BCC Minutes 09/12/1995 RREGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 12, 1995,
OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COHMISSIONERS
LET IT BE REHEHBERED, 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 a.m. in REGULAR SESSION in Building "F"
of the Government Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the following
members present:
ALSO PRESENT:
CHAIRPERSON:
Bettye J. Hatthews
Timothy J. Constantine
John C. Norris
Timothy L. Hancock
Pamela S. Hac'Kie
W. Neil Dotrill, County Hanager
David Weigel, Assistant County Attorney
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Call to order the board of commission
meeting for Tuesday, September the 12th, 1995. Mr. Dotrill, will you
lead us in an invocation and pledge.
MR. DORRILL: Heavenly Father, as always, we give thanks
for the wonder and the glory that is Collier County and its people.
We give thanks for the dedication, the commitment, and the desire of
our elected public officials to help lead this community and be a
reflection of your will. Father, we'd ask that you bless our time
here together today, that we give thanks and lift up those special
people to be recognized today, especially our local economy and
industry and our law enforcement officials. Father, we also give
thanks for the hard work and dedication of our staff, be it support,
professional, or technical staff. And we would ask that you bless the
people of Collier County and bless our time here together this
morning. We pray these things in Jesus's name. Amen.
(The pledge of allegiance was recited in unison.)
Item #3 and #3A
AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA - APPROVED WITH CHANGES
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Looks -- Hr. Dorrill, looks like
we have a plethora -- if that's the right word -- of changes.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We're taking our morning
break right after the change list.
MR. DORRILL: You need to remember my heritage is from
south Alabama, so I don't know if we have a plethora, but we sure have
got a page full of changes this morning. I'll work through these as
quickly as I can.
We have a number of add-on items. The first one is
under proclamations. It will be 5(A)(4), a proclamation recognizing
the support and contribution of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Sugden for the
Lake Avalon project, 5(A)(4).
We have under public works 8(B)(6), a report and update
on the Royal Cove sewer problems, 8(B)(6).
Also under public works 8(B)(7), an update and status
report on activities concerning drainage throughout the county,
8(B)(7).
Under public services, 8(C)(1), we have further
consideration and the recommendation as it pertains to imposing beach
parking fees for noncounty residents.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Can I just ask a question?
We were scheduled to have that on next week anyway. And I know there
were some different folks planning on coming. I'm sure there will be
a pile of people coming. Why are we doing it this week as opposed to
when we had told everyone we were going to do it?
MR. DORRILL: We're doing it, frankly, at my request.
It will be subject to the final budget approval that is a week from
tomorrow, next Wednesday evening. I'm scheduled to be out of town
next Tuesday, and I was concerned that given the -- the amount of
money and the fact that we have our fund balanced, I wanted to be able
to participate in the discussion. Yesterday, in addition to
contacting all of the county commissioners, we did contact the media,
and we contacted all of the people who had previously participated in
that discussion at either budget workshops or your first public
hearing, specifically the citizens of Bonita Beach Association and
residents of Marco Island who have participated in those discussions.
It's my understanding they will be here today to participate in that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Unfortunately, I had a phone call
last night about 10:15 on this very issue, and I don't know whether
anybody from this CABB is here or not. But as of 10:15 last night,
they were having great difficulty rearranging schedules.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I still have a little bit of
discomfort because we did just say last Wednesday that we would
schedule that for the 19th, and I know there were some groups trying
to mobilize for that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I'm not as much opposed to it if
everybody could be here for the discussion, but it doesn't look like
some are going to make it. Commissioner Mac'Kie.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: I just wanted to -- I think that,
correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Dotrill, but it's not a vacation that
you're scheduled to be out of town for next week. It's a seminar
that's a very important, very useful, I think --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Uh-huh.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: -- in continuing education.
MR. DORRILL: I go to one professional meeting per year,
and this date was set a year in advance. And I just thought that this
issue and the fact we're dealing with $900,000 was -- was important
enough for me to be here and participate in the discussion today and
recognize that any and everyone will still have the opportunity to
participate at the final budget hearing. But I wanted you to have the
benefit of the staff report and the executive summary while I was here
to be able to guide that. Your final action cannot be taken until
next Wednesday. I will tell you that the CABB organization was the
first organization that was called yesterday morning to advise them of
the fact that this was going to be on today at my request.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: The other consideration here, Mr.
Dotrill, is that if there's any changes to be made, the budget
department needs some time to -- to get that done before next
Wednesday; right?
MR. DORRILL: In fairness to them, yes, because
otherwise you'll be sitting here until ten or eleven o'clock as he
recalculates all of the millages that have to be read into the record
in the event that any changes are made to the general fund and then
the aggregate millages that are affected. And I'm trying to give them
at least a week's notice as to what your intent may be for --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: If there's a choice between
causing myself a little discomfort for an extra two or three hours or
allowing the public an opportunity to say -- I'll gladly inconvenience
myself.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Well, yes, and I feel the same
way, Commissioner Constantine. But the point is that they've all been
notified.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Why don't we see who shows up?
If there's enough participation, then we'll have the -- leave it on
today's agenda.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Can I just ask a question? Is
there anybody here from CABB right now?
No. Okay.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I notice you didn't ask if there
was anybody from any other group. Is just that one the one you're
concerned with, Commissioner Matthews?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: No. They were the people --
excuse me, Commissioner Norris, but that was the person who called me
last night --
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Okay.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- who said they were having
difficulty --
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Well, if you're concerned about
the public not having an opportunity to speak, it just seems to me
that you would want all groups who were interested to know if they
were here, too.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Well, I would, but they didn't
call me last night to say they were having difficulty. I mean, excuse
me, but I --
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: You're only concerned with the
people who call you and not any of the other public. Is that it?
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Okay. We're not getting anywhere
with this.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I think we've done this enough.
Mr. Dotrill, do you want to move forward?
MR. DORRILL: Yes, ma'am. You all blame me for this. I
just thought it was important enough --
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Don't worry. We'll blame you for
it no matter what.
MR. DORRILL: In addition -- we have an addition,
another add-on item. And it will be 8(C)(2) under public services,
which is the authorization to designate a broker of record in order to
sell the shares necessary to raise the $500,000 for Lake Avalon,
that's 8(C)(2).
Final add-on item under the county attorney's report is
9(C), which is an authorization for the chairman to travel to Tampa
this coming Friday to participate in a mediation of a construction
dispute.
In anticipation of the Hideaway Beach item again being
on the agenda today, we had looked for items that could be continued
in order to try and shorten your afternoon session under public
hearings. It's my understanding that at least one of these may need
to be considered today, and so I will read through these, and now
given the fact that the Hideaway item will not be on the board, we'll
be at your discretion as to whether you actually want these continued
or not.
All of these are under advertised public hearings. The
first one is 12(C)(1), which was an ordinance amendment to correct a
scribner's error for Pine Ridge Center West PUD.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Dorrill, I have a question.
It -- have we notified the people --
MR. DORRILL: We did in every -- in every instance. I
believe we did that last Thursday or Friday.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- that these would be
continued? So if the board were to hear them today in spite of that,
wouldn't that be somewhat of a difficulty for them?
MR. DORRILL: We contacted the petitioner. The example
that I was -- was advised of, frankly, was one where we're renaming a
street. And I know that Mr. Constantine said this is something that
the residents have all been aware of for I would say probably two
months, but that's an example of something that could be heard today
if you wanted to hear it. And I believe Ms. Hac'Kie may have also
been contacted on another one that is a really routine-type item.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: There's two items. It seems
like the scribner's error isn't going to be any discussion. And the
Logan Court item, our sign department is so efficient that the Logan
Court sign has already been up so --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: It's already up.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- it seems like that ought
to take all of about 10 seconds. There are others here where
obviously there may be some discussion, and the petitioners have been
alerted that that won't be heard today. It's not appropriate that we
do, but at least those two seems like there's not going to be much
discussion on them anyway.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Miss Filson, I was contacted
yesterday -- I don't know which item it is -- about the church
school. Is that still on the --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I think that was left on.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Okay. We intended to leave that
on.
MS. FILSON: Yeah, that's on the agenda today.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: It's a different one from that.
That's what I thought. I just wanted to be sure.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. So we want to go ahead and
hear the scribner's error? Is that what we're saying?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: 12(C)(1).
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: That's fine with me.
MR. DORRILL: The next one was 13(A)(1); that's a
petition SV-95-4, a sign variance for Discount Auto Parts. These are
all continued for just one week.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay.
MR. DORRILL: We've got some other continuances and one
withdrawal, but all these right now: 13(A)(7), petition CU-95-4,
conditional use for a church and school facility on 951; petition
13(B)(1), CU-92-4, an extension of an existing conditional use.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: And we are going to continue these
that you just read?
MR. DORRILL: Yes, sir, unless you pull these and direct
otherwise, as Mr. Constantine had with the first one. 12(C)(1) will
be on today; that was the scribner's error. I haven't gotten to Logan
Court yet.
The next one is continued as a result of what I'm told
is an agreement in concept to settle the Hideaway Beach issue. That's
item 12(B)(2). It will be continued, if necessary, until your meeting
of October the 10th. That was PUD-80-20(5), 12(B)(2).
The next one is the one that Mr. Constantine referred
to. It is the renaming of a portion of Logan Boulevard to Logan
Court. And I presume, Mr. Constantine, you desire that that remain on
the agenda?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yes, please.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Should we go out and take the
sign down and wait for the item?
MR. DORRILL: We have a request to continue
indefinitely. This was separate and apart from our agenda management,
12(C)(3) which was an ordinance amending certain aspects of the county
building and structural codes for hurricane protection. That will be
rescheduled and readvertised as necessary.
Continued for two -- three weeks, excuse me, item
13(A)(12), which was an appeal of a growth management plan, mixed-use
activity center on MArco Island.
Then the final two items that I have this morning were
withdrawals. The first one was ll(A) which was a request from the
sheriff pertaining to a computer-aided dispatch system, and a
withdrawal of item 16(A)(2) that was on your consent agenda that
involved a compliance service case for the owner of record for a
portion of the A1 Gallman estate property.
And that's all that I have, Madam Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you. Is there any further
discussion on the changes?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Just -- if I may at this point, I
need to make a record of my abstaining of an item on the consent
agenda, 16(A)(1). I have a conflict in that matter.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Norris, do you have
any additional changes?
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Nothing further.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hancock?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Mac'Kie?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Constantine?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yeah, I have a couple. I
wanted to add 10(B), unless we have already added 10(B). I want to
add something under 10 -- that's a discussion. We've got an
advertising problem as part of our appointment process.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: 10(B)? What is this? Our
advertising?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yeah, we had with one of the
appointed boards we have. We have a --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: At least one.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We have a little technical
problem.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Is this so that they don't get in
the newspaper --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: No.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- quickly enough? And we've
been trying to address that for almost a year. Okay, we can discuss
it and see if there's a remedy.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Also I have a couple of
others. 16(D)(2), if we can pull that, which is board approval of
resolution to adopt the terms for members of the Council of Economic
Advisors. And what I would ask, Mr. Weigel, sometime between now and
when that comes up, could someone pull the resolution that created the
CEA?
MR. WEIGEL: Sure.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And that may answer my
question.
MR. DORRILL: That will become 8(D)(1).
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: 8 (D) (1) ?
MR. DORRILL: D as in David.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And also I'd ask the board if
we could take an hour and fifteen minutes at lunchtime today. I have
a meeting with the Mental Health Association. I'd just like a few
minutes to get there and back.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Annual checkup?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yes.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: You might not make it back then,
just check you right in. Sorry.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: This has the makings of a tenuous
day.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm just having fun.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I guess that's all the changes.
I have nothing that I need to change. Is there a motion for the
agenda and the consent agenda?
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Motion to approve the agenda and
consent agenda as amended.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
approve the agenda and the consent agenda as amended.
All in favor please say aye.
Opposed?
Motion passes 5 to 0.
Item #4
MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 15 AND 22, 1995 REGULAR MEETINGS, AUGUST 22, 1995
WORKSHOP AND AUGUST 24, 1995 EMERGENCY MEETING - APPROVED
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Mrs. Chairman, I'll make a motion
that we approve the minutes of August 15th regular meeting, August
22nd regular meeting, August 22nd workshop, and August 24th emergency
meeting.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I will second that motion.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
approve the minutes of four as-stated meetings. All those in favor
please say aye.
Opposed?
There being none, motion passes 5 to 0.
Item #5A1
PROCLAivLATION DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 29, 1995 AS LAW ENFORCEMENT
APPRECIATION DAY - ADOPTED
Proclamations and service awards, our first one,
Commissioner Mac'Kie.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: It's my pleasure to read a
proclamation for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. And I understand
Jerry Brock and perhaps Jim Sanders are here to receive this
proclamation, if you'd come forward. If you don't mind, face the
camera while I read the proclamation.
Whereas, the problems of crime touch all segments of our
society and can undermine and erode the moral and economic strengths
of our communities; and,
Whereas, we are fortunate that law enforcement officers
from all area agencies dedicate themselves to preserving law and order
and the public safety; and,
Whereas, we recognize that the men and women in law
enforcement risk their lives on a daily basis to protect our citizens
and maintain social order; and,
Whereas, we encourage all citizens to pause to recognize
our law enforcement officers so that we may not take their work for
granted.
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that the day of September
29, 1995, be designated as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and ask
all citizens to join with us in honoring these law enforcement
officers and to assist them by exercising responsible citizenship.
Done and ordered this 12th day of September, 1995, Board
of County Commissioners, Bettye Matthews, Chairman.
I'd like to move that we approve the proclamation.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll second that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
approve the proclamation. All in favor please say aye. Opposed?
There being none, it passes 5 to 0. Thank you.
(Applause)
Item #5A2
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17-23, 1995 AS INDUSTRY
APPRECIAION WEEK - ADOPTED
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Next item on the agenda is a
proclamation. Commissioner Constantine.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Thank you. Sorry.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That's all right.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We have a proclamation for
Industry Appreciation Week. Is Colleen Kvetko -- Colleen, you need to
help me. If I did that wrong, I apologize. MS. KVETKO: No, it's perfect.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: She is chairman of the
Industry Appreciation Week, and we have the following proclamation:
Whereas, industry in Collier County is vital to the
community's economic health; and,
Whereas, Collier County's existing industries are the
key to a prosperous future; and,
Whereas, the expansion of those industries account for
the majority of new jobs created; and,
Whereas, Collier County's industries help sustain our
quality of life.
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that the week of September
17th through 23rd, 1995, be designated as Industry Appreciation Week.
Done and ordered this 12th day of September, 1995, Board
of County Commissioners, Collier County, Florida, Bettye J. Matthews,
Chairman.
Madam Chairman, I'd like to make a motion we approve
this proclamation.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
approve the proclamation. All in favor, please say aye. Opposed?
There being none, motion passes 5 to 0.
(Applause)
MS. KVETKO: I would just like to, of course, thank the
commission for this award. And it will be read and presented at a
luncheon on September 21st, next Thursday. We will be recognizing
over 70 companies of Collier County that have contributed to this
county, and everyone is welcome. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
Item #5A3
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16, 1995, AS BEACH
CLEAN-UP DAY - ADOPTED
Next item on the agenda is another proclamation, and it
gives me pleasure to read this one. Is Susan Nichols-Lucy here?
Whereas, the quality of life and the ecological and
economic well-being of Collier County citizens are critically
dependent on the continual protection of the natural resources of
southwest Florida's coastal zone; and,
Whereas, Collier County's sandy beaches and estuaries
serve as an essential community function by providing for fisheries
production, storm protection, and recreational opportunities while
contributing to our county's natural beauty; and,
Whereas, Collier County's canals and roadsides serves as
the entryway to the community as visitors, residents, and potential
residents enter our area; and,
Whereas, Collier County's businesses, organizations,
youth groups, and individuals want to participate in helping to
maintain the county's cleanliness and its natural resources; and,
Whereas the international cleanup is occurring on
September the 16th, not only in Collier County, but across the world,
in the largest single international effort to collect and clean
coastal areas.
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that the week of September
16, 1995, be designated as beach cleanup -- it says day, but I guess
it's week.
Done and ordered this 12th day of September, 1995, Board
of County Commissioners, Collier County, Florida, Bettye J. Matthews,
Chairman.
And I'd like to make a motion that we accept this
proclamation.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
accept the proclamation.
All in favor, please say aye.
Opposed?
There being none, motion passes 5 to 0.
(Applause)
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Miss Nichols-Lucy is going to
tell us about all the things going on.
MS. NICHOLS-LUCY: On behalf of the international beach
cleanup I'd like to invite everyone to participate in the event this
Saturday. It's a fairly exciting event. In Collier County alone we
expect over a thousand people volunteering to clean and catalog the
debris collected along the beaches, roadsides, and canals as part of
the international effort that started in '86 and occurs in over 60
counties and 30 states and territories. I think this year's cleanup
is an excellent example of how governmental agencies, nonprofit
agencies, local businesses, local civic, and special interest --
interests -- special interest organizations can work together for one
common cause. And there's several people in the audience that I would
like to stand up as I read, just because it's amazing the number of
organizations that are involved. The Collier County solid waste
department, Collier County natural resource department, the Everglades
National Park, Collier Seminole State Park -- and this is the first
time that we've ever included Everglades City and the Everglades
National Park, Rookery Bay staff, Friends of Rookery Bay, Marine
Industries Association and associated marinas, CABB, the Conservancy,
Naples Police Department, Naples Sailing Club, and the Diving Club and
also the U.S. Postal Service. Private businesses include Waste
Management of Collier County, FP&L, Earth Outfitters, Ben and Jerry's,
and Publix. We expect over 600 students and scouts out there and
along with 400 adults.
Also, I'd like to recognize that this summer, as part of
the advertising, we had a poster contest sponsored by Earth Outfitters
where we had several hundred posters drawn by Collier County children
up to age 12. So there is more than enough for us -- all of us to
participate, so please come and join us. Thanks.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
Item #5B
EHPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS - PRESENTED
The next item on the agenda, Commissioner Norris -- but
I think you're delaying that until the parties are --
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: It's my understanding, Mr.
Dotrill; is that correct?
MR. DORRILL: Yes, they will be arriving at ten o'clock.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Ten o'clock.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Can I just interrupt for a second
and take note that God answers prayers even when they're uttered at
the county commission meeting that Commissioner Haas is here, and it's
wonderful to see you out and about. We're so glad to see you doing so
well.
MR. HAAS: Thank you.
(Applause)
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Well spoken, Commissioner
Mac'Kie.
Next item on the agenda, service awards, Commissioner
Hancock.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Thank you. It's not very often
we have the ability to recognize an employee with 20 years of service
with Collier County. And today we have the distinction of having two
employees meet that mark. First, I'd like to recognize for 20-year
service with parks and recreation, Mr. Robert C. Allen.
(Applause)
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Do we have 40-year pins?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: We would make one.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We would make one.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: In addition, also with parks and
recreation -- and, Mr. Olliff, is there some secret to longevity in
parks and recreation? We have a 20-year recognition for Mr. Murdo
Smith.
(Applause)
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: After a recent workday in parks
and rec -- it's not all just softball, kids. I mean, there's a lot of
hard work going on out there, and we appreciate it.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: It's all that hard work that lets
them play softball.
Item #6B
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ADOPT A REVISED
INVESTMENT POLICY - CONTINUED AND TO BE HEARD WITH ITEM #9A; CONTINUED
ONE WEEK AND RAYMOND JAMES TO REVIEW
Next item on the agenda is item 6(B), a recommendation
of Board of County Commissioners adopt a revised investment policy.
Mr. Brock.
MR. BROCK: Good morning, Madam Chairman, Board of
County Commissioners. You have been provided with a copy of the
revised investment policy that has been submitted to the Board of
County Commissioners. Pursuant to Ordinance Number 8765 -- I'm
reading from the minutes of the board meeting pertaining to that
particular issue dealing with subsection 2 of that particular
ordinance. It provides that -- section 2, as stated by Mr. Cuyler,
requires the clerk to prepare and propose to the board a cash
management investment policy which the board will be required to adopt
by resolution, and no investment can take place until the clerk
returns that policy proposal and it is adopted.
In the present legislative session or in the legislative
session that just passed, our Florida legislature added some statutory
language requiring certain -- I think there were 14 different criteria
had to be included in the investment policies of state and local
government. As a sequence of that, I put together what I considered
to be a blue chip committee which is comprised of your chairman,
Commissioner Matthews; the Honorable Guy Carlton, elected tax
collector here in Collier County; and two private citizens, a Mr.
Keith Glisch. Mr. Glisch was a senior vice president at Citibank and
was an investment banker for 30 years; and a Mr. Ed Mahoney who is a
private citizen. Mr. Mahoney was a senior vice president for Merrill
Lynch and has worked for central banks around the world. Mr. Mahoney
has over 30 years experience in Wall Street. With the assistance of
my money manager, Mr. John Kannengeiser -- Mr. Kannengeiser has had 23
years of experience in portfolio management in New York City and has
managed bond portfolios as large as 6 billion dollars. He has managed
funds and was a senior bond trader for the fourth largest bank in the
world, Mitsubishi Bank. As a consequence of these individuals coming
together, we have developed for the board and are submitting to the
board a revised investment policy which has been presented to you for
consideration.
There is one particular item that I would like to
address in that particular policy and to explain to everyone why it is
there. And that is that we have limited investment to maturities of
five years. The new law that was passed by the Florida legislature
this year provides that the three criteria that will be taken into
consideration in establishing an investment policy is; first, preserve
elevation of principal; two, liquidity; and three, last, but not
least, return. As a consequence of that particular language, we have
limited the investments in this policy to five years. But there is an
additional reason why we have done that, ladies and gentlemen.
This county has passed a bond issue. It was the Pine
Ridge Industrial Park, Naples Production Park, municipal service
taxing and benefit units, special assessment bond series 1993. It is
a $17,335,000 bond issue. In the bond covenants of that particular
issue it contains the following language: Monies on deposit in a
reserve account shall be invested in authorized investments of not
greater than five-years maturity.
The way that this county has historically and does today
invest its investments, invest its money, is through a pooled
investment account of which that reserve account is a part. And it
was the opinion of the people that were involved to extend beyond the
five-year period would constitute a violation of the bond covenant.
As I'm sure the Board of County Commissioners is aware today that we
have investments in that particular portfolio which exceed five years,
we have been working with the bond rating agencies who are aware that
we are in violation of the bond covenants as a consequence of that.
We have talked to them, and we are in the process of trying to get
back into compliance with the bond covenants. But to create an
investment policy which is contrary to the bond covenants as is
stated, we thought, would be totally and wholly inappropriate. If you
have any questions about any of the other issues in the investment
policy, I'd be glad to address them.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Questions? Commissioner
Hancock.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: This question really is kind of
left over from the previous policy we looked at, which has been
revised I understand, but I would like some clarification. A
disturbing recommendation has been issued by -- by Mr. Grady that
recommended the county selling all CHOs at a real tax dollar loss to
buttress a legal position. That was reported in the paper. Does this
policy -- if by adopting this policy, are we putting ourselves in a
position that we would be required by this policy to liquidate all
CHOs which currently show no -- you know, we haven't lost any tax
dollars in them yet. They have a long buyout, and I understand that.
But would it put us in a position that we have to throw tax money down
the drain by selling all CHOs at this point?
MR. BROCK: No, Commissioner, it wouldn't. And the
reason for that is -- I think the committee discussed with
Commissioner Matthews whenever we talked about this particular policy
was that in the implementation process of this particular policy the
thing that we wanted to do would be to insure by creating language
that would allow us to go outside of the policy specifically for the
purpose of not incurring the losses that you are talking about. But
to just clear up something that I think you said, that Mr. Grady
recommended that we sell them to establish a legal position, I think
what Mr. Grady said was that we should consider selling those
securities, and that would -- should be one of the things that we
should undertake in our thought process, what we should do, not that
it was a recommendation of his to do that, but that was something that
needed to be considered.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'll stipulate he said we
consider selling them at a real tax dollar loss.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I have a question here. We have a
similar item on our county attorney's report, 9(A). Are we -- what
are we going to do here? Are we going to take tacks on both of these,
or should we not combine these or something?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Well, when we set the agenda
earlier this morning, there was no discussion as to combining them.
I'm certainly not opposed to combining them. I think in all haste we
would be able to set our mindset to our investment policy and discuss
them all at one time. But I guess that would be for the rest of the
board now to agree to do, because we did not set that with the
original agenda.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Well, my concern is that if we're
going to take action on one and then turn right around and hear the
same issue again, we may be in a contradictory position before we're
through.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I -- I'm not sure that that's
true. The item at 9 -- 9(A) is a report to the board regarding issues
of the county investment policy including control of the portfolio.
This is the policy itself, and I would assume that if we accept and --
and confirm this policy today, that regardless of what we do in 9(A),
this policy will continue with that.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I see. But the report to the
board is regarding some issues of something we're discussing right
now.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That's true.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: So we don't know what the issues
are yet, but we are being asked to -- see what I mean? We've got the
cart before the horse here.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Well, no, we didn't combine them
when we set our agenda this morning. And, quite frankly, as I said a
few moments ago, I'm not opposed to combining them if the remainder of
the board is interested in doing that.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Madam Chairman, if it requires a
motion to amend the agenda to combine these two items --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I don't think we really need a
motion to --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- to combine them. I think we
just need consent that we're going to do that.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: It just makes sense to combine
them to me. I don't have any difficulty with it.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Why don't we do that then. Mr.
Weigel, what -- there are issues in the existing policy or in the new
policy that's causing you concern, or do you want to make your report
at this time as to what these issues are?
MR. WEIGEL: I'd be happy to, Madam Chairman.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Might I suggest -- Mr. Brock,
were you planning on being here for item 9(A) also? MR. BROCK: Yes.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. We have a lot of items
between these two which I think the majority of the audience is here
for. I would prefer to table this item and join it in discussion with
9(A) and let the -- the folks that are here assembled for the earlier
items in the agenda be heard.
MR. BROCK: I certainly have no problem with that,
Commissioner. You know, I have to be here. I'm sort of like you. I
have to be here all day anyway.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: We're going to get paid the same
either way, Dwight.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We're going to be here all day.
MR. BROCK: These people don't. There's no need for us
to keep them here.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Accommodate the public, that's
fine.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We don't have a motion to accept
this property, so a table of the motion is not in order, but I would
like a motion to continue this and hear it in conjunction with item
9(A).
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: So moved.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
continue this item and hear it in conjunction with item 9(A). All
those in favor, please say aye.
Opposed?
There being none, the motion is adopted.
Item #SA1
REPORT ON WATER QUALITY PROBLEHS IN VANDERBILT LAGOON - REPORT ACCEPTED
AS PRESENTED
Next item on the agenda is 8(A)(1), a report on water
quality problems in Vanderbilt Lagoon. Mr. Lorenz, good morning.
MR. LORENZ: Good morning. Yes, as part of the
direction from the board back earlier in the year concerning -- with a
concern -- discussion of the Naples Park drainage project, the board
requested staff to look at some opportunities, evaluate some water
quality problems of Vanderbilt Lagoon, and report back to the board.
And that's the purpose of this presentation.
