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Agenda 11/12/2024 Item #16F 8 (The Chairman to execute the Collier County Tourist Development CounCil (TDC) Category "A" Grant Agteement for Beach Park Facilities for the City of Marco Island for FY2025-2026)11/12/2024 Item # 16.F.8 ID# 2024-1658 Executive Summary Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC) Category “A” Grant Agreement for Beach Park Facilities for the City of Marco Island for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 in the total amount of $147,500 within TDC Beach Park Facilities Fund (1100), to authorize necessary Budget Amendments, and to make the finding that the expenditure promotes tourism. OBJECTIVE: To approve TDC grant funding for Marco Island Beach Access Improvements. CONSIDERATIONS: The City of Marco Island owns and maintains two public beach access corridors located at S. Collier Blvd and Maple Ave. (435 feet long) with 0 public parking spaces, and at S. Collier Blvd and Winterberry Drive (530 feet long) with 21 public parking spaces located 670 feet away. The proposed project would improve the functionality of these corridors to accommodate the growing use, provide opportunities to educate beachgoers about the unique ecology of southwest Florida shoreline and wildlife, and improve the overall appearance of the access corridors. The project will include bicycle parking, improved landscaping with native plants, lighting for safety that meets sea turtle lighting requirements, and educational signs. A Tourist Development Tax Funding Agreement between the County and the City of Marco Island will be necessary to allow the County to reimburse the City of Marco for eligible project expenditures. Project: Marco Island Public Beach Access Improvements Project Cost Boundary and topographic survey: $15,000 Paver repairs: $30,000 Shower drainage (one): $5,000 Signage: $10,000 Bike racks: $10,000 Bollard lights: $70,000 Conduits: $14,000 Landscape elements: $40,000 Sleeves and irrigation: $30,000 Electrical engineering: $25,000 Landscape architecture: $20,000 Project Total $269,000 Contributions Marco Island $121,500 TDC Grant $147,500 Total $269,000 ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: The Tourist Development Council recommended approval of this item (7-0) at the June 18, 2024, meeting for an amount of $147,500. Page 3696 of 5419 11/12/2024 Item # 16.F.8 ID# 2024-1658 FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $147,500 for this project is available in TDC Beach Park Facilities Fund (1100) reserves. GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated with this action. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is approved as to form and legality and requires majority vote for approval. - CMG RECOMMENDATIONS: To approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC) Category “A” Grant Application for Beach Park Facilities for the City of Marco Island for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 in the total amount of $147,500 within TDC Beach Park Facilities Fund (1100), to authorize necessary Budget Amendments, and to make the finding that the expenditure promotes tourism. PREPARED BY: Sandra Rios, Tourism - Public Relations and Communications Manager ATTACHMENTS: 1. Grant Agreement Marco Island 2. Plan Elements Beach Access Project 3. BA Marco grant 147.500 Page 3697 of 5419 Page 3698 of 5419 Page 3699 of 5419 Page 3700 of 5419 Page 3701 of 5419 Page 3702 of 5419 Page 3703 of 5419 Page 3704 of 5419 Page 3705 of 5419 Page 3706 of 5419 Page 3707 of 5419 Macro Island Public Beach Access Improvements 2024 Introduction and overview: The Beautification Advisory Committee has been tasked with addressing aesthetics, functionality, and educational features of the two City public beach access points. The City Council has requested a plan to address the overall appearance of the entrances, the function of the entrances to accommodate their growing use, and the opportunity to educate beachgoers about the unique ecology of the southwest Florida shoreline and the wildlife that lives here. General description of the sites: Maple Avenue access corridor This access point is located between Madeira Condominium and Royal Seafarer Condominium at the intersection of South Collier Blvd. and Maple Avenue. A paver walkway that is approximately 435 feet in length and 6 feet wide runs from the sidewalk to the boardwalk (205 feet) approach to the beach. The paver walkway is bordered on the north side by a fence lined with shrubs and on the south side