Immokalee Beautification MSTU Minutes 11/18/2020
Enclosure 1
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MINUTES
Joint Meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency Immokalee Local Redevelopment Advisory Board
and the Immokalee Lighting and Beautification MSTU Advisory Committee on November 18, 2020. The
Advisory board members, staff, and public appeared virtually and in person.
Hybrid Remote Public Meeting
CareerSource
750 South 5th Street
Immokalee, FL 34142
A. Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Frank Nappo, CRA Chair at 9:04 A.M. Dr. Frank Nappo will
chair CRA items and Peter Johnson will chair MSTU items.
B. Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer.
Dr. Frank Nappo led the Pledge of Allegiance and Pastor Terry Mallory the prayer.
C. Roll Call and Announcement of a Quorum.
Monica Acosta opened roll call. A quorum was announced for the CRA board and the MSTU board.
CRA Advisory Board Members Present in Person:
Frank Nappo, Patricia “Anne” Goodnight, Francisco “Frank” Leon, Edward “Ski” Olesky, and Estil Null.
CRA Advisory Board Members Present via Zoom:
Andrea Halman and Mark Lemke.
CRA Advisory Board Members Absent/Excused:
Yvar Pierre and Michael “Mike” Facundo.
MSTU Advisory Committee Members Present:
Peter Johnson, Norma Garcia, and Cherryle Thomas
MSTU Advisory Committee Members Present via Zoom:
Andrea Halman
MSTU Advisory Committee Members Absent/Excused:
Bernardo Barnhart
Others Present in Person:
Fred Thomas Jr, Julian Morgan, Walt Buchholtz, James Sainvilus, and Megan Greer.
Others Present via Zoom:
Christina Guerrero, Pastor Terry Mallory, Eric Ortman, Toni Mott, Dan Rodriguez, Michele Mosca,
Brent Trout, Drew Cody, Yakira Chu, John Raymond, Silvia Puente, Evelyn Longa, Carrie Williams, Dr.
Arol Buntzman, Maria Pizarro, Michelle Tricca, Brian Miller, Anita Jenkins, Rick Miller, Armando
Yzaguirre, Abel Jaimes, Annie Alvarez, Isrrael Peña, Dottie Cook, Deputy Armando Yzaguirre, Clay
Hollenkamp, and Mark Beland.
Staff Present in Person:
Debrah Forester, Yvonne Blair, and Monica Acosta.
Staff Present via Zoom:
Christie Betancourt
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CRA Action:
Action: Mr. Ski Olesky made a motion to allow board members on Zoom the ability to vote. Mr.
Estil Null seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. 5-0.
MSTU Action:
Action: Ms. Norma Garcia made a motion to allow board member on Zoom the ability to vote. Ms.
Cherryle Thomas seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. 3-0.
D. Approval of Agenda.
Staff presented the agenda to the boards for approval. Agenda was approved as presented.
CRA Action:
Action: Ms. Anne Goodnight made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Francisco
“Frank” Leon seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. 7-0.
MSTU Action:
Action: Ms. Cherryle Thomas made a motion to approve agenda as presented. Ms. Norma Garcia
seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. 4-0.
E. Approval of Consent Agenda.
1. Minutes
i. Joint CRA & MSTU Committee Meeting for October 21, 2020 (Enclosure 1)
2. Budget Reports (Enclosure 2)
3. Community Meetings (Enclosure 3)
4. Operations Manager Report (Enclosure 4)
Staff presented the CRA and MSTU boards with the October 21, 2020 Joint CRA and MSTU Committee
Meeting Minutes, Budget Reports, Community Meetings, and Operations Manager Report. Board
member Ms. Andrea Halman noted that on page 7 item H#5 in the meeting minutes needed one small
correction, the word “that” needed to be deleted.
“Commissioner McDaniel requested that staff verify that the voting process.”
CRA Action:
Action: Ms. Anne Goodnight made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda with a minor change.
Mr. Estil Null seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. 7-0.
MSTU Action: Ms. Cherryle Thomas made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda with a minor
change. Ms. Norma Garcia seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. 4-0.
F. Announcements.
1. Communications Folder
Staff reviewed the communications folder with the board and members of the public. The folder
contained the public notice for this meeting.
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2. Public Comments speaker slips
CRA Staff reiterated the public 3-minute speaker slip policy. The board will give more time if they
feel it necessary.