I'd like to thank Inge Johnson and Judy Johnson for
assisting staff. They were very good. We were able to use their boat
to do a number of water quality testing of where we did some -- some
meter work, and I would like to be able to just acknowledge their help
and assistance. And, indeed, they provided us with a -- a boat trip
to -- to gather the testing -- the test results. And we basically
went through the whole lagoon, performed dissolved oxygen conductivity
and temperature testing with meter work to give us a fairly good feel
as to what some of the problems are in the lagoon. And it was
interesting just simply just going from the -- from the -- from the
southern end of the lagoon, which is, if you will, the end of the
lagoon northward out toward Turkey Bay to see the system itself.
And as you move through the system, it's very apparent,
of course, in Vanderbilt Lagoon itself, it's residential finger
canals, very intense development, the point where the Naples Park
drainage comes into the lagoon. And as you come underneath the bridge
there, Vanderbilt Drive, I get into -- get into the more natural
system, the mangrove system. And that particular day we could see the
interface of the high tide coming in and the difference in clarity of
the water quality just visually, which, of course, our meter
measurements supported that.
I think the point of -- the point of just simply
thinking about as you travel down that -- that -- that waterway out to
the natural system, a number of things just visually are apparent.
And the first thing is is that the Vanderbilt Lagoon system itself and
the Naples Park drainage system are all intense land development on a
very sensitive estuarine type of system. These developments would not
be permitted today because of their impacts on the system. We have a
highly urbanized system, and it's quite evident as you -- as you
visually observe it and as you take meter measurements. As you get
into the natural system, the mangrove fringe system, the system that's
closer to the opening of the gulf, you don't see any type of water
quality problems.
The problems that we did see very specifically is very
severe dissolved oxygen problems in the lagoon itself. We -- the
first day we were out was in the afternoon, and we saw dissolved
oxygen levels that were much greater than what we call saturation.
That's the amount that you would typically see as normal in a water
system. The reason we saw those very high levels in the afternoon is
because algae produces a lot of oxygen and pumped up those oxygen
levels. So, therefore, we have an algae problem. Algae grow and
respond to more nutrients, nitrogen, and phosphorus into the system.
We subsequently came back during the early morning
hours, six in the morning, because that's where the algae begin to
consume the oxygen, and we found dissolved oxygen violations in the --
in the lagoon itself. Out in the natural system we have very low
dissolved oxygen, but we'd expect dissolved oxygen basically in
mangrove systems anyway.
So we -- we are able to document, certainly confirm the
residents' visual observations, that, yes, there are water quality
problems in the lagoon. These problems are not atypical of urban
systems, of urban water systems that experience a lot of intense land
development and especially those systems that have been dredged and
have finger canals. It's very similar to the areas in Naples Bay.
Marco Island -- although we haven't had any specific meter data, but
just from visual observations of some staff in the area, are likely to
see these same types of conditions start to exert themselves in Marco
Island as well.
Basically whenever you have dredged the system, you have
changed the hydraulic characteristics. You have changed the flushing
characteristics. And with intense land development and storm water
into it, unfortunately our estuarine system has been urbanized, and
this is -- these are -- these are the results we are suffering, not
from the decisions we are making today, but from decisions that were
made 20 or 30 years ago.
The question is, is -- is what can we do about it.
We're looking at severe retrofit types of problems, high -- high cost,
high dollar costs to try to reduce the deterioration of the water
quality, at least to get it back to some particular point where it's
-- it's stable, that what we see is what we continue to have. To go
beyond that requires, again, more dollars.
The executive summary that I -- that I prepared, you
know, we're looking at plus or minus 25 percent type of numbers there.
They're best-guess estimates, but you're looking at a multimillion
dollar program to try to take care of the problems of the past and
what we're continuing to do today.
The Naples Park drainage system, for instance, is -- is
recognized by the South Florida Water Management District basically as
a retrofit system. You don't have a standard system. You're going in
to try to make some improvements. You have to do some retrofitting.
And the point for the Naples Park system is that the district has
accepted the swales as being the best water quality treatment given
these existing conditions. You'll see that as a note from the
engineer in a letter in the executive summary.
To go beyond, to try to make improvements, there are a
number of things that can be looked at. One is the example of the
flushing. We have two types of flushing problems. One will be the
flushing of the finger canals themselves to try to exchange water in
those very long canals to the main body of the lagoon. This is a kind
of problem that suffers in -- in Naples in those type -- Naples Bay in
those types of canals. Secondly is to try to get an exchange of water
in Vanderbilt Lagoon itself, which may be an easier possibility, and
open some channel to the gulf.
In the report that I presented to the board, if -- if
the board is interested in doing that, that's -- could be -- could be
a couple of million dollars in terms of construction -- would be to go
through a feasibility study to determine, number one, is the
likelihood of success of -- of that type of scenario working and,
secondly, is to look at the various impacts of -- of such a scenario
because we could have other environmental impacts of such a channel
that -- that could cause problems down the road. And so we need to be
very careful when we implement such a -- such a recommendation and,
thirdly, we'd want to look at a variety of different alternatives;
connection to -- to the Clam Bay system, connection to the gulf, a
gravity-flow system, a pump system, where would we put the -- possibly
the inputs in to get the best exchange of water into the lagoon. So
if -- if the board wants to pursue and is interested in -- in a -- in
several million dollars for actually constructing and implementing the
system, we would recommend to spend a good chunk of money, up to a
hundred thousand dollars, to do that feasibility study.
A second -- second option that -- or strategy that has
to be implemented would be dealing with water quality treatment. And
the residents within Vanderbilt Lagoon itself do not have any water
quality treatment. They are roughly 20 to 25 percent of the land area
draining to Vanderbilt Lagoon. There needs to be water quality
treatment within those residential finger canals. Obviously Naples
Park, if you're looking at -- at by managing the storm water -- you
heard in the last meeting that you had concern. If we're looking at
some land treatment system, you're looking at 15 percent of the land
area of Naples Park to try to dedicate to a land treatment system. If
you go to some kind of chemical treatment system, you're still going
to need some land area, and you're going to have very high operation
and maintenance costs ongoing. We haven't looked at those
alternatives in detail, but you need to be able to reduce the nutrient
concentrations going into Vanderbilt Lagoon from the storm water
system, not only from Naples Park, but also from Vanderbilt, the
residents along Vanderbilt Lagoon itself.
Another potential problem which I think should be looked
at in the feasibility study if -- if we go that route is to look at
the bottom conditions within the lagoon. That lagoon has been dredged
in the '50s. That's what created the finger canals and the current
shape of the lagoon. It's very quiescent. Over a long period of time
we've had contaminants settling from the outside settling into the
bottom. And also as the algae grow and die, they be -- they then
settle out to the bottom of the lagoon. And we have bottom conditions
that also can exert oxygen demand in the future. So after you reduce
the storm water inputs to the system itself, you then have to be
concerned about the bottom conditions exerting oxygen demands. And
that's needs -- that's going to need to be looked at as to whether
that's going to be a significant problem or not.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Mr. Lorenz, may I ask you, is
there something about a dredged bottom that would be different from a
natural bottom in that regard?
MR. LORENZ: Well, the dredging has occurred making it
deeper, especially as you get into these finger canals where sometimes
you have sills that will occur, an unlevel bottom, and it can trap
some of the more denset water. As the saltwater moves into the
system, it's more dense than the freshwater, and if it can't -- and
that's your exchange mechanism is the saltwater. And if it can't pass
some of these sills, especially -- it just sits there and gets
trapped, and the water quality deteriorates. A bathymetric survey in
understanding the bottom conditions needs to be looked at.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: So if the -- if these dredged
areas had a more gentle slope, that probably wouldn't occur at least
as bad?
MR. LORENZ: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Okay. Thank you.
MR. LORENZ: Indeed, there is, I think -- as you come
out of Turkey Bay into Vanderbilt Lagoon there is a very deep hole
there, and the saltwater coming through will plunge into that deep
hole, and that in itself with a fairly long residence time can cause
some problems. So these types of things need to be looked at as part
of a total solution.
The other -- the other item that we looked at is a
possibility that I think can -- can happen fairly quickly with minimal
amount of dollar costs, and it's kind of similar to the sign here to
celebrate Estuaries and Coastal Day, clean it up, is working with the
neighborhood and the owners of -- of property so that they can take
more stewardship of their own land, apply appropriate practices in
terms of fertilizer and cleaning their property up to minimize the
pollutant loading that goes into the system. I think that's -- that's
still part of a strategy that would need to be done.
There's a successful program in Hillsborough County.
It's tied to the SWIM program with Tampa Bay neighborhood yards
program that is being developed or is being implemented. And we
certainly have a lot of expertise from state agencies and also our
Collier County department of agriculture that we would recommend
developing a -- a program of -- with the residents, all the residents
in the drainage area, and get them into that type of program that is
-- that we have a model for.
I need to clarify my executive summary. I said that
could come from existing staff. In talking with Denise Blanton with
the agriculture department, she recommended strongly that we look at
least $5,000 for either a part time or a contractual employee that
will be able to come in and work very intensely with the homeowners
very quickly and develop the program.
So in terms of a fiscal impact, I'd like to modify the
executive summary there to recommend that. If we move forward with
that program, I would recommend that we -- that we spend the money to
get someone involved with that program to work quickly. And we could
develop a -- we could flush that out in much more detail than what
I've outlined here and come back to the board in two or three months
with a -- with a detailed program and a detailed cost of a program.
The bottom line basically is there are opportunities to
improve water quality in that -- in Vanderbilt Lagoon, but it's going
to cost three, four, five million dollars at least to implement these
types of programs. Staff would love to be able to say that let's go
ahead and move forward, and we've got a really good chance of getting
a water quality within that lagoon that everybody is -- is comfortable
with and is happy about.
Our concern, however, is that even after you spend all
that money, you're not going to get water quality that perhaps will
meet the expectations of the -- of the individuals that live on the
lagoon. You're not going to bring it back to a natural system. You
will be able to perhaps reverse the deterioration of it. We could be
seeing continuing deteriorating water quality in the system, if you
will, more frequent algae blooms, worse dissolved oxygen conditions in
the future. But it's going to cost you a lot of money to -- to do
that. And if the board is willing to -- to spend those kinds of
funds, then we also have to make sure that the -- the people involved
understand what the water quality expectations may be, and that's
where I was saying that we need to first go develop some type of
feasibility study so that we can understand what type of improvements
we can get out of it. And if -- if they're going to be more than
marginal, then it may be cost effective, but I think we need to take
that type of approach.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hancock, you have a
question?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I -- just to kind of give a quick
summary, and then we'll get to the public comment. I met with the
Vanderbilt Beach Property Owners' Association, their water quality
task force, in addition to representatives of the Conservancy and the
Florida Wildlife Federation. The reason for doing that -- and I
actually called that meeting just before I got the staff report on
Thursday -- was just about everything that could go wrong in a system
in Vanderbilt Lagoon has, everything right down to some clearing on a
far bank created sedimentation that washed into the lagoon. I mean,
it's as if someone drew the perfect disaster and put it all in one
place.
But the one thing that's important, and it's important
to me, because this has arisen out of discussions of the Naples Park
drainage, is that it is, in essence, pitted perceptively anyway,
Vanderbilt Lagoon against Naples Park, and I don't think that's
accurate. I think if you draw a list of all of the things that
contribute to the continual degradation of that water body, Naples
Park drainage is a part of it, but certainly not solely responsible.
And the residents in Vanderbilt Lagoon recognize that, and I
appreciate that.
What we're dealing with here is not pointing fingers but
trying to find a long-term approach that's going to result in some
improvement in the water quality there. We're not going to get back a
perfect system at any point, and I think when you try and set that as
a goal, you're going to end up with a financial price tag that is
unrealistic.
What I have tried to do -- and I'll just set this on the
table, and then we'll get to the public comment -- I'm going to do my
best to come up and try and find somewhere in the budget process the
ability to kickstart a -- a feasibility study that will result in a
form of a Chinese menu that says here's the possible solutions; these
are the associated costs. From there with help from the Conservancy
and the Wildlife Federation and others, we hope to look at pursuing
state or federal grant monies that may become available. Dr. Fitch
with the Conservancy seems pretty excited about, in essence, a new
department within the State of Florida that's in the forming process
that may provide that.
So I think talking strictly about what the fiscal impact
to this board is at this point would be premature. And I think we
need to put that aside for now, because we may not be the ones footing
all the bill if we do come up with a potential solution. My goal is
to get on the road to finding that solution, and I'll put that budget
onus on my shoulders to see if I can come up with a way to help make
that happen.
But I just wanted to kind of give that, in essence, as a
background as to what we've been doing. And so we got away from two
and five million dollars at this point and dealt with what is, in
essence, the next step hopefully.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Constantine.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Commissioner Hancock, do we
know if there are specific sources available out there that we can
apply for, or are we simply looking at this point to see if there are,
because I hate to kickstart something that we're simply going to have
to turn off again?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: No question. We're early in the
process that we have not identified specific sources that are
available. If I am successful in finding some funds, those funds
would not be expended unless we determined that there is a potential
possibility of the project coming to fruition. So we're very early in
the process, so I -- you know, I can't give you a definitive answer
but, no, we haven't identified specific funding sources as of yet.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Thanks.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Other questions?
MR. DORRILL: We have a dozen speakers.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Can I make one comment, and
that's the neighborhood education program? It would seem to me that
that is at a nominal cost in this list of ten to fifteen thousand
dollars. And if part of the problem is a public perception of what
they think they want versus what's really doable, that an education
program like that may make their expectations more realistic and also
get them -- get the citizens started on helping reduce the nutrients
and so forth that are going into the water. And that may be something
that we want to consider looking at getting the formative parts of it
started pretty quickly.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Based on the meetings I've had
with the residents, I don't think we have unrealistic expectations of
creating Crystal River up there. You know, we're not going to have
that type of situation. I'm not as concerned about an unrealistic
expectation on their part. I think they're just looking to us to
identify this as a problem area and see if we can obtain funds to make
this a test case for how we go about improving water quality of
systems that no one in this room is directly responsible for the
condition of. We may be indirectly responsible in one way or another,
but we didn't create it or build it or design it, but we're stuck with
it. And I think what the residents are looking for from us is a level
of concern and a commensurate approach to try and find a solution to
the problem. And I really -- that's what I gained from the
residents. And if I'm wrong, I'm sure they'll tell me when they --
when they get up here. So I appreciate the comment, but I think we
have a fairly realistic approach from the group there, and we can get
away from finger pointing, get into hopefully solution-oriented work.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Well, I just feel that education
never hurts --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: No question.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- and that may lend itself to
one of the solutions for the problem. But why don't we move to the
public comment, but let me interfere first.
Commissioner Norris, is Mr. Sugden here yet? I don't
see him but --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I don't --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I don't see him yet either.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I don't see Mr. Sugden, no.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. We'll keep our eye open.
Mr. Dotrill, do you want to call the public speakers?
MR. DORRILL: Yes, ma'am, we have a dozen speakers. So
if I could have the second individual come to the front, it would just
aid us in our process. Mr. Kobza, you'll be first. And, Ms. Wiegold,
if you don't mind standing by, please, you'll be following Mr. Kobza.
MR. KOBZA: Madam Chairman, members of the commission,
I'm appearing before you as -- in my capacity as president of
Vanderbilt Beach Property Owners' Association. I'd like to start by
saying that we very much appreciate the work that staff has performed
here and the consideration that you have given to this issue.
The Vanderbilt Beach Property Owners' Association has
over 600 members. We're one of the largest voluntary property owners'
associations in the county. We represent over 1,200 families in this
area. We represent over 300 million dollars of tax base, and we
contribute about five to six million dollars of tax revenue to the
county every year. Those taxes, that property value, is largely
dependent upon the water quality in this area.
Certainly there's a very strong interest upon the part
of the property owners in that area to maintain the water quality to
reverse degradation of the water quality and to have the best possible
solution we can. That doesn't mean that we're going to go back to an
estuary system. It's not -- it's not going to happen that way. But
we do have a responsibility to try to maintain the best water quality
we can in that area.
I think that Mr. Lorenz very correctly stated that today
what we're doing is addressing maybe sins of the past in a sense. And
we can't reverse that -- that history, so we're going to have to do
the best with what we have to work with. In Vanderbilt Beach we have
to accept some responsibility for dealing with this issue; one, in the
form of educational programs which we have, in fact, initiated. Last
year we started addressing this issue and inviting Mr. Boldt, who is
your storm water management director, to our -- to our public
meetings. We worked with the Naples Conservancy, the Wiggins Pass
Conservancy to start to address this issue. So we started this
process well into last year. Last year we set up a water quality task
force to specifically try to understand and put our arms around what
-- what the problem -- the nature of the degree, the extent of the
problem, and what solutions might be. So we accept responsibility to
-- to that extent to engage in a solution.
We have also recently worked and we hope to finalize in
the very near future -- near future being within the next week or two
-- a contract, an agreement, with the Naples Conservancy and the
Wiggins Pass Conservancy for water quality testing, because one of the
problems that we've historically had is that there is very limited
data on what the actual extent and nature of the problem and the water
quality actually is. We've taken limited testing at different points
in time, but we don't have data over a long, extended period of time
on a regular basis. So we recognize that as being part of a solution,
and we have taken the initiative, again, to participate in gathering
of that data and actually being able to have that tool to work with.
But very -- very apparently the problem is bigger than
us. And the solutions are more than we're capable of, number one,
identifying and, two, implementing. The -- as Mr. Lorenz has said,
the solutions are potentially ones that involve a fair amount of study
and engineering. There's great irony in the fact that we have a
banner draped across the dais today saying Celebrate Estuaries and
Coastal Day. This system directly enters into Water Turkey Bay, which
is one of the very nicest estuaries and more productive estuaries in
the Collier County area and one of the more enjoyed resources that we
have.
There's a strong public interest in identifying what
this problem are -- is and what the solutions may be. So to that
extent we very much support Commissioner Hancock's initiative. We
would ask that the board support that initiative, that we recognize
this as being a public issue and a public problem, that there is a
strong public interest, and we -- we invite your support and your
understanding. We understand, too, that we're in it for the long
term. This is not something that we can address overnight. It's
taken years to develop the problem. It will probably take years to
develop the solution and implement the solution.
One other thing that I'd like to address, we're very --
in that I -- from a leadership position in that part of our community
-- is very important. We recognize the effort that everyone has made
with respect to the Naples Park drainage issues. And as Commissioner
Hancock has -- has accurately said, we don't want any of these issues
to be community versus community or neighborhood versus neighborhood.
We want to work in a positive way to work with Naples Park and to work
within the community to develop solutions and approaches. We -- we
have spent a lot of time working with the folks in Naples Park to
develop better relationships, and that is something that's very, very
important to us. We don't want this to be a divisive issue within
that area. So we have to work together to develop -- develop an
approach, and to that end we would ask for your support. MR. DORRILL: Ms. Wiegold and then Miss Pistori.
MS. WIEGOLD: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is
Mary Wiegold, and I speak to you today as a concerned homeowner and
representative of the water quality task force of the Vanderbilt Beach
Property Owners' Association. Several weeks ago you charged staff
with the responsibility of putting together a feasibility study of the
Vanderbilt Lagoon in order to determine what could be done to increase
the flushing action, the possibility of reopening the waters to the
gulf, and to propose a better water treatment plan for the runoff
waters entering the lagoon and canal systems. We have worked with
staff, and I compliment staff and our group for working together over
the last three months, although we have come to a point where we can
go no further, and that's because we need your commitment.
We need the commissioners to get involved, to go ahead
and pursue what we need for our water systems and our estuaries. We
would like to also state that we are willing and ready to go ahead and
work with the educational program, which really ends up being a
no-brainer. We can have that in place within 30 days, and that's --
we will have not only with our own residents, but also with the Naples
Park. We'll work with that association as well.
One of the things that I also want to stress to you,
which Kim also stated, was that we're not just a residential
community. You have to understand that we have commercial interests;
we have state interests in Wiggins State Park; and we also have
Collier County public land interests as in Cocohatchee River Park. We
have these facilities. We have to make sure that they are being
utilized and that we take care of them and they're available for the
public. So it's not just Vanderbilt Beach. Everything we are saying
here really affects the entire county.
One of the things that we have found out in the water
sampling and the testing that was done -- several things actually --
is that it was pointed out to us that considering we are class two
standard waters, that we are not within the guidelines and the minimum
of those standards. These guidelines were established for dissolved
oxygen, because they are critical to the existence and the survival of
the crustacean and the aquatic marine life. Secondly, we have also
found out that the past and the present planning and development
decisions that were made more on an immediate-need basis were not
looking ahead to the effects -- to the future on our area and other
areas that impact our area.
We need you to commit. We need your commitment for the
technical feasibility study which will determine the physical
structures needed to solve the problems. It goes well beyond
Vanderbilt Beach. As our elected officials you are the decision
makers. You control the decisions that affect our present and our
future. We also need you to address the line-item figure for the
budget for the Naples Park drainage project.
The receding waters are going to have a greater effect.
They are currently having effect due to the runoff waters that are
being discharged into our system. It's going to have a greater
effect. We have to stand up and be responsible. We need to address
the issue in the budget process.
Our problem, again, is not an isolated problem. Every
waterway system in the county needs monitoring and maintenance in
order to protect the water quality standards. With your approval of
the feasibility study, we can set the pace for the future and
establish it for every single waterway within Collier County. We owe
it to the public, and you owe it as our elected officials to do so.
Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you, Miss Wiegold. I
understand that our recipient of our next proclamation is here, and I
would like to entertain a motion to continue the current discussion --
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: So moved.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- for that proclamation.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
continue the current discussion for a very short time while we issue
another proclamation.
All those in favor, please say aye.
Opposed?
There being none, the motion passes 5 to 0.
Item #5A4
PROCLAivLATION RECOGNIZING AND THANKING MR.. AND MRS. HERBERT J. SUDGEN
FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TOWARD THE LAKE AVALONG PROJECT -
ADOPTED
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Might I suggest that we also take
item 8(C)(2), because that's something that we need to take official
action on in regard to this same matter.
MR. DORRILL: We can have Mr. Olliff give you a brief
recommendation on that following the recognition of Mr. Sugden.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Okay. Will Mr. Cox, Mr. Sugden --
if you would like to come forward, I have a proclamation here to read
for you. If you'd like to face the camera, the 0. J. Simpson trial
has been interrupted while we put this on worldwide television here.
This is, by the way, more important than the 0. J. trial, I feel.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Absolutely.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: The proclamation reads:
Whereas, the property known as Lake Avalon is a 120-acre
site of undeveloped land and lake lying within the urbanized area of
Collier County; and,
Whereas, the property was zoned for over 350 multifamily
residential housing units; and,
Whereas, citizens who live in the area, citizens who
have used the lake, environmental interests, gardening interests,
water ski show personnel and others met and agreed that for everyone
involved and for the community that the property was better suited to
be a park; and,
Whereas, the county commission directed a review of the
property and expressed their interest in the property as a park; and,
Whereas, the Gulf Coast Skimmers has since 1990 produced
free public water ski shows and as part of the program have conducted
a very successful youth outreach program; and,
Whereas, the county commission during a public meeting
on March 21, 1995, received a surprising and exceptionally generous
offer from Mr. and Mrs. Herbert J. Sugden to provide 500,000 of their
own money towards the project; and,
Whereas, the contribution was accepted and made a
contingent part of the project; and,
Whereas, the donation was the contributing factor in the
decision to pursue the purchase of the property; and,
Whereas, the property will now be developed into a
regional park that will have a positive impact on the community for
generations to come.
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that Collier County does
hereby extend a heartfelt thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert J. Sugden
for their exceptionally generous gift to the community and that this
park will from this day forward be named Sugden Regional Park in honor
of the contribution that was so instrumental in making this project
possible.
Done and ordered this 12th day of September, 1995, by
the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida.
Madam Chairman, I'd like to make a motion that we accept
this proclamation.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
accept the proclamation.
MR. SUGDEN: Thank you very much. Thank you very much.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: All those in favor, please say
aye.
Opposed?
There being none, it passes 5 to 0.
(Applause)
MR. SUGDEN: Thank you so much, Madam Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Oh, thank you. No, we have to
thank you. And I'm sure the children of Collier County are going to
appreciate it for a long, long time. Thank you, Mr. Cox. Thank you,
Mr. Sugden.
MR. SUGDEN: Thank you.
(Applause)
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I believe I've never heard such a
generous person in all my life say thank you so much.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: It's we who need to thank him.
And I know the citizens of Collier County will look at Sugden Regional
Park years from now and -- and question what we did today, but I think
it's great.
CONTINUATION OF ITEM #8A1 - REPORT ON WATER QUALITY PROBLEHS IN
VANDERBILT LAGOON - ACCEPTED
MR. DORRILL: We'll continue -- we'll handle the other
matter in normal course as part of Mr. Olliff's report.
Miss Pistori, then I have Mr. Wood. Mr. Wood, if you
would stand by. Miss Pistori.
MS. PISTORI: Good morning. My name is Genevieve
Pistori. I belong to the POND drainage committee. Now, I'm looking
at all of the reports that have been given to me. And of the report
of the engineering firm of Agnoli, Barber, and Brundage to Mr. Boldt
of 8-17-95, the engineering firm and Harper's study states that the
proposed enclosure of 91st-92nd ditches with the proposed pipe system
will improve the water quality; it will not make it any worse. And of
the engineer's report it states also the major source of the sediment
and turbidity will be eliminated. Also, it is also evident -- I'm
taking fragments, and I'm speaking for those areas. It is evident
that the fact that many of those who live along the ditches have
experienced erosion of their property into the ditches.
And we go, again, now to page 4 of Mr. Lorenz's
statement which says, the state -- staff recommends that since the
proposed drainage system improves -- improvement is acceptable to the
SFWHD, the Naples Park drainage improvement project should proceed to
the next step. The proposed improvement to enclose the ditches and
upgrade the capacity addressed, value safety and health concerns and
outweigh the marginal increase of runoff timing and quality to
Vanderbilt Lagoon is marginal.
The problem that they're having with the water system,
yes, it is serious, but it should be considered at a later date.
Right now we are having a tremendous amount of flooding. Our homes
are being inundated. Our homes and property are being damaged. We
must first take care of this flooding situation, and there's also a
health hazard. And everybody should be impressed by this recent
flooding that we have had. Our homes have been completely
devastated. I don't think that we could stand another year of this,
so please, please pass this today. It's very important. Flooding
first, water quality next.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Miss Pistori, are you talking
about the Vanderbilt Lagoon water quality, or are you talking about
the Naples Park drainage?
MS. PISTORI: All of the water quality that goes into
the lagoon, that should be considered later, but right now we have a
terrible flooding system that is very bad for us.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Just for -- Gene, for your
information or for anyone else who may be speaking on this item, these
two are -- are --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Linked.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- not necessarily linked. In
other words, approving one doesn't preclude the other. They're linked
environmentally, but the reason for hearing this today is not a
deterrent to the Naples Park drainage system. It's, in essence, a
separate item that needs to be addressed whether Naples Park
improvements occur or don't occur.
MS. PISTORI: Okay. Then it should be considered
separate from the flooding that we have in Naples Park --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: And it is.
MS. PISTORI: -- and it is very serious. Please pass
this today. Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Wood and then Ms. Mortensen.
MR. WOOD: I'm Richard Wood. I live at 92nd Avenue,
Naples Park. Good morning, Commissioners. CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Good morning.