by a fence, wall, and parking structure with windows. It sees moderate traffic with most users arriving at the walkway on foot or by bicycle. Winterberry Drive access corridor This access point is located between Marriott’s Crystal Shores Vacation Club and the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa at the intersection of South Collier Blvd. and Winterberry Drive. A paver walkway extends approximately 530 feet in length and 8 feet wide. The boardwalk to the beach extends another 244 feet. The walkway is bordered on the north side by a fence with various planting types in an undulating border and on the south side by a concrete wall and fence that has similar border plantings. It sees substantial traffic as at least 21 public parking spaces are available near this walkway. More complete detail of the existing paths is included as Appendix A and Appendix B. Appendix C shows examples of element improvements. Page 3708 of 5419 Elements to be included in the project plans: Benches: There are several existing benches on each walkway. It is not expected that those will be moved or replaced. Trash and recycling receptacles: The trash and recycling receptacles have been replaced recently and it is expected that these will not be moved or replaced. It is possible that an additional receptacle (possibly a solar compacting receptacle) with an art wrap would be included in the plan. Beach access signs: Updated beach access signs should be included in the plan. Placement and style should be considered. Content will be provided by the City’s environmental planner and Public Works. Bike racks: The existing bike racks are often full. Sculptural bike racks with additional capacity should be included in the plans. Placement appropriate for adequate capacity as well as free movement around the racks should be considered. Path lighting: The existing path lighting on the Winterberry drive access is broken. There is no path lighting on the Maple Avenue access path. Lighting on structures adjacent to each path (see Appendix A) provides some illumination but not enough for safety. Landscaping/Plants: The vegetation along the Winterberry Drive access path requires replacement and updating. The Maple Avenue access path has standard vegetation along the length of the path. The plans should include appropriate plants as recommended by Naples Botanical Garden and/or IFAS Master Gardener. Education/Coastal highlights signs: Each access point includes an educational sign about sea turtle nesting. In addition, the Winterberry Drive access path includes an educational sign about shore birds and the Maple Ave access path has a sign about shells. The plans should consider additional signs along the length of the path that would provide information highlighting shore ecology and engage beach visitors about wildlife protection. Art/Murals: Inclusion of murals with the subject of shoreline ecology are being considered for placement along existing walls. Many cities use art and mural to attract visitors, educate visitors, and entertain youth. Page 3709 of 5419 Appendix A – Existing Winterberry Drive Corridor Elements Winterberry Drive access path The paver pathway is 530 ft long and 8 feet wide and ribbons through the access corridor. The width of the corridor from the fence on the north side of the path to the wall on the south side of the path is 18 feet with plantings alternating on either side along the path. Photo 1: Entrance – street view Page 3710 of 5419 Path entry: The path entry has a bench, 3 trash and 1 recycling receptacle, and 1 bicycle rack. Page 3711 of 5419 Transition from paver path to boardwalk: The transition space had a bench, a life jacket station, a shower fixture, and trash receptacles. Poor shower station drainage results in sand piles and slippery algae growth. Page 3712 of 5419 Benches: There are three benches on the path: at the entrance, at the transition to the boardwalk, and midway along the path. All three benches are sturdy and in good condition. The benches will remain in current locations and be power washed when needed. Photo: bench midway along the path Page 3713 of 5419 Beach access signs: Existing Beach Access signs. Page 3714 of 5419 Bicycle Rack: The existing bicycle rack provides space for approximately 9 bicycles. Path lighting: Existing Path lighting consists of 24 low path lights, 11 of which are currently broken and inoperable. On the east half of the path, 4 lights are on the north side and spaced at 15’. The next 5 lights are on the south side of the path