G. New Business.
1. Lake Trafford Cemetery Update
Mr. Dan Rodriguez, Collier County Public Utilities Department Head addressed the boards with
updates on the Lake Trafford Cemetery. He said they have updated the drainage at that site along
with enhanced landscape. The new gate got damaged, but they are working on fixing it. Their plan
is to have a site person there and possibly in the future some cameras, there have been recent
accounts of vandalism and items being taken. They want to make the signs in front more customer
service orientated than enforcement. The enforcement signs that state the rules will be placed off
to the side. The other thing they will be working on is getting contact information from the buyer
of the plot to ensure they understand the rules and regulations. They have had a few people that
have encroached on other plots and some have built structures that are not allowed. Their job would
be to educate and reinforce the rules and guidelines with sensitivity due to the nature of the park.
He is representing the county and caretaker and would like to get advice and recommendations that
the board has as well as the community.
Ms. Andrea Halman said that many community members use that site for exercise, and she would
like to see it improved and enhanced more.
Ms. Maria Pizarro commented that they have an AIMS issue opened for this park, it is being updated
constantly to address the community members concerns.
Staff has someone in this department who is specifically responsible for managing the site, selling
the plots, and working with anyone that may be having an issue at the site. Her name is Debbie
Goodaker and can be reached at (239)-252-8922. If issues cannot be resolved, she may be contacted
by email.
Mr. Dan Rodriguez stated that there will be a groundskeeper, depending on the budget, he would
expect for the groundskeeper to be out at the site once a week or more. As to enforcement, he said
we must work that out as a team, our concerns are the encroachment of other plots because the plots
are personal property. He said education would be good and maybe doing a newsletter to help with
education and provide updates with pictures.
After a Q&A session Mr. Rodriquez will look into providing updates on how many plots are
available at the cemetery. He will also provide a site plan to see about getting benches, additional
trees, trash cans, and lighting. His updates will be provided to CRA staff so that they can share at
a future meeting. They will also look into providing annual updates as suggested by Dr. Nappo.
2. Immokalee Foundation Learning Lab Presentation
Mr. Julian Morgan with the Immokalee Foundation introduced himself and Walt Buchholtz the
director of operations for the Immokalee Foundation and gave a brief introduction to their project.
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Mr. Walt Buchholtz gave a brief history of his work with the Immokalee Foundation and explained
that initially he was asked to look at the Immokalee Foundation programs regarding education from
elementary through college for local students.
Collier Enterprises donated eight acres in Immokalee near the farmer’s market and gave them
$100,000 to get it permitted and then gave them $500,000 in a matching grant to put in the
infrastructure to build 18 homes with the students. Students will be working with BCB Homes and
iTECH to provide the instructions to the students so that they can get industry certifications and a
platform to go to college to get an Engineering degree or a Construction Management degree. BCB
Homes will be donating their time to the students. This program will be open to students enrolled
in the Immokalee Foundation Program but also to High School Students that are enrolled at iTECH,
this gives all students in Immokalee a chance to have an internship that will earn them credentials
in this field prior to graduating High School.
This project will construct a total of 18 homes, 3 homes per year, and will be sold at market value,
currently estimated at $250,000. The homes will be 1650 square feet, three bedroom/2 bath, break
room, kitchen, two car garage, and outdoor area. This will be a nice community and will take about
six years to build. This project will benefit the students as well as the Immokalee community. The
first slab will be poured tomorrow.
Mr. Walt Buchholtz stated that the mission of the Immokalee Foundation with this program is to
educate students and provide them a pathway to successful professional careers. The secondary
benefit to this program is providing good housing to attract business professionals to live in the
community.
Mr. Julian Morgan said that the presentation was just for informational purposes. The goal was to
let the boards know what the Learning Lab was and what they are trying to do to help the students
of Immokalee.
3. Blue Zone Project – Donation/Grant Funding
Ms. Debrah Forester explained to the boards that Ms. Megan Greer was here on behalf of the Blue
Zones Project to speak about donating money for an opportunity to buy bike racks or other materials
to fulfill the Blue Zones Mission which is walkability and good lifestyle. Staff has been working
with Megan because there is a requirement that the funds need to be donated by December 23, 2020.