MR. WOOD: It appears that we have a water quality
situation in Vanderbilt Lagoon versus flooding and erosion of private
property in Naples Park. Eight years ago at the first two town hall
meetings with the property owners and tenters of Naples Park we
listened to the ABV engineering reports. At that time plans included
Vanderbilt Lagoon. Then the Vanderbilt Lagoon people said that we did
not get any benefits, so they wanted out, and the county agreed. So
they were omitted by their request not to be a part of Naples Park
drainage problems and plans to correct it. Now eight years later the
Vanderbilt Beach Property Owners' Association have problems and may or
may not delay our project. And as I just heard, I'm going to quit
because the rest of what I was going to say was to keep these two
projects separate, and let's go ahead with the Naples Park drainage on
schedule and get the construction done in January and so we can have
it done by May before the rainy sea -- next rainy season comes. Thank
you very much.
MR. DORRILL: Ms. Mortensen.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I want to make a comment as we
move forward with the Vanderbilt Lagoon discussion, and that is that
this is a report on water quality. There's not any, as far as I can
determine, specific action that the board is going to take on this
other -- today other than to give possibly direction to staff to
proceed in certain directions and to possibly urge Commissioner
Hancock on with his discussions with varying groups. So I -- correct
me if I'm wrong, board, but I don't see these two are anything but
exclusive.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yeah. They're not directly
linked, although the problem is overlapping. It's really -- the two
are separate decisions to be made today.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: With that, let's move forward and
see if we can keep Naples Park confined to Naples Park and the report
on the lagoon confined to the report on the lagoon.
MR. DORRILL: Ms. Mortensen, do you still wish to
speak?
MS. MORTENSEN: Who did you call?
MR. DORRILL: Flo Mortensen. And Mr. McGilvra, do you
still wish to speak?
MR. McGILVRA: Yes.
MS. MORTENSEN: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is
Flo Mortensen, and I'm a homeowner in Naples Park for more than 19
years. The fact that this lagoon problem is also -- is on the same
agenda with the Naples Park problem makes it important to those of us
who live in Naples Park. And I'm also remembering a previous
discussion, don't remember what month it was, and the lagoon problem
was introduced during a Naples Park drainage ditch discussion.
Therefore, I am going to read my remarks.
It is my sincere hope that you will not delay the
construction of the Naples Park drainage system because of the
problems in the Vanderbilt Lagoon. The county staff report dated
September 1 in the Agnoli, Barber, and Brundage letter make it clear
that the storm water runoff from Naples Park is not the only reason
for the pollution in the lagoon. I will not speak to the
technicalities of solving the pollution problem. Others more
knowledgeable than I can do that. However, I would urge you not to
allow the Vanderbilt Beach problem to become a stumbling block to the
drainage improvement plans for Naples Park.
Naples Park residents have been debating their drainage
problems with county commissioners for years. Surely the Vanderbilt
Beach property owners were aware of the progressive presentations and
ultimate solution -- solutions. Isn't it odd then that they should
introduce their pollution concerns publicly, not nine years ago or
even two years ago, but only when it was time for commissioners to
vote. Boggles my mind that a densely populated community with marinas
and restaurants can place the onus on Naples Park but yet fail to site
their contribution to contamination from their own lawn-care products
and debris.
One last comment. It was said in this very room that
wading birds no longer visit Vanderbilt Beach properties. Maybe
concrete seawalls discourage them. And then again, maybe they don't
like the taste of oil and gasoline, because a variety of birds,
including herons and egrets, are steady customers of the drainage
ditch in Naples Park. They bathe in it and drink the Naples Park
storm water runoff.
Seriously, I as a concerned citizen -- I believe steps
should be taken to reduce the pollution in the lagoon and canals, but
improvements to Naples Park must move forward without further delay.
Thank you for listening.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. McGilvra.
MR. KELLER: By the way, which subject are they talking
about --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Keller, please, we don't take
comments from the -- from the audience, and you're not a registered
speaker.
MR. KELLER: There's something wrong here. We're
discussing two different subjects, and we've got items on the agenda
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Keller, you are not a
registered speaker at this time. You have not been called to speak,
so please keep your comments. We have asked the speakers to address
only the lagoon issues. Obviously they're individuals. Mr.
McGilvra.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Welcome back, George.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Yeah, looks like summer's over.
MR. McGILVRA: My name is Doug McGilvra. I'm the
president of the Property Owners of Naples Park. Once again, the
Lorenz report on the item that was breaking out water quality on
Vanderbilt Lagoon was very good, very concise, and very thoughtful. I
thought they did a very good job on it.
We agree with the neighborhoods program. I think that's
a very inexpensive way of helping to attack this whole thing about the
problems in the lagoon as well as discharge from the Naples Park
area. This problem is about ten years old, and I want to read you the
following. I'm going to -- I've got copies for you all up there, so
you can follow me along if I make a mistake in reading. This concerns
the water qualities in Vanderbilt Lagoon, and it goes through some
various --
Vanderbilt Beach has a total area of 407 acres which
consist of land and lagoon. 267 of those acres or 65.6 percent of the
total area is land which is fully developed with homes, condos,
motels, marinas, restaurants, shops, et cetera. They have no place to
discharge storm water except directly into the lagoon which has 11.3
miles of shoreline. There is no treatment possible for storm runoff,
so all fertilizers, pesticides, gasolines, oils, et cetera, impact the
lagoon far greater than any runoff from Naples Park.
Now, as to the runoff from the lagoon from Naples Park.
The Naples Park west basin which discharges into the eight finger
canals along Vanderbilt Drive consists of 274 acres with 17.3 miles of
drainage swales prior to discharge. There is a missing culvert just
south of 108th Street. That must be reinstailed. The Naples Park
south basin consists of 242 acres with 15.2 miles of drainage swales
plus fifty-six-hundredths of a mile of the Eighth Street ditch and
seventy-four-hundredths of a mile of the 91st and 92nd Avenue ditch.
The Pavilion, Pavilion Club, and Beachwalk consist of a hundred acres
approximately. They all have water retention areas and only discharge
into the seventy-four-hundreds mile long 91st and 92nd avenue ditch.
The Naples Park north basin consists of 241 acres with 15.3 miles of
drainage swales plus seven-tenths of a mile of the Eighth Street
ditch. The north basin discharges north to the Cocohatchee River and
has no impact directly on the Vanderbilt -- on the Vanderbilt Lagoon.
Any discharges into the Vanderbilt Lagoon from Naples Park are created
by thirty-two and a half miles of drainage swales and 1.3 miles of
ditches. The Pavilion, Pavilion Club, and Beachwalk and water
retention lake discharges only into the three-quarters of a mile ditch
along 91st and 92nd Avenue. Since the 1.3 mile ditch system only
represents 4 percent of the thirty-two and a half miles of swales, any
change in the ditch should move the water into the lagoon faster but
have little or no negative effect on the quality of the discharge into
the lagoon.
The main point is this: If nothing were done to the
Naples Park drainage system, the problems with the Vanderbilt Lagoon
would persist and further degrade because of additional development in
that area, in particular to the north of it. There are at least seven
or eight fairly new condos that are building up just to the north of
Bluebill Avenue.
The main problem is the lack of any flushing action in
the lagoon. Observation of aerial photos from 1979 and 1985 -- and
that's approximately 10- to 15-years span -- show that there was an
apparent -- within the last 10 or 15 years. I shouldn't say span --
show that there was an apparent connection between Vanderbilt Lagoon
and the Pelican Bay lagoon system located immediately west of the
Vanderbilt Hideaway located at 377 Vanderbilt Beach Road. The lagoon
at that location comes to the edge of the Vanderbilt Beach Road.
Directly to the south another body of water comes to the road's edge.
Sometime prior to when the 1985 aerial photo was taken, fill materials
were deposited for the construction purposes and shut off the
connection to the rest of the Pelican Bay lagoon system.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. McGilvra, can you wrap it
up?
MR. McGILVRA: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. McGILVRA: It may be possible to reestablish its
connection with a new culvert to meet Vanderbilt Beach Road and
another culvert beneath the fill material used to make the employee
parking facilities at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Vanderbilt should
concentrate on the major problem of flushing.
Further, any feasibility studies should not be at the
county's expense. Naples Park paid for our studies by taxing
ourselves; so should Vanderbilt Beach. That's all.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you very much.
MR. DORRILL: Ms. MAiale, do you wish to speak on this
item?
Ms. Straton.
MS. STRATON: Following Ms. Straton, I have
Ms. Nichols-Lucy.
MS. STRATON: My apologies for being late. Chris
Straton. Personally I'm glad that the Naples Park drainage issue has
come forward. It's galvanized people into beginning to look at the
system, Vanderbilt Lagoon, Clam Bay, and the entire area. And it is a
system that we're trying to look at. And as was mentioned by Ms.
Wiegold, it's used by the public in terms of our parks. It's also
residential as well as providing commercial. And the other thing is
we've only touched upon the Clam Bay portion of the system also.
We have a sick system here in that the Vanderbilt Lagoon
is not getting the flushing. And then on the other side of the road
that's there now we have the Clam Bay -- we have the mangrove die-off
area. And as we go forward it's probably a good idea to think about
trying to look at the total system on a piece-part basis. I think it
was suggested if you try to do something to fix the entire system,
you're really talking about something going down to Naples Bay and all
the way up through, and it goes on forever, and it will cost us more
than the storm water drainage master plan, but still it's important to
bear in mind that any solution is part of a total system.
Collier County Audubon Society is also very interested
in this activity. We have been supportive of the OFW designation.
We've been concerned about things going on in the Wiggins Bay area,
which is really the -- the only estuary system up in the north end of
the county. It does have a fairly pristine section to it as well as a
developed section, and we have over 250 of our members that live right
within that general area. So we are concerned.
A purist would have said we should never have built on
beaches, but we did. And we're renourishing our beaches, and one of
the reasons why we're renourishing the beaches is not just for the
recreational value, but also because of the impact on reduction of
property values. If a natural system is not performing properly, then
property values go down. I would suggest the same thing potentially
can happen up in the Vanderbilt Lagoon area.
Mr. Kobza reminds us that there's about five to six
million dollars coming to the county coffers as a result of the
property in that area. Just a 1 percent drop in property values could
flow through to a fifty to sixty thousand dollar loss in revenues to
the county. A 10 percent property loss was not imagined when people
were talking about the need to renourish beaches because of property
values. So there's some good economic reasons why we really want to
try to fix the system.
Education is important. And in addition to the Naples
Park people and the Vanderbilt Lagoon people, I would hope that
through the Collier County Audubon Society we can help put something
in our newsletters, because we all need to be reminded of what we can
do to better protect the estuaries. The other thing is the Second
District Association has been one to get involved in issues that have
an impact on neighborhoods, and I would hope that the Second District
Association would also do some things because our friends up in
Barefoot Beach and in Bay Forest and Audubon also are doing things
that are affecting that same estuary system.
And the last thing I want to say is that there's a major
effort underway currently in the State of Florida. There's a
governor's commission looking at the issue of a sustainable Florida.
And what they define sustainability is is meeting the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their needs. Collier County is considered as part of south Florida,
and the commission talks about the need to do things to study,
analyze, and improve pollution that's going on with our water systems,
not just because of what we've done to Florida Bay or what we're doing
down to the Keys. But Collier County is specifically cited as being
one of the areas that has extreme levels of pollution with respect to
water. And they talk about the need to be able to actually, as part
of the idea of leaving to the next generation the same quality of life
that we're enjoying here, the need to be able to not just study it,
but to take the necessary steps to improve it. We'll never go back to
what it was before we came here, but at least we have to have some
sort of a level that we'll be able to keep property values from
declining and to give the recreational opportunities a chance to
continue.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Miss Straton, quick
question. I just want to make sure I heard you right. Did you say
Collier County has been cited as one of the places that has extreme
pollution?
MS. STRATON: Yes.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Okay. Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Ms. Nichols-Lucy, then those Stallings.
MS. NICHOLS-LUCY: For the record my name is Sue
Nichols-Lucy. I'm speaking on behalf of the Conservancy. And I was
going to rush around and take down my banner, but as long as I can
leave it up there, I will obviously.
I'd like to summarize a letter that's addressed to you
from those Fitch. Poor water quality in Vanderbilt Lagoon can have
negative environmental and environmental impacts, not only in the
Vanderbilt Lagoon area, but in the greater Cocohatchee ecosystem.
Cleanup efforts of Vanderbilt Lagoon, if carefully planned, can have
the potential to be a model for other polluted areas in Collier
County. The Conservancy recommends that a feasibility study be funded
by Collier County as the most expeditious way -- means of improving
Vanderbilt Lagoon's water quality. We believe this study should
obtain accurate data to confirm and define problems as well as
identifying feasible solutions. Water quality testing should be
carefully designed to also include storm events such as we have just
experienced. Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Those Stallings and then Ms. Fitz-Gerald.
MR. STALLINGS: Fran Stallings representing Florida
Wildlife Federation. I guess if there's any one thing that's very,
very, clear, it is that we do have a problem there. It's a serious
problem, and unfortunately it's one that's not going to get better,
the reason being that infilling and development continues. For
example, the Barton Collier mega mall is going to drain into this
system. So down the road we have a number of activities that are
simply going to aggravate the situation. It is a quality of life
issue. It's one where we have property values involved, the
recreational potential, marine productivity, and those kinds of
things.
In terms of looking at how we might solve it, we have in
the proposed budget something over $90,000 for a study of the Clam Bay
system. These two systems formerly were interconnected, and it would
seem to make some sense to look at the possibility of a feasibility
study that would take into consideration reestablishing the
circulation in the south end or the Vanderbilt Lagoon area as well as
the north end of the Clam Bay system. So there is potentially some
money in the budget at this time. Whether or not it will be approved
or not, I don't know, but I would hope that you would give that
careful consideration.
The total cost of fixing this is unknown. I don't think
we would be very successful in applying for grants until we do know
exactly what we have to do to fix it and how much it would cost.
The suggestion that by working throughout the
neighborhood, having people treat their water a little better would
solve the problem is just simply not enough, especially with the
building that is going on in the future.
As far as getting some kind of grant funds are
concerned, there are possibilities. One, for example, would be the
Pew Charitable Trust. This is the largest trust that gives money to
environmental projects. It has assets of about three and a half
billion dollars. The trust was founded by the Pew family who were the
founders of the Sun Oil Company. Fairly recently the president of the
Pew trust, Rebecca Rimel accompanied by a majority of the board of
directors consisting mostly of the Pew family came to Naples, and I
had the privilege of spending the day with them. They do have
firsthand knowledge of our area and some of the problems here, and
that certainly would be one of the areas or one of the foundations
that we might look towards for potential funding. And we certainly
would be willing to do our best to help assist in some funding to
correct this problem as well as to work to assist in the permitting
procedures to get such a project permitted.
I do continue to think that the reconnection of these
two systems with the open gulf is the primary and most feasible means
of solving the problem, but we do need a feasibility study to lay out
the technicalities of it. The reconnection through an underground
pipe that would run underneath some of the streets reflects no real
problems from the engineering perspective. To design something like
that is a relatively easy thing to do. We just need to know if that's
going to really solve the problem, how big the pipe should be, which
way and when the water should flow, and those technical things. And
that's what the feasibility study could do.
Also, I do have to comment on one thing, the statement
that the improvements in Naples Park, the addition of the storm water
would improve the conditions in Vanderbilt Lagoon. That particular
statement flies in the face of conventional wisdom as to how these
systems work. I'm a little disturbed to see Harvey Hatper being used
here. I have had the privilege of meeting those Hatper, listening to
some of his presentations. I think he would be appalled to see some
work that he did in an area that's very different from this one being
used to justify such a statement. So as someone who -- whose area of
expertise includes water resources, that particular statement is not
-- not one that most people would agree with.
I do hope that we can proceed forward with this, that we
can do the feasibility study, and we certainly will do everything we
can to assist in any way possible. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Ms. Fitz-Gerald's the final speaker.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you, Mr. Dorrill.
MS. FITZ-GERALD: I'm Vera Fitz-Gerald. I do hope that
Kim Kobza's speech got through to the other members of his group,
because they're a couple more rabid ones that were going to spit on me
in August at the meeting here. They've been running around taking
jars of water out of the Naples Park system to prove that our area is
polluted. But I've got a resident green heron who has been -- spent
the summer feeding in my ditch along with a little snowy egret, so --
and then the larger egret, so I don't think there's very much
pollution in that area.
The -- we've already -- everyone's talked about the
major contributions or contributors of that -- the degradation of that
system, and one of the major ones, of course, is the construction of
the Pavilion shopping center and Beachwalk and the Pavilion condos.
And for the Pavilion center and the condos, they only have a 2.9 acre
lake that holds all of their runoff which is crazy. It depends
entirely upon shelving 20 cubic feet per second into Naples Park and
into the lagoon.
One of the things that I have noticed on -- again about
the Vanderbilt Lagoon having a strong interest to maintain their water
quality, but every time they build a seawall or a dock, they throw an
enormous amount of sediment into those canals. One in particular on
Heron -- somebody just put a seawall in, and during this last flood I
think half of the fill went into the canal there. All he had to do
was throw some sod on top of it to protect the canal, but it's really
a mess there. Another one built a seawall on Flamingo, and prior to
that we used to walk by there every morning, and we always enjoyed the
great blue heron who seemed to reside; that was his main feeding
ground. This was only a year or so ago. And so the people on -- who
built that didn't do anything to protect the canal. They had a piece
of plastic up, but it did nothing. And now the great blue is long
gone, and so is the snowy that once in awhile went there to join him.
So I think they have to look too, and never mind blaming Naples Park.
Look to what their own activities have been with these seawalls, with
the boats. Every time a boat goes flying up in there they recirculate
the silt.
As for the money for the feasibility study, Naples Park
paid about two -- almost 200,000 for our own study. And if you want
to support other peoples' feasibility study, let's see some here in
Naples Park, please. If state and federal funds could be available,
maybe something could be done about redirecting that Pavilion shopping
center's runoff. Maybe it could go back to the east side, because the
same developer owns it, and to the ponds over there and relieve some
of that. Then it's the same thing with the condos. Then we would
maybe not even have to pipe 91st. And especially if we put the Eighth
Street pipe north all the way from 93rd. The flooding starts at 94th,
so if we put the pipe all the way from 93rd and went across lllth
where it goes now. When Erickson was developing that property over
there, they were going to incorporate that runoff into their lake
system. Maybe that could be done with whoever is going to do that
development. And that would certainly help this runoff that goes into
the lagoon system. It would reduce it considerably.
And my final thing is Dick Wood's solution on the 22nd
of August was very valid. He suggested a countywide tax for storm
water management, and we -- we had in this county. It was built in.
We had this storm water plan, and it was dumped a few years ago by the
county commission because they didn't want to tax everybody. But, of
course, they're shoving it on little local areas. And I think you
should relook at that as countywide storm management and have a
countywide tax, and we could address problems that occur like in
Golden Gate and east Naples, Naples Park, to name a few. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I want to clarify something that
Hiss Fitz-Gerald just said, and that is that the county commission
dumped the storm water utility. I believe our direction was to have
it on the November '96 ballot for the citizens to decide if they want
to spend 80 million dollars.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Another correction that needs to
be made is that that system is not designed to correct anybody's
neighborhood flooding problems like in Naples Park or any other
neighborhood. That's for the primary and secondary canals and will
not affect the neighborhoods, Hiss Fitz-Gerald.
MS. FITZ-GERALD: In the long run it will affect the
neighborhoods because it can help.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Well, thank you for your
engineering advice, Hiss Fitz-Gerald, but we take it from other
people.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Last I heard, and I don't know if
it's going to be there now, because we're in an administrative hearing
process, but it was going to be on the November ballot for the storm
water utility. Commissioner Hancock.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: There's no question that the
reason we are talking about Vanderbilt Lagoon today is as a result of
an awareness brought to this board from Vanderbilt Beach residents and
other people that were speaking regarding the Naples Park drainage.
That doesn't mean that if one occurs the other can't or vice versa.
These things can work in concert to improve the long-term situation of
everyone involved. So the idea that moving ahead on one means
excluding the other simply isn't true, not from where I sit.
There are a lot of problems that have contributed to
Vanderbilt Lagoon, and Paul Harvey who is sitting here today would
like to take this study all the way back up the Cocohatchee River.
And I think he's got a valid point. I mean there are so many things
contributing to this situation. The question is what can we do; what
can we isolate so that we can be effective on our solutions. And
that's -- that's my goal in trying to reach something with the
Vanderbilt Lagoon problem.
I'm not here to ask the board today to make an approval
or expenditure. The purpose of this report was to bring the
community's awareness and our staff's report to the board for our
review. I am going to proceed ahead whether the board tells me to or
not --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That's your job.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- with trying to find a funding
mechanism. I will take exception to the fact that people say that we
-- the county shouldn't be paying any part of a study here. There is
a public boat ramp. There is public waterways. With the exception of
tropical storm Jerry, nobody was canoeing in Naples Park. During
tropical storm Jerry you could motorboat in Naples Park. So I think
there is a distinction between the two. But my goal is to make the
county's involvement, if you will, a catalyst to get something done.
And for what I can do in that regard, I will proceed ahead and
hopefully during the budget process bring this discussion back to the
board with -- with the hopes of some approval.
Beyond that, I think it is our job, other than comments
my colleagues wish to make, to just accept the report from staff and
then my -- my work begins.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I'll make a motion that we accept
the report as presented. I think I'm persuaded by the logic and the
argument that we shouldn't fund a study right now at this moment until
we know whether or not we're going to be able to find funds or how
we're going to find funds. I think that's the logical step, the
progression that we should follow here. So for now I think just
accepting the report is the action we should take today.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Constantine.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll second that, but I have
a couple of questions. Mr. Lorenz, I need you to help me out here. I
think it was Ms. Straton used the analogy of the beach and
particularly for economic impact this could have. With beach erosion
as the beach is gone, the impact on the value of those homes goes
down, also the potential for damage if a storm hits goes up, and I can
visualize that. If the beach isn't there, there isn't as much of
attraction to some of those homes. So I can visualize what damage the
storm would cost -- cause. I'm having a little trouble visualizing
this. When we talk about the economic impacts, do we have a pool of
stagnant water and swamp out there? Do we have -- not necessarily
now, but where are we headed with this? I can't visualize it in my
mind.
MR. LORENZ: Our best guess is that if no action were to
be taken, we could conceivably see dissolved oxygen levels going lower
for more frequent period of time as a result of more frequent algae
blooms and causing fish kills, which we haven't really seen fish
kills, but we do have evidence of -- of dissolved oxygen problems.
Obviously from a property owner's perspective, if you have a
continuation of deteriorating water quality and have the reputation
of, yeah, you have fish kills here, then that could lead to lower
property values. I'm not a property appraiser, but I certainly would
not want to have my property in a system that would be going down that
road.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm oversimplifying the
question, but I mean is the ultimate question here, gosh, we can have
some dead fish floating around or -- I'm trying to -- you know, we can
talk about lowered oxygen. We can talk about all of the technical
terms. But when we -- I'm trying to visualize, okay, what is the
problem, the end result if we do nothing. We have some fish kills.
There is some algae there and, I mean, when we look long term of
millions and millions of dollars for a fix, I'm trying to see what is
it we're going to fix.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Let me -- if I may, the main
problem in Vanderbilt Lagoon is the sedentary nature of the south
portion. The water -- there's not enough water coming in to get back
in there and to draw out. And one thing that -- and this came up in
our meeting is we're all now conscious -- conscientious people, and
we're mulching our lawns. Well, those clippings go somewhere when the
rain falls, and if they fall right after you've mowed, you end up with
vegetation and so forth that's transferred into the water. That
vegetation as it decays robs the water of oxygen. If the south lagoon
can't flush it all and we continue robbing it of oxygen, the
degradation is that there will be little or no marine life. Someone
will tell you there isn't any in there already, and others will tell
you there is, but little or no marine life and the actual visual
quality and the smell of the water gets worse and so forth. So to try
and visualize it, I have to go back to when I was about seven years
old living in Pompano Beach on a finger canal. And I went three
houses down the end of the canal, and there was always a mat of
coconuts and grass and stuff, and it stunk, and it wafted its way
down. So I can visualize it because I've, you know, lived on canals
before.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: You've been there.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: And that's why we don't build
them anymore. So that -- that's kind of where it's heading. And
those are only the things that I can see. There -- there are things
such as nitrogen and phosphorus buildup that I can't see that may have
some impact. So the key is to get the water moving in there. And
that's about the biggest bang for any dollar I think that we could
have, and that's why I'm focusing my efforts on that area.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Just one other thought. I
seconded Commissioner Norris's motion, and obviously something needs
to be done in there. However, if we in our search find no sources of
any money out there, it's a shame to have a study we can do nothing
with.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: A study that goes nowhere is not
my goal.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. We have a motion and a
second. Before the call -- I call the question, I'd like to ask one
question of Commissioner Hancock. Is it your intention to investigate
this and -- and we examine it in the next -- next budget cycle next
spring?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yes. Between this and fire
consolidation, it may take me a couple days to get back to you if you
call. But, yes, I will be sleeping with my budget books over the next
week.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That's not comfortable for a
pillow. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Opposed?
There being none, motion passes 5 to 0.
Thank you, Mr. Lorenz.
Let's take about a 15-minute break. We'll be back at 20
after.
(A short break was held.)
Item #SB1
RECOHMENDATION FOR BOARD APPROVAL OF THE FINANCING HETHOD FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF THE NAPLES PARK DRAINAGE PROJECT - STAFF RECOHMENDATION
APPROVED
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Reconvene the Board of County
Commissioners' meeting for September 12, 1995. The next item on the
agenda is item 8(B)(1), which is a recommendation for board approval
of the financing method for Naples Park. Can we ask for quiet,
please? Thank you.
MR. BOLDT: As a continuing effort -- my name is John
Boldt, the county storm water management director. As a continuing
effort to implement the Naples Park drainage project, I'm going to ask
you to entertain three different procedures this morning, all related
to the Naples Park project, the first of which involves the
recommendation for your approval on the financing method for the
construction of the project. We're dealing both with a short-term
interim loan that we would need during the construction phase. If we
were to stay on schedule, we propose to start construction in January
of '96 and complete it in like May of '96. The special assessments
that we're proposing to implement would not be taken in until the fall
of '96. We have that interim period; we need to have a temporary
interim construction loan.
We presented this information to the finance committee
and their financial consultant, and their recommendations are
contained within my executive summary that they propose to finance the
interim either by a bank loan or tax exempt commercial paper,
whichever mechanism is least expensive. At this point in time the
commercial paper program is the one that looks to be the most -- or
the least expensive. So the recommendation at this point is that you
would accept the finance committee's and the financial consultant's
recommendation and direct staff to continue in cooperation with the
finance committee to investigate these financing mechanisms that are
the least expensive which I said appear to be at this point the
commercial paper program for the interim financing of this project.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Boldt, let me interrupt for a
moment. Mr. Weigel, we have three issues, items 8(B)(1), (2), and
(3).
MR. WEIGEL: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Obviously we can hear them all at
one time, but we do need three separate motions on those? MR. WEIGEL: Yes, that's correct.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. Thank you. Excuse me, Mr.
Boldt. Go ahead.
MR. BOLDT: At this point I am looking for a board
approval of the finance committee and the financial consultant's
recommendations.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you. Are there questions?
