Agenda 04/12/2022 Item #16A13 (Freedom Park Bypass Canal Bank Study Agreement w/Naples Botanical Garden, Inc.)04/12/2022
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to approve and execute a Temporary Access and Landscape Easement and
Agreement between Collier County and the Naples Botanical Garden, Inc., concerning the Freedom
Park Bypass Canal Bank Study using native low-growing grasses and authorize the Chairman to
sign and execute the Agreement.
OBJECTIVE: Utilize a Temporary Access and Landscape Easement at the Freedom Park Bypass
Canal to study native low-growing grasses to determine the feasibility of using an alternative to
traditional sod to reduce mowing, operational costs, and improve water quality.
CONSIDERATIONS: The Naples Botanical Garden (“Grantee”) seeks to conduct a Big Cypress
Basin of the South Florida Water Management District contracted study using native low -
growing ground cover plantings along a stretch of canal bank at the Freedom Park Bypass Canal.
The purpose of the study is to determine the feasibility of using an alternative to traditional sod
to reduce mowing and operational costs as well as maintain canal bank stabilization. This would
also improve water quality in downstream water bodies by reducing the amount of organic-rich
grass clippings in canals from mowing.
The Naples Botanical Garden seeks to use two 80-foot sections on each of the north and south
banks of the Canal located along the north side of the Fred W. Coyle Freedom Park for the Study
and Plantings. The area is managed by Collier County Transportation Management Services
Department staff. The Naples Botanical Garden will install the plantings at the onset of the 2022
wet season and monitor the plantings through August 2023. They will install, maintain, access,
study, rope off, and provide public awareness signage for the plantings. During the time frame of
the study, Collier County will have no maintenance obligations or responsibilities for the study
or plantings.
The Florida Communities Trust (FCT) provided written approval for the project, as required by
the Freedom Park Management Plan and related covenants (OR Book 4103 PG 3425).
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. Naples Botanical Garden, Inc.
is responsible for all recording fees.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no Growth Management Impact associated with this
action.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to
form and legality, and requires a majority vote for Board approval. -DDP
RECOMMENDATION: To approve and execute a Temporary Access and Landscape Easement
and Agreement between Collier County and the Naples Botanical Garden, Inc., concerning a
Freedom Park Bypass Canal Bank Study using native low-growing grasses and authorize the
Chairman to sign and execute the Agreement.
Prepared by: Pamela Lulich, PLA, CPM, Landscape Operations Manager
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Naples Botanical Garden - Temporary Access and Landscape Easement and Agreement (PDF)
2. Letter of Intent with Project Map (PDF)
3. 05-027-FF5.FCT.Approval.Temp.Easement (PDF)
16.A.13
Packet Pg. 769
04/12/2022
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.A.13
Doc ID: 21745
Item Summary: Recommendation to approve and execute a Temporary Access and Landscape
Easement and Agreement between Collier County and the Naples Botanical Garden, Inc., concerning the
Freedom Park Bypass Canal Bank Study using native low-growing grasses and authorize the Chairman to
sign and execute the Agreement.
Meeting Date: 04/12/2022
Prepared by:
Title: Manager - Landscape Operations – Growth Management Department
Name: Pamela Lulich
03/21/2022 10:16 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Deputy Department Head – Growth Management Department
Name: Trinity Scott
03/21/2022 10:16 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Road Maintenance Gerald Kurtz Additional Reviewer Completed 03/21/2022 8:27 PM
Public Utilities Operations Support Tara Castillo Additional Reviewer Completed 03/22/2022 9:25 PM
Growth Management Department Ellen Sheffey Growth Management Department Completed 03/23/2022 9:50 AM
Growth Management Department Pamela Lulich Growth Management Skipped 03/22/2022 3:56 PM
Parks & Recreation Summer BrownAraque Additional Reviewer Completed 03/23/2022 2:34 PM
Growth Management Department Trinity Scott Transportation Completed 03/24/2022 2:22 PM
County Attorney's Office Derek D. Perry Level 2 Attorney Review Completed 03/24/2022 4:40 PM
Office of Management and Budget Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 03/25/2022 8:05 AM
Office of Management and Budget Laura Zautcke Additional Reviewer Completed 03/25/2022 11:31 AM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 03/25/2022 2:41 PM
County Manager's Office Geoffrey Willig Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 03/28/2022 10:15 AM
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending 04/12/2022 9:00 AM
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Packet Pg. 771 Attachment: Naples Botanical Garden - Temporary Access and Landscape Easement and Agreement (21745 : Recommendation to approve and
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Packet Pg. 772 Attachment: Naples Botanical Garden - Temporary Access and Landscape Easement and Agreement (21745 : Recommendation to approve and
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Packet Pg. 773 Attachment: Naples Botanical Garden - Temporary Access and Landscape Easement and Agreement (21745 : Recommendation to approve and
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Packet Pg. 774 Attachment: Naples Botanical Garden - Temporary Access and Landscape Easement and Agreement (21745 : Recommendation to approve and
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Packet Pg. 775 Attachment: Naples Botanical Garden - Temporary Access and Landscape Easement and Agreement (21745 : Recommendation to approve and
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Packet Pg. 776 Attachment: Naples Botanical Garden - Temporary Access and Landscape Easement and Agreement (21745 : Recommendation to approve and
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Packet Pg. 777 Attachment: Naples Botanical Garden - Temporary Access and Landscape Easement and Agreement (21745 : Recommendation to approve and
BIG CYPRESS BASIN GOVERNING BOARD BASIN ADMINISTRATOR
Charlette Roman, Chair Dan Waters, Vice Chair Lisa Koehler
Andrew D. W. Hill Nanette Rivera
March 11, 2022
Marshall Miller, Manager of Stormwater Maintenance
Growth Management Department
4800 Davis Boulevard
Naples, FL 34104
Dear Mr. Miller:
Subject: Letter of Intent
Project: Canal Bank Study Using Native Low-Growing Grasses
The Big Cypress Basin (Basin) is contracting Naples Botanical Garden (Garden) to
conduct a study using native low-growing ground cover along a stretch of canal bank at
the Freedom Park Bypass Canal (See Attached Map). The purpose of the study is to
determine the feasibility of using an alternative to traditional sod in order to reduce
mowing and operational costs as well as maintain canal bank stabilization. This would
also improve water quality in downstream water bodies by reducing the amount of
organic-rich grass clippings in canals from mowing.