The money can be spent later, but the funds must be accepted. The money can be accepted by the
CRA or Parks Department to be used in any of the facilities. Staff is asking for support for the
donation by Blue Zones to be spent in Immokalee. The donation amount is $7,500 and can be used
on a variety of things and will go which ever entity can meet the time frame of acceptance. In order
to meet the deadline Collier County Parks & Recreation has agreed to process the paperwork for
the donation to Collier County Board of County Commissioners.
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CRA Action:
Action: Ms. Anne Goodnight made a motion to support the donation of $7,500 from Blue Zones
Project to Collier County Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Estil Null seconded the motion and it
passed by unanimous vote. 7-0.
H. CRA & MSTU Old Business.
1. Immokalee Area Master Plan – Implementation Schedule (Enclosure 5)
Ms. Michele Mosca addressed the board. She is now with Community Planning and she introduced
the team, new team member, Eric Ortman, and Anita Jenkins, Planning and Zoning Director. She
went over the Immokalee Area Master Plan Initiatives on Enclosure 5. The plan was adopted in
December of 2019, within the plan, Immokalee has 15 planning initiatives that were identified. For
ease of implementation the team has grouped the initiative into five groups. All initiatives have
been started, three of the initiatives in group one will be looked at by a consultant group at the same
time. The team can provide updates on an as needed basis.
2. Casa San Juan Diego Housing Development – Letter of Support (Enclosure 6)
Mr. John Raymond with National Development Corp addressed the board. He did a quick recap of
his October presentation on the Casa San Juan Diego Housing Development. One of the questions
that was brought up previously was the ownership structure and real estate taxes. The ownership
structure is 0.01% non-profit associated with the Diocese of Venice and 99.99% for profit equity
investor thus the project will pay Ad Valorem taxes on the development.
Mr. Rick Miller with National Development Corp explained further that they own several structures
that are the same as this one and they pay taxes on all of them.
Mr. James Sainvilus was concerned with letting Immokalee be known as low income housing. He
is also concerned with businesses coming in asking for support but then not supporting
infrastructure or maintenance.
Mr. Rick Miller stated that this project will not be all low income, there will not be any rental
assistance. Everyone who will live in the development will be gainfully employed and the
development will provide a place for people who work in Immokalee a place to live that they can
afford. The way to grow businesses in Immokalee is keeping residents in the community so that
they buy goods and services in Immokalee and not from the area they are commuting from. He
knows that there is a housing shortage everywhere in the state for every demographic. They will
be paying taxes which will help with infrastructure, be it road or drainage improvements. This will
be an asset to Immokalee. They are not low-income housing; they are moderate income housing
for people who make moderate income.
Dr. Frank Nappo, CRA Chair, asked that each board member comment on the development before
voting.
Mr. Francisco Leon is not in favor of the development because of the low-income situation.
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Mr. Estil Null is in favor being that the point is to keep people here and it will give the middle class
an opportunity to get good housing.
Mr. Ski Olesky did not care for the setup of the development but knows that housing is needed.
Ms. Anne Goodnight, CRA Vice-Chair, is in favor because better housing is needed.
Ms. Andrea Halman is in favor because the biggest issue was the development paying taxes and
they have addressed that concern. Taxes will be paid, and housing is needed.
Mr. Mark Lemke is in favor because housing is needed and with the previous presentation stating
that college kids want to come back to the community, this development would give them that
chance. A college student will not want to live in a trailer after experiencing life away at a
University. This would also give professionals like teachers a better housing choice to live in the
community versus the surrounding areas. At this point the letter of support is for them to get the
funding needed to build.
Dr. Frank Nappo held a roll call vote to approve the motion. Mr. Francisco Leon was the only
board member to oppose.
CRA Action:
Action: Ms. Anne Goodnight made a motion to sign the letter of support for the Casa San Juan
Diego Housing Development. Mr. Ski Olesky seconded the motion and it passed with a vote of 6-1.
3. MSTU Advisory Board Committee Expansion (Enclosure 7)
Staff provided an update on the expansion of the MSTU Advisory Board Committee. The
expansion will go to the Board of County Commissioners meeting on December 8, 2020 for
approval. If the approval goes through it will be advertised and staff hopes to have applications for
the MSTU committee to vote on in January.
