BCC Minutes 10/28/2025 R (Draft)October 28, 2025
Page 1
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Naples, Florida, October 28, 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
Rick LoCastro
William L. McDaniel, Jr.
ALSO PRESENT:
Amy Patterson, County Manager
Ed Finn, Deputy County Manager
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
Derek Johnssen, Clerk's Office
Tom Eble, Meeting Coordinator
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
October 28, 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: Persons wishing to speak on an agenda item must register prior to its presentation. Speakers are limited
to three (3) minutes unless adjusted by the Chair. Time may be ceded by other in-person registered speakers who
are present at the time the speaker is heard. Public comments are not heard for Proclamations, Presentations, or
Public Petitions. Presentations are limited to ten (10) minutes unless extended by the Chair. To comment on
Consent Agenda items, registration must occur before the Board’s action on the Consent Agenda, which is heard
following the Pledge of Allegiance.
Requests for Public Petitions must be submitted in writing to the County Manager at least 13 days prior to the
meeting. They shall provide detailed information as to the nature of the Petition. Public Petitions must address
matters not scheduled for a future agenda and concern a matter in which the Board can take action. If granted, a
single presenter may speak for up to ten (10) minutes, subject to extension by the Chair, and the petition will be
placed on a future agenda for a public hearing.
For general public comments on non-agenda topics, registration is required before that portion is called. Comments
are limited to three (3) minutes; time may not be ceded. The Chair may limit the number of speakers to five (5) for
the meeting. Appeals require a record of proceedings, which may include the testimony and evidence on which the
appeal is based and may be required to be verbatim. Lobbyists must register with the Clerk to the Board at the
Board Minutes and Records Department per Collier County Ordinance 2003-53, as amended.
All digital audio and visual materials submitted by the public via email link or attachment, or transported on
external devices for broadcasting at the Board meeting, must be in a compatible format and received by the County
Manager’s Office by noon on the day preceding the Board meeting to be scanned for network security threats.
Digital materials submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
If you are a person with a disability who requires accommodation to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled
to certain assistance at no cost. Contact Collier County Facilities Management located at 3335 East Tamiami Trail,
Suite 1, Naples, Florida, 34112-5356, (239) 252-8380. Assisted listening devices are available.
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A Lunch Recess is scheduled from Noon (12:00 P.M.) to 1:00 P.M.
1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
2. Agenda and Minutes
Approval of today's Regular, Consent, and Summary agenda as amended (ex-parte disclosure
provided by Commission members for Consent agenda.)
2.A. September 23, 2025 BCC Minutes (2025-4346)
3. Awards and Recognitions
3.A. Employee
3.A.1. 20 Year Attendees
• Mark A. Thomas- Building Plan Review & Inspection
3.A.2. 25 Year Attendees
• Eric L. Wise- Water
3.A.3. 30 Year Attendees
• Joseph McClamma- Development Review
4. Proclamations
4.A. Proclamation designating November 18, 2025, as National Injury Prevention Day. To be
accepted by Tracey Thornton, Trauma Injury Prevention Educator at Lee Health. (2025-4474)
5. Presentations
5.A. Quarterly Tourism Update (2025-3728)
6. Public Petitions
7. Public Comments
8. Board of Zoning Appeals
9. Advertised Public Hearings
9.A. This item requires Commission members to provide ex-parte disclosure. Should a hearing be
held on this item, all participants are required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve a
rezone Ordinance for The Retreat Mixed Use Planned Unit Development (MPUD) to increase
the maximum density from 740 dwelling units to 834 dwelling units, adjust acreage to 208.55+
acres, rename Tracts, revise development standards, and add deviations excluding Tract A. The
subject property is located on the west side of Tamiami Trail North (US 41), ¾ of a mile north
of Wiggins Pass Road, and extends west to Vanderbilt Drive in Section 9, Township 48 South,
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Range 25 East, Collier County, Florida [PL20230015039] (2025-2913)
9.B. This item requires that Commission members provide ex-parte disclosure. Should a hearing be
held on this item, all participants are required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve a
rezone Ordinance to change the zoning from the Commercial Intermediate (C-3) zoning
district to the Residential Multi-family-16 (RMF-16) zoning district to allow up to 16
multifamily dwelling units per acre for a total of 28 multifamily dwelling units. The subject
1.86± acre parcel is located on the west side of Tamiami Trail North (US 41) and bordered on
the north by 93rd Avenue North and on the south by 92nd Avenue North, in Section 33,
Township 48 South, Range 25 East, Collier County, Florida. (PL20240013324, 9271-9295
Tamiami Trail North Rezone) (2025-3636)
10. Board of County Commissioners
10.A. *** This item is to be heard immediately following Item 4, Proclamations***
Request that the Board adopt a Resolution that condemns anti-Semitism in all forms and
expressions. (2025-3689)
10.B. *** This item is to be heard at 10 a.m.***
Recommendation to prioritize the construction of the additional athletic fields, as
recommended in the Hunden Partners studies, as the next phase of development of the
Paradise Coast Sports Complex, pending the approval of the tourist development tax
referendum. (2025-4520)
10.C. Request that the Board of County Commissioners review the recommendations of the East of
951 Ad Hoc Advisory Committee and initiate the replacement of the East of 951 Ad Hoc
Advisory Committee by converting it to the Rural Golden Gate Estates Restudy
Committee. (2025-4247)
11. County Manager's Report
11.A. *** This item was continued from the October 14, 2025, BCC Meeting to the October 28,
2025, BCC Meeting. ***
Recommendation to hear a presentation on Funding Strategies for a Stormwater Capital,
Operations and Maintenance Program. (Trinity Scott, Department Head - Transportation
Management Services Department) (2025-3727)
11.B. Recommendation to approve a Resolution authorizing the County's borrowing an amount not
exceeding $65,000,000 under the Florida Local Government Finance Commission's Pooled
Commercial Paper Loan Program for the purpose of financing the costs of various stormwater
capital improvements; this loan is secured by the County’s covenant to budget and appropriate
legally available non ad-valorem revenue; authorize the execution of a loan note or loan notes
to evidence such borrowing; authorize the execution and delivery of other such documents as
may be necessary to effect such borrowing; and authorize all necessary Budget Amendments.
(Trinity Scott, Department Head - Transportation Management Services Department) (2025-4291)
11.C. Recommendation to approve a Resolution amending Resolution 2022-123 to include certain
transportation related improvements as projects for Commercial Paper Loan funding and to
increase the authorized borrowing amount to not exceeding $50,000,000 under the Florida
Local Government Finance Commission’s Pooled Commercial Paper Loan Program. This
Loan is secured by a covenant of the County to budget and appropriate sufficient legally
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available non-ad valorem revenues in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement and as
provided in the Resolution approving such Loan, as amended; and that the Board authorize all
necessary Budget Amendments. (Trinity Scott, Department Head - Transportation
Management Services Department) (2025-4292)
11.D. Recommendation to approve a Resolution amending the Growth Management Community
Development Department Services Fee Schedule, with an effective date of January 1, 2026, in
accordance with the Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Section 2-13. (James
French, Department Head - Growth Management & Community Development
Department) (2025-4473)
11.E. Recommendation to authorize the purchase of three lots located at 1756 and 1742 Danford
Street in the amount of $860,000 from WSA Development Group LLC to support the Bayview
Park expansion. (John Dunnuck, Executive Director - Facilities & Redevelopment) (2025-4512)
12. County Attorney's Report
13. Other Constitutional Officers
14. Airport Authority and/or Community Redevelopment Agency
15. Staff and Commission General Communications
15.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
15.B. Staff Project Updates
15.C. Staff and Commission General Communications
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.
16.A. Growth Management Department (Consent)
16.A.1. Recommendation to approve the release of two code enforcement liens with an accrued
value of $198,400 for a reduced payment of $16,319.10 in the code enforcement actions
titled Board of County Commissioners vs. Randy Houlton, in Case
Nos. CESD20150002065 and CESD20170003130, relating to the property located
at 5341 Martin St., Collier County, Florida. (2025-2934)
16.A.2. Recommendation to approve the release of a code enforcement lien with an accrued
value of $78,800 for a reduced payment of $14,739.40 in the code enforcement action
titled Board of County Commissioners vs. Lucy B. Soto, in Special Magistrate Case
No. CENA20230000258, relating to the property located at 4070 14th Ave. SE, Collier
County, Florida. (2025-3478)
16.A.3. Recommendation to approve a Resolution for final acceptance of the private roadway
and drainage improvements, and acceptance of the plat dedications, for the final plat of
Ranch at Orange Blossom, Phase 5A, Application Number PL20200000584, and
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authorize the release of the maintenance securities in the amount of $149,624.85. (2025-
3682)
16.A.4. Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the potable water and sewer utility
facilities and accept the conveyance of a portion of the potable water and sewer facilities
for The Boat House on Radio Lane, PL20250008188. (2025-4217)
16.A.5. Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the potable water and sewer utility
facilities and accept the conveyance of a portion of the potable water and sewer utility
facilities and appurtenant utility easement for Aspire Naples, PL20250004437. (2025-4219)
16.A.6. Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the potable water and sewer utility
facilities and accept the conveyance of a portion of the potable water and sewer utility
facilities and appurtenant utility easement for Orange Blossom Ranch Commercial,
PL20250007786. (2025-4220)
16.A.7. Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the potable water and sewer utility
facilities and accept the conveyance of the potable water and sewer utility facilities for
Valencia Sky – Phase 2 & 3, PL20250005835. (2025-4221)
16.A.8. Recommendation to authorize the County Manager, or designee, to release the Utilities
Performance Security (UPS) in the amount of $145,238.31 to the Project Engineer or
Developer’s designated agent for Willow Run, PL20230011765. (2025-4213)
16.A.9. Recommendation to authorize the Clerk of Courts to release a Performance Bond in the
amount of $220,720, which was posted as a guaranty for Excavation Permit Numbers
PL20230000535 and PL20240000986, for work associated with the Kalea Bay Golf
Course Lake Excavation. (2025-3691)
16.A.10. Recommendation that the Board approve and authorize the grant of a County Utility
Easement to the Collier County Water-Sewer District, as part of the renovations to the
Pelican Bay Community Park, located at 764 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples,
34108. (2025-4287)
16.A.11. Recommendation to authorize expenditures through an exemption from the competitive
process for Software Maintenance Agreement No. 25-672-NS-EM with the N. Harris
Computer Corporation to support the CityView Software application for an amount not-
to-exceed $700,000 per fiscal year through November 30, 2030, and authorize the Chair
to sign the attached Agreement. (2025-2477)
16.A.12. Recommendation to approve a First Amendment to extend Agreement Number 19-
7624, “Marine Contractor Services,” with Kelly Brothers, Inc., Marine Contracting
Group, Inc., Quality Enterprises USA, Inc., and TSI Disaster Recover, LLC, and
authorize the Chair to sign the attached Amendments. (2025-4419)
16.A.13. Recommendation to approve Agreement No. 25-332-NS-WV, “BECS Chemical
Controllers, Parts, Services and Various Pool Purification Systems,” authorize
expenditures for single-source purchases from Commercial Energy Specialists, LLC,
for the purchase of chemical and pool purification systems, parts and materials in an
amount not-to-exceed $1,000,000 per fiscal year for a period of five years, and
authorize the Chair to sign the attached Agreement. (2025-4454)
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16.A.14. Recommendation to authorize payment for fuel sold by Seminole Petroleum, operated
by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., to BluWater Florida, LLC that was present in
the fuel tanks for use at the following Collier County-owned marinas located at Port of
the Islands Park, Goodland Boat Park, Caxambas Boat Park, and Cocohatchee River
Park, and to approve the attached Settlement Agreement and Release memorializing the
Parties’ intent to resolve this payment for fuel under the legal doctrine of quantum
meruit. (Fiscal Impact: $23,415.50) (2025-4475)
16.A.15. Request that the Board review and approve the proposed additional terms language in
Work Order proposals under Agreement No 18-7432-CE “Professional Services
Library Civil Engineering Category” by Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. to provide peer
reviews of the fiscal neutrality analysis for Corkscrew Grove East Village, Town of
Ave Maria and Town of Big Cypress 2.0 Stewardship Receiving Areas (SRAs) within
the Rural Lands Stewardship Area (RLSA), deem that the proposed language does not
cause potential conflict of interest, and authorize Procurement Services Director or
designee to issue the associated attached Work Orders in the total amount of
$149,508. (2025-4234)
16.B. Transportation Management Department (Consent)
16.B.1. Recommendation to approve a Resolution and a Lease Agreement with United States
Senator Rick Scott for the continued use of County-owned space within the Collier
County Administration Building, located at 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 106, Naples,
FL 34112. (2025-2810)
16.B.2. Recommendation to approve a Grant of Access and Utility Easement to Summit
Broadband Inc., for the installation and maintenance of a fiber optic cable from
Livingston Road to The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, located on County-
owned property at North Collier Regional Park. (2025-3597)
16.B.3. Recommendation that the Board adopt a Resolution designating that portion of
Immokalee Road from Oil Well Road to US Route 41 as the “Charlie Kirk Memorial
Highway,” and direct staff to install appropriate signage designating the “Charlie Kirk
Memorial Highway” to be installed at each terminus of the designated roadway
segment, at specified intervals along the road, and at all 4 intersections of I-
75/Immokalee Road; consistent with County and FDOT signage standards. (2025-4526)
16.B.4. Recommendation to approve an Adopt-a-Road Program Agreement for the roadway
segment of 8th Street NE from Randall Blvd. to Golden Gate Blvd., with two (2)
recognition signs and two (2) Adopt-a-Road logo signs for a total cost of $200 with the
volunteer group, Earth Junkies, Inc., and authorize the Chair to sign the attached Adopt-
a-Road Program Agreement. (2025-4494)
16.B.5. Recommendation to approve Change Order No. 7 under Professional Service
Agreement No. 06-4000, Purchase Order 4500184671 with Jacobs Engineering, Inc., to
add $40,990 to Task 6 and reallocate $11,230 from Task 1, $3,000 from Task 2, and
$1,130 from Task 4 all to Task 6, for the Post Design Services for the "Vanderbilt Beach
Road Extension from Collier Boulevard to 16th Street N.E." project; and authorize the
Chair to sign the attached Change Order. (Project Number 60168) (2025-3711)
16.B.6. Recommendation to approve the issuance of a Purchase Order under Agreement No. 21-
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7842, “Roadway Contractors,” to authorize construction of the Rattlesnake Hammock
Road at Augusta Boulevard Intersection Improvements, in the amount of $521,103, to
Quality Enterprises USA, Inc. (Project 60016) (2025-4263)
16.B.7. Recommendation to approve Collier Area Transit (CAT) Transit Asset Management
(TAM) Plan & Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) Updates in
accordance with Final Rule 49 C.F.R. Part 625 and 673 requirements. (2025-3730)
16.C. Public Utilities Department (Consent)
16.C.1. Recommendation to approve a First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Disposal
Capacity Agreement with Waste Management Inc., of Florida, for the transfer and
disposal of municipal solid waste and biosolids, and for the reservation of airspace for
storm-generated debris; and authorize the Chair to sign the Amendment. (2025-3709)
16.C.2. Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners, as the ex-officio Governing
Board of the Collier County Water-Sewer District, approve Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement No. LPA0495, with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for
the Palm River Public Utilities Renewal Project – Area 4, to change the expiration date
of the agreement, extend the date for task numbers 1, 3, 4, and 5, and update the
language of the agreement and authorize the Chair to sign the attached Amendment.
(Fund 4016, Project No. 70257) (2025-4285)
16.D. Community Services (Consent)
16.D.1. Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chair to sign 1) Amendment #1 to
Agreement #APR21-24 for pre-development and construction, 2) Amendment #1 to
Agreement #ARP21-25 for impact fees, and 3) Agreement #ARP21-28 for pre-
development and construction associated with Renaissance Hall at Old Course Phase 1
to further affordable housing initiatives provided through a grant from the U.S.
Department of the Treasury, State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. (Housing Grants
Fund 1835, Project 33765). (2025-3608)
16.D.2. Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a Lien Agreement with
the Owner for 100% Deferral of Collier County Impact Fees for Multi-Family
Affordable Housing Rental Housing Units totaling $872,025.60 and the associated
Subordination Agreement as requested by Casa San Juan Diego, Ltd. (2025-3719)
16.D.3. Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chair to sign two (2) Releases of Lien in
the total amount of $16,769.92 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. (SHIP Grant Fund 1053) (2025-3627)
16.D.4. Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the First Amendment
to the Agreement between the David Lawrence Mental Health Center (DOJ/BJA-23-01)
and Collier County to update language throughout the agreement per new federal
guidelines. (Housing Grant Fund 1835 and Housing Match Fund 1836) (2025-4312)
16.D.5. Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign an agreement between
Collier County and The National Alliance on Mental Illness Collier County, Inc.
(NAMI) to provide funding in the amount of $84,744 to support the state-mandated
local match. (General Fund 0001) (2025-4218)
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16.D.6. Recommendation to accept a grant donation through DAFgiving360™ in the amount of
$25,600 for the replacement of carpet at the East Naples Library. (Public Services Grant
Fund 1839) (2025-4248)
16.E. Corporate Business Operations (Consent)
16.F. County Manager Operations (Consent)
16.F.1. Recommendation to approve the Naples Zoo stormwater treatment system project and
authorize construction of the proposed improvements. (2025-3735)
16.F.2. Recommendation to approve the final payment of $1,433,151.30, release retainage
funds, assess liquidated damages in the amount of $291,454, and approve all verified
additional work under Agreement No. 19-7615 with Astra Construction Services, LLC
for Phase 1 of Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park. (Project No. 80039) (2025-4461)
16.F.3. Recommendation to authorize Budget Amendments to appropriate funding for four
additional Infrastructure Surtax projects, Main Campus Chilled Water Lines, Courthouse
Jury Room, Main Jail J3 Roof & Louvers, and EMS Station 21 land acquisition, from
Infrastructure Surtax Fund (3018) reserves. (2025-4465)
16.F.4. Recommendation to adopt a Resolution approving amendments (appropriating grants,
donations, contributions, or insurance proceeds) to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted
Budget. (2025-4482)
16.F.5. Recommendation to adopt a Resolution approving amendments (appropriating reserves)
to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget. (2025-4483)
16.F.6. Recommendation to accept an update on the Southwest Florida Regional Planning
Council and authorize the payment of $42,769.60 representing the remaining FY25
contribution balance and authorize the payment of FY26 member dues in accordance
with the Replacement Interlocal Agreement approved by the Board on September 24,
2024 (Item 10A) and authorize all necessary budget amendments. (2025-4516)
16.F.7. Recommendation to renew the annual Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
(COPCN) for Ambitrans Medical Transport, Inc. to provide Class 2 Advanced Life
Support (ALS) inter-facility transport ambulance service for a period of one year. (2025-
4521)
16.G. Airport Authority (Consent) (2025-4311)
16.H. Board of County Commissioners (Consent)
16.I. Miscellaneous Correspondence (Consent)
16.J. Other Constitutional Officers (Consent)
16.J.1. To 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 $50,450,017.70 were drawn for the periods between
October 2, 2025 and October 15, 2025 pursuant to Florida Statute 136.06. (2025-1555)
16.J.2. Request that the Board approve and determine valid public purpose for invoices payable
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and purchasing card transactions as of October 22, 2025. (2025-1556)
16.J.3. Recommendation to extend the 2025 Tax Roll at the request of the Collier County Tax
Collector, Rob Stoneburner. (2025-4487)
16.K. County Attorney (Consent)
16.K.1. Recommendation to approve a Stipulated Final Judgment in the amount of $122,500
plus $30,503 in statutory attorney fees, expert fees, and costs for the taking of Parcel
1346FEE required for the Vanderbilt Beach Road Extension Project No. 60249. (2025-4240)
16.K.2. Recommendation to approve a Stipulated Final Judgment in the amount of $525,000
plus $64,537 in statutory attorney and experts’ fees and costs for the taking of Parcel
1323POND required for the Vanderbilt Beach Road Extension Project No. 60249. (2025-
4462)
16.K.3. Recommendation that the Board declines to authorize the application for tax deeds for
fourteen (14) County-held tax certificates. (2025-4468)
16.K.4. Recommendation to reappoint two members to the Vanderbilt Waterway Municipal
Service Taxing Unit Advisory Committee. (2025-4472)
16.L. Community Redevelopment Agency (Consent)
16.M. Tourist Development (Consent)
16.M.1. Recommendation to adopt a resolution authorizing the removal of 12 reimbursement
service accounts and their respective uncollectible accounts receivable balances which
total $8,121.78, from the accounts receivable of the Collier County Tourist
Development Council (TDC) Promotions Fund (1101). (2025-4242)
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.
17.A. This item requires Commission members to provide ex-parte disclosure. Should a hearing be
held on this item, all participants are required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve an
Ordinance rezoning property from the Rural Agricultural (A) zoning district to the Residential
Planned Unit Development (RPUD) for a project to be known as 8928 Collier Boulevard
RPUD to allow for 92 multifamily residential dwelling units with Affordable Housing. The
subject PUD, consisting of 9.49± acres, is located on the east side of Collier Boulevard (C.R.
951), approximately 1,300 north of the intersection of Collier Boulevard and Hacienda Lakes
Parkway in Section 14, Township 50 South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida.
[PL20230018397] (Companion item to Item 17B, GMPA-PL20230013845, Bonita Flores
Residential Infill Subdistrict Growth Management Plan Amendment) (2025-3637)
17.B. Recommendation to approve an Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 89-05, as amended, the
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Collier County Growth Management Plan to create the Bonita Flores Residential Infill
Subdistrict to allow for 92 multi-family residential dwelling units with affordable housing;
directing transmittal of the adopted amendment to the Florida Department of Commerce. The
subject property is located on the east side of Collier Boulevard, approximately 1,300 feet
north of Hacienda Lakes Parkway in Section 14, Township 50 South, Range 26 East,
consisting of 9.49± acres. [PL20230013845] (Companion item to Item 17A, PUDZ-
PL20230018397 8928 Collier Blvd.) (2025-3712)
17.C. *** This has been continued from the May 13, 2025, BCC Meeting ***
Recommendation to adopt an Ordinance amending the Collier County Land Development
Code to implement the Immokalee Area Master Plan Element of the Growth Management
Plan, to change the Immokalee Urban Overlay District to the Immokalee Urban Area Overlay
District (IUAOD) Zoning District, revise, rename, and add subdistricts, and establish uses,
boundaries, and design standards. [PL2024004278] (First of two hearings) (2025-1151)
17.D. Recommendation to adopt an Ordinance amending the Collier County Land Development
Code, to change the mailed notification distance for applications involving a site-specific
Growth Management Plan (GMP) amendment, rezone, or Conditional Use request on Rural
Agricultural (A) zoned lands. [PL20250005475] (2025-2911)
17.E. Recommendation to adopt an Ordinance amending the Land Development Code, on
procedural changes to rectify and correct inconsistencies and update advisory boards or
agencies’ public hearing reviews for multiple land use petitions held by the Environmental
Advisory Council, Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission, Board of County
Commissioners, or Board of Zoning Appeals. [PL20250000180] (2025-4225)
17.F. Recommendation to adopt a Resolution approving Amendments (appropriating carry forward,
transfers, and supplemental revenue) to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget. (2025-4484)
18. Adjourn
Inquiries concerning changes to the Board’s Agenda should be made to the County Manager’s Office at
252-8383.
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October 28, 2025
Page 2
MS. PATTERSON: Chair, you have a live mic.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you. Good morning. If
everybody would please take your seats, we're going to start.
Welcome to the Commission meeting. We're going to start off
the way we always do, the right way. We're going to have an
invocation and then the Pledge. The invocation this morning will be
by Pastor Joe Negron with the Grow Church of South Naples, and
following that we'll have the Pledge by Lois Bolin. And Lois Bolin
is a tremendous advocate for the military and for veterans, and it's a
pleasure to have her here this morning to lead us in the Pledge.
So if you'll please rise, we'll start off with the invocation.
Item #1A
INVOCATION BY PASTOR JOE NEGRON – GROW CHURCH
SOUTH CAMPUS, NAPLES, FL. - INVOCATION AND PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE GIVEN
PASTOR NEGRON: Amen. First of all, thank you for
allowing me to be here today and pray.
Heavenly Father, we come before you with grateful hearts
asking your wisdom and guidance over this meeting and all who
serve our county.
The Bible says if any of us lack wisdom, we should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault. Lord, grant us your
peace, Lord, today. Grant the Commissioners discernment to lead
with integrity, justice, and compassion, that every decision made here
today would bring peace, order, and blessings to our community.
Lord, we ask that your light shine over Collier County. If
darkness tries to take root, let your truth and love prevail. As your
word says, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not
October 28, 2025
Page 3
overcome it.
We especially pray for our children this Friday night, surround
them with your protection and peace, Lord; keep them safe under the
shadow of the almighty.
And, Lord, may your presence fill this place today, and may all
that is done here bring honor and glory to your name.
In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
(The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
We have quite an agenda mix-up and change here. So during
this meeting, Ms. Patterson, you're going to have to keep us
somewhat on task here, because it's going to get very confusing. So
let's go through the agenda.
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 HALL - APPROVED
AND/OR ADOPTED
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir. Agenda changes for
October 28th, 2025.
First we have add-on Item 5B to be heard immediately following
awards and recognitions. This is a presentation by the Collier County
Tax Collector, Rob Stoneburner.
Next, move Item 16B3 to 11F. This is a recommendation that
the Board adopt a resolution designating that portion of Immokalee
Road from Oil Well Road to U.S. Route 41 as the Charlie Kirk
October 28, 2025
Page 4
Memorial Highway and direct staff to install appropriate signage
designating the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway to be installed at
each terminus of the designated roadway segment at specified
intervals along the road and at all four intersections of
I-75/Immokalee Road consistent with County and FDOT signage
standards. This item is being moved at Commissioner LoCastro's
request.
Move companion Item 17A and 17B to 9C and 9D. This is a
recommendation to approve an ordinance rezoning property from the
Rural Agricultural zoning district to the residential Planned Unit
Development for a project to be known as 8928 Collier Boulevard
RPUD to allow for 92 multifamily residential dwelling units with
affordable housing. The subject PUD consists of 9.49 plus/minus
acres, is located on the east side of Collier Boulevard approximately
1,300 feet north of the intersection of Collier Boulevard and
Hacienda Lakes Parkway in Section 14, Township 50 South,
Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida.
Its companion is a recommendation to approve an ordinance
amending Ordinance No. 89-05, as amended, the Collier County
Growth Management Plan to create the Bonita Flores Residential
Infill Subdistrict to allow for 92 multifamily residential dwelling
units with affordable housing, directing transmittal of the adopted
amendment to the Florida Department of Commerce.
The subject property is located on the east side of Collier
Boulevard, approximately 1,300 feet north of Hacienda Lakes
Parkway in Section 14, Township 50 South, Range 26 East,
consisting of 9.49 plus/minus acres. These two items are being
moved at Commissioner Hall's request.
We do have a series of time-certain items, as earlier indicated.
Item 5B, the presentation by the Tax Collector, will immediately
follow awards and recognitions.
October 28, 2025
Page 5
Item 10A will be heard after the proclamations. This is a
request that the Board adopt a resolution that condemns
anti-Semitism in all forms and expressions.
Item 10B will be heard at 10 a.m. This is a recommendation to
prioritize the construction of the additional athletic fields as
recommended in the Hunden Partner studies as the next phase of
development of the Paradise Coast Sports Complex pending the
approval of the tourist development tax refund.
Items 11A, 11B, and 11C will be heard immediately following
10B. These -- a presentation on funding tragedies for countywide
stormwater capital, operations and maintenance program, a resolution
to borrow up to $65 million via the Florida local government finance
commission's pooled commercial paper program for stormwater
capital projects, and a resolution amending Resolution 2022-123 to
add transportation improvements for commercial paper funding, and
increase authorized borrowing up to $50 million.
And finally Item 11D will be heard at 2 p.m. This is a
recommendation to approve a resolution amending the Growth
Management/Community Development department services fee
schedule with an effective date of January 1st, 2026, in accordance
with the Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinance Section 2-13.
We do have court reporter breaks scheduled for 10:30 and again
at 2:50.
With that, County Attorney.
MR. KLATZKOW: No changes. Thank you, ma'am.
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Commissioner
McDaniel, any changes? I thought we'd change direction today.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah, you did. I was sitting
down here all relaxed, and then all of a sudden you called on me. I
have no changes and no ex parte, sir.
October 28, 2025
Page 6
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: No changes; no ex parte.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Same.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I have no changes and no ex parte
on the summary.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I have no changes, and do have, on
the summary, no disclosure as well.
Ms. Patterson.
MS. PATTERSON: Yes. If we could get a motion to approve
today's regular, consent, and summary agenda as amended.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: So moved.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Second.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: 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: All opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That passes unanimously.
SEE REVERSE SIDE
Proposed Agenda Changes
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
October 28, 2025
Add on Item 5B to be heard immediately following Awards and Recognitions: Check presentation by the
Collier County Tax Collector, Rob Stoneburner.(Staff’s Request)
Move item 16B3 to 11F: Recommendation that the Board adopt a Resolution designating that portion of
Immokalee Road from Oil Well Road to US Route 41 as the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway,” and
direct staff to install appropriate signage designating the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway” to be installed
at each terminus of the designated roadway segment, at specified intervals along the road, and at all 4
intersections of I-75/Immokalee Road; consistent with County and FDOT signage standards.
(Commissioner LoCastro’s Request)
Move companion items 17A & 17B to 9C & 9D: This item requires Commission members to provide ex-
parte disclosure. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are required to be sworn in.
Recommendation to approve an Ordinance rezoning property from the Rural Agricultural (A) zoning
district to the Residential Planned Unit Development (RPUD) for a project to be known as 8928 Collier
Boulevard RPUD to allow for 92 multifamily residential dwelling units with Affordable Housing. The
subject PUD, consisting of 9.49± acres, is located on the east side of Collier Boulevard (C.R. 951),
approximately 1,300 north of the intersection of Collier Boulevard and Hacienda Lakes Parkway in
Section 14, Township 50 South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida. [PL20230018397]
Recommendation to approve an Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 89-05, as amended, the Collier
County Growth Management Plan to create the Bonita Flores Residential Infill Subdistrict to allow for 92
multi-family residential dwelling units with affordable housing; directing transmittal of the adopted
amendment to the Florida Department of Commerce. The subject property is located on the east side of
Collier Boulevard, approximately 1,300 feet north of Hacienda Lakes Parkway in Section 14, Township
50 South, Range 26 East, consisting of 9.49± acres. [PL20230013845] (Commissioner Hall’s Request)
Notes:
TIME CERTAIN ITEMS:
Item 5B to be heard after Awards and Recognitions: Check presentation by the Collier County Tax Collector,
Rob Stoneburner.
Item 10A to be heard after Proclamations: Request that the Board adopt a Resolution that condemns anti-
Semitism in all forms and expressions.
Item 10B to be heard at 10:00 AM: Recommendation to prioritize the construction of the additional
athletic fields, as recommended in the Hunden Partners studies, as the next phase of development of the
Paradise Coast Sports Complex, pending the approval of the tourist development tax referendum.
Items 11A, 11B & 11C to be heard Immediately following Item 10B: Presentation on funding strategies for
countywide Stormwater Capital, Operations, and Maintenance program; resolution to borrow up to $65M via the
Florida Local Government Finance Commission’s pooled commercial paper program for stormwater capital
projects; and Resolution amending Resolution 2022-123 to add transportation improvements for commercial paper
funding and increase authorized borrowing to up to $50M.
Item 11D to be heard at 2:00 PM: Recommendation to approve a Resolution amending the Growth
Management Community Development Department Services Fee Schedule, with an effective date of
January 1, 2026, in accordance with the Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Section 2-13.
10/27/2025 7:45 PM
October 28, 2025
Page 7
Item #2B
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025, BCC MINUTES - MOTION TO APPROVE
BY COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL; SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER HALL – APPROVED
MS. PATTERSON: Next we have Item 2A, which is the
minutes of the September 23rd, 2025, BCC meeting.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Any discussion on the
minutes? Any changes? Motion?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Move for approval.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have a motion.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Second.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: 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: All opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That passes unanimously.
Item #3A1
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS - 20 YEAR ATTENDEES –
PRESENTED
MS. PATTERSON: That brings us to Item 3, awards and
recognitions. We have several today. First up, our 20-year attendees,
October 28, 2025
Page 8
we have Mark Thomas, Building Review and permit -- Building Plan
Review and Inspections. Congratulations, 20 years.
(Applause.)
Item #3A2
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS - 25 YEAR ATTENDEES –
PRESENTED
MS. PATTERSON: Next up, our 25-year attendee. Eric Wise,
Water. Congratulations.
(Applause.)
Item #3A3
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS - 30 YEAR ATTENDEES –
PRESENTED
MS. PATTERSON: Finally, our 30-year attendee, Joseph
McClamma, Development Review. Congratulations.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER HALL: Thirty years. No gray hair. How do
you do that?
MS. PATTERSON: Before you run away, let's get the
Community Development folks up with him for 30 years. Come on
up. Come on up, Community Development. Let's go.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Jaime, he's giving Marshal a
run for his money. Look at this.
MS. COOK: He's my guy.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: These guys are Men's
Warehouse frequent fliers.
October 28, 2025
Page 9
(Applause.)
Item #5B
CHECK PRESENTATION BY THE COLLIER COUNTY TAX
COLLECTOR, ROB STONEBURNER. (STAFF’S REQUEST) –
PRESENTED
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to our
add-on item, 5B. This a check presentation by the Collier County
Tax Collector, Rob Stoneburner. Mr. Stoneburner.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: A little one.
MR. STONEBURNER: Good morning, esteemed members of
the County Commission. You said "check." Remember -- I'll tell
you -- we'll get a little story about that. I will not take a lot of your
time because I know you have a busy agenda today. Rob
Stoneburner, for the record, your Collier County Tax Collector.
All treats, no tricks today, because last year we tried to play a
little game, and you guys were absolutely terrible at it, so I decided
not to do it again this year.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I thought I did really well.
MR. STONEBURNER: Spare the -- spare the audience.
As you all know, the Collier County Tax Collector's Office is a
fee office. The way we run the office is collect a small fee on
everything that we do.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Liar. Just kidding. I love
you. I love you.
MR. STONEBURNER: That came from, like, out of nowhere.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Small fee.
MR. STONEBURNER: It is a small fee when we turn around,
and -- when I let you know at the end here. It's made -- comprised of
October 28, 2025
Page 10
165 men and women. We do -- last year we did nearly one million
transactions. Many of those transactions are eyeball to eyeball in our
government centers, especially, which are a flagship. When I run
into other tax collectors, they all want to do the same exact thing that
we do here in Collier County. So we should all be proud of that,
because it's a great model.
We do DL/ID; vehicle/vessel registrations, titling; concealed
weapon permits; birth certificates; hunting, fishing license; tourist
tax; and, obviously, property tax.
So speaking of property tax, that is live and online right now.
You can go to colliertaxcollector.com, and you can see what your
property taxes, if you really want to pay them early, because -- really
it's open November 1st. You can actually pay them right now. We
love to do that.
And unspent revenue that the Tax Collector collected for 2025,
the Board of County Commission -- I do not have a check, because
remember the check that I wrote a couple years ago and I signed, the
bank wouldn't accept it because they didn't -- I guess they didn't think
it was real, so we have to -- I guess we have to wire it to you. It was
hard to fit all the numbers in there. But anyway, this year is
$14,624,000-plus.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Wow.
MR. STONEBURNER: So -- and with that, since 2021, the Tax
Collector's Office -- that's just the Board's cut. As -- $56 million
have been returned to the Board of County Commissioners and over
66 million overall to all the taxing authorities, all 47 of them.
So, with that, we're proud to do what we do. Service is our only
product. We're always here to help. Come see us. Thank you very
much.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
(Applause.)
October 28, 2025
Page 11
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Hey, Rob, can I ask you one
question, just because we don't get to see each other face to face.
When you get a chance, can you send me an update on the building,
the possible new building on Marco Island? A lot of people are
asking me. I want to put it in my newsletter. So totally different
topic, but I hardly ever get to see you face to face.
MR. STONEBURNER: You want a rendering of it?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Well, I think I have it. But
just send me an email. I just --
MR. STONEBURNER: I will. I will.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: It just made me think of it,
seeing you there. Thanks for what you do.
MR. STONEBURNER: It's coming out of the ground. It should
be done in less than a -- less than a year now, for sure.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Awesome. Awesome. Thank
you, sir.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Let us know if you need help with
permits.
MR. STONEBURNER: I do have a problem with impact fees,
though, but...
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Are you putting gas pumps in
the --
MR. STONEBURNER: No gas pumps, thank you very much.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I'm going to wait for you to walk
away, but -- I'd like to say --
MR. STONEBURNER: Okay. I'm getting exercise.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I had a public meeting last week,
and I had some individuals that were -- you know, because the
majority of our people here are not typically from Florida originally,
and they said that that was the smoothest process they've ever
participated in, getting their cars registered, their plates, all that,
October 28, 2025
Page 12
anywhere from where they ever lived before. But I just throw out
that to you guys and the job you're doing.
MR. STONEBURNER: We appreciate that. We love hearing
that. It's -- I always -- you know, you come into a government center,
and you come from, you know -- I'll just say it -- Northeast
somewhere. You go see -- the first thing you do is you see the Clerk
of Courts, and you file a declaration of domicile, you come over and
you see us. You get a -- register your cars, get a driver license, go
over to the Property Appraiser, sitting in the same office, and you
turn around and you file for your homestead exemption, and you
walk out of there. And they say, man, back in whatever state it
would have taken me four or five days to do that, and it would have
been -- I would have rather had root canals, you know, through all
my teeth.
So I think we do it right. That's why people want to come here.
Welcome.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: For sure, for sure.
MR. STONEBURNER: All right. Well, thank you.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Good job.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I actually, just about three weeks
ago, got a renewal of my driver's license, and I was dreading going in
to do that because you see all this stuff about how long it takes.
Literally, I walked in the thing, got my little ticket for being called to
a window, and five minutes later I was called to the counter, and five
minutes later I was out with my new driver's license, so...
MR. STONEBURNER: Did they give you an eye exam and
everything?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Absolutely.
MR. STONEBURNER: Wow, I'm impressed.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, you know, they say the
DMV in other states, RMVs, whatever they call them, you know the
October 28, 2025
Page 13
sloth is their -- is their mascot. We have a -- we have a Florida
panther as ours. So we get it done. Thank you very much.
(Applause.)
Item #4A
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING NOVEMBER 18, 2025, AS
NATIONAL INJURY PREVENTION DAY. TO BE ACCEPTED BY
TRACEY THORNTON, TRAUMA INJURY PREVENTION
EDUCATOR AT LEE HEALTH - MOTION TO APPROVE BY
COMMISSIONER HALL; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
MCDANIEL – ADOPTED
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to Item
4A -- or proclamations. Item 4A is a proclamation designating
November 18th, 2025, as National Injury Prevention Day. To be
accepted by Tracey Thornton, trauma injury prevention educator at
Lee Health. Congratulations.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Be careful.
MS. THORNTON: I am always.
Thank you.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: If you'd like to tell us a little bit
about what you do.
MS. THORNTON: I would love to. So my name's Tracey. I
work for Lee Health. I've worked at Lee Health for 15 years. I've
been a nurse for -- I'm not going to say -- a long time.
National Injury Prevention Day is very important to me, as my
brother was a traumatic injury, and we still take care of him as a
family 23 years later because he didn't wear a helmet. Had we had
October 28, 2025
Page 14
programs like this back then, maybe he would have. Maybe he
would not have. We don't know. But it is very important to me,
National Injury Prevention Day.
So I want to thank the commissioners first and foremost for
dedicating this day for us. Fire, law, EMS, all of our coalition
partners that we work with on a day-to-day basis, we couldn't do it
without them. And we are the only Trauma Center in the five-county
area, so we just really appreciate your support and dedication to this
proclamation.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We need a motion to approve the
proclamation?
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We need a motion to approve the
proclamation.
COMMISSIONER HALL: So moved.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: So moved.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. 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: All opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That passes unanimously.
Item #10A
October 28, 2025
Page 15
RESOLUTION 2025-227: REQUEST THAT THE BOARD ADOPT
A RESOLUTION THAT CONDEMNS ANTI-SEMITISM IN ALL
FORMS AND EXPRESSIONS - MOTION TO APPROVE BY
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS; SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER LOCASTRO – ADOPTED
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to Item 10A.
This is a request that the Board adopts a resolution that condemns
anti-Semitism in all forms and expressions. This item is brought to
the agenda by Commissioner Saunders.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And we have several speakers on
this issue, so perhaps that would be best to call the speakers up, have
them explain what the importance -- the importance of this particular
item.
MR. EBLE: Yes, sir. We have three registered speakers. I
apologize if I butchered it. The first speaker is Namme --
MR. ICHILOV: Namme Ichilov.
MR. EBLE: -- Ichilov.
MR. ICHILOV: Good morning, Chairman Saunders,
Commissioners. Thank you for your leadership in adopting the
IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism this morning.
My name is Namme Ichilov, and I'm the president and CEO of
the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. It is an honor to serve as
the voice of the vibrant and diverse Jewish community, representing
everyone from our youngest families to our most seasoned members,
spanning the full spectrum of political perspectives, and including
those who need support as well as those who are blessed with the
means to give it.
Our local community is beautifully varied yet united in our
shared values and heritage. The Jewish Federation, through our
Jewish Community Relations Council, works to build and strengthen
October 28, 2025
Page 16
relationships with our elected officials, our interfaith partners, and
educational leaders throughout Collier County, as well as the partners
with our other local Jewish agencies, temples, organizations to
strengthen our local Jewish community.
We're deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with you
this morning on meaningful initiatives like today's proclamation
adopting the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism.
Since the devastating attacks of October 7th in Israel, our Jewish
community has faced an alarming rise in anti-Semitism, not just
abroad but here at home. In these incredibly difficult times, words
matter, but actions matter more. Your proclamation today sends a
powerful message, "Collier County stands with its Jewish residents,
and hatred has no place here."
The IHRA definition provides crucial clarity in identifying
anti-Semitism in all its forms, from age-old stereotypes to
contemporary manifestations. By adopting this internationally
recognized standard, you've given our community, law enforcement,
and educators a vital tool to recognize and address anti-Semitism
when it occurs.
Chairman Saunders, we're especially grateful for your
championing of this proclamation. Your commitment to fighting
hatred and protecting all residents reflects the values that make
Collier County a place we're proud to call home.
I must acknowledge Sheriff Rambosk and his expectational
team. Their dedication to ensuring the safety and security of our
Jewish community, our synagogues, schools, and gathering places
has been nothing short of remarkable. We feel seen, protected, and
valued.
To the entire Commission, thank you for this meaningful step.
Our Jewish community feels deeply supported in Collier County, and
that sense of belonging is precious, especially now. This
October 28, 2025
Page 17
proclamation strengthens the bonds between us and reinforces our
shared commitments to dignity, respect, and safety for all.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with you,
working together to ensure Collier County remains a beacon of
tolerance, understanding, and community for everyone who calls it
home.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Anyone else registered to speak on
this?
MR. EBLE: Yes. Your next registered speaker is Erin
Blankenship.
MS. BLANKENSHIP: Good morning. My name, as you heard,
is Erin Blankenship, and I am the president and CEO at the Holocaust
Museum and Cohen Education Center located at 975 Imperial Golf
Course Boulevard here in Naples.
At our museum, we teach about the lessons of the Holocaust to
inspire action against hatred and to promote mutual respect, and
through the resources we provide, we give teachers, students, and our
general admission visitors the tools they need to identify and measure
anti-Semitism so that they can take a stand against it. That is why all
of us at our museum applaud and support this resolution put forth this
morning.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition
gives us the means to identify anti-Semitism when it occurs so that all
of us here in Collier County can speak out against it to combat it, and
I do mean all of us.
Anti-Semitism is not a problem for the Jewish community to
solve. It is a societal problem, one that affects all of us. I myself am
not Jewish, but I've spent more than 20 years teaching about and
October 28, 2025
Page 18
studying the dangers of anti-Semitism, and I do this because I think
it's the right thing to do. I do this because I care about my fellow
citizens and my Jewish friends, many of whom are Holocaust
survivors, and it grieves me to hear them be victimized again by calls
for their discrimination, or worse, even their deaths. This is an issue
we should all take seriously and one we should all care about.
History tells us that when anti-Semitism is present, so are other
forms of intolerance, and anti-Semitism might start with the Jews, but
their racism and their hatred never end there.
Anti-Semitism is a threat to our society and our community here
in Naples, Florida, and it's often an indicator of the fragility of
democracy.
So I thank you for proposing this resolution, and I urge you all
to vote to approve it. Thank you.
(Applause.)
MR. EBLE: Your next registered speaker is Rosalee Bogo.
MS. BOGO: That's a mistake.
MR. EBLE: I apologize. One of the gentlemen in the suit
jacket? No? Okay.
That's all for our public speakers.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Before we take a vote on
the proclamation, I want to make a couple comments. Shortly after
the October 7 attacks in Israel, this Board passed a resolution
condemning hatred of all types, and also the resolution was directed
towards anti-Semitism as well. But it was directed to all types of
hatred. And this board adopted a policy at that time for the Sheriff to
spend whatever resources he needed to expend to protect all of our
houses of worship and other institutions during that troubling time
period.
Fortunately, we didn't have the need to increase the budget of
the Sheriff, but this board was more than willing to do that if there
October 28, 2025
Page 19
were any issues that warranted any additional expenditure of funds.
And so I say that because this board has taken a very strong position
against hatred and hate speech and hateful acts of any kind, not just
anti-Semitism, but any types of hateful speech.
I appreciate the folks that presented this this morning. I know
that there's an opportunity for us to take a few photographs. So as
you're coming up for the photographs, we need a motion to approve
the proclamation.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Commissioner Saunders, you
should make the motion.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I'll make the motion to approve the
proclamation. Is there a second?
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Second.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Second.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Third.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have a second, motion and
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: All opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: It passes unanimously.
So those who want a few photographs, if you'd come on up.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: You'll let us know where to send
photos. We'll make arrangements for you to get them.
Item #5A
October 28, 2025
Page 20
PRESENTATION - QUARTERLY TOURISM UPDATE –
PRESENTED
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to Item 5A,
our quarterly tourism update, and Mr. Jay Tusa, your director of
Tourism, is here to present.
MR. TUSA: Thank you, Ms. Patterson.
Good morning, Commissioner Saunders, Commissioners.
