PARAB Minutes 08/17/2022August 17, 2022
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE 04 04
PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
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Naples, Florida, August 17, 2022
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LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Collier County Parks and Recreation Advisory
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Board inand for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on
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this date at
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2 P.M. in REGULAR SESSION at East Naples Community Park, 3 500
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Thomasson Dr., Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
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CHAIRMAN: Edward "Ski" Olesky
VICE CHAIR: Joshua Fruth
Paul DeMarco (excused)
Rebecca Gibson-Laemel
Kristina Heuser
Lee Dixon
Jessica Bergel
Donna Fiala
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ALSO PRESENT: Miguel Rojas Jr., Admin. Assistant, Parks & Recreation
Randi Hopkins, Interim Regional Mgr., Parks & Recreation
Dayne Atkinson, Principal Project Manager, Public Services
Dave Closas, Principal Project Manager, Facilities
Tanya Williams, Director, Public Services Department
Derrick "Rick"Garby, Superintendent, Parks & Recreation
James Hanrahan, Spvr., North Collier Regional Park Rec-Plex
Aaron Hopkins, Regional Manager, Parks & Recreation
Jeanine McPherson, Parks Manager, Parks & Recreation
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Any persons in need of a verbatim record of the meeting may request a copy of the Zoom recording from
the Collier County Parks & Recreation Department.
I. Call to Order
Chairman Olesky called the meeting to order at 2 p.m.
A quorum of seven was established.
H. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and an invocation/moment of silence was observed.
III. Approval of Agenda
Mr. Garby said he was representing Acting Parks Director Olema Edwards, who could not
make it to the meeting today. There are no changes to the agenda.
Ms. Heuser moved to approve the agenda. Second by Vice Chair Fruth. The motion passed
unanimously, 7-0.
IV. Previous Meeting Minutes
Ms. Gibson Laemel moved to approve the June IS, 2022, meeting minutes. Ms. Heuser
seconded it The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
V. Public/Board Comments
Ms. Fiala thanked the Board for allowing her to return after a lengthy absence. She was
recovering from an accident.
Chairman Olesky thanked her for returning..
Ms. Gibson-Laemel thanked Mr. Garby for providing the new PARAB name tags that she
requested.
VI. Welcome to ENCP Capital Projects [Kathy Topoleski, ENCP Parks Supervisor]
Ms. Topoleski gave a presentation/handout on the park's history and the following points were
made:
• She's worked for the County since 1997 and moved to the park in 2005 after it
reorganized.
• She created a brochure for park programs, noting Naples is the Pickleball Capital of the
World.
• Jim Thomas brought pickleball to the park in March 2011 and women taped the courts
with blue tape to play.
• In January 2014, she told then -Parks Director Barry Williams that they had a dilapidated
hockey rink and asked to convert it to pickleball; he agreed.
• In November 2014, they started an annual pickleball membership program using nine
courts that were converted from the hockey rink and six tennis courts that were taped.
• In December 2014, PARAB approved officially turning the courts into pickleball courts as
membership increased.
• In 2016, six courts were permanently made into pickleball courts and resurfaced; the
skatepark was turned into 12 pickleball courts for the U.S. Open Pickleball
Championships; and they had 900 participants.
• In 2016, staff managed and monitored 700 pickleball members.
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• In 2017, parks staff still managing pickleball, which had just over 1,200 members; U.S.
Pickleball rented courts from the park; shade structures were installed; 1,200 attended the
U.S. Open Pickleball Championships; and a concessionaire also began that year.
• In 2018, Pickleball Enterprise became the contracted concessionaire; 10 more pickleball
courts were built; another soccer field was added for parking; and 2,000 attended the U.S.
Open Pickleball Championships.
• In 2019, they converted the last two tennis courts to pickleball courts; 2,300 attended the
U.S. Open Pickleball Championships; and membership fees doubled from $25 to $50.
• In 2020, 10 more pickleball courts were built; Pickleball Enterprises requested that
membership fees be doubled to $100 and was declined; and about 2,600 attended the U.S.