4. Project Manager Report (Enclosure 8)
Staff presented the board with the project manager report, enclosure 8. The welcome sign is now
in permitting and once permit has been issued the artist will be able to come in and complete her
portion of the sign.
i. CDBG Immokalee Sidewalk Project - Carver & South 5th Street
Staff provided updates to the Carver & South 5th Street Project. Staff will be seeking to extend
the CDBG grant after getting a substantial completion date from the construction company.
ii. Main Street (SR29) Improvements Project #439002-1- Update
Staff provided board updates on the Main Street Project. Staff will be meeting with FDOT
to address the lighting issue on Main Street as well as the sidewalks and pavers that are being
removed.
5. Contractor Maintenance Reports
i. A & M Property Maintenance
a. Maintenance Report & Schedule (Enclosure 9)
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Staff reviewed the schedule of maintenance with the board.
Mr. Armando Yzaguirre provided some updates, the schedule of maintenance has been
business as usual. There was a recent irrigation break and FDOT needs to address it as
it was in their construction zone.
Board is ok with Mr. Yzaguirre putting up lighted Christmas decorations on the blue
poles the day after Thanksgiving.
Staff will contact Mr. Yzaguirre on the tree trimming schedule.
ii. Project Manager Observation Field Report (Enclosure 10)
Ms. Yvonne Blair reviewed the project manager observation field report, enclosure 12 with the
boards.
6. The Face of Immokalee (Enclosure 12)
Ms. Michelle Tricca addressed the board. She explained her project. She hopes to be able to
utilize the Zocalo Plaza wall, as well as trucks, walls, and fencing at Lipman Farms. She said
Lipman Farms has agreed to allow her to use two trucks, several walls, and the fencing that
goes around their packing facility off of Main Street in Immokalee. She has been proactively
seeking funding and now has a fiscal sponsor.
Mr. Peter Johnson, MSTU Vice-Chair asked what the fiscal goal of this project is.
Ms. Tricca explained that she needs approximately $80,000 dollars which includes commercial
grade weatherproof printing, installation, and graphic design/digital tech that is needed to
compose all of the images that will be used.
Ms. Andrea Halman asked if any of the businesses that are giving her canvases are willing to
give her money being that she is providing the business with an upgrade and improving their
building.
Ms. Tricca stated that Jamie with Lipman has told her that they can give her $2,500 for upfront
costs but anything else would have to go through the family.
Dr. Frank Nappo, CRA Chair, asked for each CRA board member to give their opinion of this
project.
Mr. Francisco Leon did not care for the project being that the repercussions to the individuals
who have portraits up when someone vandalizes it and then there is retaliation.
Mr. Estil Null was concerned about graffiti with regards to portraits.
Mr. Ski Olesky was also concerned with vandalism and retaliation.
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Ms. Andrea Halman was in support of the project since it is portraits of the community.
Mr. Mark Lemke supported it.
Dr. Frank Nappo held a roll call vote to approve the motion. Mr. Francisco Leon was the only
board member to oppose.
CRA Action:
Action: Ms. Andrea Halman made a motion to allow the use of Zocalo Plaza Art Wall as a canvas
for Ms. Tricca’s The Face of Immokalee Project. Mr. Estil Null seconded the motion and it passed with a
vote of 5-1.
MSTU Action:
Action: Ms. Andrea Halman made a motion to allow the use of Zocalo Plaza Art Wall as a canvas
for Ms. Tricca’s The Face of Immokalee Project. Ms. Cherryle Thomas seconded the motion and it passed
by unanimous vote. 3-0.
Dr. Frank Nappo, CRA Chair asked if it was necessary for the boards to meet in December.
Ms. Debrah Forester explained that as of today there are no actionable items that need to be
addressed by the CRA or the MSTU.
Dr. Frank Nappo recommended that there be no meeting in December and have the next
meeting in January.
Ms. Debrah Forester stated that the decision to not meet in December was fine and there could
be a special meeting done if any actionable item came up for either board.
I. Other Agencies
1. Code Enforcement (Enclosure 12)
Staff provided board updates for Code Enforcement.
2. FDOT updates
No updates.
3. Collier EDO/Immokalee Culinary Accelerator
No updates.
J. Citizens Comments.
No additional Citizens Comments
K. Next Meeting Date. The next CRA meeting will be on January 20, 2021 at 9:00 A.M.at the
CareerSource SWFL located at 750 South 5th Street Immokalee, FL.
The next MSTU meeting will be on January 27, 2021 at 8:30 A.M. at
the Career Source SWFL located at 750 South 5th Street Immokalee, FL.