I just wanted to give you a little brief update of FY '25 and kind
of where we are and how our visitor economy is looking for Collier
County kind of -- so what -- the investment that we made last year
and this year, what that looked like for last year. I gave you a little
update, I guess, about a month or so ago when I was here last, so I
kind of wanted to re-update you on that and share with you where we
are for -- or where we were for last year.
So the figures in this presentation reflect data through August of
2025, as September numbers aren't readily available. And so once
we get those, we'll certainly report those. But we did take the liberty
to -- just so you have a year-over-year comparison, the numbers
you're going to see are a comparison of October through August the
past three years, so -- and as we get those updated numbers, we'll
update you accordingly.
And I have a presentation. Do you have it pulled up, Tom?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And while that's being set up, just
for the Board's information, I had asked our Tourism folks to provide
us quarterly updates because of some of the negative impacts to
tourism around Florida and the country, and that's just to keep us
updated on a regular basis as to how things are going in Collier
County.
MR. TUSA: Thank you, Chairman.
All right. Then I will get started, then. So let's get started on
October 28, 2025
Page 21
Slide 1.
Tourism continues to be Collier County's strongest economic
driver for the period October '24 through August '25, like I mentioned
earlier. Tourist development tax collection totaled 48 million, up
3 percent from last year and 14 and a half percent higher than FY '23.
Steady growth underscores the strength of our destination, even with
record lodging supply and lingering perception issues we had earlier
in FY '25, following the storms that affected other parts of Southwest
Florida.
Hotel performance mirrors the stories [sic] of resilience.
Occupancy averaged 66 percent, holding steady year over year even
with a 12 percent increase in available units. Our average daily rate,
or ADR as it's known, of $331.77 keeps us among Florida's top-tier
markets, slightly lower than FY '24 but still well above prepandemic
levels.
The addition of new rooms is expanding our capacity while
maintaining rate integrity. It is very important.
Here you can see in this table here, when benchmarked against
our competitive set, the Palms, the Keys, Miami, Clearwater,
Sarasota, and others, Naples ranks No. 2 statewide in ADR in
RevPAR. This reinforces our position as a premier upscale coastal
destination.
As you can see in this slide, visitor volume and spending have
remained strong. Through August, Collier County welcomed just
over 2.6 million visitors who generated an estimated 2.8 billion in
direct spending benefiting local restaurants, retail, attractions, and
lodging businesses.
As we've been discussing over the past few months,
international visitation softened in FY '25, down nearly 10 percent
overall, yet still accounting for 286,000 international visitors,
including 111,000 Canadians.
October 28, 2025
Page 22
We anticipate renewed interest in 2026 as global travel demand
rebounds and a new international marketing effort takes hold.
We continue to validate our brand strategy with research. Focus
groups confirmed that visitors view Naples/Marco Island/Everglades
as a quiet, welcoming, and upscale escape. Advertising effectiveness
testing showed our campaign imagery, beaches, crystal-clear water,
dining, and relaxing -- and relaxation increase intent to visit. In
post-campaign surveys, one in four respondents who recalled our
advertising said they booked a trip because of it, and those exposed
three and a half times are more likely to plan a visit within the next
12 months.
This past year's $5 million supplemental marketing budget
increased -- increase allowed us to expand our marketing reach and
learn more about how to optimize our marketing efforts. We entered
new feeder markets, such as Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Columbus,
Charlotte, Denver, and Dallas/Fort Worth, while strengthening
existing ones like Boston, Philadelphia, D.C., Detroit, and Cleveland.
We launched a new website and booking engine platform, created
brand and campaign research, and refreshed our creative direction,
enhanced international public relations, and earned a Visit Florida
Henry Award for our "Only Paradise Will Do" print campaign. And
you can see it there on the screen. So very lovely campaign, indeed.
That gets a lot of attention.
Those investments produce measurable results. Transient
lodging demand rose 15 percent, hotel revenue grew nearly 7 percent
in our enhanced markets and close to 10 percent in our expanded
markets. Our campaigns delivered an estimated $39 return for every
$1 spent on advertising. These metrics confirm that the additional
funding investment directly drives visitation and revenue.
Looking ahead, Collier County is well positioned to accelerate
growth, seeing global shifts towards luxury and wellness travel.
October 28, 2025
Page 23
There's also a new high-level lodging addition, like the Four Seasons,
and then continued competition from our premium destinations
within our competitive set that we need to be mindful of.
Our strategy focus is on differentiation, maintaining our brand's
integrity, while appealing to travelers seeking authenticity, nature,
and high-end experiences.
The renewed $5 million supplemental investment keeps that
momentum going. Key initiatives include year-round advertising
campaigns and expanded seasonal markets, new luxury media
partnerships, enhanced group and meetings outreach, and new
research-driven brand campaign, advanced use of AI for trip
planning, SEO and social marketing, and a partnership with tourism
economics for a deeper data attribution and ROI tracking, which we
all know is so important that we get the results that we're looking for
out of our investments. Together, these initiatives strengthen our
competitiveness and our accountability.
Before closing, I would like to briefly touch on sports tourism.
We'll be talking about that a little bit further in the agenda, so I
thought it was important to include a little information for you here
today on that. While Parks and Recs manages the Paradise Coast
Sports Complex, it still plays an important role in our visitor
economy.
Tourism -- sports tourism continues to deliver strong returns.
PCSC generate $56.9 million in economic impact from 33 qualified
events last year. About one-third of participants travel from outside
the region staying two of four days -- two to four days and spending
roughly $150 per day on lodging, dining, and entertainment.
Events are heavily weekend driven boosting businesses during
slower periods. Visitor demographics show an affluent, educated
audience that spends more and stays longer.
Visitation at the complex grew 12 percent year over year; 83
October 28, 2025
Page 24
percent over the last three years; totaling more than 719,000 visits.
Nearly 195,000 unique visitors averaged 3.7 visits each with an
average on-site time of more than two hours.
Placer.ai -- according to Placer.ai, the facility now ranks No. 22
statewide among 164 Florida sports venues for overall visitation and
continues to draw from across the Southwest Florida region,
reinforcing its role as a regional hub for sports and recreation.
And then I'd just like to wrap up and just say and say tourism
visitor -- Collier County's tourism economy remains strong, resilient,
and strategically positioned for continued success. Tourism supports
jobs, funds community improvements, and contributes significantly
to our county's overall economic health.
Thank you for your continued support and recognizing the
importance of tourism to Collier County.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I certainly appreciate that report.
Quite frankly, the numbers were a little better than I expected them to
be because of the -- basically the downturn in tourism all over the
country, all over Florida. It seems like we're doing a little better than
most locations.
MR. TUSA: You know, we are, sir. You know, we're flat, but a
lot of destinations are down or way down. So I'll take flat over down
or way down.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Do we have any registered
speakers on this?
MR. EBLE: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Any questions or
comments from the Board?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I do.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Jay, so I really appreciate
these quarterly updates. We've talked about them before that, you
October 28, 2025
Page 25
know, you don't need our invitation to come here to give us a report
card on things.
You know, one thing I just want to stress that I did at the last
meeting, because the media got it wrong, we didn't increase your
budget by five million. We allowed you to spend five million that
you already had in the bank account because the small print states
that you can't write a check that big without our permission, but it's
money you already had.
Having said that, what I would really like to see at the next
quarterly briefing -- and I think I do speak for all of us because we've
said all this before -- is a report card on -- and sometimes it's hard to
measure, but a little more -- a little meat on the bone where -- where
did you spend that five million? Where did we get the biggest bang
for the buck? Because if you're going to come back to us and maybe
ask our permission to spend more of your own money or continue it
for something, or maybe not, I know that all of us would like to see
where you got the biggest bang for your buck and where things were
measurable. Sometimes we realize it's a little bit fuzzy and you can't
count every single thing, but some of it is very measurable.
So just keep that in mind that, you know, we gave you the
latitude to spend money that you already had, but we also would like
to know what we -- what we all got for it, what you got for it, and
how it maybe -- not how maybe. How it did adjust the numbers, you
know, either way so we can make the most eloquent decisions
possible to support, you know, you and what you do.
MR. TUSA: Well, thank you very much, and I'll be happy to
include that next time.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And stick around for Item 10A, I
believe -- 10B.
MR. TUSA: I'll be sitting right here.
October 28, 2025
Page 26
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Any other comments from the
Board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Ms. Patterson, how about public
petitions, have we --
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir. Public comment.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Or public comments.
Item #7
PUBLIC COMMENT
MS. PATTERSON: Item 7, public comment.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yes.
MR. EBLE: Yes, sir, we have four -- three registered speakers
today. We'll start with Ms. Ewa Front. I will ask for some patience.
We're dealing with some minor technical issues with our
presentation, so I'll just go up and help you get the slide on.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Oh, your time is up.
MS. FRONT: Not yet.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Sorry.
MS. FRONT: Good morning -- good morning, Commissioners.
My name is Ewa Front. And I want to start by acknowledging the
huge strides this county has made in improving animal outcomes.
We are grateful for that momentum.
But today I stand before you to talk about the cost of
compassion and the cost of inaction regarding our suffering
community cats.
Oh, I'm sorry. I pressed the -- sorry.
Commissioners, the crisis is no longer creeping. It is surging.
The data tells a heartbreaking and financially terrifying story. The
October 28, 2025
Page 27
number of stray cats taken in during September more than doubled
from last year, jumping from 132 to a shocking 338 animals. This
explosive influx of innocent life is forcing our dedicated staff to
chase a constantly shifting finish line.
And the cost of this losing battle, it is reflected in your new
budget. The department's budget has increased by 58 percent to over
eight million with operating expenses skyrocketing to over
120 percent in just one fiscal year. We are not solving a problem.
We are simply throwing more money at the symptom of
overpopulation, actively bleeding resources.
Commissioner Hall, in your recent discussion about
priority-based budgeting, you spoke of government efficiency,
fighting routine, and embracing high-impact, low-cost solutions. I
strongly believe that implementing the robust population control
programs is the definitive high-impact, low-cost initiative this county
needs.
My deepest fear is if Collier decides to outsource this critical
service based on the standard local solicitation process, we will
surely end up with the cheapest option, affordable trapping business
just like the one that made hundreds of cats simply disappear from a
local apartment complex last year. We cannot allow this cruelty and
sacrifice our integrity for the lowest bid.
This is what the public wants. This is the data-driven approach
that will truly reduce the influx of animals and finally begin to save
precious taxpayer money in the long run. I am asking for your vision
and your compassion.
The expertise and solution are already here. I urge your
leadership today to direct the County to enter into a strong
public-private partnership with our local established rescues. These
dedicated heros have the infrastructure and commitment to
immediately implement an effective trap/neuter/return program
October 28, 2025
Page 28
showing that truly efficient government is above all humane.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
I'm a little bit confused here, because this board has committed
both time and resources to dealing with stray animals.
And, Ms. Patterson, if you could spend a minute -- because I
think some of the information you have may be a little bit outdated,
because we are looking at -- this board has approved looking at
public-private partnerships to accomplish a lot of the things you just
outlined and to make sure the animals are treated properly.
So, Ms. Patterson, what's the status of that?
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir. So we are actively working on a
solicitation to partner with our local rescue partners. We anticipate
that being out for a solicitation -- and it requires a solicitation. We
can't just pick and choose -- sometime in the early part of the winter,
so January time frame. The reason being is we want to make sure
that that solicitation reflects our needs. We're modeling it after
counties that have done something like this, similarly.
And just to touch on the budget really quickly, the part about
this that appears to be such a huge increase in cost to the Domestic
Animal Services does reflect your commitment to right size that
budget, but it also reflects us accurately providing you that
information.
In the past, what happened was money was pulled from other
places and transferred into DAS creating an illusion of what their
budget was versus what their budget really is. We are capturing the
true cost here. We have brought on a high volume spay/neuter vet
who is very dedicated and passionate to that cause. We are still
doing -- allowing cats to come in for TNR.
And I would also say that there is obviously a growing
population here as well as an awareness and a testament to our
October 28, 2025
Page 29
community that they're bringing these cats to us. We would all like
to see a solution, but I feel like, also, is that they have the confidence
to bring these animals to us knowing that they're going to be treated
well, that we're not a high-kill shelter, and that's something that
speaks volumes about people that are trying to do the right things for
these animals, and our live release rate is back up at no-kill status.
So we're turning these animals around. The adoptable ones, we
have rescue partners all over the United States that take our cats, and
sometimes our dogs. There are places that want cats and need them,
and so we're working to strengthen those relationships. So all in all,
the picture, while -- understand that a vital part of this is a community
spay/neuter program as well as a more extensive TNR, we're heading
that way.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I appreciate your comments, and
maybe check back with us after the first of the year to see what the
status is --
MS. FRONT: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: -- because we are trying to make
strides there and do appreciate your activity in bringing this to our
attention.
MS. FRONT: Thank you.
MR. EBLE: Your next registered speaker is Suzanne Zehnder.
MS. ZEHNDER: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is
Susan Zehnder. I know this is on a similar topic.
Thank you for your dedication to improving animal welfare in
our county, and special thanks to Director McLean for the progress
made at DAS over the past year.
I am also here to talk about community cats. The cat intake
numbers at DAS for the month of September more than doubled in
the past year, from 154 cats in September 2024 to 372 cats in
September 2025. This reflects a population explosion in the field.
October 28, 2025
Page 30
I am aware that a comprehensive approach to solving the
community cat crisis is in the planning stages, and it will involve
working with trusted partners. This is great. I know this will take
time because it is important to select organizations with proven
experience of TNR success, and especially humane trapping
techniques. I do understand that it will take several months to
implement this plan.
My concern is that we are experiencing a spike in cat intake
which reflects a population explosion in the field. So immediate
action is needed to help stabilize the surging growth in the cat
population.
As we begin a new fiscal year, I ask that the County consider
allocating temporary emergency funding to contract now with trusted
TNR partners over the next few months just until a permanent
program is in place. This short-term investment could prevent cat
population from spiraling further out of the control until the
permanent program to partner with TNR partners is implemented.
Thank you for your time.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
MR. EBLE: Your next registered speaker is Todd Truax.
MR. TRUAX: Well, that was fast. It's cold in here.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Good morning.
MR. TRUAX: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is
Todd Truax. Burt and I go way back, and so I made a point to go say
hi to him this morning. Our kids went to school together at -- I don't
know, was it --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Lake Park?
MR. TRUAX: No, no. Gulfview Middle.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Oh, yeah.
MR. TRUAX: And then -- did they go to Naples High, too?
Yeah, they were in the band together and all that jazz. So I've known
October 28, 2025
Page 31
Burt for a long time.
And I've been watching you guys, and I come to visit on
occasion just to say hi and address any issues that catch my attention.
So speaking of which, the DAS -- last time I was here I brought
this briefcase. I was running for -- remember, I was running for U.S.
House, and I had no budget. I couldn't afford a commercial, and so I
had my briefcase already set up, right? And I was grandstanded. I
had a -- the leash and a collar, and I made a scene. I said -- because
all the PETA people were here. Remember, Burt? They were all
wearing their yellow shirts because the shelter was burning up the
cats in the boxes because it wasn't air conditioned in the shelter, just
before Irma hit, and the roof blew off of the place.
So the next day I went and adopted a dog, a dog named Fritz.
He came with the name. They found him at the Indian reservation.
Awesome animal. Go adopt a pet, all right?
We've had Fritz as part of the family for a long time. It cost me
$60, the dog, right? My wife just dropped 1,800 taking cancer off of
him, right? It's important. Save the animals. Do your part.
But the real reason I came here is because I read in the
newspaper -- or online that there's a proposal. I've got a minute and a
half, so I want to make it fast. There's a proposal to make something
called Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have that on our --
MR. TRUAX: I know, but I want to talk about it now because
this is my time. I've got a minute and 11 seconds.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, actually --
MR. TRUAX: I want to talk about that, and I want to propose
that we turn Shark Valley into the Charlie Kirk --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Mr. Truax, I --
MR. TRUAX: -- dead end. That's my proposal.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. I don't want to be --
October 28, 2025
Page 32
MR. TRUAX: Because I don't support --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Hang on.
MR. TRUAX: No, this is my time. I've got one minute. Give
me my minute.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Now listen --
MR. TRUAX: Let me have my minute, please.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Stop. It's not your time. It's our
time. Now, listen -- listen to me. We have an item on the agenda
dealing with that issue, and that's when we have discussion.
MR. TRUAX: This is the public comment spot.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I'm telling you what our rule is,
and so you -- you're not going to be able to address us on Charlie
Kirk until that item comes up. I'm sorry.
MR. TRUAX: Is it coming up today?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: It's coming up today, and it's on the
agenda. It will be up later.
MR. TRUAX: Do I get another three minutes?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: No, sir -- at that time, yes, you'll
have time.
MR. TRUAX: All right. Can I give you a gift? It's a public
comment gift. Not about that.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Sure, sure, sure.
MR. TRUAX: This is my Book of Virtues.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Sure.
MR. TRUAX: I've had it in my office from when I ran for
County Commission in Lee County and when I -- can I approach and
give you --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Sure, absolutely.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: The book is ticking.
MR. TRUAX: My Book of Virtues. And you are the most
virtuous person in this panel. I want you to have it.
October 28, 2025
Page 33
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, I appreciate this. And just --
MR. TRUAX: You demonstrate it all the time, and I want to
make it clear that there is some sensible government in Collier
County, and you represent that, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, I appreciate that, and if you'll
stick around, we will get to the Charlie Kirk thing.
MR. TRUAX: I will stick around. I might go outside to warm
up, though. It's cold.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. It's going to be a while.
MR. TRUAX: All right. My time's up. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you, sir.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Is the book ticking?
MR. TRUAX: It's inscribed.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah. All right.
Ms. Patterson.
MR. EBLE: Sorry, sir. We had a late addition to the public
comment.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right.
MR. EBLE: Daniel Francis Cook.
MR. COOK: Mr. Chairman, I just came from the Mosquito
Control Board, and I was inspired because I saw about 30, 40, maybe
even 50 people speaking there in defense of health freedom, and I
just wanted to come here to inform the Board that there was that
many people there and as well as, you know, letting you know that
there's a large group of people at the Mosquito Control Board
requesting that they make some adjustments to the way that they are
spraying to control the mosquitoes.
I also wanted to take advantage of the public comments to speak
about freedom just generally, since these are general public
comments.
You know, when I saw that large group of people standing up
October 28, 2025
Page 34
for, you know, their rights, and getting -- getting the courage to speak
out, it inspired me to, once again, come back here and speak about
the importance of We the People exercising our freedom of speech.
It inspires me to remind the people and remind the public the -- of the
power that we have with our freedoms and with our rights, with our
Constitution.
You know, sometimes it's challenging. Sometimes it's hard to
stand up for your rights and stand up against authorities, stand up
against wrongs that may or may not be happening from the
government. But it takes -- it does take courage to stand up and
defend our rights, and it's important for We the People to be
reminded of that from time to time.
And with that -- with that said, I'd like to maybe share -- share
what I found is the -- is something about some of our founding
documents. So we have our Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and
the purpose behind our founding documents is important to
understand and interstand (phonetic).
So from my perspective, the Bill of Rights, which includes
freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, privacy rights, due process
rights, as well as the very important Tenth Amendment, which is the
line between the power that the federal government has and the
power that the states and the people are to retain. You know, being
reminded of the fact that we have these rights is something -- like I
said, it's something that needs to be remembered and exercised and
the -- from my perspective, the difference between the Bill of Rights
and the Constitution is that the Constitution, as well as the Florida
Constitution, is like the rulebook for the government, whereas the
Bill of Rights and Section 1 of the Florida Constitution is the list of
rights that We the People have, and knowing that difference is
something I think is worth speaking about. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you, sir.
October 28, 2025
Page 35
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Dead on.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: No other registered speakers on --
MR. EBLE: Yes, sir. That's the final speaker.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Ms. Patterson, we have about five
minutes before we get to the 10 o'clock. Do you want to squeeze a
few things in?
MS. PATTERSON: Yep, sure.
Item #11E
RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF
THREE LOTS LOCATED AT 1756 AND 1742 DANFORD
STREET IN THE AMOUNT OF $860,000 FROM WSA
DEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC TO SUPPORT THE BAYVIEW
PARK EXPANSION. (JOHN DUNNUCK, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR - FACILITIES & REDEVELOPMENT) - MOTION TO
APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER KOWAL; SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL – APPROVED
MS. PATTERSON: I think we could go to Item 11E, which is a
recommendation to authorize the purchase of three lots located at
1756 and 1742 Danford Street in the amount of $860,000 from WSA
Development, LLC, to support Bayview Park expansion. Mr. John
Dunnuck, your executive director of Facilities and Redevelopment, is
here to present.
MR. DUNNUCK: Good morning. This is a follow-up to a July
presentation we made to acquire additional properties outside
Bayview Park for boat launch parking and other community needs.
This is the first developer agreement to fall in place.
We're recommending 12.5 percent above appraised value, which
actually is what the developers paid for it three years ago. It's
October 28, 2025
Page 36
actually in line and less than the tax -- the Property Appraiser's value,
and we're recommending proceeding forward.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Any questions from the
Commission?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Anyone registered to speak on
that?
MR. EBLE: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I think we're all familiar with what
we're trying to accomplish there.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'll make a motion for
approval.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I'll make a motion.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, you can. It's your
district. Go ahead.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I'll make a motion to approve.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. I have a motion. Do we
have a second?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion and a
second. Any 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.)
October 28, 2025
Page 37
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That passes unanimously.
MR. DUNNUCK: Thank you.
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, do you see any issue with
getting our folks up and get ready for our 10 o'clock time-certain?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let's go ahead and start that.
Item #10B
RESOLUTION 2025-228: RECOMMENDATION TO PRIORITIZE
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ADDITIONAL ATHLETIC
FIELDS, AS RECOMMENDED IN THE HUNDEN PARTNERS
STUDIES, AS THE NEXT PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE
PARADISE COAST SPORTS COMPLEX, PENDING THE
APPROVAL OF THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX
REFERENDUM - MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER
SAUNDERS; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL –
ADOPTED
MS. PATTERSON: Okay. Very good. That brings us to 10B.
This is our 10 o'clock time-certain.
This is a recommendation to prioritize the construction of the
additional athletic fields as recommended in the Hunden Partners
studies as the next phase of development of the Paradise Coast Sports
Complex pending the approval of the tourist development tax
referendum. This item is brought to the agenda by Commissioner
Saunders. And we have a number of people that are here to present
on this item.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. I have a few
introductory comments. And the Board's aware of the fact that I've
been talking about Paradise Coast and trying to find ways to fund the
last phases of that. So I've got a couple things that I want to kind of
October 28, 2025
Page 38
read into the record so there's a good understanding of why I've
brought this forward.
The purpose of this agenda item is to have the Board of County
Commissioners commit to the construction of the additional athletic
fields as outlined in the Hunden Partners study as the next phase of
development of the Paradise Sports Park upon approval of the
referendum that's scheduled for November of 2026. This
commitment is needed for several reasons. And this is the reason I
really brought this forward, and this is important.
This commitment is needed for several reasons. One, our
tourism business has struggled to attract tourists in the summertime.
We were just told that there's a 66 percent occupancy year-round in
our hotels. We know that there's about 100 percent occupancy in the
season, so that means that the summer season is not well -- does not
go really well for our tourism industry.
Our families need more fields for all field sports, including
baseball, softball, soccer, and football, and the Collier County chapter
of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supports this
ballot initiative since it will attract tourist-related business during the
summer. And finally, the business community support is critical to
the passage of this referendum since it is the business community that
will be able to develop and fund the campaign to educate the
electorate of the benefits of supporting the ballot initiative.
This is a tax on the tourist industry. It's not an ad valorem tax.
And the citizens and voters are going to need to know that
distinction. We cannot spend money on any type of advertising or
any type of a campaign. We need to rely on the business community
to do that, and they're committed to doing that -- to doing that.
As evidence of that, we have a letter from the Florida Restaurant
and Lodging Association that we all received. A couple little
comments in that. "On behalf of the Collier chapter of the Florida
October 28, 2025
Page 39
Restaurant and Lodging Association, we are writing to emphasize our
support for the completion of final phases of the Paradise Coast Park,
the premium sports venue in our area. Our priority at this time would
be the completion of the ball diamonds which will enable local,
regional, and national play from May through October. This addition
would significantly enhance our ability to attract high-profile
tournaments and events, bringing visitors to Collier County and
supporting local businesses in the process. We look forward to
supporting the education of the electorate in this vital issue over the
next year.
"In conclusion, we respectfully request you to prioritize the
completion of this project and appreciate your commitment to our
prosperity."
And so we have a few items on the overhead that we'll go
through. Obviously, the first one is just an outline of the complex as
it has been laid out.
If we'll go to the next slide, the next slide shows very clearly
that the area for the fields has a lot of infrastructure already in place.
The area's been laid out for it. The roads are there. This is an area
that is ready for construction as soon as we get funding to do that.
And hopefully in November of 2026 we'll have that funding in place.
The next slide just talks a little bit about some of the
implications of the Hunden study. I've got a few notes that I'd like to
just emphasize. Visitation at our park peaks from October to March,
aligning with Collier County's tourism season, but there is potential
for significant growth in summer visitation. Diamond sports offer the
greatest economic impact by filling hotels with frequent summer
events during the area's slowest season.
Southwest Florida's indoor sports tourism market offers strong
future potential, but it overlaps with the peak visitation season.
On the next slide, we have the Hunden recommendations.
October 28, 2025
Page 40
Again, just a couple quick comments. The recommendation, 11
dedicated diamonds; softball, five diamonds; baseball, six diamonds.
This configuration may change, but it's important that we make the
commitment to do the fields next.
And then it talks about the future phases, the indoor field house.
That's something that Hunden suggests that we do after we do the
fields.
And then finally, in terms of what I wanted to present, we have
what Hunden referred to as Scenario 2, the outdoor expansion
projections. And, you know, the hotel tax, 18.8 million over the next
30 years, and that's just the tourist tax.
The county sales tax, 105 million. And so 124 million is
projected in county taxes, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Gross spending, $2.94 billion. That's -- that -- it really indicates
what kind of activity can be generated from this, and really the sales
tax revenues from that type of activity.
So that's -- that's the reason I've brought this forward. It's
important that we make a commitment because it's important that we
have the business community behind this. But in addition, it's really
what the community needs. We need those fields.
And so I've asked Mr. Hanrahan if he would give us a little bit
of an insight as to what our inventory is and what we need and really
how much use we have out of those existing fields.
MR. HANRAHAN: Absolutely. James Hanrahan, director of
Parks and Recreation.
Good morning, Commissioners.
Currently, Collier County maintains a total of 34 lighted fields;
five baseball fields, 17 softball fields, six Little League fields, and six
additional softball fields made available through our interlocal
agreement with Collier County public schools.
While this inventory is considerable, it falls short of meeting the
October 28, 2025
Page 41
growing volume of field requests. Field allocation has become
increasingly challenging due to overlapping requests from multiple
organizations. Evening field time is in high demand reflecting strong
community engagement and program growth.
While our current inventory is stretched, strategic scheduling
and coordination allow us to maximize the usage. Our partnership
with Collier County Public Schools continues to provide valuable
support, and we're exploring ways to better align access with
community needs.
The next slide shows a snippet, not the entire, but a snippet of
the diamond organizations that we work with. We currently support
over 25 active baseball and softball organizations ranging from youth
leagues to senior programs. Participation remains strong with more
than 2,000 youth athletes; 1,500 adult NCRP, North Collier Regional
Park softball players; 280 seniors; 180/20 [sic] in the super 60, which
is a specific senior group; and 65 in the Golden Gate baseball senior
program.
These numbers reflect high community demand and reinforce
the need for equitable field access. If approved, Parks will make full
use of the additional fields and support our growing programs and
improve access for all users.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We do have two commissioners lit
up, but do you want to finish the presentation before you get to your
conversation, or --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I wanted clarity on that first slide
you had up there, Chairman.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: The overhead picture. Can you
put that back up?
MR. TUSA: This one?
October 28, 2025
Page 42
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Right there. Yeah, I
think -- didn't we approve Phase 3 already, and didn't Phase 3 include
the parking lot and the soccer field with that covered facility?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah, Phase 3 was already -- or
approved and already funded.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Yeah, I know. But I'm saying, it
looks like you have this soccer field in that -- in Phase 4 in the
outline. Do you see how the graphic is? See how everything's
subdued and it's bright? But that field was approved in Phase 3.
That's -- I just want to clarify that so if the people are looking at
this --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I think --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Do see the soccer field?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah, I think you're correct. And
that field is already being -- I think the staff may already be ready to
bid that out for -- for construction. So you're right. That --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I just wanted no confusion,
because it looks you have it in there. The way it's lit up is a part of
Phase 4.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: It's already. It's not part of
Phase 4.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Correct, correct.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: All right. That's all. I just
wanted some clarity.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. If you want to go
to -- well, this slide talks a little bit about it. I -- I'm struggling with
this, the phasing plan process prioritization. The -- and I full well
understand the rational of offseason tourist visits and such. But what
is now designated as Phase 5 is a -- if my recollection serves me
October 28, 2025
Page 43
correct, is an 80,000-square-foot indoor stadium that can -- Cat
5 -- by the way, Cat 5 rated that can serve as a huge facility to
support our community.
And I'm going to -- for the sake of repeating it, I was misled
when this project was, in fact, brought forward. That was Phase 1
when this project was brought forward. When this project was
promoted at a TPC, total project cost, of less than $80 million, that
phase -- that facility was, in fact, Phase 1.
And so I'm just -- I'm -- you know, I understand Jay just shared
the presentation about how important tourism is to our community
and how we invest to bring offseason visitors and such, but I'm
questioning the prioritization for the public safety, number one.
That's my number one comment.
When you go to the two slides, I think, further ahead -- three,
with the money. There we go. I think it's important to -- if -- and
correct me if I'm wrong, whoever prepared this slide, this is a 30-year
summary, not annual income. So it needs to be denoted that we're
not going to collect $18 million a year in hotel tax and 105 million a
year in sales tax.
The proposition here is to spend another $100 million with these
annual revenue streams being put forth to theoretically offset that.
And I haven't seen a good denotion of the ongoing upkeep and
maintenance.
These two phases are going to increase the TPC in this project to
in excess of $200 million, and the budgeting with regard to the
repairs, the maintenance, the upkeep, and so on are of grave concern
to me. We oftentimes are really good at building pretty and glitty,
but we're not really talking about the ongoing upkeep in maintenance.
So I -- so there -- I've made my comment. I'm -- I'm -- I'm
wrestling with supporting this prioritization, number one.
And then, number two, having the mechanism put in place at
October 28, 2025
Page 44
some particular point in time to control our expenses. It's imperative,
especially with the environment that we're all living in, that credence
be given to these ongoing upkeep and maintenance.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I have a couple comments in
response to that, if I might. First of all, I wanted this to be a very
formal presentation with facts because I know there's some hesitation
in terms of approving this as opposed to doing the field house first.
So this really is a presentation geared to help convince you that the
way to go forward with this is the -- is development of the fields first.
Now, there is an opportunity potentially to do the fields and the
field house simultaneously at some point, but in terms of
the -- getting the support of the community and getting support of the
business community, in particular, and the Restaurant and Lodging
Association, it's important to them that we build those fields, and it's
important to us to have their support in order to get the one and only
mechanism we will have to fund this approved in November of 2026.
So, Commissioner McDaniel, this really is a presentation to
hopefully convince you that doing these fields first is what the
community needs. It's what will help get the only mechanism to fund
this approved in November, and if we're going to build a field house,
this is the only mechanism for funding a field house in the future is
that November 2026 referendum. And so we're going to hear some
more discussion about this.
In terms of the ability to house people during hurricanes, we
have a memorandum of understanding with the school district. The
school district has informed us that they have absolutely no problems
with that. They appreciate the opportunity to work with the County.
They've done it in the past. Hurricane Irma we used quite a few
schools. We were not overcapacity, and that was projected to be a
Category 4 storm heading straight for Marco Island and Collier
County. We had a lot of people that sought shelter. We still had
October 28, 2025
Page 45
plenty of excess capacity for that.
So the idea that this would -- this -- a field house would serve as
a -- as a storm shelter, that's great, and it will ultimately, but it's not
something that is absolutely needed today. We have the ability to
shelter people in the event that we have another major hurricane.
And again, the school board has no problems with that.
Clearly, this will not generate enough money over any period of
time to pay back the cost of construction. It was never designed to do
that, and that's one reason why we levied the tourist tax to pay for it
as opposed to going to our ad valorem taxpayers. This will serve as a
regional park to satisfy a lot of needs for this community in terms of
these fields without the citizens having to pay for it. The tourists will
be paying for it. But in addition, it will generate a tremendous
amount of tourism in the offseason.
So that's why I have a formal presentation. It's really geared
towards hopefully convincing you that the right way to go with it is
to develop the fields first. If I'm not able to convince you of that,
hopefully there will be at least two other votes on this board to do
that, because that's what the community wants. That's what the
community needs.
I'm not sure if there's anything else, Mr. Hanrahan, that you had.
I think you were -- you were finished?
MR. HANRAHAN: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And that really leaves us with two
more presentations. I've asked Mr. Tusa to talk a little bit about the
impacts on tourism.
Commissioner Hall, did you have a comment?
COMMISSIONER HALL: I had a question.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER HALL: If you could expound on how do
we -- how can we be assured that this is what the public wants?
October 28, 2025
Page 46
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, I don't know if we have any
registered speakers. We do not. I have communicated and, as a
matter of fact, I guess about a month or so ago we did have a
representative of one of the organizations that does soccer for youth
talking about the need, her difficulty in getting fields and the need for
this. We can generate more information on that -- on that issue. I
have communicated with numerous organizations about the need.
Mr. Hanrahan, perhaps you can address the question that
Commissioner Hall has just raised. How do we know that the
community needs more fields? I think you hit on that, but maybe a
little bit more information would be helpful.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Well, if I may first, I understand the
need for the fields, and I understand the benefit in the summer, but if
we're only asking the hotels, and we're only asking the people playing
baseball and softball, the obvious answer is yes. My question is, how
can we be assured that the people in general outside of the hotel
industry, the restaurants; outside of the people playing at the fields,
how can we be assured that this is what they want? That's my
question.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We do have -- I don't know
if -- did you want to make a few comments?
MS. DOCIO: Sure, I can.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: But you have to come up to the
podium. And it's on this particular issue, how do we know that the
public wants this. That's the information I've been getting is that this
is what the public wants, but...
MS. DOCIO: So my name is Veronica Docio, and I'm here on
behalf of Naples United FC. We are a soccer club that operates in
Paradise Coast Sports Complex since the inception, back in 2020.
We've been partnered with them. Our program grew from
zero -- from just our first team and zero kids to now we have almost
October 28, 2025
Page 47
300 families within our organization. And I also see that there's
partner clubs here as well that work with us in the -- in the complex.
And on behalf of Naples United FC and as a mom of two boys
that play the sport as well, we have -- you know, just to give you an
idea, we have kids training at 10 p.m. at Paradise Coast Sports
Complex because there's no field availability from 6 to 8 p.m., which
is when kids should really be practicing the sports.
So, you know, we have divisions -- youth divisions training at
8 p.m. -- sorry -- at 10 p.m. because of this lack of field space. And I
don't need to tell you, you know, what that does to the kid in terms of
school and stuff like that. But it's something that is -- you know, the
fields are needed within our community, not just for the baseball, but
for other sports.
And there's also -- I'm training soccer. There's American
football leagues going on besides us. There's lacrosse besides us at
some other times of the year. So it is needed for the community.
And as Naples grows, as more kids come, families grow, the
need will grow. There's no doubt about that. Since 2022 till today, it
grew substantially. It will continue growing. And we need to have
these kids playing sports and not doing other things within our
community. They're going to be the people sitting here and making
decisions on our behalf in the next 20, 30 years.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I have a comment.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah, we have three
commissioners that are lit up, so let me --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I just wanted to ask her a
question.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yes.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Ma'am, what sports did you say
you --
October 28, 2025
Page 48
MS. DOCIO: Soccer.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Soccer. We're talking about
baseball fields.
MS. DOCIO: No, no, I understand, but there was -- you know,
one of the commissioners was asking, you know, other members of
the community, not just baseball.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I know, but we're talking about
building baseball fields.
MS. DOCIO: No, no. I understand, but baseball is a sport,
correct? Just like kids playing soccer --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: No, I understand it's a sport,
yeah, but just the need was soccer. So I don't --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, let me --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I'm just trying to wrap my head
around that.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let me --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: What was discussed was baseball
fields.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let me address that, because
several of these fields will be multi-purpose fields where soccer --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Let me ask the staff, then. To
convert these, does that take time, manpower, re-striping?
MR. HANRAHAN: So if the design is approved -- and I was
just talking to Mr. Lieberman with Sports Facilities -- it would be
oversized outfields where you could do small-sided soccer out there.
So yes, paint would be needed. You would have to bring the soccer
goals out there.
But there's a design, and they actually have as some of the -- and
Sports Facilities will talk about it. They have this design at some of
their other locations where you can do rectangular sports on the
outfield because they're oversized.
October 28, 2025
Page 49
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: On average, what's the -- I know
we have our gentleman here from the sports complex. On average,
what's it cost to stripe a field when we have to re-stripe it for a
different sport?
MR. HANRAHAN: Mike Lieberman, if you could come up.
MR. LIEBERMAN: Sorry, I was just getting clarification.
Michael Lieberman, assistant general manager of Paradise Coast
Sports Complex. The question again.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: What -- on an average -- I know
when you guys have to re-stripe a field from one sport to another, on
average what's that usually cost for you guys to redo it?
MR. LIEBERMAN: It will take us, to put down lines for a
soccer field, about 25 minutes to paint. During that time, we can
move the goals. But realistically, the paint costs us about $30. It's
not --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: That's a different number than I
heard last time.
MR. LIEBERMAN: It's not a significant cost for us to
absolutely paint one specific field. And during -- during the week, if
we don't have competition baseball going on or competition softball,
we can put down lines, and those lines can remain down during
the -- during the week so that we're not transitioning back and forth
from a line standpoint. Now, if we're going to have --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Can I hold you to that $35 [sic]?
MR. LIEBERMAN: It's the cost of a jug of paint.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Somebody's got to put it down.
What are we paying him?
MR. LIEBERMAN: He's on salary. He's already here.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: So he don't get paid? Salary is a
paycheck, sir.
MR. LIEBERMAN: It is. It is. And of the things that I believe
October 28, 2025
Page 50
that --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I'm just trying to make a point
here, because we're really trying to -- because I understand where
Commissioner McDaniel's coming from. You know, he's talking
about Phase 1 back in the day was the field house, and we keep
punting it and kicking it down the road, kicking it down the road.
MR. LIEBERMAN: I understand.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Now we're talking about locking
ourselves into the baseball fields. But I heard from one person from
the community that coaches soccer, which is not really baseball. And
the needs for additional fields, we would have to do extra work to
convert these, if she was to use them on any particular date, to soccer
fields, correct?
MR. LIEBERMAN: There is a slight --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: And it's an extra cost, correct?
MR. LIEBERMAN: There's -- depending on what the schedule
is and how much we're moving back and forth --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: It's an extra cost, right?
MR. LIEBERMAN: There is a slight additional cost, yes.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Okay. That's all I want.
Now, the other things is with the field house. If this is a
Category 5 storm shelter, it's almost what you consider a tri-county
facility, because it's right off of I-75. Now, it doesn't mean just the
citizens of Collier County would be able to use it. It would also
mean Miami-Dade, Broward, other counties. And then we're always
talking about funding sources; these may be other avenues where we
can get more money from other people to help us build a facility like
that and not lay it just back on the citizens of Collier County to make
up the difference for a facility like that. And I'm just throwing that
out there.
Thank you, guys.
October 28, 2025
Page 51
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: How many -- I'm not sure who on
our staff can answer this, but if we build the field house, there is a
capacity in terms of storm protection. If someone on our staff knows
that number -- because it sounds good, a tri-county complex. This
isn't going to house 10,000 people in a storm event. There is a
maximum capacity based on Florida law as to how much space you
have to have.
So I don't know who on our staff has that number. I know John
Mullins and I had talked about it. I think I know what the number is,
but coming from me it will be more of a guess.
MR. MULLINS: John Mullins, your director of
Communications, Government, and Public Affairs.
And going back in time to the original designs -- and they were
just conceptual designs at the time -- I believed 800 was the capacity
number for the complex for sheltering purposes.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: So it's 800 people to be escaping
the east over here that can't get hotel rooms that have the opportunity
to have somewhere safe to stay.
MR. MULLINS: Correct, if it was a regional evacuation shelter,
yes, they'd be coming from other destinations.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. I think where we left off,
we have a couple more speakers. Commissioner LoCastro and then
Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Okay. I just have a few -- a
few comments.
I've said this before, whenever we come to the discussion about
the field house, I want to hear more about what it's going to be used
for for the sports complex than evacuation. If Dan Summers was
here, he would say, if a Cat 5 comes here, we're not trying to hunker
people down in field houses. We're trying to evacuate them. Put X
October 28, 2025
Page 52
number of people in the field house, and we better hope we have
enough bathrooms, toilet paper, water, food, because as he always
says, we're not trying to create a love boat. We're trying to create a
lifeboat.
So I understand that it has a secondary use, no question about it,
you know, in time of emergency. We might fill it with first
responders that we need to protect, you know. So I love the Cat 5
protection, but I want to see 10 slides that show how it's going to
raise revenue, help the FC Naples team, how kids are going to be able
to use it.
And, you know, to me, it's a -- it's a sidenote that it's built so
strong that it could be used. But I can tell you in my district, which is
almost all Evacuation Zone A, I don't want anybody hunk -- running
to the field house thinking they're going to hunker down and then go
back to their houses. We're trying to evacuate people for safety. So,
you know, that's one thing.
You know, number two, to Commissioner Hall's point -- and it
definitely has merit -- he's asking the question, you know, does the
average citizen support all the things we're doing here. And, you
know, we do need to hear that feedback. If you march up five or six
people all wearing Polo shirts that say, "I run a company that uses
Paradise Coast, and I have 300 kids, and I make a profit off of it." I
know. I have a child in one of the teams, so I know that the team
pays this much to use the sports complex, we pay this much per
parent, and when you add it up to 300 kids, it's a profit-making
business. You know, Naples Elite isn't a church. They're not doing it
for -- and that's fine, you know.
But one of the questions we asked a long time ago is where
are -- where did all these kids play before the sports complex? And
the reality is, if you build it, they will come. The reason why this has
all grown is we've built something that's an amazing facility, and I
October 28, 2025
Page 53
think we just have to find the sweet spot, because I think if you added
30 more baseball fields, people would come from Sarasota and
Tampa. There's a shortage in several different communities. And,
you know, we've had these football camps that come here from all
over the country to use the sports complex.
So, you know, we've got to be careful, I think, finding that sweet
spot of -- first of all, we're limited by a footprint. I mean, we're not
going to be able to build 50 fields. But, you know, those are the kind
of things that are on -- that are on my short list that I want to hear a
little bit more about; use of the field house, what's the sweet spot on
the fields.
And then overall, when we talk budget and business plan, you
know, the sports complex, you know, to Commissioner Saunders'
point, it was never supposed to be a cash cow, and it's not supposed
to be, but we also have to make sure that our tourism dollars didn't
build something that allowed a bunch of companies to come in and
profit exponentially on these hundreds of kids that are playing soccer
and paying top dollar -- I know, because I'm writing those checks,
and gratefully. It's an incredible program. But we also are hosting a
lot of other things there where they charge quite a bit a head, and I
don't know what we pay.
Commissioner Kowal makes a great point on the painting of the
fields. Unless they're donating their time and their paint -- and, yeah,
I understand the paint's $30, but the care and feeding of that sports
park even after we have big events, being able to put it back to the
way it was and repair things and whatnot.
So, you know, as we continue to go down this path, I'm
supportive of -- I'm not -- of exploring all the things that we've talked
about, but I really want to see more of a spreadsheet, a little bit more
accounting to see, much like I said before, what we're getting for our
money, how it's being used, who is -- and I don't want to say taking
October 28, 2025
Page 54
advantage of the sports complex, but who is utilizing it, but, you
know, what are they paying, and then what are they getting for it?
You know, it's not supposed to be a cash cow, but it can't be a
super-duper sweet deal for a bunch of private companies that
are -- and clubs that are drawing in hundreds and hundreds of more
kids because we're creating a space for them.
So, you know, that's maybe for a future briefing, but I just
wanted you to hear sort of the things that are on my short list about
the field house, the use of the fields, and the dollars and cents, you
know, part of it. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. And my concerns are
still where they were before. We can -- we can all sit around and talk
about whether or not -- how many people you can fit in an
80,000-square-foot stadium. I'm thinking that we need a little better
number than 800. But be that as it may -- I'm not going to -- I'm not
going to sit here and argue about that rationale.
And just to remind you, you were here when Irma came, and
Irma was slanting right straight at Miami and then all of a sudden
dipped and came up through Everglades City, and we had a rush of
people coming here from Miami in preparation for their evacuation,
and we had no place -- we hadn't opened up our shelters yet. I
remember I was chirping at Dan Summers because we hadn't --
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: That was Irma.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah, Irma. We hadn't -- we
hadn't opened our shelters yet, so we couldn't necessarily house those
people.
So I -- I -- I'm not stuttering. I'm just -- I'm not happy with the
prioritization here, and I'm certainly not happy with the ratification of
the ongoing maintenance and upkeep. For that gentleman to say it
costs $30 to redo the fields -- and I understand you weren't
October 28, 2025
Page 55
necessarily prepared, but Commissioner Kowal was absolutely
correct, there's more to it than a $30 bucket of paint. Time is money,
and expense is associated with the people's -- expense associated with
the care and upkeep and the maintenance of these facilities.
And I have not seen sufficient rationale or time put into the
ongoing maintenance and upkeep for these facilities. And we're
talking -- now, Commissioner Saunders, I'm okay with the sales
tax -- not sales tax. Forgive me, strike -- don't write that down.
I'm okay with the tourist tax supporting the construction of these
facilities, but I would like them to be -- I would like to see it done
synonymously, minimumly synonymously. There's no argument that
there's more needs for fields. I have kids -- I have parents yelling
about the lack of baseball fields throughout the county.
I have no argument that the need is, in fact, there. I just -- I
just -- I just -- I want us to be far more critical of the ongoing
maintenance and upkeep of these facilities. We haven't been to date.
We haven't been from an ongoing -- because those dollars do, in fact,
come from ad valorem taxation. Those dollars do, in fact, come from
our O&M budgets.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Can I make a point on that and ask
a question? Because it may clarify this. My understanding is that
this facility, the way its operated right now, is generating enough
revenue to cover its operating expenses and maintenance expenses.
