Agenda 07/25/2023 Item #16A 9 (Budget Amendment within Conservation Maintenance Fund for Railhead Scrub Preserve)16.A.9
07/25/2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation for the Board of County Commissioners to authorize a Budget Amendment in the amount
of $91,437.50 within the Conservation Collier Maintenance Fund (1062) for the Railhead Scrub Preserve
habitat enhancement project.
OBJECTIVE: To obtain authorization for a budget amendment to fund Railhead Scrub Preserve gopher habitat
enhancement project consistent with recommendations and best management practices provided by the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
CONSIDERATION: The Conservation Collier Railhead Scrub Preserve is a 132-acre nature preserve in North
Naples protecting some of the County's last remaining rare rosemary scrub habitat. This site supports one of the
most abundant, local state -imperiled gopher tortoise populations, as well as rare, endemic scrub plants, and is a
sought-after location statewide for research due to the unique nature of the habitat and the species supported within
the preserve. Rosemary scrub and the surrounding mesic flatwoods, marsh, and oak scrub plant communities are
fire dependent. Due to the urban nature of this preserve, fire has historically been excluded from the site resulting in
an overgrowth of vegetation and a reduction in habitat conditions that favor listed species like the gopher tortoise.
On County properties where fire has historically been excluded that support fire -dependent plant and animal
species, restoration efforts have been undertaken by mechanical reduction to simulate the restoration effects
typically achieved through prescribed burning. Railhead Scrub is adjacent to the Phase II Veteran's Memorial Blvd
Extension Project footprint.
The boundary of Railhead Scrub Preserve incorporates parcels to the north and south of the planned roadway
project. Due to the proposed roadway expansion and permitting requirements, the northern six acres of the parcel
west of the railroad tracks will be excluded from restoration activities as a part of this budget amendment.
FISCAL IMPACT: A Budget Amendment (BA) in the amount of $91,437.50 is required to reallocate funding
between maintenance cost centers 178977 and 178998 (Gore & Small Preserves) to 178995 (Railhead Preserve)
within the Conservation Collier Maintenance Fund (1062). Funds are available due to maintenance projects being
rescheduled.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: No growth management impact is associated with this item.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item was reviewed and approved by the County Attorney, raises no legal
issues, and requires a majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: To authorize a budget amendment totaling $91,437.50 for a habitat enhancement project
at the Railhead Scrub Preserve to be completed by Earth Tech Environmental LLC through Contract 21-7903.
Prepared by: Molly DuVall, Environmental Specialist II, Growth Management Division
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16.A.9
07/25/2023
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.A.9
Doe ID: 25673
Item Summary: Recommendation for the Board of County Commissioners to authorize a Budget Amendment in
the amount of $91,437.50 within the Conservation Collier Maintenance Fund (1062) for the Railhead Scrub
Preserve gopher tortoise habitat enhancement project.
Meeting Date: 07/25/2023
Prepared by:
Title: — Operations & Regulatory Management
Name: Monica Leon
05/31/2023 10:00 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Director - Operations Support GMCD — Operations & Regulatory Management
Name: Michael Stark
05/31/2023 10:00 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Growth Management Community Development Department Diane Lynch
Transportation Management Operations Support Evelyn Trimino
Operations & Regulatory Management Michael Stark Division Director
Growth Management Community Development Department Jaime Cook
Growth Management Community Development Department James C French
Office of Management and Budget
County Attorney's Office
Office of Management and Budget
County Manager's Office
Board of County Commissioners
Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review
Blanca Aquino Luque Additional Reviewer
Amy Patterson Level 4 County Manager Review
Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending
Growth Management DepartmentCompleted
06/01/2023 6:02 PM
Additional Reviewer Completed
06/01/2023 9:32 PM
Completed 06/03/2023 2:23 PM
Additional Reviewer Completed
06/07/2023 1:26 PM
Growth Management Completed
06/07/2023 5:10 PM
Completed 06/12/2023 1:00 PM
Completed 06/14/2023 10:59 AM
Completed 06/19/2023 10:27 AM
Completed 07/19/2023 2:55 PM
07/25/2023 9:00 AM
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