spaced at 15’. The remaining lights are staggered on either side of the path spaced 30’ per side or 15’ on the stagger. Lights illuminating the south adjacent property driveway also casts light onto the corridor. There are 9 tall driveway lights spaced approximately 40’ apart. There are several lights illuminating the north adjacent parking lot. These lights cast light on the eastern 1/3 of the corridor. Page 3715 of 5419 Evening lighting photos Page 3716 of 5419 Page 3717 of 5419 Landscaping/Plants: There are several varieties of existing hedge shrubs along the fence and wall. Page 3718 of 5419 Page 3719 of 5419 There are also lower ground plantings along the path and under palm trees and a vine along the fence. Page 3720 of 5419 Palm trees: There are 35 medium-sized palm trees along the path providing intermittent shade. Page 3721 of 5419 Irrigation is installed but exposed along much of the path. Page 3722 of 5419 Educational/Coastal Highlight signs: There are two large signs providing information on local shore birds and sea turtles. Page 3723 of 5419 Art/Murals: The corridor does not currently include an art or mural element. There is a 35-foot stretch of wall along the east portion of the corridor belonging to the adjacent property to the south that currently that has the two information signs shown in the photos above. There is an additional 8 feet of wall on the west side of the concrete pedestal and light post. Page 3724 of 5419 Appendix B: Existing Maple Avenue Corridor Elements Maple Avenue access path The paver path at the Maple Avenue access corridor stretches 435 feet and is 6 feet wide. The path is straight and the 14-foot-wide corridor is lined by a hedge and fence along the entire north side and by wall or fence along the entire south side. There is a substantial shade canopy the entire length of the path. Street view photo of corridor entrance. Page 3725 of 5419 Path entry: The path entry includes 2 benches (one is hidden behind trash container on the left in the photo), a trash receptacle, and an information sign highlighting shells found in this region of the Gulf shore. Two bicycle racks are just past the entry area. Transition from paver path to boardwalk: The transition area from the paver path to the boardwalk includes a life jacket station and a trash receptacle. End of boardwalk area: A shower station and 3 trash receptacles are located at the beach end of the boardwalk. Benches: The two benches at the entrance are the only seating spaces along the path. Trash and recycling receptacles: Trash receptacles are provided at the entrance and the transition to the boardwalk. Beach access signs: The beach access sign is shown in the photo of the path entry. In addition, the sign posted by the Marco Island Police Department is shown in that photo. Page 3726 of 5419 Bicycle racks: There are two existing bike racks just inside the entrance to the corridor along the south wall. Each rack is 4 feet wide and has 6 feet of clearance on both sides for the bicycle frames. These are often full and bicycles are locked to the grids on the garage windows and palm trees further along the path. There is space for sculptural bicycle locking structures along the south side of much of the path. Page 3727 of 5419 Page 3728 of 5419 Path lighting: There is no path lighting currently, however, the garage wall has 4 bright lights spaced 30 feet apart. These illuminate that portion of the path brightly at night and the remainder of the path is dark. Page 3729 of 5419 Landscaping/Plants: The fence along the north side of the corridor has a hedge the entire length of the path. There is no vegetation along the south side of the path. There are 42 palm trees along the length of the path providing a substantial shade canopy. Education/Coastal highlights signs: A sign highlighting Gulf coast shells is installed at the entrance to the corridor and a sign providing information on sea turtles is posted by the boardwalk (see Appendix A for sea turtle sign) Page 3730 of 5419 Art/Murals: None currently. There is a 73-foot stretch of wall belonging to the adjacent property to the south and a 22-foot stretch of wall near the entrance behind the bicycle racks (also belonging to adjacent south property). Page 3731 of 5419 Appendix C: Examples of Desired Elements Page 3732 of 5419 Page 3733 of 5419 Page 3734 of 5419 Page 3735 of 5419 '•••• I Page 3736 of 5419 Page 3737 of 5419 Page 3738 of 5419 Page 3739 of 5419 Page 3740 of 5419 Page 3741 of 5419 Page 3742 of 5419 Page 3743 of 5419 Page 3744 of 5419