Commissioner Hancock.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Boldt, I've got a list of a
few questions based on something that Doug can tell you we've talked
about this before. When this process started one of the main
considerations was what, in essence, based on the property values in
Naples Park is something that is in what I call the financially
feasible range for the residents in Naples Park, and I don't pretend
to make determinations for each individual by any means. But this
project, I believe, is needed and a good project, and to proceed, but
not at any cost, but at a justifiable cost. The original amount that
this board looked at was 3.8 million dollars for this project. We're
now looking at a proposed amount of 4.12 million dollars. There's a
natural distrust that exists out there when any government body moves
forward on a project, and the price starts creeping up and so forth.
As much as I've explained to several people, until we get the
construction bids back, we really don't know the final cost of the
project. It may be higher; it may be lower. MR. BOLDT: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: And what I've tried to assure
people is that this project doesn't move ahead to finality without
this board's approval after receiving those bids. So if those bids
come in at 4.5 million dollars, this board has the ability to review
that and say, no, that's too much. If the bids come in at 3 million
dollars, well below what's expected -- you know, trying to draw the
two scenarios.
So that leads me to ask a couple of questions I think
are important for everyone to understand. First is this cost of 4.122
million, which is tentative project costs. Is that an all-inclusive
costs that we do not, in essence -- you know, there have been changes
that have occurred in the last couple months. Is this the most
up-to-date, all-inclusive cost that we have?
MR. BOLDT: To my knowledge, it is. We have included
all the miscellaneous items that we have previously not included in
that preliminary estimate, and it's been reviewed by the financial
consultant, finance committee, and different members of staff, and we
think we've now included everything that should be in there.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. The second question was
raised by some of the folks in Vanderbilt Beach. Part of our DEP
permit includes water quality monitoring. Is there a line item in
this for any -- and obviously I don't think Naples Park should bear
the brunt of all water quality monitoring. They aren't contributing
to everything going on, but is there any allowance in this amount for
some water quality monitoring?
MR. BOLDT: Not specifically. That statement that's in
the permit is a standard condition that's in all DEP permits for all
types of projects. It gives them the flexibility that if they feel
during the construction process there's created water quality problems
as a result of construction, they can ask for water quality monitoring
and other types of, you know, control over the type of turbidity we're
putting in the water, the amount of sediment.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: So that's more a construction
requirement as opposed to an ongoing year by year what is this doing
type of monitoring situation?
MR. BOLDT: I have seen monitoring programs required of
the type you're speaking of on a few different projects, but it's been
very limited over the years. And when they ask for that, they get
very specific about, you know, what they want monitored, when, how
long, and the different parameters they want. They would be very
specific if they wanted it, you know, before, during, and after.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. But our permit does not
require that type of approach?
MR. BOLDT: No, sir, it does not.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: The last question I have is I've
had some discussions with the project engineer that the methodology
the board initially adopted or approved may need to be revised to make
it legally defensible. Apparently these days just using what you
think is common sense isn't always enough. The chance of ending up in
court is probable on something like this. So we needed to make sure,
and the county attorney has -- Mr. Weigel has worked very hard to make
sure what we do, in fact, is defensible. That methodology as
proposed, though, does present a change in the dollar values that each
person in Naples Park would have to pay. When does that come to this
board for review, because, again, it's -- it's not a question of does
a project move ahead. It's at what cost at this point, and we need to
make sure that cost is contained and accurate as to what was
originally approved.
MR. BOLDT: The procedures we're going to go through
this morning is -- the next item we're going to discuss is a
resolution that initiates -- the project is called the initiating
resolution, and one of the things we're going to direct in there is
actually the consultant to come up with this methodology, prepare the
tentative assessment role. Obviously we've been working on this all
along. And it also sets up the meeting, another meeting, for the
review of that tentative rule. So at the -- before the October 24th
meeting we're going to be sending out first-class notices to
everybody. And at that point you'll get a chance to review the
complete methodology and see how these dollars are assigned,
allocated, to the various groups of users and benefitters.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. My final question -- I
assure my colleagues on this -- is we have been proceeding ahead and
have, in fact, expended dollars that are related to this project
believing that everything is moving along on a consistent path. We
now look at an estimate that's a few hundred thousand dollars more
than original and a possible change in the methodology. My concern is
any continuing expenditure of dollars in the interim before these
things are nailed down may not be prudent. I don't want to pull --
you know, put the stops on the project, but I want to be very, very
prudent in our approach as to how we look at expending dollars until
we have a final hard cost and can set that firmly.
MR. BOLDT: Okay.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: If you could kind of give me an
idea between now and when that can happen or if we can expedite the
bid process to make that happen earlier so that, you know, if this
thing should get way out of whack, that we don't expend excessive
dollars and then be forced to reconsider. And, again, I want to
assure the people that are here from Naples Park, this is not at this
point a reconsideration but what I think is a prudent fiscal position
that, you know, this project can't be done at any cost. It's got to
be done near the cost that this board originally approved it. And
that's -- that's where my concern lies, and I just want to make sure
we don't go expending significant dollars when we're already seeing
some changes that may cause questions in the end.
MR. BOLDT: We have the consultant, Agnoli, Barber,
Brundage, under contract for specific tasks that need to be performed
as we go through the process. And we're going at it one step at a
time. We're not really working on things out in the future that may
not be necessary at this point. We're just concentrating at this
point in the preparation of the tentative assessment role, getting
ready for our October 24th meeting. So your concern is well taken,
but we're doing just a minimum amount of work as we have to as we
proceed along.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you. I have one question,
Mr. Boldt. If -- if we use the tax-exempt commercial paper program to
finance this during the interim eight or nine or ten months, whatever
the construction period is, the estimated costs here is now 4.9
million dollars. What does that do to the assessment of the lots
along Eighth Avenue and 91st-92nd?
MR. BOLDT: You mean directly on the -- on the project?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Those are the highest paying
portions; correct?
MR. BOLDT: That's correct.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I just want a feel for how much
their assessment is increased by this adjustment to the program.
MR. BOLDT: I can't really answer that directly. I have
-- the engineer as late as yesterday was talking to Commissioner
Hancock about the methodology, that the table is being set up. You
know, I haven't even seen the final figures. That's going to be
worked out. We should see that before the end of the week.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Do you know what 1.1 million
dollars does to it?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: The potential for confusion
exists here in that we have previously discussed prefinancing costs.
In other words, the costs that we've talked about were, you know, if
you paid it in lump sum. And then understandably if you would choose
to finance over a period of seven or ten years, there's going to be a
finance charge associated with it. The numbers I saw from the
consultant yesterday were including financing, so it really wasn't
apples and apples. What I would like to see us do as we proceed ahead
with the cost of this project is talk in terms of both, one,
prefinancing dollars -- in other words, what is the assessment to each
individual 50-foot lot based on -- on lump-sum payment. The next
column over should be what does the financing charge add to that if
they choose to pay over a seven- or ten-year period. That would
answer Commissioner Matthews' question '-
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: No. I'm talking about the
intermediate construction financing that puts $800,000 on the cost of
the project.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: In other words, how does that --
you know, how does that impact the individuals that are paying?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Well, that would be the
difference between the lump-sum assessment and what someone would pay
if they're financing; correct?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Huh-uh.
MR. DORRILL: No. Her question is --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Oh, okay. I understand.
MR. DORRILL: -- the maximum number cost. It was like
I'll say $2,000 for those highest lots on average, and Ms. Matthews'
question is if you add an additional $800,000 in what is the revised
estimates, what would that hypothetically do to those highest paying
owners of record, and somebody with a calculator just needs to
tabulate that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: 77 percent -- so the current
number is 77 percent should --
MR. BOLDT: If you recall, the preliminary cost
allocation methodology I came up with originally, we had a benefit
factor per location on those properties abutting 91st, 92nd, Eighth
Street. The one we ended up with was 2.2. I do know for a fact that
the last table I seen the consultant work on had been lowered to 1.5,
and so that cost on those particular lots was about one five -- was
gone down because just of that change alone.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: So we're not final yet then on
the -- on the benefit points on -- for each grouping; is that what
you're saying? We haven't finalized that yet?
MR. BOLDT: It's going to be finalized this weekend.
We're still doing trial runs.
MR. DORRILL: You'll finalize those at the public
hearing where you assess -- and approve the assessment role. That's
where you'll have to.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I think the important issue is
that we need to make sure that we are prudent and cautious as we
proceed ahead with this project so that the cost does not get out of
control. Whether you're for or against this project, I think that's
the only prudent measure this board can take.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. Mr. Boldt, we are -- we're
going to address items 1, 2, and 3 all at one time. Have you
concluded what you need to say regarding all three of those?
MR. BOLDT: Item number 1, I guess. Item number 2, just
real quickly, is a recommendation for your approval of the resolution,
so-called initiating resolution. It's just to initiate the program.
It directs the engineer to go ahead and describe the area to be
improved, the cost of the improvements, plan specifications, and the
tentative assessment role. And I said that's really already been
initiated. Your passage of this recommendation for the resolution
would make that official, which it needs to be.
And the final resolution, number 3, is to set time,
date, and place for the public hearing for the tentative assessment
role at which time all these figures will be known. The property
owners will have an opportunity to come before you and present their
case. And our recommendation is that that meeting be held on October
24th at nine o'clock here in this room.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. Thank you. Do we have
speakers?
MR. DORRILL: We have a number. My understanding is
you're hearing these concurrently so people who have registered to
speak on all three will be given a chance to speak one time.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yes. And I want to -- want to
remind the people who are here that we have a request to adjourn for
lunch at noon. So if you are here for an item subsequent to the
Naples Park drainage, we probably will -- we most -- most probably
will not hear that until after 1:15. So if you want to go and take a
lunch break, I think you could probably feel free. And we -- we will
probably interrupt this process for lunch as well.
MR. DORRILL: Ms. Pistori, you'll be first. And, again,
you're speaking on any or all three of these items. Mr. Newman,
you'll follow, if I can have you stand by, please. Ms. Pistori.
MS. PISTORI: I'm going to speak on all three?
MR. DORRILL: Yes, ma'am.
MS. PISTORI: Okay. I'll start off with 8(B)(1).
Attempting -- my name is Gene Pistori, again, Naples Park. Attempting
to keep Eighth Street ditch and the 91, 92nd canal free from weeds,
killer chemicals, and vegetation, it takes the county's expenditures
of $10,000 per year. This is what we were told. The weed killer
eventually goes into the lagoon. When these drainage pipes are
installed, this will no longer be necessary. Therefore, there will be
much less pollutants going into the lagoons.
Now, in 1985, as you have said, the cost was 3.3
million. And here it is 10 years later, and it's over 4 million.
Now, certainly the cost is high. I, too, would like the county to pay
for all of the costs. It would be great. But this is not possible,
and we must get on with it before this gets any higher. We can't
allow this to go on another year or another six months, because things
go up and up and up, and then it will get completely out of hand. So
please pass this drainage system today. We are flooding in our Park.
We need it desperately.
8(B)(2), the cost of any safety and improvement of a
community must be shared by all property owners of Naples Park. Half
of the community cannot absorb the cost alone. Where property values
increase due to improvements and safety factors, all the property
owners of Naples Park will benefit. So this could also be taken into
consideration. Our property will go up in value if this is put
through, so please pass it.
On 8(B)(3), of course, there was so much of it to -- to
read that a lot of it went over my head, and I just don't know a good
deal of it. But we're waiting long enough for all of this to go
through. We cannot wait any longer. I mean, this is a very serious
situation in the Park. Please put it through.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MS. PISTORI: Thank you. Okay.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Newman. And then Ms. Hortensen, if I
could have you come stand by, please, ma'am.
MR. NEWMAN: Alan Newman, Naples Park. Good morning,
gentlemen, ladies. All I can say is I repeat what Ms. Pistori just
said. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Hiss --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That's an excellent example of
someone just agreeing without spending the time to continually repeat
the same information.
MS. HORTENSEN: Flo Hortensen again.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yes, ma'am.
MS. HORTENSEN: I will agree with everything Gene
Pistori said and urge you to approve all of the recommendations on
B(1), B(2) but -- particularly because we have to get started. And I
just wanted to point out to you in case none of you had ever seen the
area I'm going to mention after -- after a rain, it's a little --
there's a little church on 109th Avenue and corner of Eighth, and they
just -- well, it doesn't take an Erin and a Jerry to flood that
building. A heavy rainfall does it, so that's why I'm urging you to
approve Mr. Boldt's and other staff's recommendations so that this
project can go on without further delay. I thank you. CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. HcGilvra, then Ms. Bateman.
MR. HcGILVRA: Once again, Doug HcGilvra, president of
Property Owners of Naples Park. Good morning, Commissioners, once
again.
Regarding 8(B)(1), Commissioner Hancock is exactly
right. All the speaking so far in the papers delivered to the people
has been on the basis of the construction costs and have not included
any financing costs. The four million one twenty-two is a
construction estimate here. And if I'm not reading this incorrectly,
the section 2 shows that the -- including the quantities for financing
you would have on a seven-year term, four million nine hundred five
and for a ten million (sic) four million one ten total. This actually
works out to be less than what we would have calculated for the
previous figures based on a 7 percent, seven-year term estimate for
the three million eight thirty-two. So I would say that let's go
ahead with the thing. Let's take the ten-year term which seems to be
ridiculously low with respect to the other one, and go ahead with the
thing.
Regarding 8(B)(2), I agree, let's initiate this thing
and get it going.
Regarding 8(B)(3), once again, yes, let's get going and
initiate it. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Ms. Bateman and then Mr. Wood.
MS. BATEMAN: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is
Barbara Bateman for the record, and I am an over 20-year resident in
Naples Park. And concerning the agenda items today of the approval on
the interim and long-term funding recommendation, as a property owner
and resident I ask of you to not go ahead with an approval today for
any moving forward with the drainage system, not only for myself, but
for a number of other Naples Park residents that are not in favor of
this. As you well know, it had been voted down previously. We came
back -- the issue came back again. We had a town hall meeting where
only I believe 35 percent -- percent of the people had wanted to move
forward with it. If you combine those people that wanted the wrap
system and those that wanted nothing at all, I think it totaled out to
be over 55 percent.
People do not want the system. It's everyone's
problem. It needs to be addressed. However, we need figures and not
estimates. I don't know why we are -- would move forward on approving
an interim loan term when we don't really know what the exact costs
would be. So I'm asking that you reconsider it, go back to the
drawing board in terms of figures, that we have something a little
more specific before October the 24th, but not to move forward on
voting on a resolution and a financing mechanism to move forward on
something when you don't have all the particulars. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Wood and then Hiss Fitz-Gerald.
MR. WOOD: Richard Wood, Naples Park. All Naples Park
residents in favor of this stand up.
(The audience complied.)
All Naples Park -- you may be seated. All Naples Park
against it stand up.
(The audience complied.)
All right. Who wins? Just to prove another point, at
our meeting we had out there when you called the meeting, we were in
favor of it.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Woods, how many people
live in Naples Park?
MR. WOOD: Counting children?
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Children count.
MR. WOOD: Between five and six thousand I would guess.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: How many people are in this
room?
MR. WOOD: How many people? I know what you're getting
at.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Right.
MR. WOOD: How many people is in this room? I don't
know. We've got about twelve from Naples Park for and three against
it, so that's percentage-wise. How do you get voted to be a
commissioner? You don't count how many potential people are out
there. You count how many votes you get. So we have more votes for
it than show up at a meeting. How many show up at an election hall?
How many go to be elected? It's who shows up to vote, not how many
people live there.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: You're well into your five
minutes for convincing us.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Wood, you would take into
consideration at our town hall meeting in Naples Park. How many
people showed up at that?
MR. WOOD: I think around two -- the last -- the one you
called, Mrs. --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah, it was about 250 at that.
MR. WOOD: At the elementary school.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: At the Naples Park Elementary
School.
MR. WOOD: How many?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Two fifty, three hundred.
MR. WOOD: Two or three hundred, yes. And we had a
majority there, too, in favor of it, or we wouldn't be here today if
we didn't have that majority.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay.
MR. WOOD: All I have to say on B(1) is full speed ahead
but not at any price. Item B(2), after eight years I can finally
recommend that the adoption of this resolution, which just mentioned
by Mr. Boldt, be initiated and a program for the purpose of providing
storm water drainage improvements within Naples Park MSBU, that you
approve it today. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Ms. Fitz-Gerald and then Ms. Maiale.
MS. FITZ-GERALD: I don't know which item I'm going to
be speaking on, but it's going to be primarily about the funding. And
so most of my comments actually aren't valid here now, but in order to
tax a property as a benefit unit, you have to be able to show that
there's some benefit. And unfortunately, there is about half of
Naples Park that really isn't going to benefit at all by the Eighth
Street, and they're not going to benefit certainly by the 91st and
92nd. And this is the big problem. I know that I'm not going to
benefit. I've been a real estate agent and a broker for 24 years, and
I can tell you that my property is not going to go up or down because
of something that's happening a mile or a half a mile away. It
doesn't have anything to do with the value of my property. I've done
enough appraisals in my 24 years that I can tell you that as an
absolute fact. I don't benefit, unfortunately, and I can't even
benefit marginally because of the problems of the swales between Sixth
and Vanderbilt Drive being plugged. My lot floods. It's sunk about 3
feet in the back. There's a big ditch in front. There's no money
involved here that's going to mitigate my problems. I'm paying to fix
somebody else's problems.
Yes, I want to see Eighth Street flooding stopped. I
think when the highway is built a lot of it will, but not enough. And
I really -- I want to contribute, but on a percentage basis since I
don't directly benefit. As you said, there's a problem here because
there are a lot of people -- there's other than 12 here who are
complaining loudly, but they never get up and come where they're
supposed to register what they say. But that's the one point I wanted
to make.
And, lastly, Madam Chairman, I would like to address a
comment that Commissioner Norris said when I finished up on the
Vanderbilt Lagoon thing about my not being an engineer. My comment on
the storm water utility, the countywide storm water utility, was based
on the fact that previous commissioners had said to -- said to us when
we met with them just hold off on the Naples Park drainage project,
hold it down, because we're going to try and get a storm water
utility. We're mandated by the state to have this utility. Now, if
you just back off for a year or two, there will probably be some
funding for that. That was my comment to Commissioner -- that
Commissioner Norris made.
But -- and just to wrap it up, I would like to see it,
because the 91st ditch wasn't caused by anybody who lives on it. It
wasn't caused by anyone else in Naples Park. The county owns this
ditch, period. The Pavilion shopping center, the Pavilion condos are
the cause. Their drainage is the cause of the erosion and the
problems in that ditch. They have got to contribute, and I believe
the county really should be contributing your share too, because it is
your property. That's my comments. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Miss Maiale.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Vera, there's one thing I need to
mention, and you and I have talked about it before. When you talk
about I don't benefit, what you talk about is what do you contribute.
Each home in Naples Park contributes roughly the same amount of storm
water to an overall system. And you may not -- you're not going to
agree with this, but I think it needs to be mentioned that everyone in
Naples Park contributes to the storm water system. To say you don't
benefit -- if you don't contribute, that's fine. If you want to dike
your property and keep all the water on your property, not let it go
off your property to other people's, then you should be exempted. But
since your property, your house, and your driveway contribute the same
as everyone else, then you should be assessed the same as everyone
else, and that is a fairness issue for all people.
MS. FITZ-GERALD: I've got to be allowed to rebut,
because the people who live in the west basin do not drain into the
north basin nor into the south basin. Our water slowly, if anything,
makes its way down to the Vanderbilt Lagoon. In my case, I might just
as well have a dike around my property because -- I wish I did,
because then the abutting properties wouldn't drain onto my property.
Mine goes nowhere. Come out and have a look at my ditch. It's just
as high now as it has been all summer long. It doesn't go anywhere.
The backyard is all flooded. It has been flooded all summer. It goes
nowhere, and I live west of the ridge. My property does not drain,
nor does anybody's west of that jaggedy line that runs somewhere near
Seventh Street. They do not drain into that Eighth Street basin.
They don't drain into the 91st and the 92nd basin. Okay? I want to
make sure you understand that.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Believe me, I understand that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Miss Maiale.
MS. MAIALE: Shall I be here, or are we going to lunch?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Are you buying?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Go ahead.
MS. MAIALE: My name is Jeannette Maiale. I live on
92nd Avenue, and I've lived here for 25 years. And I sent a letter on
August 28th to the Board of County Commissioners. Chairman -- excuse
me, Chairman Matthews did answer my letter. It was a letter to the
editor and also a cover letter to all of you. I hope you remember
it.
I was talking about the 100-year storm which on 92nd
Avenue we all survived without a drop of water in our yards. Now,
when you're talking about contributing, our water goes right down into
that waterway. Every drop that falls on there goes on there. Don't
look like that. So I don't think we should pay any more than anyone
else, although I really don't even want it covered. I don't want the
eight-foot pipe in there.
And I think Mr. Lorenz will tell you that the Vanderbilt
Bay will get more water than they do now because it's being cleansed
when it comes through that ditch. So that was one of the things that
I want -- is that true, Mr. Lorenz, that there will be more water
going into the bay?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Just get there faster.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Seems like.
MR. LORENZ: No, that's not exactly true. There will be
a higher discharge rate. It will move quicker. MS. MAIALE: It will move quicker.
MR. LORENZ: But the same amount of volume of water
roughly will reach Vanderbilt Lagoon now as it would with the
improvements.
MS. MAIALE: Okay. Thank you. And also as you heard,
Fran Stallings, who is in charge of wildlife, he said that that
statement that the water quality would be improved is entirely wrong.
You all heard that. Okay. I think that's about all I have to say
except, oh, also Naples Park residents -- this was in Sunday's paper
-- will pay for most of the improvements, and Vanderbilt residents
want money built into the Naples Park budget. Please don't do that.
MR. DORRILL: Ms. Veccia.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: And then Mr. Jones, if I could have you
stand by, please.
MS. VECCIA: My name is Lucy Veccia, and I've lived in
the Park for 15 years. And I agree with the recommendations of the
staff, and I urge you strongly to proceed with the Naples Park
drainage project today. Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Jones, he is your final speaker.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. JONES: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Red
Jones. I live on 102nd Avenue, and I think I'm right on the crest.
They tell me I'm 14 feet above sea level, which is a magic number, I
guess.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I guess you can't figure out
which way your water drains then.
MR. JONES: No, I can't. But anyhow, I'm here to speak
in behalf of John Boldt. I hope you give him permission to go ahead
with this.
I would like to make a couple corrections. One of our
speakers said that the -- we -- we paid $200,000 for the survey with
Barber, Brundage, and whatever. It was only $75,000, and I think we
got a refund of about 6,000 back. I'm not sure.
I would like to say that I have been in this storm water
deal for about 18 years, and I hope that I don't have to hold my
breath any longer, because I'm 85, and I'm running out of breath. So
please give John Boldt permission to start this thing once and for
all.
I have a request of Mr. Hancock. When you turn the
first spade of dirt for this project, I would like to turn the second
one. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you, Mr. Jones. It is the
noon hour, and we -- we have been asked to adjourn at noon. Do we
want to have debate on the motions, or are we going to have a quick
debate or adjourn or what?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Well, I would make a motion that
we accept staff recommendations for 8(B)(1). COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
approve the recommendation of staff for the approval of the financing
method for the Naples Park drainage project. Is there discussion?
There being none, I'll call the question. All in favor,
please say aye.
Opposed?
Motion passes 4 to 0. Is there a motion for 8(B)(2)?
Item #882
RESOLUTION 95-517 INITIATING A PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING
STORMWATER DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE NAPLES PARK DRAINAGE
IMPROVEMENTS MUNICIPAL SERVICE BENEFIT UNIT - ADOPTED
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yes, ma'am. I'll motion and move
approval of staff recommendation on 8(B)(2). COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
move approval to adopt the resolution initiating the program.
there discussion?
There being none, all those in favor, please say aye.
Motion passes 4 to 0.
Is
Item #883
RESOLUTION 95-518, SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE TENTATIVE
ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR THE NAPLES PARK AREA DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS
MUNICIPAL SERVICE BENEFIT UNIT FOR OCTOBER 24, 1995 AT 9:00 A.H. IN THE
COHMISSION CHAMBERS - ADOPTED
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Madam Chairman, move approval of
item 8(B)(3), recommended -- approving staff's recommendation to adopt
a resolution setting date, time, and place for public hearing on the
tentative assessment.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you. I was wondering if we
were going to get a second. We have a motion and a second to approve
-- or to adopt a resolution setting a time -- date, time, place for
public hearing on establishing the Naples Park area drainage
improvement municipal service benefit unit. Is there discussion?
All those in favor, please say aye.
Opposed?
There being none, motion passes 4 to 0, Commissioner
Constantine being absent on all four -- all three issues.
Thank you. Why don't we break for lunch until 1:15.
(A lunch break was held between 12:00 p.m. to 1:23 p.m.)
Item #887
COUNTY DRAINAGE UPDATE - STAFF DIRECTED TO TALK WITH SOUTH FLORIDA
WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT RE SANDBAGGING CULVERTS AND SUBMIT A PROPOSAL
AFTER TALKING WITH THE RESIDENTS
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Reconvene the Board of County
Commission meeting for September the 12th, 1995. I had a request
right at -- when we broke for lunch from citizens who live in the -- I
don't want to say Golden Gate Estates area. That's not quite right.
But they have school children to pick up, and they were asking that we
listen to the drainage update right after lunch so they can go and
pick up their children, and I guess the question is, do we want to
move that up on the agenda.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Absolutely.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Well, I -- I know we -- we have
two groups that I know of that are here, one on beach parking and one
on this item, and I'm not sure of the numbers of each. So just in
fairness --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Well, the -- Well, the drainage
would come before the beach parking anyway. But anyway it's --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: It's just a question of them
being able -- Because of the flooding conditions, they have to pick
their kids up from school.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. If they were going to come
first anyway, then it's a moot point.
(Commissioner Norris entered the boardroom.)
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Why don't we do that.
Mr. Dotrill, do you have the people here?
MR. DORRILL: That's fine. And that will be 8(B)(7),
and I'll ask Mr. Conrecode to introduce that. He has some exhibits,
and then I'll say that you have about half a dozen speakers.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. Thank you. Mr. Conrecode.
MR. CONRECODE: Good morning, Commissioners. For the
record -- Good afternoon, Commissioners. For the record, this is Tom
Conrecode from your public works division. This item is being put on
as an add-on to give the board an update of the efforts of your
transportation department's work both in Immokalee and in the greater
Naples, Collier County area as well as the stormwater management
department and report back to you on really all the post Tropical
Storm Jerry events that have occurred, where we're making significant
progress, the areas where we've had some ongoing problems and what the
nature of those problems are in terms of public versus private actions
in the -- in the -- in the drainage -- drainage problem areas.
I'd like to start by reminding the board that staff has
put in a heroic effort in terms of manpower and the mobility of the
equipment to the hot spots throughout the county. There are a
substantial number of them, and the amount of overtime and the effort
by staff is -- is commendable. And although you're going to hear from
-- I think probably hear from a few people today who are having
continuing flooding problems, I'd like you to remember that there's --
there's been a substantial effort and some really significant progress
in a lot of areas where there's drainage.
With that, I turn it over to John Boldt. He's going to
go through several of the specific areas where we've got flooding and
what some of the specific fixes were in those areas. CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay.
