BCC Minutes 02/11/2025 RFebruary 11, 2025
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TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Naples, Florida, February 11, 2025
LET IT BE REMEMBERED that the Board of County
Commissioners, in and for the County of Collier, and also acting as
the Board of Zoning Appeals and as the governing board(s) of such
special districts as have been created according to law and having
conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 a.m., in
REGULAR SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex,
East Naples, Florida, with the following Board members present:
Chairman: Burt L. Saunders
Dan Kowal
Chris Hall (appearing remotely)
Rick LoCastro
William L. McDaniel, Jr.
ALSO PRESENT:
Amy Patterson, County Manager
Ed Finn, Deputy County Manager
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
Crystal K. Kinzel, Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Troy Miller, Communications & Customer Relations
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February 11, 2025
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Community Redevelopment Agency Board (CRAB)
Airport Authority
AGENDA
Board of County Commission Chambers
Collier County Government Center
3299 Tamiami Trail East, 3rd Floor
Naples, FL 34112
February 11, 2025
9:00 AM
Commissioner Burt Saunders, District 3; – Chair
Commissioner Dan Kowal, District 4; – Vice Chair
Commissioner Rick LoCastro, District 1
Commissioner Chris Hall, District 2
Commissioner William L. McDaniel, Jr., District 5
NOTICE: ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS MUST
REGISTER PRIOR TO PRESENTATION OF THE AGENDA ITEM TO BE
ADDRESSED. ALL REGISTERED SPEAKERS WILL RECEIVE UP TO THREE
MINUTES UNLESS THE TIME IS ADJUSTED BY THE CHAIR. ADDITIONAL
MINUTES MAY BE CEDED TO AN IN-PERSON SPEAKER BY OTHER
REGISTERED SPEAKERS WHO MUST BE PRESENT AT THE TIME THE
SPEAKER IS HEARD. NO PUBLIC SPEAKERS WILL BE HEARD FOR
PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC PETITIONS.
SPEAKERS ON PRESENTATIONS ARE LIMITED TO 10 MINUTES, UNLESS
EXTENDED BY THE CHAIR. ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK ON A
CONSENT ITEM MUST REGISTER PRIOR TO THE BOARD’S APPROVAL
OF THE DAY’S CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH IS HEARD AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE MEETING FOLLOWING THE PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE.
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February 11, 2025
ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON PUBLIC PETITION
MUST SUBMIT THE REQUEST IN WRITING TO THE COUNTY MANAGER
AT LEAST 13 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE MEETING. THE
REQUEST SHALL PROVIDE DETAILED INFORMATION AS TO THE
NATURE OF THE PETITION. THE PUBLIC PETITION MAY NOT INVOLVE
A MATTER ON A FUTURE BOARD AGENDA AND MUST CONCERN A
MATTER IN WHICH THE BOARD CAN TAKE ACTION. PUBLIC
PETITIONS ARE LIMITED TO A SINGLE PRESENTER, WITH A MAXIMUM
TIME OF TEN MINUTES, UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE CHAIR. SHOULD
THE PETITION BE GRANTED, THE ITEM WILL BE PLACED ON A FUTURE
AGENDA FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON GENERAL TOPICS NOT
ON THIS AGENDA OR A FUTURE AGENDA MUST REGISTER TO SPEAK
PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE AGENDA BEING
CALLED BY THE CHAIR. SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO THREE
MINUTES, AND NO ADDITIONAL MINUTES MAY BE CEDED TO THE
SPEAKER. AT THE CHAIR’S DISCRETION, THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC
SPEAKERS MAY BE LIMITED TO 5 FOR THAT MEETING.
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD
WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDING PERTAINING THERETO,
AND THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD
OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE
TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.
COLLIER COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. 2003-53 AS AMENDED BY
ORDINANCE 2004-05 AND 2007-24, REQUIRES THAT ALL LOBBYISTS
SHALL, BEFORE ENGAGING IN ANY LOBBYING ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ADDRESSING THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS), REGISTER WITH THE CLERK TO THE BOARD AT THE
BOARD MINUTES AND RECORDS DEPARTMENT.
IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS ANY
ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCEEDING,
YOU ARE ENTITLED, AT NO COST TO YOU, THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN
ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE COLLIER COUNTY FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT DIVISION LOCATED AT 3335 EAST TAMIAMI TRAIL,
SUITE 1, NAPLES, FLORIDA, 34112-5356, (239) 252-8380.
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February 11, 2025
Lunch Recess scheduled for 12:00 Noon to 1:00 P.M.
1. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A. Invocation by Pastor James Baird – Covenant Church of Naples
B. Pledge of Allegiance by Debbie and Alen Silver – Founders of Gulf Coast
Veterans and Friends
2. AGENDA AND MINUTES
A. Approval of today's Regular, Consent, and Summary agenda as amended
(ex-parte disclosure provided by Commission members for Consent agenda.)
B. January 14, 2025, BCC Meeting Minutes
3. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
A. EMPLOYEE
B. ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
C. RETIREES
D. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
4. PROCLAMATIONS
A. Proclamation recognizing exceptional achievements of Domestic Animal
Services volunteers. To be accepted by Domestic Animal Services Director
Meredith McLean, volunteers, and staff.
B. Proclamation designating March 8, 2025, as FC Naples Day! To be
accepted by Roberto Moreno, Chief Executive Officer, FC Naples
C. Proclamation designating February 27, 2025, as League of Women Voters
Day in Collier County. To be accepted by Diane Preston Moore, President
of the League of Women Voters of Collier County.
D. Proclamation designating February 16 - 22, 2025, as Engineers Week in
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February 11, 2025
Collier County. To be accepted by Kevin Dowty, Florida Engineering
Society Calusa Chapter Member.
5. PRESENTATIONS
A. This item is to be heard at 9:30 AM. Collier County Immigration
Enforcement Update
B. Artist of the month
6. PUBLIC PETITIONS
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS (On general topics not on the current or future agenda)
8. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
A. This item has been continued to the March 11, 2025, BCC Meeting.
This item requires that ex-parte disclosure be provided by Commission
members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are required
to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve a Resolution of the Board of
Zoning Appeals of Collier County, Florida, providing for the establishment
of a conditional use to allow a 150-foot tall monopole communications
tower that deviates from the required 150-foot separation from residential
property by providing an 84-foot separation from residential property to the
north on lands zoned Estates (E) and designated Residential Estates
Subdistrict within the Rural Golden Gate Estates Sub-Element of the Golden
Gate Area Master Plan of the Collier County Growth Management Plan
pursuant to sections 2.03.01.B.1.c.12 and 5.05.09 of the Collier County Land
Development Code, located on approximately 613+ square feet of a 4.99+
acre tract located at 191 Weber Boulevard North, in Section 2, Township 49
South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida. (PL20230004408 - FPL
Summit Tower Conditional Use)
9. ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS
10. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
11. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT
A. Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to execute
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“Franchise Agreements for Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials, and
Yard Trash Collection Services,” with Waste Management Inc. of
Florida, and Waste Pro of Florida, Inc., with commencement dates
of October 1, 2027, at an average estimated amount of $32,000,000
per Fiscal Year for the first period of seven years, and with two
seven-year renewal options, and authorize the Chairman to sign the
attached Agreements for continuation of existing best value
services.
12. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
13. OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
14. AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND/OR COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
15. STAFF AND COMMISSION GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS
A. Public comments on general topics not on the current or future
agenda by individuals not already heard during previous public
comments in this meeting
B. Staff project updates
C. Staff and commission general communications
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16. Consent Agenda - All matters listed under this item are considered to be
routine and action will be taken by one motion without separate discussion of
each item. If discussion is desired by a member of the Board, that item(s) will
be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately.
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A. GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
1) Recommendation to rename the Conservation Collier Annecy Barfield
property the Barfield Burrows Preserve.
2) Recommendation to adopt a Resolution for final acceptance of the
private roadway and drainage improvements and acceptance of the
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plat dedications for the final plat of Azure at Hacienda Lakes - Phase
3, Application Number PL20190002283, and authorize the release of
the maintenance security in the amount of $223,303.54.
3) Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the potable water and
sewer utility facilities and accept the conveyance of a portion of the
potable water facilities for Bay Pines Medical Center,
PL20230016377.
4) Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the sewer utilities
facilities and accept the conveyance of the sewer facilities for
Metropolitan Naples, PL20240003786.
5) Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the potable water and
sewer utility facilities for Quail Creek Village Clubhouse,
PL20240013440.
6) Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the potable water,
irrigation quality water, and sewer facilities and accept the
conveyance of the potable water, irrigation quality water, and sewer
facilities for SkySail - Phase 2A, PL20240008922.
7) Recommendation to approve an Agreement for Sale and Purchase
under the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Program with 1.)
Donn Charles Descoteau, Andrea Hugg n/k/a Andrea Elaine Mulanix,
and Donna Ruthe Descoteau (“Descoteau”) for a 1.14-acre parcel at a
cost of $25,100 and 2.) Monica Cecile Fish for a 1.14-acre parcel at a
cost of $36,480, for a total cost not to exceed $64,640 inclusive of
closing costs.
8) Program with 1.) Donn Charles Descoteau, Andrea Hugg n/k/a
Andrea Elaine Mulanix, and Donna Ruthe Descoteau (“Descoteau”)
for a 1.14-acre parcel at a cost of $25,100 and 2.) Monica Cecile Fish
for a 1.14-acre parcel at a cost of $36,480, for a total cost not to
exceed $64,640 inclusive of closing costs.
B. TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
1) Recommendation to approve a Budget Amendment to fund
construction of the safety improvement project “Immokalee Rd. (C.R.
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846) at Oil Well Rd. (C.R. 858) Northbound Right Turn Lane
Improvements” Project No. 60273 in the amount of $1,500,000.
2) Recommendation that the Board award Request for Proposal (RFP)
No. 23-8166, Collier County Transit Electronic Farebox, to LECIP,
Inc., in the amount of $891,326.83, which is 100% funded with
Federal Capital Grant dollars, and authorize the Chairman to sign the
attached Agreement.
3) Recommendation to approve Change Order No. 4 for "Carson Road
Stormwater Treatment Area" Project No. 60143 under Agreement No.
23-8114 with Quality Enterprises USA, Inc., to utilize $68,719.50 of
the Owner's Allowance, and add 90 Days to the contract time.
4) Recommendation to approve an Agreement for the purchase of right
of way (Parcel 1372FEE) required for the Vanderbilt Beach Road Ext
– Phase 2 Project (Project No. 60249). Estimated Fiscal Impact:
$55,000.
5) Recommendation to approve an Agreement for the purchase of right
of way (Parcel 1286FEE) required for the Vanderbilt Beach Road Ext
– Phase 2 Project (Project No. 60249). Estimated Fiscal Impact:
$67,178.
6) Recommendation to approve an Agreement for the purchase of right
of way (Parcel 1304FEE) required for the Vanderbilt Beach Road Ext
– Phase 2 Project (Project No. 60249). Estimated Fiscal Impact:
$43,500.
7) Recommendation to approve First Amendment to Agreement for Sale
and Purchase for the Williams Reserve Property to extend the due
diligence period to March 26, 2025, to provide additional time for the
County to complete the environmental investigations of the Property.
8) Recommendation to approve the Lease Agreement between Collier
County and LG Mercantile Holdings, LLC, for the Sheriff’s Office
Facilities Management warehouse located at 4373 Mercantile Avenue
and authorize the Chairman to sign the attached Lease Agreement.
9) Recommendation to authorize the Lely Golf Estates Beautification
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Municipal Service Taxing Unit (Lely MSTU) to accept a zero-cost
donation of existing Decorative Traffic Signposts from the Lely Civic
Association (LCA) to assume ownership to perform all duties of
maintenance and improvement and authorize the County Manager or
her designee to sign the zero-dollar bill of sale.
10) Recommendation to convert three (3) current time-limited grant
positions to non-time limited to support countywide capital grants.
C. PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
1) Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners, as ex-
officio the Governing Board of the Collier County Water-Sewer
District, award Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 24-8282, “Golden Gate
Master Pump Station and Site Improvements,” to Douglas N. Higgins,
Inc., in the amount of $3,043,340, approve an Owner’s Allowance of
$300,000, and authorize the Chairman to sign the attached Agreement.
(Project #70243)
2) Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners, as ex-
officio the Governing Board of the Collier County Water-Sewer
District, award Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 24-8320, “North County
Regional Water Treatment Plant (NCRWTP) Raw Water Feedline
Rehab Phase 1 and Phase 2,” to RF Environmental Services, Inc., in
the amount of $2,739,000, approve an Owner’s Allowance of
$110,000 for Phase 1 and $150,000 for Phase 2, and authorize the
Chairman to sign the attached Agreement. (Project #71066)
3) Recommendation to adopt a Resolution and Satisfactions of Lien for
the 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 Solid Waste Collection and
Disposal Services Special Assessments and authorize the Chairman to
sign the Resolution.
D. PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT
1) Recommendation to award Request for Proposal No. 24-8263,
“Affordable Housing Marketing and Outreach Campaign” to Quest
Corporation of America, Inc., and authorize the Chairman to sign the
attached agreement in the amount of $80,000. (Misc. Grants Fund
(1077), Affordable Housing Plan Project #50137).
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2) Recommendation to approve and authorize the chairman to sign (28)
Releases of Lien in the amount of $380,232.16 for properties that
have remained affordable for the required 15-year period set forth in
the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Impact Fee Program
deferral agreements.
3) Recommendation to approve and authorize the chair to sign forty-one
(41) mortgage satisfactions for the State Housing Initiatives
Partnership loan program in the amount of $275,500, and to authorize
the associated Budget Amendment to appropriate repayment amount
totaling $3,000. (SHIP Grant Fund 1053)
4) Recommendation to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with
the Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. as the provider of Low-
Income Home Energy Assistance Program for Collier County for the
Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program to coordinate referrals
and prevent duplication of benefits. (Human Services Grant Fund
1837)
5) Recommendation to approve Services for Seniors, after-the-fact
Standard Contract and with the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest
Florida, Inc., in the amount of $1,604,272.20 and authorize the
associated Budget Amendments, for FY25 Older American Act Title
III in the amount increase of $196,280.71. (Human Service Grant
Fund 1837)
6) Recommendation to adopt a Resolution authorizing approval of a
Substantial Amendment to Collier County's U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Annual Action Plans for
Program Years 2019-2020, 2022-2023, and 2024-2025 to; (a) remove
an activity and return funds to CDBG CV Administration, (b) revise
the second allocation of ESG-RUSH funding from Program Year
2022 to Program Year 2024, (c) reclassify the Collier County Housing
Authority HVAC activity as an Affordable Housing project per
HUD’s guidance and authorize submission of the Substantial
Amendment to HUD.
7) Recommendation to adopt a Resolution authorizing the temporary
closing of a portion of State Road 29 and determining that the closure
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is necessary for the Collier County Museums’ annual Immokalee
Cattle Drive & Jamboree on March 8, 2025, to fulfill a Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT) temporary road closure permit
application requirement.
E. CORPORATE BUSINESS OPERATIONS
F. COUNTY MANAGER OPERATIONS
1) Recommendation to approve Change Order No. 6, adding sixty-three
days of contract time to Purchase Order No. 4500229425 under
Agreement No. 23-8147 with Quality Enterprises USA, Inc., for the
“Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park Phase 2A Access Road,” and
authorize the Chairman to sign the attached Change Order. (Project
No. 80039)
2) Recommendation to award Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 24-8293,
“Sun-N-Fun Lazy River Renovations,” to Electro-Mechanic
Industries, Inc., d/b/a Vermana in the amount of $224,403, approve an
Owner’s Allowance of $55,000, and authorize the Chair to sign the
attached Agreement. (Project #80421)
3) Recommendation to ratify administratively approved Change Order
No. 5, adding 14 days to the contract time under Agreement No. 23-
8070RR with JR & Co., Inc., for the professional construction
services to install new roofing on the Collier County Jail Building J-
1., and authorize the Chairman to sign the attached Change Order.
(Project No. 50229)
4) Recommendation to authorize a Budget Amendment for the Facilities
Management Division in the amount of $181,945.35, to reallocate
County Wide Capital Projects Funding from the Building J
Renovations Project (53172) to the J3 Boiler Renovation Project
(50311).
5) Recommendation to approve the expenditure of up to $3,000 in
Tourism Development Tax (TDT) Promotion funds to support the
upcoming 2025 Naples Spring Shootout Event and make a finding
that these expenditures promote tourism.
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6) Recommendation to approve a one-year renewal of Agreement No.
22-7980 “Tourism International Representation - Germany Market”
with Diamonde e.K. for Flat Annual Fixed Price of $120,000 ($10,000
per month), and Reimbursable Expenses for Travel, Registrations and
Miscellaneous for up to $60,000 totaling $180,000 annually using
tourist development tax funds and make a finding that this action
promotes tourism.
7) Recommendation to approve a one-year renewal of Agreement No.
22-7979 “Tourism International Representation – UK and Ireland
Market” with OMMAC Ltd. for Flat Annual Fixed Price of $120,000
($10,000 per month), and Reimbursable Expenses for Travel,
Registrations and Miscellaneous for up to $80,000 totaling $200,000
annually using tourist development tax funds and make a finding that
this action promotes tourism.
G. AIRPORT AUTHORITY
1) Recommendation that the Board, acting as the Airport Authority,
award Request for Proposals No. 24-8283, "Rental Car Concession
Services for Collier County Airport Authority” to Enterprise Leasing
Company of Florida, LLC, and authorize its Chair to sign the attached
Car Rental Service Concessionaire Agreement.
2) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chair to execute a
Public Transportation Grant Agreement (PTGA) with the Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT) reimbursing the County up to
$267,903 for the purchase of a 5,000 Gallon Jet-A Refueler for the
Marco Island Executive Airport (MKY); execute a Resolution
memorializing the Board’s action; and authorize the necessary Budget
Amendments. FPN 450316-1-94-01. (Airport Grant Fund 4093 and
Airport Grant Match Fund 4094)
H. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
I. MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
J. OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
1) To record in the minutes of the Board of County Commissioners, the
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check number (or other payment method), amount, payee, and
purpose for which the referenced disbursements in the amount of
$26,621,618.87 were drawn for the periods between January 16, 2025,
and January 29, 2025, pursuant to Florida Statute 136.06.
2) Request that the Board approve and determine valid public purpose
for invoices payable and purchasing card transactions as of February
5, 2025.
3) Report to the Board regarding the investment of County funds as of
the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
4) Recommendation to approve the use of $5,000 from the Confiscated
Trust Funds to support the LEAD Program and authorize the
necessary budget amendment.
5) Miscellaneous Correspondence BCC February 11, 2025.
K. COUNTY ATTORNEY
1) Recommendation to reappoint five members to the Infrastructure
Surtax Citizen Oversight Committee.
2) Recommendation to appoint Dimitra Arneson to the Lely Golf Estates
Beautification Advisory Committee.
3) Recommendation to approve an insurance settlement whereby the
County will receive $9,000 to settle and release the County’s claim
against Elisa Mendoza Dukharan and Ramanand Jalsingh Dukharan
for costs incurred to replace a traffic signal box, and to authorize the
County Manager or designee to execute the release.
L. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
1) Recommendation that the Board, acting as the Community
Redevelopment Agency Board (CRA), award Invitation to Bid (ITB)
No. 24-8287, “Immokalee Zocalo Plaza Landscape Maintenance,” to
A&M Property Maintenance LLC, and authorize the Chairman to sign
the attached Agreement, and authorize any necessary Budget
Amendments.