Open Pickleball Championships:
• In 2021, Naples Pickleball Center (NPC) took over as the concessionaire, and the U.S.
Open was canceled due to COVID.
• In 2022, the Welcome Center was built; NPC had about 4,000 members; and just under
3,000 attended the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships."
Ms. Fiala noted that before pickleball; the East Naples Civic Association adopted this park
because it needed help. There was nothing for children to do. There was no swing set. The park
had no cash to fix it up. It was terrible, just leaves and shrubs. The difference between then and
now is amazing.
Ms. Topoleski said that when she arrived in 2005, there was a playground and basketball courts.
VII. Capital Projects Update [Dayne Atkinson and Dave Closas]
Mr. Closas showed a PowerPoint presentation and gave a report on the status of capital projects:
• The 951 Boat Ramp improvement and floating dock needed a more permanent repair to
improve the seawall and add boat ramps; there were earlier minor repairs.
Chairman Olesky asked if parking was being added.
Mr. Closas said that wasn't in the scope now and the parking lot was expanded in 2007
Mr. Closas continued his presentation:
• This $600,000 project will expand the mooring area and boat ramp to bring it back to its
original condition; it could potentially be a $2.5 million project.
• The Caxambas'seawall and docks are being repaired and replaced; it's in the 60% design
phase now and going through U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permitting, which will take
time; there will be a major investment and upgrade to the water facilities.
Mr. Dixon asked what the estimated time frame was, about six months?
Mr. Closas said one year and it will be completed next year.
Mr. Dixon asked if they'd be charging residents dock and ramp fees when they won't be able to
use the facility.
Mr. Closas said the operational side will be handling that.
Mr. Dixon said that will be a major problem.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked if anyone had looked at that.
Mr. Closas said it's being looked at.
Mr. Dixon said there need to be some contingencies here because we were just talking about
raising fees and now you're going to tell residents that they can't use that for a year.
Vice Chair Fruth noted that it has to be done, but they must issue a public notice.
Mr. Garby said there will be a public notice if it's shut down. People can go to another facility
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and fees can be suspended or reduced.
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Ms. Williams said that the County manager is having these conversations about operational N
concerns during the shutdown. We have operational issues at that park now. We don't have an N
answer yet, but it's on their radar. There will be notice to the public and the PARAB.
Mr. Closas said they will have a better idea of the timeline once the Army Corps permit is E
approved.;
Mr. Dixon said he understands the need but was pointing out the obvious.
Mr. Closas said we understand the residents' needs. We could open portions in phases. ,
Mr. Closas continued his presentation:
• Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park is 91 % completed. We're 11/2 years behind. It was
very complicated due to COVID and was a challenge. The biggest thing they just
completed was turning over the Community Center to Parks & Recreation. The aquatic
center is the last piece they'll turn over, with four pools, an aquatic building and a slide
pool. They have a TCO to occupy the main building and support construction efforts. It's
a $45 million project.
• BCIRP Phase 1 includes four soccer fields, two softball fields, a north concession stand,
outdoor basketball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, a playground, maintenance
building and event lawn.
• The Community Center has a ballroom, daycare and administration area.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked if ENCP has a ballroom.
East Naples Staff (audience) said this meeting room is the largest room we have.
Mr. Closas continued his presentation:
• Phase 2 brings a fitness center and they just got notice to proceed with its design. It will be
similar to the North Collier Regional Park fitness center.
• An access road will be added so there are two entrances due to frequent traffic backups.
• The $45 million phased -in project will add additional softball and multipurpose fields.
• There's a wetlands area, so it's challenging.
• They're building the access road now and preparing for the fitness center and providing
other amenities.
• The road is being designed now and they hope to bring that before the BCC in October or
November to solicit bids.
Mr. Dixon asked how many lanes the access road will have.
Mr. Closas said there will be two lanes. The easement of utilities will support the water treatment
plant. We're limited in the space we have. It's surrounded by commercial and housing
developments. We were given the opportunity to build the access road to service the park and
future commercial development.
