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CCLAAC Minutes 07/02/2025 (Draft) July 2, 2025 1 MINUTES OF THE CONSERVATION COLLIER LAND ACQUISITION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Naples, Florida, July 2, 2025 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00A.M. in REGULAR SESSION at the Growth Management Department Building, 2800 North Horseshoe Drive, Naples Florida with the following members present: CHAIR: Michele Lenhard VICE CHAIR: Ron Clark Gary Bromley Rhys Watkins John Courtright Nick Pearson Austin Howell Oriany Brito Christopher Satter ALSO PRESENT: Melissa Hennig, Environmental Specialist, I Jamie Cook, Director, Development Review Division Sally Ashkar, Assistant County Attorney Matthew Denison, Environmental Manager July 2, 2025 2 1. Roll Call Chair Lenhard called the meeting to order at 9:00AM. Roll call was taken and a quorum was established with 9 Members present. A. Approval of CCLAAC Members attending the meeting remotely All Members were present in the Conference Room 2. Approval of Agenda Mr. Howell moved to approve the Agenda subject to hearing Item 4.B prior to Item 4.A. Second by Mr. Clark. Carried unanimously 9 – 0. 3. Approval of the June 4, 2025 Meeting Minutes Mr. Watkins moved to approve the minutes of the June 4, 2025 meeting as presented. Second by Mr. Bromley. Carried unanimously 9– 0. 4. Old Business B. Acquisition Updates - Current Acquisition Status report updated monthly in advance of CCLAAC meeting provided as part of meeting packet and under Acquisition News at www.conservationcollier.com for information purposes. The report will be updated monthly (last updated 5/27/25) including parcels the County has acquired to date, offers made by the County, pending acquisitions and those properties where the owner withdrew the application. Ms. Hennig presented the PowerPoint “Conservation Collier Acquisition Update –July 2, 2025” for information purposes: She noted: Closed: Hendrix House. Approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC): Cypress Cove Landkeepers (Gore Nature Center) scheduled closing 7/15/25; Lautz, closing TBD; Symphony, closing tentatively 9/12/25; and Williams Farm, closing TBD. Upcoming BCC 8/12/25: HK Investments, Van Cleef and Golden Land Partners. A. Railroad “Rail to Trail” potential acquisition – Trinity Scott Trinity Scott, Transportation Management Services Department Head addressed the Committee noting: • At the prior meeting the Committee requested she return with additional information on the County’s potential purchase of the railway corridor running northerly from just south of Veteran’s Memorial Blvd. Extension to the County Line. • A portion of the corridor is adjacent to Railhead Scrub Preserve and the Staff is seeking Conservation Collier’s participation in the acquisition if they are interested. • The corridor would become part of the statewide rail to trail system with active trails developed in other areas of the state. • This portion of acquisition includes the area identified in Collier County north to Alico Road in Lee County. • The City of Bonita Springs and Estero have already committed to funding the acquisition in their jurisdictions. • The Trust for Public Lands (TPL) is proposing the acquisition with funding participation by the jurisdictions. They are seeking a 50 percent commitment for each jurisdiction’s portion of the lands so they may move forward seeking the remainder through the Florida Legislature, grants, etc. • A map of 3 options for Conservation Collier has been prepared for funding consideration showing 5 segments in the County. The options include: July 2, 2025 3 • Option 1: $6.5M pledge with a total cost of $12.9M (the entire corridor section under contract in Collier County, except for the Veteran’s Memorial Blvd. crossing and the southernmost portion not adjacent to Railhead Scrub Preserve – as this will contain a proposed cell tower). • Option 2: $4.4M pledge with a total cost of $8.8M (the section of the corridor from Cemex to Rail Head Blvd., except for the Veteran’s Memorial Blvd. crossing and the southernmost portion not adjacent to Railhead Scrub Preserve). • Option 3: $3.159M pledge with a total cost of $6.3M (the section of the corridor from Cemex to the northerly edge of Railhead Scrub Preserve, except for the Veteran’s Memorial Blvd. crossing and the southernmost portion not adjacent to Railhead Scrub Preserve). • She is seeking a recommendation from the Committee on pledging 50 percent for all or a combination of the segments in the County, with the knowledge that the BCC would have the final decision on the actual funding split. Speakers Douglas Hathaway, TPL noted they have executed a contract to purchase a section of the corridor from Collier County to Alico Road in Lee County. The proposal is to add this section to the statewide corridor system, with many areas of the pathway already completed. The area south of Veterans Memorial Blvd Extension to Cemex would not be developed into a pathway however it would need to be acquired as the seller is not interested in parceling out this section of the corridor. At terminus of the trail at Veterans Memorial Blvd, the path could provide connection to the east or west with the Naples Paradise Coast Trail system. A cell phone tower is being constructed in the corridor and moving forward if the property is purchased the County would have control of activities on the lands. Michelle Brown, Naples Pathway Coalition noted there are 100 miles of trails in the County and acquiring this section of the corridor would be important to connect to the statewide system and supports the acquisition. Brad Cornell, Audubon of the Western Everglades, Audubon Florida spoke in support of the acquisition and Conservation Collier’s participation should be limited to the areas abutting Railhead Scrub Preserve. County partnerships should be sought for the remaining sections of the corridor (Parks and Recreation, etc.). The Committee heard Item 5.A before discussing their participation in the proposal. 