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2) Recommendation that the Board, acting as the Community
Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approve a First Amendment to
Agreement CD24-02 to incorporate Phase I language, reduce time to
the period of performance, and reduce the Federal Funding amount to
support the reduction in activities for said Agreement between Collier
County and Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency
(Immokalee) for FY 2024/2025 Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), authorize the
Chairman of the CRA to sign the First Amendment, and authorize the
necessary Budget Amendments.
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17. SUMMARY AGENDA - This section is for advertised public hearings and
must meet the following criteria: 1) A recommendation for approval from
staff; 2) Unanimous recommendation for approval by the Collier County
Planning Commission or other authorizing agencies of all members present
and voting; 3) No written or oral objections to the item received by staff, the
Collier County Planning Commission, other authorizing agencies or the
Board, prior to the commencement of the BCC meeting on which the items
are scheduled to be heard; and 4) No individuals are registered to speak in
opposition to the item. For those items which are quasi-judicial in nature, all
participants must be sworn in.
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A. This item has been continued from the January 28, 2025, BCC Meeting
Recommendation to adopt an Ordinance amending the Collier County Land
Development Code to establish provisions for Food Truck Parks and Mobile
Food Dispensing Vehicles. (Second of two hearings) (This is a companion to
Item #17B)
B. This item has been continued from the January 28, 2025, BCC Meeting
Recommendation to adopt a Resolution of the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, amending the Administrative
Code for Land Development, which was created by Ordinance No. 2013-57,
by amending the administrative procedures to create an application for
Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicles, Permanent, Permit. (This is a companion
to Item #17A)
C. Recommendation to adopt an Ordinance of the Board of County
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February 11, 2025
Commissioners proposing amendments to the Collier County Growth
Management Plan, Ordinance 89-05, as amended, relating to the Rural
Lands Stewardship Area Overlay and specifically amending the Rural Lands
Stewardship Area Overlay of the Future Land Use Element, to eliminate the
cap on the size of a town and include qualified target industries as a goods
and services use, and directing transmittal of the amendments to the Florida
Department of Commerce. [PL20240004018 - RLSA Town Size GMPA]
D. Recommendation to adopt a Resolution of the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, renaming Massa way, depicted
as Tract R-1, Silverwood at Ave Maria (Phase 1), as recorded in Plat Book
63, pages 95–102, of the public records of Collier County, Florida, to Peek
Way. The subject street is approximately 0.4 miles in length, located in Ave
Maria, approximately one mile north of the intersection of Ave Maria
Boulevard and Anthem Parkway, in Section 5, Township 48 South, Range
26 East, Collier County, Florida. PL20240013156
18. ADJOURN
INQUIRIES CONCERNING CHANGES TO THE BOARD’S AGENDA
SHOULD BE MADE TO THE COUNTY MANAGER’S OFFICE AT 252-
8383.
February 11, 2025
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CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to the February 11th Collier County Commission meeting.
Item #1A
INVOCATION BY PASTOR JAMES BAIRD – COVENANT
CHURCH OF NAPLES, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY DEBBIE
AND ALEN SILVER – FOUNDERS OF GULF COAST
VETERANS AND FRIENDS
Ms. Patterson, we'll start off with the invocation and Pledge.
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir. Invocation today will be led by
Pastor James Baird of Covenant Church of Naples, and the Pledge of
Allegiance will be led by Deb and Alen Silver, founders of Gulf
Coast Veterans and Friends.
PASTOR BAIRD: It's my great privilege today to invoke the
blessing of Lord Jesus Christ for this distinguished body. Let's bow
our heads together.
Dear Lord, the great creator and maker of heaven and earth, the
father, son, and holy spirit, today we come to you with hearts grateful
for the institution of government. We thank you that you did not
create man to be alone, but that you desired for us to live a life filled
with flourishing in community and that as your word says, you have
instituted governing authorities, that they would be your servants for
our good.
And so I pray for these commissioners that you would open their
eyes and hearts to serve you well into this great calling into which
that you've called them; Lord, that you would the give them
goodness, hearts that seek the best interest of the community; that
you would give them wisdom and prudence that they would find the
February 11, 2025
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best means to secure the good of this community; and that you would
give them strength and fortitude that they would have the ability and
the perseverance to always seek what is best for all of us.
And, Lord, I also pray that you would give them and build them
up in faith, that they would wear your royal robes, the righteousness
of the Lord Jesus Christ, that they might not be distracted or pulled
aside left or to the right and to ways that are contrary to your
character.
And, Lord, we pray always that you would be with the people of
Collier County, that we would submit to their rulings, that we would
honor them because you have given them their authority, and by
honoring them we honor you.
And so today we ask for all of these things in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
MR. SILVER: Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
(The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I've taken the liberty of asking our
visitors to say a few words about the things that they do for veterans.
I've attended some of their breakfast meetings on Saturday mornings,
and it's a wonderful thing for the veterans. And so if you would tell
us a little bit about that and --
MR. SILVER: Thank you. Commissioners, thanks for
allowing us to be here.
Deb and I and a group of others founded Gulf Coast Veterans
and Friends in 2017. We started with a Mr. Coffee and a dozen
doughnuts at a fire station in North Naples, and since then we've
grown, and we serve breakfast. That was our main function every
Saturday morning, and currently we operate out of the Fleischmann
Park every Saturday that the park is open. And we serve breakfast to
between 50 and 100 veterans every week, every Saturday morning
from 10 to noon. We have a lot of World War II veterans, Korean
February 11, 2025
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veterans, and after that as well.
Besides breakfast, we also find time to help those who need
mobility devices. We help people with scooters. We help people
with wheelchairs. We also help people in times of need during
hurricanes. We provide help getting food, clothing, and even shelter
when needed.
So that's a little bit about Gulf Coast Veterans and Friends, and I
thank you so much.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: If you could do one more thing, if
you'd state your name for the record just so we have that on the
record.
MR. SILVER: I'm Alen Silver, and this is Deb Silver.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And I wanted them to spend just a
moment, because I've attended, as I said, several of the breakfast
meetings on Saturday mornings, and it's wonderful to see 80 to 100
veterans. I've talked to numerous World War II veterans at those
events, some of which were 100 years old, 102 years old. And so
you do a great service. I just wanted the people to understand that
and know that. So thank you.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Can I get a little plug in
before they go?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Sure. Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Just to say it out loud, we're
in the process -- there is a very active veterans organization in Ave
Maria, and we're in the process of establishing one over in
Immokalee, so -- and I've reached out to our veterans affairs
department to find a list of veterans within Immokalee, then bring
them in for an organizational meeting and set that up. So any
assistance from your membership that you can assist us with would
be greatly appreciated.
MR. SILVER: Yeah, thank you.
February 11, 2025
Page 5
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Thank you for all that you
do.
MS. SILVER: We'll leave our business card for you so you can
get in touch with us.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Say that again.
MS. SILVER: We'll leave our business card --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Please.
MS. SILVER: -- so you can reach out to us.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Thank you. Leave it with
her or Troy, either one. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Again, thank you very much.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Thank you, Mr. Chair, for
letting me get that plug in.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We'll move on to the agenda and
minutes. Approval of today's regular, consent, and summary
agenda.
Added
MOTION TO ALLOW COMMISSIONER HALL TO PARTICIPATE
REMOTELY BY COMMISSIONER LOCASTRO; SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS – APPROVED – 4/0
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, we do need a motion to
allow Commissioner Hall to participate by phone.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Is there a motion?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I make a motion to allow
approval.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Should we do that?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yes. We don't have to agree to
do it. We do have to have the motion and the second.
February 11, 2025
Page 6
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Troy, just put him on mute.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Seconded.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We don't have to vote in favor of
it.
We have a motion and second. All in favor, signify by saying
aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HALL: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall, can you hear
us okay?
COMMISSIONER HALL: Yes, I'm right here. Thanks.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Welcome. Glad that
you're able to participate this morning.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Thanks, Chairman.
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, we do have one agenda
change that I need to read into the record before we move on to your
disclosures and any other changes. This is move Item 16A7 to 11B.
This is a recommendation to approve an agreement for sale and
purchase under the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Program
with, 1, Donn Charles Descoteau, Andrea Hugg, known as Andrea
Elaine Mulanix, and Donna Ruthe Descoteau for a 1.14-acre parcel at
a cost of $25,100; and, 2, Monica Cecile Fish for a 1.14-acre parcel at
a cost of $36,480 for a cost -- total cost not to exceed $64,640
inclusive of closing costs. This is being moved to the regular agenda
at Commissioner McDaniel's request.
We also have a time-certain item today, Item 5A, to be heard at
February 11, 2025
Page 7
9:30 a.m., and this is a Collier County immigration enforcement
update by our Sheriff's Office.
We have court reporter breaks scheduled for 10:30 and 2:50.
With that, County Attorney.
MR. KLATZKOW: Nothing, thank you.
Item #2A
APPROVAL OF TODAY'S REGULAR, CONSENT, AND
SUMMARY AGENDA AS AMENDED (EX-PARTE DISCLOSURE
PROVIDED BY COMMISSION MEMBERS FOR CONSENT
AGENDA.) - MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER
KOWAL; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL –
APPROVED AND/OR ADOPTED W/CHANGES
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, ex parte and disclosures
on the consent agenda and summary and any further changes.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I have no changes and no ex
parte.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Same with me, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Same for me, no changes, no
ex parte.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall, any changes?
COMMISSIONER HALL: No changes and no ex parte.
Thanks.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. I have no changes and
no ex parte as well.
Then we need a motion to approve today's regular, consent, and
February 11, 2025
Page 8
summary agenda.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: So moved.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Second.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. We have a motion and
second. Seeing no -- any registered speakers?
MR. MILLER: Not for consent or summary, sir, no.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All in favor, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All opposed, say nay.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: It passes unanimously.
*****
Proposed Agenda Changes
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
February 11, 2025
Move Item 16A7 to 11B: Recommendation to approve an Agreement for Sale and Purchase under the
Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Program with 1.) Donn Charles Descoteau, Andrea Hugg nikla Andrea
Elaine Mulanix, and Donna Ruthe Descoteau ("Descoteau") for a 1.14-acre parcel at a cost of $25,100 and 2.)
Monica Cecile Fish for a 1.14-acre parcel at a cost of $36,480, for a total cost not to exceed $64,640 inclusive of
closing costs. (Commissioner McDaniel's Request)
Notes:
TIME CERTAIN ITEMS:
Item 5A. to be heard at 9:30 AM: Collier County Immigration Enforcement Update
2R 1120251:26 Phi
February 11, 2025
Page 9
Item #2B
JANUARY 14, 2025, BCC MEETING MINUTES - MOTION TO
APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL; SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER HALL - APPROVED –
MS. PATTERSON: Item 2A is approval of the January 14th,
2025, BCC minutes.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Move for approval.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. We have a motion. Is
there a second?
COMMISSIONER HALL: Second.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have a motion and a second to
approve the minutes of January 14, 2025. Any questions or
discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Seeing none, all in favor, signify
by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: It passes unanimously.
Just before we go to awards and recognitions, I want to mention
one thing that occurred yesterday just so the Board is up to speed.
We had a groundbreaking yesterday for the Gate Golf Course,
so at the old Golden Gate Golf Course. A tremendous ceremony, a
lot of people there, a lot of people from Golden Gate, of course.
February 11, 2025
Page 10
And then in the evening there was another sort of a reception
honoring the folks that are developing the First Tee project. There
was also a groundbreaking for the First Tee project, which I think all
of us are familiar with. That's an organization that strives to provide
our children with the lessons learned from golf so that they can
become better and productive citizens and adults.
It was a great day, and I just wanted the Board to know that
things are moving along very well with those two projects, the First
Tee project and the golf course project.
I'm going to ask the folks that are developing those two projects
to make a presentation to the County Commission at our first meeting
in March just so that the public's aware of that and you have a better
understanding of everything that's going on there.
Let's move on, then, to awards and recognitions.
Item #4A
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING EXCEPTIONAL
ACHIEVEMENTS OF DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES
VOLUNTEERS. ACCEPTED BY DOMESTIC ANIMAL
SERVICES DIRECTOR MEREDITH MCLEAN, VOLUNTEERS,
AND STAFF - MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER
SAUNDERS; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOCASTRO -
ADOPTED
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir.
That actually brings us to proclamations. Item 4A is a proclamation
recognizing exceptional achievements of Domestic Animal Services
volunteers. To be accepted by Domestic Animal Services director
Meredith McLean, volunteers, and staff. Congratulations.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. And before they come
February 11, 2025
Page 11
up, let me –
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let me take the opportunity to -- I
want to read this proclamation because we have a lot of volunteers
here. It's a little different than our normal procedure, but this, I
think, is very special. They've saved this community literally
hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs by all of the volunteer work
they do. So let me just spend just a couple minutes reading this.
Proclamation: Whereas, the dedicated volunteers of DAS work
tirelessly to facilitate the adoption of homeless animals,
demonstrating an unwavering commitment to their health and
welfare; and,
Whereas, DAS volunteers come to care for the animals in all
weather conditions, including heat, rain, wind, and ensuring that
every animal receives the exercise and socialization they need; and,
Whereas, DAS volunteers open their homes to foster animals
requiring medical attention, recovering from surgery, stress relief,
and even Hospice care; and,
Whereas, DAS volunteers invest significant time with potential
adopters to ensure the best match for both the pet and the family; and,
Whereas, DAS volunteers provide invaluable assistance in our
veterinary clinic helping with medications, surgical preparations, and
overall care of the most needy; and,
Whereas, DAS volunteers transport animals to rescues across
Florida and nationally, expanding their chances for a better future;
and,
Whereas, DAS volunteers offer shadow training to new
volunteers after orientation, welcome them into the DAS volunteer
family; and,
Whereas, DAS volunteers play a crucial role in providing
enrichment, toys, grooming, and care for all animals at DAS, they
February 11, 2025
Page 12
support not only those in our adoption areas, but also underage
animals in the nursery and nervous animal in our decompression
spaces; and,
Whereas, DAS volunteers assist with events and education
outreach assisting the Collier County community and promoting
Domestic Animal Services.
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that the Board extends its
heartfelt congratulations to the DAS volunteers, may they be
recognized as exemplary volunteers who consistently go above and
beyond to find loving homes for homeless animals.
Done and ordered this day, February 11th, 2025, Board of
County Commissioners, Burt Saunders, Chairman.
Members, I make a motion that we approve this proclamation.
I realize that we're going to put them all as a group, but this is -- for
me is very special. So I make a motion that we approve this
proclamation.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Second.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Second, third.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion and
a second. All in favor, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have a whole lot of volunteers
here. We need to take a few photographs and present this
proclamation.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Meredith, if you'd like to say a
February 11, 2025
Page 13
few words, and we also have the chairman of our DAS advisory
committee that would like to say a few words.
MS. McLEAN: Sure. Do you want to go first?
MS. HARRIS: No.
MS. McLEAN: Okay. Good morning, Commissioners. I
want to thank -- take a moment and recognize the incredible
volunteers who dedicate their time and, more importantly, their hearts
to Collier County Domestic Animal Services. Our volunteers
contribute nearly 15,000 hours a year helping us care for animals,
support adoptions, and provide critical needs to our community.
Many of them aren't here today because they're out doing what
they do best, helping us run our shelter and care for the animals who
need us.
As I always say, no good animal shelter runs without our
volunteers, and we truly couldn't do this job without you guys.
On behalf of our staff and the animals, thank you for your
unwavering dedication and compassion.
(Applause.)
MS. HARRIS: Good morning, Commissioners, Ms. Patterson.
My name is Laurie Harris. I'm the chairman of the Domestic
Animal Services Advisory Board, and that has been the honor of my
life. These volunteers are above and beyond the best.
I want to thank the commissioners for your time and dedication
to Domestic Animal Services. It's been incredible.
To Ms. Patterson, Mr. French, I know he's in the back, the
support has been beyond my wildest dreams, so I thank you all.
Every day is more progress. I look forward to continuing it.
And last, but not least, to Patty Teulet.
MS. TEULET: Yes.
(Applause.)
MS. HARRIS: Patty and her husband, Michel, they have been,
February 11, 2025
Page 14
my goodness, the longest volunteers that I'm aware of. And Patty
put this all together today. So thank you, all. It's very appreciated.
(Applause.)
Item #4B
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING MARCH 8, 2025, AS FC
NAPLES DAY! ACCEPTED BY ROBERTO MORENO, CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, FC NAPLES - MOTION TO APPROVE
BY COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS; SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER LOCASTRO - ADOPTED
MS. PATTERSON: Item 4B is a proclamation designating
March 8th, 2025, as FC Naples Day. To be accepted by Roberto
Moreno, chief executive officer, FC Naples. Congratulations.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I think I'm going to go ahead and
read this proclamation as well. And I know that's a little out of our
normal procedure, but this soccer team and what we're doing at the
Paradise Coast facility is so special for this community that I think
it's important for the community to hear what we're doing and to also
recognize the team. So let me -- let me spend just a couple minutes
here.
Whereas, FC Naples is a cornerstone of Collier County's
growing enthusiasm for soccer providing a platform for players, fans,
and the community to unite around the beautiful game; and,
Whereas, March 8th, 2025, marks the history date of FC Naples'
inaugural game representing not only the beginning of a new era for
local sports, but also a testament to the community's commitment to
fostering athletic excellence; and,
Whereas, FC Naples strives to inspire young athletes in Collier
February 11, 2025
Page 15
County and beyond by promoting team work, discipline, and
sportsmanship serving as a beacon of opportunity and a source of
pride for our youth; and,
Whereas, the establishment of FC Naples has already sparked
local economic growth by creating jobs, supporting small businesses,
and attracting visitors to Collier County; and,
Whereas, the club's vision extends beyond the field with a focus
on engaging in charitable endeavors, strengthening community ties,
and providing cultural enrichment through the sport of soccer; and,
Whereas, the unwavering support of fans, sponsors, and local
leaders has been instrumental in turning the team of FC Naples into a
reality; and,
Whereas, the incredible encouragement and collaboration from
the Collier County Commissioners and local government have been
pivotal in helping FC Naples thrive, reflecting their dedication to
promoting community initiatives and enhancing local opportunities;
and,
Whereas, FC Naples represents the diversity and vibrancy of
Collier County, reflecting the spirit and unity of our residents.
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that March 8th, 2025, be
designated as FC Naples Day. Done and ordered this 11th day of
February 2025, Board of County Commissioners, Collier County,
Florida, Burt Saunders, Chairman.
I'd like to present this to Mr. Moreno and the team, and I'd like
to make a motion to approve this proclamation.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Motion to approve.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have a motion.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Second.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And a second. All in favor,
signify by saying aye.
February 11, 2025
Page 16
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
MS. PATTERSON: Very good. If we could have the team
and Mr. Moreno come up.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Come up and --
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: You're flying the colors.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Yep.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: How'd that happen?
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: You guys want to hold the flag
out front?
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Don't everybody leave just yet.
MR. MORENO: Commissioners, thank you so much for
this -- for this honor, Commissioner Saunders, Commissioner
LoCastro, McDaniel, Commissioner Hall, Commissioner Kowal.
It's an honor to be here. We wouldn't be here without you guys.
It feels crazy that it was just over a year ago that we were
standing here approving this -- the concept of this team and now
we're standing here with a full squad of 23 young amazing men that
are going to represent Collier County all over the United States really
well.
I want to also take a moment to thank Ms. Patterson and her
team. Mr. French, Jaime Cook, Eric, Adrian Moses, of course, thank
you so much for your support in making this happen.
One thing I can guarantee you is we're going to represent this
county extremely well. We're going to give it all on the field. And
as a community team, like we've said since day one, we're going to
February 11, 2025
Page 17
connect with the community, inspire the youth, and be that beacon of
light that everybody can look up to.