Mr. Dixon said that it's inevitable that every time you build a two-lane road that in 10 years,
you're going to need four lanes.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked if they were going to fill in wetlands.
Mr. Closas said that they will use portions of the area to shape the area for drainage. They'll have
to dig out an entire lake feature. The focus is to bring in the key amenities so we're looking at the
costs due to high costs now. Do we squeeze in the lake or do we give funding back to build newer
facilities?
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Mr. Dixon asked if it's really wetlands or is it just a low-lying area that's just wet.
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Mr. Closas said the mitigation has been completed. It is wetlands.
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Mr. Closas continued his presentation:
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• The East Naples Community Park Welcome Center will be a 12,000-square-foot facility,
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with a 2,000-square-foot pro shop, restrooms, with showers, locker rooms and storage, as
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well as a covered patio. This will support pickleball events. It's a $3 million project and
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they're closing out about 300 punch -list items now:
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked if it was on budget.
Mr. Closas said it was on budget and additional amenities were added so they added scope.
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They're scheduling cleaning there now.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked if there was an update on the Immokalee seawall, the erosion project.
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An ENCP staff manager (audience) said they're working on that with Florida Fish & Wildlife,
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but the person handling that isn't here.
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Mr. Garby said they'd follow up on that and get back to her with the information.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel said that would be good because it's a lot of money.
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Mr. Atkinson introduced Luis Herrera, anew project manager who will be working with him on
park projects. The Immokalee turf fields and stormwater are in the design phase. He just got the
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30%o design phase on stormwater and those were approved.
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Mr. Dixon asked if they figured out how to get rid of the water.
Mr. Atkinson said the turf fields will absorb it. They will restructure and have perforated pipes
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and bubblers for a stormwater drain. The turf fields were needed for additional capacity. They've
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been working with the South Florida Water District. They're meeting with the pool designer
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tomorrow. The other aquatic projects involve Sun-N-Fun, which goes out to bid tomorrow. During
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the second meeting in September, the BCC will consider construction and it could start in
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October. Golden Gate is 100% designed. They're ready to send it out to procurement because it's
ready to bid and permit. Sun-N-Fun already is in the permitting stage. We're hoping to start
Golden Gate in mid -November. There are a lot of smaller projects they're scoping or getting ready
to go out to design on.
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Chairman Olesky asked about the turf field in Immokalee. He understood that they can't build
unless they get it drained.
Mr. Atkinson said it would be built simultaneously to get stormwater improvements.
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VIIL Director/Management Updates
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Manager Updates [Rick Garby, Parks Superintendent]
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• Most fields are open.
• There were 60 semi -loads going out countywide, with 15 loads of sand.
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• The sod has all been put down so they're in that process now.
• In Immokalee, there were six semi loads.
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• Seven loads went to Veterans Park.
• North Collier Regional Park received 13 loads.
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• For baseball and softball fields, there are 18 loads of clay and sand going out.
• Irrigation at the dog park was abandoned.
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• They're working on the cellphone towers; other concepts are being worked out.
• Lights are being checked at all fields because they go out during storms.
• A carpenter is working on posting new signs and refurbishing tables; there are temporary
tables out until that's complete.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked what they're doing in the south park in Immokalee.
Mr. Garby said they're installing a new playground. He has a working concept, but the prices are
constantly changing due to volatility in the market. We're working on four playgrounds at a time.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked if the playgrounds would have shade.
Mr. Garby said they will have a shade concept, but there's no funding for a shade structure.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked what they were doing to provide shade.
Mr. Garby said shade would be provided by hanging sails and umbrellas, which are permanent
structures. It won't cover the entire playground but they will cover focus pieces.
Recreation Updates [Aaron Hopkins, Region 2 Manager]
• We had a successful summer, with no incidents or accidents.
• We had a lot of new staff and a lot of returning staff.
• Kids enjoyed field trips, activities, games, arts and crafts.
• School began last week and after -school programs are now in full swing; kids from
Avalon Elementary School come to this building every afternoon after school.
• VPK starts this Wednesday.
• We're with the kids pretty much 12 months of the year, but staff got a much -needed break.