And so we're not going to our ad valorem taxpayers to cover some
major expense with major corporations making a huge profit.
I think we might need a little bit of an explanation as to how the
maintenance and operations are going in terms of funding and what
the split is in terms of funding revenue that comes to that facility,
because it's not a bunch of corporations making a fortune over those
dollars that are being paid by families who use that. A lot of those
dollars are coming back to us. Perhaps you could -- if you would, for
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the record, your name and position. And I know you're with the
Sports Facilities and who you are, but I'm just saying, just for the
record, and maybe you could address that -- that issue.
MR. ADAMS: Jack Adams, Sports Facilities Companies.
This year I believe our total positive operational return to the
County, the County taxpayer will be 377K. So we are operating the
facility our first year -- when we came in, we were replacing one who
ran a negative 1.6 million in operational cost. That's not with the
County costs on their side to manage. That was just the operations of
the park.
And our first year we reported to you that we'd brought
1.6 million down to 600,000, and we've had successive performances
since, completing the fiscal year. We -- I believe we're going to
report 377K positive.
What will happen -- and it's on some later slides, so I'll just talk
real fast when I get to that slide. But will be that we will have
revenue and only the cost of managing that additional operation but
not additional kind of overhead cost.
So our fixed expenses won't increase very much, but our -- just
revenue or COGS will, so the rate of positive growth will be -- will
be significant.
We have submitted budgets in the past for that, both for the field
house and for the additional fields, showing what will happen. We've
performed along those lines in the past, so we think you'll believe us.
But I would like to refresh them and update them for today's, you
know --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: You can show us that at
another --
MR. ADAMS: -- inflation and so on.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'd be happy to see that at
another time.
October 28, 2025
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MR. ADAMS: We'd love to do that, and we'd be happy to do
that.
The other thing I just want to throw in, because we keep saying
the cost of turning over a field during the week, during the week you
wouldn't paint soccer lines. You would just put soccer kids on or
baseball kids on back and forth. The only time you'd paint is for a
tournament when you want to have something a little more
structured. We're talking about getting those fields ready for play
anyhow. It's really not a significant difference in cost.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Commissioner Kowal,
and then we do have a couple more slides to go through. But,
Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you, Chairman.
MR. ADAMS: I just jumped Jay, though.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I just wanted to -- Commissioner
LoCastro, I just know, you know, we had the meeting, and we all
voted, you know, to have the tax put on the tourism tax, the one
penny, or whatever it is, for November's ballot. You know, we had
discussion then, and I was told, well -- because I brought up some
things about seasons and which sports, and just from Commissioner
LoCastro.
The field house, other than -- we keep saying it's -- a Category 5
shelter is something it could be used for, but in reality, it could be
used for a lot of things. There's two of the number one -- number one
and number two sport in high school, traveling sport is volleyball and
basketball, which are played inside field houses.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I just wanted to hear that
more.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: And then, of course, you have
your sportsman's shows, your boat shows, your home shows,
conventions. I mean, all these things are held in these type of field
October 28, 2025
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houses. But when I mentioned that last time in the last meeting, I
think somebody from the -- the group here said that, well, those
sports compete directly with our soccer team because they're -- you
know, and baseball's not going to compete because it's in the summer.
I went to soccer all summer. I don't know what's going on. I mean,
we have a playoff game this Saturday. And kudos to FC Naples, first
season, and, you know, we're going to be in the playoffs here.
I went to games all summer long, so I don't know what they said
it -- so it's definitely going to directly compete with the soccer,
baseball fields, where I don't know if the indoor facility, from what I
remember -- most of my volleyball tournament years with my
daughter was from January through March and April. So I don't
think that is summer. So I just want to correct the record there,
because I was kind of told that, and the reason for the baseball fields,
that it wouldn't compete with the soccer, which I know soccer's gone
all through the summer. So just going on the record. But there are
many things a field house can be used for for the big revenue.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Absolutely, yep.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Let me just add to that. Agree
1,000 percent. Make that part of your presentation, okay? The
average person I represent on Marco Island, okay, doesn't have kids
in soccer and baseball. Some do. But they want to hear not that
we're building a multimillion-dollar field house for the
once-every-five-year hurricane or the once-every-one-year hurricane.
That's a given.
All the stuff Commissioner Kowal just said somebody write
down, okay. Put it on a slide. Show the dollars and cents. Wow, if
we build a field house, FC Naples can play inside during inclement
weather. We can have a boat show. Lacrosse is really -- okay, we all
know this, but, you know, the average citizen, to Commissioner
October 28, 2025
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Hall's point, doesn't have a crystal ball. They don't think of this stuff.
So when you give us these presentations about what phase is
going to be funded and whatnot, even though it's tourism dollars, I
still have constituents, we all do, that want to make sure that money
is well spent. And so he gave you some great examples that
definitely need to be on a slide showing that if we build it, they will
come, because we already know people are interested, and then it
does show the dollars and cents, that we're not just spending money.
We're investing it. And that's what I think -- that's what I know we
need to have, you know, at these meetings as we go forward.
You know, to Commissioner McDaniel's point about the
different phasing and whatnot, some of this predates the three of us,
you know, myself, Commissioner Hall, and Commissioner Kowal.
That's a valid argument especially if it was something that was talked
about. So maybe we have to continue that to make sure we either
build it all at once or we really sit down and talk the phasing, and
maybe that's another presentation.
But don't miss out on the financials, because that's what, then,
we get questioned about at town hall meetings. That's what we put in
our newsletters.
So that's the meat on the bone, not we're just building an empty
building, and if we get another Irma, guess what? Everybody's going
to run in there. It's way more than that.
Commissioner Hall said it perfect -- or Commissioner Kowal
said it perfectly, "Write that down," because it obviously has a lot of
uses, and we would get the best bang for our investment building that
field house if we used it for those things.
One additional thing is, and it is important to me, to make
sure -- I agree with Commissioner Saunders. Maybe these teams that
use the Paradise Coast, maybe it's the wrong terminology to say, "Oh,
it's a cash cow for them," and it's great if we're making budget and all
October 28, 2025
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that, but we have to make sure that they don't pay us this amount,
which covers our expenses, but we also have to know what they're
charging, the average, you know, kid, the FBU football guys that
come, the lacrosse team and whatnot so that there's some balance and
that it's not just, "Oh, we're just happy because we're breaking even,"
but we're allowing, you know, somebody to use our facility that
maybe we don't have oversight on exactly, you know, what they're
charging and how much, you know, they're making.
And we want them to make a profit, but just having oversight
over it to make sure that we might not be undercharging. You know,
if they're making money hand over fist and we charge them -- we
have this same issue at our marinas at times when we charge a small
launch fee, and then we find out that, you know, a commercial boat
company is making hundreds and hundreds and thousands of dollars,
right, James, and they're charging -- and we're charging them a $10
launch fee, and then they charge everybody that goes out on those jet
skis thousands of dollars, and we get 10 bucks. So, you know, the
business part of it we are very interested in across the board.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let's go ahead and finish the
presentation, because we have two more speakers. And I'm going to
ask Mr. Moreno also to come up and make a few comments.
But, Mr. Tusa.
MR. TUSA: All right. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I will just jump right in. So I'll be focusing on Hunden Partners'
recently completed study and prioritization of the completion of the
diamond fields as a way to strengthen summer tourism year-round
utilization. And so we can see here Hunden confirms Collier's
seasonal imbalance. Hotel occupancy averages 80 to 85 percent in
winter and 55 to 60 percent in summer.
Diamond sports present the clearest opportunity to fill that
October 28, 2025
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summer gap. Peer complexes such as USSA [sic], Space Coast, and
Public Sports Park report 40 to 45 percent of annual visitation June
through August.
Typical diamond sports attract events -- attract 70 to 80 percent
out-of-market teams staying three to five nights with 2.5 to 3.5 guests
per participant, producing extended lodging, dining, and retail
activity.
Expanding baseball and softball capacity would diversify PCSC
programming beyond football and soccer, strengthening year-round
utilization.
And the recommendation will continue with completing the
baseball and softball fields first because the first phase delivers the
highest incremental tourism and TDT impact. The field house's
off-season benefit makes the field's prioritization attractive to tourism
industry employers and the tourism industry in general. Depending
on funding availability, the indoor field house could be a concurrent
or subsequent phase once new TDT revenues are realized.
Collier County's 150,000-plus hotels rooms can absorb
additional tournament demand, particularly around the Paradise Coast
Sports Complex corridor. Summer tournaments strengthen hotel
performance during low-occupancy months and help balance the
County's seasonal tourism cycle. Off-peak diamond events create
new room nights and incremental TDT revenue rather than displacing
existing visitors.
Completing the fields positions the complex to year-round -- to
operate year-round and produce a sustainable tourism base that can
later support the field house phase.
And if you have any questions, I'm happy to answer them.
Otherwise, I'll turn it over -- back over to Jack.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. And then, Jack, I think
you had a few comments to make in addition to what you've already
October 28, 2025
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said.
MR. ADAMS: I just made a couple notes. I couldn't write it
down, so I typed it into my phone.
This slide has a bunch of stats on it. The one that I just want to
call your attention to is the second bullet point in the top section.
Right now -- this goes to the question about, you know, does the
community want this? Right now, currently, we have demand
enough to fill 18 fields. So we have nine fields today. We'll have
one more -- without building these extras, we'll be sitting on demand
for 18 fields, and we'll have to -- you'll see people like the kids
playing at 10 p.m. That's just what happens when we have that
compression.
So this is just a community slide. It shows a lot of the different
parts and pieces of what the community is asking for.
This gets into the events. So there would be a further 12 to 15
events during the period, and I think to answer the question about
visitation and the flattening visitation, we're 100 percent behind
building the indoor as well. We love that. We have -- that's why
we've studied both for all this time. We know what will come with
basketball, volleyball, wrestling, ju jitsu. All the mat sports;
cheerleading, dance.
There will be lots of little shows. There's opportunity for trade
shows and other things you can do in a big room like that, and we do
it all around the country, and we love it, and we can make that thing
as successful as the outdoor.
Once again, not having to increase the general administrative
costs and only really the cost of goods, so operationally that will be
successful as well. So we encourage it. We're not saying, "This but
not that." We're just here to talk about the diamond fields.
And so with respect to the diamond fields, we will add a bunch
of events, and we have the -- we have the event owners presenting us
October 28, 2025
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letters of intent already. Those are things I think we have enough of
that we can share that not only will the community come, but events
will come.
Two slides left.
On the forecast side, we talked about this, so I won't spend a
whole lot more time on it. But just with respect to pricing, I think
one of the questions was what are we priced? We are priced below
what we could charge. If we were just, you know, a private entity out
there charging market rate, we would be higher. Because the County
desires to keep this affordable and inclusive, we -- and we work for
you, we have lower pricing than we could. So this is -- this is not the
case that we are getting where we're getting because we're
overcharging.
That will provide, additionally, those extra fields, a lot more
sponsorship opportunity as well. So besides just the events we bring,
there are all the ancillaries that come. All those additional people
buy all that additional food and beverage, T-shirts, everything else in
town.
Last slide. This one is a -- this one just, I think, gets to the
question about we do see soccer all year. We do see baseball all year.
We live in paradise here, right? This is why -- I mean, we have
beautiful weather, and we're always going to have all sports, and
everybody's going to come from above the frost line down to see us,
and so we're going to have all of it. But if you just look at the
visitation numbers, the indoor facilities are where the existing traffic
is, which has, during the June to August months specifically, 17 to
25 percent, and it's 41 to 43 with the diamond facility. So it's not that
there's not one or the other. It's just that there's more baseball
accessible, and it would fill us. And what we're talking about doing
is reducing the compression so that everybody wants the same thing,
and people can't get in, or they go late at night.
October 28, 2025
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I think we're thinking also about just the experience in town.
We don't want the hotels to be -- you know, they're just going
to -- their prices will go up if they're packed. And we want to see
development. So we want to see -- right now the good thing about
diamond fields is they will fill rooms that are less full, and so it will
allow more dollars to go into those hotels and help them develop,
whereas just oversaturating existing hotels will push them potentially
out of county into other spaces.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. Just as a -- as a point of
discussion for shelter capacity, it's 40 square feet per person on the
general population and 80 square feet for special needs, so -- and
that's just round numbers. And we know there isn't a total of
80,000-square feet there, but it's easily twice the amount that was
represented earlier on.
My only other note that I have is some management issues with
the prioritization. I don't -- I don't like hearing about kids having to
practice at 10 o'clock because somebody else is utilizing the fields
when the kids should be. So I'd like to have a little discussion at
some point. Not today. But when I'm hearing that kids are utilizing
these fields at 10 o'clock at night, that doesn't resonate well with me,
so...
MR. ADAMS: Understood. If I gave that impression, I
misspoke. It is all kids. We are talking about youth organizations.
There's not an adult organization pushing kids late.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I understand, Jack. But the
previous speaker spoke about her kids having to practice at 10 o'clock
at night. That means somebody's using those fields at prime time
when our kids need to be using it, and in fact that is adults that are
using it during that prime time, then they move them to the 10 o'clock
at night and put our kids on that field.
October 28, 2025
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MR. ADAMS: A 100 percent. That's not the case. It's just that
many kids.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Got it.
MR. ADAMS: I assure you, it's not adults pushing kids.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It could be -- so there are
other kids that are taking up that prime time?
MR. ADAMS: That are that many kids that want to play.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Gotcha. Okay.
MR. ADAMS: And we love it. We love seeing them not on
screens. We love them out touching grass, but there's just a lot of
kids.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Next time you come, bring
that -- bring that revenue against expenses discussion that you talked
about earlier. That's really important to me, I know, especially. I
think Commissioner LoCastro asked for it as well. So make sure we
see some hard numbers on your -- on your operating expenses.
MR. ADAMS: Delighted to do that, especially because we
already did the work. So now we get to just, you know, refresh it,
and it's not as hard.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And brag about it.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Do we need to take a break, or are
you okay for a little bit longer?
THE COURT REPORTER: I'm okay.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Then, Commissioner
Kowal, you're lit up.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you, Chairman.
Hey, the one slide you showed me, you said there was 18 -- a
demand right now for, like, 18 fields or -- yeah, it was at the second
line in the following. Now that 18 fields, that's from our local
organizations that --
MR. ADAMS: Yes.
October 28, 2025
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COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Okay.
MR. ADAMS: Yeah, that's the community slide. That's just
community demand.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Okay. So -- but I understand you
want to go out and find tournaments and bring people in, too, right?
MR. ADAMS: We do. We expect that to mostly be weekends.
In the summer, it can be week-long tournaments. But however you
look at it, there is -- there's enough local demand to fill our fields
and --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: So even if you didn't bring
anyone in, we would always have them fields full; is that what you're
saying?
MR. ADAMS: Yes.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: So but then when we do bring
people in, then we still --
MR. ADAMS: We try --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: -- don't have fields for our kids
locally?
MR. ADAMS: Yes, sir. We try to prioritize weekends so that
we meet -- when we were hired, there were sort of three things we
were asked to do. One is take care of the community, first and
foremost; second, reduce that subsidy; and third, bring in tourism, the
reason that the park was built. So we really try to balance those
three, and one of the ways we've done that is to keep the events
mostly on the weekends. That's not to say there's never events in the
week and concerts, and things like that happen during the week. But,
you know, small fests, SnowFest. But a lot of that weekday stuff is
community based.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: And I know you had
mentioned -- because I know in the original drawings -- and we saw
that one overview, and it showed that Phase 5, which I guess at one
October 28, 2025
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point was Phase 1 was the field house, and it sits to the left of the
stadium itself where there's that gravel parking lot now. If you're out
there, it's a gravel, right now, parking lot, and then we use that as
overflow, or the staff uses that during the soccer games.
You know, I walk that place a lot. I'm always thinking. And,
you know, I don't know if that should be set in stone either because,
in reality, I think if you actually put that field house where they call
the warmup field -- which I've never seen a soul on it -- it's on the
right side of the stadium as you're looking down at the stadium. And
in reality, you can -- it's actually a bigger footprint, and then that
gravel parking lot could probably be parking for the stadium with a
true entrance into the stadium, because that's where our emergency
tunnel comes out. So you can have EMS there. You can have
everybody staged and have a real store for the -- our professional
soccer team instead of a tent where they sell shirts out of and have
permanent magnetometers for events when they come through, you
know, like, an actual security checkpoint --
MR. ADAMS: Great idea.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: -- coming in. And then in the
warmup field, then you can double down on that building and you
can put suites along the side facing the field and cantilever it over our
grass area and have some seating and sell more boxes to watch the
soccer games when they are going on, and then have the field itself.
And you already have parking going in. Phase 3 is putting a new
parking lot right on the other side of that field as we speak. I'm just
saying. I do a lot of walking around out there.
MR. ADAMS: I love that idea. The original concept for that
space was a playground and some of the things just to keep the kids
active that were, you know, not playing right now or --
(Simultaneous crosstalk.)
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Just a grass field right now with a
October 28, 2025
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fence around it.
MR. ADAMS: It really wasn't develop -- that was one of the
kind of later-phased things. It wasn't finished out. There have been
some ideas along the way like a natural grass field which would
attract some more pro-level type play. I love the idea of the field
house because of all of the kind of adjacency --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Because I know right now, like if
somebody gets injured, they've got to walk them through that tunnel
and, like, bring them all the way around where, like, if we have to
evacuate them to the helicopter, so they've got to land on that other
field. That's a long trip around the field to get somebody out of there.
And if we had that particular designated, you know, as, like, a first
aid station, bring them out and everything right there centrally
located on that side of the stadium. I'm just saying -- I know I'm
getting off track here, Commissioner, but --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Boy.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: -- I'm just throwing things out.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Commissioner Hall, and
then we'll --
COMMISSIONER HALL: Thank you, Chairman.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: -- wrap things up here.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Jack, I appreciate your demeanor --
MR. ADAMS: Thank you, sir.
COMMISSIONER HALL: -- and your candidness and your
honesty. I don't feel like I'm being sold at all. And I want you to
know I appreciate it.
MR. ADAMS: Thank you, sir.
COMMISSIONER HALL: I do have a question. I guess this
decision's going to ease -- it's going to help me if I know how
much -- and it's probably in there somewhere. I just missed it. How
much is the field house to build?
October 28, 2025
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COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Forty to 50 million.
MR. ADAMS: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Forty to 50?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I think it's more like 50 to 60 now.
But, yeah, Mr. Mullins --
COMMISSIONER HALL: All right. We'll just call it 50
million. How much -- how much does it cost for the diamonds?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: My understanding is it's going to
be about the same.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Okay.
MR. MULLINS: Again, for the record, John Mullins, your
director of Communications, Government, and Public Affairs.
And the preliminary estimates -- and I'm going to call this
advanced napkin math. The project managers over at Facilities have
sat down and gone through the items and tried to estimate with a
pretty wide range of room for error, given the fluctuations in pricing,
et cetera, time that it would take to actually construct the fields. They
are estimating right now that the fields would cost between 50 and
$90 million and that the field house would be between 45 and
$70 million.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Now, just for
clarification -- because that's a lot of money for a ball field, but
there's more to it --
MR. MULLINS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: -- than ball fields. There's
bathroom facilities, there's shelter facilities for storms and for --
MR. MULLINS: Parking, marketplace.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Parking.
MR. MULLINS: There are several other structures associated
with the field construction.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: My understanding is that the fields
October 28, 2025
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would probably cost somewhere around 5- to $6 million each just for
the fields, not for everything else.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Five million dollars each to build a
baseball diamond? Unique Services will do that for 3.5 million.
Now, I guess if the conversation we're having is to do something
to fill the summer gap and to increase tourism during the summer
while we're -- then it's obvious, since the costs are the same, that the
diamonds would be the -- that's the thing that's going to meet that
need. So if that's what our need is and that's what our want is, then
I'm -- that's the obvious answer to me.
I want the field house. I think the field house will offer -- just
like Commissioner Kowal and Chairman McDaniel said, it's going to
offer storm protection. It's also going to offer us things that we can,
you know, feel that we can't put in an outdoor field.
So whatever we do, which is fine with me, I want the tourism
funds to pay for it. And I do not want to get the cart before the horse.
I'd like to have the money in the bank and then build it and pay for it
as we go.
I'm ready for a break.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. I'm flabbergasted with
that spread in cost associated with this. That, to me, is unacceptable.
I can't -- even though it's tourist tax dollars, I can't recommend
bringing forward a project to the electorate on a referenda with a
100 percent spread in cost. I can't -- I can't -- I can't do it.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, we could --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And the writeup that we had,
Commissioner --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We could make a motion here to
take this off the ballot and not -- not deal with it at all because we
don't know what the exact costs are going to be, I mean, if that's
October 28, 2025
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where you're thinking.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: The numbers are unacceptable, so
let's just don't put it on the ballot.
Now, I'm going to tell you, the only reason we're here having
this discussion, the only reason is because I brought forth the sixth
penny tourist tax.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: If we didn't have that sixth penny
on the ballot, we'd have no discussion about any improvements to
Paradise Coast Park, period. Now, my research -- and I've worked
with the industry -- has shown they want more summer tourism, and
they know that these fields will bring more summer tourism. And if
we commit to building the fields, they will spend money and effort to
get this passed. It's as simple as that. And also, if we do get that
passed, there's a potential that we'll be able to do the fields and the
field house simultaneously.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: But the priority has to be to build
the fields so that we can get the tourist industry behind this. That's
why we're here.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I understand that.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And that's going to be my ask at
the end of this conversation, to honor the commitment of the industry
that we're taxing to support this based on our commitment to build
the fields to help that industry.
But remember, that sixth penny will generate $10 million a year
into the distant future. We can build the field house with that. We
can build the fields with that. We can do a project for the City of
Naples with that. Otherwise, we are -- we're just talking about
something hypothetical that we'll never be able to do.
October 28, 2025
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I'm sorry for interrupting. Commissioner McDaniel, anything
else?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: You're not -- you didn't
interrupt me. I mean, I understand your passion. I understand your
rationale. I just -- I just -- when you say 90 million out loud, it
becomes 90 million, and that's only for one of the two entities that are
coming forward, and that's what scares me. I mean, sure, $10 million
a year and an additional TDT tax goes on in perpetuity.
I think it needs to be tighter before we -- before we -- before
we -- before we vote on this. I think it needs to be tighter. I can't -- I
can't -- I can't be -- I mean, in the executive summary, it was 40, 50
million apiece for each one of these. That was the 100 million that
we were talking about. That was -- now I can do the math, and
10 million can, in fact, support that with some kind of a debt
instrument in order to get that done. I can -- I can see that.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Want me to get you out of this
little conundrum here?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: It's not a conundrum. I'm going to
make a motion to do this.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: So two things to get us back
to what's written in the agenda is a recommendation to prioritize the
construction and so forth and whatnot. If Commissioner McDaniel or
any of the other commissioners feel like it's too soon and we're
not -- we don't have all the answers to prioritize, if we don't know the
exact amount or whatnot -- and I think that's what he might be sort of
implying, then maybe he's not going to be supportive of it. Maybe
I'm not going to be supportive of it.
But before you make your motion, to maybe end on a high note,
right, a little bit, so we have the only CEO of an expansion soccer
team sitting in the audience that is going to the playoffs, and that's a
October 28, 2025
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big deal, nationwide.
So before we vote, you know, I'll go a little bit out of order to
maybe bring a little levity, bring a little excitement. Mr. Roberto
Moreno, can you come to the front, and can we acknowledge how
awesome of a job you and your company and your team -- we don't
care if you want baseball fields or not or if you want gas pumps, you
know, but I just wanted to acknowledge, and I'll turn it back to the
Chairman.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: So just so everyone understands, I
was going to get Mr. Moreno to come up here before the motion was
made to --
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: But we need it now.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: No. Now is a perfect time. But
I've spent a lot of time talking to Mr. Moreno. We've had meetings
twice a month in my office over here at the county offices to talk
about this, and he's very passionate about the need for more fields for
the kids that want to play out there. He doesn't need more fields.
MR. MORENO: Right.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: But he knows that the need's there.
But he does have one need for a grass field, and maybe you could
talk a little bit about that, too, which is something we could do if we
get this ballot initiative approved.
MR. MORENO: Thank you. Robert Moreno, CEO, FC Naples.
My voice is still hoarse from the game on Saturday.
Yeah. First of all, thank you, Commissioners, for your support
of FC Naples since day one. None of this would have been possible
without you guys.
I do want to mention that since the sports park came under
Growth Management and Community Development working with
Jamie French and James Hanrahan and his team, we've seen a
dramatic improvement in the operation and maintenance of the sports
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park. So I just want to commend you guys on that decision and take
a moment to thank you, James, and Jamie, and -- Jamie and the whole
team for that.
Look, FC Naples has brought excitement and community pride
like never before, right? We see kids, adults, everybody wearing FC
Naples gears at the games, out in the public, and this has no doubt
changed the perception and the conversation of the sports park, right?
Before FC Naples, the conversation was, "Why did we do that?
What's going on here?" And now I think we all understand why this
was built, right?
So FC Naples has brought that excitement, has brought that
notoriety. And like Commissioner LoCastro said, we're in the
playoffs, which is really exciting, right? We're the first expansion
team in history to host a playoff game. Our playoff game is this
Saturday at 7:30 p.m. I hope a lot of you can make it.
And the truth of the matter is, we are now on Sports Center.
We're on national media. Everybody's talking about Naples, about
how -- what an amazing city and amazing complex we have.
So no, baseball fields don't add anything to FC Naples, but I can
tell you firsthand being there at the complex every day that there is a
demand for more fields. There is a demand for more soccer fields,
and I know from the material I've seen, working with Commissioner
Saunders, there is a big demand for baseball fields.
So we support the construction of these fields, but at the same
time, I want to work together with you guys to see how we could
optimize and hopefully lower the costs of operating not only the
complex but, more importantly, the soccer games, right? This could
not be a one-and-done team here. This cannot be something that we
can sustain.
So what I'm asking for is how can we work together with the
County, with Sports Facilities Companies to see how we can improve
October 28, 2025
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the experience at the games and, at the same time, make it cost
effective for FC Naples.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay.
MR. MORENO: On the grass fields that Commissioner
Saunders mentioned, yes, we've got in tens of requests from teams
like the national team from Argentina and Lionel Messi wanting to
practice at Paradise Coast Sports Complex, but we can't do that
because we don't have a natural grass field. We've gotten requests
from European teams that want to come here during the summer or,
sorry, during the winter and train for their upcoming season, but we
can't do that because we don't have a grass field.
So I would be incredibly supportive of doing something around
a grass field. It doesn't necessarily have to be at the stadium. It can
be adjacent to the stadium, like Commissioner Kowal suggested.
So yeah, thank you, guys, and thank you, everyone, for your
support. I'm really happy that we can bring this pride to this amazing
community.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you, and congratulations.
And I plan to be out there on Saturday.
MR. MORENO: Thank you so much.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I'm sure the other commissioners
will be as well. Hopefully it will be a sell-out crowd, hopefully.
MR. MORENO: Any questions that I can answer for the group?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: No one's lit up.
MR. MORENO: Thank you so much.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: So let me -- I'm going to wrap this
up, because we could go on for several more meetings talking about
people needing shelter during storms. Let's assume that 1,600 is the
right number for sheltering. During Hurricane Irma we sheltered
almost 20,000 people. And so we need the shelters, but this is -- the
shelter, to me, is sort of like the typical red herring. You know, we
October 28, 2025
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want to build this building so we can have a shelter to shelter 800
people or 1,600 people when, in fact, in a major event like Hurricane
Irma, we need 20,000 spots.
And so it's a great thing to have. I don't think it's a must have. I
think it's a wonderful thing to have.
I'm kind of relying on the experts. It wasn't my idea to prioritize
fields, but the Hunden report, James Hanrahan's information, all of
the information that I've been getting for the last couple years is we
have a tremendous demand for more fields. We have a tremendous
demand for more tourism in the summertime, and the way we can fill
this is if we have the facilities to provide for those types of
tournaments and for those needs.
So how do we do it? Well, the only way we can do it is if we do
it at Paradise Coast and we raise this sixth-penny tourist tax. And
that's why I brought that forward. Now, why am I bringing this
forward today? Why not continue this for another month so we get
more information? The reason is that if we're going to get the
citizens to vote for a tax -- I don't care if it's a tax on tourists. It still
takes citizen input and citizen knowledge. We have to wage a
campaign to do that. We have to start that campaign.
And my commitment to this commission and to the community
is I will help run a campaign with the Chamber of Commerce and
with the Restaurant and Lodging Association to get this sixth penny
approved. And once we do that, then, Commissioner McDaniel, we
can have a real conversation about, "Well, as we're building the
fields, can we now also build the field house?" If we don't get this
passed, then all of this has just been a waste of time, and we have a
facility that is begging for completion.
And, sure, it's going to be a $200 million complex by the time
we're finished, and that's a lot of money. That's a lot more than we
anticipated. But we're going to be paying the vast bulk of that with
October 28, 2025
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tourist tax dollars, the vast bulk of the increase with tourist tax
dollars. We're going to generate not only revenue and business for
our community, but the advertising that will come with all of these
new events will be great for the tourist industry.
But the goal here is to get this sixth penny approved and, quite
frankly, this is the way to get the community behind it.
I'm going to make a motion. I handed out a resolution for the
Board. The reason I want to put this in the form of a resolution -- it's
just simply a routine vote -- is because I want the public to know that
we are committed to building these fields, and that will help me wage
a campaign to get this done.
And then, Commissioner McDaniel, we can -- we can talk about
the field house and when that can be constructed.
So my motion is -- it's a resolution by the Board of County
Commissioners to prioritize the construction of additional athletic
fields for the Paradise Coast Sports Complex with the assumption
that we do get that sixth penny approved, and that's my motion.
MR. EBLE: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yes, sir.
MR. EBLE: I received a public comment slip during the
presentation.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right.
MR. EBLE: Would you like to take that?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let's go through the public
comment, yes, sir.
MR. EBLE: Just one speaker, Kim Ellis.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Good morning.
MS. ELLIS: Hi. Well, it seems a little late in the discussion for
what I wanted to say when -- there were comments made about the
lady that spoke about soccer fields and was making money and yada,
yada, yada. I just wanted to say that I am a community resident. I've
October 28, 2025
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been here for a very long time. And I don't pay for any children to
pay [sic] any sports right now. I've done that. But I know there's a
very big need for more baseball and softball fields throughout the
county and also to -- I was going to say exactly what Chris Hall said,
you want something to increase your revenue during the summer and
increase tourism during summer, and it seems that that's what the
baseball fields and soccer fields would -- the baseball and softball
fields would do as opposed to the building that you want to build. If
you want something for summer, it seems like the way to go.
So here's your community representative speaking on behalf of a
lot of parents. And I could probably fill this room with people that
share the same sentiment if you gave me some time. But I really
believe that to be true. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, if this doesn't pass this
morning, I'll be bringing it back, and maybe you'll have that
opportunity. Hopefully we won't have to do that.
Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'm going to support your
motion, by the way. I'll second it, as a matter of fact, and I'm going
to hold you to putting it forward and making this happen.
I want to tighten up on the expenses. I want to know what those
expenses are before we take it to a referenda to ask the electorate to
pass the tax. I want to -- I want that to be as tight as is physically
possible. I want to see the overall operating expenses and revenue
with regard to the exposure for our community. Again, it's well in
excess of 200 million. We're -- we're pushing 140 now, if I'm not
mistaken, with our TPC -- or with our expenses so far on this facility.
So if the -- if the short numbers are correct, we -- we're now
bumping up into the $250 million mark with regard to this.
And again, I'm -- I'm -- I guess -- my question to you,
Commissioner Saunders, is if -- assuming we pass this today, at what
October 28, 2025
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stage do we stop it if things get out of hand?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, we can call off an election all
the way until September, October --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: For the referenda. Not for the
election itself, but for the referenda.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah. For the referendum, we
could -- we could cancel a referendum all the way up until the date of
the referendum, I believe. The ballots would be printed, so it would
still appear on the ballot, but we could cancel that at any time.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: So in the event that these
costs become extraordinary and exorbitant and we're not seeing
what's been represented to us today, we can -- we can stop this
initiative next year?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion and a
second. I'm going to call the vote before there's a change of heart on
the second.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: What'd he say?
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I was going to tell you I was
going to support you in this.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Kowal?
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I was going to tell you I'm going
to support you in this motion and -- but I want a commitment from
the staff and everybody else up here, if it comes to the point where
we do have an opportunity or possibility to have both projects
moving in the right direction, that we look at -- because I brought the
whole field house thing up and used the Category 5 thing as a
funding to help us fund it, not so much to use taxpayers' dollars, not
so much to use tourism dollars, but seeking federal grant money or
federal -- or not grant, but federal dollars, state dollars for a facility
October 28, 2025
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that can house tri-county people when there's a time of crisis and
evacuation to offset that price to build the field house.
So I want a commitment from us and the staff that we will
research that and see if there is monies out there. And then, in
reality, we get it built with somebody else's dollars, and then we
profit from it by putting all these other things in there. You've even
got indoor pickleball. Do you know how many times I'm asked to
put an indoor pickleball place in this county? On a daily basis.
So I mean, that would be -- generate tons and tons of money.
We bring, what, 50-, 60,000 people a year in just for that week over
at East Naples park -- and you can contest [sic] that. You know what
it's like there -- from around the world.
MR. HANRAHAN: Well said.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Can you imagine if we had an
80- to 100,000-square-foot facility, we could have it indoor during
the summer? That would bring a ton of money. So I'm just saying, I
just want a commitment. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion and a
second. Is there any further 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: That passes unanimously.
I want to thank the Board for that. This was an interesting
October 28, 2025
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conversation, and I really appreciate -- I was hoping to get a
unanimous vote, I really was, because I think it's the right thing to do.
So I appreciate it.
We'll take a break till 11:30.
(A recess was had from 11:11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Ladies and gentlemen, if you'll
please take your seats, we'll reconvene. We still have quite a bit of
business to do today.
Ms. Patterson, I'm not sure where we are in terms of the
time-certains and that sort of thing, so...
Item #11A
RECOMMENDATION TO HEAR A PRESENTATION ON
FUNDING STRATEGIES FOR A STORMWATER CAPITAL,
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. (TRINITY
SCOTT, DEPARTMENT HEAD - TRANSPORTATION
MANAGEMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT) - MOTION TO DO
THE ANALYSIS ON THE SALES SURTAX AND THE
STORMWATER UTILITY, BRING THAT BACK TO US IN A
SHORT PERIOD BY COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL; SECONDED
BY COMMISSIONER HALL – APPROVED
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that does bring us to our
series of stormwater and transportation items that were to follow our
sports facility -- or sports complex item, so that's 11A, 11B, and 11C.
First 11A, which was continued from the October 14th, 2025,
BCC meeting is a recommendation to hear a presentation on funding
strategies for a stormwater capital, operations, and maintenance
program.
It will be followed by 11B, which is a recommendation to
October 28, 2025
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approve a resolution authorizing the County's borrowing an amount
not to exceed $65 million under the Florida Local Government
Finance Commission's Pooled Commercial Paper Loan program for
the purpose of financing the costs of various stormwater capital
improvements. This loan is secured by the County's covenant to
budget and appropriate legally available non-ad valorem revenue;
authorize the execution of a loan note or loan notes to evidence such
borrowing; authorize the execution and delivery of other such
documents as may be necessary to effect such borrowing; and
authorize all necessary budget amendments.
And finally, 11C is a recommendation to approve a resolution
amending Resolution 2022-123 to include certain
transportation-related improvements as projects for Commercial
Paper Loan funding, and to increase the authorized borrowing
amount not to exceed $50 million under the Florida Local
Government Financial Commission's Pooled Commercial Paper Loan
program. This loan is secured by a covenant of the County to budget
and appropriate sufficient legally available and -- legally available
non-ad valorem revenues in accordance with the terms of the loan
agreement and as provided in the resolution approving such loan, as
amended, and the Board authorize all necessary budget amendments.
Ms. Trinity Scott, your department head for Transportation
Management Services, is here to begin the presentation.
MS. SCOTT: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Good morning.
MS. SCOTT: With me today I have Chris Johnson, the division
director of Corporate Financial and Management Services, as well as
Peter Hayden, our manager for our Stormwater Capital program.
Let me go through our presentation here. Let's see. There you
go.
So today we are here to obtain direction on a preferred funding
October 28, 2025
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strategy for Stormwater, Capital Operations, and Maintenance. We'll
talk about the need, talk about a short-term solution, and also our
long-term solution.
Going back multiple years when we've talked about the Annual
Update and Inventory Report and also through our budgeting process,
you've heard me stand at this podium and talk to you about our needs
on both the stormwater front as well as the roadway front.
So just a little background. We have many miles of major
canals that we maintain and 87 major water control structures,
370 miles of pipes, 687 miles of roadside swales from our -- that
must be maintained for our stormwater infrastructure.
Our current funding sources are General Fund and
Unincorporated Area General Fund.
Much of our infrastructure is underground, so we don't know
what we don't know, but we are doing a proactive clean view and
repair program where we are looking at our underground
infrastructure on a more regular basis and identifying those needs.
We have multiple assets that are degrading at once due to
clustered build times. Much of our county was built all at the same
time, so a lot of that infrastructure is aging out all at the same time, as
well as bringing on new assets. That means more maintenance needs.
For example, we have the Carson Road stormwater pond out in the
Immokalee area, and Vanderbilt Beach Road extension, which if
folks have been out there, many of them say it's a stormwater project
with some pavement on it.
Amy likes that, by the way. That -- yeah, Stormwater.
MS. PATTERSON: Yeah.
MS. SCOTT: So as delineated in our budget discussion in our
Annual Update and Inventory Report, over the next five years, we are
showing a deficit of approximately $305 million for our stormwater
needs.
October 28, 2025
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And in Fiscal Year '26, we have a need of $64.25 million. Many
of our capital projects are synced with our local utility providers
because if our utility providers are out tearing up the road, we want to
be able to put it back in one piece with our stormwater infrastructure
as well as our utility and replacing that pavement all at the same time.
So coordination is -- is necessary.
We also have a lot of other, as I stated, aging infrastructure
projects, many of which we've already put out to bid in anticipation
of some funding opportunities so we can start those projects shortly
because, as you know, constructing stormwater in rainy season is a
little bit more challenging, so we like to get as much done as we can
during dry season.
So our short-term solution, which we'll be talking about in our
next agenda item, is to increase our commercial-paper-backed line of
credit to accommodate anticipated capital needs. So it's more of a
borrowing when we need it, kind of like a construction loan.
But our long-term solutions that we'll get into -- and this is what
the crux of this agenda item is today is to talk about providing some
direction to the staff so that we can go back, do more research, find
out what is something that may be palatable to the Board and bring
back a long-term funding strategy for stormwater.
The options that we have come up with is -- are delineated, and
we'll go through them rather quickly. The first is a dedicated millage.
Our prior policy -- prior back to 2004 was a dedicated up to .15 mills
to stormwater. It's based on property values. At our current
countywide taxable value, that would bring in about $24.7 million. It
can be scaled based on needs within the millage cap requirements.
I would say that it's a vulnerable funding source because, as I
delineated in my first bullet point, it was dedicated up to .15 mills
previously and then over time was reduced.
In addition, a municipal services taxing unit could be
October 28, 2025
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implemented with -- limited to specific geographic areas. It could
create some funding gaps for watershed-wide improvements. Once
again, MSTUs can be scaled based on needs within our millage cap
requirements. An MSTU can be implemented by the Board with
your vote, but in order to be able to bond those revenues, it would
require a referendum, so I just note that.
The MSTU ordinance must be adopted by December of the year
in order for it to hit the next year's tax roll for the next year's TRIM
notice. And based on our Department of Revenue forms to actually
levy the tax, it would require a unanimous vote. We just went
through that with our unpaved roads MSTU.
Another option would be a sales surtax which reduces the
overall burden to the individual property owners, as visitors and
tourists would contribute. Our prior sales surtax at one cent provided
$520.9 million to the Board for specific projects. That does require a
referendum.
A stormwater utility is also an option. The Board did go
through this exercise many years ago. This is a direct service to fee
nexus. It does provide some rate setting flexibility. It can support
revenue bonds. It does take a study so that you can justify the rates
that you would be implementing, and the implementation can be
complex. But we have gone through this previously.
And lastly, the electric franchise fee, which is no direct service
nexus to a stormwater -- to a stormwater project, if you will, but in
federal and state regulations could impose caps or limitations. There
would be competition for other needs, limited funding near
stormwater initiatives, but it can be implemented rather quickly.
So we're here today to get your input so that we can get some
direction and get back to pulling some more information together for
the Board so that we can try to have a stable, sustainable funding
source for stormwater capital operations and maintenance programs.
October 28, 2025
Page 86
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Go to the slide where you have all of our options up on one
page. Those were nice definitions. I think we all know what those
are.
I'm terribly intimate with this entire endeavor. And I would like
to say to my colleagues right now, we can whack the electric
franchise fee. I have no intention of ever implementing that. I don't
really care about an MSTU.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Nope.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I don't really care about a
dedicated millage. We tried that once, and that's what created the
$250-plus-million deficit that we've incurred, because somebody
chose to not oblige that dedicated millage rate and started whacking
the stormwater because nobody was looking.
So I'm not in favor of a sales tax. I have never been. Didn't
support the last one. Probably won't support the next one.
That leaves stormwater utility. The last stormwater utility that
was brought forward was an absolute debacle. I was quoted in the
Naples Daily News, before they started hating me, as calling it -- the
first time I've seen the word tax spelled f-e-e.
Now, did anybody find out, as I asked yesterday, how many
taxable properties there are available in Collier County?
MS. PATTERSON: Not yet, sir, but we will get you that
answer.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay. I proposed -- when I
looked at the last debacle that was brought forward on the stormwater
utility, there was plus/minus 200,000 taxable property ID numbers in
the -- in the entire county, and I proposed a very, relatively speaking,
simple mechanism for a stormwater utility that even I could
understand, and it was a fixed fee, fixed for -- I think I -- I think I set
October 28, 2025
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it up for a total of a 20-year process; fixed for 10 years with a
5 percent increase at the next -- at the 10-year mark so that taxpayers
knew what was going on. I proposed a $50 fee annually for
apartments and condos. I proposed $100 fee for single-family homes.
I proposed a $1,000 fee for commercial properties. That, in total,
accumulated about 22 -- and I'm dealing with six-year-old numbers
here, so forgive me if I'm not exact. But that, in total, generated
about 22 to $25 million a year. It was a bondable -- it created a -- as
a non-ad valorem assessment, and if we did that so it stayed rate
neutral for my -- for our tax base -- we did a commensurate ad
valorem reduction for that amount of money, because we're
pulling -- we're raising taxes over here, calling it a fee, and
put -- reducing ad valorem over here so we stay at revenue neutral for
our tax base. That created a non-ad valorem assessment. It was
bondable. We had then the borrowability of the money that we
needed when we needed it as we go.
One of the -- and so that's the proposition that I like the best of
all of these. That's something that I can easily explain to the
electorate. It's fixed for 10 years. You have a known increase in
revenue that comes at the next 10 years, and it's a net equal for our
tax base, our taxpayers. We're holding them at their current
expenditure with regard to their ad valorem taxation.
I want to say -- before I hear from the rest, I want to say out
loud, Ms. Patterson, I'm disappointed that we are as far behind as we
are with knowing the useful life of our assets.
I was instrumental in creating the 301 fund, the Capital Asset,
Replacement, and Maintenance fund. We never had one before. And
I was told five years ago, when I created that fund, that those
actuarials were going on. That's the estimation of the useful life of
your asset. You've got a 50-year building with a 20-year roof and
10-year windows and two-year paint and one-year parking lot. It tells
October 28, 2025
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you what you've got to put away each year to fix, repair, and
ultimately replace that asset.
I really want it stepped up so that we have a better handle on our
total amount of -- and I'm not chirping at you. I'm just saying this out
loud. I was misled and told that those actuarials were being done,
that that database was being created by our Utilities, that the entire
Facilities department that houses the 2-billion-plus worth of assets
that Collier County has was over in Utilities, the only department that
has an asset program for us to be able to determine the useful life and
for us to be able to then learn and know how much we have to have
to put away each year.
So I want that stepped up while we're having these discussions
as to how we're going to fund these deficits that we're -- we have
incurred because of prior decision-makers spending money on pretty
and glitty and not taking care of this -- especially the life-sustaining
infrastructure that we currently have. Sermon's over.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Thank you, Chairman.
I totally concur with Commissioner McDaniel's assessment on
keeping up.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Did he call me McDaniels?
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Yes, he did.
COMMISSIONER HALL: I said McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: He has a lisp.
COMMISSIONER HALL: I'll go ahead -- let me correct that,
Terri. Commissioner McDaniels.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: There we go.
COMMISSIONER HALL: No. I agree that we should stay
ahead of the curve and ahead of the eight ball on that; however, I
don't mind the surtax, and here's why.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah, I know why.
October 28, 2025
Page 89
COMMISSIONER HALL: There's $10,000 of consumption per
person, per homeowner at 100 -- to generate $100, and most people
aren't going to generate $10,000 in consumption in a month's time.
With the surtax, everybody that comes to Collier County, tourism,
everybody that lives here, everybody participates in the benefit of
stormwater. Without -- if we do a fee, then the onus is still on the
homeowners. And you can argue, "Yeah, the renters, they'll pay their
portion because the landlords are going to raise the rents and all," but
forget that argument.
If we go with the stormwater utility, we've got 10 years to
collect, or that fee will be fixed for 10 years. With a surtax, our
deficit could be fixed in three to five years. If we said, "Listen, we're
going to put the" -- to the voters, a surtax, we need to generate
$300 million, and as soon as we generate it, it's 100 percent dedicated
to stormwater. We're not going to give money to David Lawrence
Center. We're not going to give money to, you know, anybody else.
It's strictly for the deficit of stormwater.
When that money's raised, it sunsets. It's over. We've got the
funding to fix what we need to fix, and then it's our responsibility to
keep it fixed going on forever and ever and ever. We should never
find ourselves in a $300 million hole again.
I'm not opposed to either one of them. I like the short-term
benefits of the long-term solution on the surtax; however, it would
have to go to the voters, and we'd to get that -- we'd have to get that
okayed. I'm not good with doing that at the same time Commissioner
Saunders wants to do the TDT cent. I don't think -- it's hard to
differentiate both of those when you go to the general public in an
election. They just -- they're like me before I had this job, I just
didn't pay that much attention.
So we have a short-term thing of Fiscal Year '26 and '27 that we
could borrow money to get started. We could bring to the voters in
October 28, 2025
Page 90
the next election, which would be 2028, for the surtax. And when
that implements, then we've got three to five years from there. In the
meantime, we can function on our -- I like the term "borrowability."