MR. BOLDT: For the record, John Boldt, the county
stormwater management director. Just to give you a little perspective
on the scope of the situation, the executive summary that was probably
on your desk this morning as an add-on, I looked through and checked
the rain gauge information that was available to me through the Big
Cypress Basin Water Management District, and from September of last
year to September of this year we had 72 inches of rainfall. Our
normal is 53 inches or a little bit more than that sometimes. We've
had a relatively wet dry season. We had a wet summer going. Before
Jerry came along, we were already -- You know, Erin went through here
three or four weeks ago, about four weeks, and had us at a saturated
situation. So we were already considerably above normal to begin
with.
Jerry, depending on where it was at, was about 14 to 16
inches of rainfall, depending upon which part of the county. Total
for the month of August was 18 inches, and we have about 54 years of
record in the area, and that sets the August record for the most
rainfall for any August since we started keeping records. September
has been six inches, and give it a few more minutes and we'll have a
few more. We've got some more clouds rumbling around out there. So
put the 18 and the six together. We've got 24 inches of rainfall in
less than a month. So obviously it's a significant event. I would
say, you know, even if we had all our systems in place, if we'd have
went out and spent our $80 million, you know, we could not have
prevented the flooding that took place. That's pretty obvious. But I
think it showed us there are some -- some areas that we need to pay
more concern about. There's some areas -- particularly in my
executive summary I've outlined, we noticed that there are several
newer type projects, the modern design that did not bleed down as fast
as they should have after a storm. It was like a week later, and some
of these structures-- projects like Royal Wood, Regent Park, and
Brookshire Lakes, relatively new projects, the control structure still
wouldn't release enough water. Those need to be re-evaluated.
I think it's pretty obvious that some of the older
subdivisions like Naples Manor and Naples South and Riviera Colony, we
had the flooding. They just didn't have a modern design and that's --
There's -- They got the kind of flooding you would expect.
There's portions of Golden Gate Estates in the middle,
sort of highlighted those if you'd like to go over the areas that are
in some low-lying, flood-prone areas, some wetland areas that are
continuing to have some flooding problems. Even as late as Saturday
when I was out there, there's still a number of them that had water on
the streets. Commissioner Matthews and I flew over Thursday, and there
was vast areas out in that area that still had considerable amount of
water on them.
There are still -- There are some areas also -- I think
some of the people are here today from the Woodcrest, Acremaker, Rock
Creek area. They're in areas that are flood-prone. They're on
private roads. There really is no established drainage system there
that the county is responsible for, and that's a separate subject we
need to address.
(Commissioner Constantine entered the boardroom.)
MR. BOLDT: Also, from my perspective, just because we
have a lack of resources in some of the secondary and the roadside
drainage ditches, it's not been possible to have them in top-notch
shape because of lack of some equipment and manpower. We obviously
came up with some problems in Pine Ridge subdivision, Immokalee, up
along New Market Road and some other areas of Golden Gate Estates
where the road drainage system just wasn't sufficient to provide them
with a secondary drainage they needed.
I also need to point out just for the record under item
number six that there's a number of water level control structures out
in the Golden Gate Estates area in particular that were constructed
some 30 years ago, and within the last five to ten years, those
structures had a complete renovation. They were rehabilitated. They
were -- Control gates were put on them, and the crest of those
structures was raised somewhat, and those are put in operation. And
then within the last two or three years, a number of the structures --
I know particularly Golden Gate structures three, four, and five which
is around Golden Gate City up near the boulevard and Randall were
raised an additional amount to provide particularly some water supply
up near the well field areas. So those levels up in that area have
been increased over the years and I have to say contributed somewhat
to those flood stage areas.
I'll just -- I'll just point out real quickly some of
the things -- some of the flooding experiences, some of the things we
did real quick, and I'll go over them real briefly. If you have some
questions about some specific areas, please stop me. But starting up
in North Naples, you're going to talk about Royal Cove here in a
little bit, but there was even some drainage problems there that stood
in there for almost a week, that the road -- road ditches weren't
draining properly. Up internally within Imperial Golf Estates of the
northeast corner, they experienced considerable flooding up there
because their own internal draining systems weren't passing the water
on down.
We had a real isolated area down in Cypress Way East and
Palm River subdivision that had water in there for about ten days. We
were able to relieve that situation. There was a berm along the
ditch. We went in with a piece of equipment, and we cut it out and
bled that water out of there. We now have to follow up with that and
then do the repairs and probably put a pipe back in there to make a
permanent fix.
Naples Park along Eighth Street had significant flooding
that was documented. We've talked about that this morning. I
mentioned Regent Park had considerable flooding extending to the roads
for an extended period of time. And I might need to note that, you
know, if we were going to -- were to map out all the areas that got
flooded by Jerry, you know, for one or two days thereafter, you know,
the whole map basically would have been covered. We've all
experienced flooding during that event. These are the ones that I'm
isolating that lingered on for more than a week and sometimes into two
weeks. Now we're about two and a half weeks.
I mentioned earlier also Pine Ridge subdivision which is
one of the higher places in the county. There was some flooding
around Mockingbird Lake. There's some maintenance needed there on
some road ditches and some culverts needed to relieve that situation.
Trade Center Way, the boulevard up on north of north Pine Ridge
industrial park continues to have water standing in their streets.
Their problem is that they're responsible for the maintenance of their
ditch along the south side of the project and has not been properly
maintained.
We had some problems at the entrance of Forest Lakes.
We have a pumping station in there. It was a taxing district
established. We had some electrical problems with the relay on that
that caused us some problems, but that's now been repaired.
Moving over more to the east of 1-75, there continues to
be almost an association with the Bonita problem, quite a bit of
flooding north of Immokalee Road and east of Quail area. This is a
large area, most of which is, you know, lots of cypress, low-lying
flood plain areas.
Golden Gate Estates near 22nd Avenue, there was flooding
along the boulevard for an extended period of time. Again, the road
ditch systems weren't able to handle that, and there was really no
well-maintained drainage ditch to handle the flow. The same with
Logan south of Vanderbilt Beach. The road system there had some
prolonged flooding. Mentioned Brookshire Lakes didn't bleed down fast
enough.
I know there's a number of people here today to talk
about the area out at the 951 and 846 surrounded by and areas near
Crystal Lake R.V. Park and Woodcrest and Acremaker Road and that area.
We can talk about that more specifically.
This is -- Let me just do this one first. This is more
East Naples area. And, again, it's kind of more the same. We had --
You know, we had road closings and flooding and some buildings flooded
up near Commercial Drive or Commercial Boulevard near the triangle of
Davis and 41, prolonged flooding of the streets in Lakewood. It took
a number of days to bleed that down. We still have some flooding down
on South Bayshore south of Thomasson. There's a drainage ditch down
there that is in dire need of some -- some good maintenance.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Could I ask just you -- That's --
That's one that's the county's job to maintain?
MR. BOLDT: That's correct. Although I don't believe we
have sufficient easements to do the whole thing, but we're in the
process of trying to get that.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Okay.
MR. BOLDT: Then we had general flooding again in Lely
South and Royal Wood, and even today we have water still up around the
Woodmere Racquet Club east of County Barn Road. Intersection of County
Barn and 951, the water is still standing around some properties up
there. We had considerable flooding north of Davis Boulevard between
Davis Boulevard and Radio Road stacked all the way up there. We
didn't take an action there, and we have temporarily opened up the box
culverts that are under Davis Boulevard, and we've bled that water out
and give them considerable relief, and that was able to be handled
down through Crown Point.
Naples Manor had quite a bit of flooding during the
storm event and for days afterwards. For the lack of good outlets
southwesterly from Tamiami Trail, that's going to be a portion of our
Lely basin. The Lely basin improvements we're proposing would --
would deal with all these areas in here plus the Naples Manor, the
second part of that project. So the bulk of these things would be at
least minimized with our Lely basin study and implementation.
A couple of other minor areas along Henderson Creek on
951. That channel wasn't able to handle it, and there was some
flooding in that area.
And then this is out in Golden Gate Estates area. This
is Alligator Alley, and here's Everglades Boulevard. I just -- a
number of areas, a lot of which you're familiar with. Some of them
have been ongoing for the last couple of years. We've had problems
along Fifth, Seventh, and Ninth Streets Southwest and some areas north
of there. There's an area over west of 846 across the road from --
west of the fairgrounds that has experienced flooding for the last
several years, and I was out there Saturday. There was still
hubcap-deep water in -- in the roads of that area. Sanctuary Road
near the Audubon facility has quite a bit of water around some homes
up there, and the list goes on.
Immokalee is kind of a special case, particularly up
along New Market Road and out of another Mockingbird Lake. We have a
Mockingbird Lake in Pine Ridge and one up in Immokalee, not to be
confused, and we're still working on this situation, have been for
sometime. I think last Tuesday we worked until about 9:30 at night.
We're leaving a culvert at the Collier Pack just south of State Road
29. That dropped the water considerably. We've since modified that.
There's some other culverts we did some work on. We removed a couple
of culverts that we found that were not necessary, and I know
transportation department is working real hard trying to re-establish
the flow from the lake down to the secondary system in that area.
There's a flooded area out along the edge of Lake
Trafford. Lake Trafford came up, as you would imagine, a foot, 18
inches, and it's very slow in going down. So those properties around
there have continued flooding.
So that's kind of a general overview of, you know, some
of the lingering problems we've had and some of the things that we're
continuing to do. I know my crews -- my street crews have worked
almost full time on it, and the Archibald crews have done the same for
almost two and a half weeks trying to address these situations, some
of which we can deal with, and we can help others. It's just -- It's
overwhelming. It's just so much water poured into the area. It's
almost impossible to deal with. If you have any specific questions or
want more detail --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I think you used a good word,
"overwhelming." A couple years ago we were -- we were looking at
flooding out in the area around Crystal Lakes and we -- I thought we
had addressed putting in a drainage ditch down along Woodcrest to the
Golden Gate main canal, just a kind of quick backhoe-type thing, get
it out there, and get drainage into there. And then, John, you and I
had talked about a ditch that would better relieve all of it and
working along the Crystal Lake berm down to -- down to another
drainage canal, and you had come back and said that you were having
difficulty getting easements to make that work.
MR. BOLDT: Yeah. We proposed a diversion ditch along
the north side and east side of Crystal Lake to intercept that water
where it appeared to have been blocked, and we had eight property
owners we approached trying to get easements, and we got no
cooperation from them.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Hmmm. That makes it difficult to
do a whole lot if -- if the -- If the property owners affected aren't
going to help with the easements in order to put the drainage ditch
in, it makes it difficult.
I have one other question and -- and -- and then I'll
let the other commissioners address it. You had -- You had said in
our flight over the eastern part of the county Thursday that many of
the structures that had -- had failed, so to speak, culverts and so
forth, were in excess of 30 years old.
MR. BOLDT: A lot of them date back to that. Golden Gate
Estates was constructed in early 1960. So they're 30 years old.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I guess my question is and -- and
you may not be able to answer it now, but I think I'd like to know
more about what the design life of those structures was and what kind
of maintenance that -- that the county may need to look at having to
do in the future to -- to meet the limitations placed on us by this --
the very design life of the -- of the structures that are there. I
know one of the culverts in the 29 canal just merely -- it collapsed.
MR. BOLDT: You know, a lot of those are metal pipes,
and they have a limited life, and they do rust out and collapse. So
we have culverts all up and down State Road 29 that need to be
re-evaluated and replaced, but actually there -- there are private
crossings. We don't even have easements along State Road 29, and we
don't really have a policy on how we would share in the cost of those.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I understand that and we -- we
had equally a culvert collapse at -- at Lakeland Avenue in the
Cocohatchee canal system, and we were able to work with that one
pretty quickly as well. But, I mean, I guess my point is, is that
these structures do have a design life, and in some instances we're
using them now beyond their design life, and I guess we need an
evaluation of -- of what the potential is further down the road if
another tropical storm comes in, and where we live that's not
unlikely.
MR. BOLDT: That's very possible. We're saturated now.
This is only September. We've got two more months of our tropical
season.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Are there questions? Commissioner
Hancock.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: The comment you just made is very
similar to, you know, what we've heard and John has heard from the
public which is, why don't you know exactly what's out there, why
didn't you anticipate these 30-year-old culverts collapsing, why
didn't you check them before today. And the problem is, it's very much
like, you know, each of us know we have wiring in the house, and it
may some day go bad, but when's the last time you went through and
checked all of it. The proj -- If you realize the lane miles of
roadside swales and the number of culverts, we can implement a program
where we check each one every year. I don't think you want to see the
bill on it. So a lot of times -- and I'm not disagreeing that when we
realize we have a 30-year-old pipe somewhere, the chance of failure is
immense, and we should flag those. But I do want to mention that the
concept of going and ch -- you know, on an annual basis or every three
years and checking each -- every single culvert in the county becomes
so cumbersome and so costly. I -- I just don't want to mislead people
that we can physically do that without a tremendous expense.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I agree with what you're saying,
that the expense is -- is, you know, hottendons but -- but at the same
time I think if -- if we were to have a system for evaluating the
systems -- I mean, if -- if -- if the design life of a drainage system
in a particular area is 20 years, then I would think somewhere around
15 years we ought to be looking at whether we're going to have to
replace it at 20 years or whether we can make it go to 25, similar to
the way we do our vehicle replacement program. Mr. Dotrill, isn't
that correct? We have a standardized thing, and then we evaluate it as
we get close to see if we can push it a little farther out. MR. DORRILL: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: So, I mean, it -- it's kind of
that same idea. Commissioner Mac'Kie.
COHHISSIONER HAC'KIE: Mr. Boldt, I was just -- When I
think about the budget process and -- and the fact that we have
learned from what some of our deficiencies are -- As you've shown us
here on this map, some of them are private utilities, you know,
private stormwater, and some are ours. When we go through the budget
process, I guess what I want to know is, have you asked for and been
told no, that you need more crews, more funding, more money, so that
you can get the maintenance more adequately addressed? And if so, I'd
ask you to ask again because I think we have hopefully learned
something.
MR. BOLDT: I would -- Quite honestly, the maintenance
of the primary system done by South Florida Water Management District,
they've done an outstanding job.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Right.
MR. BOLDT: They have adequate funds to -- to really do
it right. For my secondary system, I think it's been in pretty fair
shape also. Of course, I could always use more crew. I could always
do a better job, but I don't think the failing of the system is in the
secondary system quite as much as -- I don't see Mr. Archibald here
but I'll -- There he is. Most -- Most of the problems we've had I
think could have been solved by, you know, more aggressive maintenance
of the roadside ditches. And George, of course, doesn't have those
crews, those excavators and --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: So it's his budget that we need
to be addressing.
MR. BOLDT: That's my opinion.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I guess I'm trying to find out
what department does more money need to be spent in, because it's my
observation that we're not doing an adequate job in keeping those
culverts cleaned. And -- and I guess what I'm learning here is it's
the third level of the system, Mr. Archibald, that your crews
maintain?
MR. ARCHIBALD: Yes, it is. And -- And I think what the
board needs to know is what, in fact, is the county paying for, and
the procedures and the policies that we have in place are, in fact, we
do inspect our system. We do clean our system, and we have it
prepared for the rainy season, and our responsibilities are such that
during the months of March and April, you typically see the road and
bridge people doing exactly that. In the dry season, we're preparing
for the rainy season. But I think we need to recognize that once the
rainy season is upon us, then our job changes. Our job changes from
having the system maintained to maintaining the system because our
people have been spending hours and hours trying to keep these systems
open, and you would not believe that job and manpower, nor would you
believe the debris and some of the items that are pulled out of these
storm drain pipes.
Compounded by the concern that John just outlined, we do
know where all the rusted pipes are. We know we're -- we're looking
at possible failures in an upcoming year. We do, in fact, budget a
certain amount of replacement. The concern that you have is one --
and it applies to Immokalee as well as Marco Island as well as Naples
Park. You have a system that, in fact, needs to be retrofitted. It
needs to be upgraded. So we not only need to take a look at the
condition of that system, but also that periodic replacement or
maintenance of that system. And as John said, it's being done, but,
again, the level of maintenance for a rainfall event of five or ten
years is much different from the maintenance of a rainfall event for a
100-year storm.
COHHISSIONER HAC'KIE: Would you say that -- that -- I
understand what you're saying about -- that we need some retrofitting
capital improvements made in the areas of the county. But -- But as
far as the adequacy of your staffing to respond to storms, would you
say that we are -- we've budgeted -- We funded you for a five- or
ten-year kind of event, and so we haven't -- we haven't budgeted for a
25-year event or a 50- or a 100-year event because -- I'm just trying
to get some handle on it.
MR. ARCHIBALD: If I could shed a little more light, we
-- we're funded to maintain the system that is out there. What
happens is the development community builds the system. They turn it
over to the county, and the county maintains what's there. We're
getting into many areas of the county where that system either wasn't
properly built or doesn't even exist in many cases, and the county
isn't out there maintaining it. The county is actually out there
building it. And the shortfall that we see -- and this is primarily in
Golden Gate Estates. The shortfall that we see is the inability of us
to construct what needs to be constructed to keep up with the growth
that's occurring. As most of you are aware, when the stages of
putting -- or completing a report that we want to submit to the board
to outline the kinds of problems you've just brought to the surface,
the problems of what type of system is out there versus the system we
may actually need, and that's what I think the staff would like to
bring back to the board, not necessarily the maintenance of it or
replacement of pipes here and there, but also the issue of, is the
system we're maintaining, are we losing money maintaining a system
that doesn't work right to begin with, and that's part of the concern
we have.
Another concern on behalf of a number of people here
does, in fact, deal with the private road system out there. I've got a
listing here of many, many roadways that are going to be substantially
impacted now and even more impacted when the rains cease and the
runoff recedes. They're going to be impacted because they're going to
go from a drainage problem to a road problem, and I've got a listing
here. I'd be happy to provide the board members with a copy of it.
But I also see a need in the private sector on private roads where, in
fact, they have no mechanism to repair their roads after all of this
is behind us. So that's another issue that the staff most likely
needs to report to the board, not only to create a mechanism for some
of that work to be done, but also who should do it. Should it be done
by private contract, or should it be done by county forces, and how do
those activities impact on some of the scheduled activities that the
county does perform?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Archibald, I was going to
interrupt you because we have some people who need to get moving to
get their young people from school, and if we could listen to the
public comment and then continue with this discussion afterwards, I'd
appreciate it. Mr. Dotrill, can we -- can we hear from those?
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Miller, you're up to bat first. I know
you've been interested in this. And then Mr. Kantainis, if I could
have you stand by. Go ahead.
MR. MILLER: Good afternoon. My name is Jim Miller. My
concern is Acremaker Road and Woodcrest area. I keep hearing the word
"private road." The 951 canal is basically our biggest problem. The
north end of it was never blasted. That's probably this deep in
places, and the water flows, but it doesn't have the volume to drain
the area off. You know, it flows, but there's no big volume going
through it to -- to get rid of it. If you go to Vanderbilt Extension
on the south side, it was blasted. You know, it's a deep, narrow
canal. It's probably eight inches lower than the north side because
of the flow difference, you know, the volume of the water leaving the
area. If we were down even with the south side, you know, we wouldn't
be anywhere near as bad as we are right now because that would be
eight inches lower. Our water drains off into the 951 canal. You
know, it's -- As long as the 951 canal drains, we drain.
And then the other problem I have is the two little
underpasses coming under Immokalee Road, and it's like two rivers just
coming under the road. I mean, it's -- Whatever we lose on the back
side we get on the front side from the north side of Immokalee Road.
It's a -- You know, we've probably -- In -- In a month's time, we've
only probably went down an inch and a half, two inches.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I talked with you yesterday about
that.
MR. MILLER: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: And I thought -- It was my -- my
understanding that the residents sandbagged those culverts.
MR. MILLER: That was four years ago.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Four years ago?
MR. MILLER: And the water was probably eight inches
lower than it is this year.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah. And the sandbags have
since rotted and --
MR. MILLER: Right.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- the sand's washed away.
MR. MILLER: Last year we were flooded for several
weeks, and the water never flowed underneath the road so -- You know,
my immediate help would be the blockage of the two things coming under
Immokalee Road which would not affect anybody but us. There's nothing
on the north side of the road but cow pastures and a rock pit. It's
not going to overflow by the little blockage that we have coming
underneath, but it would alleviate the river coming down because
everything from Rock Road west feeds to us. And, you know, the little
blasting that it would take right at the end of the canal there at
Vanderbilt Extension -- you know, that could -- I don't know how hard
it is to get permits to blast or whatever, but right there where the
main flow is where it's coming from the north to the south, it's
probably only a foot deep. You know, they never blasted the rocks at
that point, and that would just -- That would be quick, quick fixes
that would help a great deal as far as draining our water.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. Commissioner Hancock.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Did you say that Rock Road flows
down towards you?
MR. MILLER: Yes.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: If you block that culvert, would
Rock Road be affected?
MR. MILLER: No. No, because --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Because someone from Rock
Road was telling me they had sewage solids in the street so --
MR. MILLER: No. There's only -- There's only two --
There's only two of those underpasses, and they're both down our
direction.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. So we're not going to
adversely affect Rock Road if we do that?
MR. MILLER: No. Once you get out past Rock Road, it
starts to drain towards the Orangetree canals, and that drains that
way. The only thing that's on the north side of us is the Piper's
field and the rock pit, and the little bit that's draining underneath
the two coming under us is not going to raise the level of the canal.
It's just going to force more down the 951 canal and down the
Immokalee canal towards Palm River, the weirs on Palm River.
The other houses that are on the north side at Nursery
Lane, they have the main canal right in front of them, you know, so --
Like I said, the little blockage that we would have to keep the water
from flowing onto us, there's no way -- You know, it might keep it
from draining quite as fast right there by the cow pasture or by the
rock pit, but, you know, cows can move to dry land, you know. We
don't have other houses to move to.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Most of those cows build homes
real quick.
MR. MILLER: Yeah. You know, we've got cows down by us
that's been walking in water for a month now. We -- We -- We expect
it to flood when it rains. I'm a native. I know it floods when it
rains. It's when it stays two months or two and a half months that,
you know, we have problems with. You know, a week or a day like in
Naples Park -- You know, I drove to Naples Park, and the next day the
roads were passable. Well, you know, our roads -- the cops have
refused to come out. If somebody had a heart attack, there would be
no way to get anybody, you know, out from an ambulance. The cops said
it was the wild west, and we handle it on our own. That's basically
what they said. So -- So that's about all I've got to say. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you, Mr. Miller.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Kantainis.
MR. KANTAINIS: Ladies and gentlemen of the board, thank
you for your time. My name is Stan Kantainis, and I live on Acremaker
Road. Basically I've heard a lot about private roads and everything
-- Boy! That was a short five minutes! COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Nothing personal.
MR. KANTAINIS: My big concern is Friday night our alarm
went off, and our house had been broken into. Now, the alarm company
called the sheriff's department. The first response was, we do not
know where Acremaker Road is. The alarm company re-called the
sheriff's department, and they said the road was impassable. It was
impossible to get out there. I talked to the commander of the Golden
Gate area, and he said a lightning strike had set off a few alarms out
in the area and that he had figured it was an alarm strike, and he
didn't want to jeopardize a car. And it's kind of when I ran the
scenario, what if it was a life-and-death situation type. And he
said, well, then we would try to get in touch with an agricultural
unit which is a four-wheel drive.
Well -- So we went out to the property the next day,
and, low and behold, our window had been smashed in, and our glass
door was wide open. So we switched the window from the back of the
house to the front, and we locked up the glass door again and all, and
Saturday night we got another call that the house had been broken
into. So I called the sheriff's department, and they said that the
agricultural -- Oh, I'm sorry. I kind of skipped a little bit.
That day when we went out to the house and we found that
it had been broken into, I called to find out if I could get a sheriff
out to make a report, and his response was, well, it's flooded.
There's no way we can get out there. And I asked him -- I said, well,
what if this was a life-and-death situation? And he says, we would
try to get an agricultural unit. And I had asked him about that
before, and his response was, well, it's a weekend. We'll probably
have a hard time getting in touch with him. So now I said, so you're
telling me if it was a life-and-death, you'd try to get in touch with
an agricultural unit, but you've already said you'd probably have a
hard time. He said, honestly, the person would probably be dead.
That's what I was told by the sheriff, and that's where I really
worry. It's no longer just a matter of flooding. Now it comes down
to safety and -- I mean, we do pay our tax dollars, and I would hope
we could have some kind of protection. I had said, basically what
you're saying is it's like the wild west? He said yes.
COHHISSIONER HAC'KIE: Who are you speaking to? That is
just amazing. Do you know this person's name?
MR. KANTAINIS: I -- I'm not that great with names.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Well --
MR. KANTAINIS: I can't recall it and I --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I'm just flabbergasted. I'm not
questioning you.
MR. KANTAINIS: Right.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I would like to know.
MR. KANTAINIS: Right. No. I know. I mean, it's --
And then the -- When we did go out after Saturday night's break-in, we
had called the sheriffs again. We met him down at the road Sunday and
he -- The sheriff that day told me, well, it is a private road, and
people move out to private roads for -- since it is cheaper and so on,
and this is kind of what they run into. Basically now what they're
saying is any area that's flooded, not just Acremaker, not just Rock
Road, anyplace, even your Imperial Golf Estates or some of these rich
places, if a band of thieves could get in there, the sheriff's
department won't run their cars in there because they're afraid of
flooding them out and so on. You could have one heck of a mess on
your hands. And that's -- Like I said, I mean, my big concern now
comes down to safety. What if somebody has a heart attack, or since
the water is so high, there are snakes out there and so on. What if a
kid gets bit out there? An ambulance can't make it in, and what if
the parents can't get him out to the road in time. It's -- It's an
awful big liability or I -- I mean, I don't know exactly -- I think
you understand what I'm trying to say.
Really what we need is just some kind of drainage of
water. We moved out there five years ago. When we bought the
property, we had went out after every heavy rain, and there was never
any flooding and flooding, and we moved in. Then the following year
we flooded. The next year afterwards there was no flood, but ever
since then, every year we have flooded. We've talked to people that
have lived on the road ten years or so. They said basically prior to
these last few years, there had only been one flood, and it lasted
like a week. So something somewhere has changed, and it's starting to
trap the water out there. It's kind of caused us to become a basin.
Somehow we need to -- I mean, if possible if y'all could -- I don't
know -- If a survey or whatever could be done to see how we can
relieve it, whether it is the small backhoe canal or so on, and I
would question -- Somebody had said there was eight people that
refused to give easement. My question would be, were those eight
people flooded? If they were sitting high and dry, of course they're
not going to give easement. You know, maybe it's to the point with
the safety factor and so on -- and I'll get out of here in just a
second. Maybe that easement almost has to be taken. I don't know
legally how, but we're getting to the point where people's lives might
be in jeopardy. Thank you for your time. I appreciate it. CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. KANTAINIS: Oh. The other thing -- Okay.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Castro and then Ms. Ruck.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We've -- We've heard about how
much flooding and some historical stuff on it, so if we can try to
eliminate the duplication --
MS. CASTRO: Well, thank you for having us here and
listening to us, and my only concern is, you know, to have something
done. I do have a grandchild with cancer, and I do have -- I can't
have her going out there, and I need to get her in and out of the
house. Okay. So I ask for your help somehow. Thank you. COHHISSIONER NORRIS: Where do you live?
MS. CASTRO: I'm sorry. I live on Acremaker Road.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Oh. On Acremaker also.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Could you state your name, Hiss
Castro?