Ms. Bergel asked who cleans the parks when the summer camp ends. For example, at Veterans
Park, they use the hockey rink.
Mr. Hopkins asked if there was trash there.
Ms. Bergel said there was and there's quite a bit of damage to the rinks. She cleaned a lot of it this
weekend. She reported it to Shannon, her husband reported it to you, and she reported it to Olema
Edwards. There are broken boards and sharp metal handles. Her group maintains the rinks, but
we're only contracted from August to June, then summer camp uses it. This summer, there was
suntan lotion, bubble gum, food and other garbage and they reported it several times. All the
County did was put signs up, but they didn't clean up, so we had to rent cleaning equipment.
Should she submit a bill?
Mr. Hopkins said no, the County will clean up. He will work with Rick, his team and staff at
Veterans Park.
Ms. Bergel said she counted 32 piles of bubble gum and reported it. Shannon put up a sign about
the littering but then asked her to clean it. No one cares about the gum as much as we do because
we're using the rink.
Mr. Garby said he hadn't been told. That's something they need to discuss.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked her if she'd tried calling 311.
Ms. Bergel said she had. She sent them photos. The next time she went there was a sign, but she
was still asked to clean it.
Region 2 Special Events [Aaron Hopkins, Region 2 Manager]
• The Teamsters Local 79 (CCPS Teachers) is doing a back -to -school giveaway event at
Southern Regional Park on Aug. 27.
• There will be a singles pickleball tournament at ENCP in September.
• Celebrating Safe Communities events at Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park and Sugden
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Regional Park will be offered in October in partnership with the Collier County Sheriff's
Office.
• A 5K sponsored by Legal Aid Services will be held in October.
• A pickleball tournament will be offered at Sugden Regional Park on October 21 or 23.
• Southern Regional Park will offer the Pro Watercross World Championships from Oct.
27-30.
• There will be a Veterans Tribute Pickleball Tournament at Veterans Community Park
from Nov. 10-11.
• The Vegan Festival will be held at Sugden Regional Park on Nov. 13.
• There are talks about a Hispanic Arts Fair at Golden Gate Community Center in
November.
• The Holiday Fun Festival and Pickleball Tournament will be held from Dec. 1-4.
• The Naples Boat Show, a shared event between the City Docks and Sugden Regional Park
and sponsored by the Marine Industries of Collier County, will be held Jan. 19-22, 2023.
• MPC Pickleball Championships will be Feb. 2-5, 2023, at ENCP.
• A carnival will be held at ENCP in February 2023.
• Another camp will be held at ENCP in February 2023.
• There will be a Veterans Run at Sugden Regional Park in March 2023.
• The U.S. Open Pickleball Championships will be in April 2023.
• July4, 2023, fireworks will be held at Sugden Regional Park.
Ms. Fiala asked if he could email the events list to her.
Mr. Hopkins said Miguel would email them to PARAB members.
Region 3 updates [Randi Hopkins, Interim Regional Manager]
• The Big Corkscrew Island Park Community Center was completed on time, so it was converted into
classrooms for kids this summer.
• They're working with DCF to get Veterans Park up to their standards.
• The community center hasn't been opened to the public due to unfinished punch -list items.
• On Oct. 22, they're partnering with the CCSO to offer a Celebrating Safe Communities event.
• They're partnering with the Tourism Department to promote art in Immokalee, with businesses and
local organizations. It will include a small vendor fair by local art students.
• Christmas Around the World will be on Nov. 10.
Mr. Dixon asked how many people are using Corkscrew Regional Park,
Ms. Hopkins said that on an average night, there are 250 cars there, four soccer leagues playing, as well as
people using pickleball; tennis and basketball courts.
Mr. Garby said there are not many parking spots open at night.
Ms. Hopkins said it will be really packed once the Community Center is fully open.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked if there was additional parking.
Ms. Hopkins said some lots are closed due to construction now.
Region 4 Updates - North Collier Regional Park, Golden Gate, Eagle Lakes and Special Needs [James
Hanrahan, North Collier Park Rec-Plex Supervisor]
• Sun-N-Fun had amazing numbers for 72 days, with 72,000 going through its gates for a total revenue
of of $850,000.