So thank you so much for this proclamation and for all your
support.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you. And one of the
reasons why I wanted to kind of highlight this a little bit is we're
talking about building some more fields at the Paradise Coast thing,
and I think this is a good example of what this -- that facility brings
to this community, what it can bring to us in the future, and the fact
that we do need to build a few more fields out there to accommodate
you guys but also to, more importantly, accommodate our community
and their needs for soccer fields. So thank you.
MR. MORENO: Thank you.
Coach Poland.
MR. POLAND: Thank you. I just wanted to briefly thank you
guys for your support. Obviously, we are, as a soccer team, nothing
without the support of the community that we play in. So we
appreciate that support. And the guys are very excited to get to
represent this community proudly, not just here in Naples, but also
across the nation wearing our badge and showing the country of
America who FC Naples and who Collier County are. So thank you
so much.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
(Applause.)
Item #4C
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING FEBRUARY 27, 2025, AS
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS DAY IN COLLIER COUNTY.
ACCEPTED BY DIANE PRESTON MOORE, PRESIDENT OF
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF COLLIER COUNTY. -
February 11, 2025
Page 18
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS;
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOCASTRO - ADOPTED
MS. PATTERSON: Item 4C is a proclamation designating
February 27th, 2025, as League of Women Voters Day in Collier
County. To be accepted by Diane Preston Moore, president of the
League of Women Voters of Collier County. Congratulations.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And I'll go ahead -- and just so no
one feels slighted at all, I'll go ahead and read this. This is not our
normal procedure, but we've had some very special proclamations
today. So let me go ahead and read this. This is a very short one.
Whereas, February 14th, 2025, marks the 105th anniversary of
the founding of the League of Women Voters of the United States;
and,
Whereas, since its founding in 1920, the League of Women
Voters has worked to be a voice for citizens and a force for change.
It's helped generation of voters better understand the structure and
function of government and has worked to achieve policies that
promote good government; and,
Whereas, February 27th, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of
the founding of the League of Women Voters of Collier County; and,
Whereas, LWVCC has served Collier County by studying
social, educational, environmental issues by advocating for change
within those areas, by providing nonpartisan election information on
candidates and issues, by organizing public candidate forums, by
conducting voter registration drives, and by working to achieve
government policies that promote the public interest.
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that February 27, 2025, be
designated as League of Women Voters Day in Collier County.
February 11, 2025
Page 19
Done and ordered this 11th day of February 2025, Board of County
Commissioners, Collier County, Florida, Burt Saunders, Chairman.
And so I'll make a motion to approve this proclamation as well.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Second.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have a motion and second.
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HALL: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: It passes unanimously.
And we'd like to go ahead and present this proclamation.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: We have some hidden in the
crowd.
MS. PRESTON MOORE: I did want to say just a couple of
words. I am Diane Preston Moore, president of the League of
Women Voters of Collier County, and it's really an honor today to be
here to represent the League as we celebrate our 50th anniversary
here in Collier County. We're really grateful to you, to the Board of
Commissioners, for issuing this proclamation in recognition of our
milestone.
They say that every journey begins with a single step, and the
League's first step was taken in 1975 when three visionary Naples
City Council women saw a need in Collier County for the League of
Women Voters. Since then, the League's core mission has always
been to educate and empower voters.
Over the past five decades, we've dedicated ourselves to
February 11, 2025
Page 20
providing resources like voter guides and hosting candidate forums,
some of which you've all participated in, ensuring that voters in
Collier County have a clearer understanding of the candidates and
their platforms. And we recognize how vital it is for individuals to
take part in government by running for public office. And so we
thank you for your commitment to that work.
We're a volunteer organization. We don't have any paid staff,
but we encourage informed and active participation in government.
We believe that understanding how government works helps ensure
that democracy thrives.
So for 45 years, we've proudly cosponsored the "Know Your
County Government" program which introduces 30 to 40 high school
students each year to the innerworkings of our county government.
One highlight of that program is Lunch with the Commissioners. It
leaves a really lasting impression on these future leaders, and you can
look forward to meeting those students at the end of March.
The League is nonpartisan. We do not support or oppose
candidates or political parties, but our work is political in the sense
that it directly relates to government. We take positions on issues
only after thorough study and consensus among our members. And
while our position sometimes align with those of the Commission,
there are times when our views differ. When we speak, though,
whether we're supporting or opposing a measure, we try to do so in a
fact-based, civil, and respectful manner, and that's what makes
democracy great, the ability to respectfully and civilly disagree on
positions without fear of repercussions for our viewpoint.
Over the last 50 years, much has changed in our county, but one
thing that remains constant is that the League will continue to be a
voice for informed and engaged citizens, and I'm sure we'll be back
here soon working to strengthen our community.
So thank you again for your support and for the opportunity to
February 11, 2025
Page 21
be here today.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
(Applause.)
Item #4D
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING FEBRUARY 16 - 22, 2025, AS
ENGINEERS WEEK IN COLLIER COUNTY. ACCEPTED BY
KEVIN DOWTY, FLORIDA ENGINEERING SOCIETY CALUSA
CHAPTER MEMBER - MOTION TO APPROVE BY
COMMISSIONER KOWAL; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
LOCASTRO - ADOPTED
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners let's take our last
proclamation before we go to our 9:30 time-certain.
Item 4D is a proclamation designating February 16th through
22nd, 2025, as Engineers Week in Collier County. To be accepted
by Kevin Doughty, Florida Engineering Society Calusa Chapter
member. Congratulations.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Good morning.
MR. TREBILCOCK: Good morning. Thank you. My name
is Norman Trebilcock, and I am a past president of the Florida
Engineering Society Calusa Chapter which includes Collier County
and four other Southwest Florida counties. My local engineering
and planning firm is Trebilcock Consulting Solutions, and my
technical expertise is in transportation and illuminating or lighting
engineering. My degrees in civil engineering and public works
engineering are from the University of Miami and University of
Florida.
We'd like to thank you, the Board of County Commissioners,
February 11, 2025
Page 22
staff, and our County Manager for this proclamation.
Engineering is often called an invisible or stealth profession.
The stereotypical engineer is quiet and reserved; however, everything
in our civilized society is linked to engineering as we work behind
the scenes in support.
Engineers come from many walks of life, and our objective
problem-solving approach is often welcome throughout society,
including the political arena.
Xi Jinping, the leader of China, is a chemical engineer.
Probably not the best example -- engineer example, but that piece of
trivia might help you with a jeopardy question one day.
We recently mourn the loss of our 39th president, Jimmy Carter,
who studied engineering.
Today our society is very complicated, and we have many
converse disciplines of engineering. There is one thing all engineers
have in common: We use math and science to solve real-world
problems.
A core value of all engineers is that we shall hold paramount the
health, safety, and welfare of the public so no matter who we're
working for, the public is our ultimate client, which keeps us on the
right side of things when we stick to that core value.
Thanks again, and we're honored to receive this proclamation.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
MR. TREBILCOCK: Appreciate it.
(Applause.)
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, if we could get a motion
to accept the last proclamation.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: So move.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have a motion.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Second.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And a second. All in favor,
February 11, 2025
Page 23
signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: It passes unanimously.
Item #5A
COLLIER COUNTY IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT UPDATE
– KEVIN RAMBOSK, COLLIER COUNTY SHERIFF –
PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to our 9:30
time-certain, Item 5A. This is a Collier County immigration
enforcement update. And we do have members from our Sheriff's
Office here, so I'll invite them to the podium to begin the
presentation.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: The Sheriff.
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: Good morning, Commissioners.
Kevin Rambosk, Collier County Sheriff.
Thank you for the invitation to come and give you an update on
immigration enforcement activities in Collier County, what they are
and, as importantly, what they are not.
Well, first I'd like to tell you, this is probably a good time for an
update. I serve on the National Sheriffs Association Border Security
Committee. We just held a meeting in Washington, D.C., last week,
had a confidential and informational brief from Mr. Homan as well as
other border security, border patrol officials. So we've got, really, a
lot of information.
February 11, 2025
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We've done a lot in the world, the nation, the state with regard to
immigration operations, immigration enforcement, immigration
changes, but I will tell you that for 17 years we have had a very
successful program here in Collier County, and that will not change
for the negative, for sure.
I will tell you what we may be able to do as we move forward to
improve and enhance the program, but quite frankly, we're not going
to be doing anything different than we haven't always been doing.
And I will tell you that we have the longest standing, most
productive, and flagship recognized 287(g) program in the nation.
Now, there are only 60 current organizations that have this
program. If you think to all the sheriffs’ offices throughout the
nation, there are more than 3,000 of them. There are more than
18,000 law enforcement agencies. So it is somewhat rare, but I will
tell you that the success of our program, the inspections that we've
got to go through from the federal government, the accomplishments
that we have seen -- and I'm going to give you some of that
background -- really represents the excellent leadership team that we
have right here in the Collier County Sheriff's Office, and that starts
with the colonel and goes right down to those that operate the system
in our jail.
I also want to thank you for your support over the years for what
we're doing and what we need because, without your support and,
really, without a lot of support from the community -- because when
we get a chance to go out to the community and explain what our
program does here, we get a lot of recognition for removing criminals
from Collier County, and essentially, that's the important part of this
whole discussion today.
So 287(g), many people may not know -- I'm going to try and
keep this as simple as we can -- it is -- it really represents a section of
federal law which enables local law enforcement to participate with
February 11, 2025
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ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to receive immigration
authority at the law enforcement level, and that's exactly what we do.
There are two different components of that. One is the jail model,
and one is the enforcement model.
We started with both of those 17 years ago. At some point
around 2012, our memorandum of agreement was getting near its
end, and the current administration at that time did not want to renew
any of those agreements. So we are no longer involved in the law
enforcement element, but I will talk a little bit about that when we get
there and let you know where we'd like to go.
So we do have the jail model. That's what we're currently
operating. And, you know, we also have an IGSA agreement with
ICE, and that enables us to hold immigration prisoners that ICE picks
up and then transport them to Krome Avenue Detention where
everyone gets due process under the law before a decision is made as
to what to do in their individual cases.
So as far as the 287(g) program goes in Collier County,
everyone that gets arrested and is brought into the jail for committing
a crime against our residents, our neighbors, our businesses, and one
another are all asked if they are a resident of the United States.
That's where it all begins. If they are not or they cannot prove it,
we've got a legal responsibility to determine who is in our jail, who is
in your jail, because we have all the liability that comes with that.
So we will do backgrounds and all the different service capabilities
and computer information that we can investigate.
But the 287(g) program, after a month's worth training, enables
our intake deputies, those who do the booking predominantly, to look
at determining how this individual is here in this country, and they
actually build a profile in a case with regard to their status. Once
they do that, they have the ability to place a detainer. A detainer for
all intents and purposes is an administrative hold. We ship those to
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Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in Fort Myers. They
review it. If it meets the criteria for their processes -- and every
administration over the last 16 years has had a little different criteria
and process. We've always met whatever the criteria was during
those different administrations.
They will send that information back, and if the subject is about
to be released back out into the public or if they have finished their
term as prescribed by the Court, then that detainer will be placed.
The person will be then moved, without going back into the public,
over to the Krome Avenue Detention Center for an immigration
hearing.
So it's a very simple process. I will tell you it takes a lot of
time and a lot of effort to do that, and it makes a significant
difference, because over the last 17 years, we have placed over
11,500 detainers. Of those, 8,500 individuals, criminals, committing
crimes in our community have been turned over to ICE, and
7,500-plus have been removed back into their home country once
their sentences have been fulfilled. That's a pretty significant set of
statistics.
And, you know, what I find when I talk to a lot of the public is
no matter where you are, no matter who you are, no matter where you
live, you want to live in a safe neighborhood, a safe community.
You don't want to be threatened by domestic violence, by drugs, by
burglaries to our home. Everybody wants the same thing, and that's
exactly what we want.
So we invite everybody here the right way. And if you want to
visit, if you want to live, if you want to work, there are ways to do
that, and we assist those people that want to do it, and many people
are doing it the right way.
If you're coming here to commit crimes, we really don't want
you to be here. Really, it's as simple as that.
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The law enforcement model is a little bit different in that in the
past we could look at individuals who either -- came into this country
with a background of criminality. We can do background searches,
again, with all the databases that allow us to do that. If we can put
together a background of previous gang membership, previous felony
arrests, illegal entry into the country together as a package, that's
what the law enforcement model is all about, that we look at people
who are here with criminal backgrounds and have the potential for
committing additional crimes in our community. We would then
send those to ICE. They would review them and put them through
the same process as I just explained.
So that element, the law enforcement model, we are asking and
have already asked Mr. Homan to give us authority to go back into
that system and make those cases.
So in order to start that, we are not waiting for any of this.
With changes in administration, we started notifying ICE and
Mr. Homan about what directions we felt that we wanted to do. We
let him know that we wanted to have the investigative program back.
We identified 485 potential candidates for backgrounding and
investigation. We don't know how many of those still remain in
Collier County, but they all had a link to Collier County. So we've
gotten that all started. We've talked to the Florida Sheriffs
Association; we've talked at the state level. At the same time we
provided you information last month with regard to immigration
programming here in Collier County, we did our legislative
delegation as well.
So we have really tried to update everybody on where we are at.
And as things move forward at the national and the state level -- and
there's a lot of discussion there. And, you know, a lot of people are
asking me well in advance of seeing legislation, "What's our
position?" And it's very clear. We're going to wait to see what the
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legislature or what changes at the federal government may impact
what we're doing. I think the big thing is it's not going to impact
what we're doing negatively. It will provide us an opportunity to
expand our programming, and that's what we're looking at.
We're also going to look at the IGSA. You know, we have in
Immokalee right now a facility that fortunately is not being used like
it used to be used. If you think about 2007, just prior to going into
this program, we had 1,251 inmates in our jail system between the
Naples Jail Center and the Immokalee Jail Center. Any given day
today, our average daily population is 750 plus or minus. We've
been below 700. And certainly, the 287(g) program is a part of that.
There are two other elements that are a significant part of that as
well. Some of the programs we've been here to talk to you about,
our Unified Policing Program that was created right here in Collier
County and has been spread nationwide for use and review.
But if you think about why we even looked at this, back in 2007
we found that about one-third of our inmates self-admitted to being
here in this country illegally after having committed a crime in
Collier County and being arrested. So that really caused us to think
about, you know, what is the cost of that? What is the cost of
victimization? What is the cost to operations?
In a sense, we're paying a lot of money for all of that. And we
wondered if there wasn't an alternative that we could use. And
virtually, that's how we got to the point of getting involved in 287(g)
to begin with.
Of those individuals that we have dealt with, there have been
over 60,000 individual charges that are assessed to those individuals
that we have dealt with. Some of them they have brought to us from
other communities. They've committed a crime; they've come here;
they've committed another crime. And we have totaled them all
together. That's an average of one felony and four misdemeanors
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per individual that we have put through our 287(g) program. So
we're not talking about good, hardworking people that want to be
here for a better life. We're talking about people that are taking
advantage of our residents in Collier County. That is really very,
very important.
They're involved in everything from domestic violence to child
molestation to aggregated battery to battery on law enforcement.
We've got very many specific cases that we could bring to you.
Again, it's not everybody that's here, but the people that our program
deals with are the people that need, really, to be dealt with.
So I'll wrap it up, and then opportunity for some questions.
Where we want to go. We want to maintain the 287(g) program jail
portion. We've made an official request of ICE to reinstate the law
enforcement model and put that back in place. We've made an
official request to expand the IGSA program for housing. Along
with that comes our ability to negotiate with the federal government
with regard to reimbursements for those individuals that we hold.
So that's not going to be paid for by our taxpayers.
We're going to look at what it takes for IJC to be made into a
holding facility. Up until now and up until the briefing that I got in
Washington, D.C., there's a whole set of requirements to hold longer
than 72 hours with regard to federal law.
Mr. Homan, along with the administration, very clearly said,
you know, I don't know why we're making you live to a higher
standard. If a resident in your community gets arrested and goes to
your jail and you operate within the State's mandates for
operation -- and I can tell you we exceed all of those. We have
seven accreditations, two of them in our jail system. We operate
under best practices. They don't see any reason why they have to
throw on a bunch of inspections and more requirements to house
people that have committed crimes. So we think that that will be
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something that will be approved.
And the good thing is, I would like to do this all within our
existing budget. So we're not looking at any other costs. The costs
to operate now were included in varying degrees of training. The 15
individuals that look at backgrounds, they are actually intake deputies
who are here to book prisoners anyway. So we are looking for what
opportunities there are to make our system better.
And, you know, the other thing I get asked a lot is, well, you
know, we're just looking at one country of origin for people. We
have 70 different countries of origin over this time. And certainly,
Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, you know, there are more in that
category. But we have Russia to China in who we're dealing with.
So we have a lot of people that come through the system. I will
tell you that it is increasing. There are only three other of these
systems operating in Florida, so I think we're going to be asked to
participate at least with holding as we move forward.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you very much for that
presentation. Because of your service and, of course, the
commitment of this board in terms of funding, we live in the safest
community in Florida, one of the safest, if not the safest, in the
country. That's because of your efforts, the men and women in law
enforcement.
And, of course, we can take a little bit of credit, because we do
provide the funding, and we've never said no to you. And I mention
that only because if you do need more money, I'm sure this board will
find a way to get it to you, because we've all said repeatedly, there's
nothing more important in terms of government services than keeping
our citizens safe from crime and violence. That's number one. And
so thank you for what you have accomplished and what the men and
women in your department and your office have accomplished.
Commissioner Kowal.
February 11, 2025
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COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you, Chairman.
I want to thank you, Sheriff, for coming in today and giving the
details you gave and, you know, how clear your explanation of how
the program works and what's your vision for the program and, of
course, the success of the program in the past -- the past 17 years.
I think it's important that the community knows that, you
know -- because there are some stigma out there that, you know,
there's people hiding in the shadows because they're freaked out that
this is, you know, going to be some sort of massive gathering of
immigrants and sending them back to their country of origin, which is
the farthest thing from that.
These are true criminals that have already either committed
crimes or have records of committing crimes or are documented gang
members from documented gangs that are known nationwide. And
these are typically the ones that get -- end up on their own, you know,
actions by getting caught up in the system by committing crimes here
in Collier County.
So by their own actions, their own choices made on that day
during committing a crime ends up in our jail, and that's how the
process starts, and I want people to understand that. This is not
going around sweeping up people from their homes and their schools.
And, you know, I felt it was important that it -- you know, that
you -- you definitely, you know, stressed that today.
And the reason I brought some of this up in the last board
meeting, because I was chairing the Public Safety Committee
meeting a few weeks back. I had the opportunity to talk to Colonel
Bloom, Chief Roberts, and Captain Harmon, and at that time we kind
of had an understanding what the governor was coming forward with,
legislation. And knowing -- from my own history, knowing
that -- you know, I think at the time back in 2007 or 2008 or '9 or
whatever, I think there was probably only a handful of agencies that
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were actually participating in the state of Florida.
And I can remember, you know, how Krome was stressed even
back then, you know, when they finally got their actual paperwork to
be held and transported to Krome for their hearing. And then
knowing kind of in the background that the governor was looking at
all 67 counties participating, it kind of, like, sent a lightbulb off in my
head that maybe we need to get ahead of this, you know, before it's
too late and knowing that, you know, our average intake is around
750, 760 on a daily basis in our jail facility right now.