So we can do that. That's what borrowing money's for. Good
debt is when other people pay it back. Bad debt is when you do.
So with either one, I'm fine. I'm not good with the dedicated
millage or the electric fee or the MSTU, so...
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I think Trinity put a whole
bunch of things on here that she knew we wouldn't like to zero us in
on the one. She's not dumb or stupid, right, you know. She's like,
they're not going to like half of these.
You know what I want to know from you, because a big thing
that I really value is looking at past history and not repeating poor
history. So you've said, "Hey, we did something similar to like this
and it was a huge debacle," and I think it predates some of us.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It does.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: What I want to know in detail,
because this is the meeting to do it, you know, give us maybe the
short version but don't leave out anything, because if we're about to
charge through this again, I'd love to be educated on why the debacle.
What was done wrong that you thought was going to be done a
certain way, because I assume that's probably what it was. You
know, you were excited about, "Hey, I think this is the way forward,"
and then "I was greatly disappointed at the debacle." Can you sum
that up for us for our own, you know, education here?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Sure.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Because it's important if we're
going down the same -- or a similar road.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: A brief history lesson, ad
valorem revenue started to go down in '07, they went down all the
October 28, 2025
Page 91
way through '12. And the economy started to go back up, and the ad
valorem revenue started to go back up. Well, when the revenues
were going down, an easy place to go to get money to support the
ongoing operations was in stormwater. Who looks at stormwater
besides her?
MS. SCOTT: Me now, sir.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And her.
And so nobody was looking, and the original dedicated amount
was $20 million. Somebody moved it to 15. Nobody said anything.
Then they went to 10, then nobody said anything. All of a sudden it
got to 5. And over a 10-year period, you whack a $20 million
appropriation by $10 million a year, boom, you've got 300 million in
deficit. Nobody was looking.
And so previous administration, previous decision-makers'
answer was to create a stormwater utility, spent $500,000 of the
taxpayers' money to do a great big study. And ask our folks at the
East of 951 Horizon Study Committee this afternoon how that
worked out for the people in the east. It was an absolute debacle. I
mean, tens of thousands of dollars was being -- they were going to
propose a charge of $30,000 a year to First Baptist on Livingston
Road through this study.
So fixed utility is discernible. It's bondable. It allows the -- and
if we do it so that there is -- it's a net even for the taxpayer, which
we've really been working hard to reduce the exposure for on our
constituents. If we do it as a net even, move it over here to Utility,
it's dedicated to stormwater, fixing, repairing, and replacing the
capital assets, and then it's a net even to the tax base at the same time.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: So as a follow-up, when that
money was being creatively moved around, I'll just say, it didn't -- it
didn't need commissioner approval? It was stuff that was found out
after the fact?
October 28, 2025
Page 92
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It got approval by the
Commission, but there were not people that were actually on the
Board that were actually looking at those things.
The budgets are generated by our staff. We all know how that
process works. And our staff brings those things to the Board, and
then it, in fact, got approved. But how thick's our budget page?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Right.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Our budget book's like this
(indicating), and I'm -- I've read it, but not many do.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: It was hard to catch.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And so it is -- it was all done
legally. There was no -- there was no -- there was no -- there was
nothing illegal that was, in fact, done. I just don't want to go down
that rabbit hole again.
And so sales tax, Commissioner Hall -- forgive me. You asked
me a question. I answered it. I don't want to go on to -- I'll wait for
him to recognize me on my -- on my thing with regard to -- did that
answer your question?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: It did.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you, Chairman.
Yeah. I looked at all these options, too, and I think I'm -- along
with my colleagues here, I think I've narrowed it down to the two, the
surtax and the stormwater utility. I'll just first touch on the
stormwater utility. And I'm trying to wrap my head around how do
you implement things of that nature, because there's a lot of moving
parts. There's not -- like Commissioner McDaniel said, he threw out
some numbers, like commercial a 1,000, a house 100, this, this, you
know, all these different numbers. But when you really break it
down, like, you go to, like, how many gated communities we have
October 28, 2025
Page 93
that are private here in Collier County that pay for their own
stormwater, their own roads, their own -- their own sed ponds and,
you know, stormwater management ponds and stuff like that.
So is there a fair playing field when they're paying that upfront
cost and they maintain that already? Within their own, you know,
fees, they pay, as the association, to live there.
I mean, I understand eventually it will make it out to our larger,
you know -- you know, canals and stuff like that, but it's a lot
different than somebody living on a public road where we're
100 percent responsible for that infrastructure compared to a
community like that.
So in a way there's a -- figuring that out and what makes it fair
to me, it just seems like a lot more than we really need. The surtax,
we saw it work in the past. We had the surtax that we -- you know,
we had a five-year sunset, or what was it, 520-some million?
MS. SCOTT: (Nods head.)
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I think we met -- we got -- we
had to shut it off because we met that goal before the five years, and I
think we ended up bringing in 570 million by that December to shut
it off before the first of the year, and you know that's that number,
what you're trying to achieve. And then, more than likely, we will
get to that number quicker than a five-year with a surtax if that gets
approved, and then we can always shut it off when we get to
where -- the number we need, and then people aren't burdened with it
anymore.
So I kind of lean more towards the sales surtax myself, but that's
my opinion.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah. And maybe somebody
can remind me. The only reason I'd lean in on a sales tax would be
portion of that. And I can't remember if it's 70/30; 30 percent's paid
October 28, 2025
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by our residents and 70 by the -- by the tourist population,
or -- there's a percentage of that revenue that comes from the sales tax
paid by outside residents.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah. At that time, it was
estimated that about 35 percent came from visitors.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Visitors, okay. So it's 30 -- it
was 30/70 in my brain, so --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And then it was also the --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: -- 30 percent of that revenue
that we need to support this deficit comes from outside visitors who
do, in fact, utilize our infrastructure, stormwater, so ons and so forth.
I don't like the referenda aspect of it. I think this can -- this can
be -- if we keep it at a net neutral for our tax base, this is a
manageable expense that our electorate can, in fact, handle. And it
doesn't really matter, Commissioner Kowal. When I say it doesn't
matter, it matters. But as long as it's a net even for our tax base,
whether it's $50 a condo or apartment or 100 a house, whatever that
actual fee is, as long as there's a commensurate ad valorem reduction
to keep them even from what they were paying, it creates a bondable
instrument. Staff can then go through the analysis of the needs of
what we actually have to fix. And we have the long-term revenue
stream by setting it up for a 20-years -- 20-year assessment
with -- fixed for 10, an incremental increase at the 10-year mark.
Everybody walks into it with their eyes wide open.
And so I -- the rationale of laying off 30 percent to tourists or to
visitors is a nice idea, but I'm -- I think from a timing standpoint,
we're walking into another referenda discussion, and I -- I'm not
sure -- I'm not sure -- I don't want to put two on the same ballot.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I just --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: If you put two on the same ballot,
you'd probably lose both of them, would be my guess.
October 28, 2025
Page 95
Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Can I just address the elephant in
the room that I think is a big comment or big discussion that's been
going around the state of Florida is that property tax may go away,
so --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Anyway.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: -- that may be, you know,
something that -- you know, where a surtax would not go away.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: We're going to be going
non-ad valorem assessments on everything, yeah.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Yeah. So that could be a
reality --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: -- in the near future. So that's
something we'd have to really, really balance.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And can I ask a question,
Mr. Chair?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Sure.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Today you want us to vote on
the short-term funding for stormwater and roads.
MS. SCOTT: That is the next two agenda items, 11B and 11C.
Today is to get the -- 11A is just to get some staff direction back to us
so that we can go start, if it's a referendum, you know, so that we can
start getting those -- that ball rolling. If it's a stormwater utility, so
we can start getting that ball rolling. Because both of those
initiatives -- narrowing it down to those two initiatives, both of those
initiatives are going to take some time to implement.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well -- and on that note, both
of those initiatives are going to require some more data and analysis
for us to be able to make a final decision. So if we pull the trigger
today, eliminate three of your five suggestions, do a quick analysis on
October 28, 2025
Page 96
surtax and stormwater utility, then bring that back -- bring those back
to us for flipping of the coin to see which way we go, is that
something that would help you?
MS. SCOTT: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, that's all I want to do is
help you. I'll make that motion.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I'll second. I'm not going to
flip the coin, though. I want all the details, okay?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: You know, on the -- on the
referendum -- and I certainly don't have any particular objection to
considering that. But just -- and I mentioned this once before,
Commissioner Hall, just a little history on the 2018 referendum. I
believe it passed by, like, 50.4 percent. I mean, it barely passed.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Less than 1 percent of the
electorate that showed up on that ballot passed it.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: No, it was a general election in
November of 2018.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It was a primary election in
August.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That's right. That's right, it was the
primary.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It was the primary
non-presidential year. I remember it well.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: It was a pretty good turnout.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That could be.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I promise.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. But anyway, the point I
was going to make is that it barely passed, not to say a new one
wouldn't pass, but it barely passed. At that time I think inflation was
1 or 2 percent. Unemployment was extremely low. The economy
was good for everyone back in those days. And it -- so it may very
October 28, 2025
Page 97
well be something that can be done, but also, the business community
spent a ton of money on consultants and campaign
manager -- actually hired a campaign manager and really ran a
campaign.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Three hundred thousand.
Chamber of Commerce was all over it.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah. So if we do go that route,
we need to make sure that the business community will pony up
again for that, and they may very well. It's just --
So I don't particularly care about the -- you know, electric
franchise fee. I would not support that. Dedicated millage, we have
that opportunity every time we vote on a millage rate and budget, so I
don't think that that's our solution.
So the sales tax and the utilities seem to be -- or the proposal
that Commissioner McDaniel has seems to me to be the easiest and
quickest and most likely to be the successful approach. But if there's
a desire to put this on the ballot in 2028, I certainly don't have any
objection to considering that.
Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: My thoughts were, as we were
talking and we're directing staff on the first item, maybe we can just
look at a hybrid. Maybe we can go utility to begin with until it's time
to ask the voters, and if the voters turn it down, then we've still got a
plan in effect.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let me make a comment for the
audience. We're going to break for lunch here as soon as we finish
this item, which is not going to be that much longer. We'll probably
come back around 1:00, 1:15. So if you're here on other items and
you want to get a jump on lunch, you might want to consider that,
because we're going to break here pretty quick.
Commissioner Hall.
October 28, 2025
Page 98
COMMISSIONER HALL: No, I was done. I was just thinking
if we're going to direct staff, maybe they could look at both as a
combination of them instead of just one over the other. I'm good
either way. I just -- I know we have a great need, and I want to meet
it with the least pain and the least increase on the taxpayer, which if
we balance the ad valorem and the fee, there is no increase. I love
that. I love that everybody participates with the sales tax and not just
the homeowners, so...
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. And in furtherance of
the discussion, I've already made a motion that we do some more
analysis on those two items. But in furtherance of the discussion, a
hybrid can come out of the surtax -- or not the surtax -- the
stormwater utility by -- after it's approved and you have your funding
mechanism in place and now you can go forth and persevere and fix
stormwater, then we can go back through and manipulate the
different basins.
Because, you know, it was brought up to me, "Well, I don't want
to pay a stormwater utility because I don't drive -- I don't drive where
it floods." Well, that's -- that's -- that's not the case. Everybody's
been participatory in the creation of these deficits.
So my thought process is once -- if we do go the route of the
stormwater utility, we can adjust those based upon basins so -- as
opposed to just a fixed fee for everybody that lives in Collier County,
houses, apartments, commercial, and such.
In my oversimplified brain, it was -- that was an easy way to go
that was easily understandable by everybody.
COMMISSIONER HALL: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion and
second. If you'd restate the motion just so we were all clear on that.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: No. That was, like, minutes
October 28, 2025
Page 99
ago. We've got a court reporter right here. No. The motion is to
bring back -- to do the analysis on the sales surtax and the stormwater
utility and bring that back to us in a relatively short period -- it
doesn't have to be the next meeting, but -- especially since --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: -- one of us will be gone.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall, you seconded
that.
COMMISSIONER HALL: I did.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion and
second. Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Any registered speakers?
MR. EBLE: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. 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: That passes unanimously.
Why don't we take a break till 1 o'clock. Does that fit
everybody's schedule?
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, could we just knock out
the two commercial paper that are the --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Oh, yeah. Okay.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: We have to finish up the other
two items on this.
October 28, 2025
Page 100
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I'm sorry.
MS. PATTERSON: That's okay.
Item #11B
RESOLUTION 2025-229: RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE A
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY'S BORROWING
AN AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING $65,000,000 UNDER THE
FLORIDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE COMMISSION'S
POOLED COMMERCIAL PAPER LOAN PROGRAM FOR THE
PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE COSTS OF VARIOUS
STORMWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS; THIS LOAN IS
SECURED BY THE COUNTY’S COVENANT TO BUDGET AND
APPROPRIATE LEGALLY AVAILABLE NON AD-VALOREM
REVENUE; AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A LOAN NOTE
OR LOAN NOTES TO EVIDENCE SUCH BORROWING;
AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF OTHER
SUCH DOCUMENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECT
SUCH BORROWING; AND AUTHORIZE ALL NECESSARY
BUDGET AMENDMENTS. (TRINITY SCOTT, DEPARTMENT
HEAD - TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DEPARTMENT) - MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER
HALL; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOCASTRO –
ADOPTED
Item #11C
RESOLUTION 2025-230: RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE A
RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 2022-123 TO
INCLUDE CERTAIN TRANSPORTATION RELATED
IMPROVEMENTS AS PROJECTS FOR COMMERCIAL PAPER
October 28, 2025
Page 101
LOAN FUNDING AND TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED
BORROWING AMOUNT TO NOT EXCEEDING $50,000,000
UNDER THE FLORIDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE
COMMISSION’S POOLED COMMERCIAL PAPER LOAN
PROGRAM. THIS LOAN IS SECURED BY A COVENANT OF
THE COUNTY TO BUDGET AND APPROPRIATE SUFFICIENT
LEGALLY AVAILABLE NON-AD VALOREM REVENUES IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE LOAN
AGREEMENT AND AS PROVIDED IN THE RESOLUTION
APPROVING SUCH LOAN, AS AMENDED; AND THAT THE
BOARD AUTHORIZE ALL NECESSARY BUDGET
AMENDMENTS. (TRINITY SCOTT, DEPARTMENT HEAD -
TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DEPARTMENT) - MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER
HALL; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOCASTRO –
ADOPTED
COMMISSIONER HALL: I move to approve on Item B and C
together.
MS. PATTERSON: Very good.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Second.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have a motion and second. All
in favor, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Wait, wait, wait.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Oh, this is -- this is for the
commercial paper borrowing until we figure the --
MS. SCOTT: Correct, for both stormwater and the roadways.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: They're all sort of combined,
yeah.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: So we have a motion and second.
October 28, 2025
Page 102
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: That passes unanimously.
So we're all set?
MS. SCOTT: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Is 1 o'clock sufficient for
everybody?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Tricky, but okay.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We'll be back at
1 o'clock.
(A luncheon recess was had from 12:05 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. If everybody would take
their seats, it's 1 o'clock, and we have a quorum. I'm sure everybody
in the back can hear, so we'll move forward.
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Ms. Patterson.
Item #9A
ORDINANCE 2025-52: RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE A
REZONE ORDINANCE FOR THE RETREAT MIXED USE
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (MPUD) TO INCREASE THE
MAXIMUM DENSITY FROM 740 DWELLING UNITS TO 834
DWELLING UNITS, ADJUST ACREAGE TO 208.55+ ACRES,
RENAME TRACTS, REVISE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS,
October 28, 2025
Page 103
AND ADD DEVIATIONS EXCLUDING TRACT A. THE
SUBJECT PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF
TAMIAMI TRAIL NORTH (US 41), ¾ OF A MILE NORTH OF
WIGGINS PASS ROAD, AND EXTENDS WEST TO
VANDERBILT DRIVE IN SECTION 9, TOWNSHIP 48 SOUTH,
RANGE 25 EAST, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
[PL20230015039] - MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER
HALL; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOCASTRO –
ADOPTED
MS. PATTERSON: That brings us to Item 9, advertised public
hearings. Item 9A will require Commission members to provide ex
parte disclosure, and all participants are required to be sworn in.
This is a recommendation to approve a rezone ordinance for The
Retreat Mixed-Use Planned Unit Development to increase the
maximum density from 740 dwelling units to 834 dwelling units,
adjust acreage to 208.55-plus acres, rename tracts, revise
development standards, and add deviations, excluding Tract A.
The subject property is located on the west side of Tamiami
Trail North, three-quarters of a mile north of Wiggins Pass Road, and
extends west to Vanderbilt Drive in Section 9, Township 48 South,
Range 25 East, Collier County, Florida.
With that, let's do the commissioners' disclosures first, and we'll
swear everybody in.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Yes. I have a meeting and
emails.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Oh, I've got it all; meetings,
correspondence, emails, calls, telegram, Western Union.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Pony Express.
October 28, 2025
Page 104
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniels -- or
McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Meetings and calls.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Meetings, emails, and calls.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I have the same on 9A.
MS. PATTERSON: All right. Very good. If all participants,
please, could stand up and be sworn in by the court reporter,
including those that are providing 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: All right. Over to you, Mr. Mulhere.
MR. MULHERE: Thank you. For the record, Bob Mulhere
with Bowman. I'm a certified planner here on behalf of Item 9A, The
Retreat at Naples PUD amendment.
And with me today, Nancy Tolan who will step up in just a few
minutes to introduce Vi Living. Nancy's vice president of
development, project development. Terry Cole who works with me
at Bowman is the civil engineer on the project. Bethany Brosious is
with Passarella; she did the environmental review. And Norm
Trebilcock did our transportation analysis. And we have two
attorneys today. We have Ashley Lupo and Amy Thibaut, and they
are both with Roetzel and Andress.
So with this, I'll let Nancy come up and introduce.
MS. TOLAN: Thanks, Bob.
Good afternoon. I'm Nancy Tolan with Vi.
Vi is an owner and operator of exquisite senior living
communities serving nearly 1,000 residents at Bentley Village and
over 4,000 residents across the country at our 10 life-plan
October 28, 2025
Page 105
communities.
Bentley Village provides resort-style senior living in a
beautifully landscaped and amenity-rich environment. This includes
finance centers and art studios, a golf course, salons and spas, as well
as multiple dining venues, all of which support a broad range of
programs, services, and experiences for our residents.
In addition to independent living, as a life-plan community, also
known as a continuing-care retirement community, Bentley Village
has an on-site care center where we provide a full continuum of
healthcare including assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory
support. This allows our residents to remain close to their spouses
and friends should their healthcare needs change.
You may be interested to know that 97 percent of our residents
are from Naples and the surrounding area. Two of the remaining
3 percent who come to us from further away moved to Bentley
Village to be closer to their adult children who live in Naples or the
surrounding area.
Bentley Village serves the people of Greater Naples: You, your
neighbors, and their families. We are good, responsive neighbors.
We listened at the neighborhood information meeting and adjusted
our application, before sharing with the Plan [sic] Commission, to
accommodate resident requests. Yet our opposition's correspondence
implies that the opinions of the Bentley Village residents shouldn't
matter.
Bentley Village pays considerable taxes. Again, we have nearly
a thousand engaged constituents of Naples residing at Bentley
Village who matter, who vote, who care about this amendment and
the opportunity it provides for Bentley Village to serve the seniors of
Naples and to continue as we have over the past many years
rejuvenating Bentley Village.
Bentley Village was originally developed in the '80s.
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Modernization and redevelopment of our campus is required to
maintain the community and honor our commitment to the people we
serve to meet current building and hurricane codes, to meet the
expectations of Naples' seniors, and to stay viable in the future.
Over the past 15 years, we have significantly reinvested in our
community, repositioning our healthcare centers and amenities and
incrementally replacing nearly half of our residential units.
Our request today is that we be allowed to continue our
stewardship and reinvestment in Bentley Village, as we have,
revitalizing without changing its resort style character.
We are requesting a density increase to allow for prudent,
long-range planning to remove and replace our older residential units
incrementally through phased reinvestment over what will likely be a
15- to 20-year horizon.
Please understand that rejuvenating a senior living community
requires a planned occupancy decline, not only in the occupied
buildings intended for replacement, but also in other residential
buildings to create room for relocation of our residents from the
buildings that are to come down. This increased number of dwelling
units will allow us to manage that process with reduced
inconvenience to the seniors, grandparents, and great grandparents
we serve in compliance with the PUD as well as incrementally stand
as we replace our buildings over many years.
Our track record of implementing this type of renewal is a
testament to our commitment to serve our residents and future seniors
of Naples by maintaining and updating Bentley Village in keeping
with the character and ambiance of our community.
Collier County has an approved Growth Management Plan and
standards that guide development, and there are rules and standards
for how a PUD amendment must be prepared. Our application is in
full alignment with those standards. It has been blessed by the
October 28, 2025
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County staff and unanimously recommended by the Commission for
your consideration today.
Not everyone is an expert on these standards. The opposition
will share their thoughts. Our team of experts will respond with the
facts and how the amendment, in fact, preserves the rights of the
tracts not owned by the applicant. In concert with the County's
planning and legal teams, our team has worked hard to ensure the
proposed amendment is in keeping with the County's best practices
for planning and standards for development while carefully limiting
the amendment's changes to only the parcels within the PUD that we
own.
The amendment provides for prudent, long-range planning for
the maintenance, reinvestment, and viability of Bentley Village, a
significant Naples senior-living provider. The amendment does not
change the rights or add restrictions to any parcel within the PUD not
owned by Vi.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to
answering any questions you have after the presentation.
MR. MULHERE: Again, for the record, Bob Mulhere.
I will try to be as brief as I can, but we do have, I think, an
informative and detailed presentation, and especially in light of the
fact there are some folks here to speak to the issue as well.
So we're asking for 94 units, as Nancy said, for a total of 834.
That translates to four units per acre across the 208.55 acres.
Some of the other improvements are that -- first of all, we did, as
Nancy indicated, coordinate with Heidi Ashton in the County
Attorney's Office and with the Planning department to ensure that the
changes we were making would not affect Tract A. And so, you
know, we'll reiterate that through the process.
We are adding a trip cap which will apply only to the three tracts
that Vi owns, B1, B2, and B3. We're clarifying the floor area ratio of
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0.45, or 0.6. I think the Board recently approved an increase to the
floor area ratio, so...
We are providing for an enhanced buffer along the north border.
I'll show you that detail. We're documenting native vegetation that is
required and which will be met on Tracts B1, B2, B3 and not on
Tract A.
And we're allowing the -- requesting to allow the existing
temporary service drive located at the northwest corner to be a
permitted service access. And we are memorializing certain
conditions. They're already in the PUD, but we've changed the
nomenclature to be more consistent with what the County currently
uses.
Just for information purposes, The Retreat is shown on this
aerial and has access to 41 and to Vanderbilt Drive through a, you
know, central roadway. To the north is Audubon Country Club, and
to the south is the Village Place PUD.
On the Future Land Use Element, the Future Land Use Map,
you can see this is the Coastal High Hazard Area, and the subject
property is within -- is within Section 9 here. It is not within the
Coastal High Hazard Area.
So The Retreat qualifies for up to five dwelling units per acre, a
base of four plus one for having access to -- to two arterial or two
collector roadways.
As Nancy indicated, this was -- this PUD was actually originally
approved in '82 and then significantly amended in '97, nearly 30
years ago. And it's presently approved for 740 multifamily, a skilled
nursing facility, ALF, memory care, private club and restaurant, and
an accessory golf course.
This is the old master plan. It's very hard to read, but the tract
makeup in the old master plan is Tract A, which is right here, and
Tract C, D, and B down here.
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There was some preserve depicted in the old master plan within
Tract A, right here, within that lake and adjacent to it.
So Tract A is 53.55 acres approved for 178 units, B, C and D.
Now we're referring to them as B1, B2, and B3, is 155 acres and
approved for 562 dwelling units for a total of 740 presently.
This is the new master plan, which, as I said, we're proposing to
change the three tracts owned by Vi to B1, B2, and B3, and this is
Tract A. There are no changes to Tract A.
We had a neighborhood information meeting. There have been
several other meetings with residents. And then as recently as this
past -- I can't remember. Friday? -- Friday we had a meeting with the
HOA, so...
The NIM was held on the 23rd of April of this year, and we
mailed over 900 individual property owners with notification. There
were six members in attendance physically and 16 via Zoom. And
they asked a number of questions, and we'll get into those in greater
detail as we go through the presentation.
So, again, there's about a thousand Bentley Village residents.
Meetings were held on April 22nd, August 25th, and September 3rd.
We felt that the response was positive and engaged and that the
residents were happy with Bentley Village's reinvestment and
rejuvenation process.
We already talked about that. I think we've talked about this.
Let me just see if there's anything I missed. I don't think so.
So the proposal was reviewed and recommended for approval by
staff. We brought to the Planning Commission a couple of
enhancements based on public comment or resident comment. One
was an enhanced landscape commitment along the northern border,
and I'll show you that in greater detail in just a few minutes, and also
this commitment to maintain the native vegetation on Tracts B1, B2,
B3 so as not to impact in any way Tract A. And again, we got a
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unanimous approval -- recommendation from the Planning
Commission.
So as I think you are aware, the County calculates density on the
entirety of a PUD. That's called gross density, and that's four units
per acre as a base and four units per acre with our request. There is
one more dwelling unit available across the entirety of the PUD
because we have the two access points to two arterial roads.
There are no additional hurdles that Tract A would face if they
decided that they wanted to come in and submit an amendment for
additional density. The process is exactly the same as the process
we've gone through, and there's actually over 200 units still available
today under the allowance in the GMP.
This chart, I think, really expresses that or shows that this is the
total density right now, 740. Over here, at five units per acre, there
would be 1,042 -- 43, rounded up, units. We are asking for 94.
There would be 209 units remaining for use by Tract A, or even if we
came back in for another amendment.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have a comment or question
from Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: I'll wait.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right.
MR. MULHERE: All right. Again, we want to -- we want to
mention that Tract A's rights remain unchanged. And this request
doesn't preclude them from coming in and asking for an amendment,
just the same way as we did.
We are including a trip cap of 415 two-way p.m. peak-hour trips
that didn't exist in the current PUD. That will only apply to Tracts
B1, B2, and B3.
And this is the -- very few trips with senior housing were added
with the additional density. We are requesting a total of 24 new
two-way p.m. peak-hour net trips. But because there was no trip cap
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and the County requires that is the overriding constraint on intensity
or density, we've implemented one.
The PUD presently has a building height. You can see there
three living stories over a ground floor of parking. That really doesn't
have a numerical limitation to building height. You could put, you
know, 14-story -- 14-foot buildings, ground floor to ceiling. We've
introduced the nomenclature that the County uses today, again,
applying only to Tracts B1, B2, and B3, for a zoned height of 52 feet
and an actual height of 59 feet, and that yields virtually no difference
in building height between what exists and what's proposed.
And I think I need to go over zoned and actual height for you.
But this exhibit shows virtually no difference between the existing
height and the proposed height, which is 54-8, and this is 52 [sic].
There's some additional screening in the new building, so you really
won't see that -- you won't be able to see that from the ground floor.
We did have a comment from one neighbor who lives in
Audubon, I think maybe somewhere in this area, about the buffer
between Bentley Village and Audubon. And we went out -- had our
landscape architect go out and take a look at that relationship out
there. And the buffers in Audubon are kind of light in some areas.
You can see on the other side of this fence that it's kind of clear. So
we created two enhanced buffers, a Type -- what's required is a Type
B buffer. We've got an enhanced No. 1 Type B buffer and an
enhanced No. 2 Type B buffer, and the No. 2 is more substantial and
will go in these areas where there isn't sufficient landscaping on our
neighbor's property. We also are not required to put landscaping in
where we have golf course, but we're going to go ahead and do that
anyway.
So this shows you the enhanced buffers. This is the Type 1,
which is larger trees with shrubs. Here's the required. It's trees
placed 25 foot on center, a 10-foot canopy tree. We're putting a
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12-foot canopy tree here in the Type 1. In the area where the
landscaping is light, this is very substantial because we're putting in a
multi-trunk tree or bush, 12-foot canopy tree, and staggered palms
along with the canopy trees.
So if you look down here, you can see that will be a substantial
buffer.
And this exhibit was attached to the PUD amendment that we
provided the Planning Commission and was approved for
recommendation by the Planning Commission.
And this just shows you the existing improvements that have
been made and shows you that that landscape buffer is substantial,
the one that's been put in between us and Audubon.
So there was a question that the residents of Tract A had with
respect to native vegetation. I've pointed out to you that there is
some native vegetation in Tract A on the existing master plan here,
here, here, here, but it is a little bit difficult to read.
As a requirement, the County -- well, the County requires us to
provide them with information in an exhibit, in a FLUCFCS code
exhibit, depicting all of the native vegetation within the PUD that
exists, and that's what this exhibit is right now. And you can see that
there is some native vegetation in Tract A that's existing. The
majority of it is in Tracts B1, B2, and B3.
Because we heard that there were concerns with us maybe
requiring that native vegetation be included in Tract A, which was
never our intention, we've clarified it with a note on the master plan
that says all required native vegetation will be retained in Tracts B1,
B2, and B3. And you can see on this exhibit we actually exceed the
requirement, and all of that is within Tracts B1, B2, and B3. So we're
actually retaining a little more than two acres more than what's
required.
This exhibit shows the new master plan and shows the access
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points to 41 and Vanderbilt, and this here would be the -- it's a
service road now. It would be a road that -- as you can see, it's a little
bit small for the detail but this would provide access to a maintenance
and service facility that's right here.
Finally -- or I think finally -- this construction drive exists. It's
been removed from about half of our frontage with our board, or with
Audubon. But this is what allows us to bring construction traffic in
as we move from west to east, but eventually that will go away, and
there will just be an access to this maintenance facility right here.
And this shows that new design, and that's the maintenance facility
right there.
There were three deviations. These already exist in the PUD,
but the PUD's so old they call them exemptions from subdivision
regulations. So again, these only apply to Tracts B1, B2, and B3.
One has to do with putting sidewalks on only one side of the street if
it's single-loaded, the other one is for a 50-foot right-of-way routinely
granted, and the third is relief from the required landscape buffer on
the northeast corner of the PUD, which is depicted right here. This is
the border. This is an -- Inspire Oncology, and this is part of The
Retreat PUD.
So there is already an existing landscape buffer, and even
though we're required to have a 10-foot buffer here, we only have a
9-foot buffer. So we asked for a 1-foot deviation.
So who's up? You're up.
MS. LUPO: Good afternoon. For the record, Ashley Lupo,
board certified condominium and plan development attorney, and I've
had the pleasure of representing Vi for over the past decade.
And I'm just going to speak to you-all briefly this afternoon
about the history of communications with The Retreat Master
Association and to go over the agreements that Vi has had, especially
over the past three years, as they've ramped up towards this
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application, as we understand that most of the opposition that has
been received is from select owners within The Retreat Master
Association.
This specific process as far as this MPUD application started
with the HOA back in 2023. I think it's important for you to
understand that at that time Vi and the Retreat Master Association
actually entered into an agreement where Vi agreed to assume both
the work and a larger cost burden to pay for certain amenities and
infrastructure within the PUD, and those include select roadways, the
gatehouse, all of the water management system, and certain master
common areas, and that's actually a 50-year recorded agreement,
because Vi wanted to make sure that they have a certain quality
within this -- within this PUD.
And then subsequent to that 2023 agreement and as part of that,
we actually negotiated an amended and restated declaration, and
while private covenants aren't at issue here, we did want to point out
that in that amended and restated declaration, which The Retreat
Master Association owners and board voted on and approved in 2024
and was recorded, it actually acknowledges the concept that Vi's
going to go out for these land-use applications, and it acknowledges
the density rights that Vi purchased from the master developer in '97
and acknowledged that we would proceed with this process.
And actually, the HOA has an obligation under the declaration
to consent and support my client's application for the PUD
amendment if it meets the criteria, which it does, and staff has
recommended approval as has the Planning Commission.
So I had discussed the density issues directly with the master
association attorney in 2024. I most recently sent a letter to them in
2025 when we hadn't received that consent that we think that we're
entitled to under the declaration. We offered to make our team of
experts available after the NIM in April, the whole team to them.
October 28, 2025
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They did finally take us up on the offer to have that correspondence,
which was -- communications, which was a town hall meeting,
ultimately, last week. Bob was there, myself was there, Amy was
there, as well as Nancy, and we answered all of the questions that the
owners posed at that meeting.
So despite those educational communications, there seems to be
some additional controversy regarding what they perceive as a taking.
There's been some communications that they wanted a guarantee
from us that they would get portions of those 209 remaining to use
that Bob mentioned, which, of course, we can't give them. They only
have to go through the same process that we did and go before you
and ask for those particular density -- density units.
They also asked or at least made a reference to perhaps getting
additional value for what they see as a perceived taking. And I would
only submit to this board that that really is a civil issue, and these are
private covenants. But I did want to, on behalf of the client, let you
know that these communications with The Retreat Master have
happened over the last several years leading up to this.
My understanding is that the master HOA has not taken a formal
position on this petition. I do understand that there is a small
subassociation within the community that does have counsel. They
did provide a letter back to staff, which I responded to, and we
addressed all of those concerns at the staff level and also with the
Planning Commission, but I wanted to produce Amy Thibaut who is
going to, again, answer any questions in reference to the stated
opposition for the record.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
MS. THIBAUT: Good afternoon, Commissioners. For the
record, Amy Thibaut with Roetzel & Andress. As Ashley mentioned,
I am the land-use attorney on this project. I have been sworn.
October 28, 2025
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So starting here, there -- we're just going to go through objection
by objection and kind of quickly hit on how we've addressed it.
So first there was an objection that the property ownership
disclosure provided, but the application was deficient. That has been
provided as required by the development, and County Attorney's
Office has confirmed that.
So the second objection is that we are rezoning land we don't
own, e.g., Tract A. We are not changing any entitlements to Tract A.
I think that's clear. We're just correcting a scrivener's error.
The third objection is that the request exceeds four dwelling
units per acre for Tracts B1 to 3, but we -- and that this is inconsistent
with the Comprehensive Plan.
The Growth Management Plan and the Land Development Code
require that we calculate density by gross density for the PUD, so that
is how we are doing it. Regardless, as they've mentioned, up to five
dwelling units is allowed, so we won't beat a dead horse.
The fourth objection was that this affects the rights of the
Tract A owners, that this is density scraping. Again, no changes.
County staff has agreed future changes can be made by those Tract A
owners. They go through the exact same process as Bob mentioned.
No additional hurdles compared to what we have done up to this
point today. And 209 dwelling units will remain.
And the final objection was the depiction of the existing native
vegetation on Tract A. All of the required vegetation is maintained in
Tracts B1 to 3 as discussed. I believe there's a condition on the
master concept plan that clarifies that all indigenous vegetation
requirements will be met on those tracts. So anything shown on
Tract A is not required to be maintained as such.
Oh, more objections. So there was an objection that this is a
deterrent to redevelopment. It's not. The Tract A property owners
and everybody else around there will have the same rights to
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redevelop in the aftermath of a storm. Again, if they don't want to
increase units, same process we've gone through.
And there has been an objection that this approval would grant
us a special privilege, but we have gone through the same process
that's required of any landowner in Collier County to undertake this
type of action. We are being held to the same standards. So we are
consistent with the County's requirements as well as their best
practices.
And with that, I will conclude that this is a prudent long-range
plan for reinvestment. This is to maintain the property and ensure
viability of a significant senior living provider in this area. It's fully
supported by county staff, who are experts, and it is consistent with
the Collier County Growth Management Plan, with the Land
Development Code standards for this request, and the like. We are
not changing Tract A entitlements. I think we've said that a dozen
times now, but it's true.
And Bentley Village has a proven track record that they are
good stewards of the community. They honor its ambiance and
aesthetic, and they have been doing so through that history of
renewal. They've really demonstrated that this is the intent here.
So again, County staff has recommended approval. The
Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. And we
respectfully request that you also vote to approve us here today.
So with that, if you have any questions, please let us know.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Commissioner Hall, do
you want to hear the staff presentation first or --
COMMISSIONER HALL: Well, I'll wait till presentations are
finished.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. Mr. Bosi, do you have a
presentation to make? And I think we fully understand the proposal
and the history, so --
October 28, 2025
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MR. BOSI: Mike Bosi, Planning --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: -- brevity would be appreciated.
MR. BOSI: Mike Bosi, Planning and Zoning director.
And as mentioned by the applicant, staff had recommended and
is recommending approval to the Board of County Commissioners,
unanimous recommendation from the Planning Commission.
We've -- and we're here to answer any questions that you may have
regarding the petition.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Do we have any registered
speakers?
MR. EBLE: Yes, sir. We have three registered speakers.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Why don't we go ahead and hear
the public comment. Then we'll get into the discussion from the
Commission.
MR. EBLE: The first speaker is Chris Thornton. You have
three minutes, sir.
MR. THORNTON: Good afternoon, Commissioners. Thank
you for this opportunity to speak to you. My name is Chris Thornton
with Thornton Law Firm at 100 Aviation Drive South in Naples,
Florida.
I'm representing here today The Retreat of Naples No. 1 Condo
Association. That's one of six small condo associations in the
southwest quadrant of this project. My client has 48 units. There's a
total of six condo associations back there. I think they have a total of
164 units. I'm only representing the one 48-unit condo association
today. I don't represent the master homeowners' association.
So our client's objectives aren't necessarily to object to the
property. We're not here to talk about the dimensional requirements
or all that stuff.
My client's primary concern when they saw the notices about
this and heard about the project was to make sure that their project
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and their future development rights were not impacted. And from
what I'm hearing from the presentation today, I'm hearing good
things. What I'm not seeing is the actual Exhibit A master plan for
the PUD.
The notices for this meeting show that the rezoning application
is for the whole of The Retreat, including my client's property,
Tract A, the southwest quadrant. So they legitimately were
concerned about what was happening. And if you -- and if you listen
to Bob's presentation -- and I know Bob is a good guy -- he's
speaking toward staff, I'm guessing.
He continually says, "We're not going over four units an acre,
not going over four units an acre." I took the time to go through the
NIM, listened to the NIM, looked to the NIM summary. I went
through all of the Planning Commission backup materials. I went
through your 374 pages of backup materials for today's hearing, the
documents. All of this stuff about we get -- we can have five, and
therefore -- because here's what's happening. My client's Tract A is
at less than four units an acres. They're asking to take their acreage
above four units an acre. And on the whole, if you include my
client's tract, the overall gross density is four. And that's great if staff
cares about that. I don't care about that because if four is all you get,
and my property's at less and you're at more, then you're taking my
density. That's the whole -- the whole thing. There's two issues that
my client's have. They want to make clear on the procedure -- and,
you know, I would ask that preferably Mike Bosi confirm for us,
when I looked through your 374 pages of backup materials for today,
I found, basically, twice in the ordinance and about 12 different
references, it's all -- it's four units an acre, and therefore, when we go
over four, we're not taking from them because we could go to five. If
that's true, then you're not taking density from us, and that's fine.
And then I went as early as today before the -- before I got here
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at 9 o'clock, I went to the portal and I pulled the last draft of Exhibit
A master plan map, and it's the one that we were concerned about. It
shows, labeled P, preserve areas, on Tract A. And we object to any
designation of P preserves on Tract A.
Thank you. And I have Lance Horn with me. He didn't get
sworn in yet, but if he needs to talk, he needs to be sworn in. Thank
you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
MR. EBLE: The next registered speaker is Sue Goodwin.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And who's following Sue
Goodman?
MR. EBLE: Douglas Stather.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: If you could -- Douglas, if you
could come on up.
Yes, ma'am.
MS. GOODWIN: Good afternoon. My name is Sue Goodwin,
and I've been a resident of Bentley Village for 10 years, and it was
probably the best decision my husband and I made to go there and
choose to live there for the rest of our lives.
Bentley Village is a thousand -- almost a thousand person strong
in our independent living, our assisted living, and in our care center.
I come to you as chair of the finance committee of Bentley Village.
It's part of our resident council. We advise management. And I
represent all of the almost a thousand people at Bentley. We very
much are in support of the amendment to the MPUD at Retreat, very
much in support, and we urge you to do that.
Bentley has served us well. We've been very pleased with the
strength and the dedication of the leadership and how they've
particularly focused on robust methods to maintain the campus,
beautiful landscaping, keeping the code up, and maintaining the
buildings. They systematically are planning for our renewal and for
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the long-term planning of our village, and we appreciate that very
much, as do we appreciate that from the Collier County
Commissioners very much.
We think Bentley Village is a gem, one that both we and the
County can be proud of, and we especially encourage you to support
the MPUD at Retreat application today.
Thank you very much for the consideration.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
Yes, sir.
MR. STATHER: Good afternoon. Thank you for giving me the
opportunity to speak to you today. My name is Douglas Stather, a
resident of Vi at Bentley Village currently serving as president of the
resident council, a body of 35 residents elected by their peers to
represent them in consultation with management.
The council represents approximately 980 residents, 840 of
whom reside in independent living. In August, I wrote a letter with
the council's unanimous approval to Commissioner Hall indicating
the council's support for the Bentley Village MPUD amendment. So
as I speak to you today, I know that I speak for the majority if not all
of the residents of Bentley Village.
As I indicated in my letter to Commissioner Hall, residents are
in complete support of this amendment. Bentley Village has a
wonderful, well-deserved reputation in the community as a beautiful
place to live. Residents enjoy a host of amenities and services along
with an active and vibrant lifestyle; however, management both at the
corporate level and locally has not rested on this reputation nor
maintained the status quo. They have continued to refurbish and
rejuvenate the community.
During my time at Bentley, several construction projects have
been completed. The new east clubhouse containing residences,
restaurants, meeting rooms, library, theater, and lounge has opened.
October 28, 2025
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Over the last year, four new residence buildings have opened
and are completely occupied. Simultaneously with that construction,
both the assisted living facility and the wellness center underwent full
renovation and expansion. These updates allowed for more rooms
for residents who need those levels of care as we get older as well as
allowing each resident in our care center to have a private room.
The wellness center also includes a brand-new state-of-the-art
therapy center that will compete with any other local facility.
Every improvement has been made with careful consideration to
preserving Bentley Village's resort-like setting, its lush landscaping,
and appealing architecture that attract discerning residents.
Leadership has consistently demonstrated responsible care for
this wonderful community, showing their dedication to both residents
and neighbors. It is the hope of all residents that you will support the
MPUD amendment as requested so that Bentley Village management
will have the opportunity to continue their investment and
rejuvenation programs for the years to come and allow Bentley
Village to continue to be the beautiful, tangible benefit that it is for
Collier County.
Thank you so much.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
Okay. We'll close the public hearing.
Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Thank you, Chairman.
I just want the public to know, that may be listening, that this is
not the first time that we've heard all of the details in great detail.
We've been super well briefed by Mr. Mulhere and Ms. Tolan. I
have been to Bentley Village, and I've seen the class facility that it is.
It's well run. It's well managed. It's clean. The people were
gracious, and most of all they were nice. And, you know, as a
commissioner you remember those kind of things.
October 28, 2025
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But I also want the public to know when you see that they're
asking for 92 units, you know, your antennas automatically go up
because you assume that they've got X amount of acres and they want
to add 92 units immediately, and that is not the case here.
A wise business model is to, over time, they'll remove one
condo and rebuild it. So over time -- what they're asking for is an
increase of 92 units over a period of 20 years. So it's not like they're
just going to massively increase density all at one time. And once I
understood that, I thought -- and that's what they've done since the
'80s. That's their business model all along.
So to increase this 92 units over the next 20 years with the
enhanced buffers that they've had, listening to the neighbors, I think
the concern from Mr. Thornton was they didn't want to lose their
preserves. And the preserves have actually been removed from
Tract A, where those are developable now, and the preserve
requirement has been met by B1, B2, and B3.
So with that explanation, I just -- I will make a motion to
approve this amendment.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Second.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'll second it for comment
and -- well, you already seconded.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I already seconded.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It doesn't really matter.
I have a question for Bob. And I missed the -- I missed the new
maintenance road going across the north end of B1 and B2, and I did
hear about the commitment of the enhanced buffer along the north
end. My question was from timing -- from a timing standpoint,
would it be possible to enhance that buffer prior to the construction
just to alleviate negative impacts for the Audubon?
MR. MULHERE: Yeah. Commissioner McDaniel, we'll do
October 28, 2025
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it -- we'll do it consistent with the construction. We don't know
exactly when that's going to occur, but as that occurs -- as we've
already done for the east half, moving west, we will put in the new
landscape buffer. If you put it in now, it's just going to get trampled.
There are power poles above ground that are going to be moved
underground.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
MR. MULHERE: So it's best if we do it as we move west.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And that was my question,
Bob. I didn't want to mess with your world too much. I just wanted
to --
MR. MULHERE: No, that's --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I just wanted to -- I just
wanted to know if, from a timing standpoint, that that buffer could be
enhanced in advance of the construction just to relieve the sight and
sound -- or alleviate -- or allow for a sight and sound barrier
enhancement, so...
MR. MULHERE: Well -- and we'll do as we make -- as we
make improvements to this area. And I just wanted to show you this
exhibit. That shows you that the road that currently runs -- you can
see it. Commissioner McDaniel, you can see it right here.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right.
MR. MULHERE: It's a service road.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I understand what it is. I
just -- again, I missed that you were going to have that be a
permanent entrance, and I knew that you had -- you, yesterday,
shared with me you were going to enhance the buffer.
MR. MULHERE: We will.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I just was thinking, from a
timing standpoint, if we could do it sooner than later, it would help.
MR. MULHERE: I commit to doing it as soon as we can.
October 28, 2025
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CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you, Chairman.
Bob, I've got a question for you and Mr. Bosi.
Mr. Bosi, I know there was a question of how we get to the
number five. I understand it. I saw several times how we get to the
five units number and doing the math, that it definitely calculates so
they get the extra 200, and I think, 8.
MR. MULHERE: Nine, nine.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Two hundred and nine units for
the footprint. Is that -- I just wanted Mr. Bosi to, just from the staff,
to verify.
MR. BOSI: And thank you. I should have put that onto the
record.
When my staff did the analysis, they were asking for four, and
that's a base that you're -- that you're eligible for within the urban
residential zoning district, so that's how we wrote it up. But if you
look at our Density Rating System, when you do have access points
on two collectors or arterials, you are entitled to an additional
density. So that 208 [sic] would be something that anyone within
the -- within The Retreat PUD could ask for or could request. So
Mr. Thornton's clients would be available [sic] to request those 208
units that would be available.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Okay. And the second part of my
question -- I know, Mr. Thornton -- and I understand there was
a -- this is probably where the confusion is, because this was
printed -- it's dated July 9, 2025, and it still shows the little --
MR. MULHERE: Yes.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: -- green as part of the preserve.
