area contacts. We will be operating -- in the event that we do have a major storm, I want to make certain that the public knows now while we still have power, that we will have sattelite substations in evidence throughout the county where the public can contact us. We'll also have roving patrols in the event that we lose power, telephone service. We will have roving patrols that will be looking for issues, looking for problems, making contact with the public in the event that the public is unable to make contact with us in the standard fashion. Standard fashion is we will continue to monitor and serve the Page 14 August 28, 2006 9-1-1 emergency telephone service lines. So if you have an immediate emergency, we ask that you use that line, 9-1-1. If it is more information service request, we ask that you use our service line, which is 793-9300, or our administrative line, 774-4434. And one of those three lines will be answered and we hope to be able to answer any question that's posed. And certainly we will-- CHAIRMAN HALAS: Sheriff, could you repeat those three numbers again, in case people are getting some pencils and paper at home? SHERIFF HUNTER: Yes. There are three number to reach us in the standard emergency fashion. 9-1-1 is our emergency line. We will continue to monitor those. Those are all staffed 24/7. 703-9300 is an administrative information line, which we will use to answer questions from the public pertaining to evacuation routes, access routes, et cetera, by ability of those routes. And 774-4434, which is our main administrative line, is also available to the public for questions that may occur during the course of the event. We remind the public that in the event that we do lose power, and it's not unusual in this area to lose power, even in a typical rainstorm, that if you find an unlighted intersection, that it is a four-way stop situation, that everyone is to stop. And we hope that everyone will be on their best behavior and they will permit alternating traffic to proceed. But it is a four-way stop at a four-way intersection, three-way at a three-way intersection, et cetera. We remind people that that's very important. A flashing yellow and a flashing red. Yellow is precede with caution, red means you stop. So I would ask that the public be reminded and assist us in trying to control the intersections. We will be in our usual storm event patterns, which would be at the various missions that are assigned to law enforcement. Looting control: In the event that there is an evacuation called by Page 15 August 28, 2006 the Board of County Commissioners and the Governor's office, we can assure people that we will be providing extra patrol to all neighborhoods, businesses and areas, should the evacuation be called, so there should be no reason why you would not evacuate, if the board should suggest it. We will be maintaining traffic control and crowd control, rescue operations. And of course post-event we'll be looking at the viability of neighborhoods in areas so that we can advise the boards for Mr. Summers and your designated staff on those neighborhoods that appear to be okay for repopulation. And again, I would amplify and repeat Mr. Summers' comments, that we absolutely need members of the public, residents of this county to have upon their person some form ofLD. that will establish their residency status within a given area. Please make certain that we have that available, whether it's a utility bill or a rental receipt, something to establish your relationship with that area. We will staff all shelters, as is the norm and is the practice of this county, and we will have some additional protocols in place, however, to allay any fears that the public may have pertaining to who is in shelter with them, a la post- Katrina experience, and we will be doing a better job here in this county of vetting who is coming into the shelter. You may be absolutey certain that the Sheriffs Office will patrol the shelters. So do not hesitate to use any shelters designated by the Board of County Commissioners as a sheltering location. I think so I've covered all that I wanted to cover. If you have any questions, I am available. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Sheriff, as you maybe just would reiterate, that if people decide to leave town and go on a mini vacation, that their property will be in good hands with your department. SHERIFF HUNTER: These are those moments when we especially appreciate the board's support for law enforcement. We are Page 16 August 28, 2006 properly resourcing staff to provide a level of law enforcement that will make more certain that your property, your neighborhood, your business is protect. So in the event that we do have an evacuation called, please, by all means evacuate. It relieves law enforcement and all of our partners of the need to service individual people within the public, while we also try to deal with any aftermath of the storm. So if there is an evacuation called, we ask that you do evacuate. Take that mini-vacation. Relieve us of having to attend to individual concerns, especially rescues that may occur in the event of a serious storm. We will be prepared to protect neighbors, businesses, residences. I think all of Collier County can be assured of that. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Thank you. Are there any questions out there from the commissioners that are on the phone? COMMISSIONER FIALA: Not from me. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: I'm set. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Pardon? Commissioner Coletta, did you have one? COMMISSIONER COLETTA: No, I didn't. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Commissioner Henning? COMMISSIONER HENNING: No. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Would the representative of the school board like to fill us in on anything? Everything's taken care of? Okay. Dan, I'll turn it back over to you. Maybe what we could do is also remind people that it's 72 and U, in case that they haven't gotten their adequate supplies in yet. MR. SUMMERS: Very good, sir. Seventy-two hours and you for your individual and family preparedness. And Sheriff Hunter, too, thank you for your team and your agency support as well. Just a few closing remarks. Page 17 August 28, 2006 Reminder, 774-8444, the hurricane information hotline. And now of course you can dial 3-1-1 in Collier County and your 3-1-1 call will also -- that's a toll free call and that will also be directed to the hurricane information hotline. Sir, I would also -- Mr. Mudd has in his hand the governor's executive order for the state of emergency, so you know that has been signed and approved at the state level. I would also ask you, sir, to please consider establishing a budget amendment for a budget authority up to $50,000. And as you know, we have emergency policies and procedures in place for the accountability of that. And we would like to set up a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Ernesto special cost center so that all of our issues and costs can be tracked accordingly should we become declared by FEMA for this event. That will aid in our bookkeeping and accounting and will also help us with some of the small but albeit emergent needs that we may have over the next 24 to 48 hours. I'll come back to that. I believe you need to vote on that as a resolution to the board. Deputy County Attorney Mike Pettit has a State of Emergency Declaration I believe he needs to read into the minutes. And I believe that's about all I have for you. Other than to tell you that it's my full anticipation that we do not have to enter any mandatory evacuation discussions. However, I would encourage you that to -- or seek direction from you as to how we would like to -- whether you want to express some authority to the County Manager, should we have a rapidly developing event where we have to take emergent action. Or if you'd like to reconvene in some fashion should I have to movement forword with any other prohibitions, curfews or evacuations. But right now our state of emergency does not include curfews, prohibitions or mandatory evacuation. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Commissioner Henning? COMMISSIONER HENNING: Question. Is there a certain Page 18 August 28, 2006 wind speed reaching Collier County that you would start expending some of that money? MR. SUMMERS: Sir, any time the EOC activates, there are some of these general protective measures that we know we need to do. And the fact that the entire state is inclusive. And even the bigger threat by virtue of our contractual relationship on the state -- intra-state mutual aid agreement and our mutual aid agreements with other counties, any time -- the EOC is not typically budgeted for activation at all. So any of these small items that we're getting, such as variable message boards or the ability to respond in an early capacity with mutual aid, any of those type of things are typically not budgeted items. But however, without a doubt, this storm will make landfall in Florida. The contiguous counties are typically declared at 100 percent for their first 72 hours. I can assure you we'll be very judicious in all of our operation, but I also want to make sure I've got the latitude at 2:00 in the morning, if you will, that if something happens that we can move forward with good cost-efficient decisions. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, thanks for the answer. The only comment that I have, I don't have a problem meeting any time of the day or night, if we have to declare evacuation, a mandatory evacuation or some sort of curfew. I'm here. That's up to the rest of the commissioners. MR. SUMMERS: I don't anticipate, but, you know, it's my job to play the cautious side, so I wanted to make sure we're on record with that. And we would obviously be in consultation with the sheriff. We'll be assessing those needs in the community and come forth as needed. Item #4 and Item #5 Resolution 2006-203: Allowing a Budget Amendment for funding of Page 19 August 28, 2006 expenses by opening an appropriation fund, from Reserves, in a starting amount of $50,000 - Adopted; Resolution 2006-204 Declaring a State of Emergency due to Tropical Storm/Hurricane Emesto - Adopted COMMISSIONER HENNING: I make a motion that we expend up to $50,000 for this tropical storm/hurricane Ernesto event. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Is $50,000 a good start? MR. SUMMERS: Yes, sir, it is. COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second the motion. CHAIRMAN HALAS: We have a motion on the floor. Before we vote on this, County Attorney, did you want to read the proclamation into this motion? MR. PETTIT: Yes. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Okay, would you go forward. MR. PETTIT: Commissioners, for the record, Mike Pettit, chief assistant county attorney. The title of the proclamation resolution is Proclamation Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County to Declare a State of Emergency For All Territory Within the Legal Boundaries of Collier County, Including All Corporated, Unincorporated Areas. WHEREAS, Tropical Storm/Hurricane Ernesto has the potential for causing extensive damage to public utilities, public buildings, public communications systems, public streets and roads, public drainage systems, commercial and residential buildings and areas; and, WHEREAS, Collier County Emergency Management officials are recommending that a state of emergency be declared due to the current and predicted plan of Tropical Storm or Hurricane Ernesto; and, WHEREAS, Section 252.3(A)(5) of the Florida Statutes in Collier County Ordinance Nos. 84-37, 2001-45 and 2002-50, codified Page 20 August 28, 2006 at sections 38-56 through 38-70 in the Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances provide for a political subdivision such as Collier County to declare a state of local emergency, and to waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required of political subdivisions by law pertaining to. 1. Performance of public work in taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community. 2. Entering into contracts. 3. Incurring obligations. 4. Employment of permanent/temporary workers. 5. Rental of equipment. 6. Utilization of volunteer workers. 7. Acquisition and distribution with or without compensation of supplies, materials and facilities. 8. Appropriation expenditure of public funds. NOW THEREFORE, it is resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, in special session this 28th day of August, 2006, that Tropical Storm or Hurricane Ernesto poses a serious threat to the lives of property of residents of Collier County. And one, that a state of local emergency be declared effective immediately for all territory in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Collier County. Two, that the board hereby exercises its authority pursuant to Collier County Ordinance Nos. 84-37,2001-45, and 2002-50, and waives the procedures and formalities required by law of a political subdivision as provided in Section 252.3(A)( 5), Florida Statutes, including authorization for the purchasing director to waive existing purchasing card limitations during declared emergency. Three, that the board hereby declares that during an emergency, it shall be unlawful and an offense against the county for any person operating within the county to charge more than the normal average retail price for any merchandise, goods or services sold during the Page 21 August 28, 2006 emergency. The average retail price as used herein is defined to be that price at which similar merchandise, goods or services were being sold during the 30 days immediately preceding the emergency, or at a markup which is a larger percentage over wholesale cost than was being added to wholesale cost prior to the emergency. Four, that the board hereby declares that a threat to public, health and safety may result from generation of widespread debris throughout the county, and such debris constitutes a hazardous environment for all those that move in transportation of the residents, as well as emergency aid and relief services, endangerment to all properties in the county, an environment conducive to breeding disease and vermin and greatly increase risk of fire, and that is in the general -- or is in the public interest of safety to collect and remove disaster debris from all property, whether public lands, public or private roads and gated communities to eliminate an immediate threat to life, public health and safety to reduce the threat of additional damage to improve property and to promote economic recovery of the community at large. Five, that the board or its contracted agents shall have the authority to a right of access to private roads or gated communities, as needed by emergency vehicles, such as but not limited to fire, police, medical care, performance of damage assessment, emergency management, specialized search and rescue teams, human services and victim relief, temporary emergency traffic controls or detour efforts, debris removal of vehicles and equipment, utility equipment and sanitation efforts to alleviate immediate threats to public health and safety. This proclamation resolution adopted this 28th day of August, 2006. Commissioner Halas, I think typically we would give you a separate resolution. We'll present those as reflected in the budget Page 22 August 28, 2006 amendment. So I would ask that you vote on the budget amendment first and then vote on the State of Emergency Resolution. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Great. At this time we'll -- we have a motion on the floor for $50,000 for appropriation of emergency funding for the Tropical Storm/Hurricane Ernesto. And it was -- the motion was made by Commissioner Henning and seconded by Commissioner Fiala. If there is no further discussion, I'll call the question. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye. COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Aye. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Aye. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Opposed by like sign. (No response.) CHAIRMAN HALAS: Motion carries. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Move to approve the resolution proclamation of the Board of Commissioners, Collier County, declaring a state of emergency for all territories within the legal boundaries of Collier County -- CHAIRMAN HALAS: Do I have a second? COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Second. COMMISSIONER HENNING: -- including all incorporated, unincorporated areas. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Motion on the floor by Commissioner Henning in regards to the declaration of this proclamation, and seconded by Commissioner Coletta. Any further discussion? (No response.) CHAIRMAN HALAS: Hearing none, all those in favor, signify by saying aye. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Aye. Page 23 August 28, 2006 CHAIRMAN HALAS: Aye. COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Opposed by like sign. (No response.) CHAIRMAN HALAS: Motion carries. Is there any further business to be brought up at this time in regards to the Tropical Storm Ernesto? MR. MUDD: Not at this time, sir. Just as a final piece, have everybody -- and it was mentioned during the briefing, Mr. Summers did it and Sheriff Hunter did it quite eloquently, make sure that people listen to the news. If there's any change in school hours, that will be -- we'll get that out as fast as we can. If there's any change in storm projection, where it's going to go, we'll get the word out. If there's any change in garbage service, we'll get that out. But as it stands right now, there's no change to the normal schedules we have in Collier County. CHAIRMAN HALAS: So if there is any further changes that have a threat to Collier County, we then will reconvene as the Board of County Commissioners to address the concerns at that time; is that my understanding? MR. MUDD: We can, sir, if that's the board's desire. CHAIRMAN HALAS: I believe that was some of the discussion that was brought up as we were going -- working through the process here. MR. MUDD: Yes, sir. Ifit comes straight at us and we have to evacuate or anything like that, sir, we'll have a special meeting. And we'll call it, no matter what time. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Okay. Any other further information? (No response.) CHAIRMAN HALAS: If not, we are adjourned-- Page 24 August 28, 2006 MR. MUDD: Commissioner? SHERIFF HUNTER: Hang on. CHAIRMAN HALAS: I'm sorry. SHERIFF HUNTER: Mr. Chairman, it just occurred to me, I did make the comments and Mr. Summers did, and County Manager Mudd did, but the Collier County Sheriffs Office is maintaining regular routine business hours today. If you need to report, you need to come and file a report, please, by all means come in. We will keep the board posted should that schedule change. Therefore, everything remains exactly the same as it normally is. CHAIRMAN HALAS: One other thing that I think needs to be mentioned is the difference between 3 -1-1 and 9-1-1. Could we get a clarification on that so there isn't a mixup in the general public? MR. SUMMERS: Sir, yes, thank you. Dan Summers. The concern there, 3-1-1. 3-1-1 is primarily an information and referral, human services type. So by no stretch is that an emergency number, nor is it manned 24 hours. 3-1-1 is a community information service that's opened during specific hours. 9-1-1 in Collier County is for your genuine true emergency situations that you need a dispatch for law enforcement, for fire, for Emergency Medical Services, et cetera. CHAIRMAN HALAS: Just wanted to get that on the record and make sure that we're perfectly clear what the difference is between 3-1-1 and 9-1-1 so that we don't end up getting into some serious concerns here by the citizens. Are there any further information that needs to be brought forward? (N 0 response.) CHAIRMAN HALAS: If not, we are adjourned. Thank you very much. Page 25 August 28, 2006 ***** There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 2:45 p.m. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS CONTROL. FRAN~~ar; ATTEST: DWIGHT E. BROCK, CLERK fkN. O-u.u ~~ DC . ~J () Attest .s to C 'rI14ft, It~ onl- These minutes approyed by the Board on q -a-",- dDO<.e, as presented ~ or as corrected , TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF GREGORY COURT REPORTING SERVICE, INC. BY CHERIE' NOTTINGHAM. Page 26