That could have went up, and it could change the time we may
have to hold these people within our own facility, and that's why I
felt, you know, that your staff -- and you guys come in here today and
us having this, you know, kind of briefing and conversation, because
I wanted to have some information shared with my colleagues here,
because we're probably going to be going -- we're going to be going
to Tallahassee next week, and I didn't know if it was going to change.
But even though -- like, now we know that the legislators and
the governor did not agree, and it kind of went a different direction.
But it didn't change the fact that I think even in their language that
the counties will participate in the jail side of it.
And Krome probably being the only receiving center that I know
of, that could be a long-term time of us holding these individuals
until they get their opportunity to be transported to Krome. So that's
why I wanted to make sure that -- you know, that the rest of the
Board understood that this could come down to some sort of ask or
some sort of money that we might need to get ahead of, or even
asking the state, because it's their legislation, so...
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: Yeah. That's a couple of really good
points. And I'll go back to, even when we started the program, we
did a lot of community outreach from the beginning in 2007. We
have continued to do that through last week meeting with individuals
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and groups throughout the county, in the Immokalee area, down to
the East Naples area, reinforming them, reminding them of what we
do in our community with 287(g), and that has been pretty successful.
We also always take care of our victims no matter who you are.
We have assisted in providing U visas to criminal victims, and we've
probably done the most in the nation, again, to preserve and protect
those who reside here in Collier County. So we do that.
The storage or the housing, whether temporary or long term, that
is going to be a question, you're absolutely correct. Glades County,
for example, had built a facility probably five, eight years ago. They
had to close it down because they didn't have enough inmate
operations there. I understand that they are currently working with
ICE to determine whether they can open that.
So at some point the system will get overloaded, and we want to
make sure that we continue to be able to operate effectively and not
be releasing criminals back into the community. That is the bottom
line.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you, Sheriff.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Thank you, Chairman.
Sheriff, I've got two very specific questions for you, but first I
just want to say that -- and I've said it here about before -- in D.C.
right now they're sort of shaking the trees to see where money's being
wasted, and, you know, we could debate that or whatnot.
But I'll just say, again, whenever we have a budget meeting
here, nobody comes more prepared than you, and the pre briefs that
we have from the Sheriff's Office, you know, whether you need more
money or you want to make more investment somewhere, I don't
think any of us feel like we ever lack any information.
So the one thing that I can say is -- and I've said it before -- is
how much I appreciate the deep dive that your team does. And I
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don't feel like we're spending money in the Sheriff's Office. I feel
like we're investing it, and it's because of your leadership. And so,
you know, that needs to be said in public that, you know, there's
places across this country and even in the state where there's
microscopes being put on, you know, law enforcement. And here, I
don't think any of us could be more proud of how you've led from the
front.
And, you know, your deputy, Colonel Bloom, at times when we
have something that's maybe at his level -- because, you know, you
can't get every sort of email and phone call -- his instantaneous
response is -- I'm working three different things with him right now,
and, you know, I'll send a note thinking, oh, I'll hear tomorrow. He
calls me in five minutes. And so that doesn't go unnoticed. And
leadership starts at the top.
So, you know, I really admire, you know, how you lead our
Sheriff's Office, and continue that, and make that contagious. You
know, none of us will be here, you know, forever.
Two very specific questions really to separate rumor from fact.
You know, you brought up that if you responded to an incident,
whether it was, you know, at a home, domestic violence, robbery, and
the culprit turns out to be here illegally and also maybe has a very
significant, you know, criminal record or whatnot, my very specific
question -- because we get it a lot -- is what happens?
So you arrest this person. You know they're here illegally.
Under the current administration, new administration, and some of
the things that are trickling down to you -- and like you said, you're
not waiting for trickle down. You've actually gone up saying, "We'd
like these certain processes and procedures to come back."
But just, you know, the short version, if it's possible. You
arrest this person. They're here illegally. What -- under
current -- you know, the current guidance that you have and the
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authorities that you have, what happens to that person?
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: We would be going in under state
statute. That's where we get our authority in the street today. We
would make an arrest for a state violation. We have no other
authority in the street for immigration enforcement.
So that person would be secured, transported, booked into the
jail. As a part of the booking process, they will go through the
287(g) interview process. If they fit all the criteria, a detainer would
be placed. They would be -- if approved, would be transported to
Krome Avenue Detention, go through immigration court for due
process, and a decision made as to what the finding will be as to
whether they would be released or returned to their home country.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Do you expect something
more stringent is coming down that would give you more latitude, or
whoever you hand this person over to, it would become a more
stringent process? Because basically, like you said, sometimes this
person's released with a court date, they're here illegally, and, you
know, sometimes they're never to be found again. They don't show
up in court. Do you perceived something more difficult or stringent
happening?
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: Well, right that's why we are filing
detainers on everyone, and we are not releasing them. They go into
ICE custody. ICE determines what they do with them.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Right. Okay.
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: That's an administrative process.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Okay. See, that's important
for people to hear that.
My second question is, we get a lot of reports of, "Oh, I saw a
big white bus at the Coastland Mall filled with a bunch of people that
looked like they were illegals." You know, that's a real-world
example the Colonel Bloom ran down for me, and it turned out it was
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people -- it was American citizens who live in Immokalee who have
children who go to school that were shopping at Coastland Mall on
Free Tax [sic] Day. So that's one example that, you know, we
debunked.
But, you know, even now we're starting to get -- and you are,
I'm sure, as well, "Oh, we saw a plane land at RSW. We saw this.
We saw that."
Rumor from fact, is there some sort of ground swell of people
that are pouring into Collier County that are here illegally, and they're
using our county as some dump-off ground, and you've been chasing
these white buses and white unmarked airplanes? You know, I'm
saying this a little bit as a setup, because we kind of know the answer.
But, you know, social media is full of this stuff. Our email boxes are
full of this stuff. Yours is for sure.
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Help us separate rumor from
fact that -- if that kind of thing is happening or not.
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: Yeah. That -- we have gotten the
same requests to investigate suspicious activities, incidents, people.
We do that. We're not seeing a huge influx by busload of people
into the community.
There is some question about whether people have been
transported into the state from elsewhere. That's beyond our
jurisdictional area.
But we investigate everything that comes in as a potential act of
any kind. Because, you know, one of the things that we're interested
in is human smuggling and human trafficking, and the circumstance
that you describe has the potential to come out as one of those two.
So we look at everything.
But I can tell you, we're very pragmatic. We're very
professional. We make an evaluation. We work within the
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authority that we've got. Believe me, if we think there's more of a
potential that what we're seeing is a criminal act, we'll request the
state attorney for their help; we'll go to the feds for their help if we
need it, if we think it's possible.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And first of all, I want to
thank you. It's been an honor to serve with you. And the job that
you're doing, as Commissioner Saunders alluded to, is just off the
chart. I couldn't be more proud.
My question is a little more pointed with regard to the dollar
aspect. The weeds have been talking, and I have heard that we
haven't really adjusted our fee structures with regard to the holding
expenses associated with that. Is there an opportunity -- and maybe
it's too early in the process. But have we started that exploration to
adjust that fee structure?
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: No. That's a good question because,
you know, since we've been in it well before most communities
throughout the country --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right.
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: -- we got in earlier. It is that time to
renegotiate fees because of inflation, costs of operation, and that's
exactly what we're doing right now. We're preparing numbers to
submit to increase those.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well -- and on that
note -- and we have -- Commissioner Saunders shares the same
sentiment as I do. I mean, we're well aware of your -- our
involvement in this process and the longevity of that. If there is a
spread -- there is a spread between what we're charging -- if my
memory serves me correct, it's less than 50 percent of our actual costs
attributable today to what it was in the beginning -- please let us
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know so that we can at least assist in making up that gap and not
burdening our Sheriff's Department whatsoever. Please.
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: We're hoping we can get it from the
outside.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah, absolutely.
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: That's our goal. Not from our
taxpayers.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I understand.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Yes. Thank you, Chairman.
Sheriff, thank you for that update. And I really do -- I
appreciate so much you focusing on the criminal aspect of what
you're doing. But when Trump came into office, he vowed to get rid
of illegal immigration, even -- you know, even noncriminally.
I know that we've had some discrepancy within the state
legislature opposing Governor DeSantis. But recent news is
state -- state leadership has gotten together with the governor and
they look -- I look to see them pass a super aggressive immigration
bill in our state here in the next -- within the week, probably.
My question is, when you find criminal activity or criminal
illegals and you go to them and you find that they're living with
non -- you know, noncriminal illegal immigrants, are you under any
kind of obligation or -- what is your responsibility as the county
sheriff to expose the noncriminal illegals as well as the criminal
illegals?
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: Well, currently, the authority that we
have under 287(g) thus far, without the law enforcement element, we
have no authority regarding anyone else in that situation.
So I think we've been following what you have just described
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with regard to the state level. The Flo- -- I presented an overview to
the Florida Sheriffs about two weeks ago Friday night with regard to
what we do in Collier County and how beneficial it is.
We've also made recommendations to the governor's chief of
staff and all of our legislators.
So I think what we're waiting to see right now -- and like you
said, I did hear that something has been drafted, and we will be
reviewing that with legal awaiting what passes, and that would -- may
give us different authority. But today we don't have any authority.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Great. That's kind of the answer
that I was looking for. So when that -- when the State does come
together and they do pass that aggressive immigration bill, I think we
can -- I think you'll have the teeth that you need to enforce it. So
thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you, Chairman.
I thought I was done, but then -- how my brain works, things
pop in every once in a while.
But, Sheriff, in -- I think -- I can't recall. I think it was around
2008 or 2009, the state of Texas, Arizona, they had stiffened up their
border -- borders --
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: Yes.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: -- which right now -- we know
that is happening right now with the extra manpower and border
patrol and the National Guard troops being dispatched there.
So I think, if I remember correctly, I think in that time we
started to see some more waterborne entry into -- and Florida being a
waterborne border state, are we thinking that this may be something
we may be seeing here in the future because of that, again, tightening
the border on the land crossings?
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: Yes. You know, we always look at
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that. We look at it from a couple of different perspectives. One is
drug importations, as you're well aware, that we went through a lot of
in the '70s, '80s, '90s. But we are concerned that as the rest of the
hard border gets shut down, that -- there are already transporting
routes in place from the Caribbean, particularly to Southwest Florida,
and the East Coast as well. So, yes, we are looking at that.
We are also working with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's
Office who has erected a site with some technology that would help
to see people coming on the water border and interdict them at the
time.
So we're -- with any changes that are coming from the federal
level and the potential for investigation through the law enforcement
model, we would like to address more of the water. And we're
looking at how we raise some funds to do that.
First we're getting estimates on what it could cost, and it's
somewhat significant. Who could we partner with? What grants
are available right now through a variety of different organizations
that we're a part of? And then how quickly could we put it in place?
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: You know, we still -- I mean,
Commissioner LoCastro, we still have the Coast Guard station on
Marco, correct, that we share?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Yes. Auxiliary.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Auxiliary. Do they do any
enforcement, or are they more water safety?
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: As far as I know, they're more water
safety; however, the Coast Guard does have authority that we do not
have to board vessels and take action.
So as I was told up in Washington, D.C., all elements -- law
enforcement elements of the federal government are being called
upon to participate. So whether you're an IRS agent or you're out on
the border, everybody's coming to take part in making sure that they
February 11, 2025
Page 41
fulfill their goals and objectives.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Once again, I want to thank you
for the great job you and the men and women of the Collier County
Sheriff's Office does for these citizens in this county. Thank you,
sir.
SHERIFF RAMBOSK: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Troy, do we have any registered
speakers?
MR. MILLER: No. We don't have speakers for presentations,
sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I was just going to add, so the
Coast Guard auxiliary is really robust on Marco, but they don't have
any law enforcement authority, but they report. So they're out on the
water, they see something, boom.
And then the City of Marco Police over the last couple of years
has robustly added to their water patrol, so they bought several
vessels, and they have police officers now that are strictly 100
percent, like, water activated, looking for those kind of things. And,
of course, they can board any vessel that they want.
So we've got, you know, impressive coverage in Collier County
on the water, that's for sure.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Do we have any public
petitions? Let's move to that, and then we'll take a -- any public
petitions?
Item #5B
ARTIST OF THE MONTH – “NO LIMITS” A TRIBUTE TO
BLACK ATHLETES - IN HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH
BY THE COLLIER COUNTY MUSEUM
February 11, 2025
Page 42
MS. PATTERSON: No, sir. We do have really quickly, if we
can, the Artist of the Month in the back of the room.
In honor of Black History Month, the Collier County Museum
presents "No Limits," a tribute to black athletes of Collier County.
Sports hold a special place in the hearts of Americans, and Collier
County has produced numerous college and professional level
athletes and coaches in various sports. The display spotlights several
athletes who have worked hard to perform at a high level and to
achieve the numerous honors and awards they've received.
Did you want to take our public comments before we take a
court reporter break?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah. I wanted to see if there are
any public comments, and then we'll move on to a court reporter --
MR. MILLER: We do. We have two registered speakers for
public comment. First is Ashley Jenkins, and she'll be followed by
Joseph Hunt.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And just -- Troy, if you could
reiterate what the procedure is for public speakers.
MR. MILLER: Sure. Please begin by stating your name, and
remember that you're addressing the Commission. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And you have three minutes.
MR. MILLER: Three minutes.
MS. JENKINS: All right. Good morning, Commissioners and
staff. For the record, my name is Ashley Jenkins, Naples City.
I provided a packet which is coming to you again in certified
mail as a notice to enforce the Exhibit A. The most tragic events
began with the most innocent of intentions.
In 2007, I witnessed the fires sweep our Golden Gate. In 2022,
this occurred again in north Florida and enhanced the Comprehensive
Emergency Management Plan, which is referred to as a CEMP, for
February 11, 2025
Page 43
the 2014 Florida publication.
For the average reader, this sounds good in theory. Put on your
secret no-BS decoder hat with legal dictionary glasses, and you will
see a completely different agenda take shape. How did it occur?
The consensus estimating conferencing process. This circumvented
the Florida State Statute 286.011, the Florida Sunshine laws.
NGOs were able to implement their agenda to escalate their
assault on private property rights all under the Florida Forestry
Services.
When Florida went to update Florida State Statute 589 and 590,
some interesting additions occurred. I would ask everyone to look at
590.15, which is the burden of proof, and it is illegal under 590.28 to
recklessly burn lands.
Under Florida State Statute 589.011, many interesting
provisions were given to the Florida Forestry Service, and this is
where you'll see the nongovernmental entity intrusion into our
governance process absconding public input from property rights.
So I want to nail my five asks of you gentlemen this morning
very succinctly. The first one is to come up with a water
contingency plan. The water was cut in Lahaina and Los Angeles.
We don't have time to discuss or debate about that.
As jurats, as men who have taken oaths to our county and our
country, I'm asking you to cease and desist the NGOs within our
county that are espousing fake information about climate change,
namely FGCU. I've caught them several times and am happy to
share with you on email.
The fire department needs a resiliency plan ASAP to get Smart
Meters off of properties and restore analog meters.
When a surge occurs -- I said when, not if. When a surge
occurs or a button is pushed, fires will explode countywide. I'm
asking each of you to cease and desist this Smart City agenda on a
February 11, 2025
Page 44
state level from Lee County and Miami-Dade, as that will have
deleterious effects on our county.
And this is the most grave thing I'm asking of you gentlemen.
Please get into your staff records and see who is using this
consensus-based process, terminate the staff that are subverting not
only our republic, but your authority as Board members and the
Sunshine laws. They need to be holding their agendas they're
putting into policy at public record for community input.
Thank you for your time.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Joseph Hunt, and he's
your final speaker for Item 7, public comment.
MR. HUNT: Good day, ladies and gentlemen. It's very nice to
speak in front of such an esteemed audience.
My name is Joseph Hunt. I'm a retired New York City
firefighter. I moved to Naples, Florida. I bought a condo in
2015/2016.
I watched the destruction of New York City. I spoke out at the
city hall meetings, and people chose not to listen to me, so I moved
away hopefully to a happier place, but unfortunately, I bought a
house over by Bayshore right on the canal, dream house, 2667
Lakeview Drive, right next to a neighbor named Dr. Herrera, 2649
Lakeview Drive.
Now, here I'm speaking -- I was listening to everyone else
speak. We had the ladies of concerned voters. We've had an
engineer proclamation. We've had a soccer team. We've had the
Sheriff speak about human trafficking and crimes committed by
immigrants.
Dr. Herrera is an immigrant. I think he's from the Dream Act
of 1986. His dream, my nightmare.
The long and short of it is when I bought this house, he altered
February 11, 2025
Page 45
the seawall. He built -- I have a picture of it right here. Now, I
have also a picture of -- but I'll, you know, save time. You can look
at the real estate website when I bought the house. The wall was
straight.
So now we're looking at a slab of cement poured into the canal
with a drainage pipe coming off the roof now.
I said I'm here to speak about red tide. Red tide is not caused
by what you think would be the pesticides and the weed killer being
drained off the land, golf courses especially. It's rather all the plant
growth materials. All the fertilizers and all this stuff, especially on
the golf courses.
Now this block, Lakeview Drive, is the back door for Windstar
Homeowners Association. I'm sure we're all familiar with this,
okay. So we have the Botanical Garden, the Windstar, and then the
private residential houses on the canal.
Now, I bought the house in 2020 because I -- after watching
what was going on with the COVID, I didn't want to listen to an
HOA.
All right. I have 30 seconds left. Under deposition, I've had
Tim Hall; Mark Moran; John Johnson, your senior building inspector.
Tim Hall is the one of interest because red tide -- he signed off on
this. Under deposition, he thought this was okay. This whole -- the
wall is draining out. He's the one -- his family, I think, has the
contracts to sell Windstar. So it's almost in his interest to have a golf
course right on the water's edge.
So when I'm talking conflict of interest, I'm basically living like
almost a white ploitation (phonetic) film. And under deposition, I
have Mr. Big, Mark Moran. He takes care of all the landscaping and
all the roads and all the sewers of Collier County.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Mr. Hunt, we're going to need you
to wrap up. So take 20 seconds --
February 11, 2025
Page 46
MR. HUNT: Okay. All right. And -- well, this is the
important thing, and this is why it's wrapped in to Tim Hall, because
under deposition, we were questioning, my attorney, Augustus
Invictus, who -- of Unite the Right fame who's now -- I've lost
representation due to his conviction.
But we can obviously see that this is -- under deposition, too,
Herrera has admitted that he doesn't know when this was built. He
doesn't know who did it. Hold on. Let me get to it. Tim Hall
signs off on this.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Hang on a second. Hang on a
second. We limit speakers to three minutes. I'm going to give you
another 15 or 20 seconds.
MR. HUNT: Okay. I'll bring it right to the conclusion.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: But then I'm going to ask you to
wrap it up after that, all right?
MR. HUNT: Okay. My point is this red tide -- because I
found out through deposition that Tim Hall is the environmental
engineer for 90 percent of Florida. He's running the Botanical
Gardens. You want to talk about criminality of the lower classes,
let's talk about Carolina Herrera with the -- with Tim Hall and the
dumping in -- Windstar putting the golf course right there. Also
signing off on this. They're tanking the neighborhood to take out the
private residents to make it all an HOA over there.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Mr. Hunt, thank you for your
comments.
MR. HUNT: All right. And, you know --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Mr. Hunt.
MR. HUNT: Okay. Thank you. You have a good day. I'll
see you in two weeks.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Let's take a court
reporter break. Come back at 25 minutes to 11. That will give us
February 11, 2025
Page 47
about 14 minutes. I think that will be -- is that about right? Yep.
All right. Twenty-five minutes to 11 we'll come back.