MS. CASTRO: Maria Castro.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MS. CASTRO: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Miss Ruck.
MS. RUCK: My name is Jane Ruck. I live on Woodcrest.
I'm one of the people who said, no, thank you, to the swale. You were
not going to put in a drainage ditch. It was a 30-foot easement they
were requesting. I don't know what happened between what you asked
Mr. Boldt to do and what Mr. Boldt actually came up with, but what
they came up with was a 30-foot easement that would include a swale
which, as we know, is not a drainage ditch that would only follow
Crystal Lake R.V. Park's boundary. It would not have dumped water
anywhere. It would not have alleviated anything. I -- I can tell you
that for a fact. That is why $10 for the one corner of my property
was, like, major ridiculous.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I'm sorry. How much were you
offered?
MS. RUCK: $10.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: For how much property?
MS. RUCK: We abut the corner of ours to Crystal Lake.
So you're talking -- It was a 30-foot easement all the way around. I
also called the county to find out exactly what it was supposed to be
for, and they told me for utilities also and possible road which meant
to me Crystal Lakes looking for a back entrance to their park, not to
help us out.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: So maybe we could have staff --
Maybe you could communicate again because I don't think that -- I
think it's clear from today's discussion nobody is talking about
putting a road there. I don't know about utilities but --
MS. RUCK: They told me it was a 30-foot easement that
included utilities. Utilities is only going to help Crystal Lake.
It's not going to help us. The road is not going to help us either.
A swale is not going to help us. A drainage ditch, you still wouldn't
get anything out to the 951 canal really, not with a swale. Drainage
ditch, maybe. Crystal Lake used to have a drainage ditch all the way
around Crystal Lake, all right, before it became Crystal Lake when it
was the quarry. What happened was that the county requested them -- as
a matter of fact, told them, fill it in. Before it was filled in, it
used to drain us farther down into the canal. The county caused that
problem for sure.
Okay. Here. I'll have Mr. Dotrill give it to you.
These are pictures on the road. On the back you can tell exactly what
the pictures are from. Mr. Dotrill, if you'd hand that to them. The
road is worse now than what it shows in the pictures. The pictures
were taken two weeks ago. It's gone up since.
Okay. As a matter of fact, I had -- I had an exciting
experience just a few minutes ago when I was waiting to speak with
you. I went down to the ladies' convenience, and I actually got to
flush the toilet. We haven't been able to do that for more than once
a day for the past month. Neither have we been able to wash clothes
nor take showers. If we want to take a bath in our house, you have to
do it in a tub and throw the water outside, and as far as you have to
go is right out the front door to get it into the polliwogs and fish.
All right. Mr. Boldt stated something which is absolute
bull dingy. Collier County would have us believe that the flooding we
are experiencing is correct for our area, that we are traditionally a
flood area. This is nonsense. The trees we have on our properties
are mostly slash pine, palmetto. Anybody who lives around Collier
County knows slash pine and palmetto do not like standing water. We
have very few cypress trees. We are traditionally not a flood area,
no matter what Mr. Boldt would like to have you believe.
All right. About ten years ago we had a solid week of
rain, and the saturated ground eventually led to some flooding.
Within three days of that rain ceasing, the flooding ceased. Now we
get some water in. It stays for a month, a month and a half, two
months. The reason for this being that Collier County has allowed
building to the south of us of whatever nature it may be, the Collier
County new water treatment plant, old Florida golf club which bermed
all the way around them to make sure they didn't flood, don't want
Didka to get his feet wet. All right. Collier County has allowed
building to the south of us that has cut off the normal historic water
flow patterns. As far we are concerned, Collier County caused our
problems. We would like Collier County to fix it.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Wait. I'm going to -- I'm going
to insert something --
MS. RUCK: Go ahead.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- right there. Collier County
doesn't do the -- the permitting for water management. South Florida
Water Management District does.
MS. RUCK: Fine. But Collier County issues the building
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: And by the way, their -- their
taxing you increased again this year so --
MS. RUCK: We're paying taxes for absolutely nothing.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Well, when it comes to South
Florida, I don't disagree with you.
MS. RUCK: Okay. Now, on the other hand, though,
Collier County is the one that issues the building permits. South
Florida Water Management does not issue the building permits. They
may issue the water-okay permits, but they don't issue the building
permits. So Collier County is allowing the actual building, so I
guess maybe half your fault and half Southwest Florida Water
Management. Okay.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: You're going to have to wrap it
up.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I just need to ask -- I've
got a question. What was your -- MS. RUCK: I -- Well, I -- I know the gentleman from
Vanderbilt Beach pool got to speak a little bit longer. Yes?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: What would your suggestion
then be? We just --
MS. RUCK: We want --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Could I finish the question?
MS. RUCK: -- the drainage ditch.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Could I finish the question?
MS. RUCK: Go ahead.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: As far as the people out
there that have built whatever they have built, should -- should we
just no longer issue building permits and buy their property because
they're not allowed to build on it, or what -- MS. RUCK: No.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- What would you suggest?
MS. RUCK: What I suggest is that you look into what the
water flow patterns are and don't allow them to interfere with it or
make something so that the -- we'll continue the water flow patterns
so that it won't interrupt it. For instance, if the old Florida golf
club had large streams going across into the main canal, that would
probably alleviate the property, but they've got it bermed all the way
around. They're paying a $10,000 a day fine so that they can pump so
that they don't have to worry about the golfers getting wet, but
they're not stopping them from pumping. They can afford to pay the
fine. We couldn't, of course.
But what we want -- Okay. To wrap it up, we want the
drainage ditch. We want you to stop the flow from Immokalee Road.
We're getting dumped on from the Piper's pasture where they dump all
the septic. That's coming our way too. I've got sores all over my
feet from walking through the water. I have to walk a third of a mile
through water this high to get to my car to get here.
Okay. We want the drainage ditch from Immokalee Road
straight through down our road through to Massey. I had permission
two years ago when we were promised we could have it. I had permission
from the property owners, the two property owners that have private
property south of us, to go across their property. We went the canal
to go down .... canal .... drainage ditch to go down to the main Golden
Gate canal and dump in down there. That would solve -- It's a
permanent fix.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: So you've gotten -- We thought we
needed eight property owners. Have you identify --
MS. RUCK: Okay. The way -- Okay. May I answer her
question?
MR. DORRILL: I don't represent --
MS. RUCK: The eight property owners --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: The commissioner has asked a
question. You can answer it.
MS. RUCK: The eight property owners that you are
talking about, I'm one of them, and they're talking about the property
owners that are bordering the north side of Crystal Lake and the east
side of Crystal Lake. That has nothing to do with what -- what I'm
talking about.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: But if -- if what Mr. Boldt or
whomever approached you was asking for is a drainage instead of a
swale, is that something you would be willing to give for --
MS. RUCK: I don't think that that particular area would
help. It would not help putting a drainage ditch in there because --
Okay. If the drainage ditch they were talking about -- the swale they
were talking about putting would have gone along Crystal Lakes' north
boundary and across their east boundary but would have stopped one
property away from the ditch on Acremaker Road. It would only have
affected Crystal Lake.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Well, I'm not an engineer '-
MS. RUCK: It wouldn't help us at all.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: -- but they are and they -- you
know, the engineers are the people who have to design the solutions
for us and I -- What you have to say is -- is very valid and very
important, and I want to listen to it, but if -- at the same time
you're saying, but I'm not willing to give an easement to help address
the problem, you know, solve the problem the way the engineers say '-
MS. RUCK: The easement is for a swale. There's a
difference between a swale and a ditch.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: But I'm asking you if they ask
for a ditch instead of a swale, if a ditch is what's going to work.
MS. RUCK: If the ditch would go all the way around
Crystal Lake, fine, because we used to drain -- used to drain out --
Crystal Lakes used to have -- Before it was Crystal Lake -- When it
was Highway Pavers North Quarry, they had a large ditch all the way
around it. Okay? But the county made them fill it in when it became
Crystal Lake. So if they wanted to redig that ditch, fine by me. I
-- I will sell them that corner of my property. Ten dollars I think
is kind of cheap for the county, but what can I say? But if it's
going to be a ditch -- A swale isn't going to do anything, but we want
the ditch from Immokalee Road down through -- past Hassey into the
Golden Gate canal. That's -- That's our permanent fix. Hey, if you
guys don't want to pay for it. Just give us the equipment. We'll dig
it. We have people who can run backhoes. We'll do it. We'll sandbag
the -- the thing underneath the road again too. They tore out that
one sandbagging last time.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: All right. Thank you, Miss Ruck.
MS. RUCK: You're welcome.
MR. DORRILL: Ms. Olson.
MS. OLSON: Hi. Thanks for the time, board and ladies
and gentlemen. I live on Rock Road, and I can't get my car out, but
I've been getting a ride.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Would you state your full name?
MS. OLSON: Harcene Olson. I live at 1500 Rock Road
which is almost to the end. We would like to have -- if we could get
our road maintained. I'm told it's a private road, and I -- I -- I
know that, and other people tell me, well, if it's not your driveway,
it's not a private road. The other thing is we have like -- about 87
tax paying citizens on the road.
People -- Okay. Friday night they worked all night and
all day Saturday and Sunday made three ditches on the end of Rock Road
going out to the east -- the canal east of us which is just west of
Wilson, that canal there, and then on Carry Island Road relieve some
of the people that were -- especially west of Rock Road. They dug
another ditch on Carry Island Road, okay, and then on Mango, and now
we need another one. We're still in water and a lot of mud, but if we
could, you know, get some help -- We've had some meetings and talked
to a lot of people, and they're willing to be assessed over a period
of years because we know you need the money, and all this is redundant
and everything and -- but we are taxpayers out there, and we'd like to
have the county help us with something. People have taken out of their
pockets, have rented backhoes and this -- this is -- Everybody is
doing this out of their own pocket, $300 a day. We've gotten some
contributions. People -- The people that have, there's been about
three new trucks ruined in the water and -- Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: That's all.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That was the last speaker?
MR. DORRILL: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you very much. Mr.
Archibald, if we could continue with a proposed fix. I know you and I
had talked -- along with Mr. Dotrill, had talked about this assessment
that you had mentioned about a half-hour ago and -- and -- of what we
might be able to do to enhance the drainage systems in the older
areas. I'm hoping that we can see that.
MR. ARCHIBALD: I need to defend the sheriff's
department for a minute if I can. COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Someone needs to.
MR. ARCHIBALD: Having been down Acremaker Road and
recognizing some of the holes in that road, right now that's not
passable, and the sheriff shouldn't be going down there, neither
should emergency management, because they're not going to be able to
make it down the road. It's that bad. And -- And the solution to
that particular problem for Woodcrest and Acremaker, probably for
Krape Road and that area is, in fact, to recognize that a lot of the
water that's coming into that area is, in fact, coming in from the
Immokalee Road canal, is, in fact, coming in from the 951 canal
because those are at flood stage or beyond. And the solution to that
is one that's been identified and is being implemented by the Big
Cypress Basin. Contract by contract, structure by structure, they're
trying to build that Immokalee Road canal. The problem that they run
into is, of course, that's a tremendous system in terms of mileage to
build, and I would think that you're probably looking at five to ten
years for substantial improvements to occur that would, in fact,
provide the relief that these people are looking for.
In the interim, there may be two things that the county
can do. One may be involved in working with some of the groups that
are trying to help themselves to provide better drainage for their
areas. The other is, in fact, to assist in the construction of road
improvements; in fact, bring the elevation of their roads up. Those
two items would be items that I would ask the board to consider,
recognizing that they create a liability. They create some exposure
on the part of the county. But historically because of emergency
conditions, there has been prior actions of boards to authorize us on
a one-time basis not to accept road maintenance, but, in fact, to
perform road improvements or drainage improvements for areas like
this, but the key item was in every case the residents pooled up
enough funds to pay the county up front for those improvements. That,
in fact, is what you're going to hear more and more from residents
about. The list of roadways that I outlined and provided to the board
are a list of roadways where people have contacted us asking that very
same thing. And, yes, we continue to say it's a private road, and we
can't get in there, but there may be in many of these cases something
we can do that the people can afford, and one thing the board may want
to consider is having staff come back and indicate what can be done
and possibly authorize a limited amount of work where, in fact, that
cost or that activity is subsidized by the benefiting of property
owners. A very good case in point is Rock Road. They've gone ahead,
and they're cutting ditches to drain their area. Once it does drain
-- and it may be weeks away. But once it does drain, they're going
to need some work to build their road. They're, in fact, pooling some
money together, and they're going to be asking the county if the
county will, in fact, on a one-time basis with no responsibility for
continued maintenance, perform some -- what we would call base work or
subgrade work on their road to make it serviceable. So those are the
kinds of issues that the staff is hearing. And, in fact, some of
those we can do. Some of them we shouldn't do and we can't do, and I
think staff has to consider being able to draw the line. But, again,
the problem we deal with is many of them where the property owners are
willing to pay up front and the work is well confined and defined,
those activities the board may want to authorize staff to perform.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: That sounds like the prudent thing
to do. Why don't we have Mr. Archibald work with the -- the residents
in question here and develop a little something for us to take a look
at as soon as possible and see if there's anything practical we can do
if we can. Let's do it.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah. I --
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I agree.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I like that too. I was just
thinking as he was talking, if it may not be -- and -- and George and
John Boldt I guess would have to answer this -- if it -- if it would
be practical to go ahead and -- and sandbag those culverts under 846.
That will relieve at least the continuing water coming -- coming
southward, and I don't know if South Florida Water Management likes
that or not, but I guess that's something we have to work with them
MR. ARCHIBALD: We've talked with them. We can go back,
because that's one of the biggest concerns we have. The amount of
water coming under Immokalee Road now is tremendous, and if we can get
some approval to slow it down, that would help.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Is that the direction then? For
you to bring back a proposal and to talk with South Florida Water
Management again about getting those -- those culverts at least
sandbagged to some degree in the next couple of days? Okay?
MR. ARCHIBALD: (Nodded head.) Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Just a final note. I -- I do want to
thank both George and John publicly. I know they and their staffs
have put in about $80,000 worth of overtime in the last month or so
and working all days Friday and Saturday and just -- I think they've
done a fine job responding to that type of situation.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yeah. I can say it's a -- I've
seen some cases where I've been exposed where I went out and looked at
something and saw a solution or -- That department has -- has done a
terrific job in responding where the response has been requested, and
that's been the biggest problem here, is initially we didn't know
every single place in the county that was under water, and as things
come in, you respond to them, and it looks like the list is growing.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: They -- They -- Our staff has
worked long and hard in -- in trying to deal with the water, and we
were inundated, and we're still trying to deal with it.
MR. DORRILL: I told some people recently we -- we
calculated just one inch of rain, and we probably already had an inch
of rain today. One inch of rain in Collier County equals 40 million
gallons, and you might think, well, it's a big county, but if you
thought of 40 million one-gallon milk jugs that just suddenly
descended on the county with a one-inch rain, I think it puts it in
perspective, and you start thinking about having two feet of rain in
the last 30 days. That's like six billion milk jugs that would just
be dumped in Collier County. I think it really starts to drive home
the point of how difficult that can be.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: It puts a different perspective
on it.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Yeah. I can see that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Did -- Did -- One question before
we move on. Did the federal government ever declare this a disaster
area?
MR. DORRILL: They did, in fact, only to the extent that
corporations or individuals without insurance can access SBA loans.
We did not get a presidential declaration through FEMA. So this is
sort of a level one emergency. It's localized for southern Lee and
Collier Counties.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: It would have been nice to get
some FEHA money to help with the work we're going to have to do.
MR. DORRILL: Fairly -- Fairly isolated, and I think
given the scale of it, you can -- can appreciate that, even though
Bonita Springs has had a real hard time.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: They are and continuing also.
Item #884
STAFF REPORT ON THE PURCHASE NEGOTIATION OF THE BATHEY PROPERTY - STAFF
TO WORK FURTHER WITH MR. HUBSCHHAN & ENGINEERS
Next item on the agenda is item 8B(4). It's a staff report on the
purchase negotiation of the Bathey property.
MR. CLEHONS: Good afternoon, Commissioners. I'm Tim
Clemons, your wastewater director. I know you're tired of hearing
about water, but this is another issue we need to look at today. Item
8B(4) is a staff report on the purchase of the Bathey property. In
February of this year, the board heard a presentation from staff
regarding various effluent disposal options for the south county
regional wastewater treatment facility, and as a result of that
presentation, you authorized staff to proceed with the permitting and
construction of two deep-injection wells for that site. The first of
these wells has been bid. The board has approved on August 22 that
bid with the construction cost of $2,470,000. Permitting for the well
will be complete in the next month or so according to the FDEP in Fort
Myers.
As part of that same presentation, Mr. Harry Hubschman
offered to sell to the board a 143-acre piece of property known as the
Bathey property, and this property is located between Naples Manor and
Lely Resort fronting U.S. 41. The sales proposal was to provide land
for two things. One's for an effluent storage lake site, and the
other was for a county park site. The idea was to -- to be able to
put both things on the 143 acres.
The board then directed us to negotiate with Mr.
Hubschman and to look at the feasibility and possibilities of using
this site for effluent storage and to determine the details of Mr.
Hubschman's proposal. One of the integral parts of these negotiations
includes the fact that the Hubschman family and the county have three
ongoing legal cases. If the county moves forward with purchasing this
property, the proposed settlement agreement results in a complete and
final settlement of those, and David can speak to those for just a
minute if he would like to.
MR. BRYANT: I didn't mean to interrupt Mr. Clemons, but
I wanted to bring something to the chairman and the board's attention,
and I want Mr. Siesky to agree, and I'm sure he will, that all the
discussions here today are in the nature of settlement discussions and
are not discoverable and would not be used in the fact if we should
continue on the litigation against the board or against Mr. Hubschman.
MR. SIESKY: I absolutely agree.
MR. BRYANT: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. CLEHONS: So that's one of the issues as part of the
negotiations, is the settlement of those -- those pending cases.
Since this February meeting, staff from utilities,
public services, and the county attorney's office have been
negotiating with the Hubschmans and representatives of that family on
this property. The package before you today and the negotiations
today include a turn-key package for the effluent storage lakes. We
would buy the property, and as part of that price, they would
construct -- They would permit, construct, and turn over to us fully
operating effluent storage lakes. The purchase price I'm told has
decreased by about $200,000 since the executive summary before you was
put together. Mr. Hubschman can speak to that issue in a few minutes.
The present proposal for the property is broken up into
two different pieces. One is for the utilities division portion. The
other would be for the public services division for the park. The
utilities division portion totals in cost $5.9 million or a little
more than $5.9 million. The parks portion would be a million dollars
for the park property site and $277,500 for some improvements on the
site, primarily the placement of fill material on that site.
One issue to the purchase is that the Hubschmans would
like to close on the park property immediately for a million dollars
at this time. And the alternative, of course, to this purchase would
be to move ahead with the installation of a second deep well at your
south county sewage plant, and the estimated cost for that at this
point are about $4 million, 3 million for a second well, a million for
some temporary ponds. The unknown factor -- and -- and David Bryant
will speak to that in a few minutes -- would be damages from the
litigation cases. And I would let David speak to that for just a few
minutes, and then we'll go on with the presentation.
MR. BRYANT: As far as my presenting what I foresee the
damage could possibly be, there are some givens, and there are some
unknowns. I think that it would be more appropriate for Mr. Siesky at
this time to tell the board what their client or his client would be
willing to do, what he believes the exposure of the county is, and
then I'd be glad to tell you what I see as the exposure. Some things
we're going to agree on because they're given. Sometimes some of the
things we're going to be wide apart on. Jim.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Siesky.
MR. SIESKY: Thank you, Commissioner. Jim Siesky
representing the Highlands Properties of Lee and Collier at this time.
The damages as I've outlined them or the anticipated potential
damages for David in a letter last March include the existing
condemnation action. That one was tried once. A judgment was
rendered that the county had to pay $70,000 to my client as damages
for the property that it took. It's the old sewer plant site. My
client wasn't happy with that and appealed it, and the appellate court
agreed that that was not a proper compensation for various reasons.
What I'm really looking at here is potential damages.
We have alleged at the initial trial that the damages to the remainder
of the site after taking the sewer plant tank over there were 313,000
based upon our appraiser's evaluation. Having received 70,000, or at
least have a good faith estimate of 70,000, our -- we suggest that the
remaining possible damages to the county are 243,000.
In that initial case, there were expert witness fees,
costs, and attorney's fees which I estimate to be 150,000. To re-try
the case, because it is a fairly involved case, and also since we've
done a lot of groundwork, I'm anticipating the expert witness fees,
attorney's fees, and costs to be 75,000. I don't have it in my memo
here because I'm just talking about the damages that we're asking for
compensation for, but the county should consider also that it will
have costs on the same side for hiring an outside attorney. I know
Mr. Bryant's involved in the case, but there's another attorney out of
Tallahassee and -- I'm sorry. His name escapes me at the moment --
who represented the county at the initial trial and I believe will do
the same -- It's anticipated he'll do the same at the next trial if it
occurs.
The other case that we would be settling and the damages
related to that are the lease of the effluent pond site on Davis
Boulevard and the lease of the sewer plant site on Palm Drive. We
alleged, and the jury agreed, that those leases terminated -- I
believe it was July of '93. That was appealed by your counsel. It
went to the Second District. The Second District affirmed that
decision on appeal. The only part of the case that's been tried so
far is our action for possession. Based upon the record at this time,
we're entitled to possession of the effluent pond site and the sewer
plant site. We've not attempted to take possession because of these
ongoing negotiations. What is left to be tried are the damages
related to the county's occupation of the premises after the
termination of the lease. For the trial of the damages portion,
including expert witness fees, I'm estimating $50,000. The attorney's
fees related to the initial part of the trial, the charges there,
$14,000.
The damages that we'll seek with the next trial if we
get to that point will be the damages for holding over for that
period, and I've only used double the rent in this analysis because
that was -- that's a statutory guideline that you can use, but what I
really had alleged was the fair market value. I think the fair market
value would be greater, but just using this as a benchmark, double the
rent for the period of 7-23-93 to 7-22-96 is $516,000 less the rental
payments that we've received to date, 150,000. The net damages are
about 366,000. The fair market that I estimated was a million dollars,
leaving 850,000. I'm trying to get a range for you to consider.
We also are claiming damages to the effluent pond site
because that was well populated with slash pines. All of those slash
pines have been killed as a result of the county's use of that site.
Before the county took occupation of the site and began dumping its
water on the site, the wastewater, the trees all were alive. $200 per
tree, 1,000 trees, $200,000.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: And that's for slash pines?
MR. SIESKY: Yes, sir. The -- There's also the
potential -- One of the elements of damage that we've alleged in the
leases case is inverse condemnation and the fact that you will
probably want to use the effluent pond site at least for some period.
There's a potential that you could be required to purchase the
effluent pond site and the sewer plant site which we estimate to be
between 500 and $10 million -- pardon me, 1,000 and $10 million as
potential damages. Those are all really just numbers right now. It's
not our goal to impose these damages. This all began with the
condemnation action about a year or two ago. Your park staff came to
the Hubschmans and wanted to purchase a park site on this -- on the
Bathey property. At that time it was not opportune. Last fall,
November, December, Mr. Hubschman suggested the possibility of
combining the park site purchase with your desire for an effluent
reuse, and that's how we've gotten to the point that we are today. We
believe that the proposal that has been suggested is a very reasonable
proposal that permits you to have -- the park site and the effluent
ponds for reuse, permits both of us to get out from under this
litigation because -- I'll be honest with you. I don't want to try
these cases. They're going to be involved. I'd much rather settle
them. We think it's a good deal for everyone. It's a win-win
situation. My client gets fair market value for his property, but,
most importantly, the public gets what its need -- it needs for the
park site and the effluent reuse, and fortunately it permits a
settlement of the litigation. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hancock.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Siesky, if -- if my math is
correct, right after the 200,000 for the slash pines, I had a total of
1,098,000 from your itemized list; is that correct?
MR. SIESKY: Yes, sir. Add a million ninety-eight to a
million five eighty-two is the range, and that's not even considering
the possibility of the inverse condemnation.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Right, which who knows?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Bryant.
MR. BRYANT: Thank you, Madam Chairman. One thing we've
got to look at is that we have a myriad of issues in this particular
settlement. We've not only got the settlement of the lease issue,
we've got the settlement of an age old condemnation case dealing with
the old sewer plant site. If you just take what we know our givens
are today from the five sixty-eight for the prior lease damages,
taking the lease agreement on its face and doubling it, we know we've
got that expense. Mr. Siesky's told us that he's got roughly 15,000
in attorney's fees. The contract provides -- at least provides as far
as his attorney's fees if he should be successful, and he was, and he
was successful on appeal. We know we've got a five eighty-three given
going in on the Santa Barbara pond sites. If you look at the old
sewer plant site, they're estimating their damages at two forty-three.
That's what they're going to go in and ask for. Obviously we would
not be agreeing with this. This is one of our old cases that's
handled by outside counsel that was engaged before I came with the
county. The county is going to have to pay for that new trial by its
outside counsel. We're going to have to have expert witness fees and
expert testimony for the trial and for any intervening appeal, and I
think there might be some appeal that's going to be taken up on an
interlocutory basis prior to getting to the trial.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Could I ask you a question?
MR. BRYANT: Yes, ma'am.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Is the reason that we would have
to continue to use outside counsel instead of your office is that
they're so far into it already or something? I mean, why would we
have to continue? We could fire outside if we wanted to, couldn't we?
MR. BRYANT: We certainly could. In fact, I have wanted
or have thought about entering into that case. I have not as of yet
because it's been handled by others, and I've been doing other things,
and nobody's asked me to do that. I'd be glad to do that. I mean,
that's no problem, but that's one thing you need to know, that right
now we are not handling it in-house. We are spending money outside,
but we know we're going to have given expert witness fees. That's
going to be a given. As you know from being an attorney, that's
expensive in condemnation cases. We're going to have to have
appraisers. We're going to have to have maybe some landscaping, a lot
of different myriad of things. So if you just take anywhere from --
Mr. Siesky's using the figure 75,000 for his fees and costs for trial.
If you just take half of that or a third of that, we're going to
spend 25 to 50 if we continue on with outside counsel and expert
witness fees for a new trial for the old sewer plant site.
They're also going to be able to show -- and I assume
since they're using the figure of 150,000 for attorney's fees from the
old trial and the appeal, they're going to have records that will
support that, time sheets. If -- We obviously can disagree with what
they're entitled to, but that's what they're coming to you and telling
you they're going to ask the Court to give them.
So we're looking at anywhere from four sixty-eight in
their numbers and adding ours into it, anywhere five seventy-five to
600. What we're looking at is somewhere between 1.1 and 1.2 as givens
right now that the county could end up writing a check for. These are
not "what if" situations. These are what has happened situations.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: You're saying between 1.1 and 1.2
million?
MR. BRYANT: Yes, sir.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: So your number and Mr. Siesky's
number of 1,098,000 is pretty close?
MR. BRYANT: Yes, sir, it is, on the givens. Now, the
area that we don't know about -- and if I could tell you the answer to
this, I wouldn't be here. I'd be picking lotto numbers -- is we go to
trial -- we'd say no deal. We go to trial on the Santa Barbara
effluent ponds. Mr. Siesky is going to attempt to have that turned
into an inverse condemnation issue that we have to buy the whole site.