5. New Business A. Initial Criteria Screening Report and Ranking 1. Railhead Scrub Preserve TPMA a. Seminole Gulf Railway Ms. Hennig presented the “Conservation Collier Initial Criteria Screening Report - Seminole Gulf Railway 2025 Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee” for consideration. The parcel is 19.3 +/- acres, has an estimated value of $10,106,550 +/- and scored 265 out of 400. She noted the proposed path would be 12 foot wide and asphalt material like the one in the Gordon River Greenway. Routine maintenance would require mowing approximately 2 feet on each side of the asphalt. Staff recommends the Committee recommends Option 2 for funding participation and the parcel be placed on the A-List for acquisition. July 2, 2025 4 The following was noted during Committee discussion with Staff. • With the advent of the trail, opportunities to construct amenities for benefit of the Preserve may be available through Federal Grants, etc. • The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) would determine the management partners for the County. • If acquired, the County would be able to control land use activities in the corridor. • The contract expires in March of 2026 and if the additional 50 percent or portions thereof are required for the acquisition, Ms. Scott would return to the Committee for recommendations. • The cell phone tower lease was paid up front for a 30 year term and the County would not have the ability to negotiate the agreement until it expires (if the lands are purchased). Any additions to the tower under County ownership of the lands may provide revenue opportunities. • There are no options available to extend the purchase to Wiggins Pass Road as Cemex owns the corridor parcel traversing their property. • The trail would potentially reduce ATV traffic on the corridor as many people would be monitoring activities and reporting to authorities. • Maintenance costs of the pathway should be minimal as it is an asphalt trail with low impact usage and occasional mowing required on the sides. • If other entities partner in the acquisition there is precedent for sharing the maintenance costs. The activity exists on the Gordon River Greenway where Conservation Collier and Parks and Recreation maintain different areas of the pathways. The Committee discussed the options with the following noted: Ms. Lenhard in favor of option 2, (the south terminus, just north of Cemex, to Rail Head Blvd.) Mr. Courtright in favor of option 1, participating in funding the entire portion in the County to ensure the project moves forward and place it on the A list for acquisition. Mr. Watkins in favor of Option 3, the portion abutting the Preserve as it meets the goals and mission of the program. As a secondary consideration, Option 2 would be amenable. Mr. Howell favored Option 3. Mr. Bromley and Ms. Brito favored Option 2. Ms. Hennig noted Option 2 was recommended by Staff given the opportunity for providing amenities as only a few preserves in the Program have them. This would include any options available for parking or other uses near Rail Head Blvd. Parking and restrooms were always envisioned at Railhead Scrub Preserve. Acquiring the land near Rail Head Blvd. would allow for development of these amenities without impacting less disturbed areas of the preserve. Ms. Scott noted new appraisals would be required for the purchase and if they are greater than the contract price, the contract price would be offered. If less, a determination would be made by the BCC on the price of the property. Mr. Bromley moved to select Option 2 as the extent of the property for acquisition by the Conservation Collier Program and to place the parcel on the A-List for acquisition. Second by Mr. Brito. Motion carried 7 “yes” – 2 “no.” Mr. Howell and Mr. Courtright voted “no.” The Committee noted the following observations should be included in the Executive Summary for the BCC: At a minimum Option 2 is recommended for acquisition to manage the Program’s July 2, 2025 5 property acquisition budget given the recent transfer of funds. They support the project and the acquisition meets the overall goals of the Program by increasing amenity opportunities for Railhead Scrub Preserve. 6. Subcommittee Reports A. Lands Evaluation & Management – Chair, Ron Clark – Last meeting June 5, 2024 No update necessary. B. Outreach – Chair, John Courtright – Last meeting April 23, 2025 No update necessary. C. Ordinance Policy and Rules – Chair, Michele Lenhard - Last meeting December 18, 2023 No update necessary. 7. Coordinator Communications A. Miscellaneous None B. BCC Items Related to Conservation Collier Ms. Hennig provided the following updates: 1. Previously Heard a. 6/10/2025: Conservation Collier Annual Report & Program Manual 2. Upcoming a. 7/8/2025: 2025 TPMA; Agreement for Sale & Purchase Golden Land Partners, HK Investment & VanCleef; Pepper Ranch Volunteer Camp Host Agreement; Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2007-300 the Purchasing Policy for Conservation Collier b. 8/12/2025: May & June Active Acquisition Lists 8. Chair/Committee Member Comments Ms. Lenhard noted the August regular meeting is cancelled with the next meeting to be held on September 3, 2025. Staff to provide any updates on Board of County Commissioner activities in relation to the program in the interim. The Committee requested Staff to provide information on the status of acquisition funds at the September meeting. 9. Public General Comments None 10. Staff Comments None 11. Next Meeting – September 3, 2025 There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the chair at 10:31AM. July 2, 2025 6 Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee _________________________________ Michele Lenhard, Chair These minutes approved by the Committee on________________ as presented_______ or as amended ___________.