(A brief recess was had from 10:22 a.m. to 10:35 a.m.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Ladies and gentlemen, if you'll
take your seats, we're going to reconvene the meeting.
We're on Item -- I believe we're going to go to 8A; is that
correct?
Item #8A
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS OF
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONDITIONAL USE TO ALLOW A
150-FOOT TALL MONOPOLE COMMUNICATIONS TOWER
THAT DEVIATES FROM THE REQUIRED 150-FOOT
SEPARATION FROM RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY BY
PROVIDING AN 84-FOOT SEPARATION FROM RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTY TO THE NORTH ON LANDS ZONED ESTATES (E)
AND DESIGNATED RESIDENTIAL ESTATES SUBDISTRICT
WITHIN THE RURAL GOLDEN GATE ESTATES SUB-
ELEMENT OF THE GOLDEN GATE AREA MASTER PLAN OF
THE COLLIER COUNTY GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 2.03.01.B.1.C.12 AND 5.05.09 OF
THE COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE,
LOCATED ON APPROXIMATELY 613+ SQUARE FEET OF A
4.99+ ACRE TRACT LOCATED AT 191 WEBER BOULEVARD
NORTH, IN SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 49 SOUTH, RANGE 26
EAST, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA. (PL20230004408 - FPL
SUMMIT TOWER CONDITIONAL USE) - MOTION TO
CONTINUE TO THE MARCH 11, 2025, BCC MEETING BY
COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL; SECONDED BY
February 11, 2025
Page 48
COMMISSIONER KOWAL – APPROVED
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir.
Item 8A does require the disclosure provided by the
commissioners and also all participants to be sworn in by the court
reporter.
This is a recommendation to approve a resolution of the Board
of Zoning Appeals of Collier County, Florida, providing for the
establishment of a conditional use to allow a 150-foot-tall monopole
communications tower that deviates from the required 150-foot
separation from residential property by providing an 84-foot
separation from residential property to the north on lands zoned
Estates and designated residential Estates subdistrict within the Rural
Golden Gate Estates sub-element of the Golden Gate Area Master
Plan of the Collier County Growth Management Plan pursuant to
Sections 2.03.01(B)(1)(c)(12) and 5.05.09 of the Collier County Land
Development Code located on approximately 613 plus/minus square
feet of a total of 4.99-plus/minus-acre tract located at 191 Weber
Boulevard North in Section 2, Township 49 South, Range 26 East,
Collier County, Florida.
So first let's go to the commissioners for your ex parte.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let me confirm, Commissioner
Hall, are you still with us?
MR. MILLER: He is, sir. He's muted.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Yes, I am, and I have no ex parte
on this item.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right.
Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I have nothing either.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I do. I had meetings on this
February 11, 2025
Page 49
item.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I have a meeting.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And I have no disclosure on this.
MS. PATTERSON: All right. If all participants could now
stand and be sworn in by the court reporter. That's anybody that will
be participating or giving testimony or giving public comment.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MS. PATTERSON: We'll start with Mr. Bosi -- or start with
the petitioner. All right.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Good morning.
MR. JOHNSTON: Hi. Good morning. James Johnston with
Shutts & Bowen, 300 South Orange Avenue in Orlando, on behalf of
the applicant.
And as mentioned, the request today is for a conditional use to
permit the installation of a 150-foot-tall monopole communication
tower on property with the Estate future land use and zoning.
The communication tower will be owned by Florida Power &
Light with Verizon Wireless as the anchor licensee. The property is
located at 191 Weber Boulevard North on an FP&L electric
substation property, and that use is -- the substation use will remain.
Here is a picture, kind of 30,000 foot, with the property marked.
And then we'll zoom in. This is the substation property. As you
see, there are -- there's substantial trees and landscaping on the border
of the substation property.
And this is from Weber Road [sic] looking at the entrance. As
you can see, it's fenced in, gated entrance into the substation.
The proposed communication tower is a 150-foot monopole
February 11, 2025
Page 50
tower. Monopole designs are generally recognized as having
reduced visual impacts compared to other types of towers, including
guyed towers and lattice towers. This location abuts an existing
electric substation. Access from Weber Boulevard through that
gated substation entrance, I just showed you. It's designed to
accommodate two additional providers to prevent communication
tower proliferation in the area. Setback from the property lines,
84 feet to the north, 239 feet to the south, 445 feet to the east, and
449 feet to the west.
As shown on the picture of the aerial of the substation, there is
substantial landscaping along the property perimeter being used to
meet the landscape buffer standards, and this tower, as mentioned,
will be owned by FP&L and is designed to meet their transmission
pole requirements, including wind loading.
This is showing where the tower -- compound, tower, and
ground equipment will be located, utilizing the existing entrance and
driveway of the substation.
And the tower location, as mentioned, we're requesting a
reduction in the separation from the north. There were certain
constraints on the property that dictated the tower location, including
stormwater ponds, electric transmission lines, certain separation
requirements from the substation control house, a septic field,
underground conduit, and conservation areas on the property, and so
that's how we ended up where we are on the -- you know, on the
FP&L property.
And as mentioned, that does require a reduced separation from
the property to the north. But again, we think there's an existing
mature tree canopy on the property providing the necessary buffer,
and this location also provides direct access from the existing
driveway as shown on this -- on this aerial.
And this is just a closeup of the ground equipment area and the
February 11, 2025
Page 51
actual tower location with the access from the existing driveway.
This is an elevation of the tower showing the monopole tower type
with the Verizon's anchor antennas on the top and then the two
additional potential locations for future collocations.
And Verizon has an existing coverage and capacity gap in the
area. They have received significant customer complaints. And the
Estates area is actually one of Verizon's a top 10 areas in the state
with coverage needs, and they are really, you know, anxious to get,
you know, additional antennas and coverage in the area.
The proposed height of 150 feet is necessary to resolve those
coverage and capacity issues. The closest towers to this range in
height from 125 feet to 190 feet, so what we're proposing is
consistent and is permitted by the code.
The closest existing tower is 1.8 miles away, and so there are no
existing towers or structures in the search ring on which Verizon
antennas can be located.
And again, I know this is part of the code requirements, but you
have to show that the code -- the antennas are required in the Estates
zoning district, and, you know, we have shown that in the applicant
materials.
And this site will significantly enhance coverage and capacity
and result in major network performance improvements.
And these are the RF coverage maps that were submitted. This
is the before with the -- as you can see, the red area is unreliable
coverage, and then this is the after with the site providing
improvement in the area. And then I think it's also worth noting the
other -- you can see on there the other black dots are existing towers
where Verizon antennas are located, and all these towers work
together, so actually this not only helps provide the coverage in that
area but also helps to offload the other sites and makes the overall
system a better functioning system in the area.
February 11, 2025
Page 52
And this, again, is just showing the existing towers where
Verizon is located and that the closest one is 1.8 miles away.
And so we think there are, obviously, great benefits to this
proposed tower. It will improve the coverage and capacity in the
area. Good wireless service is very important for public safety.
Over 80 percent of all 911 calls are made from wireless devices.
This will also help improve E911 Phase 2, which is how they identify
where people are located when they're making 911 calls from
wireless devices.
It's cited on an existing electric substation site with existing
fencing and mature tree canopy as a buffer. It's an unmanned
facility, so minimal impact to public services, including road.
Proximity to towers we do not think impact property values. In fact,
in today's age, we think most home buyers value quality wireless
services when purchasing a home, and we think this is -- it's needed
in this area with residential -- residential uses, and so we've located it,
we think, in the appropriate spot on an existing electronic substation
site.
So in conclusion, again, we think that this -- this is a necessary
tower in this area. It's necessary for Verizon to provide better
service. The monopole type on an existing electric substation site is
the best location for this in the area.
We know you guys worked hard last year in adopting a new
tower code to help expedite and, you know, get coverage
improvements across the county, and we think this site is one of the
examples of, you know, that code in action now as we're moving
forward with helping to improve the coverage in the area.
Staff has recommended approval, and your Planning
Commission also recommended approval unanimously.
So again, we would just ask your consideration on approving
this. And I've got others with me to help answer any questions you
February 11, 2025
Page 53
might have.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Let's see if there were
any questions from the Commission. Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. When I was reading
the backup data, you're looking for a deviation for, I believe, the
northern setback.
MR. JOHNSTON: Correct.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And do I also understand that
the tower is built to a Cat 5 rating?
MR. JOHNSTON: Correct. It's built -- yes.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: What happens if that Cat 5
rating fails? What happens if the pole happens to fall? Does it tip
over?
MR. JOHNSTON: Yeah, it is not -- FP&L does not design
their polls with engineered breakpoint because, one, they typically do
not have poles that fail in wind events, and to have something with an
engineered breakpoint up against an electric substation where it could
fall, you know, into the substation, that is why they do not allow
those engineered breakpoints.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: So what happens when it
fails?
MR. JOHNSTON: It's not designed to fail.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay. Do you have
somebody here that can tell me what happens when it fails?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let's assume for a second that we
have a Category 6 storm, just for discussion purposes.
MR. JOHNSTON: Right. Well, then I think, you know, could
it topple over, yes, but then you're also talking about all -- to the same
extent all electric transmission poles around the county also because
it's designed the same as those.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Here's the -- let me give you
February 11, 2025
Page 54
the answer that I was looking for.
MR. JOHNSTON: Yes.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It was represented to me that
the pole collapses on itself; it doesn't fall over. And that was the
answer that I was actually looking for. Is that, in fact, the case? If
there is a structural failure, the pole will collapse on itself so the
deviation for the northern property's protection isn't really -- isn't an
issue -- I mean, there is an issue because our code requires a
deviation for the height -- or 50 percent of the height of the pole.
MR. JOHNSTON: Right.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And so the pole collapses on
itself. That was what was represented to me. Is that correct?
MR. JOHNSTON: That is not correct for this pole, because
again, this is an FP&L as a transmission pole just like all their electric
transmission poles. They do not have a -- they don't have a design
breakpoint in them. So it is designed the same as an FP&L electric
transmission pole.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Let me ask you a
question --
MR. JOHNSTON: Yes.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: -- in that regard as well. If it does
fail, if it does fall and it falls in the direction of the north and hits
someone else's property, I assume that FP&L is liable for that. You
have insurance to cover that?
MR. JOHNSTON: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That damages would be covered.
You wouldn't expect the property owner that's damaged to --
MR. JOHNSTON: Correct, correct.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you, Chairman.
February 11, 2025
Page 55
So if I hear you correctly, then, what you're stating is this
particular design pole that FP&L uses over and over again, the same
design or concept of building this type of pole are typically the same
ones you see along a street in a neighborhood?
MR. JOHNSTON: Correct.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Okay. So these do -- so that
pole would be within 75 feet of a home --
MR. JOHNSTON: Correct.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: -- or structure?
MR. JOHNSTON: Correct.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: And there's no limitation on that
pole to be set along a roadway or a sidewalk?
MR. JOHNSTON: No. And again, I don't -- they're
not -- those aren't designed with breakpoints. And I know what the
commissioner was saying. I mean, typically when you have a
standalone, you know, tower, they can be designed with an
engineered breakpoint to keep a fall zone within a certain area. But
again, because this is an FP&L pole and design pole, that's not -- they
do it like their transmission poles.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I guess what I'm getting at is if
we have this Category 6 or 7 storm and a light pole that FP&L
already provides, thousands of them in our community right now --
MR. JOHNSTON: Correct.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: -- within a variance that could
hit a house, that we don't have any regulation on that?
MR. JOHNSTON: No.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: No. Because they typically
don't fall over.
MR. JOHNSTON: Correct.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let's go to -- Commissioner Hall,
February 11, 2025
Page 56
I assume you don't have any questions.
MR. MILLER: You just put his hand up, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Yes, I do.
Thank you for the presentation. So I do have a question
about -- you know, the Titanic couldn't sink, and this pole can't fail.
So what is the history of other poles similar to it in Category 5
storms, and, you know, have you had any other failures? Because if
the history shows that it's -- that, you know, they're pretty successful,
then that's going to make me feel a lot better.
MR. JOHNSTON: Right. And yes. I mean, I'm not an FPL
representative, but I've been told by FP&L representatives that they
are -- transmission line poles have a very good history and do not fail
in storms.
COMMISSIONER HALL: So does the history show that they
withstood the storms so far?
MR. JOHNSTON: Yeah -- I mean, I can't say -- has a pole ever
fallen? I don't know that. But again, that's why -- because this is on
an electric substation site, that is why they design it like a
transmission pole and put it, you know, without a break -- engineered
breakpoint. They do treat it like their typical transmission line pole.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Is the pole concrete, or is the pole
steel?
MR. JOHNSTON: I believe it is steel.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Do you have an FP&L
representative here that --
MR. JOHNSTON: I don't think --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: -- or anybody that can say, "Yes, it
is steel" as opposed to "I believe it's steel"?
MR. JOHNSTON: I mean, I think it's in the plans, but it's a
steel pole.
February 11, 2025
Page 57
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I mean, I would assume it's steel.
But just for the record, it sounds better to say, "It's steel" as opposed
to "I think it's steel."
MR. JOHNSTON: It's a steel pole.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Before we go to the
staff report, Commissioner McDaniel, you had some
additional -- your name just disappeared.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I just took it away because
Commissioner Hall actually made my point, and --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. All right.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: -- it had to do with the
Titanic.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Let's go to the staff
presentation.
MR. BOSI: Mike Bosi, Planning and Zoning director.
Not a very long presentation. Staff has reviewed the petition,
recognized the one deviation that they are seeking. Staff is
recommending approval. This was heard by the Planning
Commission. A unanimous recommendation that came from the
Planning Commission.
And just to let you know that this is a reflection of the updated
telecommunication ordinance with the expanded opportunities within
the Estates. And traditionally, you would have had a variance
petition as well rolled in with this request, but because of the updates
to the telecommunication ordinance, we've allowed these deviations
to be -- for separations to be processed at the same time in a little
more efficient manner. But with that, staff would -- any questions
that you may have regarding the petition?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. Well -- and it goes
back to my prior question to the applicant.
February 11, 2025
Page 58
I'm not comfortable with this now. I was yesterday when I was
informed that it collapsed on itself. I'm not comfortable with this
now. Is there -- is there -- and I'm not comfortable with cell towers
at all costs to endanger a neighbor.
This deviation, in the event that there is a Cat 6 or 7 or whatever,
and this pole falls, it's falling on somebody else's property.
There's a terrible hole in Verizon's coverage right here. We all
know that White Boulevard/Pine Ridge Road/951, Collier Boulevard,
is -- there's a hole in Verizon's coverage right there, but there
certainly is suitable locations that aren't endangering the
neighborhood.
MR. BOSI: And staff would recognize that this is an existing
substation. Those individual transmission lines that run to that
substation, they have -- they're designed under the same concept that
they don't fall down, and there's no regulatory overlook or review of
that.
The traditional -- I would say the traditional cell tower that
you -- that's proposed by an American Tower or Crown Castle or
SBA, they normally do have their designed engineer points, but
because of FP&L's -- in terms of protection of their substations, they
designed them, as they've indicated, not to fall down. And so
unfortunately, it's just a -- it's a different variety of a
telecommunication tower.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Do we happen to know -- do
we happen to know how tall the transmission poles are that are there
now?
MR. BOSI: I do not know that for a fact. I would estimate
probably about 60 to 75 feet.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah. They're about half the
size of this proposed tower.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
February 11, 2025
Page 59
COMMISSIONER HALL: Thank you, Chairman.
I do -- I just glanced at the drawing when he had it up there, but
is there any wiggle room to move that pole further south and split the
difference so that if it does --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let's get the petitioner back up
here with that diagram and -- to address that issue.
MR. JOHNSTON: So unfortunately, you see the substation,
and if you -- they have a -- what -- you see the circle, the radius
around the building, they have a requirement for a 100-foot radius
around their control building where it cannot go within that radius,
so...
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Is that a requirement of FP&L, or
is that a state or federal requirement? Where does that requirement
come from?
MR. JOHNSTON: That is an FP&L requirement, and I don't
know if that is a state requirement or if that is an FP&L internal
requirement.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: So theoretically, if it's an FP&L
requirement, then the tower could be moved.
MR. JOHNSTON: I mean --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That's -- I think that's an important
issue for you to address.
MR. JOHNSTON: And I don't know if it would be
easier -- because we don't have an FP&L representative here -- to
push this to the next hearing and allow me to get with the FP&L
representative based on some of the issues that have been raised.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah. Let's get back to
Commissioner Hall. And I apologize for interrupting, but I wanted
to see where that recommendation or requirement came from. And I
will say that, you know, you may want to consider pushing this off
for a couple of weeks as we go through this discussion based on some
February 11, 2025
Page 60
comments.
So, Commissioner Hall, you're recognized.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Well, thank you. So it would
seem to me that FP&L is concerned enough to protect their own
building and would put the homeowner at risk.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I'm sorry. We're having a little
trouble --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Stay by the -- yeah, stay by
the mic.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We're having a little bit trouble
hearing you.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Okay. Can you hear me now?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yes, yes.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Thank you. So it would seem to
me that FP&L has enough concern to protect their own building but
would be willing to put the adjacent property at risk. And so until I
can get the question answered if there's wiggle room to get it out of
there, I'm not going to be comfortable with it.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. So, Mr. Johnston,
you've heard two commissioners. This requires four.
MR. JOHNSTON: Right. Correct. So, yes, we would like to
request this get continued for two weeks so we can --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let me just make a comment to
the --
MR. JOHNSTON: Sure.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: -- folks that -- the public
comment. This is going to be continued. If you want to make your
comments today, that will be fine, but you will not be given an
opportunity at the second hearing. So to avoid inconvenience to the
public, if you want to make your comments today, you can do that,
but we will close the public hearing; otherwise, we'll continue the
February 11, 2025
Page 61
whole item until this comes back.
So let me, I guess, by a show of hands, those that are speaking,
do you have any problem with this being continued, or do you want
to speak today?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Then we'll entertain the
request for a continuance.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'll make a motion for a
continuance.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Second.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. So we'll continue this
to the first -- the second meeting in February. Is that --
MR. JOHNSTON: Can we just say maybe two meetings just to
make sure?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. First meeting in March.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Whenever's convenient. We
don't have to --
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: When you're ready.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Do we have to a pick a
time-certain?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah. I'm just trying to avoid
having to advertise.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Oh, yes. I forgot about that.
When's the advertising time frame?
MR. FRENCH: Give us just one moment, please, sir.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Mr. Bosi, you don't know
that right off the top?
MR. BOSI: The first meeting in March, March 11th, I believe
that's still within that five-week window. So if we continue it to the
March 11th meeting, we would not hit a requirement for
readvertisement.
February 11, 2025
Page 62
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Mr. Johnston, is that
acceptable?
MR. JOHNSTON: That is. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion and
a -- do we have a second? I'll second that. We have a motion and
second.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I already seconded.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Oh, I'm sorry. We have a motion
and second to continue this until the March 11th -- is that what you
said? -- meeting. All in favor, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: It passes unanimously.
All right.
Item #11A
EXECUTE “FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS FOR SOLID WASTE,
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS, AND YARD TRASH
COLLECTION SERVICES,” WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT INC.