And I think their issue is they think that someday they might want to
put a pickleball court there or something in the future. If you could
just show that that doesn't exist anymore or that's off the table, then I
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think we'll be -- satisfy my question.
MR. MULHERE: Well, it exists as native vegetation -- it exists
as native vegetation; however, we are committed to meeting the
County -- exceeding the County's requirement.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Yeah. I saw that, your two acres.
MR. MULHERE: Totally on B1. So they have -- and I
confirmed this with Jaime Cook just a few minutes ago that she -- as
long as we meet or exceed the County's requirements on B1, B2, or
B3, there'll be no request to maintain that native vegetation in a
conservation easement on Tract A.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I think -- I think I just wanted to
hear it on the record.
MR. MULHERE: And I was going to show you, if this worked,
but it doesn't, but I'll read it again. There is a note in the master plan
that says, "All preserved native vegetation shall be located on Tracts
B1, B2, and B3."
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Do you want to put it up?
MR. MULHERE: So we're obligated. It's kind of small.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Yeah, I think it's just confusing
because this is dated pretty recently and it still has it on there, and I
think that's why.
MR. MULHERE: Yeah. It's actually -- we're required to show
it, but then the question is, where is the preserve going to occur?
Because it is native vegetation. There's a difference between native
vegetation and a preserve. They're two different --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: But it's marked "preserve" on the
key. That's why. That's all I'm saying. It probably just needs to be
corrected at some point.
MR. MULHERE: Okay.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. I believe we have -- I
believe we have a motion and a second.
October 28, 2025
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COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Attention-to-detail guy.
MR. MULHERE: Got it.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Yes.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion and a
second. Any further discussion?
(No response.)
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?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That passes unanimously.
MR. MULHERE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I can't help it; I'm attention to
detail.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Ms. Patterson, where are we now?
MS. PATTERSON: Well, we're 11 minutes away from our 2
o'clock time-certain. I don't think 9B is going to be done in 11
minutes. We could take 10C if we -- I don't know that that one's
going to take a long time. That's Commissioner McDaniel's item for
the East of 951.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, we've got Mark Teaters.
He's a good 20 minutes all by himself. We can -- we don't want to
rush through that.
MS. PATTERSON: No. No, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah, we can continue to talk
about which item we're going to take up, and then it will be 2 o'clock.
October 28, 2025
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MS. PATTERSON: Or we certainly can get started on -- if we
take -- we can take our --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: We can do that.
MS. PATTERSON: -- 2 o'clock. Do you want to take our 2
o'clock time-certain a few minutes early and get through --
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Yeah, I mean, if they're here.
COMMISSIONER HALL: We can start. I mean, we've got
speakers.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Do you want to do -- we can
start 10C.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Pick an item, and then
we'll go with it, whichever item you want to pick.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: 10C.
MS. PATTERSON: 10C, all right. Very good. 10C. Then
we'll go to our 2 o'clock.
Item #10C
REQUEST THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
REVIEW THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EAST OF 951 AD
HOC ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND INITIATE THE
REPLACEMENT OF THE EAST OF 951 AD HOC ADVISORY
COMMITTEE BY CONVERTING IT TO THE RURAL GOLDEN
GATE ESTATES RESTUDY COMMITTEE - MOTION TO
APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL; SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS – APPROVED
MS. PATTERSON: 10C is a request that the Board of County
Commissioners review the recommendations of the East of 951 Ad
Hoc Advisory Committee and initiate the replacement of the East of
951 Ad Hoc Advisory Committee by converting it to the Rural
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Golden Gate Estates Restudy Committee.
This is an item brought to the agenda by Commissioner
McDaniel, and I know we do have a presentation or comments from
the chairman of that committee.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah. And we're not going to rush
through that.
MS. PATTERSON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: So we'll be a little bit late on our
2 o'clock.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And if I might, I just wanted
to say that -- I mean, we'll start -- this is consequential but not
pressing. So we can take a break at the 2 o'clock time-certain and
then come back and finish up, so...
MS. PATTERSON: Sir, it's fine if we take this item, and then
we'll go to the 2 o'clock. Whatever -- whatever the flow works.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We're going to finish this item.
Let's --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
MR. BOSI: Good afternoon. Mike Bosi, Planning and Zoning
director.
And I'm going to be real quick. I'm just going to kind of tee up
the action. March 28th, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners
created the East of 951 Ad Hoc Advisory Committee. I think we
were calling it Version 2.0. The original one Commissioner
McDaniel was involved with. And the purpose of the committee was
to assist the Board in identifying issues affecting residents of Collier
County residing in the area east of 951 and north of Alligator Alley.
I'd like to first thank Parker Klopf, our staff member who was
the staff liaison, attended the meetings, kind of helped coordinate
the -- coordinate the presentations from the various division
departments and just brought, overall, the staff's presence to it.
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But then I would like to turn to Mr. Teaters, the chairman of the
committee, who can go through the -- in-depth about the activities
and what they discovered when they spoke to the community.
MR. TEATERS: How do we -- how do you do this? Okay.
Very good.
Thank you. Chairman Saunders, Commissioners, County
Manager, neighbors and friends, we appreciate you
having -- allowing us to have the opportunity to do this today. Also,
Commissioners for meeting with me individually. I really
appreciated the opportunity to sit with each one of you and go over
this information in advance.
If you would indulge me, I'm going to kind of go over a little bit
of what we sent you. This is not only for you guys, but it's also for
the public. A lot of these people didn't attend the meetings, and this
would be their opportunity to get up to speed with what we've done.
The ad hoc committee was established March 28th, 2023, by
resolution to assist the Board of County Commissioners in compiling
and identifying the issues and relevant best practices related to the
geographic area lying east of County Road 951, provide a forum for
the citizens of this area to identify and discuss issues facing their
community.
Committee shall be composed of five regular members, two
alternate members, resident -- a broad base of residents, businesses,
and property owners.
First meeting was held on September 20th, 2023, at the
UF/IFAS Collier extension, 7 o'clock p.m. Committee members and
Commissioner Saunders and McDaniel were present. And it was
notified as such, too. That's a good thing.
Preliminary East of 951 Infrastructure and Horizon Study was a
project that identified multiple levels of service options for public
infrastructure and service outlays for the area east of 951. These
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areas included transportation, public utilities, schools, parks,
recreation, law enforcement, EMS, libraries, stormwater
management, and the CIGM, which is the Collier Interactive Growth
Model, was vetted during these -- during these meetings.
Now, I had -- I was on the original committee, which
Commissioner McDaniel chaired for two years. This committee was
two years, and I was the chairman of the oversight committee for
CIGM for one year. So I've got five years invested in this project.
Okay. Okay. Here's a map showing the area that we're -- that's
in question. Members of the committees -- of this committee, Mark
Teaters, the chairman; Robert Raines, vice chair; Bruce Hamels is a
regular member; Michael Ramsey; Kimberly Ellis, regular member.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Excuse me one second, Mark.
Mark, one second.
MR. TEATERS: Yes. Sure. What am I doing?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Can you go to the bottom
right and just shrink it? Bottom right. Bottom right. The other
bottom. Yeah, I think if you just shrink that.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: There you go, so we could see
what's going on.
MR. TEATERS: There you go, very good. All right. Aaron
Zwiefel was an alternate, Douglas Rankin was an alternate, and of
course, Parker Klopf is our staff liaison. Stand up. All righty, good
deal.
Also, we can't forget Rand Burton who originally served on the
committee who had an illness and had to get off the committee, and
Christina Aguilera.
Special thanks to Jamie French, Mike Bosi, Trinity Scott, Jeff
Klatzkow, and the staff who set up the rooms, managed the sound
system, and made the Zoom product work. We couldn't have done
this without them.
October 28, 2025
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Funny story, the people that were involved in this, you guys
chose these people to be on this committee. And it's interesting
because if you look at what they do -- and I'm not going to -- I'm not
going to put them in order so that it will embarrass anybody. But we
had a local attorney, who we all know; manufacturing technology
specialist; real estate professional; local business owner; and a
president of the Golden Gate Estates civic association;
electrical -- electrical engineering tech for General Motors; local
management company and retired corporate director and small
business owner. These were -- this is the people in Golden Gate
Estates, the fabric of our community.
Okay. Since our first meeting, we had many topics presented to
us for discussion. Some found their way into the position points for
your consideration. Compared to the original committee's list, there
are some new items, i.e., affordable housing and the life cycle of the
landfill. We found that several of these were interrelated. The sheriff
and fire chiefs discussed affordable housing and the poor cell phone
reception.
Since it's the basis for future planning in our area, we started
with the Collier Interactive Growth Model. David Farmer was also
back with an update for one of the final meetings. Other topics:
Transportation, Collier County Schools, Sheriff, Collier Code
Enforcement, affordable housing, life cycle of the landfill was a
biggie, solid waste, cell phone service, public utilities, Southwest
Florida Water Management District, fire -- we had both Greater
Naples and North Collier -- Parks and Recreation, of course, and then
Stormwater Management.
See if it goes. It isn't going. Mike, it's not moving. Oh, there
we go. Okay, good. One more back. There we go.
Okay. On July 16th, 2024, we visited Immokalee for our
monthly meeting. We did that in the very beginning. In the first
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committee, we visited Immokalee. Christie -- our host was Christie
Betancourt of the Immokalee CRA. Community was welcoming, and
the meeting was well attended by community leaders and residents.
The original East of 951 Committee met in Immokalee, too. It's
now a tradition.
Transportation -- speakers and presentations. Transportation,
fire chief, Immokalee Sheriff, Parks and Recreation, DOT. We even
had somebody from the FAA to talk to us about the airport.
We enjoyed a presentation update from Christie and the
Immokalee CRA. The Sheriff even set up the electronic signs at each
end of town to notify residents of the meeting, and it was well
attended. Actually, we had a commissioner there as well.
Okay. Position points: The following position points were
created by committee members, and the language was smoothed
out -- that's a Teater's term -- by Parker Klopf. They were ranked on
a 10-point scale. Five members' scores averaged to get a final score.
If we spent time on these, they should all be important.
We did have outside help with a few of them to make sure the
language was correct. Mike Bosi and Commissioner McDaniel
assisted. These positions and ideas were thoroughly discussed.
Some were acknowledgments, and some were solid ideas.
Committee members took this seriously and invested time in this
project. Again, we had the right mix of people on this committee that
led to substantive discussion.
There is also a treasure trove of information documentation from
our meeting in the minutes of our meetings.
I appreciate -- back to the meetings that I had with each one of
your commissioners. We didn't make any of the changes in the
position points that we spoke about individually because we wanted
to do that as a group, and we haven't met since that point in time.
We're going to look for some direction from you today.
October 28, 2025
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But some of these items for prioritizing these position points
were terrific. They were really, really good.
Okay. Here we go. In conclusion, I reached out to David
Farmer to get the current figures from the Collier Interactive Growth
Model. Total Collier County buildout population is approximately
815,000 permanent residents, around the year 2100. Current
population east of 951 is 113,000. Buildout population east of 951 is
499,250. That means 386,250 more residents will be sharing our
roads, utilizing parks, and other infrastructure.
None of the ideas and position points from the original Horizon
study were ever acted upon. One of the commissioners asked me
why. I didn't really have an answer. It didn't happen.
Due consideration should be given to these ideas. Some of them
will only cost a vote. They won't cost us a nickel.
Committee would like to thank the Board of County
Commissioners for providing this forum and the opportunity to
research and provide the information and these position points to the
community. Respectfully submitted.
I had a -- we had a blast doing this, I really did. Originally,
when we first got together, it was kind of -- it was kind of tough
because when you put a bunch of different people in the same room
together that have different interests and different ideas, but we really
got to it towards the end. And we had some great presenters. And
again, I have to thank all the staff and everybody that helped,
especially Parker and all the other folks that helped us.
And I am open for your questions, and we have folks here to
help as well.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Do you have any other
people that want to speak, that are registered to speak?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel, you kind
October 28, 2025
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of led this show on behalf of the Commission for this. Anything you
want to add or --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. And first of all, there's
been a lot of accolades and thank yous, but thank you, thank you,
thank you, thank you.
MR. TEATERS: Folks, you want to stand up? We've got
three -- we've got two members from the committee in the back back
here.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Two members of the
committee are here. Bruce Hamels. Bruce also serves on our
Productivity Committee. And Kim Ellis, she's a local Realtor that
lives in the Estates and very much an advocate of Eastern Collier
County. And I just want to say thank you to you all. I mean,
these -- thank you.
This job is -- you know, is a thankless job.
MR. TEATERS: It pays a lot of money.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And pays a lot of money at
the same time.
As you mentioned early on, I think it was in 2006 or '8 when
Commissioner Coletta anointed me to serve on this committee, and I
ended up being the chair back then for two years.
I want to say, from me to you, to all of you, just how much I
appreciate. You know, I've been blessed to serve as the County
Commissioner for District 5 for nine years now. And it's truly about
government of and by and for the people, and this is the people
sharing with us things that this board can do in order to make the
lives of the residents in Eastern Collier County that much better.
So now -- and I have a couple of questions for you, Mark, if I
may.
MR. TEATERS: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: In review -- in review of the
October 28, 2025
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position points that you, in fact, brought forward, one of my thoughts
is so that -- as Commissioner LoCastro brings up on a regular basis,
we don't want to keep doing the same thing over and over again and
then asking why. I would like to develop an after-action plan for
action on these position points. And so -- and because with the
acceptance of this report, we're also going to move these same
appointees into the GMP review of the Golden Gate Estates Rural
Master Plan to go through that process.
I'd like to utilize this committee to come back. Some of the
things -- I've got a couple of ideas just off of these position points
today that I'd like to actually make a motion on or at least get a head
nod on. But some of them will require additional work by the Board
for me to bring back a resolution to -- to take care of a couple of
things that are a little more tricky within these position points.
And so I wanted to make sure that that met with, necessarily,
with your approval and that that was a satisfactory plan so that we are
taking action on these items individually.
MR. TEATERS: We had an oversight committee to the
first -- on the first one, and that's great.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And still nothing got done.
MR. TEATERS: Well, the -- from the master plan meeting, we
could the take first 15 minutes of each meeting, and we can have
oversight. And we're not going to tell anybody what to do. The main
thing is to look and let the public know what's been happening.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Ten, 15 minutes is fine. I
think that would be a prudent path for us to travel for this committee
to start reviewing these position points and then coming back
with -- to me with specific action items, actionable items that this
Board can, in fact, take action on that requires it.
One of the things that actually jumps out at me is the MOU with
the school district, or the lack thereof. And so one of the things that
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I'd like to do, necessarily, right now is with -- I'll make a motion that
the -- that the Board give direction to staff to enter into negotiations
with the school district. That MOU, I'm told, has expired for several
years, and I'd like to get that revamped so that we have clarity in
dealing with our school district, and I'd like to get that MOU back in
place so that we're not dealing with the circumstances of an
unaddressed MOU.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. If I'm reading the agenda
item correctly, I think we need to do two things. One is adopt your
suggestion as part of a motion but also accept the report from the ad
hoc committee. And then, Commissioner McDaniel, there's a request
to convert this to the Rural Golden Gate Estates Restudy Committee,
so that would be part of a motion as well.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Do you want me to make that
as a formal motion?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: If you'll make the motion with the
three items.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I jumped over to the position
points and not the executive summary just because -- just because I
thought we should take care of maybe a couple -- give direction to
staff, even today, off the position points. But however -- however
you wish. I'll do the first one first. Whatever you say, Mr. Chair.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah. Why don't we hold off on
some direction in terms of the position points until the next meeting
so we have a chance to digest those.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: But accept the report and --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Make a motion for the
acceptance of the report and then the transition over to review of the
GMP for the East of 951 Rural.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And I'll second that motion. Any
October 28, 2025
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discussion?
(No response.)
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?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That passes unanimously.
Then in terms of the position points, if you'll bring them forward
at the next meeting, the ones you want to discuss, I think that might
be the -- that will give us some notice.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'll do it in the December
meeting.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yep. Fine.
MR. TEATERS: And, Commissioner, I'd be happy to come
back as well.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: No. No. You need to go to
work. Shelly needs to have some dinner money.
MR. TEATERS: Boss lady's cracking the whip.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah, exactly.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Thank you very much.
MR. TEATERS: Thank you, Commissioners. I really
appreciate it.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We'll move on, then, to
our 2 o'clock.
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir.
Item #11D
October 28, 2025
Page 139
RESOLUTION 2025-231: RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE A
RESOLUTION AMENDING THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SERVICES FEE
SCHEDULE, WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF JANUARY 1,
2026, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COLLIER COUNTY CODE
OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES, SECTION 2-13. (JAMES
FRENCH, DEPARTMENT HEAD - GROWTH MANAGEMENT &
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT) - MOTION TO
APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL; SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER HALL – ADOPTED
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to our
2 o'clock item. This is Item 11D, which is a recommendation to
approve a resolution amending the Growth Management Community
Development Department Services Fee Schedule with an effective
date of January 1st, 2026, in accordance with the Collier County
Code of Laws Section 2-13.
Mr. James French, your department head from Growth
Management/Community Development, is here to present.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let me ask, are there any registered
speakers on this item? We're on Item 11D.
MR. EBLE: Yes, sir. We have two registered speakers.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. Thank you.
MR. FRENCH: Good afternoon, Commissioners. I apologize
for my voice. I've been sequestering myself down on the second
floor. I'm recovering from a bit of a cold the last week.
I just want to start off the presentation by pointing out this item
came up in 2024 in your budget discussion and then again in 2025.
It's been discussed numerous times between staff and the Board of
County Commissioners, and as such, we did go into a rate study, and
this is probably the most comprehensive rate study. I've been with
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the County for just under 23 years, and we're unaware of any rate
study of its kind that would be consistent with Florida Statute as well
as with the changes that we've seen and the legislative intent of the
State down to you as the authority having jurisdiction with managing
your Enterprise Fund.
Today I'm joined by Mr. Mark -- with Mr. Mark Tuma and
Robert Ori from Raftelis, and they're here to provide a presentation.
And we've got a slew of staff, as you can see, that we've worked on
for nearly the eight -- last eight months on this study and can answer
any questions that you might have.
MR. TUMA: Good afternoon. My name is Mark Tuma. I'm a
manager here at Raftelis. With me today, as mentioned, is Robert
Ori. He's a senior principal at Raftelis.
And today I'd like to talk to you a little bit about the building fee
study that we helped the County develop.
To start with, I'd like to walk through the study objectives, why
we're here, what we looked at, a little bit of background and history
about the division, our methodology that we utilized during the study,
the results and findings of our study, and then finally, our financial
projections and where we project the Enterprise Fund to be over the
next five years.
Our study objectives, the first being identifying the cost of
providing service. So we quantify those as our revenue requirements.
Off to the right you can see the revenue sufficiency scale. So on the
left in the green, you can see our gross revenues, our inflows, which
is our rate revenue, interest income, any other types of revenues
coming into the Enterprise Fund. On the right, you have your gross
revenue requirements. So this is your operating expenditures, your
capital funding for, you know, vehicles, buildings, and other such
equipment, and then any other operating and capital reserves you
keep in reserve.
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We looked at and evaluated the ability of the current building
fees to fund these revenue requirements. So to fund the overall
budget and any future capital -- future capital needs of the Enterprise
Fund.
We worked on updating the schedule of the fees and charges,
and then we ensured that it met the compliance of the Florida Statute
Chapter 553.80(7)(a) which looks at -- that the Enterprise Fund
cannot carry forward anything higher than the last four years of the
operating budget.
So a little bit about the building division. So it operates as an
enterprise fund, and so, therefore, the revenue should be derived
solely from the services that are being provided, and no General Fund
support is provided to this Enterprise Fund to help it run in its
operations.
So currently, the permits process each year varies by
construction and activity. So when we look to the right there, you
can see in the chart the estimated number of applications and permits
over the last five years, and then the estimated permit revenue for
each one of those.
So as you can see, you know, permit activity can be a bit
volatile, you know. Unlike, you know, your Water and Wastewater
Utilities, Solid Waste, you don't have a core base of customers. So
each year it can evolve. It can change quite literally, you know, go
up and down, you know, quite a bit, based on, you know, storm
activity or non-storm activity, if there's a lot of growth within the
county or not.
Also, a difference between other enterprise funds is you have
competition within this Enterprise Fund. So, again, you have prior
providers who can come in and provide service, whereas for Water
and Sewer you can't have anyone come in and provide service in your
service territory. So, again, it's something else that the Enterprise
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Fund has to deal with on a yearly basis.
And on top of that, you have to maintain a base level of service.
So even if we didn't have any permits for the whole entire year, you
would still have to maintain a level -- a base level of service because
at any time someone could come in and request a permit, and you
would have to have staff on hand to provide that service to those
customers.
So to the chart here, on the right you can see this is a 15-year
chart of the -- there's two things on this chart that I want to point out.
The first being the bars, which is your single-family permit fee. So
this single-family permit fee assumes a 3,000-square-foot home and
about 28 inspections for that home to be built. And you can see back
in 2010 to do that permit, it costs about $2,834. Currently, in 2025,
it's about $3,234. So over that 15-year period, it's increased about
14 percent, and you can see it's kind of went up and down over the
years as the fees have been adjusted.
And then the other -- the other line chart shows the cumulative
inflation from the CPI index over the last 15 years. So you can see at
each, you know, five-year increment, it, you know, went up about
9 percent, 18 percent, and then finally over the last five years, you see
that jump from 18 to 48 percent. So you can see quite a bit of
increase, and that includes, you know, your labor costs, your
operating costs, electric costs, all those basket of goods that you
would have to run your Enterprise Fund.
So a bit about our methodology and how we went about
approaching this study to help figure out the -- and calculate the
building permit fee. So first we identified the total operating costs
allocated to the building division. So we looked at the adopted
budgets for 2025 and 2026 and utilized those as the baseline for the
operating expenditures within it, and then we projected that out five
years to look at future costs. So that included escalating, you know,
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salary costs for -- you know, by labor by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. We looked at, you know, other operating costs, electricity
and other operating costs of the Enterprise Fund.
Then once we identified those, you know, core revenue
requirements, we looked at identifying the target revenues. So we
looked at the customer statistics and the building permit data for the
last four or five years, and we looked at the overall trend analysis of
the activity of those permits.
So we reviewed the building permit activity, we looked at how
many permits are coming in through each of these different -- each of
these different permit types, and then we assumed, based on the 2024
and 2025 activity, that that was representative of the future annual
development activities.
So over the next three to five years, we felt like it was a good
value. It didn't have -- you know, we looked at storm activity and
how much that would impact it, and we made sure that we kind of
normalized it for just a normal kind of year.
Then from there, we develop our revenue requirements. So
again, this is our operating expenditures. Developed a capital
funding plan. So we looked at the assets at the Enterprise Fund. So
all the vehicles, all the computers, the desks, everything that's needed
to run the Enterprise Fund, and we made sure that as, you
know -- that there was enough money on hand to replace those assets
as they were going to fully meet their level of -- level of service.
We also evaluated the sufficiency of the revenues to fully fund
the revenue requirements. We looked at, you know, under the current
revenues, how that would be able to fund your current revenue
requirements, and then also the building -- or the capital funding plan
as well.
We also looked at the operating reserve requirements. So again,
we looked at the Florida Statute and how much we're allowed to have
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on hand and carry forward each fiscal year, and we made sure that we
were in -- you know, in compliance with those Florida Statutes.
From there we then designed and proposed the permit planning
fees to fund these revenue requirements. So we looked at two
different sets of fees. So you have what we consider your
miscellaneous, your specific fees. So if you have an A/C change-out
or a roof or a fence or some type of fee like that, a permit fee, and
then we also looked at your permit and plan review fee. So your
inspection fees, if you're looking at building a new home, you know,
the valuation and per-square-footage type fees for the Building
department.
And then finally, after we went through and designed those fees
to recover those costs, we then prepared a help -- we helped prepare
the rate resolution to implement those recommendations with the
department.
So you can see here this -- the table to the right has our revenue
requirements over the next two years. So some key assumptions and
things to notate. Like I mentioned before, we utilized the 2025 and
2026 budget. So you can see the operating expenditures at the top
there for 2026 is about 29 million. In 2027, we escalated that slightly
for inflation and other cost increases to about 30.5 million.
You can see as you go down you have the other revenue
requirements, your capital funding for loan -- and loan repayment.
So for other revenue requirements for capital funding, again, that's
funding our equipment, our vehicles, software, desks, things like that
that are necessary to run the Enterprise Fund. And the other part for
the loan repayment, over the past two years, your Enterprise Fund has
taken loans from other departments to help make whole on their
revenues. So to help fund their department, they've taken over
$3.4 million in loans from other departments to help meet their
requirements for revenues.
October 28, 2025
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And so as part of our study and looking at what the rates need to
be, we looked at loan repayment over the next three years from 2027
through 2028 to help repay that $3.4 million over that time period.
As you can see, if you look at the first column there, we have
about -- a rate revenue deficiency of about $9.9 million in 2026. So
to help mitigate that, we're looking at trying to target a revenue
increase of about 52 percent of the current rate revenue.
In 2027, we're also recommending that we continue an increase
at CPI to help offset future increases in operating expenditures, and
then also, it may help offset any permit activity differentials that we
may see in future years.
We also looked at, you know, again, the specific activity permit
fees. We looked at, you know, single events or inspections. So the
water heater replacement, A/C change-outs, demolitions,
reinspections. We prepared a cost recovery analysis for each specific
fee.
So we spent time with staff going through each of these different
fees understanding how much time they spend, how much time they
spend with, you know, each person applying for the fee. If they
provide them any value of, you know, walking through if they need
help with anything, and so we looked at, you know, essentially the
time cost for each employee, the amount of time they spent, any
overhead, any vehicle cost, equipment cost, and we calculated what
that cost would be to the County so that way we make sure, when
we're recommending a fee, that it fully recovers that cost.
So here I have a list of just some of the most notable fees, so
that's either the number of occurrences or the number of permits per
year on average over the last five years for each one of these different
fees. So you can see some of the most common fees are your A/C
change-outs, your lawn irrigations, fences, solar panels. You know,
your application fee goes with each time that somebody applies for a
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permit, and then obviously, your inspection fee for, you know,
inspections to houses, or any other types of permits.
And then you have your primary permit fees. So these permit
fees are for your plan review and inspection services for major
developments. So this is your new home or constr -- or commercial
building construction. So any additions to homes or existing
structures, teardowns and rebuilds. So we designed these to
essentially recover the remaining of the department funding needs.
So like I mentioned before, we looked at the total cost recovery
for those specific fees based on the time estimates and the interview
process that we did with staff. Any other remainder of the fee -- of
our revenue requirements that needed to be funded, we funded from
these primary permit fees, and that's about 25 percent of the total
permit fee revenue.
And again, these are, you know, a bit uncertain because, as you
know, housing sizes can vary, you know, the frequency of the
permits, the size of the construction, and then again, you have
competition for prior providers to come in and provide this service, in
which case we provide -- we charge a lesser amount for each one of
those inspections that are being done.
So here's the -- here to the right you can kind of see the permit
for the plan review and the permitting fees. So you see your
structural, your electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and the existing
rates and our proposed rates based on our study recommendations.
Next, like I mentioned before, we looked at the Florida Statute
553 where your operating reserves cannot be greater than the average
of your operating budget over the last four fiscal years.
So when we did this study, it was -- you know, and we finalized
our results, it was a few months back before 2025 was fully finished.
So we estimated the cash balance for the Enterprise Fund to be about
$9.6 million. The last four-year average from 2021 through 20 -- or
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2021 through 2024 was about 24.8 million.
So currently, you're under the target of the allowable cash
allowed to keep for the Enterprise Fund by about $15 million. If you
notice, you have 9.6 million in the operating. You have 2.9 in the
capital. That capital money is set aside to replace all of those assets
that have currently reached their service life.
So if you have vehicles that are already passed, you know, the
three to five years, or whatever their depreciable life is, we've set that
money aside to replace those assets, because that's not money that's in
operating reserves. That's more to replace capital assets to make sure
that your Enterprise Fund continues to run and operate at a high level.
Oh, and the other thing is we did not include any
building -- replacement of buildings in that. So that is just purely
what we consider general planner, you know, like I mentioned
before, vehicles, equipment, computers, software, things like that.
There's no building -- replacement of buildings in that cost -- or that
reserve, excuse me.
Finally, for our financial projections. So you can see here the
chart to the right, there's a few different things. First I'll start with the
orangish line at the top. So you can see there by 2030, it's about
31 million. That line is the Florida Statute of what you're allowed to
have within your Enterprise Fund. So that is the maximum amount
that you can carry within the Enterprise Fund.
It starts off in 2026 at about $25 million and then grows to about
31 as your operating expenditures grow over the years, and that
four-year average continues to rise.
The blue -- the light blue line is your ending cash balance for
each of those fiscal years for your operating and your capital. So the
Florida Statute really only applies to your operating reserve, but
to -- to show complete transparency, I wanted to show how the blue
and the gray line are very close, because as we're putting money
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away in that capital reserve, we're also spending it, right?
So we're replacing assets as each year goes by making sure that
we're keeping all of our equipment up to date. So though we do put
money away in there, we are also spending that money each year to
make sure we're replacing those assets.
And then the dotted line is the 90-day cash balance minimum
from the -- from the County of the minimum amount of cash allowed.
So the green bars show the revenue adjustments that we're
estimating -- or proposing during our plan. So in 2026, we're
proposing a 52 percent revenue adjustment to help grow that -- to
help grow our operating reserves but also keep our Enterprise Fund
healthy. So you can see in -- at the end of '25, we're just under
$10 million in total funds. And like I mentioned before, you know,
three and a half million of that is a loan from other -- from other
enterprise funds.
So it's important that we, you know, adjust our revenues to help
not only meet our revenue requirements for a given year but also
continue to grow -- start to grow our operating reserves so that we're
at a healthy amount.
So our observations and recommendations from our study are
that the building division does not -- revenues do not appear to
recover the total allocated costs. Like I mentioned before, it's
current -- you know, there's current subsidization from
department -- other departmental transfers and that we're
recommending adjustments in 2026 to be implemented in
January 2026 to help offset those incremental costs and help build
our fund balance.
And then we're also recommending those annual CPI
adjustments to help minimize the further inflationary effects and
impacts on costs.
Our current and projected operating reserves remain under
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that -- remain in an underfunded position. So as I showed you
before, we're under the allowed amount within the Florida Statute,
and the '25 deficiencies anticipate to lower -- you know, continue to
lower that operating reserve to less than half of the targeted amount
from the Florida Statute. And again, that's net of your capital
reserves, so that -- you know, those capital reserves set aside for, you
know, the vehicle replacement and those equipment replacements
that we had talked about.
So with that being said, we would like for the Board to consider
the adoption of the proposed plan review, permit fees, and
miscellaneous fees. We think that it would be prudent for the
department and division to review the cost recovery analysis and the
operating reserve annually within their budget process, and also we'd
recommend that the County look at these fees every two to three
years as, you know, the change in the building permit activity, and
then ensure that we're completing our compliance with the Florida
Statutes for the fund balance.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have a couple of
commissioners lit up here. Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Can you go back to the -- it
was one of your first slides where it had the average rate of increase
was .09.
MR. TUMA: This one here?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Right there.
MR. TUMA: Yep.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Okay. The only thing I just
wanted to say this is a slide I wanted to end on because, if not, when
we approve this unanimously -- or maybe we won't. But when I vote
to approve this, I don't want the front page of the paper tomorrow to
say, "County Commissioners exponentially raised fees." We all got
emails from people that are going to be on the other end of these fees
October 28, 2025
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that supported it.
And so I think it's important that -- you know, I mean, you went
through a lot of detail. It was kind of like, you know, death by a
million cuts. But I know you've got to do that to get all the numbers
on there. But, you know, the reality is -- and a little bit of the lesson
learned here -- and we're doing it in some other areas. Rather than
have these small, little bumps, and we all pat ourselves on the back
that, you know, "Wow, we didn't raise fees," and then, you know, our
replacements all come here in five, six years, three years, whatever it
is, and they're in a little bit of a hole, and then they have to raise, you
know, fees by a big number.
So we're doing it a lot smarter and getting away from that. It
sounds like this is one of the things that's catching up. And even your
customers agree.
I mean, we got -- I mean, how many times do you get a note
from someone that's going to pay this slightly higher fee that gets it?
So I just wanted to sort of end on this, because a lot can be lost
in the numbers, but the reality is playing a little bit of catch-up. It's
not an exorbitant jump. It's not something that we decided on our
own here because we want to pad our pockets or something like that.
I think you explained it very eloquently. But, you know, this, to me,
is really the summary slide. But thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. Well -- and the
advantage of a little bit of history, we had two rate cuts prior to this,
and that's the discussion that I want to have is what precipitated the
rate cuts to then lead us into a spot where we didn't have enough
revenue in order to support the organization? And then I have a
couple of follow-up questions.
MR. FRENCH: So thank you. Excuse me. Thank you, again,
Commissioners. For the record, Jamie French.
October 28, 2025
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Historically, what we have done and what the Board has
directed us to do is that we have intentionally held our rates low, and
that was predominantly for a couple different reasons. One was the
recovery -- again, these rates have not really been revisited since
2010. You went through an economic downturn. You also went
through numerous of different hurricanes and weather events, and
then -- and, really, you had a lot of economic recovery.
So the Board has subsidized or purposely kept that fee low so
that it offered a certain level of service and surety to the industry.
And the industry has certainly benefited from it because these are
pass-through costs.
And I -- and I know, Commissioner LoCastro, you and I
recently had a discussion about where a person was charged
eight -- $1,200, but yet our fee was 80 bucks. We don't regulate that,
and that could have been a construction or an administrative fee. So I
can't tell you what the pass-through might be from a contractor to a
client. I can only tell you that your fees are highly regulated by the
Florida Statute. I can't charge more than what the fee is to provide
the service.
Now, secondly, in the event -- so currently, you've got probably
somewhere between 140- and 160,000 permits that are currently
open. In the event that I don't have enough money to be able to
provide that service to that client that's already -- that's already
paid -- and the consultant can tell me, or certainly I can defer to
Mr. Klatzkow. But under 553 it says that your General Fund, your
taxpayers, would be responsible for providing that service. So you
are the authority having jurisdiction. Even if you were to contract
this service, you never give it up.
And so with the changes in the legislation, part of the 14 percent
is that -- the intensity of the inspections. We've had milestone
inspections. You've had a number of different changes at the Florida
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state -- at the Florida -- the Florida level, at the regulatory level, that
you have not -- and you've chosen, or staff has chosen to say, let's see
how long this lasts and let's see how we can get through it.
So to Commissioner McDaniel's point, you really did take a very
strong effort in trying to recover your local economy knowing that
about 22 percent of your workforce is affiliated with the development
industry.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right. So let's go back to my
original question. Two different times I passed rate fee reductions, at
your recommendation. And I remember specifically discussing it
with you out in the hallway. We were reducing the rates for future
customers and not giving back the money that we had overcharged to
the customer -- overcharged -- the excess money that we had charged
in excess of that back to the people who had paid too much.
And so where I'm going with this is -- Jamie, Mr. French, is the
reserve policy that -- is the reserve policy established by statute?
MR. FRENCH: It is, yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay. And so are we allowed
to exceed that reserve?
MR. FRENCH: No, sir. No. That sets your ceiling, and that's
what -- that's what your --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: That's what put us into the
position before when we were coming back with rate reductions, and
we just weren't reacting quickly enough to catch up to what
the -- what was actually transpiring?
MR. FRENCH: At the time the rates were -- we saw a great
deal of volume. Your cost to be able to provide the service was much
lower. You were able to recruit and retain, and now we're struggling
with that because you've got 140 different private providers that have
entered the scene as a change to the legislation.
But to your point, that carryforward balance became a liability.
October 28, 2025
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So rather than coming through -- and it wasn't a full rate reduction.
We picked and we choosed, and we also capitalized on efficiencies
like video inspections. So we were able to actually reduce our cost of
providing the service.
A good example of that is for an A/C change-out. It's not
necessarily a permit that goes though a reviewer. It's reviewed and
inspected in the field all at the same time. So we did pass that
savings onto the client.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I guess -- and again, I'm not
throwing rocks. I'm just -- I'm just trying to not have to do this again.
It's frustrating to me that we approved two rate cuts, and now we're
coming back with a 52 percent increase in some of these fees. That's
what's frustrating.
MR. FRENCH: So your rate reductions -- I have not brought
you a rate reduction in probably about three or four years.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yep. But it's --
MR. FRENCH: But at the time -- your market has changed.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I've been here nine years, and
we did one shortly after I came into office, and then we did the last
one a couple three years ago -- three or four years ago. And
again -- and that was where I was chirping at you in the hall. We
shouldn't be reducing the fees for those going forward. Am I
bothering you?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: No, no. It's just that the history is
interesting, but --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: All right.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: -- it's getting late.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I still have a -- and maybe I
haven't gotten the answer that I'm looking for, and I'm fishing. So
I'm just -- I'm trying to get to a point where we're not doing this
again. I guess that's the simplest question.
October 28, 2025
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MR. FRENCH: This is the -- this is what the Board -- we spoke
about this in 2024 and 2025 during the budget and even bringing
on -- establishing the $50 FEMA fee that the State required us to do
after all these storms, right.
So at the end of the day, we took -- this is the first of its
kind -- where you will have a view every year based on your CPI
with a review, where before the history of this fee is that they've just
brought it to you whenever they need to adjust it. Now you're going
to have visibility on it every year. This is in line with your model
that you've -- that you've established over the last two years with
ResourceX, and ResourceX was very well involved with this study,
as well as Chris Johnson, your budget director.
So this is a first-of-a-kind study that runs more like a private
business than, let's say, a typical government that relies on General
Fund would do so.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Any other questions or
comments? Do we have any registered speakers? Let's go ahead and
go through those.
MR. EBLE: Yes, sir. We have two registered speakers. The
first being Amelia Vasquez, and she will be followed by Bill Varian.
You have three minutes.
MS. VASQUEZ: Good afternoon, Commissioners. My name is
Amelia Vasquez. I'm the executive officer for the Collier Building
Industry Association.
The Collier Building Industry Association fully understands the
County's position. Under Florida law, the Building Department must
operate as a self-sustaining enterprise fund, and we recognize that
general tax revenues cannot be used to subsidize permitting and
inspection operations. We also acknowledge that the departmental
reserves are currently below target levels.
October 28, 2025
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Our members respect and support the County's responsibility to
maintain a balanced fund while continuing to meet service delivery,
technology, and staffing needs. We share the commitment and want
to see a well-run building department and that continues to provide
consistent high-quality service to our community.
We understand and support the fee increase; however, what
raises concern is the proposed magnitude in increase and the speed of
which the process is being advanced. While we recognize the need to
ensure the Building Department remains financially sustainable, the
proposed adjustments, in many cases doubling or tripling existing
fees, have unintended consequences to the construction industry,
specifically as it faces possible broad economic slowdowns and
potential impact fee increases. We believe a more balanced approach
is possible, one that allows the County to meet financial objectives
while giving the industry time to adjust predictability and
responsibility -- responsibly supported by transparency and
operational efficiency and open communication.
Raftelis' study underscores that achieving the County's financial
goals will require a comprehensive approach. Fee adjustments alone
are not sufficient. Long-term fiscal stability also depends on
continued attention to operational efficiency, cost management, and
strategic innovation.
CBI supports a balanced data-driven approach that strengthens
the Building Department's financial position while maintaining an
economically feasible environment for those who build and advance
and -- invest in Collier County.
Our goal is partnership, ensuring that growth and regulation
continue to move forward together responsibly and sustainably. We
suggest your consideration for a phased implementation.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
October 28, 2025
Page 156
MR. EBLE: Your next speaker is Bill Varian.
MR. VARIAN: Good afternoon, Commissioners, County
Manager. For the record, my name is Bill Varian. I've been a
resident here of Collier County for more than 35 years. I am
president of William J. Varian Construction Company, and also I've
had the privilege of being a past president of CBIA, and I am your
current chairman of DSAC.
On our October 1st DSAC meeting, we unanimously supported
the proposed fee increase. We recognize that a comprehensive fee
study hadn't been conducted in over 15 years, which was brought
forward. In fact, during that time we know that there have been
several reductions, even though the cost of doing business has gone
up.
When you average out the proposed adjustments, if you look at
the 15 years, it's probably less than about 4 percent a year. So
speaking as a business owner, it both seems reasonable and
sustainable.
It's important to note that the Building Department is run as an
enterprise fund, meaning it does not rely on general taxpayer dollars.
It's 100 percent funded by the fees collected for the plan reviews and
inspections.
Currently, the department's revenues are below stated
recommended levels, as noted. This fee adjustment will, of course,
help bring those reserves back in line while ensuring adequate
staffing levels to maintain the high quality of service our industry
depends on.
I'm sure you're aware that under the state statute, Collier
County's obligated to provide these timely plan reviews and
permitting services. Maintaining sufficient staff is essential to
meeting those requirements. I'm sure you also know the state statutes
have been changing, which Jamie mentioned, Mr. French. A lot
October 28, 2025
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more regulations and time frames have been put on staff with that.
On a related note, though not part of today's vote, I'd like to raise
some important concerns. I'm a remodeling contractor, so I primarily
work on existing taxpayers' homes. And how many times I go into a
home at a sales call and I've said [sic], "Do we really need a permit?
I hear it's a nightmare down there." And it is extremely frustrating
knowing what -- we have staff. We have fantastic staff. So it's
always frustrating when I do go out.
I do explain that it's not a nightmare but, rather, it's a process
that takes time to ensure the safety and compliance. Yet in today's
on-demand world, our culture, people seem to want stuff at the snap
of a finger.
Keeping the Building Department fully staffed and well
supported is key to maintaining efficiency and public confidence in
the system.
Your review staff are outstanding, knowledgeable, professional,
and always willing to assist when contacted; however, I have noticed
numerous vacancies and turnovers as employees leave for positions
that other municipalities and the private sector are offering.
While I understand that the County's salary can never match
what the private sector compensates, I urge you to explore creative
alternatives, whether they're through page estimates, retention
incentives, or career development opportunities, to help retain this
valuable team.
Again, thank you for your time. Appreciate it.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you, sir.
All right. Any further discussion from the Board? If not, then
we need a motion to move forward.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I just have one quick --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And in your -- in your
October 28, 2025
Page 158
process, I see these fees are going to take effect as of January of
2026, correct?
MR. FRENCH: Yes, sir. And that was identified within your
budget.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Is that -- is that -- from your
information from the industry, is that sufficient time for -- because
these are pass-through expenses that a contractor, when he's
remodeling somebody's -- when he's remodeling somebody's house,
whatever the fee is going to be, he's got to be able to pass that on. Is
that sufficient time for them to not have to carry that additional
burden?
MR. FRENCH: Yes. So this does not -- this does not do a
look-back. This would only be for those --
MS. PATTERSON: It's a process.
MR. FRENCH: -- permits that came in on that date.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: As of January 1st going
forward?
MR. FRENCH: Yes, sir. And the lag period -- gosh, I'd love to
be able to implement these yesterday, but there is some software
that's involved with your -- with your third-party software, CityView,
that reaches across pretty much the entire county. So by the
time -- and we do testing, so that way it's seamless to the client on
January 1st.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And my last question, before I
make a motion for approval, is would it help if we work with our
legislature to adjust the statute for your reserve policies so that we're
not in this flux?
MR. FRENCH: Sir, I think that that -- I certainly would
appreciate any effort to talk with the legislative body on knowing
what's happening in your local community; however, we are fine
operating. This is the most -- and I want to stress that. This is the
October 28, 2025
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most volatile enterprise fund that you have the authority over.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, how do you level off
volatility? You level that off through a sufficient reserve to carry it
through the good -- or through the slower times when the good times
are in place. And if the reserve policies that are established by the
statute aren't adequate, let me know what those adjustments need to
be.
MR. FRENCH: And we are working closely with your HR
Department and the industry on getting -- in getting this -- that level
of volatility removed. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We're ready for a
motion. Mr. McDaniel -- Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Make a motion for approval.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Second.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We have a motion and second.
Any further discussion?
(No response.)
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?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That passes unanimously.
Thank you. And, Mr. Ori, it's good to see you again.
MR. ORI: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: It's been a while.
MR. ORI: It's been a long time.
MR. TUMA: Thank you.
October 28, 2025
Page 160
Item #9B
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE A REZONE ORDINANCE
TO CHANGE THE ZONING FROM THE COMMERCIAL
INTERMEDIATE (C-3) ZONING DISTRICT TO THE
RESIDENTIAL MULTI-FAMILY-16 (RMF-16) ZONING
DISTRICT TO ALLOW UP TO 16 MULTIFAMILY DWELLING
UNITS PER ACRE FOR A TOTAL OF 28 MULTIFAMILY
DWELLING UNITS. THE SUBJECT 1.86± ACRE PARCEL IS
LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF TAMIAMI TRAIL NORTH
(US 41) AND BORDERED ON THE NORTH BY 93RD AVENUE
NORTH AND ON THE SOUTH BY 92ND AVENUE NORTH, IN
SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 48 SOUTH, RANGE 25 EAST,
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA. (PL20240013324, 9271-9295
TAMIAMI TRAIL NORTH REZONE) - MOTION TO CONTINUE
TO THE DECEMBER 9, 2025, BCC MEETING BY
COMMISSIONER HALL; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
SAUNDERS – APPROVED
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to -- back to
land use. We are to Item 9B. This item does require commissioners
to provide ex parte disclosure, and all participants are required to be
sworn in.
This is a recommendation to approve a rezone ordinance to
change the zoning from the Commercial Intermediate Zoning District
to the Residential Multifamily 16 zoning district to allow up to 16
multifamily dwelling units per acre for a total of 28 multifamily
dwelling units.
The subject 1.86 plus/minus parcel is located on the west side of
Tamiami Trail North and bordered on the north by 93rd Avenue
October 28, 2025
Page 161
North and on the south by 92nd Avenue North, in Section 22,
Township 48 South, Range 25 East, Collier County, Florida.
With that, let's do the disclosures, please.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yes. Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Yes. I have meetings and emails
on this item.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: I've got it all again.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Meetings and calls.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Meetings and emails.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And I have the same as well.
MS. PATTERSON: All right. If we could have everybody
stand that is going to be participating, including public speakers, to
be sworn in by the court reporter.
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: Very good. Mr. Yovanovich.
MR. YOVANOVICH: Good afternoon.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Good afternoon.