• This was its best year since 2018, when 85,000 people went through the gates for a total of $900,000,
but that year included seven additional days.
• We will be closing at the end of September to focus on Lazy River and the Family Pool due to
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patrons' feedback we received; they'd like to see more amenities at Lazy River.
• We heard great feedback on the Pirate area getting new pirate water features, as well as the kiddy
area.
• We have great collaboration for the Oct. 1 duck race, which promotes water safety. It will be held at
Sun-N-Fun. It's a collaboration between the Sheriff's Office, the Fire Department, Parks and
Recreation, and NCH. People sponsor rubber duckies and win prizes.
• We were able to take 15 special -needs kids from the summer camp on a Princess tour on the water.
• Despite the national crises, we never had to close anything this summer and there were no
drownings.
• Golden Gate will close for major renovations and their programs and staff will be shifted to Eagle
Lakes.
• There was turnover on our aquatics team; we hired a senior program leader and really strong
lifeguards.
ENCP Staff (audience) said we have a lot of children's programs, from 18 months old to high school age.
Ms. Fiala asked for her phone number so she could talk to her about that for her newsletter.
Mr. Hanrahan continued the Region 4 updates:
• We partner with Paradise Coast Sports Complex and are kicking up Labor Day weekend.
• We selected a new sports coordinator, his former position, and will make sure they have a great
experience at North Collier and Big Corkscrew.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked if they were able to retain lifeguards due to the pay.
Mr. Hanrahan said they absolutely were. He thanked Tanya and Olema for that. Staff pay went up, but they
pushed to raise the KeyStaff pay. KeyStaff needed to get the same increases. In order to retain KeyStaff
employees after summer at Sun-N-Fun, we're hoping to place them in other jobs. They make good crowd
managers, rule followers, scorekeepers.
Operations Update [Jeanine McPherson, Parks Manager]
• We're keeping four characteristics at the forefront — Accountability, Community, Service and
Innovation.
• We quantified what we do to support each measure.
• High points include 58 outreaches to staff this month regarding our newsletter, pep talks, reminders
and updates.
• Staff also participated in four outreach events where they talked about the benefits of the parks and
park programs; 5,018 people participated; we consider ourselves as park ambassadors.
• There were 1,108 social media hits and we're looking at boosting our hits.
• There were 14 different sessions, and participation is at 88.
• We had 2;345 volunteer hours this month.
• The area that excites us the most is innovation. Many staff members are getting ready to participate
in the Florida Regional Parks Association (FRPA) conference, which is comparable to the NRPA, the
national parks conference.
• Olema Edwards is a leadership academy mentor.
• They will be presenting information about our sailing program at FRPA's Therapeutic Recreation
Institute.
• We are in the process of completing our needs assessment; we received over 2,500 responses.
• The website lists all park programs, but Peggy Ruby turned it into calendar form for special events.
• 791 programs were reviewed and properly put into the system.
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Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked if Ms. McPherson was part of a new department or section since she hadn't heard
this information before.
Ms. McPherson said one of her burning desires was to better marry operations into the parks division. She
worked hard on that and attributed their success to teamwork.
IX. New Business
a. 17th Annual Iron Joe Turkey Ride Alcohol Request [Michelle Avola-Brown, Executive
Director, Naples Pathways Coalition]
Ms. Brown detailed the event and request:
• The non-profit Naples Pathways Coalition promotes safe biking and walking.
• The keystone is the Paradise Coast Trail, a 75-mile trail that will connect the Greenwayto
Bonita Springs, the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, Collier Seminole Park, Ave Maria
and Immokalee.
• They offer two bike rides yearly as fundraisers to help build the Paradise Coast Trail.
• The Iron Joe Turkey Ride is held every year, the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Last year
was the first time they held it at Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Park. It used to be held in North
Naples, but one of their members asked that it be moved to Eagle Lakes due to its beauty,
less traffic and its location.
• We had record numbers of attendees last year.