We are going to resist that. In fact, I would probably be advising
the board that we go forward and attempt to condemn it on a temporary
basis and go forward with our deep-well injection if that should be
the board's decision. That's an area that we are going to litigate
very vigorously I'm sure because he believes that we're going to be
made to buy the whole site. I believe there's an argument there that
we can use it on a temporary basis. We don't know the answer to that
yet. But let's say we lose on that. We're looking at whatever
they're going to find as far as their appraisals for their damage for
the site that if -- if the Court should determine we took we took, and
that's all over the balipark. I mean, there is no -- where we know
what that figure is going to be. I think Jim's using a figure from
500,000 to 10 million, something like that. That's why I say if I
could tell you an answer to that, I would, but there is no attorney
that can stand here and tell you you're going to successful or you're
not going to be successful. But the given is the area that I think
you need to look at, and then I think you need to listen to what Mr.
Clemons is going to tell you about what the cost of a deep-well and
also the temporary ponds he's going to need versus going with the park
site and the effluent ponds and reuse and -- and that's going to be a
positive decision this board's going to have to make. Yes, sir.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hancock.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: So, in essence, if we decide not
to proceed with the land purchase, we're rolling the dice on the
potential for an inverse condemnation decision which could cost us
anywhere between a half a million to $10 million?
MR. BRYANT: More or less, but, yes, sir, that's exactly
right.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. BRYANT: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. CLEHONS: I think at this time Mr. Hubschman has
some things that he wanted to share with the board, and I'll go ahead
and turn the floor over to him and let him do that. CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Hubschman.
MR. HUBSCHHAN: Hi there. Harry Hubschman. Actually, I
was going to wait and let them do the presentation first because they
basically, you know, should do that before I -- you know, I should get
up and speak, I think. I mean, I've already talked to all you
commissioners in private about the details of this, you know,
settlement agreement that we've come up with. And, you know, if they
have something new to add here, I think they -- they need to do that
now.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hancock.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Madam -- Madam Chairman, this has
the potential to take a tremendously long period of time, and I just
as soon we cut to the chase on this. There are really a couple of
simple questions for this board today as I see it. That is, there are
two purchases in the wings, one of county park property and the other
of -- of perc ponds. There's a cost associated with both. If we
looked at the difference in what we would pay to obtain a park site
like this and what we would pay for a deep-well injection, that --
that's where the question lies as to whether it's worth getting out
from under the litigation or not. So if we could focus on that, we
could probably get to the real decision on this and avoid a lot of the
fringe discussion that would take us all afternoon. CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Let's do that.
MR. CLEHONS: Okay. On the park site -- On the park
site, I'll let Mr. Olliff speak to that. On the -- On the effluent
lake site that utilities would be looking at, the cost again would be
$4,457,000 for the property. You're looking at improvements on a
turn-key package. This would include a pipeline to the site, total
construction, and turnover of the site to us for use of $1,403,680.
There's some other ideas -- or some other issues that go with it.
There's title insurance on the property that the county attorney's
office will advise you to buy. It's $19,000. There's the lease to
continue on the Davis Boulevard pond. The annual lease on that at
this point is $56,000. That's going to come in somewhere around 5.9
-- a little over $5.9 million. The alternative would be to look at
the deep well. The well we believe can be constructed for about 3
million. The bids that we received recently were under that. They
were less than $3 million, but we bid two wells, and we're just -- you
know, we think there's an economy of scale we got with the two wells.
To bid one separate, we said $3 million. We would have to construct
probably near -- either construct near some temp -- some ponds we have
today a temporary ponding which we've talked to DEP about, and that's
a possibility, or as David said, we would look at being able to stay
on those Davis Boulevard ponds through legal means, but the temporary
ponds are estimated to be a million dollars, and they are only
temporary. So that's a million dollars spent to hold water for a short
period of time, and then after that, that money goes away, and those
ponds go away because they're not ours permanently. If you take that
and the attorney's estimate of 1.1 to $1.2 million on damages at this
point, we're at 5.1 to 5.2 million to drill that second deep well. So
you've got a difference from the utilities side of a little over 5.9
million back to about 5.2 million or a spread of about $700,000.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Questions?
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: A question for Mr. Olliff. Mr.
Olliff, where does this particular park proposal fit into our park
plans?
MR. OLLIFF: The parks department has been looking in
this particular planning community for a number of years for a site
for a park. Primarily we have been looking to try and service that
neighborhood, that Naples MAnor area. We have looked as far as --
That planning community actually extends all the way down County Barn
Road, and we were at the point of looking at properties that far away
which -- which, frankly, don't serve the community which we try and
serve with this park. In terms of location, this property actually
abuts the Naples MAnor community, and there are some opportunities to
provide some -- In fact, I think at the bottom of that drawing, the
wavy line that he's showing is actually their conception of a
pedestrian bicycle pathway directly from the Naples MAnor community
into the park without ever having to go out onto U.S. 41. So from the
parks department perspective, it fits in -- it fits in well in terms
of where we're looking for park property and the size of the park
property and the location of it.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: On that same level, another
question of cost. When you look at what we're willing to spend per
acre and size-wise, how does this fit into that puzzle, and is there a
-- a financial separation between what we would pay for this site and
what we would pay for a site not involved in litigation?
MR. OLLIFF: The only thing unique in terms of this
particular property are two things. One, that it is U.S. 41 frontage,
and so when you actually do an appraisal on the property, it actually
probably comes in a little higher than what we would traditionally buy
in the way of park property. We as a rule of thumb look at properties
somewhere in that $25,000 an acre range. This is probably 34,000, and
it probably appraises actually higher than that.
The other issue on this particular property is it's
fairly low and requires a significant amount of fill, but because of
the joint utility project, there are some advantages that can probably
take care of that fill issue and using the fill from the ponds
directly on the site as much, much less costly than it would be if we
had to import it from some other fill site.
So from the park perspective, it's very, very important
that we be in a position to be able to use that fill because the
development cost will be significantly different on this property
depending on -- on yes or no, whether we can get the permits to do
that. So from a dollar standpoint, I think from land-wise it's
probably a little higher, but, frankly, we've been looking for at
least three years for a piece of property to be able to site a park.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Have we paid around 34,000 an
acre in the past for any other park sites that you know of?
MR. OLLIFF: We -- We paid -- We paid probably 27, I
believe, an acre, and I would have to go back and double check that,
for the Lake Avalon property that we just got done purchasing.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. So it's ballpark, but it's
MR. OLLIFF: Yes.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: -- on the high end?
MR. OLLIFF: Yes.
MR. SIESKY: Could I interject, Commissioner? I'm only
relying on my memory, and it's not that good -- COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: I know the feeling, Jim.
MR. SIESKY: -- but my recollection is maybe two years
ago the offer from the county was a million dollars for this site plus
$600,000 worth of other property that is owned off of 951 back by the
Gran (phonetic) property.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: And what was the -- Now, per
acre, that came out to be what?
MR. SIESKY: It would have been similar.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Similar?
MR. SIESKY: I think so.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Norris, you had some
questions?
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Yes, for Mr. Olliff. Mr. Olliff, I
have -- Strangely enough, for a proposal for a park, I've heard some
negative talk about this one because of just the very idea of locating
a park in amongst a bunch of effluent ponds. Have you heard that same
story and -- and what is the -- in your opinion, the breadth of that
sentiment out in the community?
MR. OLLIFF: Yes. In fact, I've had members of the
public just tell me, who would be stupid enough to put a park next to
effluent ponds, and all you need to do is look to the veterans
community park on Immokalee Road which is the exact same situation as
what's being proposed here. It is a park directly adjacent to
effluent ponds. In that particular park, we have not found any
adverse problems to that location. In fact, we've found probably more
benefits in that we use a lot of effluent to water those fields there,
and it also offers some opportunities for utilities. When their ponds
get full, we'll try and cooperate and extra water when we can those
fields. So it's an extremely good relationship for us.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: In essence, the -- the complaints
you've had from veterans community park really have been because we
haven't installed the complete treatment system for the -- the -- the
wastewater treatment up there; is that correct? That's most of their
complaints? Not from effluent, but from wastewater treatment?
MR. OLLIFF: Correct. And, in fact, even those numbers
of complaints, I -- I probably in my entire tenure here in public
services, I probably could count the number of complaints on that park
and that related issue on one hand, very, very limited.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm the other hand. So now we're
up to two hands.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Clemons.
MR. CLEMONS: There's one other issue that I need to
point out, and I -- I forgot to give it to you as we were talking
about the numbers. And Friday we were having a meeting with our
design engineers on that south county treatment work that's ongoing,
and one of the issues that came up was the construction of reject
storage ponds on that site. And as part of their design work, they're
looking at building reject storage ponds, and we got into a discussion
as to the effect of having to build those if we went to this Bathey
property or if we built a second deep well. If we go to the Bathey
property, we would still have to have on-site reject storage ponds.
The Bathey property could not be considered for reject storage. To be
honest with you, that plant very seldom goes into reject storage
state. The only time it has since we've opened it actually was three
weeks ago during the -- the storm event when we pushed so much water
through it.
The deep well would be used for reject storage in lieu
of reject storage ponds on that site. So there's a potential savings
according to OCPM of $700,000 on top of what we've talked about
already today by going to the second deep well in lieu of the Bathey
property. However, I will tell you that I've talked to Mr. Cadenhead
this morning, and he's got some proposals to share with you on
providing that reject storage out at the Bathey property also at a
much lesser cost than OCPM has -- has given us at this point. So it's
another number that's in there. It's not an absolute known at this
point. It's -- It's purely an engineer's estimate, and, again, Mr.
Cadenhead who is proposing to do the work on the Bathey site has got
some ideas on how to handle that also, but I wanted you to be aware of
that because depending on how we go, there is still the reject storage
issue that must be addressed.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Okay. Mr. Clemons, now, having an
effluent pond near a park may be one thing, but a reject pond near a
park is a completely different proposition here, isn't it?
MR. CLEMONS: Not really, Commissioner. As -- As Mr.
Olliff said a moment ago, we have that same reject storage situation
at our north county plant. We have a reject storage pond that's
adjacent to that park.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Well, we may have it out there.
That doesn't make it a very -- That doesn't necessarily make it
desirable; right?
MR. CLEMONS: I would agree. Again, I -- I would need
to reiterate that in the five years that plant's been in service,
there's only been one time, and that was three weeks ago that we had
to do that.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: The way life works, though, that
would be right in the middle of the little league playoffs and --
MR. CLEMONS: Could be.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Yeah.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah. Murphy's Law would say the
worst -- the worst possible thing at the worst possible time.
MR. CLEMONS: And I -- I need to re -- Let me clarify
reject storage for you. Right now -- COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: We're not talking raw sewage
here?
MR. CLEMONS: No, it's not at all. In fact, it's the
quality of water that we normally would put into percolation ponds
anyway. The -- The state's requirements for the effluent to the golf
course is fairly stringent. NTUs of less than four; turbidity, less
than four; total suspended solids, less than five. If they go to five
and a half, it becomes reject water. So I don't want you to think that
it's raw sewage by no means. It's not. It's something that's slightly
off. Maybe the plant's had a minor upset or something, and we may go
to reject for just a short period of time until parameter is back
within the range, but I don't want to frighten you by making it sound
like reject storage is contaminated waste or anything.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Another question for Mr. Olliff.
Mr. Olliff, are we intent -- is our intent to pretty much isolate this
park from the ponds where not necessarily visible or noticeable from
the park site itself?
MR. OLLIFF: I think most of those ponds would probably
be bermed and landscaped on top of the berm or somewhere landscaped.
The one that we -- They actually did this design and -- and the design
is -- is not one that we've gotten into in great detail, but one of
the advantages the way they have it currently designed that way is --
is you'll see all the softball fields in wheel in the middle there --
those ponds actually create a buffer between us and any residential
neighborhood as well, and one of the issues we always have is -- is
athletic field lighting near a residential area, and this is -- We're
right on a major highway and buffered by a significant amount of
storage ponds from any close residential area. It's a nice feature to
have. But I would, yes, assume we would have some sort of buffer
between us and the actual ponds.
MR. HCNEES: I would make one amplification there before
Mr. Olliff spends too much of Mr. Clemons' -- CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. HcNees, I think you have to
identify yourself for the court reporter.
MR. HCNEES: Yes, ma'am. Mike HcNees of the utilities
division. We would certainly think those would be bermed because
probably at this point not proposed to be extensively landscaped.
They would just be grass berms and probably not landscaped.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I would have a question on that,
Mr. HcNees, as to whether the ponds would be fenced since the bike
path or walkway goes around that one pond in getting to the softball
field wheel.
MR. CLEHONS: Our risk management department has advised
us that they would need to be fenced.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: They would need to be fenced?
MR. CLEHONS: Yes, ma'am. Fencing is not included in
the process we've given you today though, but because they are ponds,
they would need to be fenced.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Do current ponds we have -- are
they fenced?
MR. CLEHONS: The ones at the north county are fenced,
yes, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: The ones at Davis Boulevard?
MR. CLEHONS: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: They are? Okay. Any other
questions? Is there any suggestion of what we may want to do?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Well, there --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: This is mainly a report. We don't
have to do anything except accept it.
MR. CLEHONS: I think Mr. -- I think Mr. Cadenhead wants
to give you some information if you have a moment. That's -- MR. CADENHEAD: Bobby Cadenhead, for the record. We've
first met with the county staff, two divisions, the park division and
also utility division, to try to formulate a plan that would work. As
you can see, you've got 3,400 feet on U.S. 41 which puts this park
site as like a jewel in Naples -- I mean, in East Naples. You've got
a beautiful park site in East Naples. In doing the park, we was able
to buffer all the activity by putting ponds to each side of the park
which creates all the noise factors from Lely on the other side,
Naples Manor from this side. The park becomes isolated. The ponds
and the lakes become part of the buffering process.
The other great part about this -- this whole operation
is Naples Manor, is that we came in and figured out a way that the
people from Naples Manor would be able to come by bike to come to the
park, and we think that is a great plus as far as having a park. We
also have a way for the kids from Lely High School to leave the high
school and they are able to bike from Lely High School down to the
park if need be in the afternoon to play baseball or whatever they
might want to do.
The other part that we did, we did something unique. We
went out to the county south regional sewer plant, and we got ahold of
the operators, and we talked to them a little bit about what they
wanted and what would work for them as far as a pond site. Basically
we're 7,000 feet from the sewer plant site now which is not a long way
as far as maintenance. The other thing that makes it nice is that if
you really sincerely want to get into the tense system and be part of
the future as far as a sewer system where you're furnishing tense
water to developments and what else, this works as a perfect solution
because what it does, it gives you -- these lakes become like tanks.
During your peak time, during when the plant's running is when the
golf courses and things could not take all the water so you've got a
place to store. You've got a place to bring the water back and tense
it. It's not like putting it down a deep well and it's gone. Today
you listened to a lot of people in here talking about water and being
flooded. You're going to find the general consensus of South Florida
Water Management is to start opening up and not retain the type of
water that they retain before, and the need for tense water is going
to be here even more. So if there's any questions, I'll answer any
questions for you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Questions?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Your -- Your comment, Commissioner
Matthews, was that we're not going to make a decision today?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: No. We're not required to. This
is a report.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: That's not -- Gosh. I guess I
misunderstood. I thought we were supposed to try to make a decision
today.
MR. HCNEES: I'll field that with a yes. It is titled a
report, but we're asking for some direction from the board today.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Okay.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Well, if you want comments from
the board, my inclination is to go with the deep wells and take our
chances in court. The problem is that, you know, the park site does
have some merit although I -- it's hard to come to this park site
because of overall price of the project. It's a lot of money and I'm
-- I --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Commissioner Norris, the
overall price is what? 7.2?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Yes. 7.2 now. But the --
Somebody clarify for me this 1.4 million for improvements for effluent
lake, who's doing that and --
MR. HCNEES: That's the price of what's proposed to be
the turn-key construction where they would actually do the
construction and we would buy the ponds fully constructed.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Why don't we -- Do we know what we
could build the ponds for?
MR. MCNEES: Yes. And we estimate that we can't do it
any more cheaply than that, and we certainly can't do it as quickly.
OCPM engineers have looked at that estimate. They feel like that's a
real good number. We can't do it more cheaply, and we certainly, as
I've said, given bid requirements, so they can't do it as quickly.
MR. BRYANT: One other thing, Commissioners, that we did
not want our client to purchase something he couldn't use for what he
wanted. That's why we put the onus on them, and by turning it into a
turn-key package where they've got to get all the permitting, they've
got to do everything or we don't have to pay them, we thought that
protected the board a lot more too.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Okay. So that's in our agreement.
MR. BRYANT: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: That still leaves me at the point
where I think it's a little too much money for the whole thing.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm not -- I'm adding --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hancock.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- as I'm making notes going
along trying to find where the differences are, how it adds up. I've
come up with seven, $800,000 on the utilities side and the difference
between the deep well and the perc ponds. I understand that we would
-- you know, we'd prefer the reuse over deep well, but seven,
$800,000 is still a big chunk of money. In addition, an additional
cost of construction of reject storage ponds somewhere up to $700,000.
So already with those two items alone I'm at $1.5 million as an
additional cost to the county by going with this site. As we
mentioned earlier, if we pursue the litigation based on the cost that
we know we're going to have to pay, we're rolling the dice between
$500,000 and 10 million. Now, with that upper end number, you can
just pick a number. I mean, that -- I don't honestly believe we're
going to get hit for $10 million, and I don't think anybody in this
room really does either. So what we're looking at is $1.5 million.
You know, is it worth a million and a half for us to make -- you know,
to make it go away. And I'm inclined to agree with Commissioner
Norris. A million and a half is a ton of money, conceding a $1.1
million amount in -- in previous suits already. So we're adding a
million and a half on top of that. So, in essence, we're looking at
$2.6 million in difference of cost to make the -- the -- the legal
side of it go away, and that's -- that's a hefty -- a hefty price tag.
MR. BRYANT: One other thing, Commissioners, I would
suggest that you might think about. There are a couple of things that
are fine-tuning type items that are housekeeping matters in the final
draft that I received today from Mr. Siesky that we are not in
agreement on, that if the board should decide to do it -- I'm not
saying it would, but if it should, we would tell you not to tell us to
bring that contract to you in this form to be executed. So if the
board wanted to say go back and talk to them for a week or two weeks,
we would be more than glad to do that because there are a couple of
items that we are still in disagreement on that, either we're going to
have to negotiate, or if the board should decide to want to do this,
we're going to come to you and say, look, we don't think we should
agree to this point. I just want to share that with you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Constantine.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I guess I've got to disagree
with Commissioner Norris, that, well, the heck with it, let's take our
chances in court. I need to do a little math here and check the
numbers because I -- I had come up with some different numbers. But,
Commissioner Hancock, if we're talking that big of a differential, I
share some of your concern there, but maybe that's something we could
work on with Mr. Hubschman. I don't know, but some of the things we
look at there as far as the park and the permitting and the fact that
that's done by someone else, one of the things that concerns me the
most is the throw-away expenses, the million dollars for the temporary
perc ponds and, poof, it's gone and so are the ponds. That's a
million dollars just thrown away. Mr. Bryant appears to be
comfortable with the direction of this, not necessarily with the
specifics, but with the direction of this settlement. Am I reading
you wrong there or --
MR. BRYANT: No, Commissioner. I would relate to you
that I am comfortable with getting this litigation out of our life and
out of the board's life. I think the board wants that. I think
that's a good thing. Right now, as I said, there is some fine-tuning
matters, not only as to some of the language, but some other things
that we would like to work out if the board should decide to do this.
But, yes, I share that thought with you.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Olliff, you appear to be
fairly comfortable -- very comfortable with this site in particular
for a park. It meets the need we have been trying for years
apparently to pursue.
MR. OLLIFF: In terms of the park, yes. We're positive,
but keep in mind, in terms of the numbers, we're a small dog in this
whole picture --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Right.
MR. OLLIFF: -- and -- and the utility issues are the
ones that are probably driving this decision.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Oh, absolutely. And Mr.
HcNees, your level of comfort with -- If this were able to go through
and our numbers boil out, your level of comfort with this site to
facilitate our needs?
MR. HCNEES: Let me answer that as best I can. I'm very
uncomfortable standing here without a solid recommendation for you. I
don't like being in that position of not being able to say this is
what we think should happen from the staff's standpoint. The two
items we can't quantify as your utilities staff -- one is how badly
needed is that East Naples Park and how much of a factor is that in
this decision. Secondly, how willing are you as a board to direct us
to roll the dice on the legal issues. Staff came to a position where
if the costs of constructing these ponds and the hard costs of
whatever litigation that we already owe were approximately break-even
versus building a deep well and losing the lawsuits or our estimate of
that is that was roughly a break-even for us, that we could support
this. Operationally deep wells a lot easier to deal with than 100
acres of ponds. So that's sort of a liability for us, but given a
break even, given -- which I think is a huge benefit as Mr. Bryant
said, to get out of all these lawsuits at break-even where staff was
willing to say, yes, this is a great deal. We are now between it
looks like a million and maybe a million and a half dollars from
break-even. Let's say between half a million and a million and a half
somewhere away from break-even. Frankly, that's where the judgment
call comes in and that question of how willing are you or are we
willing to recommend rolling the dice, and I think that's a real dicey
question, and I wish I had a good sold answer for you.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I think your point's well
taken. My concern is that the numbers you've thrown out there scare
me a little bit, and I'm not ready to go and do anything important, I
mean, a million and a half or -- or more, but I like the direction
we've headed in. Harry, you and Jim and everyone have done a good job
in trying to package this and trying to make something that will work
for everybody. So I don't know if it's appropriate to ask David and
Mike and everyone to sit down --
MR. HUBSCHHAN: If I can just have a couple of minutes.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Before doing that, Harry, I
agree. I think what you've put together is great, and if it yields
you at least $1.5 million, then we may otherwise have to pay, but the
thing to remember for this board is that, Mr. Bryant, we'd have to
lose everything in order to get to -- you know, that we know that our
exposure may be 1.1 million on this. We've admitted that in this
forum, but to add another million and a half to that is, in essence,
to say that each step of the way we are going to lose, and the final
result will be some form of inverse condemnation charge to go beyond
that 1.1 million. Is that your -- a fair assessment of what your --
your summary is on -- on the legal issues?
MR. BRYANT: That's part of it, Commissioner. I'm not
saying we're going to lose on every issue because we don't believe we
will.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Right.
MR. BRYANT: We never go into court believing we're
going to lose. That's one of the positions we take.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: And our record indicates that we
don't.
MR. BRYANT: I hate to lose. I like to win, and I like
the board to win. We have to share those figures with you as a
client. We have a duty and an ethical responsibility to share those
with you, but I echo what Mr. HcNees said. If the numbers got better,
it would be a lot easier for me to stand here and say I think you
ought to do this, and I think it would be easier for them. That's why
I thought that maybe the board would like us to go back and talk to
Mr. Hubschman and Mr. Siesky again and see if they could crunch the
numbers a little bit better. Maybe they could save some money here or
there if the board should want that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah. I -- I think today one of
the things that's -- that I heard today that I hadn't heard before is
this thing with the reject ponds which just suddenly dumped another
$700,000 into this project, and when I add that to the 5.9 that we're
talking about including settlement of the suits versus a second deep
well which is only 5.2, you're right, Commissioner Hancock. There's
1.4 difference. That's a lot of money.
MR. HCNEES: And we apologize for the lateness of that
information. We learned that Friday ourselves. So we got it to you
as quickly as we could.
MR. HUBSCHHAN: If I could just have a few minutes.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Hubschman.
MR. HUBSCHHAN: Thank you. Harrison Hubschman again.
I'm just going to back up just for a second and point out that, you
know, we're looking at -- that we tried to, you know, do the best we
could in getting a tense program started for the county here. Our
land is situated such that, you know, the pipeline costs are very
small. We look at that as a big plus for this site as, you know,
effluent storage for that use.
In looking at some of the back material that was
produced by Hole, Hontes, the cost for other sites is just really
astronomical when you start looking at the piping cost, and if you're
going to pipe it out that far, you may as well put in a deep well, you
know, if you're going to pipe five miles, you know, run it -- pump it
all the way back and have the cost of that pipeline, and, you know,
deep well is the way to go if you're going to do that, but this site
is close enough where it allows the tense system that you need.
Now, as far as the price of the property is concerned,
34,000 an acre is what is the appraisal price, and that is the price
that we have pegged as the sales price. We have two appraisals that
meet that price. Mr. Olliff can correct me if I'm wrong because of my
memory, but if he -- three years ago, they offered a million dollars
cash and a piece of property valued at -- Do you remember, Tom? MR. OLLIFF: No.
MR. HUBSCHHAN: No? My recollection is like 350,000 was
the appraised value of that property over by 951. You're talking about
approximately 34,000 an acre is what they offered three years ago for
a park site. So here we are again offering him not the back land but
the frontage for that price, and we're willing to risk the gamble of
selling that to you now and the possibility of us not getting the
permitting on the ponds means that you don't have to close on the back
portion of the property which basically, you know, hurts us, you know.
At the same time if we're looking at legal issue money,
roughly a million one to a million two, and we have picked a value
here of roughly 578,000 for that that we will accept and leave the --
and kill those issues, we get up roughly around $600,000 there also.
We -- That 578,000, as David might be able to tell you, is basically
-- most of it is cost of litigation that we've already expended.
We're not really gaining anything -- you know, if we are gaining
anything, it's very little as far as damages.
The other thing I would urge you to do is not throw
money away on temporary fixes like a million dollars for a pond, $3
million for deep wells for holes in the ground that may become useless
somewhere down the line. I know they have -- probably have statistics
on these, and I haven't heard about them yet, but I'm sure that will
come out as to how reliable they are. But, you know, if they ever do
plug up, that's a $3 million hole in the ground that's useless. We're
talking about a permanent fix here, a piece of property that has
value. We're talking about a park that has great value, not just as
land, but as -- to the community that needs it right next door, and
we're talking about a lot of tangible things here as far as a purchase
and a settlement. We're talking about a lot of intangible things as
far as doing, you know, deep wells and going on with litigation.
that's about all I have to say.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Mr. Hubschman, Mr. Bryant has
suggested that perhaps he and Mr. HcNees and your group would sit down
and discuss these issues a little bit further in the next week or two.
Are you willing to do that, or are simply you requesting that the
board go ahead and make the decision today?
MR. HUBSCHHAN: Well, I was hoping that the board could
make a decision today but it's obvious that some of the numbers --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: We'll be glad to do that.
MR. HUBSCHHAN: Well, I know, but some of the numbers, I
think, have been jumbled around. I'm hearing a million, two million
six, and, you know, if you're going to do a reuse program, that
million five roughly for the construction -- whether you do it on our
property or whether you do it somewhere else, if you decide to go with
reuse, you're going to have to spend that anyway, you know, so --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: That's a decision we'd have to
make at some time, but I unfortunately have to look at what the end
tax dollars are here.
