Agenda 07/08/2025 Item #11E (Resolution: To gain synergy by collocating two museum operations together at one location)7/8/2025
Item # 11.E
ID# 2025-2245
Executive Summary
Recommendation to enter into a non-exclusive facility use license agreement between the County and America's Military
and First Responder Museum Inc., to display military artifacts and other military memorabilia at the Collier County
Museum at the Government Center, and adopt a resolution approving the use pursuant to Section 125.38, Florida
Statutes.
OBJECTIVE: To gain synergy by collocating two museum operations together at one location.
CONSIDERATIONS: The Board of County Commissioners previously directed staff to negotiate a non-exclusive
facility use license agreement ("Agreement") with America’s Military and First Responder Museum Inc. ("Military
Museum") utilizing space at the County's museum located at the government center to display military artifacts and
other military memorabilia. The attached Agreement provides for roughly a little less than 2,000 square feet of space on
the east side of the museum as depicted in Exhibit A. The terms include a five-year lease commencing on September 1,
2025, at $10 per year, with requirements to annually present a report to the Board on the museum's successes and
challenges (e.g., foot traffic). The hours of operation will be consistent with the County's museum hours, and the
Military Museum will be free to the public. The County will cover the costs of utilities and general maintenance.
Provisions are in place to add signage as agreed upon by the County, and special event requests to use other portions of
the museum grounds may be granted on a case-by-case basis as approved by the County's Museum Director. The
Military Museum is liable for its displays and artifacts. Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience with
a 30-day notice.
The Military Museum is in the process of legally changing its name from America’s Military and First Responder
Museum Inc., a Florida not-for-profit corporation, to Veterans History Museum Inc., a Florida not-for-profit
corporation. All terms of the Agreement will remain binding before and after the name change, provided the new entity
remains substantially the same in ownership and control as the original organization.
This Agreement will impact the current operations of the County Museum. Presently, certain areas are being utilized for
traveling displays and educational gatherings (primarily children's programs). To mitigate these challenges, the County
is proposing an outdoor shaded structure on the grounds to provide a gathering space, and County staff is exploring how
underutilized space in parks and libraries may be converted and secured for future traveling exhibits.
Museums enhance the quality of place.
FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact is minimal as the use agreement will generate $10 annually. The maintenance of
this building is already funded in the County budget. Any additional cost would come out of a request to enhance space
elsewhere as described above.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no impact to the Growth Management Plan.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is approved as to form and legality and requires a majority vote for approval.
-SAA
RECOMMENDATIONS: To approve a non-exclusive facility use license agreement between the America's Military
and First Responder Museum Inc., for space located at the County Museum and adopt a resolution approving the use
pursuant to Section 125.38, Florida Statutes.
PREPARED BY: John Dunnuck
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Stamped - Non Exclusive Facility Use License Agreement_Collier Museum Military Museum
2. Stamped - Resolution Military Museum Collier
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Item # 11.E
ID# 2025-2245
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