• They serve a late breakfast and then hold a 62-mile ride, as well as 40-mile rides, 20, 10
and 5-mile rides; there's also "a 2%2-mile park walk and ride so families and kids can enjoy
the park's beauty.
• After everyone returns, they're starving and enjoy a beer or two, so they serve a catered
lunch with soft drinks and beer.
• We are asking for the PARAB to approve serving beer.
• We expect 350 people at the ride.
• All the information is listed on their NPC brochures.
Chairman Olesky asked if they serve beer before the ride.
Ms. Brown said they only offer beer after the ride because people are hot and want_ to cooldown.
Online registration is open now, which just covers their expenses.
Mn Dixon made a motion to recommend allowing alcohol (beer) to be served at the 17111 Annual
Iron Joe Turkey Ride on Nov. 27. Second by Ms. Fiala. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
b. Audubon Western Everglades [Brad Cornell, Southwest Florida Policy Director, and
Brittany Piersma, Field Biologist]
Mr. Cornell said they've had a successful collaboration with Parks & Recreation since 2020 to
protect beach birds and they'd like to build on that. Olema Edwards and Rick Garby suggested
they share some information with the PARAB about their work.
Ms. Piersma detailed a Powerpoint presentation about Shorebird Stewardship;
• Our job is to educate the public about migratory birds.
• We educate the public about not entering certain areas and doing certain activities.
• Shorebirds are vital to the beaches and include black skimmer, least terns, Wilson's plover
and about 3 million species.
• They lay their eggs on the sand and can't survive with people and dogs running around.
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• Sometimes nests aren't marked so the public needs to be educated.
• There is a mass migration to Clam Pass, with hundreds of thousands of birds, some of
which use it as their resting place on the way to South America, or to spend the winter
here.
• One day, there were about 3,000 laughing gulls there (photo shown).
• Other areas, such as Marco Island, Tigertail Beach, Caxambas, Ten Thousand Islands, and
Dickmans Point, get migratory birds.
• We're trying to avoid disturbances by people and dogs because a lot of people like to run
through the migratory birds.
• Birds are marked with individual bands with a code and number to track where they've
traveled.
• You can check the number and report it to a website.
• We work with Rookery Bay, Audubon Florida and Florida Fish & Wildlife.
• Dogs are supposed to be on leashes, but many people don't adhere to that.
• There's a lack of enforcement.
Mr. Cornell continued the presentation, making the following points:
• We have been collaborating since 2018 at Tigertail Beach.
• We created signs to educate people about migratory birds — "Please respect nesting birds!"
• A lot of boats pull up to where nesting birds are.
• We want to conduct boating outreach as our next project.
• There are five critical wildlife areas — Big Marco Pass, Caxambas Pass Boating park,
Dickmans Point, Second Chance (sandbar), and the Cape Romano Dome Houses.
• They've worked at Clam Pass and Tigertail beaches, and the Caxambas boat ramp.
• Audubon proposes expanding boating public outreach at other boat launches near sensitive
coastal habitats, such as Caxambas Boating Park, Goodland Boating Park, Collier
Boulevard Boating Park and the Isles of Capri Paddlecraft Park.
• Due to Parks & Recreation's resources, we'd like to partner with you to educate the
boating public, the boat renters and owners.
Ms. Piersma told the PARAB and staff.
• They're open to ideas for signage, especially near marinas.
• We're looking at Dickmans Point and Caxambas Shoals. She surveyed that area for three
years.
• This summer, she worked with Audubon and was assigned a staff member there.
• They always had good relations with ecotourist groups. They created a QR Code that
shows resources for eco-tours.
• They offer ID sheets listing local birds, which is popular.
• They're trying to work with less paper.
• They're using a kayak to help with direct stewardship but need a place to lock the kayak,
rather than having to carry it and drive it around.
• They provide marine education using tables at local marinas.
• They'd like more direct tables with educational materials to get the boating public's
attention before they go out on the water. They use the sign, "Ask me about the birds."
• We're hoping to do this year-round and she's already seen a huge difference.