The Garden intends to use two 80-foot sections on each of the north and south banks of
the canal for their study area. Native grasses to be installed will include Saltgrass,
Seashore Paspalum, and Seashore Dropseed which are known to be low maintenance,
tolerant to a wide range of environmental conditions, and to have a stronger root system
than traditional sod. Plants will be installed at the onset of wet season (~June 1, 2022)
and monitoring will occur for one year. The study is anticipated to be complete by August
of 2023 with a final report to the Big Cypress Basin Board on October 26, 2023.
Assistance will be needed from Collier County to provide access, rope off the project area,
and provide signage for public awareness.
We look forward to working with you on this important study. Please direct any questions
to Shawn Meyer at (239) 263-7615 or at smeyer@sfwmd.gov.
Sincerely,
Lisa Koehler
Big Cypress Basin Administrator
16.A.13.b
Packet Pg. 778 Attachment: Letter of Intent with Project Map (21745 : Recommendation to approve and execute a Temporary Access and Landscape Easement
- Study Locations
Canal Bank Study Site Locations 16.A.13.bPacket Pg. 779Attachment: Letter of Intent with Project Map (21745 : Recommendation to approve and execute a Temporary Access and Landscape Easement
F LORIDA D EPARTMENT O F
Environmental Protection
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Building
3900 Commonwealth Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Ron DeSantis Governor
Jeanette Nuñez
Lt. Governor
Shawn Hamilton
Secretary
3/24/2022
Mr. Derek D. Perry
Assistant County Attorney
Collier County Attorney Office
3299 East Tamiami Trail, Suite 800
Naples, Florida 34112
Re.: Temporary Easement
Freedom Park, FCT Project Number 05-028-FF5
Dear Attorney Perry:
Greetings from the Florida Communities Trust (FCT). Thank you for submitting
Collier County’s request for FCT review of the above referenced temporary
easement. The easement will grant temporary access to the Naples Botanical
Garden to conduct a study of the effectiveness of various low-growth wetland
grasses on the banks of the Bypass Canal. The term of this temporary easement
is June 1, 2022 through September 1, 2023.
I’ve spoken with our main FCT contact for Freedom Park, Melissa Hennig. The
park is in full support of this temporary easement. OUR FCT Program Attorney
has reviewed the temporary easement for conformance with FCT Program Rules
and the terms and conditions of the grant award. We find no conflicts.
Therefore, FCT approves of this temporary access easement.
FCT suggests that the Naples Botanical Garden staff use the service entrance off
of Goodlette-Frank Road in the northwest former of Freedom Park for all planting
related activities. We understand that this was very likely the plan from the
beginning. We make this suggestion to minimize disruption to normal park
operations. Ms. Hennig agrees with this suggestion. Once the planting is in
place, Ms. Hennig states that Botanical Garden staff may use the regular park
entrance for monitoring activities.
16.A.13.c
Packet Pg. 780 Attachment: 05-027-FF5.FCT.Approval.Temp.Easement (21745 : Recommendation to approve and execute a Temporary Access and Landscape
Again, thank you for forwarding the proposed easement for FCT review and
approval. If you have questions, please call me at 850-245-2783 or email
Bill.Bibby@FloridaDEP.gov with c.c. to FloridaCommunitiesTrust@FloridaDEP.gov.
Sincerely,
Bill Bibby, FCCM
Planner IV
/bb
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Packet Pg. 781 Attachment: 05-027-FF5.FCT.Approval.Temp.Easement (21745 : Recommendation to approve and execute a Temporary Access and Landscape