OF FLORIDA, AND WASTE PRO OF FLORIDA, INC., WITH
COMMENCEMENT DATES OF OCTOBER 1, 2027, AT AN
AVERAGE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $32,000,000 PER FISCAL
YEAR FOR THE FIRST PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS, AND WITH
TWO SEVEN-YEAR RENEWAL OPTIONS, AND AUTHORIZE
THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE ATTACHED AGREEMENTS
February 11, 2025
Page 63
FOR CONTINUATION OF EXISTING BEST VALUE SERVICES. -
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL;
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOCASTRO – APPROVED
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to
Item 11A. This is a recommendation to approve and authorize the
Chairman to execute franchise agreements for solid waste recyclable
materials and yard trash collection services with Waste Management,
Inc., of Florida, and Waste Pro of Florida, Inc., with commencements
dates of October 1st, 2027, at an average estimated amount of
$32 million per fiscal year for the first period of seven years and with
two seven-year renewal options, and authorize the Chairman to sign
the attached agreements for continuation of existing best-value
services.
Your director of solid waste, Ms. Kari Hodgson, is here to
present.
MS. HODGSON: Thank you. My name's Kari Hodgson, your
director for Solid and Hazardous Waste.
I'm here today to recommend approval for franchise agreements
to provide solid waste, recycling, and yard waste collection.
Here today also are representatives from Waste Management
and Waste Pro. I have prepared a presentation that, in the best
interest of the public, I'd like to present, if that's okay with you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I think it's appropriate to present
that because I've had some telephone calls from other parties that
have an interest in this. So I think we need to have the full
presentation.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And especially about those
people from Waste Pro.
MS. HODGSON: Understood.
February 11, 2025
Page 64
All right. With that, Commissioners, as I mentioned, I'm here
to recommend approval for franchisee agreements for solid waste,
recycling, and yard waste collections. The agreement will
commence on October 1st, 2027. The average estimated annual cost
of the contract will be 32 million per year for the first term of the
contract, and the contract includes two seven-year renewal options.
A little timeline of why we are here today. These contracts
sunset on September 30th of 2027, and in order to ensure continuity
of the services that are absolutely essential to public health, we tasked
a consultant, and based on their findings of a benchmark analysis, we
came to the Board and requested authorization to negotiate.
We appreciate the Board's support to authorize staff to negotiate.
I'd also like to thank the County Manager's Office, Dr. George
Yilmaz, our Public Utilities department head, as well as other
members of the negotiation team that assisted in supporting me in
this from the County Attorney's Office, as well as financial experts
and industry experts.
So what will our customers experience? Our customers will
experience absolutely no changes when this contract goes into effect
on October 1st of 2027. Their routes will not change, and the same
service levels that they've experienced for the last 20 years will
remain. That is twice-a-week collection of garbage, once-a-week
collection of recycling, yard waste, and bulk materials.
When going into negotiations, we performed -- just as we did
before, we sought approval to negotiate. We did extensive
benchmarking, we conducted market analysis and analyzed key
attributes that make this contract the best value for the customers and
for Collier County.
When we benchmarked, we found that most counties entering
into long-term agreements were seeing rate increases on average of
$8 a unit per month. At the end of the negotiations, we ended with a
February 11, 2025
Page 65
$5 increase for a higher level of service.
Given that Collier County remains the lowest cost for the
highest level of service, this makes this a best-value service contract
for garbage collection, which continues to serve our customers and
highlight as a hallmark contract for a performance-based service.
To highlight the benefit to our customers, as we build out the
SRAs, we will have bear-resistant containers available to those
customers. We remain very quick action -- I should say our
contractors remain [sic] very quick actions. After a hurricane when
we have all those power losses and everybody has to throw away
their fridge, it's these contractors who pick up all that food waste.
Our contract includes all-inclusive recycling process. That's a
major and unique component to Collier County, and it's what makes
Collier County one out of three counties that reaches the state goal
for recycling. Some of the financial benefits: We negotiated a
lower Consumer Price Index, saving millions over the term compared
to other consumer price indexes that were requested, and we maintain
the lowest commercial rates and the lowest residential rates amongst
benchmark counties.
With that, Commissioners, it's my recommendation to approve
franchise agreements for solid waste, recycling, and yard waste
collection services, and I'm available for any questions that you might
have.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Commissioner
McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I would like to make a
motion for approval.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, let's -- hang on just a
second. We'll see if there's any comments from the Board, and then
we'll go to a motion, just --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
February 11, 2025
Page 66
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Because it may impact whether
you're going to make the motion or not.
So, Commissioner Hall, do you have some questions or
comments?
COMMISSIONER HALL: Yes, I have a question for Kari.
MS. HODGSON: Sure.
COMMISSIONER HALL: I know that there has been
questions asked of me with the constituents of, "Is twice a week
absolutely necessary to collect the garbage?" I know from just my
household that I could live with once a week because rarely do I ever
take it out there on the second day. Not to say just to knock it out
completely. But has there been any study done or any attention paid
to maybe there are areas that twice a week's not required where other
areas where more families are where twice a week is required? It's
just -- I'm just curious as of it.
MS. HODGSON: No. I appreciate the opportunity to answer
that question.
So in Collier County, we have a population that includes
tourism, and being able to provide twice-a-week collection for not
knowing when people are coming and going is very valuable to
preserving our paradise here. So when we look at actually who
utilizes that second garbage collection, we found that 75 percent of
our customer base does. If we didn't have that second week [sic]
collection, there could be issues related to HOA storage, public health
issues of overflowing garbage cans. So, again, it's a major attribute
to what keeps Collier County paradise-like.
Does that answer your question, Commissioner Hall?
COMMISSIONER HALL: Yes, ma'am. And thank you.
MS. HODGSON: Sure.
COMMISSIONER HALL: No, I get it, but I'm also -- I've still
got ResourceX in the back of my brain going, "Ding, ding, ding," so
February 11, 2025
Page 67
I'm just looking for opportunities maybe to save some money. But
no, that's satisfactory. Thank you.
MS. HODGSON: Yep, thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Any other questions?
I think we do have some public comment, and then we'll go to our
discussion.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: You want to go to the public
comment before --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah. Let's go to public
comment, and then we'll wrap it up.
MR. MILLER: We have two registered speakers. Your first
speaker is Wayne Zahn, and he will be followed by Jay Kohlhagen.
MR. ZAHN: Good afternoon, Commissioners. I appreciate
the opportunity to speak today. My name is Wayne Zahn. I
represent Coastal Waste and Recycling. Coastal Waste is a regional
waste services company which employs more than 1,600 employees.
We operate 42 facilities and run over 900 collection trucks in Florida,
Georgia, and South Carolina.
I come before you with a simple but crucial request: Do not
approve this agenda item without first soliciting competitive bids.
This is not just about dollars and cents. It's about accountability,
transparency, and serving the best interests of the county residents.
Government contracts should be awarded through fair and open
process, not handed out without competition. When we fail to seek
bids from multiple vendors, we risk overpaying for services, lowering
quality, and missing out on innovative solutions that may better serve
our community. Without competition, how can we be sure the
taxpayers are getting the best value for their hard-earned money?
Soliciting bids -- soliciting bids is a standard practice -- I'm
sorry. A no-bid contract sends the message that Collier County is
willing to forego due diligence and transparency. This is not the
February 11, 2025
Page 68
kind of leadership Collier County deserves. If the current vendors
are truly the best options, then they should have no problem in
proving that in a competitive bid.
I urge you to take a step back and do what is right. Please vote
no on this agenda item and direct the staff to enter into a competitive
bid process, evaluate all the options carefully, and show the people of
Collier County that their government is committed to fairness, fiscal
responsibility, and transparency.
The citizens need to be certain that the $32 million-a-year price
tag spent on this contract provides them with the best services at the
lowest cost. In addition, there are still two and a half years
remaining on the existing service contracts that are in place. That is
more than enough time to solicit a competitive bid, review responses,
make an award, and have a successful transition of service if the
contract is awarded to somebody other than the current providers.
Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next and final speaker on this item is Jay
Kohlhagen.
MR. KOHLHAGEN: Yes. Stakeholder Jake Kohlhagen, for
the record, here.
Yeah, Wayne hit everything there. I mean, you've got to put it
out for bid. That's a crazy amount of money there that we need to
make sure that other people get a chance at it.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. No other public
comments.
Ms. Hodgson, do you have any comment in response to that?
MS. HODGSON: No, I appreciate the opportunity,
Commissioner.
As mentioned, we had analysis done of the market to see what
other counties were doing to see what prices they were getting. And
February 11, 2025
Page 69
I go back to here. Collier County has the highest level of service for
the lowest cost. That's our goal as being responsible stewards for
our community, for our customers. That's also why we engaged
with industry experts as well as financial experts in these negotiations
to ensure that Collier County, again, maintained the lowest prices for
the highest value.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah. Well -- and I come
back around to -- you know, I complimented you yesterday when we
were speaking with regard to negotiating an agreement well in
advance of the expiration of the contract, because that's not usually
what happens. A lot of times we're after the fact coming in here
trying to plug a hole. But I wasn't aware that we didn't go through
an open-bid process. Why did we make that decision?
MS. HODGSON: Sure. And if I could go back to our timeline
here. So when -- we're required two years in advance for the
contract expiring to obtain and secure -- because, again, this is a
public health service contract. We do not want to be without
garbage collection services.
So two years prior to the expiration, we conducted a market
analysis. Tasked, again, an industry expert, and based on their
findings and recommendation report, that's what we brought to you in
August where -- to request authorization to negotiate, and that's why
we negotiated.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: So under the existing contract
that we have with Waste Management, we're required to negotiate in
advance of the two years before the expiration, or is that an internal
policy that we have?
MS. HODGSON: That's in the contract. It is also
best-management practices. You can see here with some of these
benchmark contracts, some of these were negotiated two years prior.
February 11, 2025
Page 70
As a matter of fact, Sarasota's was negotiated last year or awarded
last year, and it will not go into effect until March of this year. So it
is standard best practices in the solid waste management industry.
Because, again, it's a very public health-facing service that nobody
wants to be without garbage collection.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: We're certainly not
suggesting that we go without -- without trash collection, that's for
sure.
I'm still going to make my motion for approval.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And then I have a comment
after.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion for
approval. Is there a second?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion and
a second.
I think my comment on the motion is that one of the things that
I'm very pleased about is that in the eight years I've served on this
board, I've not gotten a single complaint about garbage collection.
And people will complain rather quickly if there's a -- if there's a
solid waste collection problem. So there's absolutely, in my opinion,
no issues in terms of the quality of the service.
Now, the pricing, I have no way of knowing whether -- I mean,
I've got your chart. I have no idea whether the $32 million is too
much or just right. So I'm still a little concerned about that, but we'll
perhaps talk more about that.
Any other comments from the Board?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Only to the extent -- and I
recommend if you have not at all and/or recently visited our landfill,
schedule an appointment and go see that operation. See the
February 11, 2025
Page 71
operation. See how everything's, in fact, going. The
improvements -- the improvements that we made simply just to the
weigh station alone for the intake, it's really quite an amazing
operation.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Thank you, Chairman.
I mean, I think there are -- I don't think. I know there are some
contracts across the county that we need to make sure are more
competitive and that we put out for proposal and that we don't just
sort of, you know, stay with the same person just out of convenience.
But then much like the contract we have for hurricane pickup, you
know, for aggressive things, beach restoration and things that are a
little -- they fall in a little bit of a different category. I think that's
why you have these line items in these contracts to say, "Hey, before
we throw something out for bid, if we have somebody that's, you
know, giving us the approved solution at an extremely competitive
rate, we reserve the right to at least be able to negotiate." And if we
come to something, then we don't have a break in service.
I wouldn't want that for all contracts, but I second the motion
because, similar to what's been said up here, the track record of
performance, the cost compared to other counties, I think, this is one
where we want to -- we want to secure a much longer contract, just
like -- we did the exact same thing after Hurricane Ian with the
people who did our hurricane cleanup. We wanted to make sure we
didn't lose that company to someone else. And also, we renegotiated
something very competitive.
So, you know, it's not out of the norm. Like you said, when it
comes to public health, safety, things like that, those contracts fall in
a little bit different of a category. So, you know, I have no
reservations seconding the motion.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Kowal.
February 11, 2025
Page 72
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you, Chairman.
I mean, I've got the chart in front of me, and I can only assume
that these are accurate numbers and these are similar counties to ours
and some are more populated. But, of course, this goes to the
individual trash collected, the pricing.
No disrespect to the gentleman that came to the podium, but I
don't know if their company services any of these other counties.
But it appears that we provide a service just as good or better at a
lower price right now. And so I don't know where the wiggle room
would be that somebody would come in at a lower price if -- I don't
see the evidence that it even exists anywhere else. So I don't -- you
know, I don't see that we're -- and I can understand the public health
side of it, that you don't want to be behind the eight ball and at the
last minute scrambling to get somebody else's operation in here to
replace one that's already been working.
So, you know, that's -- I don't know if the other people in the
industry are aware of that and should be soliciting two years out
when they know contracts are coming up but not, you know, talk
about -- we can -- got two years to figure it out because evidently we
don't if we want to be moving in the right direction. So I'm going to
support.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Just one quick question.
MS. HODGSON: Sure.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I think you indicated that in
August we authorized you to negotiate.
MS. HODGSON: October.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Was it October?
MS. HODGSON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We authorized you to negotiate, so
if we were going to make a decision to competitively bid, we should
have done that in October. If we did that then, you would have had
February 11, 2025
Page 73
time. So that -- I'm not saying that in a negative way. It's just that
we made that decision in October. And so I'm going to support the
motion as well.
Commissioner McDaniel, you have something additional?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Just one quick question.
And, you know, you brought up a good point. We're the elected
complaint department. If there is an issue, we're the ones that get the
phone call.
And just to -- just for edification purposes, if you did say it,
please repeat, how many trash collections do we do a day?
MS. HODGSON: Forty-six thousand, garbage alone,
residential pickups a day are performed by these contractors. And I
appreciate the sentiment of the little complaint rate. Again, if we
have something that's broke [sic], don't fix it. We have an amazing
contract in place. It's a performance-driven contract, and that's why
you, as the elected complaint department, do not receive many
complaints.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And on that note, you know,
I made a -- I made a smart comment at the beginning about my
friends at Waste Pro over in Immokalee, and they also do an amazing
job taking care of our community, have stepped up multiple times on
the enhanced cleanups that we're doing over in Immokalee for the
cleanliness of our community at large, so...
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion and
second. All in favor, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HALL: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All opposed?
February 11, 2025
Page 74
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That passes unanimously.
MS. HODGSON: Thank you, Commissioners.
Item #11B
AN AGREEMENT FOR SALE AND PURCHASE UNDER THE
CONSERVATION COLLIER LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAM
WITH 1.) DONN CHARLES DESCOTEAU, ANDREA HUGG
N/K/A ANDREA ELAINE MULANIX, AND DONNA RUTHE
DESCOTEAU (“DESCOTEAU”) FOR A 1.14-ACRE PARCEL AT
A COST OF $25,100 AND 2.) MONICA CECILE FISH FOR A
1.14-ACRE PARCEL AT A COST OF $36,480, FOR A TOTAL
COST NOT TO EXCEED $64,640 INCLUSIVE OF CLOSING
COSTS. - MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER
MCDANIEL; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KOWAL –
APPROVED (COMMISSIONER HALL OPPOSED) - MOTION TO
PAUSE ACQUISITIONS IN 4 TPAS WITH REVISION OF
PURCHASING PROCESS WITH A DEADLINE FOR A
RELATED AGENDA ITEM FOR THE MARCH 11, 2025, BCC
MEETING BY COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL; SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER KOWAL – APPROVED
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to
Item 11B, formerly 16A7. This is a recommendation to approve an
agreement for sale and purchase under the Conservation Collier Land
Acquisition Program with, 1, Donn Charles Descoteau, Andrea Hugg,
now known as Andrea Elaine Mulanix, and Donna Ruthe Descoteau
for a 1.14-acre parcel at a cost of $25,100; and, 2, Monica Cecil Fish
for a 1.14-acre parcel at a cost of $36,480 for a total cost not to
exceed $64,640, inclusive of closing costs.
February 11, 2025
Page 75
This item is brought to the agenda at Commissioner McDaniel's
request.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel, do you
have a specific question or --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I do, and I -- I have to talk to
you, Mr. Chair, because, you know, I'm just -- this is our first [sic]
meeting with you running the show, so I'm trying to get used to your
adjustments.
I don't have specific issues with this particular agenda item, but I
did a little research last night. So what I would like to do is move
the approval of this particular agenda item so that we can then
have -- and then have a brief discussion about Conservation Collier
acquisitions in these two particular preserve areas, et al, if I -- if we
may do that.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Sure.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: So I -- because I really -- I
have no issue with these two transactions except for the methodology
that Conservation Collier is using for these acquisitions. And I'd like
to bring that to light, if I may. So if you want to expedite things, we
can -- I'll make a motion for approval of this particular agenda item,
or would you like me to bring up my points first?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, go ahead and bring up your
points.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We're going to be wrapping this
meeting up, I think, fairly quickly.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And I'll endeavor to move
forward.
It is my suggestion that after we approve these two particular
agenda items in the Gore Preserve and the Panther Walk that we
discontinue or not approve any purchases in these two particular
February 11, 2025
Page 76
areas until we adjust the methodologies that Conservation Collier is
using.
Last night, after my one-on-one meetings with my staff, I had a
little bit of time, and so I dove into -- and if you haven't investigated,
have a look at the methodologies that are utilized. When we read
these agenda items, the two properties in the executive summary are
stipulated that we're buying them at the -- 100 percent of the
appraised price, which seems like it's okay.
Then you go -- then I actually went and read the appraisals.
There were mass averaged appraisals done in both the Panther Walk
Preserve and the Gore Preserve on a percentage of environmentally
sensitive or wetland areas; am I correct in that?
MS. COOK: You are, sir.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay. And did you write
that down that she said I was correct? Okay.
And so -- and it's based upon a percentage of environmentally
sensitive areas within the acreages that are there.
Then I read the appraisals. And the appraisals for the Panther
Walk Preserve, I believe, were done with comparable sales that were
from '21 and '22, effectively three to four years ago.
MS. COOK: The Gore property was.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Forgive me.
MS. COOK: And I did find out why, if you want to go down
that road.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: No. We don't have to for
right now.
MS. COOK: Okay.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I just -- the data that was
used for the analysis was aged, number one. Number two, both
appraisers on both the Gore Preserve and the Panther Walk Preserve
chose to not use a cost approach in the analysis for the valuations of
February 11, 2025
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the properties, and so no consideration was given to a mitigation
expense that was -- that is necessary if somebody else buys a piece of
property in one of these areas.
So what we have done as a government is we have gone out and
established these TPAs, Target Protection Areas. And here's an
environmentally sensitive area of land. We wish to buy properties
here. These are open to the public to be purchased, and we all know
that you can build a home virtually on -- in the middle of a cypress
head if you pay enough money in mitigation to whack the cypress
trees in order to build your home. You almost -- it's just a matter of
money.
So we've delineated these areas. Then I was reading the
analysis that was done on the end -- on the eight comparables for the
Panther Walk Preserve, and the fourth one down was a listing price
by a Realtor for a piece of property in the panther preserve that
stipulated a $54,000 asking price for the piece of property, and the
Realtor, when questioned about that price, said -- said, quote, "That's
a firm price because the county's going to come real soon and buy the
land."
No consideration is given to a private sector purchaser to come
buy that piece of property and then have to mitigate any of the
environmental concerns.
So my suggestion is that for the near future, until I bring
forward -- and I'm going to bring forward a revision to the purchasing
processes so that we are attributing a true valuation for these
environmental -- or for these pieces of property, that we discontinue
the acquisitions in these properties.