• People know they're enforcing rules and are being watched.
• Eco-tourism groups are helping them to enforce rules and educate.
• They hope to start at Caxambas and the 951 Boat Ramp.
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• They see a lot of wildlife rescues around Keewaydin Island.
Mr. Cornell said they have a formal agreement with the BCC and Parks & Recration dated
February 2020 to collaborate with the boating public. We're asking for your support. Keewaydin
Island is no longer a wildlife habitat due to the number of boats. We want to show the public how
to share it.
Ms. Heuser asked if they spoke to Commissioner LoCastro about the area.
Mr. Cornell said they hadn't yet, just about agriculture.
Ms. Heuser said it's encouraging people to stop and chat while there's a space issue.
Mr. Cornell said when they put up tables, they're hoping to make it a quick stop due to the QR
Codes. We're not planning to have conferences. We try to drop our staff off. That's why we want
a place for our kayak. The area is critical due to kite shoals. The 951 Boat Ramp is tough due to
congestion.
Ms. Piersma said people and bike riders love the education.
Mr. Garby told the PARAB they're looking for their support and a vote.
Ms. Heuser asked if staff supported this.
Mr. Garby said they do:
Mr. Dixon asked what they're asking for support for. It's a public park.
Mr. Garby said they are asking for program support.
Ms. Williams clarified that they're seeking to add language to the current MOU.
Mr. Cornell said they want to include that they have staff and volunteers, enough staff for
Caxambas Pass and Goodland Marina.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked if they were looking to purchase kayaks:
Mr. Cornell said no. They're just looking for support to expand the MOU agreement. We have
uniforms and go out with a formal program to education the public.
Vice Chair Fruth made a motion to support expanding the MOU to allow Audubon Western
Everglades to educate the boating public. Second by Ms. Fiala. The motion passed
unanimously, 7:0.
c. Pickleball TDC Grant [Tanya Williams, Director, Public Services Department]
Ms Williams noted that the Executive Summa is in their a enda acket and detailed the
following:
• They're seeking up to $670,000 for three items and are requesting this now because
the PARAB didn't hold a July meeting, when U.S. Pickleball promoters were here.
As a result, this was presented to the TDC first and was approved.
• The last tournament brought in 2,800 players over eight days, with 35,000 spectators
and $7.1 million in direct spending throughout Collier County.
• CBS TV provides international exposure for the area.
• The money will be used to resurface 40 of the 64 courts; U.S. Pickleball does the rest.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked who does the work.
-Ms. Williams said it's contracted out.
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Ms. Williams continued her presentation:
• $20,000 will be used for windscreens.
• $50,000 will be used for site preparation and staging for the event, including taking a
back lot and turning it into an asphalt parking lot.
Mr. Garby noted that 57 stone was rolled.
Ms. Williams continued her presentation:
Fencing needs to be replaced because it's rusting and bowing.
Shade structures will be added for the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships and year-
round players.
The TDC unanimously approved this and the BCC Executive Summary has been
prepared.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked how long it had been since the courts were resurfaced.
Williams said some of those courts have been going on for six or seven years and the surface
is going away; they're slippery and some are worse than others.
Vice Chair Fruth asked what the estimate was on resurfacing.
Ms. Williams said the initial estimate was very high and the second one was greatly reduced.
Vice Chair Fruth asked who the initial contractor was.
Ms. Williams said it would go out to a formal RFP for quotes.
Mr. Garby said it was done through the project manager. The more courts you do, the
cheaper it is. It was higher when there were fewer courts, but it's cheaper with 20, 30, 40
courts. Originally, it was 28 courts.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel asked if the fencing is the original fencing.
Mr. Garby said most is original and it was value -engineered, so there's not much support and
it's bowing. There were no bottom or center cross -bars or cabling, so it's been deteriorating.
Vice Chair Fruth asked how much money the pickleball tournament provides to assist with
maintenance.
Ms. Williams said nothing directly.
Vice Chair Fruth noted that they utilize the courts for a massive tournament.
Mr. Garby pointed out that they pay a rental fee.
