Immokalee MSTU Minutes 03/27/2024Enclosure 1
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MINUTES
Meeting of the Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency Immokalee MSTU Advisory Committee
on February 28, 2024. 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 MSTU Chair Andrea Halman at 8:39 A.M.
B.Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence.
MSTU Chair Andrea Halman led the Pledge of Allegiance and asked for a moment of silence.
C.Roll Call and Announcement of a Quorum.
Christie Betancourt opened roll call. A quorum was announced for the MSTU board.
MSTU Advisory Committee Members Present in Person:
Andrea Halman, Bernardo Barnhart, and David Turrubiartez Jr.
MSTU Advisory Committee Members Present via Zoom:
Christina Guerrero and Norma Garcia.
MSTU Advisory Committee Members Absent/Excused:
Cherryle Thomas.
Others Present in Person:
Dianna Ayala, Daniel Flynn, Daydee Albeirus, Armando Yzaguirre, Matthew Murphy, and
Commissioner Bill McDaniel.
Others Present via Zoom:
Marlene Dimas, Dan Rodriguez, Megan Greer, Sarah Harrington, Taylor Jaskulski, Allison Vincent,
Yvonette Merat, Thomas Cunningham, Matt Fell, Gilbert Flores, and Immokalee Fire.
Staff Present in Person: Christie Betancourt, Yvonne Blair, and Yuridia Zaragoza.
D.Voting Privileges for Board Members via Zoom.
Staff announced they may have an MSTU committee member join by Zoom.
MSTU Action: Mr. David Turrubiartez Jr. made a motion to allow board members on Zoom
privileges. Mr. Bernardo Barnhart seconded the motion, and it passed by unanimous vote. 3-0.
E.Approval of Agenda.
Staff presented the Agenda to the committee for approval. Agenda was approved as presented.
MSTU Action: Mr. David Turrubiartez Jr. made a motion to approve the Agenda as presented. Mr.
Bernardo Barnhart seconded the motion, and it passed by unanimous vote. 3-0.
F.Approval of Consent Agenda
1. Minutes
i.MSTU Advisory Committee Meeting for January 24, 2024 (Enclosure 1)
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2. Budget Reports (Enclosure 2)
3. Code Enforcement Report (Enclosure 3)
4. Staff Reports
i. Program Manager Report (Enclosure 4)
ii. Project Manager Report (Enclosure 5)
iii. Project Manager Observation Field Report (Enclosure 6)
iv. Community Meetings (Enclosure 7)
Staff presented the Consent Agenda to the committee for approval. The Consent Agenda was approved as
presented.
MSTU Action: Mr. David Turrubiartez Jr. made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as
presented. Mr. Bernardo Barnhart seconded the motion, and it passed by unanimous vote. 3-0.
G. Announcements.
1. Public Comments speaker slips
CRA Staff reiterated the public 3-minute speaker slip policy. The committee will give more time
if they feel it necessary.
2. Communications Folder
Staff reviewed the communications folder with the committee and members of the public. The
folder consisted of the public notice for the MSTU Meeting, event flyers, and the link and
information for the MSTU board vacancy.
3. Pep Rally for Global Flight Solutions – 2/28/24 @ 3:00 p.m. at Immokalee Airport
Staff provided information on the time and location of the Pep Rally for Global Flight Solutions.
Commissioner McDaniel provided information on the expansion and what global flight solutions is
all about. Staff invited everyone to attend.
H. Other Agencies
1. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
No updates.
2. Other Community Agencies
Collier County Public Schools, Marlene Dimas
Ms. Marlene Dimas provided information on the Title One Parent Institute Event for all Elementary
Schools families. The event will be on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Highlands Elementary. She
will send a flyer to all who are interested.
I. Community Presentations
None.
J. New Business
1. Immokalee Complete Streets update
Mr. Daniel Flynn introduced himself. He provided information on the design portion of the project.
He said the design phase includes the bus transfer, lighting, and sidewalk improvements. The project
is broken up into 3 active areas. There is currently one area remaining for the design.
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They are anticipating that the one area for the sidewalk and drainage improvements will be designed
and permitted within the next two weeks. They are coordinating with the County and Seminole
Tribe for one of the areas.