I read several of the notes in the appraisals in the comparable
sales that were utilized that showed the property had recently been
purchased within the last couple of years for one-third of the
now-current asking prices. So I have a sniff that there's something
February 11, 2025
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else going on where people are taking advantage of a known area
where we want to buy property for and on behalf of Conservation
Collier, and then we, on behalf of Conservation Collier, are using an
appraisal methodology that isn't accurate at all. They're not able to
come up with comparables in these areas because the only people that
have bought property in these specific areas are Conservation Collier.
So we need to go outside of those areas, and then we need to add
in the cost approach with regard to the mitigation expense.
So my suggestion is, going forward, that individual appraisals
are done on every single piece of property that's brought before us to
get a true comparison as to what the real market value, in fact, is.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right.
Commissioner Hall, you have some comments or questions?
COMMISSIONER HALL: Yes. Thank you, Chairman.
I totally concur with Commissioner McDaniel. I've said
repeatedly in the past that we are -- we are creating our own comps.
And the market, you know, with the example of the one Realtor
saying the price is firm is, is -- says it all. I am not going to support
this agenda item not because I don't want to buy conservation land. I
love to buy conservation land.
I am not pleased at all of the price that we're going to pay for
them. We're 9,000, and 11,000, on two of these items, over what the
appraisal is.
And I think if we go back to the sellers and say, "You know
what, we're not going to do that. It was not approved -- until you get
real on your price," I think that we would be able to purchase those at
a reasonable level and a fair level.
I think that we're being used based on the amount of property
that we have acquired, and I totally concur with Commissioner
McDaniel with changing -- changing how we do this and what we're
looking at, including subtracting the mitigation cost for anyone to
February 11, 2025
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come in there and build on it.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Commissioner
McDaniel, you had something else?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I really -- I do. And the
only -- and I think Commissioner Hall agreeing with me in part. The
only -- the only deviation or only just difference in opinion that he
and I have, particularly, is Conservation Collier and our staff are
using the system that we have in place. We need to fix the system.
The system allows us to buy these pieces of property and allows our
staff to go forward. We've negotiated in good faith with these sellers
for these prices for what we're, in fact, paying for these two particular
pieces of property.
So I wouldn't -- personally, I'm not going to reject the offers that
have been brought forward to us today, but I am going to ask that we
discontinue these acquisitions until we fix that system.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Let's do this in two
pieces, then. We'll take a motion on the specific agenda item to
approve or disapprove that, and then when we conclude that,
regardless of the outcome, we'll entertain a motion to reevaluate the
appraisal process going forward and to hold off on additional
purchases in this area until that process is determined.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I did see they were getting
17-, 18,000 for that one piece in the Panther Preserve from another
NGO. Did I see that?
MS. COOK: Correct. The Wildlife Corridor Foundation is
contributing half of the Panther Walk property cost.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. So let's see if there's a
motion on the agenda item.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'll make a motion for
approval on the agenda -- I pulled it just to have this discussion, so --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right.
February 11, 2025
Page 80
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: -- I'll make a motion for
approval on the agenda item.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Is there a second?
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Second.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion and
a second. Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Seeing none, all in favor, signify
by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All opposed?
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. It passes 4-1.
And then, Commissioner McDaniel, you're recognized on the
additional motion.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah. Thank you, sir.
And I'd like to make a motion that we discontinue any
acquisitions in these two -- basically in any of the TPAs that we have
designated with aggregate land masses that it's a known public
acquisition area, for and until we fix the system. Is that clear enough
to -- did you tell me there are four?
MS. COOK: There are currently four multiple-parcel projects,
yes.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. And so I suggest that
we discontinue those acquisitions until I can make -- we can make
revisions to the purchasing process.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. I don't have an issue
with the concept, but I don't want it to drag out to a point where we're
February 11, 2025
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not acquiring property for six months or eight months while this
process plays out. So I would prefer as -- the motion, I'll ask if
you'll consider, let's put a time frame on that withholding any
purchases in these TPAs for a specific period of time while staff
comes back. So let's --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: First meeting -- I can do
it -- by the first meeting in March, I can have the revisions to the
purchasing ordinance --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, then let's add that as an
agenda item the first meeting in March to revise the appraisal process
and until then not to enter into any acquisition contracts under the old
processing prior to that date.
All right. Is that --
MS. COOK: Understood.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Is that clear?
MS. COOK: Yes.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. I'm not sure I
understood it, and I said it.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It was as clear as mud.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Any discussion on the
motion, then?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I was just going to add,
maybe for semantics, instead of saying the word "discontinue,"
especially since we're putting a time frame -- we're putting a pause,
because the word "discontinue" will get thrown out there that the
commissioners all just voted unanimously to discontinue
Conservation Collier, and that will be on the front page of every
newspaper in about 30 minutes. So I like the time frame, and we're
putting a pause on it to further improve the program with
Commissioner McDaniel and all of our support to tighten things, so...
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel, I
February 11, 2025
Page 82
assume you have no problem with using the word "pause"?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: No, I'd be happy to use the
word "pause," because words matter.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: There you go.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And by the way, there are no local
newspapers that report things right away, so...
Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: I'm good. I'm good with it all.
Thanks.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have a motion and a second.
Any further discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Seeing none, all in favor, signify
by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: It passes unanimously.
MS. COOK: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We'll see you in a couple weeks.
MS. COOK: I'll see you in a couple minutes, I'm sure.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: A couple minutes?
Item #15A
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS NOT ON THE
February 11, 2025
Page 83
CURRENT OR FUTURE AGENDA BY INDIVIDUALS NOT
ALREADY HEARD DURING PREVIOUS PUBLIC COMMENTS
IN THIS MEETING
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to Item 15,
staff and commission general communications.
Item 15A is public comments on general topics not on the
current or future agenda by individuals not already heard during
previous public comments in this meeting.
MR. MILLER: We have no additional speakers at this time.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right.
Item #15B
STAFF PROJECT UPDATES
MS. PATTERSON: We do not have any staff project updates
for Item 15B.
Item #15C
STAFF AND COMMISSION GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS
MS. PATTERSON: So that brings us to Item 15C, staff and
commission general communications.
I do have one item. We have a workshop planned for the first
Tuesday in March. It was originally planned to be the mental health
workshop in the morning, followed by strategic planning, solid waste,
and a couple of other topics in the afternoon. The David Lawrence
representatives have asked for that workshop to be moved. They
need a little bit more time, so we're looking for an appropriate date in
February 11, 2025
Page 84
April, potentially, or the beginning of May.
So that having been said, the morning session will now be what
we were planning to do in the afternoon. We'll have the workshop,
but we'll just move our afternoon topics up to the morning.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: So we'll still have something
at 9 a.m.?
MS. PATTERSON: Yes.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: It just -- it will be a much --
MS. PATTERSON: It just won't be mental health. And it will
probably -- it's going to be, you know, half day or maybe a little bit
more if we really get into discussion, versus a full-day workshop split
amongst topics.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. And if you could make
sure that our aides know the date and that change.
MS. PATTERSON: Yep. Yes, sir.
Other than that, I have nothing else.
County Attorney.
MR. KLATZKOW: Nothing else today.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Commissioner Kowal,
anything for the good of the order?
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: No, I think we're good. I'd just
like to correct Commissioner McDaniel. This is your second
meeting as the Chair.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I was going to correct him at some
point.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I know. I was holding a two
over here.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I was going to do it in private
because I didn't want to embarrass him in public.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I had two people say I was
right today, and you have to -- you have to point it out.
February 11, 2025
Page 85
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Well, we can't let you get away
with that often.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And we're going to -- I'm going to
make sure we correct the minutes at the next meeting.
Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. Thank you, sir.
I just -- I have one happy -- you gentlemen supported a move
that I put forth last year to rename a road over in Immokalee
called -- from Eustis West to Howard Way. I had the opportunity to
shake Mr. Howard's hand, see him in person. The family showed
up. It was an amazing event.
Our -- we had some technological issues. And I don't know if it
was just because I was speaking, but the microphone chose to
(indicating) quit working while I was talking, and so I lost my focus.
But I really want to recognize Christie Betancourt. She did a
yeoman's job to bring that all together and help organize it and put
it -- we had our Immokalee High School, the ROTC. It was just a
phenomenal event, and I just want to thank all of you for allowing me
that opportunity to honor a great citizen of our community.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Thank you, Chairman.
I just wanted to thank Mr. French and his team, Jaime Cook, all
of Parks and Recreation. We're going to reopen Caxambas on this
Saturday, February 15th. So a lot of the news that's been out there
over the last two years that, you know, the county hasn't done
anything, and people that actually live in condos that oversee
Caxambas send me notes and say, "I've seen no activity out there for
two years."
Well, you know, Mr. French and I and our whole team and all of
Marco leadership were out at Caxambas again late last week. It's a
brand-new marina, brand-new park, the amount of work that's gone
February 11, 2025
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into it.
And those who -- in Mr. French's team that really shook the
trees to get grant money and FEMA money and all the things that
save our county taxpayer dollars has really been heroic. So the place
looks basically brand new.
It's a popular marina, popular park. Can't make it any bigger.
So people that say, you know, "We're all idiots. We need to add
more parking, we need to add this," you know, we'll have to tear
down two condominiums that are adjacent to the park if we're going
to do that. So, obviously, that's not going to happen.
But the park looks beautiful. And, no, it's not perfect. We still
have some issues with bringing gas out there for boaters and some
other things. But, you know, it's -- there's some other things in our
county that took big hits during Hurricane Irma that haven't been
brought back on line.
Simultaneous to that, because we have the money now, we have
the crews, we have the wherewithal, it's time to attack some of these
marinas that have been neglected for a while and/or who took major
hits during many of these storms. And the Collier Boulevard -- we
kind of usually call at the "951 boat launch." I wouldn't say it's a
marina. That will close on the 18th. Well, it's actually, I think,
closed now. I saw some cones out there. But you could tell -- you
could tell you're getting ready to close it.
But that's another one that's going to go through a complete
overhaul from redoing the boat ramp, the seawalls that are practically
falling into the water, maybe repaving the parking lot. So there will
be a lot of -- a lot of great work there. We're still on the 18th? Is it
still on the 18th, Jamie?
MR. FRENCH: Thank you, Commissioner. For the record,
I'm Jamie French with -- the department head for Growth
Management and Community Development.
February 11, 2025
Page 87
Yes, sir, the 18th is the scheduled date. We'll already start
canvassing the area because we recognize that we have quite a bit of
overnight kind of camping launches that go on from that 951 boat
ramp.
The facility has been shored up. It's certainly gone through
multiple events with regards to the weather.
And the contractor -- and I've just really got to give credit to
Brian DeLony over at Facilities Management. He's really
spearheaded a lot of this. The contractor has agreed to hold their
prices. They've held them for better than six months. If we had to
rebid that 951 boat ramp, it would be exponentially higher, and it
would push back that construction date, our guess is somewhere
between eight and 10 months.
And we're fearful going into this next storm season, although it's
certainly been shored up, we certainly would -- we think that it
is -- we don't ever want to be considered derelict of duty by not
addressing these safety concerns. So that will be a new seawall.
There's a great deal of riprap in there. Good news is that it should be
a short-term project. The boat launch itself, the ramp, will also be
replaced. We'll be going through there looking at the reticuline
grates that are currently in there. We saw a lot of rot from saltwater.
It probably needs to be stainless steel, but -- although James
Williams, our parks director, would like one for his barbecue, we're
going to make sure that they're chained down, because other people
would love them for a big barbecue, too. They're quite expensive,
especially when you're dealing with some stainless steel options.
With regards to Caxambas, we did have a meeting yesterday
with the Marco Island Police chief. We will have three rangers that
will be floating through there. One will be there all the time. We
will be writing traffic tickets or illegal parking tickets. That is a
recreational boat launch. The City of Marco has weighed in. They
February 11, 2025
Page 88
are the authority having jurisdiction, and they have said, outside of
our retail operations that we have there, there is to be zero
commercial activity. It's zoned for recreational boaters. It's a park.
It is not a commercial marina.
And so with the gas, we have looked at that. Ms. Cook has
looked at that. I think she said -- she just told me I think there's
seven gas stations on the way there from U.S. 41 and 951 from that
corner, and we are limited on our footprint.
And very rarely have we ever seen, certainly in our career,
where we're doing retail sales from the back of a truck for fuel, and
on top of which it's a -- it certainly is a very consolidated site, not a
whole lot of room. We would most likely have to sacrifice quite a
few of our parking spaces or boat launch spaces in order to put some
sort of temporary fueling in there.
Now, we're still looking into it. We were -- we are subject to
the permitting rules of the State of Florida through the Department of
Agriculture with regards to retail fuel sales, and then we would also
have to talk with the State with regards to our submerged land lease
on how we would do that.
So that permitting process, although we'd love them to be more
like Collier County, we believe that if they tell us 60 days, it could
very well be three to four months before we'd be able to get through
that permitting process.
And by the way, a 5,000-gallon permanent fuel facility is
scheduled to be installed and operational by the first of the year is our
target date. So that is already underway. And I know,
Commissioner LoCastro, you've certainly communicated that with
your constituent base through your newsletters, and we've presented
it to the Board in our project schedules. But it was a two-phased
approach. You're dealing with two different types of petroleum
contractor as well as a seawall and dock contractor. They both can't
February 11, 2025
Page 89
be in the small space at the same time.
So the boat launch was the most important thing. The bulk
heads, the seawalls, all of that has been replaced, and we're also
looking at doing some -- we're finishing up some buildout work on
the interior of the -- of the shop.
The vendor is all slated to go. She's told us that she'll be ready
to open, and she understands that it's absent fuel. But by her
contract, for the first 60 days she's really there to provide a service.
There's no charge to her as far as rent or a percentage of her business,
so that way it helps her get established, so -- but we do know that the
county marks up the fuel 8 percent, and then her overall markup, I
think, is around 12 percent, so she picks up the differential. That is a
big money maker for her and also for the county to repay for those
assets over time.
So it's not cheap fuel. You can certainly get a better cost if you
stopped at RaceTrac and got the marine grade fuel on your way there.
But we also know that it would certainly service the neighboring
residents; however, Rose Marine is on the other side of the island.
We know Walker is there, Calusa is there all within probably 15-,
20-minute boat ride away where, if you're on the water all the time
and you're not taking fuel delivery, you can certainly buy fuel there.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Yeah. I appreciate those
details, because there is some misinformation out there that, you
know, folks are saying -- some -- "Oh, they forget about the fuel."
But as you said, the fuel is a totally different animal. Having both
contractors out there doing the work wasn't possible. The
underground fuel tank that was supplying fuel to Caxambas was
significantly compromised due to the storm. So we spent quite a bit
of time out there going through all that and had the fire team out
there. So, you know, more to follow on that.
Lastly, I just wanted to remind my fellow commissioners that
February 11, 2025
Page 90
there's a NIM, neighborhood information meeting, for Costco on
Tuesday, February 18th. So, you know, that's been aggressively,
you know, advertised. There's a lot of pro and con against Costco,
and that NIM will hopefully separate rumor from fact. It's at a large
location where the Swamp Buggy races used to be.
I've talked with the staff to make sure that, you know, we have
staff out there. The NIM is between, as we know, citizens and the
applicant. It's not really run by the county staff. We don't attend
those type things. But we're going to have some people out there
because this is an issue, pro and con, that people are very interested
in. I just hope the citizens that come, you know, realize if they storm
the castle and they think, you know, an aggressive showing at the
NIM, either pro or con, somehow sways the direction or the
non-direction of any project, that that's not -- you know, we've seen
successful NIMs and unsuccessful ones. And what this should be is
a mature and professional exchange of ideas, and pushback, feedback
between citizens and the applicant, and then it allows the applicant to
go back and sort of re-think things possibly, maybe make changes in
the project, move forward with the project. We don't know. But,
you know, I appreciate all the work that the county staff has put into
that, and we'll get feedback, I'm sure, the next day or that night.
But that's all I have. Thank you, gentlemen.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Thank you, Chairman.
So I just have one -- one small request for staff, and it has to do
with just a short, sweet, and simple message for, you know, just
something like for when Wiggins Pass opens up. I'm sure that we
get the formal one-way communications or something like that that
comes across, but to be honest, if it doesn't just say, "Wiggins Pass is
opening," I'm not -- I'm not reading into the details.
So just something to our executive coordinators or our aides that
February 11, 2025
Page 91
just says, "Hey, Wiggins Pass is opening up Tuesday," whatever or
Caxambas -- however you say it, that's opening up, you know, next
Tuesday. Just something that -- so that we can -- or "We have a red
tide alert at one beach," just something that we can coordinate and
communicate to all of the residents that be here. Because a lot of
times I find out these things from the residents or from Facebook or
from something else. So just something short, something sweet,
something in my face that I can say, "Oh, that's good," and we'll
share the news.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. Let the record reflect that
the County Manager is nodding in the affirmative on the request.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. I don't have anything to
add for the good of the order. If there's nothing else --
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioner, I'm sorry, if I may. I
actually just received an email about the enactment of a burn ban.
So we have received notification from the Collier County fire chiefs
in consultation with the Forest Service recommending that we enact a
burn ban due to the weather conditions that are exacerbated by severe
drought values.
So we'll take -- I wanted to advise you. And we'll take the
necessary steps to notify the public and enact that burn ban. So I
have -- we have the authority to put it into effect, and we'll -- we'll
come back and ratify it or whatever steps we need to take.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Mr. Klatzkow, in terms of agenda
items and things like that, is that something that we can simply do
right now? We have the authority to --
MR. KLATZKOW: Yes.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have the request. We have
the -- I guess the weather conditions justify it. Do we need to delay
that, or can we just go ahead and do it?
February 11, 2025
Page 92
MR. KLATZKOW: No. You've got the discretion to allow
the County Manager to do what needs to be done.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Is there any desire on
the Board just to simply give the opportunity or the authority to issue
the burn ban today?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: We already have, but in lieu
of her having to bring it back and us ratify it, let's just -- you
want -- I'll make a motion to authorize her to enact it today.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I'll second that. We have a
motion and a second. Any discussion on the motion which basically
gives the County Manager the ability to issue the burn ban effective
immediately?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Seeing none, all in
favor, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: It passes unanimously.
MS. PATTERSON: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. And, again, I have
nothing to add to the discussion, so we are adjourned.
*******
February 11, 2025
Page 93
****Commissioner Kowal moved, seconded by Commissioner
McDaniel and carried that the following items under the consent and
summary agendas be approved and/or adopted****
Item #16A1
RENAME THE CONSERVATION COLLIER ANNECY
BARFIELD PROPERTY THE BARFIELD BURROWS PRESERVE
Item #16A2
RESOLUTION 2025-32: A RESOLUTION FOR FINAL
ACCEPTANCE OF THE PRIVATE ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE
IMPROVEMENTS AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE PLAT
DEDICATIONS FOR THE FINAL PLAT OF AZURE AT
HACIENDA LAKES - PHASE 3, APPLICATION NUMBER
PL20190002283, AND AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF THE
MAINTENANCE SECURITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $223,303.54
Item #16A3
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER AND SEWER
UTILITY FACILITIES AND ACCEPT THE CONVEYANCE OF A
PORTION OF THE POTABLE WATER FACILITIES FOR BAY
PINES MEDICAL CENTER, PL20230016377 - STAFF
CONDUCTED A FINAL INSPECTION ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2024,
AND FOUND THE FACILITIES TO BE SATISFACTORY AND
ACCEPTABLE
Item #16A4
February 11, 2025
Page 94
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE SEWER UTILITIES FACILITIES
AND ACCEPT THE CONVEYANCE OF THE SEWER
FACILITIES FOR METROPOLITAN NAPLES, PL20240003786 -
STAFF CONDUCTED A FINAL INSPECTION ON AUGUST 7,
2024, AND FOUND THE FACILITIES TO BE SATISFACTORY
AND ACCEPTABLE
Item #16A5
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER AND SEWER
UTILITY FACILITIES FOR QUAIL CREEK VILLAGE
CLUBHOUSE, PL20240013440 - STAFF CONDUCTED A FINAL
INSPECTION ON JANUARY 7, 2025, AND FOUND THE
FACILITIES TO BE SATISFACTORY AND ACCEPTABLE
Item #16A6
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER, IRRIGATION
QUALITY WATER, AND SEWER FACILITIES AND ACCEPT
THE CONVEYANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER, IRRIGATION
QUALITY WATER, AND SEWER FACILITIES FOR SKYSAIL -
PHASE 2A, PL20240008922
Item #16A7 - Moved to Item #11B (Per Agenda Change Sheet)
Item #16B1
BUDGET AMENDMENT TO FUND CONSTRUCTION OF THE
SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT “IMMOKALEE RD. (C.R.