L. Adjournment. Meeting Adjourned @ 11:36 A.M.
* Zoom Meeting chat is attached to the minutes for the record.
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Packet Pg. 353 Attachment: MSTU Meeting Minutes - November 18, 2020 (14868 : Immokalee MSTU Advisory Board - January 27, 2021)
09:15:09 From Isrrael Pena : I have a public question/comment/suggestion
09:19:58 From Isrrael Pena : Maria can you type that number in the chat?
09:26:51 From Maria Pizarro : 311/AMS # 47135
09:27:18 From Annie Alvarez : Dan I will be happy to give you the history. I managed the
maintenance for many years.
09:27:37 From Maria Pizarro : Please give me a call if you need help accessing it
09:27:49 From Maria Pizarro : 239252-8113
09:30:24 From Isrrael Pena : follow up
09:36:18 From Yakira Chu to Monica Acosta(Privately) : can't hear them
09:36:20 From Christie Betancourt : We can't hear him.
09:36:58 From Monica Acosta to Yakira Chu(Privately) : can you hear now?
09:37:07 From Yakira Chu to Monica Acosta(Privately) : yes maam =)
09:37:17 From Michelle Tricca : Yvonne - are you able to put your camera on him?
09:38:33 From Dan Rodriguez : Thank you everyone for your time and input. We will work on
those items mentioned and work to complete those projects I highlighted. Take care!
09:39:00 From Michelle Tricca : Thanks, Yvonne! Also, if you ask speakers to stand a bit closer to
your computer, the re-virb will decrease for better audio :)
09:55:32 From Christie Betancourt : I am working for you! I am an Immokalee Foundation
Alumni!
09:58:10 From Michelle Tricca : Christie - awesome! I didn’t know that about you.
10:30:18 From Christie Betancourt : Can't hear him Frank Leon's comment.
10:58:22 From Annie Alvarez : I want to speak
10:59:18 From Michelle Tricca : Yvonne - I’ll be showing a video. Can you have the in-person
attendees watch your screen at that time?
10:59:43 From Monica Acosta : Michelle, all of you are on the screen now
10:59:45 From Yvonne Blair : + yes
11:00:39 From Annie Alvarez : that's incorrect....
11:01:02 From Michelle Tricca to Monica Acosta(Privately) : Monica, I meant the people in the
room with Yvonne. Unless they are on their laptops, they can’t see the Zoom attendees.
11:01:23 From Monica Acosta to Michelle Tricca(Privately) : I am in the room, she has a
projector connected to her laptop
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Packet Pg. 354 Attachment: MSTU Meeting Minutes - November 18, 2020 (14868 : Immokalee MSTU Advisory Board - January 27, 2021)
11:01:33 From Monica Acosta to Michelle Tricca(Privately) : you are on a screen
11:01:51 From Michelle Tricca to Monica Acosta(Privately) : Oh! I was not aware of this. Thank
you for letting me know!
11:02:04 From Annie Alvarez : can you hear me
11:02:10 From Michelle Tricca to Monica Acosta(Privately) : We just can’t see you.
11:02:26 From Monica Acosta to Annie Alvarez(Privately) : Yes, us a moment for Mark to finish
11:02:48 From Michelle Tricca to Monica Acosta(Privately) : Monica, how many people are in
the room?
11:03:11 From Monica Acosta to Michelle Tricca(Privately) : 15
11:04:08 From Monica Acosta : are you using headphones?
11:04:19 From Annie Alvarez to Monica Acosta(Privately) : iit says thy host muted me
11:04:38 From Monica Acosta to Annie Alvarez(Privately) : I am the host I didn't mute you
11:07:07 From Annie Alvarez to Monica Acosta(Privately) : Christy can you call 252-7255
11:07:25 From Michelle Tricca : https://www.michelletricca.com/projects/the-face-of-
immokalee
11:12:46 From Annie Alvarez to Monica Acosta(Privately) : The Parks and recreation
Department has no
11:13:13 From Monica Acosta to Annie Alvarez(Privately) : you need to send your message to
everyone
11:13:23 From Monica Acosta to Annie Alvarez(Privately) : right now you are sending to me
privately
11:18:08 From anniealvarez : I would like to speak after this presentation.
11:18:57 From anniealvarez : We recommended not to have the event but to have a reverse
parade.
11:19:40 From anniealvarez : if my speaker doesn't work now can you call 580-9116
11:19:53 From anniealvarez : my cell
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