Mr. Matthew Murphy provided updates on the project. He said construction has started in Areas 1
through 3. Area 1 is 95% complete. Area 2 is currently being wrapped up with some sidewalk to be
complete. As for Area 3, they are currently in progress. Mr. Murphy informed everyone in
attendance that they have done over five miles of sidewalk, 157 drainage structures along with
associated piping. He said they have started at the CAT Bus Transfer Facility. They are making
progress in this area, and they hope to start construction by late spring or early summer, since it is
the largest area of the project. Both Mr. Murphy and Mr. Flynn provided an overview on the project
area map.
Discussion was made on community members getting co-compliance on others who are in the Right
of Way and parking on the new sidewalks. Commissioner McDaniel asked CRA staff to provide
his office contact to Mr. Flynn and Mr. Murphy so that he can share resources to help with code
regulations. He also asked that organizations like Q Grady Minor, give notice to staff on all planning
projects to all jurisdiction in the area so that there is a better coordination between organizations.
Mr. David Turrubiartez Jr. asked when the largest area will be completed with construction. Mr.
Matthew Murphy said that storm drainage installation should be completed by late fall or winter.
Ms. Andrea Halman asked how wide the sidewalks are for this project. Mr. Flynn informed Ms.
Halman that the County submitted detailed information for the grant of the sidewalk, and they are
the standard size which is 5ft. wide.
2. 2023 CRA Annual Report – Draft (Enclosure 8)
Staff provided the current status on the 2023 CRA Annual Report. Staff said that they have made a
couple of changes from the CRA meeting, dealing with the cover and back page. Staff are likely to
have the cover page be the three murals from the 7-Eleven located on Main Street. Final edits are
being made and Staff will send it to their communications department, and hopefully have it ready
to be on the Board of Collier County Commissioners Agenda for the last meeting in March. Staff
briefly discussed the permit values for the year of 2022 and 2023. Commissioner McDaniel
commented on how infrastructure helped boost the permit values in the community and commented
on the importance of reinvestment to the community.
K. Old Business.
1. Contractor Maintenance Reports
i. A&M Property Maintenance Report & Schedule (Enclosure 9)
Staff provided information on Enclosure 9. The maintenance schedule for the work done by
A&M staff in the month of January. Staff listed the areas that A&M Staff maintains. Staff
informed everyone in attendance that they will be doing a solicitation for the Zocalo Park.
Staff also provided information on an incidental that was done for an emergency cleanup.
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A&M staff provided updates. Staff informed everyone in attendance that the homeless
population has gotten worse to the point where they no longer listen to A&M Staff when they
are asked to move so that A&M Staff can clean the area. Staff said that they end up calling
the Sherriff’s Department to help with these type of situations. Commissioner McDaniel
provided information on the resources to help improve on handling this type of situation with
the homeless population. He also asked CRA Staff to send him an email in regard to the
Weekend Warrior with Collier County Sherriff Office.
A&M Staff provided brief information on the current progress on the custom welding for the
blue poles. Ms. Andrea Halman complimented Mr. Armando Yzaguirre.
A&M Staff asked for direction on what to do with a backflow preventor that was damaged
when hit. This incident occurred on First Street within the Immokalee MSTU District. Staff
asked A&M Staff to send them an email with the details and location on the backflow prevent
so that Staff can send a work order.
2. Brief Staff Project Update
i. Immokalee Sidewalk Project Phase III - Eustis Ave. and W. Delaware Ave.
Staff provided background information and the current progress of the project. Staff informed
everyone in attendance that the Direct Deposit form was signed by the Board of Collier
County Commissioners Chair on February 27, 2024. Staff will be sending this to HUD and
should soon get the Grant Agreement. Staff is unable to advertise until Grant Agreement is
provided by HUD.
ii. First Street Corridor Pedestrian Safety Project
Staff provided background information and the current progress of the project. Staff will do
an extension by Change Order so the design contractor can have more time to do the design
with the recommendations that were provided. Staff said that the Sheriff’s office provided
data on the number of accidents in this area. Staff hopes to have a complete design for this
project so that it is shovel read.
iii. Panther Crossing Welcome Sign
Staff received a Certification for Completion on this project. Staff is coordinating a final walk
through with Q Grady Minor, Vetor, and A&M Staff.