846) AT OIL WELL RD. (C.R. 858) NORTHBOUND RIGHT TURN
LANE IMPROVEMENTS” PROJECT NO. 60273 IN THE
February 11, 2025
Page 95
AMOUNT OF $1,500,000 - SOURCE OF FUNDING IS GAS TAX
REVENUE
Item #16B2
THE BOARD AWARD REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) NO. 23-
8166, COLLIER COUNTY TRANSIT ELECTRONIC FAREBOX,
TO LECIP, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $891,326.83, WHICH IS
100% FUNDED WITH FEDERAL CAPITAL GRANT DOLLARS,
AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE ATTACHED
AGREEMENT
Item #16B3
CHANGE ORDER NO. 4 FOR "CARSON ROAD STORMWATER
TREATMENT AREA" PROJECT NO. 60143 UNDER
AGREEMENT NO. 23-8114 WITH QUALITY ENTERPRISES
USA, INC., TO UTILIZE $68,719.50 OF THE OWNER'S
ALLOWANCE, AND ADD 90 DAYS TO THE CONTRACT TIME
Item #16B4
AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF RIGHT OF WAY
(PARCEL 1372FEE) REQUIRED FOR THE VANDERBILT
BEACH ROAD EXT – PHASE 2 PROJECT (PROJECT NO.
60249). ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT: $55,000 - LOCATED ON
THE NORTH SIDE OF 10TH AVENUE NE
Item #16B5
AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF RIGHT OF WAY
February 11, 2025
Page 96
(PARCEL 1286FEE) REQUIRED FOR THE VANDERBILT
BEACH ROAD EXT – PHASE 2 PROJECT (PROJECT NO.
60249). ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT: $67,178 - LOCATED ON
THE NORTH SIDE OF 10TH AVENUE NE
Item #16B6
AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF RIGHT OF WAY
(PARCEL 1304FEE) REQUIRED FOR THE VANDERBILT
BEACH ROAD EXT – PHASE 2 PROJECT (PROJECT NO.
60249). ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT: $43,500 - LOCATED ON
THE NORTH SIDE OF 10TH AVENUE NE
Item #16B7
FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT FOR SALE AND
PURCHASE FOR THE WILLIAMS RESERVE PROPERTY TO
EXTEND THE DUE DILIGENCE PERIOD TO MARCH 26, 2025,
TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TIME FOR THE COUNTY TO
COMPLETE THE ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS OF
THE PROPERTY - EXTEND THE DUE DILIGENCE PERIOD TO
MARCH 26, 2025
Item #16B8
LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN COLLIER COUNTY AND LG
MERCANTILE HOLDINGS, LLC, FOR THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT WAREHOUSE LOCATED AT 4373
MERCANTILE AVENUE AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN
TO SIGN THE ATTACHED LEASE AGREEMENT - FOR A
THREE-YEAR TERM
February 11, 2025
Page 97
Item #16B9
THE LELY GOLF ESTATES BEAUTIFICATION MUNICIPAL
SERVICE TAXING UNIT (LELY MSTU) TO ACCEPT A ZERO-
COST DONATION OF EXISTING DECORATIVE TRAFFIC
SIGNPOSTS FROM THE LELY CIVIC ASSOCIATION (LCA) TO
ASSUME OWNERSHIP TO PERFORM ALL DUTIES OF
MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT AND AUTHORIZE THE
COUNTY MANAGER OR HER DESIGNEE TO SIGN THE ZERO-
DOLLAR BILL OF SALE - MSTU FUND 1620
Item #16B10
CONVERT THREE (3) CURRENT TIME-LIMITED GRANT
POSITIONS TO NON-TIME LIMITED TO SUPPORT
COUNTYWIDE CAPITAL GRANTS
Item #16C1
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, AS EX-OFFICIO THE
GOVERNING BOARD OF THE COLLIER COUNTY WATER-
SEWER DISTRICT, AWARD INVITATION TO BID (ITB) NO. 24-
8282, “GOLDEN GATE MASTER PUMP STATION AND SITE
IMPROVEMENTS,” TO DOUGLAS N. HIGGINS, INC., IN THE
AMOUNT OF $3,043,340, APPROVE AN OWNER’S
ALLOWANCE OF $300,000, AND AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE ATTACHED AGREEMENT.
(PROJECT NO.70243)
Item #16C2
February 11, 2025
Page 98
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, AS EX-OFFICIO THE
GOVERNING BOARD OF THE COLLIER COUNTY WATER-
SEWER DISTRICT, AWARD INVITATION TO BID (ITB) NO. 24-
8320, “NORTH COUNTY REGIONAL WATER TREATMENT
PLANT (NCRWTP) RAW WATER FEEDLINE REHAB PHASE 1
AND PHASE 2,” TO RF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC., IN
THE AMOUNT OF $2,739,000, APPROVE AN OWNER’S
ALLOWANCE OF $110,000 FOR PHASE 1 AND $150,000 FOR
PHASE 2, AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE
ATTACHED AGREEMENT. (PROJECT NO.71066)
Item #16C3
RESOLUTION 2025-33: A RESOLUTION AND
SATISFACTIONS OF LIEN FOR THE 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995,
AND 1996 SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL
SERVICES SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS AND AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE RESOLUTION
Item #16D1
AWARD REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 24-8263,
“AFFORDABLE HOUSING MARKETING AND OUTREACH
CAMPAIGN” TO QUEST CORPORATION OF AMERICA, INC.,
AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE ATTACHED
AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $80,000. (MISC GRANTS
FUND (1077), AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN PROJECT NO.
50137)
Item #16D2
February 11, 2025
Page 99
CHAIRMAN TO SIGN (28) RELEASES OF LIEN IN THE
AMOUNT OF $380,232.16 FOR PROPERTIES THAT HAVE
REMAINED AFFORDABLE FOR THE REQUIRED 15-YEAR
PERIOD SET FORTH IN THE STATE HOUSING INITIATIVES
PARTNERSHIP (SHIP) IMPACT FEE PROGRAM DEFERRAL
AGREEMENTS
Item #16D3
CHAIR TO SIGN FORTY-ONE (41) MORTGAGE
SATISFACTIONS FOR THE STATE HOUSING INITIATIVES
PARTNERSHIP LOAN PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF
$275,500, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE ASSOCIATED BUDGET
AMENDMENT TO APPROPRIATE REPAYMENT AMOUNT
TOTALING $3,000. (SHIP GRANT FUND 1053)
Item #16D4
A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE
AGRICULTURAL AND LABOR PROGRAM, INC. AS THE
PROVIDER OF LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM FOR COLLIER COUNTY FOR THE EMERGENCY
HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO COORDINATE
REFERRALS AND PREVENT DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS.
(HUMAN SERVICES GRANT FUND 1837)
Item #16D5
SERVICES FOR SENIORS, AFTER-THE-FACT STANDARD
CONTRACT AND WITH THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING FOR
February 11, 2025
Page 100
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF
$1,604,272.20 AND AUTHORIZE THE ASSOCIATED BUDGET
AMENDMENTS, FOR FY25 OLDER AMERICAN ACT TITLE III
IN THE AMOUNT INCREASE OF $196,280.71. (HUMAN
SERVICE GRANT FUND 1837)
Item #16D6
RESOLUTION 2025-34: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
APPROVAL OF A SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO COLLIER
COUNTY'S U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT (HUD) ANNUAL ACTION PLANS FOR
PROGRAM YEARS 2019-2020, 2022-2023, AND 2024-2025 TO;
(A) REMOVE AN ACTIVITY AND RETURN FUNDS TO CDBG
CV ADMINISTRATION, (B) REVISE THE SECOND
ALLOCATION OF ESG-RUSH FUNDING FROM PROGRAM
YEAR 2022 TO PROGRAM YEAR 2024, (C) RECLASSIFY THE
COLLIER COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY HVAC ACTIVITY
AS AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT PER HUD’S
GUIDANCE AND AUTHORIZE SUBMISSION OF THE
SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO HUD
Item #16D7
RESOLUTION 2025-35: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
TEMPORARY CLOSING OF A PORTION OF STATE ROAD 29
AND DETERMINING THAT THE CLOSURE IS NECESSARY
FOR THE COLLIER COUNTY MUSEUMS’ ANNUAL
IMMOKALEE CATTLE DRIVE & JAMBOREE ON MARCH 8,
2025, TO FULFILL A FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
February 11, 2025
Page 101
PERMIT APPLICATION REQUIREMENT
Item #16F1
CHANGE ORDER NO. 6, ADDING SIXTY-THREE DAYS OF
CONTRACT TIME TO PURCHASE ORDER NO. 4500229425
UNDER AGREEMENT NO. 23-8147 WITH QUALITY
ENTERPRISES USA, INC., FOR THE “BIG CORKSCREW
ISLAND REGIONAL PARK PHASE 2A ACCESS ROAD,” AND
AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE ATTACHED
CHANGE ORDER. (PROJECT NO. 80039)
Item #16F2
AWARD INVITATION TO BID (ITB) NO. 24-8293, “SUN-N-FUN
LAZY RIVER RENOVATIONS,” TO ELECTRO-MECHANIC
INDUSTRIES, INC., D/B/A VERMANA IN THE AMOUNT OF
$224,403, APPROVE AN OWNER’S ALLOWANCE OF $55,000,
AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN THE ATTACHED
AGREEMENT. (PROJECT NO. 80421)
Item #16F3
RATIFY ADMINISTRATIVELY APPROVED CHANGE ORDER
NO. 5, ADDING 14 DAYS TO THE CONTRACT TIME UNDER
AGREEMENT NO. 23-8070RR WITH JR & CO., INC., FOR THE
PROFESSIONAL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES TO INSTALL
NEW ROOFING ON THE COLLIER COUNTY JAIL BUILDING J-
1., AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE
ATTACHED CHANGE ORDER. (PROJECT NO. 50229)
February 11, 2025
Page 102
Item #16F4
BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT DIVISION IN THE AMOUNT OF $181,945.35,
TO REALLOCATE COUNTY WIDE CAPITAL PROJECTS
FUNDING FROM THE BUILDING J RENOVATIONS (PROJECT
NO. 53172) TO THE J3 BOILER RENOVATION (PROJECT NO.
50311)
Item #16F5
EXPENDITURE OF UP TO $3,000 IN TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT TAX (TDT) PROMOTION FUNDS TO
SUPPORT THE UPCOMING 2025 NAPLES SPRING SHOOTOUT
EVENT AND MAKE A FINDING THAT THESE EXPENDITURES
PROMOTE TOURISM
Item #16F6
ONE-YEAR RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT NO. 22-7980
“TOURISM INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION - GERMANY
MARKET” WITH DIAMONDE E.K. FOR FLAT ANNUAL FIXED
PRICE OF $120,000 ($10,000 PER MONTH), AND
REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES FOR TRAVEL, REGISTRATIONS
AND MISCELLANEOUS FOR UP TO $60,000 TOTALING
$180,000 ANNUALLY USING TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX
FUNDS AND MAKE A FINDING THAT THIS ACTION
PROMOTES TOURISM
Item #16F7
February 11, 2025
Page 103
A ONE-YEAR RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT NO. 22-7979
“TOURISM INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION – UK AND
IRELAND MARKET” WITH OMMAC LTD. FOR FLAT ANNUAL
FIXED PRICE OF $120,000 ($10,000 PER MONTH), AND
REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES FOR TRAVEL, REGISTRATIONS
AND MISCELLANEOUS FOR UP TO $80,000 TOTALING
$200,000 ANNUALLY USING TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX
FUNDS AND MAKE A FINDING THAT THIS ACTION
PROMOTES TOURISM
Item #16G1
BOARD, ACTING AS THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, AWARD
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NO. 24-8283, "RENTAL CAR
CONCESSION SERVICES FOR COLLIER COUNTY AIRPORT
AUTHORITY” TO ENTERPRISE LEASING COMPANY OF
FLORIDA, LLC, AND AUTHORIZE ITS CHAIR TO SIGN THE
ATTACHED CAR RENTAL SERVICE CONCESSIONAIRE
AGREEMENT
Item #16G2
RESOLUTION 2025-36: CHAIR TO EXECUTE A PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION GRANT AGREEMENT (PTGA) WITH THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT)
REIMBURSING THE COUNTY UP TO $267,903 FOR THE
PURCHASE OF A 5,000 GALLON JET-A REFUELER FOR THE
MARCO ISLAND EXECUTIVE AIRPORT (MKY); EXECUTE A
RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE BOARD’S ACTION;
AND AUTHORIZE THE NECESSARY BUDGET
February 11, 2025
Page 104
AMENDMENTS. FPN 450316-1-94-01. (AIRPORT GRANT FUND
4093 AND AIRPORT GRANT MATCH FUND 4094)
Item #16J1
RECORD IN THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS, THE CHECK NUMBER (OR OTHER
PAYMENT METHOD), AMOUNT, PAYEE, AND PURPOSE FOR
WHICH THE REFERENCED DISBURSEMENTS IN THE
AMOUNT OF $26,621,618.87 WERE DRAWN FOR THE
PERIODS BETWEEN JANUARY 16, 2025, AND JANUARY 29,
2025, PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE 136.06
Item #16J2
BOARD APPROVE AND DETERMINE VALID PUBLIC
PURPOSE FOR INVOICES PAYABLE AND PURCHASING
CARD TRANSACTIONS AS OF FEBRUARY 5, 2025
Item #16J3
REPORT TO THE BOARD REGARDING THE INVESTMENT OF
COUNTY FUNDS AS OF THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER
31, 2024
Item #16J4
THE USE OF $5,000 FROM THE CONFISCATED TRUST FUNDS
TO SUPPORT THE LEAD PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE THE
NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENT
February 11, 2025
Page 105
Item #16I
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE BCC FEBRUARY 11,
2025
WD OFM�cDn RONEM
MISCELLANEOUS COeEEePONDENCE.
Felw a 11,2025
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1110M024 AMcy Memq Signed Minumn, & Agency MaRing
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11105/20] Agerwy Memo, Signed Mimlm,&Ag Mmigg
February 11, 2025
Page 106
Item #16K1
RESOLUTION 2025-37: REAPPOINT FIVE MEMBERS TO THE
INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX CITIZEN OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE – KEVIN JOHNSON, KERRY GEROY, SCOTT
SPITZER, RONALD KEZESKE AND MIKE PETSCHER TERMS
EXPIRING JANUARY 12, 2027
Item #16K2
RESOLUTION 2025-38: APPOINT DIMITRA ARNESON TO
THE LELY GOLF ESTATES BEAUTIFICATION ADVISORY
COMMITTEE – DIMITRA ARNESON TERM EXPIRING ON
OCTOBER 1, 2026
Item #16K3
INSURANCE SETTLEMENT WHEREBY THE COUNTY WILL
RECEIVE $9,000 TO SETTLE AND RELEASE THE COUNTY’S
CLAIM AGAINST ELISA MENDOZA DUKHARAN AND
RAMANAND JALSINGH DUKHARAN FOR COSTS INCURRED
TO REPLACE A TRAFFIC SIGNAL BOX, AND TO AUTHORIZE
THE COUNTY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE
RELEASE
Item #16L1
THE BOARD, ACTING AS THE COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD (CRA), AWARD
INVITATION TO BID (ITB) NO. 24-8287, “IMMOKALEE
ZOCALO PLAZA LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE,” TO A&M
February 11, 2025
Page 107
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE LLC, AND AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE ATTACHED AGREEMENT, AND
AUTHORIZE ANY NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Item #16L2
THE BOARD, ACTING AS THE COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) APPROVE A FIRST
AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT CD24-02 TO INCORPORATE
PHASE I LANGUAGE, REDUCE TIME TO THE PERIOD OF
PERFORMANCE, AND REDUCE THE FEDERAL FUNDING
AMOUNT TO SUPPORT THE REDUCTION IN ACTIVITIES FOR
SAID AGREEMENT BETWEEN COLLIER COUNTY AND
COLLIER COUNTY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY (IMMOKALEE) FOR FY 2024/2025 HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG), AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIRMAN OF THE CRA TO SIGN THE FIRST AMENDMENT,
AND AUTHORIZE THE NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Item #17A
ORDINANCE 2025-07: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE
COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO
ESTABLISH PROVISIONS FOR FOOD TRUCK PARKS AND
MOBILE FOOD DISPENSING VEHICLES. (SECOND OF TWO
HEARINGS) (THIS IS A COMPANION TO ITEM #17B)
Item #17B
RESOLUTION 2025-39: A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF
February 11, 2025
Page 108
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA,
AMENDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE FOR LAND
DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WAS CREATED BY ORDINANCE NO.
2013-57, BY AMENDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE
PROCEDURES TO CREATE AN APPLICATION FOR MOBILE
FOOD DISPENSING VEHICLES, PERMANENT, PERMIT. (THIS
IS A COMPANION TO ITEM #17A)
Item #17C
ORDINANCE 2025-08: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO
THE COLLIER COUNTY GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN,
ORDINANCE 89-05, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE
RURAL LANDS STEWARDSHIP AREA OVERLAY AND
SPECIFICALLY AMENDING THE RURAL LANDS
STEWARDSHIP AREA OVERLAY OF THE FUTURE LAND
USE ELEMENT, TO ELIMINATE THE CAP ON THE SIZE OF A
TOWN AND INCLUDE QUALIFIED TARGET INDUSTRIES AS
A GOODS AND SERVICES USE, AND DIRECTING
TRANSMITTAL OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. [PL20240004018 - RLSA
TOWN SIZE GMPA]
Item #17D
RESOLUTION 2025-40: A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA,
RENAMING MASSA WAY, DEPICTED AS TRACT R-1,
SILVERWOOD AT AVE MARIA (PHASE 1), AS RECORDED IN
PLAT BOOK 63, PAGES 95–102, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF
February 11, 2025
Page 109
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO PEEK WAY. THE SUBJECT
STREET IS APPROXIMATELY 0.4 MILES IN LENGTH,
LOCATED IN AVE MARIA, APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE
NORTH OF THE INTERSECTION OF AVE MARIA BOULEVARD
AND ANTHEM PARKWAY, IN SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 48
SOUTH, RANGE 26 EAST, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA.
PL20240013156
February 11, 2025
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 11 :46 a.m.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX
OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF
SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS CONTROL
Aft,t,tdr.e.ykas-
BURT SAUNDERS, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST
CRYSTAL,K. KINZEL, CLERK
1F
These minutes approved by the Board on o5
as presented ✓J or as corrected
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF FORT MYERS
COURT REPORTING BY TERRI L. LEWIS, REGISTERED
PROFESSIONAL COURT REPORTER, FPR-C, AND NOTARY
PUBLIC.
Page 110