MR. YOVANOVICH: For the record, Rich Yovanovich on
behalf of the petitioner.
I have with me David Stratman, who is the vice president of
development for Rachel Development. They're the property owner
and the applicant on this petition. Myself; Mr. Mulhere; John Vanni
is our civil engineer; Ted Treesh is transportation consulting, and
Richard Guzman is our architect.
Unlike many petitions that are before you that are contingent -- a
October 28, 2025
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contract is contingent on rezoning, this is property that is currently
owned by my client, and they are bringing forward a proposed rezone
of 1.86 acres that is currently zoned C-3, and they are requesting to
rezone it to RMF-16 for 28 luxury multifamily condominiums.
Bob Mulhere will take you through the details of the master
plan. But one of the conditions we included in the -- in our rezone
petition is to cap the height of the proposed residential buildings at
50 feet, which is the current C-3 zoned height on the property.
RMF-16 allows a height of 75 feet. So what we requested was to cap
the height at 50 feet, which is currently allowed under the C-3 zoning
which I don't know how anybody could say is not consistent and not
compatible with what's around the community since that's the already
anticipated height that can occur on the building.
And we've had comments from neighbors concerned about the
height of the proposed residential, but it's consistent with what is
allowed by right today under the existing C-3 zoning.
We are utilizing the conversion of commercial zoning bonus in
your Comprehensive Plan. That is there for a reason. Back in 1989
when the Growth Management Plan was adopted in Collier County,
this property was deemed consistent by policy, meaning the
commercial got to stay because it was already commercial. The
Growth Management Plan today would not allow commercial on this
piece of property.
Commercial is supposed to be in activity centers. So there is an
incentive to convert property that is inconsistent with your Growth
Management Plan to something that is consistent with your Growth
Management Plan, which is residential, and we're utilizing that
provision under your Growth Management Plan. So our request is
consistent with your Growth Management Plan.
I don't -- and Bob will show you some pictures of the existing
development. I refer to this as the old Burger King parcel. It's across
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from Mercato. We'll show you the abandoned Burger King, and we'll
show you the existing auto repair that's allowed on the property and
exists on the property today.
We will show you some architectural renderings. And the
intention of the Growth Management Plan is to basically eliminate
strip commercial that's narrow along the East Trail and the North
Trail and replace it with development that is in keeping with Collier
County's anticipated development. This will be a market-rate for-sale
condominium project fronting U.S. 41 with Naples Park behind it.
The property is across from Mercato. You can see the project
site on the visualizer. We have 93rd Avenue North to the north and
92nd Avenue North to the south. We're adjacent to Rib City. And
our request is to rezone the property to a residential development.
Again, the Comprehensive Plan today, as you can see,
designates this property yellow, which is urban residential. It's not
supposed to be commercial. We are not in the Coastal High Hazard
Area. And basically, there are two options for this piece of property:
Rezone the property to the 28 units we're requesting under the -- you
know, the commercial conversion provisions within your Growth
Management Plan, or develop under existing rights that exist with the
property today.
Commercial, although it is zoned commercial, is not what my
client will do as an existing right under the property. My client will
develop this as a residential project.
And I want to make sure I say this the right way. It's not a
threat. It's a right that my client has today to develop this property
under the Live Local Act. And under the Live Local Act, that would
be 47 units, not 28 units. Under the 47 units, 28 of those units would
still be market-rate for-sale condominium units, and they would have
19 rental units serving the 120 percent and below category, which
several of you have said 120 percent of the income level is roughly
October 28, 2025
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$130,000, is not affordable housing.
But we would develop that, and we would get nice rents. They
would be luxury rental units. So we would do 47 units versus 28
units. And in lieu of 50 feet height limitation, we would build at
100-foot because, under the Live Local Act, the options are the
maximum density, which is 25 units per acre, and the tallest building
within a mile, either zoned or already constructed, which the
Fifth/Third building is the tallest building within a mile, and that's at
100 feet, 100-foot zoned.
So that option would be purely go get a Site Development Plan
approved, and there would be no public hearing. Today we're here
with a public hearing to propose to you keep the height at 50 feet and
only give us 28 units instead of allowing us to develop 47 units which
is allowed as a matter of right.
We had our neighborhood information meeting, and there were
some people there who said they want to see commercial stay on the
property. Commercial's not going to stay on the property. There
were people who say -- who came in and said, you know, "We don't
want residential," but residential is really the only two options my
client has. One of those options is to go through this public-hearing
process. The other is to go through the Live Local Act process.
We will show you the site plan for both the 50-foot option and
the 100-foot option. I believe, and my client believes, building at
50 feet, consistent with what's anticipated to happen on the property
today, is better for the community than the other option, which is
Live Local, which we can do as a matter of right, which would be the
100 feet.
I'm going to have Bob take you through the existing uses, the
master plans, the proposed architectural renderings, the conditions of
approval and the rezone.
And with that -- when we're done with that, we'll be happy to
October 28, 2025
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answer any questions. My client's here to answer any questions you
may have regarding the anticipated uses on the property, the options
that are on the table.
At the end of the day, your planning staff recommended
approval. Your Planning Commission unanimously recommended
approval. We're asking you to allow us to develop this at 28 units,
50 feet in height, to rezone the property consistent with your Growth
Management Plan. All of the expert testimony at the Planning
Commission and probably what you'll hear today support that we
meet the rezone criteria, that we are compatible with the
neighborhood. We are consistent with your Growth Management
Plan.
And with that, those are my brief introductory comments, and
I'll have Mr. Mulhere come up here and go through the greater detail
of the master plan.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. We're going to need to take
a court reporter break here pretty soon. Should we do that now?
THE COURT REPORTER: (Nods head.)
MR. YOVANOVICH: Why don't we --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We're going to come back at 10
minutes after 3.
(A recess was had from 2:55 p.m. to 3:10 p.m.)
MS. PATTERSON: Chair, you have a live mic.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Mr. Mulhere, welcome
back.
MR. MULHERE: Thank you very much. Bob Mulhere with
Bowman.
What you have on the visualizer or, excuse me, the screen in
front of you is the -- is an aerial of the existing conditions, and the
purpose of this aerial, from my perspective, is to show you the access
points here, here. Right here you've got -- it looks like it's arrowed to
October 28, 2025
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go through the building and then make a right out. I think that's, like,
an oil change. And that's right on 41.
And over here you have another ingress and egress, and then
you have all of this head-on parking along 93rd Street that goes right
up to the intersection. So you do have kind of a nonconforming
existing condition with respect to access that is not good. It's a lot of
conflicts and a lot of conflicts on 41.
This is the Burger King. I don't know how long that's been
closed. It's a long time. It's maybe three, five years. I don't know.
It's a pretty long time, and you can see that it's deteriorated quite a
bit.
And then here -- so I think this is that lube or oil change or
something like that with direct access out onto the Tamiami Trail,
and then there's a detailing place. You know, these -- these are kind
of nonconforming and -- in terms of how you get in and out of the
building, so...
As Rich mentioned, we limited the building height to 50 feet,
which is what's allowed in the C-3 district, and RMF-16 allows
75 feet.
This is the site plan for the 50-foot structure with all required
parking, including guest parking. It meets all the setbacks and has
access -- removed all of the access to Tamiami Trail and has the
access here and here, close to Tamiami Trail but sufficient to allow
for appropriate stacking. There was a question asked at, I think, the
NIM, or maybe it was Planning Commission, about deliveries.
There's more than adequate opportunity for delivery trucks to come
in and, you know, park, do whatever they need to do to deliver it and
then, you know, get back out. So the design is consistent with all of
the LDC requirements.
We have some architectural renderings. This is looking north,
from the east side of Tamiami Trail looking north, and the building is
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depicted right here. That's looking south, so this would be 93rd here.
Obviously, a very attractive building; an aerial here; pool in the
middle; your two access points, 93rd and 92nd.
Rich mentioned the other options are to either build under the
C-3 zoning which, you know, is not what the Comp Plan wants. It's
an incentive, this additional density, to have that nonconforming
commercial go away. And as you can see, it doesn't -- it doesn't look
very nice, and it's -- these properties have been on the market and
closed for -- the Burger King, been closed for a long time -- or to
develop it under the Live Local by right, 25 units an acre and up to
100 feet in height. So we would net, you know, 47 total units that
way.
This is a site plan of the Live Local. We meet all the setbacks.
The building height is approximately 100 feet. So we can fit the units
in and still fit larger units in for market rate.
And this is a graphic of -- I think it's seven. Let's see. One, two,
three, four, five, six, seven -- seven floors with underbuilding
parking. It's approximately 100 feet in height.
Another rendering of that Live Local. Another rendering from
the Rib City perspective. But I think this exhibit really shows you the
difference. This is the 28-unit, max 50 feet right here, and then you
come over here and this occupies pretty much the entire site and just
goes higher. But we can design it to meet all the requirements, and as
was indicated, my client actually owns this property. So obviously,
they're going to have to do something with it.
We've talked about C-3 and what it allows. The traffic
generation for the proposed use is significantly less than what can be
reasonably accommodated by -- under the C-3 zoning; 298 trip
reduction with what we're proposing.
I think these are the two conditions in the resolution. One is the
maximum height of 50 feet, and the other one is a total -- a trip cap of
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32 -- 33, excuse me, two-way p.m. peak-hour net trips.
And so in conclusion, it's consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan, which again, incentivizes this. Multifamily is certainly more
compatible than what you see on that site. If you take a look at it, it's
not very nice.
And the site design meets or exceeds all of the required setbacks
and open space and reduces access to two locations and eliminates
the problematic nonconforming access along U.S. 41.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Thank you, Chairman.
You know, this is just one of those things that I don't get the
privilege of liking a project or not -- or not liking a project. I've had a
lot of communication with the neighbors behind in Naples Park,
some in Pelican Bay. And when the -- when the public sees a
petition like this come forth, all they see is 28 units, all luxury. They
see a four-story building going in then -- which there's nothing even
close to being around it that's that tall; however, it's clear that zoned
C-3 can be 50 feet -- 50 feet tall, but there's nothing around that is
that tall, so the -- so the neighbors don't care. All they know is there's
nothing there now, and they don't want something else.
All they see is actual traffic and the assumptions. They don't
really see the actual counts that are -- you know, that are calculated.
It's just something that's in their -- in their backyard, and the -- and
the stereotype is huge. You know, I've told them that I will support
their wishes no matter what. Like I said, I don't get the privilege of
liking or disliking. They've made it clear to me, and I've committed
to them that I'll go with what they want. And it may be they may get
what they want, but they may not want what they get.
So it's -- it's just like -- some of the comments that have come to
me and the stereotyping are, "This project is on autopilot to approve,"
like they're not going to be listened to. "The commissioners are in
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the" -- we've all heard this one: "The commissioners are in the
pocket of the developer." You know, a straight ticket to jail if you
are.
"It's not a bad project, but just another one." And those are just
the comments that the public and the stereotypes that they -- that they
have adopted.
And it's like a -- it's like a horse that wants to get back to the
barn. You're not going to turn it no matter how hard you pull on the
bit. It's going to the barn, and that's the public's perception right now
of this project, and it's exactly why I hate the Live Local Act. It
preempts our ability. It's something that Mr. Yovanovich's client, he
has it by right to do that, and the public doesn't see that. They
haven't -- they're not educated enough. They've been told that, but I
don't think the reality has set in.
It's just a project that's coming that the public -- that I'm going to
have to stick with them on. And I know we have a couple of
speakers. But before they speak, they're going to be speaking in
opposition, and one of them's going to have a change that they would
like to make. But I'm going to throw it out there with a motion, and
if I get a second, I have a plan. And if I don't get a second, you have
a plan.
So my motion's going to be --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall, on the motion,
the process we should follow, we should see if there's a staff report --
COMMISSIONER HALL: Oh, okay. Sure.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: -- and then hear the speakers and
then get into the motion, if you don't mind waiting just a few minutes
on that.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Sure.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Mr. Bosi, do you have a very brief
staff --
October 28, 2025
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MR. BOSI: Um-hmm. Mike Bosi, Planning and Zoning
director.
As indicated by the applicant's slide, staff is recommending
approval. We recommend approval --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Do we have registered speakers?
Let's go through the public hearing speakers.
MR. EBLE: Yes, sir. We have four registered speakers, two in
the room and two on Zoom. The first registered speaker is Susan
Zehnder, and she'll be followed by Gretchen Farlander.
MS. ZEHNDER: Hello again, Commissioners. Nice to see you.
My name is Susan Zehnder, and I am speaking on behalf of
Marsha Oenick, a resident of Naples Park and past president of the
Naples Park Area Association. Marsha is unable to join the meeting
today.
Marsha writes: I would like to register my opposition to this
project in its current form and offer a solution. While the future-use
[sic] map showing the general plan for the subject property is noted
as Urban Residential, it does not specify the residential zone.
The applicant is requesting RMF-16, allowing 16 units per acre
and a building height of 50 feet. This density and height is not
consistent with most homes in Naples Park and creates a block of
housing with 260 percent the density of this already densely
populated neighborhood.
The current project proposes four floors with a height of 50 feet.
This is four times the height of most homes near the subject property
and would give condo residents direct views down into neighbors'
backyards and private outdoor spaces.
The 2025 amendment to Florida's Live Local Act recognizes
that new affordable housing buildings bordering existing
neighborhoods should blend into the neighborhood. It specifies that
for projects bordering neighborhoods with at least 25 continuous
October 28, 2025
Page 171
homes, the height can be restricted to 150 percent of the height of
adjacent buildings or three stories, whichever is greater.
The solution I propose is that the rezone be to RMF-6. This
would allow 11 units on that site which are easily accommodated on
two floors over parking. This three-story building, only one story
lower, will better blend with the Naples Park neighborhood and will
be consistent with the direction from the State.
This approach not only allows this project to blend nicely with
the Naples Park neighborhood. It will also set appropriate
precedence for further conversion of properties over time from
commercial to urban residential. Allowing RMF-16 will distort the
already dense neighborhood and result in increasing avenue
congestion in Naples Park and traffic congestion on U.S. 41;
however, rezoning to RMF-6 will mitigate these issues while
executing the County's plan to convert properties along U.S. 41 to
Urban Residential over time.
While a cut in units will be initially undesirable to the developer,
the One Naples development provides instruction that return on
investment can be achieved with lower density in height by providing
desirable luxury and exclusivity.
Please require that this project change the rezoning to RMF-6
with 11 store -- with 11 units, three stories, or deny the project.
Thank you for your time.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you. And who is following
Gretchen?
MR. EBLE: On Zoom, that would be Ann Marie Dezio.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. Is Gretchen --
MS. FARLANDER: My name is Gretchen Farlander, and I live
in Naples Park.
We had a meeting not too long ago, I want to say, back this
spring, and a lot of the residents showed up there because people are
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really, really, really upset about a huge building like that going in in
Naples Park. And there's nobody that's denying that that lot is
disgusting. We all know that. We all want to see it better.
But I think the general consensus is we're looking at a massive
building that's literally looking in people's backyards. And these are
tall. You know you're going to be able to see down those roads.
And, you know, I listen to other people doing stuff in the
communities, and they're all, "Well, we're all doing a really nice
landscaping buffer," and this, that, and the other. Well, I mean, how
many years is it going to take to grow a tree that's 50 feet tall that is
going to give the privacy to these people? I mean, it's just -- I'm not
against the project, I guess. I mean, I want to see it better. I just feel
like, I mean, we're really encroaching on people's privacy, and that's
where the issue is.
And there is no other building that's 50 feet tall. I don't even
think the buildings at Mercato are 50 feet tall. They might be, but I
don't -- I think those are just a couple stories.
So, you know, I don't think that people understand the Live
Local Act. I've spent a lot of time talking to it. I've spent a lot of
time, you know, communicating with Chris Hall. Like, what can we
do, you know. This Live Local Act has really kind of created a
problem for Naples Park because if we don't go through with having
a smaller project, now we're setting precedent for the rest of 41 all the
way to Immokalee Road. Because that will be within the one-mile
radius, we can have 100-foot buildings all the way down the Trail.
So I feel like we need to do something. We have a lot of angry
neighbors. They are going to blame you guys, because they already
are, and they're already saying, "We don't have a voice. You know,
nobody will listen to us." I've made it very clear. I've talked to Chris
Hall. He wants to hear you. Email him. Email the Board members.
I don't know if you guys got emails.
October 28, 2025
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I'm just hoping that we can do something a little differently than
what we had with, you know, Naples One. People are just mad, and I
just don't want to see that continue. You know, I mean, we've got to
clean up the Park. I get it. It's got to get better, but I'm just hoping
that we can preserve people's privacy. Because that's pretty
obnoxious. I would not want that many people staring in my
backyard, and they were there first.
So I appreciate your time, and thank you, Mr. Hall, for being so
available to all of us.
MR. EBLE: Your next registered speaker is on Zoom, Anne
Maria Dezio. You should be receiving a prompt to unmute yourself,
and I see you have. You have three minutes.
MS. DEZIO: Oh, okay. Your decision on this project will be
the cornerstone for future development in Naples Park. First I would
like to --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We're not able to hear that.
MS. DEZIO: I'm sorry.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: At least I'm not able to hear it. I'm
not sure if anybody else can.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I can hear it fine.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Oh, okay.
COMMISSIONER HALL: She started off thanking us, Bert.
MS. DEZIO: I'm sorry. Three minutes has got -- has got me
under a lot of pressure, so I'm going to talk really fast.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We'll start the time -- we'll start the
time all over. So you have three minutes going forward.
MS. DEZIO: Okay. Thank you, Chairman.
Your decision on this project will be the cornerstone for the
future development in Naples Park. First I would like to thank
Commissioner Hall for the excellent job he does in keeping the
county informed. But for one of his "coffee with the commissioner"
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meetings, I would not have even known that the project was in
existence, and I live a few blocks away from it. Speaking of coffee, I
was kind of hoping that Starbucks would replace Burger King.
That being said, there's a couple of problems that I see. And one
of them -- I actually submitted some slides. The project initially
was -- and up until June, had always been referred to as Mercato
West Rezone. Had it just been White Sands Luxury Condos, I don't
think anybody would have been as confused about its relationship to
Mercato. At the NIM meeting, it seemed to imply that it was actually
part of the Mercato or that it was an extension or a modification
because it was always advertised as Mercato West Rezone.
It seems after the NIM, there was, maybe even from Mercato
itself the idea that, oh, it was misleading or, you know, not accurate.
I love Mercato. I think Mercato is the gold standard for beautiful
residential and commercial design. They designed their townhouses
to be not seen and not heard.
And so it seems to me that somewhere along the line they
actually changed the name of it, and now it's known under its
address, and I find that fundamentally unfair to have a public notice
that changes the identity of something midstream without any further
explanation.
In the last presentation they said, "Formerly known as Mercato
West," and so I think it put the public really seriously behind the
eight ball trying to keep up with that.
The other thing that -- I was really actually hoping that
Commissioner Hall was going to ask for some kind of an
adjournment, because it's my understanding that, as stinky as Live
Local is, the legislature actually recognized that it could, you know,
impact single-family residents, and they changed the law effective
July 1st. I think a very good argument could be made that based on
those new restrictions, the 100-foot tower option really isn't in play in
October 28, 2025
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terms of Naples Park.
I'm sure arguments could be made either way, and I think, as my
father said, measure twice, cut once. So I would just ask you to put
this matter over for the appropriate staff to consider the impact of
changing the name midstream because the public notice hearing does
not match the original NIM notices.
And so I would ask you just to back-burner it. I'm not against it.
I'm not for it. I just don't know what the real status is.
Thank you. As always, you do a great job.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
MR. EBLE: Your final registered speaker on Zoom is Julia
Alessi. Julia, you should be receiving a prompt to unmute yourself,
and you have. You have three minutes, Julia.
MS. ALESSI: Good afternoon. My name is Julie Alessi, and I
was born and raised here in Naples, Florida, and I currently reside in
Naples Park on 93rd, directly next to this proposed site. I am the
literal, quote-unquote, "outraged neighbor," and yet I'm here to speak
in support of this rezone for the condominium project.
This development is exactly the kind of smart infill growth our
community needs. It places high-quality residences within walking
distance of restaurants, shops, and existing infrastructure, reducing
the sprawl while supporting our local economy. The project also
makes use of an underutilized site that is already served by major
roads, utilities, and parking. Because people living here can easily
walk to amenities, traffic and infrastructure impacts should be
minimal compared to new suburban development.
I understand there are always concerns about growth, but this is
the right kind of growth; contained, thoughtful, and community
enhancing.
Mercato West, supposedly, whatever the new name will be, will
strengthen the vitality of North Naples. Beyond the obvious benefits
October 28, 2025
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of the new housing and local economic support, there is an important
consideration. The developer has indicated that should this rezoning
not be approved by the Commission, they may pursue a development
path under the Live Local Act which allows for increased density or
height under certain conditions. A local neighborhood post in
Nextdoor flagged that, quote, "We basically will either let the project
go through as a residential rezone or risk the developer building
under the Live Local Act," end quote.
In other words, approving this thoughtfully designed rezoning
now gives the County and community far more control over the scale,
design, parking, traffic mitigation, and neighborhood integration than
if the alternative route were pursued. That provides a strategic
advantage for the County and residents alike.
I respectfully urge you to support and approve this project as a
model of responsible, high-quality development that benefits both
residents and businesses.
And I'll end with this: Naples is not a small town anymore. It's
growing, evolving, and attracting people who want to live, work, and
invest here. Growth is happening whether we like it or not, so you
can either get on the train or get left behind. Approving this project
is about embracing smart managed growth that benefits everyone.
Thank you for your time and for your service to our community.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We'll close the hearing.
Commissioner Hall, you were in the middle of discussion.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Yes. So thank you, Chairman.
I'd like to make a suggestion, and it would just be pretty much a
favor. The choice is pretty much obvious here, but I would like the
chance to come back at the meeting in December and have the chance
to go to the public, because there's a large amount of them, and sit
down with them with Mr. Yovanovich and let him explain and let me
explain to them what the choices are, because there's a lot of
October 28, 2025
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confusion. And you can see right there where one speaker says we've
changed the name from Mercato West. It's been the same ever since
day one. But I would be -- it's a -- it's a hot potato in my district, and
I'd just like that opportunity, if that would be fine with you-all.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Commissioner
McDaniel. We'll consider that to be a motion to continue for the --
COMMISSIONER HALL: Yes.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. To a -- we have one
meeting in December.
COMMISSIONER HALL: To the meeting in December, and I
don't think it will take long.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. What's the date of that
meeting, just so we're on the record?
MS. PATTERSON: December 9th.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: December 9th. Okay. So the
motion is to continue this for additional consideration and comment
until the meeting in December 9th.
Commissioner McDaniel.
MR. YOVANOVICH: May I?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I can either hold my -- I
didn't -- I mean, I have no -- I'm stuttering right now because I have
questions on the project that I can go to, or if you want -- if it's the
will of the Board to continue the item, we can do that, so...
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, let's see if there's a second to
the motion. Is there a second to the motion to continue?
(No response.)
MR. YOVANOVICH: Can the petitioner briefly address the
request? Because it may make it easier for the Board.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. No issues with that, but go
ahead.
MR. YOVANOVICH: By way -- before -- the answer is, of
October 28, 2025
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course, if Commissioner Hall believes it will be beneficial to the
process, we're happy to sit down and talk to the residents about what
the options are.
So out of respect for, you know, Commissioner Hall requesting,
we're not going to stand in the way of that request.
I do -- I do have a couple questions about what happens next
because we've had our hearing; we've had the public input. What I
don't think is fair to us is to agree to the request and then we open up
public comment again, and there's 50 more people now that all of a
sudden show up, and a good deed gets punished by doing that
process.
So I'm just trying to understand, are we done with public
comment, and we're just going to hear questions back and forth about
the project and report back how that meeting goes? Because I think
that's -- I think it's a fair request for us to say, please -- we're happy to
have the conversation, but we shouldn't be subjected to a bunch of
new speakers.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well --
MR. YOVANOVICH: And I'm just asking that question.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah. I believe if we do continue
it and we do have speakers, I think we're going to be obliged to at
least hear the speakers.
MR. YOVANOVICH: But I think you just closed the public
hearing, so that's why I'm asking.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I understand. Yeah, I understand.
But if we continue this and we have people in the audience that
register to speak on it, I think we're going to be hard pressed to say,
no, that you can't speak on this.
We can -- that's just my sort of gut feeling. And we'll make
sure -- if that happens, we'll make sure everything's fair.
MR. YOVANOVICH: And then my next request is, could we
October 28, 2025
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please be the first public hearing?
COMMISSIONER HALL: I'll second the motion.
MR. YOVANOVICH: If there's any chance we could maybe
be, like, first thing in the morning as a time-certain, that would be
nice.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Why don't we do this: I'll second
the motion, but let's set it -- set it for a time-certain on the 9th, I think
is what you said.
MR. YOVANOVICH: Like, how about 9:30? I'm not trying to
be funny, but I just -- I think that's going to be a fairly packed agenda
because it's the last one of the year.
And for consideration by one of the speakers, if you rezone us to
50 feet, you're now setting a standard that's 50 feet to start being
measured from versus 100 feet. So I just wanted to get that into the
thought process before we have a meeting.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, I'm going to second the
motion. We'll try to keep the public hearing closed or at least to a
minimum, if we -- because we do have a tendency not to tell people
they can't speak when they come here.
We'll set this for a time-certain; 9:30 is fine by me.
And any further discussion on the motion to continue?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Then I'll call for the question. 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.)
October 28, 2025
Page 180
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That passes unanimously.
Then we'll see you in about a month.
MR. YOVANOVICH: In about a month, yes, sir, God willing.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Ms. Patterson, we have
another --
Item #9C
ORDINANCE 2025-53: RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE AN
ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTY FROM THE RURAL
AGRICULTURAL (A) ZONING DISTRICT TO THE
RESIDENTIAL PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (RPUD) FOR
A PROJECT TO BE KNOWN AS 8928 COLLIER BOULEVARD
RPUD TO ALLOW FOR 92 MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL
DWELLING UNITS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THE
SUBJECT PUD, CONSISTING OF 9.49± ACRES, IS LOCATED
ON THE EAST SIDE OF COLLIER BOULEVARD (C.R. 951),
APPROXIMATELY 1,300 NORTH OF THE INTERSECTION OF
COLLIER BOULEVARD AND HACIENDA LAKES PARKWAY
IN SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 50 SOUTH, RANGE 26 EAST,
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA. [PL20230018397] (COMPANION
ITEM TO ITEM 17B, GMPA-PL20230013845, BONITA FLORES
RESIDENTIAL INFILL SUBDISTRICT GROWTH
MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENT) - MOTION TO
APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER LOCASTRO; SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER KOWAL – ADOPTED
Item #9D
ORDINANCE 2025-54: RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 89-05, AS
October 28, 2025
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AMENDED, THE COLLIER COUNTY GROWTH
MANAGEMENT PLAN TO CREATE THE BONITA FLORES
RESIDENTIAL INFILL SUBDISTRICT TO ALLOW FOR 92
MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS WITH
AFFORDABLE HOUSING; DIRECTING TRANSMITTAL OF
THE ADOPTED AMENDMENT TO THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS
LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF COLLIER BOULEVARD,
APPROXIMATELY 1,300 FEET NORTH OF HACIENDA LAKES
PARKWAY IN SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 50 SOUTH, RANGE 26
EAST, CONSISTING OF 9.49± ACRES. [PL20230013845]
(COMPANION ITEM TO ITEM 17A, PUDZ-PL20230018397 8928
COLLIER BLVD.) - MOTION TO APPROVE BY
COMMISSIONER LOCASTRO; SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER KOWAL – ADOPTED
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir. We have Items 9C and 9D,
formerly 17A and 17B. These items were moved to the regular
agenda at Commissioner Hall's request. I will read them into the
record. They both -- they require -- the first requires Commission
members to provide ex parte disclosure and participants to be sworn
in.
This is a recommendation to approve an ordinance rezoning
property from the Rural Agricultural Zoning District to the
Residential Planned Unit Development for a project to be known as
8928 Collier Boulevard RPUD to allow for 92 multifamily residential
dwelling units with affordable housing. The subject PUD consists of
9.49 plus/minus acres, is located on the east side of Collier Boulevard
approximately 1,300 feet north of the intersection of Collier
Boulevard and Hacienda Lakes Parkway in Section 14, Township 50
South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida.
October 28, 2025
Page 182
Its companion is a recommendation to approve an ordinance
amending Ordinance No. 89-05, as amended, the Collier County
Growth Management Plan, to create the Bonita Flores Residential
Infill District to allow 92 multifamily residential dwelling units with
affordable housing, directing transmittal of the adopted amendment
to the Florida Department of Commerce. Again, the subject property
is located on the east side of Collier Boulevard approximately 1,300
feet north of Hacienda Lakes Parkway in Section 14, Township 50
South, Range 26 East, consisting of 9.49 plus/minus acres.
With that, Commissioners, ex parte.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: It used to be 17. I'm just getting
my numbers correct. I have no disclosures on this.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yes. Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: I have none.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Nope, none here.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Meetings and emails.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And I have no disclosures.
Commissioner Hall, you had asked for this to be taken off the
consent agenda. Let's see what the issue is there.
MS. PATTERSON: Sir, we have to swear the participants in
really quickly.
If anybody participating could please stand and be sworn in by
the court reporter, including any 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.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall, what's the
October 28, 2025
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issue that you're raising?
COMMISSIONER HALL: So I pulled this off of the summary
agenda mainly because this is the very first time that I've heard of it.
I never had heard of anything of it. And Mercato West was on the
summary agenda. And I kindly asked that that go on the regular
agenda as well, and you can see why.
It's just like the -- what I mentioned in the last meeting. I don't
want us to be duped into increasing density thinking that we're doing
something noble with affordable housing. I'll spare the numbers, but
basically at 120, and even at 80 percent, the caps on the affordable
chart are actually higher than the market rents.
You can go all over town and buy a two-bedroom
apartment -- rent a two-bedroom apartment for less than $2,000, even
get two months free. So supply has impacted those rents.
We've got about -- where this project is going -- when I was
looking at it, it looks like to me there's probably, I don't know, 25 or
30 acres. It should be -- what, Commissioner LoCastro, is that in
your district down there?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Um-hmm.
COMMISSIONER HALL: That 25 or 30 acres is completely
surrounded by development, and this is 1,300 feet north of the Costco
that we just talked about last month, or actually this month. And I
don't think that we're overbuilding at all, and I'm not against -- I'm
not against growth, but I want to grow smart. I don't want to just
grow for the sake of being lulled into, well, we always approve
70 percent market rate, 30 percent affordable. I mean, that's just kind
of the standard. That's not the standard. We approve every one of
these things differently.
And if that property -- you know, my first thoughts was, what do
we need? What do we need in the community? What do we need in
our -- in our county? One of the needs we have is light industrial.
October 28, 2025
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It's business park stuff. It's stuff that creates jobs. And then, because
of the Mercato West conversation, I'm hesitant -- I'm not even going
to bring that up because if we go C-3 or C-4, then that can be
straightly manipulated into Live Local Act.
So then it just brings to me, you know, what do we do? Do
we -- do we ask the petitioner to come back and give us some more
public benefit with a higher percentage? I mean, basically, the
100 -- there's 92 units proposed. Twenty-eight of them are rent
restricted, nine of them at 80 percent AMI, nine of them at
100 percent, and then 10 of them at 120 percent, which is pretty
close -- it's above market-rate rents. So it's not like it's a -- I don't
feel like that they're giving us great public benefit.
And nothing -- you'll get a chance. You'll get a chance.
It's -- Commissioner LoCastro mentioned the phrase earlier, it's
kind of like a death by a thousand cuts. It's not a bad project. It's just
another project, and it's another project, and it's another project. And
we don't -- we don't ever slow -- we don't ever slow it down. We
don't ever slow it down.
And I just want to take -- I want to let us have a conversation.
And you can do what you want to do, but I just want the conversation
of how we can slow it down, how we can stop increasing the density.
Everywhere I go, that's the number-one thing: "When are you
going to stop the building in Collier County?"
And I said, "We can't stop people from coming in, but we can
make different decisions to stop the residential infill and the
residential density." That's just a conversation that I wanted to have.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let's go ahead and hear from the
petitioner, if you'll introduce your petition, and then we'll go through
the normal process for a land use, and then I'll get to you as soon as
they make their presentation.
So I just wanted to get an idea of why this was off the consent
October 28, 2025
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agenda. That makes sense.
MR. PHILPOTT: Understood. For the record, I'm Josh Philpott
on behalf of the applicant. I am a principal with Stantec and the lead
planner for this project. Here with me today is Joel Blikstad, our
engineer for the project, with Stantec, and then our client Michael
Crijan, the owner of the property as well.
We're here today to discuss two items, actually, the rezoning of
approximately nine and a half acres on Collier Boulevard at 8928
Collier Boulevard, and then the second being a Growth Management
Plan amendment to create a new subdistrict to allow for
approximately 10 units an acre with a blend of affordable housing.
One correction, there was -- one point of correction. The initial
application was for 10, 10, and 10. Ten percent at 120 --
COMMISSIONER HALL: It's close enough.
MR. PHILPOTT: -- 10 percent at 100 percent of AMI, and then
10 percent at 80 AMI.
Through working with staff through this process -- and it's been
a fairly lengthy process from the original application to today -- we
have amended that request down to 15 percent at 80 percent of AMI
and 15 percent at 100 percent AMI with -- and completely
dropped -- basically, reallocating to a lower AMI for this project. So
that's the -- the request.
In addition to the affordable housing, there's a commitment
for -- and one other thing. The calculations come to 14 units reserved
at 80 percent AMI, and then 14 percent -- 14 units at 100 percent
AMI. So of the 92, approximately 60 -- I had that number -- 64 are
market rate.
On top of that, 50 percent of the affordable housing units will be
reserved for essential service personnel. That has now been included
in the PUD.
And at the CCPC -- at the request of the CCPC, there was a
October 28, 2025
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request to include a condition to -- for the affordable units to match
the blend or mix of unit types in the overall development. So it will
not be a commitment of just one-bedrooms or just two-bedrooms. It
will be a match of the overall unit counts, a mixture of one, two, and
three unit types.
Then on top -- on top of that, that is a 30-year commitment to
preserve those affordable housing units or -- affordable units as well
as the essential service personnel reservation as well.
Through the -- not only the application, but the staff report and
the CCPC recommendation, the application was found to be
compatible with the surrounding development. It complies with the
Land Development Code as well as the findings for approval in
Section 10, and then it is consistent with the Growth Management
Plan as recommended by staff and the CCPC.
I already mentioned that we already adjusted down from 100
to -- 120 to 100 through discussion with staff. I think one of the
challenges that we have on this site, it is approximately nine and a
half acres, but it does function as a standard-alone project. Now, the
project immediately to the south, which is the Lord's Way PUD and
Growth Management Plan, that was approved a couple of years ago
at the exact same requirements as what -- or excuse me -- the exact
same conditions that are included in this one with the exception of
having a mix of units.
So this density and this blend of units of affordable housing is
immediately adjacent to the south, the difference being that's
600-and-some units. It's a much larger project, and so that -- the cost
associated with the lower rent/income as well as the infrastructure
costs to support the development are shared amongst that
600-and-some units.
In this case, it's nine and a half acres. We have at least a million
dollars to build a bridge across the Collier Boulevard Canal. We
October 28, 2025
Page 187
have about 850,000 in environmental mitigation, about another
850,000 to a million in earthwork, along with stand-alone utility
infrastructure, including lift stations and sewer extensions.
With that, that increased cost really challenges the ability to
push either increased affordable units on the site or a reduction in
those percentages on this project. It really is a challenge. And as
a -- as rents continue to abate, unfortunately, costs are not at this
time.
So this is what makes the project viable. Much beyond that, and
it's not moving forward. So that's the unfortunate reality, so...
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro, you have
comment or questions.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Yes. I -- well, not so many
questions. I'm going to make some statements, because I've been
working this one very closely. And I work a lot -- and I'm going to
ask Cormac to come forward.
What I commonly hear from people -- and this will piggyback
on what Commissioner Hall was hearing about his Mercato West is
they just want you to kill it. They just want you to cancel it.
So I guarantee, when you come back in here in December -- you
could have a 20-hour town hall meeting. We're going to vote on the
smaller thing. It's just the way it is. And I've said before, sometimes
we have to vote on the thing that we hate the least.
I can't make them continue to farm that property. It's
agricultural land. They have the right to ask for a rezone. I can't
make them turn it into a dog park, no matter how many petitions I
get, or 10,000 emails. It's just -- it's not possible. You can have 100
town hall meetings. Bad ones, like I've had about Costco where, you
know, we're all going to hell or maybe you're having a great one and
serving coffee.
But the reality is we're not approving these things because we're
October 28, 2025
Page 188
evil people. And I like the difference in the percentage. And a lot of
nonexperts -- nobody here. I think we're all fairly good experts. But
we get -- we get input from nonexperts. And I just got a whole bunch
over the last week about, "Oh, there's way too many affordable
housing units. You are overbuilding. Half of those buildings are
empty."
Here's the other reality. Whatever the average rent is here -- this
is the guy right here that I work with on a regular basis that knows all
the -- all the details. So all the people that send me emails because
they read something on Facebook or they were at a Republican club
meeting need to sit down with him. Two thousand dollars a month
rent is hard to find, okay? So the algorithm might say 2,000 is the
average.
Cormac, are those falling from the sky? Two thousand dollars a
month, is that falling from the sky? They're everywhere?
MR. GIBLIN: Commissioner, I can -- I've worked up a few
statistics. I think we can --
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I figured you have. I'll finish
my comment, and then I want you to separate rumor from fact.
Because the other thing that I hear, and I just recently heard
from a senior leader in the community, is all these affordable housing
units that we're, quote, "rubber stamping" -- and we all were at the
ribbon cuttings -- are not being, you know, utilized by first
responders. They're half empty.
I know Ekos, the one that we -- a lot of us were at that we cut
ribbon on, I think it was not only full in record time, but I think the
last time I sent you a couple of customers to try to squeeze somebody
in, your answer was basically, like, "Wait in line. They have a
waiting list of 500."
So if there's a firefighter or teacher or a nurse out there
that -- that says we weren't doing anything for affordable housing,
October 28, 2025
Page 189
then send me an email, I'll send you to Cormac, and he'll give you the
list of the -- a waiting list that you can get on. Because we are -- we
are significantly, you know, short in areas.
And in my area -- and, you know, Commissioner McDaniel's
going to -- he'll start to experience this even more because we have
the green space. And so these places tend to gravitate towards our
districts. You know, they have to tear down a Burger King and a
whole bunch of other things to build your thing.
You know, what I have is -- and we'll hear about it at the next
meeting -- is, you know, I have an old orange grove that nobody
wants to harvest oranges for anymore, and I can't make them
continue to harvest oranges.
Cormac, give us the statistics on affordable housing and the
crisis that we have in Collier County and then, also, I'd really like you
to explain the misconception of the 80 percent, the 100 percent, the
110 percent, because those are all great math equations, but the
reality is what's available?
When somebody tells me, "Oh, my gosh" -- I'll finalize it
here -- "$2,000 in rent in Naples, that's not affordable housing."
Well, actually the constituents that I talk to that are looking for
affordable housing, they're trying to find something close to that or
even a little bit higher, and they're jumping on it.
So I know you deal with this every day. Give us what you
prepared to sort of separate rumor from fact. And then, like I said, I
appreciate how you played around with the numbers a little bit. I still
don't love it, okay. And same as Commissioner Hall. We can sit
here and have a beer together over, like, you know, hey -- I'm not
pounding on the table saying, "Oh, God. Thank you for bringing this
to my district."
But the reality is, you know, in the end sometimes we have to
vote on the thing that we hate the least. And I know in my district, in
October 28, 2025
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that area, it's heavy blue collar. You know, when I meet with people
in industry and folks that hire a lot of blue-collar folks there, they're
hunting for a place that's 2,000 or less, yet we've got places like in
Ekos -- let me just ask you this, Cormac, and then go through your
thing.
What's the cheapest rent in Ekos? Just if you know off the top
of your head, the person that qualifies, you know, and hits all the
parameters, what's the cheapest that somebody pays there?
MR. GIBLIN: About -- less than $500 a month.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Right. So I know a nurse that
has three kids, and she pays $900 a month to live in Ekos, okay. So
that's -- that is affordable housing, and we're trying to deliver more of
that for the people that qualify.
And I just think the average population out there that's
complaining to us and throwing us under the bus saying that, you
know, we're building, quote -- I mean, if I hear this one more time,
I'm going to go insane -- low-income housing. These places are
palaces.
I mean, you know, Commissioner Hall will tell you, we were
both at Ekos. I was sitting there looking around going, "This is 10
times nicer than what I live in." A gym, a theater, a pool. They're
able to do all of that at $500 a month because when we give the green
light to add affordable housing, then a lot of these smart
developers -- and hopefully you're one of them, too -- can jump on a
lot of -- a lot of other incentives to balance out what this is going to
cost. Then that makes me hate it less.
But when I hear there's a single mother nurse who works at
NCH with three kids -- she's actually paying about $800 a month at
Ekos -- I am thrilled. I'll take 100 emails from people that are totally
uninformed on the process, but I am thrilled, and so is Paul Hiltz,
who's the CEO at NCH.
October 28, 2025
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So we're doing some really great things here. We'll figure out if
this one is a really great thing or maybe a mediocre thing.
But, Cormac, I appreciate you putting together some things to
really get on the record here, you know, what we're really doing.
MR. GIBLIN: Sure. For the record, Cormac Giblin, your
Housing Policy and Economic Development director.
And, Commissioner, I have put together maybe -- I'm going to
start at maybe the macro level and then get hyper local on us.
At the macro level, the State of Florida Shimberg Center does
what they call the cost-burdened analysis to say how many
households in Collier County are currently spending more than
30 percent of their gross monthly income on housing expenses. If
you're spending more than 30 percent on housing, you are living here
unaffordably. And right now there are almost 55,000 households in
Collier County living here unaffordably.
Of those, more than 26,000 of them are paying more than
50 percent of their monthly income on housing expenses. That's
more than half of every paycheck goes right to the landlord. That is
truly living here unaffordably. Again, 26,000 households.
The second thing I'll focus on is what rents have done in the
past -- let's call it the last decade. Well, in the 10-year high for rents
charged in Collier County, the market-rate rent was in
December 2023, and that was $2,900 a month. That's the median
market rent. Current rent, or the most current, which was August of
2025, just a couple months ago, was reported at 2,748. So that's $175
less than it was about three years -- two years ago, which is about a
6 percent drop.
What we see in that 10-year period from 2015 to 2025 is that the
first five years of that decade-long period rents went up 3 percent,
4 percent, 2 percent. Normal fluctuation. In 2021, they went up
19 percent, and then 2022, they went up an additional 28 percent.
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And since then, they've continued on that normal 1 to 2 to 3 to
5 percent variation. But they're still not going back to what they were
at the beginning of the decade.
The income needed to afford that $2,724 market rent is
$108,000 a year and change. So in order to live here affordably in
the normal market-rate apartment that you can be expected to find,
your household must make a combined $108,000 a year at least.
Now we can focus a little more local. The County does a
biannual apartment survey where our staff calls every single
apartment complex in the county, be it market rate, affordable, or a
mixture of the -- of all the above. There's about 95 complexes on that
list. It grows every day. But as of July, which was the last survey,
there were 95 apartment complexes that represent about 19,500
individual apartments. So almost 20,000 apartments are being
surveyed.
We found that in July there was a 6.5 percent vacancy rate
overall, including the market rates, the luxuries, and the affordables.
If we focus that list to just those units that are below the 80 percent of
AMI level and less, that vacancy rate was only 3.8 percent. That's
basically enough to -- one tenant moves, you paint, you make some
improvements.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: So 97 percent full?
MR. GIBLIN: Correct.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Right.
MR. GIBLIN: Correct. And that's local data, our own staff
calling every single complex.
There were zero apartments available at the time of that call if
you had an income less than 50 percent of median income.
And then to get even more hyper local, today I spoke with the
CEO of McDowell Housing. They run several large affordable
housing developments here in Collier County. One of them they run
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is Cadenza No. 1. It's 160 units all affordable. Right now they have
29 people on their waitlist for that complex.
Next door to it they have Cadenza 2, another 160-unit
development, all affordable. They have 58 people on the waitlist for
that development. And then they also run Ekos Santa Barbara, which
is 82 units, all affordable, and they've got 72 families on the list for
that development, on the waiting list for that development right now.
So, Commissioner, that's kind of focusing from the macro, the
State data down to what we do at a county level and then what we see
on an individual development level.
I can say that in this particular case, for the petition before you,
the petitioner's correct, we -- staff refused to issue a recommendation
of approval until they adjusted their income limits down to the 80
and -- at least the 80 percent and the -- 80 and the 100. We were not
in the business of giving out any public benefit rentals at 120 percent
of median.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: But then, like you were
saying, even at 100, we have few of those left. So it's not like, oh,
hundreds, the average rent, and they're all available all over town.
They actually aren't.
MR. GIBLIN: Correct.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Correct?
MR. GIBLIN: Correct.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: What else can you tell us
about this possible project to educate us? Like you said, you've been
in negotiations to get the numbers where we wanted. You know, as
far as, like, where it is, the density of the workforce that's there, what
would be the advantages to increasing their density by a bit,
just -- not a giant amount. We've had bigger increases before. But
what would be the advantages, disadvantages, or your expert
opinion?
October 28, 2025
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MR. GIBLIN: Sure, sure. The way -- the way I look at it is in
terms of public benefit. So this is nine and a half acre. If this were a
typical urban area rezone asking for four units to the acre, they would
get about 38 units at four units to the acre.
They are requesting 92 units, of which 24 of them -- I'm
sorry -- 28 of them will be affordable. So they're getting a 54-unit
bonus over what their base density typically would be. More than
half of the bonus, though, is going to be affordable units. So that's
the tradeoff here is that in exchange for those 54 extra units, the
County's getting 28 affordable units that would be restricted to
80 percent and 120 percent for 30 years. One-bedrooms there at the
80 percent level would be about $1,700.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Mr. Bosi, would you mind
coming forward and giving us your opinion on this project and some
of the things that you've been working hard on on this?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let's get back to -- let's do this.
Let's get back to the normal procedure here.
Mr. Bosi, if you could give us the staff -- you've completed your
presentation?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Thanks, Cormac.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We'll do the staff presentation,
public comment, and then we'll get back to commissioners with
questions.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Well, no. That's what I
wanted was his staff presentation. Go.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah.
MR. BOSI: Mike Bosi, Planning and Zoning director.