3. Strategic Planning Program
i. Prioritization List (Enclosure 10)
Staff provided information on the Prioritization List that was presented at the CRA Meeting.
Staff gave a brief recap of the meeting. Staff said that the MSTU Committee agreed to do
partnerships and provide gap funding for projects that are priorities with the CRA Board.
Staff informed Committee that the Main Street Project is currently on hold. Staff presented
the Strategic Planning Priorities spreadsheet.
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Staff went over the current status on the First Street Project. A CDBG Grant was awarded
$250,000 for the project design. Staff applied for a CDBG Grant. If awarded the CDBG grant,
the project will move forward with funding for construction. If not awarded, staff would have
to allocate funding for the next fiscal year and ask the MSTU Committee if they can share a
portion of the cost. Staff provided details on when they expect to receive notification on
whether they were awarded.
Staff provided a brief overview on the Immokalee Sidewalk Phase III Project, there is
currently no agreement for the construction portion. Staff was awarded a CPF Grant of
$987,000. The Direct Deposit went forward to the BCC for signature on February 27, 2024.
Staff anticipate coming back to this committee and ask to do a share cost for this project. They
anticipate a share cost of $206,000. The amount could be less or more.
Staff provided details on the Historic Cemetery Project on Main Street. Staff informed
committee that the CRA Board asked Staff to move forward with this project and to get a
boundary survey on the cemetery. Staff are working on a direct select form. Staff will come
back to the committee to inform them on the dollar amount for this project as soon as they
learn more. Payment has been done for the repair of the fence, gate, and sign in the Historic
Cemetery. The CRA and MSTU agreed to take on the maintenance of the cemetery and it’s
currently included in the landscape contract. CRA and MSTU split the incidental cost. Staff
are still following up with the Seminole Tribe of Florida since they showed interest in doing
some research on the cemetery.
Staff provided information on the project for the Lake Trafford Corridor Improvement. Staff
said they are doing the lighting study for this corridor; they are currently in the design portion.
There is currently no funding for construction or CEI. Collier County Growth Management
Department has three projects in phases to improve sidewalk and stormwater. Staff will try to
get a project update for each of the phases to see when they go to construction.
Staff briefly informed everyone in attendance on the Ann Olesky Park. Staff is looking for
resources on how to improve the shoreline. Staff will work with Parks and Recreation and
Facilities on this project.
Staff provided information on the Immokalee Fields of Dream Initiative. Staff were tasked
with finding field opportunities whether it be expanding existing fields or building new fields.
They are still in the initial phase for this initiative and currently have details on opportunities
they have found. Staff informed members that funding for this initiative would be under the
CRA Parks & Recreation Capital Project and the Neighborhood Revitalization Capital
Project. Commissioner McDaniel followed up and said that he was advised by County Senior
Staff that the County is going to pick up the expense for the temporary lighting at the Boys
and Girls Club. He was also informed that the highest priority for artificial turf field is at the
Immokalee South Park. He informed everyone that all parks are set to have lights on until 10
p.m.
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Staff provided brief discussion on noncapital items. Staff provided an update on the 9th Street
property and the extension that was given to Catholic Charities. They also discussed
collaborating with others such organizations such as Code Enforcement and Waste Pro to help
with community cleanup.
ii. Recommendations for Funding
Mr. David Turrubiartez asked if Staff could look into the cost associated with wrapping
electrical boxes and having sponsors to help with this project if recommended by Committee.
Staff will ask if this is possible. No action was taken at this time.
L. Citizen Comments
Ms. Christie Betancourt provided information on the MSTU Board Vacancy. The applicant must be a
registered voter in Collier County, resident in Immokalee, business owner in Immokalee, or represent a
non-profit in Immokalee.
Ms. Andrea Halman asked Staff if they have an idea as to what is occurring in the corner of Lake Trafford
and Carson near the Ashley’s Apartment. Staff said they will research and try to find out what is being
done in this area.
M. Next Meeting Date
The MSTU Committee will be meeting Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 8:30 A.M. at CareerSource
SWFL.
N. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 9:50 A.M.
* Zoom Meeting chat is attached to the minutes for the record.
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