Vice Chair Fruth asked if they had nothing in the general fund for resurfacing.
Mr. Garby said that was correct.
Chairman Olesky asked why the PARAB had to vote if the TDC already voted.
Ms. Williams said it's a formality.
Vice Chair Fruth said he still thinks the maintenance money should come from pickleball
tournament fees because it's a massive event and they should pay for maintenance. We're not
taking care of ourselves. We built all this, but don't put money aside for maintenance.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel noted that the event took in $7.1 million.
Ms. Williams clarified that amount represented tourism dollars coming to the County.
Mr. Dixon said he didn't know why they were asking for money now when it's only an
estimate. They don't know how much it costs and $15,000-per-court is ridiculous..
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Ms. Bergel said it's an unbalanced allocation across-the-board. A lot of parks are suffering.
They're not getting anything. Is there a partnership?
Ms. Williams said this is a formal agreement between the BCC and the U.S. Pickleball Open.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel noted that once we complete this park, we're in a race with others
(nationwide) to improve, such as Cincinnatti and San Diego. If they have 100, we'll have to
have 110.
Mr. Dixon said it's like keeping up with the Joneses.
Vice Chair Fruth asked who uses the park, kids? Do we have enough money to redo fields?
Mr. Garby said they have enough money.
Vice Chair Fruth said they need to spread the money across parks for general maintenance.
Why do we keep approving funds that aren't coming from a vendor?
Mr. Garby pointed out that this is TDC money.
Ms. Williams said this money is specifically for the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships,
which is separate from Naples Pickleball Enterprises. There is a formal agreement with the
BCC and Spirit Promotions LLC, which is putting on the U.S. Open Pickleball
Championships. She assured them she's not trying to sidestep grave concerns about park
funding. Using TDC money to resurface the courts means the Parks & Recreation Department
and the general fund don't have to deal with it. All our constituents will have access to those
courts after the event.
Mr. Garby noted that this expenditure would beautify everything. He wouldn't be able to do
that with Parks & Rec funds.
Vice Chair Fruth made a motion to approve the expenditure of up to $670, 000 in Tourist
Development Tax Promotion Funds for the U.S. Open Pickleball Championship; authorize
necessary budget amendments; and found that this expenditure promotes tourism. Second
by Ms. Gibson-Laemel The motion passed 6-1; Mn Dixon voted nay.
d. Proposed PARAB Changes [Miguel Rojas Jr., Administrative Assistant]
i. Meeting Times [Public Request]
Mr. Rojas said some constituents suggested they hold meetings at 6 p.m. so working
residents can attend. He provided a list of other advisory boards and the times they meet.
Some meet in the mornings and some in the afternoons. The PARAB does offer Zoom
meetings, but no one has been logging on.
Vice Chair Fruth said he joined this board for his children and wouldn't be able to
participate at 6 p.m.
Mr. Dixon said holding meetings at night is something he's always agreed with. He's
always had a problem with meeting times. He can't attend BCC or City. Council meetings
because he works. He won't agree to changing the PARAB meetings until the BCC agrees
to change its time.
Vice Chair Fruth said he agreed.
Ms. Gibson-Laemel made a motion to continue to have monthly meetings at 2 p.m.
Second by Vice Chair Fruth. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
ii. Agenda Delivery
Mr. Rojas said this request was tailored to save trees and provide agendas electronically.
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It's costing $100 to ship agenda packets every month. Instead, he can email them and
provide paper copies at the meetings. Immokalee staff can deliver an agenda packet to
Chairman Olesky.
The Board agreed that was a good idea.
X. Adjournment
Future Meeting Dates
Mr. Rojas passed out a list of future meeting dates and meeting locations, which will alternate with
North Collier Regional Park:
Sept. 21, 2022, 2 p.m. (North Collier Regional Park)
Oct. 19, 2022, 2 p.m. (Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park)
Nov. 16, 2022 (North Collier Regional Park)
A brief discussion ensued
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order
of the Chair at 3:55 p.m.
These minutes were approved by the Board on , (check one) as presented,
or as amended
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