Staff has -- has reviewed the proposal, and as Cormac has
indicated, we had some conversation with the applicant related to
where their original position was and what is before the Board today
with that 30 percent commitment for affordable housing at the split of
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80 and 100.
Staff is recommending support of the project. We recognize it's
within the urbanized area. It's within developing that East Naples
community, and the number of business and employment
opportunities are -- within a 5- to 10-mile radius are plentiful
within -- within that urbanize area. And because of that, staff is
supporting the petition.
And I would remind the Board, I've been doing this for 22 years.
The ebb and flow of affordability is just that, it's an ebb and flow.
You go through some periods where in 2006, 2007, 2008, we were
requiring every individual dwelling unit that we were approving had
to have a $1,000 commitment to affordable housing. Then the Great
Recession hit, and housing affordability really went to the wayside,
and -- but -- and those commitments went away as well.
But as we moved through the teen years and as we got to the
'20s, you know, the issue of affordable housing really became an
issue. In 2017, we invited the Urban Land Institute down to look at
the issue.
What we are getting here, and what I've heard -- and I
understand this is another of the same 30 percent commitment. Prior
to this Board of Commissioners, prior to this composition of Board of
County Commissioners --
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Zero.
MR. BOSI: -- we weren't getting any affordable housing.
So when we have these units -- and these units are restricted for
30 years. So those ebbs and flows that I was talking about of when
units become more affordable or affordability becomes less -- or
more of an issue or less of an issue, this is constant. For 30 years,
they're always going to maintain these inventories and these
set-asides. So there are long-term benefits that are associated with it.
We understand it's a policy decision. It's completely within the
October 28, 2025
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Board of County Commissioners. Our recommendation is that of
approval for a number of the reasons that I sought. But we do
recognize that there are other issues that come -- come to light. But
staff is recommending approval of this, and any questions you may
have, I'll be happy to answer.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Do we have any
registered speakers?
MR. EBLE: No, sir, we do not.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. We'll close the public
hearing.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I'll just -- can I make a
statement?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yeah, sure.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: So my statement is no one
project's going to solve affordable housing, but at least we're taking
small bites out of it. I can't say that the 70 people that are on the
waitlist, or 60, at that one complex is going to race over to this one
when the ribbon's cut, but they'll have that option to do that. And
this -- this is all in a very, you know -- in my opinion, a small
footprint of a heavy-duty workforce that is growing in that area of the
county.
So, you know, I want to see less gigantic luxury apartments, you
know. I mean -- and I'm not comparing because this is apples to
chairs. Commissioner Hall's got a similar, you know, issue.
But mine's not similar. I want to see less of the extremely, you
know, luxury apartments, or if I have to find a balance where you get
to have some of those, but then we also get to have a little bit of the
half [sic].
From the constituents who speak with me professionally and not
just yell at us and say we're all crazy and stupid and we're turning this
place into Miami -- but the people that speak with me professionally,
October 28, 2025
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they talk about the people that work in their -- in their houses. Their
landscapers, their, you know, custodial staff that work in different
restaurants and things like that. We're going to have people that work
at Costco. And, you know, there's only so much green space there.
I mean, I wish McDowell was standing there in front of us. And
no disrespect to you, but we're very lucky that he's been able to do
some really magical things.
You're trying somewhere in the middle, and we stretched you a
little bit more. Maybe with my colleagues here -- because we're all
focused on affordable housing -- I've said before, one thing I love
about these five guys up here is even if we agree to disagree, we're all
paddling in a very similar direction. And I don't think we look at
Collier County as five separate little districts, and, you know, as long
as I get what's in my district, I could really care less if things are
imploding in District 5. I don't think any of us feel that way, because
this is something that's either going to make Collier County better as
a county or not.
And we've got -- you know, you're going to get great questions
from people up here. If there's a way to trim the edges a little bit to
make it 51 percent good for us and 49 percent good for you, well, I
feel like the staff already did that pretty -- pretty strongly. But you
know, I'm open to suggestions and whatnot.
Like I said, some of the commissioners hadn't heard about this
project before. I'm, you know, very familiar with it, in good and bad
ways.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: How do you do?
Just a couple of points. I mean, you know, I originally -- I
originally didn't have -- I have less of an issue with this request than I
typically would. And I think it's important for us to compare apples
to apples. You brought up the -- an upcoming hearing on another
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piece of property.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I'm moving it to March.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And I was less concerned with
this one because of its proximity and access to 951. There is -- and
the densities that are also in close proximity, as far as I can tell, are
considerably higher than what -- what this developer's, in fact, asking
for.
So as -- as we're going through these infill pieces, I think it's
important for us -- the petitioner/property owner/developer has the
right to ask but doesn't have to receive. And so, like it or don't like it,
they have that right to ask.
And so, I mean, I'm in support of this request just prominently
because its proximity to access an ingress and egress off of 951.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: That was --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I did have one question for
staff. Is this -- is this located in the -- because of its proximity in the
Rural Fringe Mixed-Use District?
MR. BOSI: Mike Bosi, again, Planning and Zoning director.
No, this is -- this is urban residential subdistrict and --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay. I just wanted to
confirm that.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Thank you, Chairman.
I just want to make a couple of comments. My whole purpose in
bringing this up was just so that we could have a conversation. I'm
not pro the deal or anti the deal.
But we have not slowed the train down on the approval process
or anything. My whole purpose in bringing this up was to have the
conversation -- like, you know, Commissioner LoCastro, you're
talking about Ekos and all of McDowell's properties. Those amazing
October 28, 2025
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properties, they are 100 percent affordable properties with 50 percent
AMIs, even 30 percent AMIs. Lovely. Those are -- those are
slam-dunk deals. I love those deals. Even the one that we talked
about the other day, we're giving that guy 102 units to go get his
financing. That was 100 percent. That's -- I have no -- I had no
problem with that.
What I wanted to bring up was us thinking that we're doing
something good by increasing the densities for market-rate rents to
get the token "affordable units" not even close to 50 percent AMI or
30 percent AMI.
Another thought that I had, while you were talking, was you said
you can't force these people to grow apples or grow oranges or grow
anything, but their property is zoned ag. If they have to sell that
property as ag property, then maybe the price won't be so high where
somebody can come along and provide 50 percent AMI or 30 percent
AMI.
We have a direct -- we have a direct effect on the price of
property based on the decisions that we make and the rezone, and you
don't -- you know, we've all made decisions that we hate less, but
we're not obligated to say yes because we hate it less. We can say no,
or we can require some changes that have greater public benefit.
That's what I wanted us to have going forward. That's -- that is
smart growth, not just growth because staff says yes or the Planning
Commission says yes. They look at projects totally different than the
way that we look at it just so -- because they said, "Yes, this is
possible," or "yes, this meets certain criteria" doesn't mean that we
have to say okay.
We have constituents to answer to. And I'm all about affordable
housing. I wish that we had 100 percent affordable projects coming
up all over. The other thing that I wanted to consider, and I brought
it up in the last meeting, was since 2023 we may have a pretty full
October 28, 2025
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inventory right now, but we've got 9,600 units coming that haven't
been built yet. Only 2,700 of those are affordable.
So we're giving up that density. And we've got people coming
in here that we're not getting the full bang for what I think that we
could force from these people, and that's the reason why I brought
this up.
And going forward, I really do want us to consider increasing
the densities. And just because we have doesn't mean we have to.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you, Chairman.
I just -- I just want to address two things. And I had this
conversation with somebody the other day. Because I get pushback,
even my friends and stuff. Like, "What are you guys doing, the
apartments, this and that, and all this affordable?"
And, you know, you look at it like an individual, like this
particular case coming up with the orange grove over in District 1.
And you've got a gentleman that had an orange grove. He's worked it
for 40 years, barely kept his head above water, you know, busted his
butt. You know, it's nice, a novelty thing. If people on the weekends
go, they get a bag of oranges, get some orange juice. And, you know,
he farmed this. And you know how hard farming is. It's not an easy
life.
And -- you know, and all they think about is what they're going
to leave their children. And then their children are, like, well, I have
this property. I have this farm. And the children nowadays don't
want to work a farm, and he don't want his children working the
farm. He don't want them to have that life.
So we talk about rights. We all stand up here, and we swear an
oath to protect people's rights. Sometimes we confuse feelings with
rights.
Now, a property owner has rights. When a proper owner wants
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to leave something for their children -- and he has a right to ask to
create a district, rezone, whatever it is that he feels that he can leave
his legacy and his hard for work 40, 50 years of his life to those
children someday, he should have the right to get the most he can for
his hard work. And he has that right to ask.
And I'm saying, those are rights. And sometimes we get
confused just because people that live 30, 40 miles away or 20 miles
away, or a mile away, those are feelings sometimes. Those are
feelings and not rights, because they don't like the idea.
But the reality is, even when we approve a project like this that
may only have 27 -- I think it's 27 units at the affordable rates and the
other 65 at market, basic economy tells -- dictates to us that
inventory -- inventory, inventory, inventory is how you lower price.
So even if they come out with market-price-rate apartments,
they don't want them empty. And if we're building too many
apartments, the market will adjust itself, and they will lower their
rates, even on their market adjusted -- priced apartments to fill
apartments. Property owners that own apartment buildings don't
want empty units.
So in reality, just by inventory, the market will self-adjust itself.
That is just the way it works. The market will self-adjust.
And I sit through those meetings with Cormac, and I hear these
numbers that -- you know, he put out today, because now I'm part of
that committee. Like, we've all had a chance to sit on it. And, you
know, it's staggering. We know we're about 55,000 units short of
having -- and it's not that we're competing with the prices of the
market here. We're competing with prices of apartments in Lee
County, Hendry County, wherever they're driving in from just to
have a job every day here in Collier County.
So -- and that puts traffic on our chokepoints, our I-75s our Pine
Ridges, our Immokalee Roads, our Livingstons. They're all coming
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in on those chokepoints, and that's the 55,000 coming in in the
morning and the 55,000 leaving in the evening.
So it's like a double-edged sword. We have -- Collier
Foundation tells us the number-one request is affordable/housing
workforce housing. Number two is traffic. They coincide with each
other, because it adds to that traffic issue we have because these
people have to commute on a daily basis, and we are 55,000 units
short.
And -- I lost my train of thought. Sorry.
COMMISSIONER HALL: You're doing good.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: And that's a perfect example is
when we sat here, and this gentleman thought he can do something
under the Live Local, which I think the rules changed in the 11th
hour on him, and he realized he couldn't. And we just him-hawed
around about 100 percent affordable on 102 units that were as low as,
I think, 50 percent some of them. You know, like, $500 rent. And he
was going to market it just for essential healthcare workers and stuff
like that. With 100 percent people at 102 units.
And we don't have too many that far west in, that close to those
jobs, the hospitals, the schools, within walking distance of those
2,800 jobs of that building.
So it's a fine dance, and I understand, but I don't think we're
here. And if you remember -- we all have a short memory. Three
years ago, we had an individual that was the board -- that was the
chairman on the AHAC committee, and he was a grandstander. And
he just kept going to the news, going to the news. He wanted to be in
front of a camera and talk about how we weren't doing anything and
how we weren't doing anything. If I remember, Commissioner Hall,
you were on the board -- you were the one sitting in that seat that
year, and you made the motion to, you know, replace him, and we
did.
October 28, 2025
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And Cormac just said -- or was it Bosi said, that since this
board's been together, the five people up here, we've done more in
those three years than any other board has ever done to work on this
problem.
So I just don't -- I don't want to just say stop -- you know, like a
moratorium on building apartments, but I think we're doing it the
right way, and I think we are -- we are fulfilling the people's rights
that own these properties, and we're doing it in a good way that we're
actually getting something out of it, even when developers don't need
to offer us the ability to have these affordable apartments, you know.
So I'm just saying, that's kind of my position. I don't hate this
project. I think it's in an area that it's expanding anyways. It's pretty
wide -- vast out there. It's pretty open. I know it's getting a little
congested from time to time, but it does have the roadway and the
infrastructure to support it, so...
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I never feel obligated to just
automatically approve something, and I don't think any of us have.
Some of the units, whether they're affordable or they're high end
or whatever, that we hold up as the gold standard, are things that
we're -- when they were built, they were Draft No. 5 or 10, or they
went through a huge negotiation by Cormac or they went through a
huge negotiation here, or they were told to come back in December
because we're going to talk about it some more. I don't -- I can't think
of too many projects that came here, we get 10 PowerPoint slides,
and then we all said, "Build it." We've all negotiated aggressively as
much as the law will allow us to to get the best bang for the buck and
make it 51 percent better for us.
And sometimes that was the number of units and the height and
the density. Other times it was landscaping and setbacks. Other
times it was to make sure that the developer, you know, like in the
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case of Treviso Bay, paid for a stoplight, paid for certain road
enhancements that were really the County's responsibility.
So I think that we -- we negotiate really hard. I tell people all
the time at my town halls, when you drive by something you hate,
you would have really hated Draft No. 1, because what you're
looking at is Draft No. 20, and you're welcome. That sort of thing.
One of the ways I get a little bit -- I hear what Commissioner
Hall is saying, is we could send you back and say, "Too bad, so sad.
Keep it agriculture or sell it to another farmer, and then maybe that
person will be, you know, more able to negotiate with us more
aggressively or will throw us a bigger bone." And then maybe that
makes the citizens who drive by it happy because it's still agriculture.
But the reality is, that tradeoff can be very dangerous.
And so when we have a McDowell in front of us that wants to
build Ekos and there's people in the surrounding area that hate it, one
of the reasons why we negotiated as aggressively as possible but then
take it is because -- and Commissioner McDaniel's famous for saying
this. "Hey, if you think you hate that, I could name 10 things you'd
hate a lot worse" or, you know, I mean, you remember there was a
case where we approved an apartment complex, and you made the
case and said, "You know, what could go there tomorrow is a charter
school."
So I sit here and I look at what we've done already with you.
And I'm not saying it's solid gold, but also, too, we've got to be
careful how -- how much we turn into real estate agents and try to be,
like, smarter than everybody else -- and in the end, we do exactly
what our predecessors did when it comes to affordable housing, and
it's a whole lot of nothing.
And when I hear there's 70 people on a waitlist and there's
people paying $500 a month for rent, regardless of what Facebook
and social media says, I think we've done a lot of the right things
October 28, 2025
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here.
So I already know this thing has been squeezed down, and we've
squeezed you to make it, you know, maybe 49 percent good for you
and 51 percent good for us, or whatever the numbers are. But unless
I heard something from the staff that they had something magical, I
don't think this is -- this is a rubber stamp. I think it's something
that's going to bring something positive to the community and take
some small bites out of that affordable, you know, housing need.
And also, it's a quality project. You know, I hate to kick a
developer to the road that has a beautiful -- wait a second -- that has a
beautiful design, and then I have somebody that truly is building,
like, the projects, which we wouldn't allow anyway.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have two
commissioners lit up here. We have a petition. Let's see if we're
ready for a motion. There's been a lot of discussion about affordable
housing and a lot of theory here and all, but we do have two
petitions -- or two items in front of us. And I think we're ready to
make a motion and move this along.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I'll make a motion to approve
both 9C and 9D.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Is there a second?
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Commissioner McDaniel
and Commissioner Hall, you both were lit up.
COMMISSIONER HALL: It's real short, yep.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Yes, sir, Commissioner
Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: I just want to make -- you know,
Commissioner Kowal said everybody has the right to ask. We don't
want to ever deny anybody's right to ask. But approving that ask
doesn't fulfill that right. Their right is to ask.
October 28, 2025
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CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER HALL: And I just want -- I just want -- as
we go forward, if we were to say no, there's a lot of creativity that can
get done, and one example is the Mattson project in my district. Rich
came to me and said, "This is going to be a 70/30 percent."
I said, "I'm not going to support that." It was a dense project.
And then he came back to me a month later and he said, "If I can
get to 48 percent affordable," and I said, "I can live with that. That's
got public benefit to it."
Those kind of things. And that's all I want. I'm not fighting this
project. I'm going to approve the project. I just wanted to bring it up
so that going forward we're not doing stuff that we -- we're not
increasing the density and putting the traffic on the roads at
market-rate rents to get the token not so affordable. I love the lower
stuff that really does benefit the working man.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion and
second to approve Item 9C and 9D, if I'm correct on that. Any
further 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: That passes unanimously.
I think the message is that we're no longer satisfied with
30 percent and 120 percent AMI. So let's have our staff sharpening
October 28, 2025
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their pencils and let the development world know that --
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Good luck with that.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: -- things are going to get a little
tougher.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Eighty and 60.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I retract that last statement. I
don't -- I think we need to be, as I said before, very cautious about
how we're doing what we're doing and not putting out any kind of a
message. Every one of these -- you know, comparing apples to
apples. Ekos project and the other ones that are out there, so making
that kind of a statement blanket wide I don't concur with.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Let's move on to --
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Wait. And I just want to say I
agree as well. Every project is different. So when you have a
McDowell in front of you or whoever your developer was, maybe
you could sit down with Rich and do something. Every developer's
not -- doesn't have that option.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I'll take -- I'll take back that
statement. Strike it from the record.
Let's move on to the next item.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: It's almost liver and onion time.
Item #11F
RESOLUTION 2025-232: RECOMMENDATION THAT THE
BOARD ADOPT A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THAT
PORTION OF IMMOKALEE ROAD FROM OIL WELL ROAD TO
US ROUTE 41 AS THE “CHARLIE KIRK MEMORIAL
HIGHWAY,” AND DIRECT STAFF TO INSTALL APPROPRIATE
SIGNAGE DESIGNATING THE “CHARLIE KIRK MEMORIAL
October 28, 2025
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HIGHWAY” TO BE INSTALLED AT EACH TERMINUS OF THE
DESIGNATED ROADWAY SEGMENT, AT SPECIFIED
INTERVALS ALONG THE ROAD, AND AT ALL 4
INTERSECTIONS OF I-75/IMMOKALEE ROAD; CONSISTENT
WITH COUNTY AND FDOT SIGNAGE STANDARDS - MOTION
TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER HALL; SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL – ADOPTED
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to Item 11F,
formerly 16B3. This is a recommendation that the Board adopt a
resolution designating that portion of Immokalee Road from Oil Well
Road to U.S. Route 41 as the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway and
direct staff to install appropriate signage designating the Charlie Kirk
Memorial Highway to be installed at each terminus of the designated
roadway segment at specified intervals along the road and at all four
intersections of I-75/Immokalee Road consistent with County and
FDOT signage standards.
This item was moved at Commissioner LoCastro's request.
And, Tom, do we have a count on speakers?
MR. EBLE: Yes. So I have 10 in the room and four on Zoom,
but I think there could be a chance some people have left and in and
out, so...
MS. PATTERSON: All right. Understood. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Since I pulled it, am I -- can I
have the opening comment as to why I pulled it?
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: First, wow, you want to talk
about separating rumor from fact. Commissioner Hall and I did -- I
think we did yeoman's work trying to send out hundreds of emails
to -- and maybe, you know, it wasn't written as great in the agenda.
October 28, 2025
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You know, if I was a citizen and I never came to this meeting
and I just read, you know, "Oh, we're read naming Immokalee
Road" -- you know, a big chunk of the emails that came to us were a
history lesson on what Immokalee meant and how we shouldn't
change it and how it will cost millions of dollars for everyone to
change their address, and it's not that.
But I want to put this statement in the record as to why I pulled
it. First, to separate rumor from fact, and, second, I thought it should
have never been on the consent agenda. I'm flabbergasted I'm the
only one who pulled it off, that staff didn't pull it off. I [sic] didn't
pull it off. And not because of agreeing or disagreeing, but we've
said before there's no way no one -- no human being on earth could
have thought in a county that is -- got mixed religions and mixed
political feelings and what we've seen happen with "No Kings" and
the drag shows and everything that this wouldn't be something that
would get us a few emails, okay. So that's why I pulled it. But hear
me out.
I fully appreciate and fully support Charlie Kirk's viewpoints. I
also support his mission and what he stood for. I take great exception
to the many rude and discourteous emails that we all received about
Mr. Kirk personally. Maybe not very professional, but regardless,
that's freedom of speech, exactly the freedom Charlie Kirk exercised
every day as he mobilized and informed millions of people about his
personal views, and he definitely got people talking. And we've been
talking about that here, getting people talking.
I have nothing against the proposal for a memorial road
designation. I pulled this off the consent agenda because I feel it's
worthy of discussion and public comment, and we have received
plenty. I think I've received 500 emails at last count, more than I got
for Costco.
We have already recognized his birthday with a resolution, and
October 28, 2025
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people all over our county who share his views have gathered
respectfully and impressively in his memory at multiple events.
As commissioners, we voted on removing fluoride from the
water, making this a Bill of Rights sanctuary city. We have put in
print our views on healthcare, strength in animal welfare laws, and
we proudly voted to hang the Ten Commandment and a host other
things that we all believe in.
My observation is, if passed, we will be seeing these signs
defaced and vandalized regularly and using taxpayer money to clean
or fix them. Certainly, that's not respectful to Mr. Kirk's memory.
Maybe that's not a showstopper. I'm not saying it is, but by the
emails that we all got, if you read them, that -- you better make
10,000 of these signs because that's what's going to happen. But like
I said, maybe that's not even a reason for concern or we don't not vote
for something we feel is right. But, you know, that's -- it's one thing.
I do think of former POW Wayne Smith and how his
private-citizen supporters had to move mountains just to add his
name to small side street in the City of Naples, and he served seven
years in a POW camp and, arguably, is our greatest local Collier
County resident hero.
I think of the young boy who was recently killed on an e-bike,
and his family and supporters brought a request before us to rename a
county park in his honor, yet we instead, appropriately, decided to
allow them to place a remembrance somewhere in the park. I believe
some of us were concerned about the precedent it might set every
time somebody tragically passes away.
Charlie Kirk deserves to be remembered, and there are many
ways to do it. This memorial road is definitely one such way and
something within our control. Unknown to a lot of people that sent
us emails, you can't rename a road without going through a whole
bunch of rigmarole, as Trinity has told us, and we're not doing that.
October 28, 2025
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We recently -- we recently did recognize him on his birthday
with a county resolution which is no automatic rubber-stamped
document. It's of concern that installing memorial signs may not
stand the test of time when it comes to 2 a.m. illegal vandals, and it's
also obvious, depending on the citizen population we represent, that
depending on their political or religious persuasion, they may not feel
as positive and strongly about Charlie Kirk as I do.
So I pulled this more for acknowledging what we've already
done to honor his memory and to encourage citizens who feel
strongly and positively about Mr. Kirk, as I do, to step forward to
honor Charlie Kirk's memory if they so desire.
I'm extremely proud with our resolution vote on his birthday,
and I would also support anything private citizens might want to do
to step forward to properly honor Mr. Kirk's memory and family. I
would hope all citizens appreciate and respect my supportive position
about Mr. Kirk the same way I appreciate and respect theirs.
This proposal is worthy of discussion and controversial to some,
that is why I pulled it from the consent agenda. Following Mr. Kirk's
example, I wanted to generate conversation the way Charlie Cook
[sic] would have appreciated and respected.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I'm going to add a couple
comments.
Are you finished, Commissioner LoCastro?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I'm going to add a couple
comments to that, too. I certainly don't have any particular issues
with Charlie Kirk and the things that he did and the impact that he
had. I supported -- completely supported the resolution that we did,
but I think that when we start to name designated highways as
memorial highways -- and I recognize that that's not changing the
address. It's really just putting up signs that remember someone's
October 28, 2025
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contribution. And we see these all over the place. We see them on
highways. Usually it's deputies or highway patrolmen that have been
shot and killed in the line of duty or people that have passed away
that made major contributions in a community.
And so I'm opposed to naming this because I think that we've
not done that in the past. I know we've had law enforcement officers
that have been killed in the line of duty, and we've not named a
highway after them, but we also have a very diverse community.
And so when you -- you know, if you have a deputy that's killed
in the line of duty, I don't think there's anybody that would have any
objection to naming a road after somebody that has served the
community in that way.
You mentioned Wayne Smith, someone who served in the
military and spent years and years in captivity during the Vietnam
War. We all appreciate and recognize that. But now we're talking
about someone who made a major contribution, but he's still a very
controversial figure. There are a lot of people in this community that
just don't want to see this happen, not because of any particular
hatred of Charlie Kirk but because their politics, perhaps, is different
than what his politics were.
I've received almost 300 emails, and out of the 300, there were
about 50 that were supportive of doing this, and 258 of them were,
you know, "Please don't do this because this is" -- "we just don't
necessarily agree with a lot of the politics that was involved."
And so I respect Commissioner Hall in bringing this, but I
have -- I have problems with it. And I don't think that this
commission should be continuing to go down these paths that are
very political and very emotional but are not really part of our
mission. And so I have some problems with moving forward with
this.
We do have speakers.
October 28, 2025
Page 213
Commissioner Kowal, you're lit up, and I think we probably
have some speakers, so...
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Yes, Chairman.
I just wanted to bring some attention. I mean, I heard -- you said
something about -- you know, I'll just say it, because I am privy to
Mr. Kirk has been here in Collier County several times. He has been
here, different organizations where he's helped raise money for
non-profits. He has been here for -- I think with the educational
organizations here that do fundraising for our children, and, you
know, like, programs that help homeschooling, stuff like that.
And I've been to a few of the events over at Tiburon where he
spoke, you know. So he has contributed some to our community at
some level.
And, you know, I don't want to sound controversial here, but
you know, I can't name a city, a state, or a town that does not have a
Martin Luther King road in it.
COMMISSIONER HALL: There you go.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: It's not far. It's not far. It's
just -- everybody -- it's just somebody that spoke what they believed
in. It was their opinion, and that's exactly what Charlie Kirk did.
And he went around the community, and he went to every university
in this country and spoke to the children, spoke to the college
students in the same manner that Mr. King did.
There's no -- there's not much difference than what they did in
the public eye. I mean, he -- he did a lot. He probably had more
followers than Mr. King because of just the reality of how things are
today, you know, with social media and stuff like that.
And I'm just -- I'm just trying to bring some light on it because,
you know, I don't want people to think that he did not have some
footprint here in Collier County. I just want to let you know that.
That's all I'm saying.
October 28, 2025
Page 214
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Let's get to the public
comment.
MR. EBLE: Yes, sir. We'll start in the room. First is Gayle
Repetto, and she'll be followed by Susan Lomanto.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: She left.
MR. EBLE: Okay. Katie McNutt.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Okay. Gayle, you can get going.
Sorry, Gayle. You have three minutes.
MS. REPETTO: Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioners, for considering this. I come before
you supporting the youth of Collier County. I'm not asking you to
spend $100 million like you talked about to support the youth this
morning. And also I want to remind you that you have already come
out, Collier County, against hatred in Collier County, and
Commissioner Saunders reminded us of that, that we already oppose
hatred in our county, and you've had a proclamation on that as well.
I think supporting Charlie Kirk by honoring him with this
memorial as part of Immokalee Road can show our youth that
through a vision and dedication to hard work and civility to be able to
have a conversation with somebody civilly without somebody that
they may not agree with and to be able to be committed to their
values could teach a lot of our young people that struggle here in our
county -- and this is beyond sports. So I was, you know, kidding
about the 90 million or 100 million whatever it comes to. But the
reality is, as you know, we have a lot of at-risk youth, and I think this
could be a good example to them.
You know, Charlie Kirk started with his vision, Turning Point.
And just to remind you -- I'm sure you're familiar, but just for the
record, Turning Point's mission is to identify, educate, train, and
organize students to promote the principles of freedom, free markets,
October 28, 2025
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and limited government.
Additionally, there -- now the mission of Charlie Kirk is -- the
organization is to identify, educate, train, and empower students to
promote the principles of freedom. And no matter what your politics
are, I think that we all agree that we should be free, and -- but, of
course, we do need curbs in the road, and that's why we have speed
limits, et cetera.
Additionally, the President of the United States honored Charlie
Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on his 32nd birthday.
And it was quoted, "To live free is the greatest gift, but to die free is
the greatest victory."
And unfortunately, he was assassinated as another prominent
person who believed in freedom, Martin Luther King, and we have a
precedent here in Collier County because we have named the Collier
County Public School Administration Building the Martin Luther
King Administration Building. So we have already made a motion
like this before -- or an action like this before.
Anyway, to conclude, I just hope that you will look at this as
supporting freedom and a highlight, a positive, civil life, and I believe
it could help the young people have continued discussions.
Thank you.
MR. EBLE: Your next speaker is June Sanson.
(No response.)
MR. EBLE: Becky Rife?
She will be followed by Edward Kant.
You have three minutes, Becky.
MS. RIFE: Thank you.
Good afternoon. I want to share with you a few quotes that I
found from Charlie Kirk after he was assassinated. I never heard of
him before that, so I did due diligence as a retired teacher and went
hunting, and this is what I found. Men deserves to always control
October 28, 2025
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their female partners, and females should always be submissive.
Take that one home to your wives and see how it goes today, guys.
America was at its peak when we halted immigration for 40
years. We dropped our foreign-born percentage to its lowest level
ever. We should be unafraid to do that. Maybe 500-plus years ago if
our indigenous friends had done that, we wouldn't be here right now.
And I'm wondering if we did that, who would do all the jobs that get
done in this county: Construction, harvesting crops, cleaning houses,
working in hospitals, and I could go on and on, but I won't.
Then we come to the resolution you passed today honoring our
Jewish friends in the community. Appreciate that very much. This is
what Charlie Kirk said about the Jewish community. Jewish
communities have been pushing the exact kind of hatred against
whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them. The
philosophical foundation of anti-whiteness has been largely financed
by Jewish donors in this country.
Still quoting. Gun violence. Anybody ever been in a
lockdown? I have. And I had 15 high-schoolers sitting in front of
me wondering if they were going to see tomorrow. We didn't know.
It's scary as hell. And when you're responsible for those kids, it's
even more scary.
I think it's worth it to have a cost of some gun deaths every
single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our
other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal; it is rational. That is
not rational. If we had rational, Columbine's kids would now be 40
years old. If we had rational, Sandy Hook's kids would have
graduated last spring.
On another topic, if I'm dealing with somebody in customer
service who's a moronic black woman, I wonder if she is there
because of her excellence or if she's there because of affirmative
action. If I see a black pilot, I'm going to be like, boy, I hope he's
October 28, 2025
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qualified.
MLK was awful. He was not a good person.
Black women do not have the brain processing power to be
taken seriously.
We made a huge mistake when we passed the Civil Rights Act
in the 1960s.
Jesus Christ -- this is my quote -- was a brown-skinned Jewish
refugee.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We're going to need you to wrap
up, if you'll just --
MS. RIFE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
MR. EBLE: Your next speaker is Melanie Wicker. She'll be
followed by Dayna McKendrick.
MS. WICKER: Melanie Wicker. Hello, Commissioners. The
Sandy Hook thing got me going.
It seems like only yesterday that we were talking --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Let's -- let's go ahead and start her
timer over.
MS. WICKER: Thank you.
It seems like only yesterday that we were talking about the Ten
Commandments, and here we are again with yet another proposal
from Commissioner Hall. He certainly is prolific. By my count, this
is at least the fifth proposal he has introduced in the last two years, all
of them political and controversial in nature.
The traditional concerns of abortive county commissioners
include roads, baseball fields, and stray cats.
Commissioner Hall seems much more interested in advancing
the agenda of the administrations in Tallahassee and Washington,
D.C.
It's taken me two years to see it, but I now see the pattern, and I
October 28, 2025
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think I understand the true motivation behind Commissioner Hall's
proposals. He announces something that he knows will bring the
more liberal community members through the doors armed with their
carefully crafted three-minute speeches. The Board listens, or at least
pretends to listen to these liberal-minded folks with their credentials
and their experience, with their facts, and their principles, then the
Board votes almost always in favor of Commissioner Hall's
proposals.
It's a brilliant strategy for owning the libs. How satisfying to
someone whose purpose on the Board is evidently not only to support
the running of the county but also to paint the county with his own
ideology every chance he gets. He's the point man for the Board, and
the Board usually has his back.
I don't want to keep coming here to read you these speeches, to
play my part as a lib who is being owned by this Board. I don't like
feeling manipulated, and I'm not interested in wasting my energy and
my time. I have been here since 9 o'clock this morning.
But you, Commissioners, might want to think about whether you
want to continue to present and support Commissioner Hall's endless
supply of controversial proposals. You are not required to do so, as I
understand it. These proposals divide and anger a good number of
your constituents. Three thousand members of the community turned
out for the most recent "No Kings" rally right out on 41. So
Commissioner Hall's agenda probably has less support in the county
than perhaps you realize.
As for me, I am less and less interested in division and more and
more interested in bringing people together. In the words of the
well-known liberal, Woody Guthrie, "This land is your land, this land
is my land, from California to the New York Island, from the
redwood forest to the gulf stream waters, this land was made for you
and me."
October 28, 2025
Page 219
MR. EBLE: Your next public speaker is Dayna McKendrick,
and she'll be followed by Michael Finkel. And then Kate Tardiff.
MS. McKENDRICK: Good afternoon. I'm not sure why
anyone would want to honor someone in Collier County who hasn't
really done anything for our county, and especially someone so
controversial, so dividing.
What does it say to our black, brown, LGBT plus communities
that our county commissioners condone Charlie Kirk's racist views,
his views on women? And I feel like it's a small and petty message
to those communities.
Immokalee Road is a tribute to the Native Americans, and it
means "my home." He was killed on camera, and no one's family
deserves to have to witness something so terrible. And then people
would go online and use their platform to say things about a man's
life. "I don't care that he's dead. He's not a hero. He's a scumbag.
He shouldn't be celebrated."
You think I'm talking about Charlie Kirk, but no, that's about
George Floyd, and it was about what Charlie Kirk said about George
Floyd. Those are the actual quotes, and it's outrageous that things
like that are to be said about the dead.
And after that, these following quotes are things that George -- I
mean that Charlie Kirk has said, some of them my friend back here
has said. "If I see a black pilot, I'm going to be, like, 'Boy, I hope he's
qualified.'" "We made a huge mistake when we passed to the Civil
Rights Act in the 1960s," or, my favorite, "Black people were better
off in slavery and subjugation before the 1940s. It was bad, and it
was evil, but they committed less crimes."
And along with your earlier -- the earlier information about
anti-Semitism, here's some additional quotes by Charlie Kirk.
"Jewish donors have been the number-one funding mechanism of the
radical open-border neoliberal quasi-Marxist policies, cultural
October 28, 2025
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institutions, and non-profits. This is a beast created by the secular
Jews," and say now they're -- "and now they're coming for the Jews
and they're like, 'What on earth happened?' It's not just the colleges
or the non-profits. It's the movies and Hollywood and all of it."
What about this? I'm the mother of three daughters. "White
college indoctrinated woman will ruin America if we let them. They
are brainwashed. They are completely indoctrinated." And Kirk
called upon women to abandoned their careers and their education
and to submit to a godly man and raise more children than you can
forward, were his actual words.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We're going to need you to wrap
up, if you would.
MS. McKENDRICK: Okay. I think -- so let me -- so explain to
me why we, the people of Collier County, want to spit in the face of
all the folks who live in our county that don't agree with his views to
appease --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We need to you --
MS. McKENDRICK: -- I hope, only a few that agree with his
racial views.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Thank you.
MR. EBLE: Your next speaker is Kate Tardiff, and then we
have four speakers on Zoom as well.
Kate, you have three minutes.
MS. TARDIFF: I'm used to having so much more.
Okay. Commissioners -- uh-oh. I do need these. Thank you for
allowing us to speak despite the late hour, and thank you for dropping
this proposal to -- for homage to a man whom some adored, maybe
even idolized but who demeaned women and minorities, was
extremely divisive, and, according to our sources, had no Collier
County connection and just a briefly-owned Long Boat Key condo.
Compare that to the town of Immokalee, which was named
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Soon -- oh, geez. There I go editing myself -- was -- which was
named in -- formed in 1897, 128 years ago. And the Miccosukee are
native to Florida, to Collier County.
Naming a section of highway after Charlie Kirk would have
been like erecting a monument to a confederate general on a black
campus. How terribly offensive. I can't begin to tell you -- I'm going
off script -- how terribly offensive it is to me personally to hear some
of the guff that was thrown around, some of which you heard from
the prior speakers.
It would have been a political hot potato in all your districts.
Many of your constituents, taxpayers would have become new
protesters in honoring deeply divisive -- a deeply divisive figure at
their expense. I regret having -- the signage would have constantly
inflamed.
And, Mr. Saunders, I think you were right, we would have been
doing a lot of, lot of repair work on those signs.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I said that.
MS. TARDIFF: Oh, thank you, Rick, Mr. LoCastro. Sorry.
A significant share of constituents would have been inflamed on
an ongoing basis. I regret having to speak so bluntly about some
people's hero, but this already was a bigger picture explosive
community divisive issue, and I thank God that it's been dropped.
MR. EBLE: Mr. Chair, we'll move on to our speakers on Zoom.
Dr. Marcia Maloni. You're being -- you should be being prompted to
unmute yourself. Dr. Marcia Maloni?
DR. MALONI: Yes.
MR. EBLE: You have three minutes, Doctor.
DR. MALONI: For me, my concern has nothing to do with
Charlie Kirk. I'm a registered Republican. This issue is not about
politics.
As somebody just touched on it, Immokalee Road was named
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for a reason. It connects Naples, Florida, to the town of Immokalee,
and that name carries deep historical and culture circumstances.
Immokalee comes from the language of the Muscogee and
Seminole people, and in the Muscogee language it means "your
home." That name was given to the area where the road now ends,
land originally settled by those Indigenous nations.
Over the years, there have been many notable individuals, both
Republican and Democrat, whose names could be used to honor a
street, but in this case, Immokalee Road already has a name that
honors the first people of this region.
I don't -- didn't know Charlie Kirk personally; however, from
what some of the speakers have said, they thought he was a notable
person. If that's true, I'm sure he would be very unhappy having his
name added to the sacred historic road. Immokalee Road's name
already tells a story, one of heritage, connection, and home. Let's
respect that story and preserve the name that's been here long before
us.
Thank you.
MR. EBLE: Commissioners -- or I should say, Mr. Chair, this
next speaker is the one who'd registered for 10A, so if you don't --
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That's fine.
MR. EBLE: If it's okay if she gets a little extra time?
Jovanna Neeva, you should be being prompted to unmute
yourself.
MS. NEEVA: Yes, hello. Can you hear me?
MR. EBLE: Yes. Jovanna, you have a little more than three
minutes.
MS. NEEVA: Yeah. Okay. Thank you.
So I just -- I wrote something down, so I would like to just say
it. So I want to talk about two things on the agenda that I think are
morally inconsistent. You-all want to condemn hate speech, but
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supposedly -- that is, like, supposedly geared towards Jews but at the
same time want to glorify a renowned hate speech enthusiast.
I don't think that the people agreeing with Charlie Kirk in that
room have been around his entire career. I'm Gen Z, Gen Alpha. I
followed Charlie Kirk his entire career. I have watched that man say
that he thinks that the Civil Rights Act was a mistake multiple times.
He said that to a young black kid and refused to give him any more
nuance. That is disgusting. That is deplorable.
And for two people in that room on that Board to, with their full
chest, completely agree with him, I'll remember that when it comes
time to vote.
So he genuinely -- he intentioned misinterpreted statistics to
further and legitimize his bigotry. He said women like me should
only be going to college to find a husband, and he's responsible,
personally, I think, for the anti-intellectual wave that is now plaguing
my generation with his stance on higher education is a scam.
This man was opposed to equality and equity, and this isn't
someone the City should be getting involved with at all. This is to
motivate your -- or to further your political careers, and you do not
know what you are saying to your constituents. It's a slap in the face.
I've lived here my entire life, and you choosing a whitewashed
legacy of a bigot over your own constituents is deplorable.
The admiration for Charlie Kirk held by less than all of half of
all Americans, how do you think this will impact your tourism? Do
you think that people would want to spend their hard-earned money
in a County that makes this kind of statement?
You also are choosing the image of a foreign nation over the
liberties of your own constituents. Item No. 10, 2025 resolution, I
think is a way of taking away the validity of my free speech and
everybody else's in this county.
Most of the examples of anti-Semitism I completely agree with
October 28, 2025
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and I think are justified, but as someone who studied Israeli history
extensively, Examples G and J should not be on there. Israel is a
known propaganda colonial ethno-state, and I should be able to
criticize a foreign government whose healthcare is subsidized by my
tax dollars without my local government condemning it. So I would
like G and J striked.
I thank you, Saunders, for being so levelheaded about the
Charlie Kirk renaming. And I'll remember the other two opinions
when it comes time to vote.
Thank you.
MR. EBLE: Your next public speaker is Lyndia Snyder.
Lyndia, you should be prompted to unmute yourself. Lyndia
Snyder.
MS. SNYDER: Hi.
MR. EBLE: You have three minutes, Lyndia.
MS. SNYDER: Can you hear me?
MR. EBLE: Yes.
MS. SNYDER: Okay. I'd like to thank the Board for providing
the opportunity for me to express my opinions concerning this
amendment.
I urge you as Collier County Commissioners to vote no on the
bill to rename a section of Immokalee Road, a public road paid and
maintained by all of our taxes.
I personally never had heard of Charlie Kirk, and I consider
myself well educated, read the daily paper, had grandchildren, and
still didn't even know him. But the more I started to read about him,
the more I disliked his rhetoric.
Referring to affirmative action in black women, in particular,
Joy Reed, Michelle Obama, and Sheila Jackson, he said, and I quote,
"You do not have the brain power to otherwise be taken seriously.
You had to steal a white person's job." Can you even imagine how
October 28, 2025
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one who graduated, like Michelle Obama, cum laude from Princeton
and received a juris doctor law degree from Harvard would feel after
a remark like this?
Obviously the civil rights quote was terrible. He was against the
civil rights law being passed. That law outlawed discrimination
based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. I thought it was
a great law myself.
He called gay and transgender people groomers and destructive.
He's said they should be stoned. The black pilot quote, terrible quote.
A lot of people gave their lives in Germany. I think 1.6 million
soldiers were on the ground in boots on German soil; 250,000 of
them died fighting bigotry, cruelty, and prejudices of the Nazis.
Some were Democrats, some were Republicans, some black,
some other nationalities and ethnic groups, some were gay. Who
cared? They were fighting a regime who used hate, divisiveness,
bigotry, and phobias to annihilate the Jewish race.
Rather than name a road after someone who made these type of
remarks, name a road after someone who united us or made people's
lives better, someone who uplifted us. Charlie Kirk was not that
person. To name a road after him would further divide us. Leave it
Immokalee Road.
Thank you.
MR. EBLE: Your final registered speaker is Tom Moss.
Tom, you should receive a prompt to unmute yourself.
MR. MOSS: Okay. Can you hear me?
MR. EBLE: Yes, sir. You have three minutes.
MR. MOSS: Okay. Great. Good afternoon. Thank you for the
opportunity to address this issue.
One concern I have about the renaming is the estimated cost.
There's no way the bill will be $3,000. They don't mass produce
Charlie Kirk street signs. Three thousand dollars probably wouldn't
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cover the cost of half the required signs. Plus, there are now steal and
aluminum tariffs at 50 percent, and we're not even talking the labor
involved.
That said, I would like to congratulate the commissioners,
especially Commissioner Hall, for selecting Immokalee Road. The
word "Immokalee" comes from the Miccosukee dialect meaning "my
home" or "your home." The early white settlors named their town
Immokalee as a tribute to the indigenous people of Southwest
Florida.
The Miccosukees will be elated that their working -- wording
won't be on Collier's most despised road in the future. Commissioner
Hall was a genius in selecting Collier's most detested road. Now
motorists on Immokalee Road, instead of cursing "I hate Immokalee
Road" under their breath, they will now be referring to the Charlie
Kirk Highway in the same hateful manner. This is fitting, as Charlie
Kirk was a purveyor of hate and exclusion cloaked in Christianity.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: That concludes the public
comment?
MR. EBLE: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Well, first thing I would say
is, maybe I didn't make a lot of friends here, but I think mission
accomplished, because I think it being on the consent agenda, we
would have taken a lot more spears from people who would have
thought we were sliding it under the door. As it -- as you can even
see by some of the callers, they're still confused. I mean, that last
gentleman, I thank him for calling in, but he actually thinks every
sign along Immokalee Boulevard [sic] is going to be changed, and
that's why it's going to be an exorbitant amount of money where it's
just going to be a brown sign, or maybe several, if it's approved.
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I'm still -- you know, I'll be honest, I'm still struggling a little bit
either way because I know how I feel with what I always say, "my
moral compass." But I've said before, we don't represent voters. We
represent constituents. So people vote for you to put you in this seat,
but then even the people who didn't vote for you, they're still your
constituents.
I like it better when they speak with me -- to me more
professionally and not some of the vulgar emails that I got when they
don't get their way, but I also got plenty of professional emails as
well.
But I think mission accomplished. And if Charlie was alive and
sitting here, part of what he made his reputation on was talking in
public with people that you agree with. And I mean, so -- I think
that's a good thing, so that's why I feel good about pulling it off.
But I am -- I am struggling with it a little bit. A couple of notes
I wrote here is, to the one lady in the room, ma'am, it's not been
dropped. So when you said, "Wow, whoof, it's been dropped," we
haven't voted on anything yet, so nothing's been dropped. What
it -- what it's been -- what I did was pull it off the consent agenda.
And if it would have stayed on the agenda this morning, when we
voted on the consent agenda, which is one vote that approves dozens,
sometimes tens of dozens of things with one vote, it would have
automatically been approved as is, and you would heard about it, you
know, in the news. I didn't think that that was fair, especially when
we were getting hundreds of emails.
So the thing that I'm struggling with -- and I want to hear from
my fellow commissioners here, did we really -- you know, so this
was the last thing today. Maybe it should have been a time-certain
thing, or maybe we should have pushed it to December because a lot
of people heard about this at the last minute. But I want to feel good
about my vote not just by my own moral compass, but did we really
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hear from our constituents?
I really applaud the five people that stayed here till 5 p.m., but
you don't represent the 500 emails that we got, and probably tons of
others. It doesn't always mean you get your way. I got 400 emails on
Costco, and we still approved it. And they were -- they were more
50/50.
This one -- I tend to say when people disagree with something,
they tend to be more vocal. When somebody thinks it's a great idea,
they're playing golf or they're fishing.
But, you know, lastly, I'll just say to my colleagues here, is this a
nice-to-do that we all feel good about, or is it a must-do? One of the
things that I recently saw is if you drive around Florida, there's a Neil
Armstrong Memorial Highway. There's not six signs, okay. There's
a John Young Memorial Highway, one of the first shuttle astronauts.
There's not six signs. It's one sign maybe in either direction.
