FMPC Minutes 08/08/2025 (Draft)
Collier County Floodplain Management Planning Committee (FMPC) Quarterly
Meeting Minutes
Friday, August 8, 2025
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Collier County Historical Archaeological Preservation Board,
in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00
A.M. in REGULAR SESSION at the Collier County Growth Management Community
Department Building, Conference Room #609/610, 2800 Horseshoe Drive North, Naples,
Florida, with the following members present:
Attendance
Present – Committee Members (Voting Members)
Jibey Asthappan – Vice-Chairman, Collier County Emergency
Management
Stanley Chrzanowski – Volunteer Citizen
Dennis Vasey – Volunteer Citizen
Kenneth Bills – Volunteer Citizen
Eric Johnson – Chairman, Collier County Growth Management
Community Development Department
Matthew McLean – Government Representative, Collier County
Public Utilities Department
William Miller – Volunteer Citizen
Linda Orlich – Volunteer Citizen
William Lang – FMPC Staff Liaison – Non-Voting Member
Present – Public (Non-Members)
Peter Hayden – Collier County Stormwater (TMSD)
Pawel Brzeski – Collier County Stormwater (TMSD)
Michael Studney – Collier County Stormwater (TMSD)
Andrew O’Rourke – Collier County Pollution Control (TMSD)
Tonia Selmeski – Collier County Community Planning & Resiliency (GMCDD)
Christopher Mason – Director, Collier County Community Planning &
Resiliency (GMCDD)
Excused Absences (Voting Members)
Paul Shea – Public Member (Excused: 07/17/2025)
Amy Ernst – Public Member (Excused: 08/05/2025)
Robert Dorta – City of Naples (Excused: 08/05/2025)
Lisa Koehler – SFWMD (Excused: 08/07/2025)
Absent (Voting Members)
Debra Curry – Collier County Communications
Terry Smallwood – Everglades City
Any persons needing the verbatim record of the meeting may request a
copy of the audio recording from the Collier County Growth Management
Division Department of Planning and Zoning.
1. Approval of Previous QTR 2 Meeting Minutes (05/02/2025)
Eric Johnson (Chair) opened discussion; noted the only change was to add that
Jibby arrived at 9:49 a.m.
Motion to approve: Eric Johnson.
Seconded by: Kenneth Bills.
Vote: Unanimous approval.
2. Membership
William Lang (Staff Liaison) reported he contacted Raul Perez (Chief Building
Official, City of Marco Island),
who stated they are in the process of hiring a Floodplain Coordinator from
Tampa, pending background and drug testing.
No current representative from Marco Island present.
Eric Johnson confirmed absence of representation and expressed hope for future
participation.
3. Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) Mitigation Presentation – Dennis Vasey
(FMPC Member)
Dennis Vasey presented on the MSTU concept as a special taxing district to fund
projects such as drainage and debris
removal for vulnerable areas (mobile/manufactured home communities and
marinas).
- Stressed need to address outdated flood risk models, especially under climate
change and rapid development.
- Cited Fort Myers Beach FEMA violations and lack of clear guidance for
residents.
- Suggested boundaries from shoreline to ~4 miles inland, targeting Special Flood
Hazard Areas.
- Proposed MSTU funds could enable immediate action after storms without
waiting for federal disaster declarations.
Matt McLean (Public Utilities) asked about data sources for vessel counts (state
records) and geographic boundaries.
Peter Hayden (Collier County Stormwater) described existing MSTUs (e.g.,
Naples Park), voting requirement (50% + 1 of property owners), and maintenance
uses.
Jibby and Stan questioned fairness for inland property owners and potential for
targeted fees on boat or mobile home owners.
Pavel Dreski (Stormwater) explained boat removal practices post-Hurricane Ian
and ownership liability.
William Lang recommended adding MSTU concept as a potential mitigation
action in the upcoming Floodplain Management Plan update, supported by further
research.
4. Repetitive Loss Area Analysis (RLAA) Completion
William Lang reported RLAA completion by WSP, receiving preliminary
maximum CRS points.
Survey highlights:
- 70% of respondents want county flood protection info.
- ~65% have FEMA flood insurance; 25% unaware of floodplain location.
- 87.5% cited storm surge/tidal flooding as main cause.
- 65.6% had flooding over the first floor.
Recommended mitigation actions: flood insurance promotion, elevating
mechanical equipment, encouraging floodproofing,
drainage capital improvements, stormwater conveyance maintenance, and
targeted elevation/acquisition.
Warned on limitations of barriers for residential use (engineering, insurance claim
risks).
Committee discussion focused on practical feasibility and balancing individual vs.
community mitigation measures.
5. FEMA/ISO 2025 Community Rating System (CRS) Verification Cycle Visit
Update
William Lang summarized June 5, 2025 ISO visit with Craig Carpenter.
Awaiting final score; goal is to maintain Class 5 CRS rating.
Elevation certificate audit pending; failing twice could lead to probation.
No immediate impact to flood insurance discounts; changes would occur at next
NFIP manual update (annually).
Matt McLean asked about retroactive application of any rating changes; Lang to
follow up with Carpenter.
6. Florida Division of Emergency Management “Elevate Florida” Program Update
William Lang reported:
- Collier County results: 9 HMGP applicants, 3 FMA Swift Current; 4 waitlisted;
others unfunded/withdrawn.
- FMA Swift Current funding quickly exhausted; HMGP applicants still require
engineering feasibility studies.
- Program phases involve cost shares (75/25, 90/10, 100/0 depending on loss
status).
- Homeowners backing out at any stage must repay all state-funded costs to date.
- Noted challenges with local sponsorship capacity; hopes program continues with
direct state applications.
Linda Dorletch (Emergency Management) asked about disclosure of repetitive
loss status in property sales — Lang clarified
it is protected under the Privacy Act of 1974, but new Florida law requires limited
flood history disclosure.
Dennis Vasey asked about certificate of occupancy loss in flood-prone properties
— Lang explained substantial damage
determinations, permitting restrictions, possible demolition, and ineligibility for
disaster assistance/flood insurance
for noncompliance.
7. 2025 Collier County Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Plan Adoption Update
(07/22/2025)
William Lang noted LMS adoption completed; relevant mitigation actions to be
incorporated into Floodplain Management Plan update.
8. Other Items / Committee Correspondence
William Lang reiterated enforcement and tracking processes for substantially
damaged properties, including coordination with code enforcement
and potential demolition to remove repetitive loss properties from records.
9. Motion to Adjourn
Eric Johnson moved to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 10:37 a.m.
Collier County
Floodplain Management Planning Committee (FMPC)
_________________________________________
William Lang
The Minutes were approved by____________________________________
William Lang
as presented___________________
or amended____________________