Loading...
Agenda 12/09/2025 Item #16B17 (MOA between Collier County and the Collier Community Foundation to define the terms for providing a transit service program to the citizens of Immokalee)12/9/2025 Item # 16.B.17 ID# 2025-4785 Executive Summary Recommendation to approve a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Collier County and the Collier Community Foundation to define the terms for providing a transit service program to the citizens of Immokalee. Furthermore, staff recommends accepting an update on the transit service initiated for Immokalee and authorizing the necessary Budget Amendment. The memorandum reflects that the operational cost share of $7,233.60 (paid by Collier Community Foundation) represents half of the total operating cost of $14,467.20. OBJECTIVE: To provide efficient, safe, and timely public transportation for the residents of Collier County. CONSIDERATIONS: Per the Board direction at the October 28, 2025, meeting, Collier Area Transit (CAT) initiated a new route to assist with access to nutritional services, such as a grocery store, and to offer an alternative mode of transportation to the Immokalee area. The route was operated in partnership with Collier Community Foundation. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Collier County and the Collier Community Foundation defines the terms for providing a transit service program to the citizens of Immokalee. The County provided one vehicle for a fixed-route service, a pilot program called the Immokalee to Ave Maria Pilot Express Route 128. The service area includes Immokalee and Ave Maria. The service runs Friday through Sunday starting October 31, 2025, with hours from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Fares were not collected by the County as directed. The ridership for this route has not been as anticipated; however, ridership on another route serving Immokalee and coming into the Naples area with access to nutritional services has increased. Therefore, CAT ceased operations on this route effective November 30, 2025. This item is consistent with the Collier County strategic plan objective to design and maintain an effective transportation system to reduce traffic congestion and improve the mobility of our residents and visitors. FISCAL IMPACT: A Budget Amendment in the amount of $14,467.20 is required to transfer funds from General Fund (0001) to CAT Transit Enhancement Fund (4030) Project 60282 to support the services provided to date. The Collier Community Foundation will be invoiced for fifty percent of the service per the MOA. GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This item is consistent with the Transportation Element Objectives 10 and 12 of the Growth Management Plan. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to form and legality and requires a majority vote for approval. -JAK RECOMMENDATION(S): To approve a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Collier County and the Collier Community Foundation to define the terms for providing a transit service program to the citizens of Immokalee. Furthermore, staff recommends accepting an update on the transit service initiated for Immokalee and authorizing the necessary Budget Amendment. The memorandum reflects that the operational cost share of $7,233.60 (paid by Collier Community Foundation) represents half of the total operating cost of $14,467.20. PREPARED BY: Omar De Leon, Transit Manager PTNE Division ATTACHMENTS: 1. BA 0001 from 103010 Imm route 2. BA 4030 to 60282 Imm route 3. Memorandum of Agreement for Transit Service Page 4471 of 9661 12/9/2025 Item # 16.B.17 ID# 2025-4785 Page 4472 of 9661 Page 4473 of 9661 Page 4474 of 9661 Page 4475 of 9661 Page 4476 of 9661 Page 4477 of 9661 Page 4478 of 9661 Page 4479 of 9661