You know, Wayne Smith, who I think we all -- we all really
respect, got one sign on a -- on a side street as a token of our
admiration, but -- and maybe that's not apples to apples. But I'm
sitting here struggling a little bit about are we voting for a nice-to-do
that is leaning us towards a certain group of people that are -- that
are -- that are encouraging us to vote for this, or is this a must, you
know, do? And if it's both, you know, I have a little trouble with
the -- with the slide that shows six signs up and down that thing. I
just think that's excessive and has nothing to do with Charlie Kirk.
But I've lived and driven all over this country, and when I've
driven by a memorial highway, I don't think I -- I don't think I ever
saw six signs. You know, you make it a memorial highway, it's in
remembrance, and that's it.
And I think Trinity's going to tell us there's not a law that
regulates. Maybe that was just a guess of where we could put signs
or maybe that was something that Commissioner Hall -- to get the
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conversation going but not being directive or what have you.
But I would want to hear a little bit more about that, about the
number, because it seems excessive, and that's a lot of signs to fix
every -- every few weeks when I definitely know you're going to be
out there fixing them.
Hell, we have a panhandling sign in my district, and how many
times have you had to fix and clean that sign, you know, that says,
you know, "Give your money to charity, not to panhandlers"? And
we've invested a little bit in cleaning that up.
Trinity, what can you tell us as far as, you know, the plan either
way, depending on how we vote?
MS. SCOTT: So for the record, Trinity Scott, Transportation
Management Services department head.
Six signs, as delineated, I believe, in the resolution or in the
recommendations where near Immokalee Road and U.S. 41, all four
intersections on -- so both sides of the road on either side of the
interstate, and then at the terminus at Oil Well Road, right.
We have in the executive summary "up to six." In my
presentation you'll see where we had actually proposed them is
actually only four. So it was Oil Well Road on the north side coming
westbound, I-75 on the west side of the interchange on the north side,
near U.S. 41 at the east side of the intersection on the south side of
the road, so going eastbound, and then on I-75 on the east side of the
interchange on the south side of the road. So that would be four
signs.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Well, some of my colleagues
may or may not want to talk on this issue because -- I forget who said
it -- it's sort of a hot potato. But we're here to talk about it, and I
wanted to force the conversation.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
We're all going to be talking about it.
October 28, 2025
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COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Great.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I think we're all lit up.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: We're just waiting our turn.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Thank you, sir.
COMMISSIONER HALL: I just -- to answer the question about
the signs, I wanted to do U.S. 41, and I found out it was a state
highway and we had to get the State involved. So I just said, "Okay,
what's the next highest traveled road?" It was Immokalee.
I said, "Great. We'll put a sign at the beginning on 41, put one
on each side of the interstate so when people get off they'll know it,
and then put one out there at Oil Well Road," and that's how it came
about. There was no magic.
I've listened to everybody. I've got all of the emails. I didn't just
come up with this idea. I was encouraged by several -- by more than
several people to bring it forward because Lake County did, our
governor supported it, and I think Monroe or Marion
County -- there's several other counties that have already done this.
And I thought it was a -- I know Charlie Kirk. I've never heard
him say any of those things. You can say -- you know, I'm not saying
that he didn't. Maybe it was taken out of context by the direct quotes.
Whatever it is, I know his character. His character -- I'm not talking
to you. I'm just talking to the public.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: And we can't have any comments
coming from the audience, so...
COMMISSIONER HALL: And I am not the leader of this
group. I listen to the people that are in my district. I listen to the
people that are in the county. They don't all share your views. And
because you've shown up and stayed all day doesn't make you the
majority. It's the people that I listen to. And if it wasn't, I wouldn't
be doing this.
We don't need to spend an hour of our time sitting here listening
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to everybody. We wanted to because we're bringing it forth.
It's not something that I just did for political reasons. It's
something that I thought was a nice gesture for a man who was
tragically murdered for standing up for what was right.
And with that, I'm going to make the motion to approve.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you, Chairman.
I just want -- I did a little fact-checking, and I thought so -- and I
had to doublecheck because I remember back in the day when I was
working with the Sheriff's Department up in Immokalee. Originally
the Seminole and the Miccosukee Indians, that was their community
or their settlement at the time. It was -- they referred to it as Gopher
Ridge. At some point after farmers and the ranchers came in, they
pushed the name "Immokalee." There was still people up there, the
old timers that still refer to it as Gopher Ridge. So at no point the
Indians -- or the Seminoles or the Miccosukees ever really enforced
the Immokalee name on that community. That was -- I don't think
they were even happy when it was changed to Immokalee.
The other thing is -- I'm not going to get into who said what or
what, but I know I heard some of the things that were said, and some
of the things I never heard, but some things I did hear, but a lot of
them were comments to somebody ready to get a rebuttal, and then
he explains hisself why he -- those comments were said.
And when you take things out of context sometimes -- I could
take a verse of something and not hear what he actually explains of
why he makes the comment, and a lot of times the student, whoever
he was talking to, at the end of the conversation understood what me
meant by that comment or even agreed before they walked away
because, you know, there's saying, "I'm not going to get into the
weeds on it. It isn't -- it's not necessary at this point."
Listen, like I said, I thought it was just a feel-good thing, like
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Commissioner LoCastro said. You know, it was -- you know, and I
know -- personally know he's been here. He's done -- he's raised
money for some of our educational non-profits here in town. You
know, he had at some point -- and I know some people don't want to,
you know, admit that, but he has -- because maybe some of them
groups don't align with their political beliefs. But he has been here,
and he has done some good things for our youth when it comes to
education and things like that.
So like I said -- I'm the one who brought forth the recognition on
his birthday for the resolution. So, you know, I -- I really believe
what he was doing. And I know a lot of people don't like the fact that
he got to a lot of students on colleges and campuses and taught them
how to investigate or do their own research and not just blindly
follow people's opinions, especially some of the people that were
supposedly teaching them.
And it opened their eyes, and that's why I think we saw, in the
last election, how many young youth people came out and voted in
favor of something that a lot of people just always felt that they had
to vote of the college student, and I think that upset some people on
the other side of the aisle. Because he did open their eyes. He did let
them do their own research, and he taught them -- I know I've got
people shaking their heads out there, but I'll never convince you, so
it's not -- it's a moot point.
But I -- I did ask Trinity -- I don't know -- somebody came to me
and said there was a portion of Immokalee Road that was already
memorialized. I don't know if that's true or not. Did you ever find
out?
MS. SCOTT: I did. So actually it wasn't a memorial highway.
Back in 1982, Immokalee Road was renamed to David C. Brown
Highway. That was an actual county commissioner. And in
1985 -- and this was an actual renaming of the roadway. It was not a
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memorial highway, which is what is being proposed today. And in
1985 it was actually changed back to Immokalee Road.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Back to Immokalee Road. That's
what I thought.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Well, I'm going to -- I'm not going
to support the motion for a couple of reasons.
First of all, I think it's very divisive, and I just don't like seeing
this commission getting involved in things that are not within our
wheelhouse of things that we do that are extremely divisive in our
community.
This is not a must-do, Commissioner LoCastro. It is at best a
nice-to-do, but it's certainly not a must-to-do.
And, you know, I voted against the placement of the Ten
Commandments in the -- in our government buildings because I felt
that -- again, we have a diverse community, and I felt that this was
divisive, but it was not necessary. It's not in our mission.
I voted against the naming Collier County as a 14th Amendment
sanctuary county because it sent a message that was just not accurate.
It said to people that you have more constitutional rights in Collier
County than you do if you cross the border into Bonita Springs and
that you have certain -- you have the government that will protect if
you feel that the government is violating your constitutional rights.
So I tend to vote against these things because I don't feel that it's
part of what we should be doing, and I don't think it's productive in a
very divisive -- it's a very divisive thing, and I just think it's the
wrong -- the wrong approach, and so I will not be supporting this.
Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. Well, I'm going to
second the motion for approval. I've thought long and hard about
this.
And to your question that you talked about, I don't feel it's a
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must thing to do. I think it's a nice thing to do.
I watched Charlie Kirk. I followed Charlie Kirk. I didn't agree
with everything that he said. He sometimes said thing that were very
controversial, but he also -- he also inspired thought. I was -- I was
refreshed by the incentivization for critical thought process that has
not -- not been very prolific throughout my time.
We're not renaming the road. We're designating it as a
memorial highway. I think it's -- I think it's a good thing to do. I
think -- I really truly feel, like him or not, he did way more good for
our community than the controversies that he caused. The
controversies that he caused had a lot to do revolving around politics,
around religion.
We live in a world now where polarization comes from
extremities. Charlie was a very religious man. He professed to be a
literal believer in the Bible, and the things that he put forth were his
beliefs. Religious beliefs are sacred to me, whether -- irrespective of
your supreme being and how you get there, I believe you have that
right to express those opinions.
So my vote is in support of the naming it as a memorial
highway, and I think we ought to go forward with it.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: So since I'm the one that
pulled it, and that's why we're here this long, I'll just say I'm not here
to judge Charlie Kirk, but I am a supporter. I don't necessarily
believe in everything he said, but I don't believe in everything that
President Trump says or that Ronald Reagan even said or President
Bush, and I worked for President Bush, but I do think he did way
more good, and I think he did bring a lot of people together.
I don't think I have to vote on it because it's a must-do. I was
throwing that out there to hear what my colleagues had to say.
I will say -- and I know there's two motions. And the other
October 28, 2025
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thing, too, is it only takes three votes, but -- and I don't want to
prolong this, because I can already feel Commissioner Saunders, like,
you know, trying to push this forward, but I still think six signs is
excessive.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: There's only four.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: No, it's six. Is it -- are we
down to four now?
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: It always was four.
MS. SCOTT: It is "up to six," but we are proposing -- we are
looking at four locations right now.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Okay. Those of you that
agree or -- and I agree as well on the signage, do you think that's an
appropriate amount or excessive or --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: To me it's fine. I mean, it's
in --
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Okay. I'm not hard over on it
either way. I'm more towards -- you know, I said my piece. And my
biggest goal was I wanted this to not be on the consent agenda. I
wanted to force this discussion. I wish there had been more people
here and there had been more time. Sometimes it doesn't work that
way, and we have to represent our constituents.
But to just confirm, so you're talking about four signs, and
they'll be on these -- in these four places where they are here? Does
anybody have a problem with that? Commissioner Kowal,
Commissioner Hall, do you think excessive? Do you have any issues
with it?
COMMISSIONER HALL: I don't think it's excessive.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I mean, they're just -- they look
like choke -- or points of entry to Immokalee Road, so --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Chokepoints?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Well, I'll turn it
October 28, 2025
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back -- Commissioner Saunders --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Well, they're chokepoints when it
comes to our traffic.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Wait, wait. Commissioner
Saunders is our chair. I'm done talking. Sir, let me turn it back over
to on.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I will -- I will make a comment in
reference to the signage. And we've all seen memorial highways all
over the country. Typically you're driving down the highway and
you see a sign, this is the so and so deputy sheriff memorial highway,
and that's all you see is a sign that says that. If you come in the other
way, you'll see a sign that says the same thing.
What we're doing here is taking an entire roadway and naming
that, and that's not what is traditionally done around the country and
around the state in terms of these memorial types of highways.
So I don't support the signage at all, but if we're going to do that,
I would suggest that the Commission at least be consistent with what
is typically done with these types of highways.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: And before we finalize this, I
would also not disagree, and maybe I'm bringing a little bit more
knowledge from outside jobs that I've had previously in the military
and working with Department of Transportation. It really isn't typical
to put four -- I mean, if this was, you know, John the Baptist and we
wanted signage, I don't know that -- I don't know that I've ever seen
four anywhere. And I've seen a lot of these signs, a lot. And I will
say to Commissioner Saunders' point, I've only seen either way.
Maybe we're peeling the onion back too much, maybe we want
to be excessive and all that. It won't change my support of it, but I
also want to do what's right on the signage, and also, you're going to
have to maintain these, and I think that if we want to be
consistent -- the other thing I'll also say is you can Google right now,
October 28, 2025
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and there's plenty of counties that voted 5-0 to not name a road. So
it's not that we're trying to keep up with the Joneses or anything.
But I just thought two in the right spot would be what I have
typically seen at most places. If the three other votes that are up
here -- I'm the fourth vote -- feel strongly that, you know, cordoning
off the whole intersection is what we need to do, and anything less
than that is disrespectful to Charlie Kirk, I'm not here to fall on my
sword on it.
But I will tell you I agree with Commissioner Saunders. I've
driven all over the country. I've never seen four Malcolm X signs or
four, you know -- I lived on Malcolm X Drive in Washington, D.C.,
and there was one sign as you entered, one sign on the other side. So
two is usually the norm.
But I'm not saying I'm an expert, but four -- and when I saw six,
I was -- I just thought maybe we were -- we were reaching a little bit
too far.
And I mean, Trinity, I'll just -- I really think you should have the
last word. You're our traffic, you know, expert. You know, maybe
that's a number that was sort of given to you, and, you know, you put
it on a slide. But to me, cordoning off an entire intersection, if that's
what we want to do, you know, okay, then you'll have to maintain
those four signs. But, you know, usually two is what I've seen, you
know, just to give some historical back --
I don't think we're disrespecting him, or we're not respecting him
fully with less signage. But I also think that, you know, we try not to
go overboard on signage on the roads and everything, even though
these will be spread out. That's just my last thing.
I'm voting on the motion, but I really think we should put some
thought into the signage if the -- if one or two of the other
commissioners agree. I mean, Commissioner Saunders, obviously, is
following sort of the same thought I am, even though he's not even
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voting for it, to make sure that, you know, we do something that's
cohesive, maybe, I guess, is the best word.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: If we can work on two signs, will
he vote for it?
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: No, I'm voting for it anyway.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: No, I'm saying Commissioner
Saunders.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: No, I don't think you're going
to get his vote on two signs.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: He made the recommendation, so
I thought maybe he wanted to change the motion.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: I'm just thinking of cohesion,
you know, where we've put signs before, so that's it. It's more of a
traffic thing, but...
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. We're talking about
putting these signs on entry points and off of 75, one on 41 and out
by Oil Well Road.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Yeah, but they're far apart.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: So it's not like we're lining
them up, number one. Number two, put them where they're in
visibility of our cameras that we already have on these intersections.
So if they are, in fact, as it's been threatened, that they are vandalized,
we have a chance of catching somebody.
So I don't think four is excessive. I don't -- and I don't think
we're doing any disrespect by cutting them down or adding more. I
think four is fine.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. We have a motion and a
second. Any further conversation?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I'll call for the question. All in
October 28, 2025
Page 239
favor, signify saying aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All opposed?
Aye.
It passes 4-1.
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to Item 15,
staff and commission general communications.
Item #15A
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS NOT ON THE
CURRENT OR FUTURE AGENDA BY INDIVIDUALS NOT
ALREADY HEARD DURING PREVIOUS PUBLIC COMMENTS
IN THIS MEETING
MS. PATTERSON: Item 15A is public comments on general
topics not on the current or future agenda by individuals not already
heard during previous public comments.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: I don't see anybody in the
audience, so we should --
MR. EBLE: No, there's no more speakers.
MS. PATTERSON: Thank you.
We have no project updates.
Item #15C
STAFF AND COMMISSION GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS
October 28, 2025
Page 240
MS. PATTERSON: That brings us to Item 15C, staff and
commission general communications. I have nothing.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right.
MS. PATTERSON: County Attorney.
MR. KLATZKOW: I also have nothing.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: We'll start at your end of the board,
Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: You did it twice today on me.
I'm over here all relaxed, and then here you go.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: He usually gets me first.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah, he does.
If you haven't been watching the news, you're lucky.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Yes.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: The only large grocery store
in Immokalee, the Winn-Dixie -- as you all know, Aldi's bought the
Winn-Dixie chain, and they're swapping out the Winn-Dixie in
Immokalee for an Aldi's, and they're shutting down -- they shut down
Winn-Dixie Sunday, this past Sunday.
I was approached by the Community Foundation of Naples,
Eileen Connolly-Keesler. They offered to pay 50 percent of a new
bus route from the parking lot at Winn-Dixie. We don't know exactly
how long the Winn-Dixie's going to be closed before the Aldi's
comes.
So my proposition is for an additional bus route to come from
the Winn-Dixie parking lot to one of the three Publixes that are on
Immokalee Road; the one at Randall, the new one that's coming in
over by Orange Blossom, and/or Ave Maria. Ave Maria is a
constrained store in the first place. The folks that live in Ave Maria
are used to running out of things just because it's a small store. So I
don't want to put a lot of pressure on them. I want the viability to be
to any one of the three stores.
October 28, 2025
Page 241
The total cost for a 12-month bus route is 111,000 plus/minus,
and the Community Foundation's going to pick up 50 percent, and
we're going to pull 50 percent out of our public transportation reserve
to support it.
I would like to ask if, in fact, you folks are in consent with this,
that we have a three-month review in January, coming up, checking
on the ridership, making sure how -- and seeing how long before
Aldi's, in fact, opens. Again in April. Every four months -- or
excuse me, every three months. I want four -- four touches on this
and know that the route will be discontinued when Aldi's opens up.
And it will be a free ride for the folks that come to that parking lot
and supported by the Community Foundation and the other
50 percent from us.
And that's -- that's -- I think -- I think I pretty much covered
everything. Oh, and just for your -- just for your knowledge, the
route will start this Friday, and it will be run three days a week twice
a day, and public transit will post the times. Friday, Saturday, and
Sunday is when the route will be run.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Ms. Scott, it does raise a few
questions like do we have an extra bus to do this, and --
MS. SCOTT: For the record, Trinity Scott, Transportation
Management Services.
Yes, we do, to run this for a temporary situation of
approximately, give or take, a year. It's probably going to be a little
less. But we did -- when the Community Foundation reached out, we
did look before we responded in the affirmative that if the Board gave
that direction that, yes, we can. So yes, we do have a fixed-route bus
to be able to provide this service.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Immokalee's a little bit of a
unique community. It's not like in our urbanized area where folks
can just go to another store because it's right around the corner.
October 28, 2025
Page 242
Immokalee's close to 30 miles away, 28 miles away or so in any
direction, whether you go to Lehigh Acres or whether you come to
town. So I think it's -- if my mind serves me correct, it's about
12 miles to the closest Publix in Ave Maria, which I said is the
constrained store, which is why I wanted to have the -- because
there's a new store that's not open yet over on Oil Well Road next to
Orange Blossom, so -- and it's a much larger store. And then, of
course, the store we've had for since '17 there at Randall. So one of
those -- one of those three Publix stores is where -- is where we'll do
this route.
And again, set it up for 12 months with a three-month review on
ridership and certainly participation.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. So you're looking for the
approval right now?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Positive head nods.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Oh, yeah. It's good with me.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: (Nods head.)
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: All right. We'll give that
direction to our staff and go forth and persevere. If you would get
me -- because I'm getting an enormous amount of requests for when
the routes are going to run. So when those times are set up, if you
would please let me know as soon as possible. I know you said that
the first one's going to be this coming Friday, but the times that the
routes are going to run.
MS. SCOTT: Yes, sir. And I'll also be bringing back a funding
agreement with the Community Foundation which they have already
responded in the affirmative --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right.
MS. SCOTT: -- that they're willing to contribute. But I want to
formalize that so that we have that in front of the Board. So we'll be
bringing that back as well.
October 28, 2025
Page 243
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. Commissioner LoCastro.
COMMISSIONER LoCASTRO: The smartest guy in the room
when it comes to affordable housing is Cormac Giblin, okay.
So, Cormac, what I would really like you to do -- you spent a lot
of time after we talked putting some details together, much like the
work that you did on the NIM and you sent us all a handout, which I
hope we all saved on our hard drives, because we're going to need it,
you know, one day when we have a NIM, and maybe, you know, we
want to give a little bit of detail to the people who attend.
If you can, without having to reinvent something -- it doesn't
need to be this beautiful thing; it's not something we're going to hand
out. But I would love some of the things that you put together, some
of the numbers and things like that, to collect it all into something
and send it to all of us.
There's so much misinformation out there on affordable housing,
and you know better than anyone what they realities are out there,
what we can do, what we'd like to do, what's a nice-to-do, what's a
must-do, what's an impossible-to-do, and then also really how the
percentages are.
As you and I both know, we've traded some notes where there
are some people in this county that actually think we have affordable
housing sitting vacant and that $2,000 a month isn't affordable
housing. And like you and I both know -- I've steered people your
way -- there's people that would fall over themselves to find
something for $2,000, let alone the people that you know that are
paying 500, 900.
And we really need to get that story out. So I know I'm going to
highlight it significantly in my next newsletter when I get the details
from you, and I know that all of us, you know, have those kind of
questions from folks.
But I really appreciate the deep dive that, you know, you've been
October 28, 2025
Page 244
doing. And even some of the people I've steered your way who you
have been able to help. You know, they -- instead of being on a list
of 70 people, they actually sent me a thank you note and said, "You're
not going to believe this. Cormac and his team actually -- actually
matched me to something."
So, thank you, sir. I appreciate all the work that you're doing on
a very, very difficult, you know, topic.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you, Chairman.
I actually have one thing I want to talk about. Remember
several months back we had a little kind of breakout meeting, and
part of that was in reference to Clam Bay, and then we had the
organization -- you know, the Pelican Bay committee that oversees a
lot of what happens on Clam Bay.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: PBSD.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: PBSD, yeah.
So we had agreed, and Mr. -- Mr. Fogg says, yeah, we're going
to have a couple residents from the City and a possible resident -- a
city representative sit in on their meetings and things like that.
Well, I've been getting emails back from the individuals that
want to participate, and they've been talking with Mr. Fogg, and one
of them, I met with him at breakfast. And they got him -- gave him
the schedule of the meetings. The problem is, every time they get
ready to go to a meeting, the organization cancels it.
So it's like they've been just canceling the meetings. So I don't
know who in the staff keeps a close watch on how they do their
meetings or how often they do their meetings, but -- and I know they
got very excited because they thought we were going to create some
sort of board that was going to come in and, you know, actually took
this bull by the horns and kind of like --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I thought we named you as
October 28, 2025
Page 245
the --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: -- find some solutions.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I thought we named you as
the bullwhipper on that one.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Well, no -- I know, but I'm
getting feedback now these guys are chomping at the bit. They want
to attend one of these meetings, but they just keep canceling the
meeting.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Right.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: So I think we need to find
out -- or you know, is this historically how they do it? Because if that
is true, then they're not really doing what they should be doing.
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir. We'll find out. I'll get you -- we'll
reach out to Pelican Bay and get back with you.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And I'd look to -- I'll support
you if you want to push on that a little bit. That issue with Clam Bay
has been going on for a millennia, and so -- I mean, I was of the one
that was stirring the pot back before when we were talking about
setting up a separate advisory committee, so -- and I've been getting
the same emails and phone calls with regard to pushing these
meetings off, scheduling a meeting, and then --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: And then, like a day or two
ahead, they just -- we're not going to have it.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yeah, they cancel it and don't
reschedule for a while. So I'll help, if I can.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: And I know you're a habitual pot
stirrer.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes, that's what I do.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Is it PBDB [sic]?
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: It's Mr. Fogg who chairs the one
October 28, 2025
Page 246
that actually has the meetings in reference to the health of the --
MS. PATTERSON: It's the foundation. But we'll talk to the --
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: The foundation.
MS. PATTERSON: -- Pelican Bay Services and see if we get
some help there.
COMMISSIONER HALL: I can reach out. I can reach out as
well.
I just want to thank you-all for pushing Mercato West. We have
a public process, but these people missed the boat. And I just -- I
really wanted to clear up rumor from fact. We all know the decision
that's going to come down. When we come back in December, I
want -- I want to try to make -- do my best to where we keep any
public comment down to where we just step up, and I'll make the
motion based on what the -- on what they're saying, and we'll just
move on. So I just -- I appreciate it. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SAUNDERS: All right. I don't have anything to
add. So with that, we are adjourned.
*******
****Commissioner Kowal moved, seconded by Commissioner Hall
and carried that the following items under the consent and summary
agendas be approved and/or adopted****
Item # 16A1
RELEASE OF TWO CODE ENFORCEMENT LIENS WITH AN
ACCRUED VALUE OF $198,400 FOR A REDUCED PAYMENT
OF $16,319.10 IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
TITLED BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VS. RANDY
HOULTON, IN CASE NOS. CESD20150002065 AND
October 28, 2025
Page 247
CESD20170003130, RELATING TO THE PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 5341 MARTIN ST., COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA – FOR
VARIOUS CODE VIOLATION THAT WERE BROUGHT INTO
COMPLIANCE ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2016, AND ON MAY 17,
2022
Item # 16A2
RELEASE OF A CODE ENFORCEMENT LIEN WITH AN
ACCRUED VALUE OF $78,800 FOR A REDUCED PAYMENT OF
$14,739.40 IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTION TITLED
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VS. LUCY B. SOTO,
IN SPECIAL MAGISTRATE CASE NO.
CENA20230000258, RELATING TO THE PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 4070 14TH AVE. SE, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA – FOR
CODE VIOLATIONS THAT WERE BROUGHT INTO
COMPLIANCE ON AUGUST 5, 2025
Item #16A3
RESOLUTION 2025-220: A RESOLUTION FOR FINAL
ACCEPTANCE OF THE PRIVATE ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE
IMPROVEMENTS, AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE PLAT
DEDICATIONS, FOR THE FINAL PLAT OF RANCH AT
ORANGE BLOSSOM, PHASE 5A, APPLICATION NUMBER
PL20200000584, AND AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF THE
MAINTENANCE SECURITIES IN THE AMOUNT OF
$149,624.85
Item #16A4
October 28, 2025
Page 248
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER AND SEWER
UTILITY FACILITIES AND ACCEPT THE CONVEYANCE OF A
PORTION OF THE POTABLE WATER AND SEWER FACILITIES
FOR THE BOAT HOUSE ON RADIO LANE, PL20250008188 – A
FINAL INSPECTION BY STAFF FOUND THESE FACILITES TO
BE SATISFACTORY AND ACCEPTABLE ON SEPTEMBER 5,
2025
Item #16A5
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER AND SEWER
UTILITY FACILITIES AND ACCEPT THE CONVEYANCE OF A
PORTION OF THE POTABLE WATER AND SEWER UTILITY
FACILITIES AND APPURTENANT UTILITY EASEMENT FOR
ASPIRE NAPLES, PL20250004437 – A FINAL INSPECTION BY
STAFF FOUND THESE FACILITES TO BE SATISFACTORY AND
ACCEPTABLE ON JUNE 20, 2025
Item #16A6
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER AND SEWER
UTILITY FACILITIES AND ACCEPT THE CONVEYANCE OF A
PORTION OF THE POTABLE WATER AND SEWER UTILITY
FACILITIES AND APPURTENANT UTILITY EASEMENT FOR
ORANGE BLOSSOM RANCH COMMERCIAL, PL20250007786 –
A FINAL INSPECTION BY STAFF FOUND THESE FACILITES
TO BE SATISFACTORY AND ACCEPTABLE ON AUGUST 28,
2025
Item #16A7
October 28, 2025
Page 249
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER AND SEWER
UTILITY FACILITIES AND ACCEPT THE CONVEYANCE OF
THE POTABLE WATER AND SEWER UTILITY FACILITIES
FOR VALENCIA SKY – PHASE 2 & 3, PL20250005835 – A FINAL
INSPECTION BY STAFF FOUND THESE FACILITES TO BE
SATISFACTORY AND ACCEPTABLE ON AUGUST 28, 2025
Item #16A8
THE COUNTY MANAGER, OR DESIGNEE, TO RELEASE THE
UTILITIES PERFORMANCE SECURITY (UPS) IN THE
AMOUNT OF $145,238.31 TO THE PROJECT ENGINEER OR
DEVELOPER’S DESIGNATED AGENT FOR WILLOW RUN,
PL20230011765 – THE ON-YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD
EXPIRED ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2025, AND CAN BE RELEASED
Item #16A9
THE CLERK OF COURTS TO RELEASE A PERFORMANCE
BOND IN THE AMOUNT OF $220,720, WHICH WAS POSTED
AS A GUARANTY FOR EXCAVATION PERMIT NUMBERS
PL20230000535 AND PL20240000986, FOR WORK ASSOCIATED
WITH THE KALEA BAY GOLF COURSE LAKE EXCAVATION –
THE AS-BUILT LAKE CROSS-SECTIONS HAVE BEEN
RECEIVED AND STAFF HAS INSPECTED THE LAKES ON
SEPTEMBER 19, 2025
Item #16A10
THE GRANT OF A COUNTY UTILITY EASEMENT TO THE
COLLIER COUNTY WATER-SEWER DISTRICT, AS PART OF
October 28, 2025
Page 250
THE RENOVATIONS TO THE PELICAN BAY COMMUNITY
PARK, LOCATED AT 764 VANDERBILT BEACH RD., NAPLES,
34108
Item #16A11
EXPENDITURES THROUGH AN EXEMPTION FROM THE
COMPETITIVE PROCESS FOR SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT NO. 25-672-NS-EM WITH THE N. HARRIS
COMPUTER CORPORATION TO SUPPORT THE CITYVIEW
SOFTWARE APPLICATION FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-
EXCEED $700,000 PER FISCAL YEAR THROUGH NOVEMBER
30, 2030, AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN THE
ATTACHED AGREEMENT
Item #16A12
A FIRST AMENDMENT TO EXTEND AGREEMENT NUMBER
19-7624, “MARINE CONTRACTOR SERVICES,” WITH KELLY
BROTHERS, INC., MARINE CONTRACTING GROUP, INC.,
QUALITY ENTERPRISES USA, INC., AND TSI DISASTER
RECOVER, LLC, AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN THE
ATTACHED AMENDMENTS – FOR MAINTENANCE, REPAIR
AND CONSTRUCATION PROJECTS THAT INCLUDE THE
ANNUAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Item #16A13
AGREEMENT NO. 25-332-NS-WV, “BECS CHEMICAL
CONTROLLERS, PARTS, SERVICES AND VARIOUS POOL
PURIFICATION SYSTEMS,” AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURES
October 28, 2025
Page 251
FOR SINGLE-SOURCE PURCHASES FROM COMMERCIAL
ENERGY SPECIALISTS, LLC, FOR THE PURCHASE OF
CHEMICAL AND POOL PURIFICATION SYSTEMS, PARTS
AND MATERIALS IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED
$1,000,000 PER FISCAL YEAR FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS
AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN THE ATTACHED
AGREEMENT – FOR CHEMICAL AND POOL FILTRATION
SYSTEMS AT COUNTY FACILITIES THAT INCLUDES PARTS,
SUPPLIES AND SERVICES
Item #16A14
PAYMENT FOR FUEL SOLD BY SEMINOLE PETROLEUM,
OPERATED BY THE SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA, INC., TO
BLUWATER FLORIDA, LLC THAT WAS PRESENT IN THE
FUEL TANKS FOR USE AT THE FOLLOWING COLLIER
COUNTY-OWNED MARINAS LOCATED AT PORT OF THE
ISLANDS PARK, GOODLAND BOAT PARK, CAXAMBAS BOAT
PARK, AND COCOHATCHEE RIVER PARK, AND TO APPROVE
THE ATTACHED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
MEMORIALIZING THE PARTIES’ INTENT TO RESOLVE THIS
PAYMENT FOR FUEL UNDER THE LEGAL DOCTRINE OF
QUANTUM MERUIT (FISCAL IMPACT: $23,415.50)
Item #16A15
THE PROPOSED ADDITIONAL TERMS LANGUAGE IN WORK
ORDER PROPOSALS UNDER AGREEMENT NO 18-7432-CE
“PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LIBRARY CIVIL ENGINEERING
CATEGORY” BY JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP INC. TO
PROVIDE PEER REVIEWS OF THE FISCAL NEUTRALITY
October 28, 2025
Page 252
ANALYSIS FOR CORKSCREW GROVE EAST VILLAGE, TOWN
OF AVE MARIA AND TOWN OF BIG CYPRESS 2.0
STEWARDSHIP RECEIVING AREAS (SRAS) WITHIN THE
RURAL LANDS STEWARDSHIP AREA (RLSA), DEEM THAT
THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE DOES NOT CAUSE POTENTIAL
CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AND AUTHORIZE PROCUREMENT
SERVICES DIRECTOR OR DESIGNEE TO ISSUE THE
ASSOCIATED ATTACHED WORK ORDERS IN THE TOTAL
AMOUNT OF $149,508
Item #16B1
RESOLUTION 2025-221: A RESOLUTION AND A LEASE
AGREEMENT WITH UNITED STATES SENATOR RICK SCOTT
FOR THE CONTINUED USE OF COUNTY-OWNED SPACE
WITHIN THE COLLIER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION
BUILDING, LOCATED AT 3299 TAMIAMI TRAIL EAST, SUITE
106, NAPLES, FL 34112
Item #16B2
A GRANT OF ACCESS AND UTILITY EASEMENT TO SUMMIT
BROADBAND INC., FOR THE INSTALLATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF A FIBER OPTIC CABLE FROM
LIVINGSTON ROAD TO THE GOLISANO CHILDREN’S
MUSEUM OF NAPLES, LOCATED ON COUNTY-OWNED
PROPERTY AT NORTH COLLIER REGIONAL PARK – FOR
FOLIO #00196800004
Item #16B3 – Moved to Item #11F (Per Agenda Change Sheet)
October 28, 2025
Page 253
Item #16B4
AN ADOPT-A-ROAD PROGRAM AGREEMENT FOR THE
ROADWAY SEGMENT OF 8TH STREET NE FROM RANDALL
BLVD. TO GOLDEN GATE BLVD., WITH TWO (2)
RECOGNITION SIGNS AND TWO (2) ADOPT-A-ROAD LOGO
SIGNS FOR A TOTAL COST OF $200 WITH THE VOLUNTEER
GROUP, EARTH JUNKIES, INC., AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR
TO SIGN THE ATTACHED ADOPT-A-ROAD PROGRAM
AGREEMENT – FROM 8TH STREET NW FROM RANDALL
BLVD. TO GOLDEN GATE BLVD.
Item #16B5
CHANGE ORDER NO. 7 UNDER PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
AGREEMENT NO. 06-4000, PURCHASE ORDER 4500184671
WITH JACOBS ENGINEERING, INC., TO ADD $40,990 TO
TASK 6 AND REALLOCATE $11,230 FROM TASK 1, $3,000
FROM TASK 2, AND $1,130 FROM TASK 4 ALL TO TASK 6,
FOR THE POST DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE "VANDERBILT
BEACH ROAD EXTENSION FROM COLLIER BOULEVARD TO
16TH STREET N.E." PROJECT; AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR
TO SIGN THE ATTACHED CHANGE ORDER (PROJECT
NUMBER #60168)
Item #16B6
A PURCHASE ORDER UNDER AGREEMENT NO. 21-7842,
“ROADWAY CONTRACTORS,” TO AUTHORIZE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE RATTLESNAKE HAMMOCK ROAD
AT AUGUSTA BOULEVARD INTERSECTION
October 28, 2025
Page 254
IMPROVEMENTS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $521,103, TO
QUALITY ENTERPRISES USA, INC. (PROJECT #60016) – FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DIRECTIONAL MEDIAN AT
RATTLESNAKE HAMMOCK ROAD AND AUGUSTA/ROYAL
WOOD BLVD., PROHIBITING LEFT TURNS FROM ONLY
ALLOWING RIGHT TURNS ONLY FROM THESE ROADS
Item #16B7
COLLIER AREA TRANSIT (CAT) TRANSIT ASSET
MANAGEMENT (TAM) PLAN & PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
AGENCY SAFETY PLAN (PTASP) UPDATES IN ACCORDANCE
WITH FINAL RULE 49 C.F.R. PART 625 AND 673
REQUIREMENTS – THESE PLANS HAVE BEEN UPDATED TO
REFELECT THE NEW ACCOUNTABLE EXECUTIVE TO
INCLUDE AN UPDATE TO THE WEBSITE DOMAIN
Item #16C1
A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
DISPOSAL CAPACITY AGREEMENT WITH WASTE
MANAGEMENT INC., OF FLORIDA, FOR THE TRANSFER
AND DISPOSAL OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE AND
BIOSOLIDS, AND FOR THE RESERVATION OF AIRSPACE FOR
STORM-GENERATED DEBRIS; AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR
TO SIGN THE AMENDMENT – AS DETAILED IN THE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16C2
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT NO. LPA0495, WITH
October 28, 2025
Page 255
THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION FOR THE PALM RIVER PUBLIC UTILITIES
RENEWAL PROJECT – AREA 4, TO CHANGE THE
EXPIRATION DATE OF THE AGREEMENT, EXTEND THE
DATE FOR TASK NUMBERS 1, 3, 4, AND 5, AND UPDATE THE
LANGUAGE OF THE AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIR TO SIGN THE ATTACHED AMENDMENT (FUND 4016,
PROJECT NO. 70257) – SO THAT THE COUNTY RECEIVES
FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE 24
PROPERTIES
Item #16D1
THE CHAIR TO SIGN 1) AMENDMENT #1 TO
AGREEMENT #APR21-24 FOR PRE-DEVELOPMENT AND
CONSTRUCTION, 2) AMENDMENT #1 TO AGREEMENT
#ARP21-25 FOR IMPACT FEES, AND 3) AGREEMENT #ARP21-
28 FOR PRE-DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION
ASSOCIATED WITH RENAISSANCE HALL AT OLD COURSE
PHASE 1 TO FURTHER AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVES
PROVIDED THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, STATE AND LOCAL
FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS (HOUSING GRANTS FUND 1835,
PROJECT #33765) – FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING TO ENHANCE
COMPREHENSIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
Item #16D2
THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN A LIEN AGREEMENT WITH THE
OWNER FOR 100% DEFERRAL OF COLLIER COUNTY
October 28, 2025
Page 256
IMPACT FEES FOR MULTI-FAMILY AFFORDABLE HOUSING
RENTAL HOUSING UNITS TOTALING $872,025.60 AND THE
ASSOCIATED SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT AS
REQUESTED BY CASA SAN JUAN DIEGO, LTD. – AS
DETAILED IN THE EXEUCTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16D3
THE CHAIR TO SIGN TWO (2) RELEASES OF LIEN IN THE
TOTAL AMOUNT OF $16,769.92 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 (SHIP GRANT FUND 1053) - FOR CARSON
LAKES LOT 12 AND LOT 13 BLOCK 2 IN NAPLES MANOR
Item #16D4
THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DAVID LAWRENCE MENTAL
HEALTH CENTER (DOJ/BJA-23-01) AND COLLIER COUNTY
TO UPDATE LANGUAGE THROUGHOUT THE AGREEMENT
PER NEW FEDERAL GUIDELINES. (HOUSING GRANT FUND
1835 AND HOUSING MATCH FUND 1836) – PROVIDING FOR
POST ADJUIDCATION, CORTY SUPERVISED, SUBSTANCE
ABUSE DRUG COURT PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO
HEALTH, WELLNESS AND HUMAN SERVICES
Item #16D5
THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN
October 28, 2025
Page 257
COLLIER COUNTY AND THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON
MENTAL ILLNESS COLLIER COUNTY, INC. (NAMI) TO
PROVIDE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $84,744 TO
SUPPORT THE STATE-MANDATED LOCAL MATCH
(GENERAL FUND 0001) – ENHANCING COUNTY RESIDENTS
ACCESS TO HEALTH, WELLNESS AND HUMAN SERVICES
Item #16D6
A GRANT DONATION THROUGH DAFGIVING360™ IN THE
AMOUNT OF $25,600 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF CARPET
AT THE EAST NAPLES LIBRARY. (PUBLIC SERVICES GRANT
FUND 1839) THE DONOR-ADVISED FUND WAS FORMERLY
SCHWAB CHARITABLE REBRANDED IN JUNE 2024
Item #16F1
THE NAPLES ZOO STORMWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM
PROJECT AND AUTHORIZE CONSTRUCTION OF THE
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS – AS DETAILED IN THE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16F2
THE FINAL PAYMENT OF $1,433,151.30, RELEASE
RETAINAGE FUNDS, ASSESS LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IN
THE AMOUNT OF $291,454, AND APPROVE ALL VERIFIED
ADDITIONAL WORK UNDER AGREEMENT NO. 19-7615 WITH
ASTRA CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, LLC FOR PHASE 1 OF
BIG CORKSCREW ISLAND REGIONAL PARK
October 28, 2025
Page 258
Item #16F3
BUDGET AMENDMENTS TO APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR
FOUR ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX PROJECTS,
MAIN CAMPUS CHILLED WATER LINES, COURTHOUSE
JURY ROOM, MAIN JAIL J3 ROOF & LOUVERS, AND EMS
STATION 21 LAND ACQUISITION, FROM INFRASTRUCTURE
SURTAX FUND (3018) RESERVES
Item #16F4
RESOLUTION 2025-222: A RESOLUTION APPROVING
AMENDMENTS (APPROPRIATING GRANTS, DONATIONS,
CONTRIBUTIONS, OR INSURANCE PROCEEDS) TO THE
FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 ADOPTED BUDGET
Item #16F5
RESOLUTION 2025-223: A RESOLUTION APPROVING
AMENDMENTS (APPROPRIATING RESERVES) TO THE
FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 ADOPTED BUDGET
Item #16F6
AN UPDATE ON THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA REGIONAL
PLANNING COUNCIL AND AUTHORIZE THE PAYMENT OF
$42,769.60 REPRESENTING THE REMAINING FY25
CONTRIBUTION BALANCE AND AUTHORIZE THE PAYMENT
OF FY26 MEMBER DUES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
REPLACEMENT INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT APPROVED BY
THE BOARD ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 (ITEM #10A) AND
October 28, 2025
Page 259
AUTHORIZE ALL NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Item #16F7
RENEW THE ANNUAL CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC
CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY (COPCN) FOR AMBITRANS
MEDICAL TRANSPORT, INC. TO PROVIDE CLASS 2
ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (ALS) INTER-FACILITY
TRANSPORT AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR A PERIOD OF ONE
YEAR – PROVIDING POST-HOSPITAL INTER-FACILITY
MEDICAL TRANSFER SERVICES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OF
THE COUNTY
Item #16J1
TO 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 $50,450,017.70 WERE DRAWN FOR THE
PERIODS BETWEEN OCTOBER 2, 2025, AND OCTOBER 15,
2025, PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE 136.06
Item #16J2
REQUEST THAT THE BOARD APPROVE AND DETERMINE
VALID PUBLIC PURPOSE FOR INVOICES PAYABLE AND
PURCHASING CARD TRANSACTIONS AS OF OCTOBER 22,
2025
Item #16J3
October 28, 2025
Page 260
EXTENDING THE 2025 TAX ROLL AT THE REQUEST OF
THE COLLIER COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR, ROB
STONEBURNER – EXTENDING THE TAX ROLL PAST
NOVEMBER 1, 2025, DUE TO THE VOLUME OF VALUE
ADJUSTMENT BOARD PETITIONS
Item #16K1
A STIPULATED FINAL JUDGMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF
$122,500 PLUS $30,503 IN STATUTORY ATTORNEY FEES,
EXPERT FEES, AND COSTS FOR THE TAKING OF PARCEL
1346FEE REQUIRED FOR THE VANDERBILT BEACH ROAD
EXTENSION PROJECT NO. 60249
Item #16K2
A STIPULATED FINAL JUDGMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF
$525,000 PLUS $64,537 IN STATUTORY ATTORNEY AND
EXPERTS’ FEES AND COSTS FOR THE TAKING OF PARCEL
1323POND REQUIRED FOR THE VANDERBILT BEACH ROAD
EXTENSION PROJECT NO. 60249
Item #16K3
THE BOARD DECLINES TO AUTHORIZE THE APPLICATION
FOR TAX DEEDS FOR FOURTEEN (14) COUNTY-HELD TAX
CERTIFICATES
Item #16K4
RESOLUTION 2025-224: REAPPOINTING TWO MEMBERS TO
October 28, 2025
Page 261
THE VANDERBILT WATERWAY MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING
UNIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE – REAPPOINTING CLINT
CUNY AND THOMAS BURKE BOTH WITH TERMS EXPIRING
ON FEBRUARY 12, 2029
Item #16M1
RESOLUTION 2025-225: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
REMOVAL OF 12 REIMBURSEMENT SERVICE ACCOUNTS
AND THEIR RESPECTIVE UNCOLLECTIBLE ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE BALANCES WHICH TOTAL $8,121.78, FROM
THE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (TDC) PROMOTIONS
FUND (1101) - FROM 2007 THRU 2017
Item #17A – Moved to Item #9C (Per Agenda Change Sheet)
Item #17B – Moved to Item #9D (Per Agenda Change Sheet)
Item #17C – Continued from the May 13, 2025, BCC Meeting
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COLLIER COUNTY LAND
DEVELOPMENT CODE TO IMPLEMENT THE IMMOKALEE
AREA MASTER PLAN ELEMENT OF THE GROWTH
MANAGEMENT PLAN, TO CHANGE THE IMMOKALEE
URBAN OVERLAY DISTRICT TO THE IMMOKALEE URBAN
AREA OVERLAY DISTRICT (IUAOD) ZONING DISTRICT,
REVISE, RENAME, AND ADD SUBDISTRICTS, AND
ESTABLISH USES, BOUNDARIES, AND DESIGN STANDARDS
[PL2024004278] (FIRST OF TWO HEARINGS)
October 28, 2025
Page 262
Item #17D
ORDINANCE 2025-50: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE
COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, TO
CHANGE THE MAILED NOTIFICATION DISTANCE FOR
APPLICATIONS INVOLVING A SITE-SPECIFIC GROWTH
MANAGEMENT PLAN (GMP) AMENDMENT, REZONE, OR
CONDITIONAL USE REQUEST ON RURAL AGRICULTURAL
(A) ZONED LANDS [PL20250005475]
Item #17E
ORDINANCE 2025-51: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE
LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, ON PROCEDURAL CHANGES
TO RECTIFY AND CORRECT INCONSISTENCIES AND
UPDATE ADVISORY BOARDS OR AGENCIES’ PUBLIC
HEARING REVIEWS FOR MULTIPLE LAND USE PETITIONS
HELD BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL,
HEARING EXAMINER, PLANNING COMMISSION, BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, OR BOARD OF ZONING
APPEALS [PL20250000180]
Item #17F
RESOLUTION 2025-226: A RESOLUTION APPROVING
AMENDMENTS (APPROPRIATING CARRY FORWARD,
TRANSFERS, AND SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE) TO THE
FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 ADOPTED BUDGET
October 28, 2025
Page 263
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 5:36 p.m.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX
OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF
SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS CONTROL
___________________________________
BURT SAUNDERS, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST
CRYSTAL K. KINZEL, CLERK
These minutes approved by the Board on ____________, as
presented ___________ 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.