MR. HUBSCHMAN: I understand.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: And although the individual
elements may have merit individually, when you put them together and
you write the check, I need to be very concerned with that, and this
deal we're making a concession or we're conceding, in essence, $2.6
million, 1.1 that Mr. Bryant has identified and 1.5 in additional
costs with the perc ponds going this way instead of deep-well
injection. So when it comes to the burden or -- that we all feel of
how tax dollars are spent, that becomes a choking point, and I think
as Commissioner Norris has identified and Mr. Bryant has, you know, if
this number were to change and become more favorable, there might be a
recommendation from our staff that -- that there -- they think rolling
the dice would be a dangerous move compared to the deal, but we're not
at that point right now. I'd say we may be close, but in my
estimation we're not there today as it sits before us. MR. HUBSCHMAN: Okay.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: And if you're willing to work
further with our staff, I'd be happy to make or second that motion or
just make that as a board recommendation, but I think if we push for a
decision today, we're not going to end up with -- with anything close
to what you're hoping to end up with, and we're all going to be back
in court.
MR. HUBSCHMAN: Let me go back and just tell you the
reject ponds that they've quoted at $700,000, Bobby has priced out at
around $400,000 today. That's his -- what his estimate of building
those reject ponds would be so there -- another $300,000 to be saved
there.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: That's part of what we're asking.
MR. HUBSCHMAN: Right.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Let's sit down and talk about
these issues and get firmer numbers and come back and see --
MR. HUBSCHMAN: I'm going to tell you, when it comes
right down to it, I mean, a deep well's cheap. It's cheap. It's
intangible, and it's cheap. If you -- If you don't want to go reuse,
then, you know, that's the way to go. It's just -- you know, if
you're going to get rid of the water, get rid of the water, but you're
never going to find a piece of land, whether it be our land or whether
it be one of the other 14 other pieces that will compare to the -- to
the cheapness of the deep well, but, again, you have those other
considerations that I mentioned before as far as deep well, and I
think our property is well suited for the purpose --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Just a question. I don't
know if I heard an answer to Commissioner Norris -- his initial --
initial question, and that is --
MR. HUBSCHMAN: Oh, I'm sorry.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- are you open to sitting
down with staff again? There are a few items -- MR. HUBSCHMAN: The answer is I'm always open to
talking, yes.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Okay. I know we all kind of
looked at each other when there was slash pine estimated at 200,000.
MR. HUBSCHMAN: No. I disagree with that number myself.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: If I could move this along,
I'd make a motion we direct our staff to spend the next couple of
weeks with Mr. Siesky and Mr. Hubschman and see if we can crunch these
numbers a little bit. I think that heads us in a good direction, but
we have to make it cost effective or it doesn't work. COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second. I
just want to make a comment on the reuse versus deep well. I think
this board generally has committed to the reuse, but, again, a phrase
we heard earlier today, not at any price. So, you know, we think that
we need our staff to sit down with you and give you --
MR. HUBSCHMAN: Well, we've sat with staff and worked on
the numbers and worked on the contracts, and, you know, I don't know
if a group of people -- you know, it's like I'm dealing for, you know,
Highland Properties. I'm here -- I'm here to negotiate. Anything I
say is binding, and I'm dealing with -- and I want to say this about
the staff. They've been great. They've worked with us, and they've
been honest and open with us and dealt with us in a very fair manner
and --
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Let us know if that's not the
case.
MR. HUBSCHMAN: Okay. No. They've been great, and I
can -- and I think they're going to continue that, but I really would
like one person in charge, you know, as far as negotiations. It's too
hard to deal with three or four.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Congratulations, Mr. Bryant.
MR. BRYANT: I'd only respond that it is a team event on
this issue. I give the legal representation to the utilities
department, and I suggest things that should be changed. They have
the technical expertise. So in all due respect to Mr. Hubschman, I
appreciate his comments. They were kind to us, but it really is a
team event for us on this side.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I understand. We have a motion
and a second to direct our staff to work further with Mr. Hubschman
and his attorney and engineering company. Any further discussion?
Call the question. All in favor please say aye.
Opposed?
There being none, motion passes 5-0.
MR. HUBSCHMAN: Thank you.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Madam Chair, if I may, would it
be appropriate to ask our staff to direct communication to
Mr. Hubschman through Mr. Bryant? I'm sure that's already happening,
but if Mr. Hubschman is looking for a point man, I think Mr. Bryant is
the most logical one for that, and I'm sure there's things about parks
and utilities he'd love to learn.
MR. BRYANT: Thank you, Commissioner.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I think that's quite appropriate.
MR. HUBSCHMAN: Thank you for your time.
Item #8B5
RECOHMENDATION TO CONTINUE THE WEEKLY YARDWASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM -
APPROVED
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you. Next item on the
agenda is item -- Geez. It's getting late -- 8(B)(5), a
recommendation to continue the weekly yard waste collection program.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll make a motion we accept
the recommendation of staff. COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
MR. RUSSELL: For the record, David Russell. This
recommendation is to continue the weekly yard waste --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Russell, we just got a motion
and a second to continue.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: To approve.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: To continue the program. I'm
sorry. To approve continuing the program.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: You've got to be quick.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Any discussion? All those in
favor please say aye.
Opposed?
There being none, motion passes 5-0. Thank you for the
excellent presentation.
Item #886
REPORT ON ROYAL COVE SEWER ISSUES - PROPOSED SETTLEMENT REJECTED; STAFF
TO PROCEED WITH NECESSARY WORK OF WETWELL; STAFF TO BRING BACK
RESOLUTION TO ADOPT ASSESSMENT DISTRICT; AND NECESSARY BUDGET
AMENDMENTS APPROVED
Next item -- Who could ever say no? 8(B)(6) is a
discussion of Royal Cove. Mr. Clemons.
MR. CLEMONS: Let mine go that fast too if you want to.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Yours is more complicated.
MR. CLEMONS: Okay. Item 8(B)(6) is -- just a quick
update for you on the Royal Cove sewer issues. The board's previously
heard from us several times on this matter regarding this sewer system
and the owner's intent to continue or to discontinue providing
service. Mr. Weigel's going to hand you out some correspondence we
received just this morning, I believe, from the owner, Mr. Vetter's,
attorney. The board had told us to go ahead and pursue whatever means
necessary to ensure sewer service continues in the short term and to
look at the long term for this area also. Litigation with the owner
is continuing in an effort to require the owner to provide or assist
the county in providing service. At this point that will be provided
through September 23, 1995. Our next hearing date in Judge
Brousseau's court is September 21, 1995. At this point staff is
proposing to go in and do a quick fix, simply something to ensure that
the residents continue to have service. We're proposing to install a
lift station structure, just the wet well portion of it, in the road
right-of-way adjacent to the Royal Cove sewage treatment plant today.
The cost on that is estimated to be approximately $35,000, and the
work would be done by the underground contractor that we currently
have on retainer. The item before you this morning or this afternoon
is simply to get your permission to go ahead with that phase of this
project until we see what happens in court on the 21st of this month.
So we want to at least be able to tell the judge the steps that we
have taken in order to alleviate the residents' concerns. David
Weigel may have some additional comments for you from the county
attorney's viewpoint on this.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Weigel.
MR. WEIGEL: Thank you. You have before you the
response to settlement negotiation with our office, the attorney for
the owner of Royal Cove, and, quite frankly, a few of the
considerations that they have proposed back to us were not part of the
consideration that we were looking to at this point, included of which
is number four on this -- on this letter which talks about the county
waiving all frontage assessment fees and impact fees with respect to
the lots, and there are two lots, number 27 and 28 subdivision that we
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Excuse me. I'm sorry. Go ahead.
MR. WEIGEL: Okay -- which apparently will help to
develop in the future, and he's looking for some future assistance in
this regard, not withstanding that the property has been cited and is
in litigation with the DEP and Collier County -- in fact, Collier
County in two cases right now concerning the -- the promise with the
property, provide the wastewater service to the customers within the
subdivision and the fact that he wants to abandon it and has not
sought to abandon it through the county's law -- the law that pertains
to Collier County, eighty-eight four ninety-nine which requires
permission and provision for what is to happen in the future if a
particular premise is to be abandoned. So not withstanding there have
been negotiations, this is the good thing, that there have been
negotiations, albeit a little difficult with us to get response from
Mr. Vetter.
The injunctive lawsuit that we have coming up for second
hearing on September 21, we will be in a position where we will either
prevail or not prevail in regard to injunction continuing whether
there's a settlement or not. That's a very basic statement, but the
fact is that we believe the judge in circuit court want -- would only
be looking for the county to do all things possible to resolve this
outside of merely looking to the court for emergency relief. We have
reviewed the private property issues concerning the placement of
county facilities in right-of-way, and it would appear that the
property -- potential for property damages in this case as opposed to
the previous agenda item are relatively nominal or minimal; and,
therefore, if the board should authorize staff -- utilities staff to
go forward to make the capital improvements and order the equipment
that would necessary to provide a fix for the subdivision, it may, in
fact, ultimately assist us with our case on the 21st. If we were to
reach settlement prior to the 21st, we would inform the judge, and the
judge would let things go, or he would -- in other words, relieve --
release us all from the jurisdiction of this case or continue
jurisdiction based on the premise of what we have attempted to do.
The long and short of it is it looks like we're continuing to a
hearing on the 21st, and to this point we do not see satisfactory
response from Mr. Vetter in regard to the premises and its future.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hancock, you have a
question?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I think it's important to state a
couple of things. First of all, the short-term fix that Mr. Clemons
has alluded to that was contained in a memo you received is, in
essence, to construct a wet well which is the casing in which a pump
is generally set into to create a pump station. In essence, it's a
gravity collection and operates almost as a septic that would be
pumped on a regular basis, probably at less cost, and we would have to
charge the residents of Royal Cove for pumping it, but the charge
would probably be less than what they're paying now for the service of
a dilapidated plant.
MR. CLEMONS: Well, he's proposing to raise that rate
also in his letter so --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Right. Which brings me to one of
the reasons why this agreement is unrealistic, and that is to increase
the cost per month by one-third, I believe, on what they're -- they're
paying about $60 a month now. To go to $80 a month for those
residents per person per month so that he doesn't have to pay a cost
to dismantle the plant that he's been collecting a fee on for several
years, I think the judge would agree that Collier County not agreeing
to that is by no means being unreasonable. In addition, item number
four in this letter is ludicrous, that he expects the county to cover
his frontage assessments or impact fees because he's failed to operate
a plant adequately, that -- that's out there, and I commend him for
being so bold.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Well, if you don't ask, you don't
get.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yeah. Well, he's not going to
get from where I sit on that. So I think our staff has taken a very
aggressive stance to coming up with solutions that may be available.
The cost of -- of putting this wet well in would be folded in the
overall project cost of a single line if we have to construct one on
that street. So, in essence, it's not money lost. MR. CLEHONS: Correct.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: We would prefer to do it in
another way with the wet well down the street a little further to be
cheaper, but, you know, these -- and I've already asked the question
about trying to recoup some of these funds for Mr. Vetter that have to
be expended, and Mr. Weigel and I discussed that probably more effort
than would yield. So I, for one, am not interested in what he has
presented as a settlement for items number three and four being
unreasonable and would like to direct staff to continue with their
efforts towards the hearing date on the 21st with, again, continuing
to develop what options are available and what would be in the best
interest of the residents in Royal Cove II.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: If that's a motion, this is a
second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Norris, you had a
comment?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Yeah. I just had one quick
question. Now I've got two. We were not going to direct you to
actually put in the wet well today?
MR. CLEHONS: Well, I'm asking for that direction. I
need to give the contractor the go ahead. He's told me it would take
him about two working weeks to get the material and ten days to
install it, which will put us past that court date, but we can tell
the judge what we're doing at that time.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Okay. Mr. Weigel, the action that
we -- it looks like we're going to take here, does that relieve Mr.
Vetter again of his DEP fine responsibility?
MR. WEIGEL: No. Absolutely not. DEP matters with him
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: That's fine.
MR. WEIGEL: As an addition for discussion, possibly an
amendment to the resolution is the fact that in going forward -- with
the county going forward for utilities and incurring these capital
costs for a subdivision that's outside of the system at the present
time, these costs will need to be -- come into reckoning to be taken
care of at some point later on. It would appear that the county would
want to direct staff to come back before the board and in a timely
fashion -- that is, before the end of calendar year 1995, with a
resolution of intent to establish an assessment district pursuant to
Chapter 153, part two, Florida Statutes, which is the legislation that
provides for assessment districts for this kind of system. Again, the
property that we have out there -- we have people on a sewer system,
and we have people that are on a septic tank system. The septic tank
system people -- all of them possibly that don't want to join into a
system right now, but the infrastructure is going to affect them all
in a positive sense later on, and that would become part of the
overall assessment project, I could assure you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hancock.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: We are going to have a --
obviously a later discussion if we travel down the road providing a
sewer line there, and we'll save the specifics for the appropriate
time. I, for now, would like to amend my motion as follows, to reject
the proposed settlement as submitted to us for the reasons that --
numbers three and four are not in line with -- with -- with anything
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: With reality.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- and to direct staff to proceed
with the necessary work to construct a wet well for relief of the
Royal Cove II sewer situation temporarily. And, in addition, and
Commissioner Norris, we were just talking about -- There was something
else I'm supposed to add here.
MR. WEIGEL: Direct staff to bring back a resolution --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: There you go. And I further
direct staff to bring back a resolution to adopt an assessment
district for Royal Cove II.
MR. CLEMONS: And I would ask you also to approve any
budget amendments that may be necessary to make this happen at this
time.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yeah. I can't really include
that in this -- Well, do you have budget amendments at this --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yes, you can.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Then I will also include
in the motion the approval of the necessary budget amendments to
complete the work.
MR. CLEMONS: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: The second accepts the --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Don't even try to restate that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I won't. I won't. Rely on the
court reporter to -- that she got it correctly. Is there further
discussion on the motion?
There being none, I'll call the question. All in favor
please say aye.
Opposed?
There being none, motion passes 5-0.
You have everything you need, Mr. Clemons, to complete
this process between now and the 21st?
MR. CLEMONS: Yes, ma'am. We'll go ahead and get
started, and we'll keep track of all the costs encountered along the
way for future reconciliation on all that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: An important point to mention
quickly is that if there is a settlement reached, the materials that
we'd be purchasing would be stockpiled and then -- MR. CLEMONS: Right.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- used at a later date?
MR. CLEMONS: Right.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: So we're not expending funds that
can't be used at a -- MR. CLEMONS: There's no loss on this for us at this
point at all.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: I like that. He didn't say
stockpiled when he talked to me and said he was going to bone-yard it.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Bone-yard it?
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: He'll bone-yard it.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Let's take a break until quarter
till 4:00.
(A short break was held.)
Item #8C1
RECOHMENDATION THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COHMISSIONERS CONFIRM THEIR
PREVIOUS DIRECTION REGARDING THE INSTITUTION OF BEACH PARKING FEES FOR
NON-COUNTY RESIDENTS FOR FY 1995-96 - STAFF DIRECTED TO LEAVE BUDGET AS
IS
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Let's reconvene the Board of
County Commission meeting for September the 12th, 1995. Next item on
the agenda is item 8C(1), the discussion on beach parking fees.
Mr. Olliff.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Could I just ask a question on
this before we get started? It's my understanding that we have in the
budgeting process established that we're going to charge beach parking
fees. My remaining question was, what are we going to spend the money
on. Is that what we're discussing today? Is that basically the --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I believe that is the discussion,
though at the budget hearings on Wednesday evening, we were kind of at
a 2-2 draw.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: I'm sorry about that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: ANd Commissioner Hancock motioned
to withdraw the beach parking fee program temporarily from the budget,
contemplating our hearing this executive summary on the 19th, but
we're going to hear it today, and that's pretty much where it is. I
don't -- I don't think there's been much dissension on this board,
except for one person, as to whether we should or should not collect
fees. The question has been, what do we do with the revenues after we
collect it.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Yeah. That's the way I've
understood it, and since we're getting so long in our agenda today, I
wish that -- I mean, my preference would be to ask our staff to answer
that question, where are we going to -- where are they proposing that
we spend the beach fees, not whether or not we're going to have beach
fees because we've pretty much established that as far as I'm
concerned.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. Mr. Olliff, you can throw
that one away. It sounds like there's -- Excuse me. It sounds like
we've got maybe a five-minute discussion of where -- what we're going
to do with these fees. Are we going to dedicate them this year? That
might be difficult to do because most of the budget's already put
together. But can we get consensus on this board to dedicate them to
some capital projects in the future.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Not much dissension.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I am here.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Much. Twenty percent is not
overwhelming; right? And -- and, anyway, so to me, the discussion is
what do we do with the excess revenues? Can we dedicate them to
capital? Should we dedicate them to capital expenditures, and is this
board agreeing to do that?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Madam Chair, if I might, before
we get to excess revenues, the bottom line is there is a cost to
maintaining the beach parking areas. There's a cost to implementing
fees and maintaining fees, and then there are revenues generated as a
result of that. I think the adequate question is not just excess
revenues, but where are those revenues spent; is that correct?
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: That's my question.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: And there may very well be excess
revenues, but my definition of excess revenues are those monies that
exceed the cost of providing the beach parking fees. Is that a fair
assessment?
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Providing beach parking --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Beach parking. Thank you.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: -- period.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. We've been providing beach
parking out of the general fund for whatever source.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Correct.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Out of ad valorem taxes.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Out of -- Right. Out of
ad valorem taxes. We are now considering instituting a parking fee to
out-of-county res -- to out-of-county visitors of $3 per car per day,
and the excess revenues are the monies generated that are not consumed
in the collection of that $3.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Regardless --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: That's your definition.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That's my interpretation of it.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Now, let's find out how much
money we're going to get and what's the staff's recommendation on
where it gets spent. Tom.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Short version.
MR. OLLIFF: Very short version. If you'll flip over to
page two of your executive summary, I think what we have tried to do
there is to show you -- and, I mean, we included everything in terms
of expenses associated with your beach parks and parking lots, and in
total the county spends nearly $1.5 million in operating and capital
costs associated with your beach park -- parking lots and
beach-associated improvements this coming year in the City of Naples.
Your beach parking fee revenues are estimated to generate $938,000.
Now, the way I understand the issue today, it's simply ensuring that
this $938,000 is spent only for beach-related issues. Now, should it
be dedicated to a certain capital fund or not, that's another
question, but I think if you'll look at the list, this board has
committed in the way of capital improvements for beach parks $775,000
for next year, and I'll tell you in this past year, we spent more than
that, and in the two years prior to that, you spent anywhere between
half a million and $700,000. So consistently the board has told staff
that beach parking lots and improvements at beach parks is a very,
very high priority, and we have consistently brought to you budgets
that would improve as much as we possibly can in increased parking.
I'll also tell you that over the past three years -- and this is as
far back as I could get these numbers -- we've added 100 parking
spaces every year. So, I mean, we are aggressively trying to increase
your beach parking program because we know it is a priority with you.
In this particular case, you can look at this as if
beach parking fees are, in fact, offsetting the cost of your capital
improvements at your beach parks because all of this basically goes
into general fund 306 which supports -- a large portion of that
capital is general fund supported. So without trying to create budget
issues at this point, what we're recommending to you is that you leave
your budget the way it is, recognizing that you have a good history of
making beach parking improvements and recognizing that the money that
is collected will go into general fund, a large portion of which will
help offset the capital cost there being supported by general fund
dollars today, and I guess that's what's left of my presentation.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: If that satisfies the concern
about where it's going to go, I think we beat this little issue to
death in the past. I'll make a motion that we do just that --
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: -- and go ahead and do it just
like it is on page two. Is that what you're saying? MR. OLLIFF: That is.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: And this conforms with what we
went through our budget process all year long.
MR. OLLIFF: Yes, sir, it does. And the only other
thing I would ask that you add to that is that you allow us to adjust
the budget to allow for that payment to the City of Naples as is
currently --
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: I'll amend the motion to include
that.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: And the second accepts.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: One -- one --
MR. DORRILL: Speakers too.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have speakers. Yeah. One
question before we get to that. Your outline of expenses and revenues
shows that, yes, we're spending $775,000 on capital, but $330,000 of
that is coming from impact fee money which is already dedicated to
parks projects in general. Okay. I just -- you know, there's an
estimated half a million dollars that's going to come from beach
parking this year after the capital expenditures, and in the years to
come that number is going to go up, and there's some people who say
that even that number is too high and others who say it's too low. We
really don't know what the number is, and I've got some concerns that
we don't have the history to really bank on these numbers.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: And I think that's probably been
part of Commissioner Constantine's concern in the past, but this time
next year we'll have that history, so we'll be in a better position to
do something.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I think it's a valid point, and
we've got to start somewhere, and this is the start.
MR. OLLIFF: It is, and just so you know, the manager's
already directed us a month ago to prepare for you a report about
beach parking parks, what's out there in terms of options for
expansions as well as boat ramps so that you can sort of give us
direction about where we do we go from this point because we pretty
much expanded all your parks as fully as we can under the permits that
we have. So we'll need some direction to do that, but this board's
always been good about supporting those projects as well because it's
a community priority of beach parking.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I think you just answered my --
my next concern was that, where do we put any additional beach parking
expansion. We don't have any.
MR. OLLIFF: No, we don't. And the report that we're
bringing to you we've been told not to restrict ourselves in terms of
creative options, whether they be transporting options, whether they
be -- We've had suggestions from the public that we ferry people to
Barefoot. There's all sorts of options that we will actually bring to
you to look at because --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: High-speed monorails? Is that
part of it?
MR. OLLIFF: We haven't been that creative, but we are
going to bring you some options to look at.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I guess -- you know, I'm going to
still -- We've got a motion. We've got a second. I'm going to call
the question. I'm just going to say that I'm still concerned that the
excess revenues I would like to see go to the acquisition and
expansion of additional beach parking and/or access, and I still feel
pretty strongly about that because I see a point in time that there's
just no more money available, and to acquire that is going to be very
expensive. So I can sense the board -- it's going to pass three votes
at least, so I'm not going to beat this issue to death.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: It is going to pass three votes,
but I do want to take --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Then let's just do it.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: No. No. No. There's a point
here that Commissioner Matthews says excess revenues. The reason I'm
supporting this, because the revenue generated will offset the cost
associated with beach parking. Now, if we collect more than $1.495
million and we want to -- and we want to dedicate that to capital
improvement only, I have no problem with that. We have to see if it
happens first. So I don't think we're that far apart on that, but I
just want to make sure that -- the term "excess revenues" to me means
anything over that 1.49 million.
MR. OLLIFF: In fact, we can do that. If beach parking
fee revenues throughout the season start to come in much greater than
what we anticipated, we can certainly bring that back to the board as
part of those options for what to do about beach parking improvements
in the future too.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We'll certainly know a lot more
about this when we get to line item budgets next June. COHMISSIONER NORRIS: We certainly will.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I will call the question. All
those in favor please say aye. Opposed?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm sorry. I ayed at the
wrong time. Let the record reflect mine was a nay. CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Motion passes 3-2.
MR. WEIGEL: Madam Chairman, thank you. You've taken
care of the original budget question that was before you, and from our
county attorney memo dating back to 1987 and for the imposition of a
discriminatory beach parking lot fee, it is appropriate -- in fact,
necessary -- for the board to make findings that the differentiated
fee is based on a thorough examination of all relevant economic
factors. I think you have had that before you today, and I want --
would appreciate the acknowledgement to the record that you have had
factors placed before you by staff both here and in separate
advertised budget meetings, and to implement the beach parking fee
procedures will be necessary since I understand it will require the
parking meters, that it will be necessary for the board to direct
staff to come back with either an amended ordinance or an ordinance
providing for enforcement of parking fees within the parks pursuant to
the action that you've just taken which is this implementation, and
within that ordinance or an ordinance and resolution combo which
states the fees that have been developed today and which will identify
the parks where they apply and the beach parking lots, will restate
the findings that you are indicating today that you have made this
decision upon.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Do you need this motion restated
and recalled or what?
MR. WEIGEL: Well, if you want -- You could either
restate the motion and add to it that you are incorporating the
findings provided by staff both here and at the prior budget meetings.
That would -- CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We already voted on it. So do we
need a reconsideration or --
MR. WEIGEL: Reconsideration would be the way to do it
if you were to do that, but you could just by second motion indicate
that you're adopting all the --
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Rather than interfere with the --
MR. WEIGEL: -- and have -- and have reached after
thorough examination all the relevant economic factors, have agreed
upon this disparate fee procedure.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I'll make a motion that we enter
into the record an official finding that after thorough examination of
all the information that has been presented to us and the economic
evaluations done by our staff that there is indeed justification to
have a tiered rate structure. Is that good enough? Is that
sufficient?
MR. WEIGEL: That's fine. And then apart from that
resolution, you can direct staff to bring back the appropriate
resolution and ordinance.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: And authorize the resolution as
well.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
have findings in the record regarding beach -- discriminatory beach
parking fees. Is that what we're talking about? MR. WEIGEL: That's true.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I think that was the word you
used.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Tiered structure.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Tiered structure is within the
motion. Either way it's the same thing. All those in favor please say
aye.
Opposed?
Motion passes 4-1.
MR. WEIGEL: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Then we are finished with that
subject matter.
MS. BILES: What's tomorrow night then?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Tomorrow night? Nothing.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Next week.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Wednesday night.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yeah. Next Wednesday we undo
everything we just did.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Just kidding. Just kidding.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I sure hope not.
MS. BILES: Next time we convince Tim.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We almost convinced him today.
Item #8C2
RESOLUTION 95-519, AUTHORIZING CHARLES SCHWAB, INC. TO SELL THE NUHBER
OF SHARES OF RALCORP HOLDINGS COHMON STOCK WHICH WILL APPROXIMATE THE
SUM OF $500,000 ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY - ADOPTED
Next item on the agenda is item 8(C)(2). This is authorization to
sell the common stock that we received.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Motion to approve.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second,
another very brief presentation and an excellent one at that. Is
there further discussion? All those in --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Only to reiterate our heart-felt
thanks to the Sugden family for making that project possible as we did
this morning.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yes.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you. The second accepts
that. Okay. All those in favor please say aye.
Opposed?
Motion passes 5-0. Thank you.
Item #SD1
RESOLUTION 95-520, ADOPTING TERMS FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF
ECONOMIC ADVISORS - ADOPTED
Next item on the agenda is --
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: 6(D) (2).
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- 6(D)(1) which is the terms for
the council of economic advisors.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: 8(B)(1).
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: 8(B)(1). I'm sorry.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I pulled that off the agenda.
I've answered my question since then. I'll make a motion to
approve.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
approve. Is there further discussion?
All in favor please say aye.
Opposed?
Motion passes 5-0.
Item #BE1
ALLOCATE $1,500,000 OF PREVIOUSLY COLLECTED 1991 CATEGORY B TOURIST
DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR PROMOTION OF TWO SEPARATE ENTITIES OF THE COLLIER
COUNTY TOURISH COHMITTEE FOR A TWO-YEAR PERIOD - APPROVED
Next item is 8(E)(1) to allocate $1.5 million of
previously collected 1991 category B tourist development funds.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: This is consistent with what
was done with the regular, funds and with that in mind, I'll make a
motion we approve the item.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
approve the allocation of $1.5 million in 1991 collected category B
tourist funds. All those in favor please say aye.
Opposed?
Motion passes 5-0.
Item #8E2
RECOHMENDATION THAT THE BOARD OF COLLIER COUNTY COHMISSIONERS REVIEW A
PILOT GAINSHARING PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 1996 - APPROVED AS AMENDED
8(E)(2), a recommendation that the Board of Collier
County Commissioners review a pilot gainsharing program for fiscal
year 1996. Mr. Smykowski.
MR. SHYKOWSKI: Good afternoon. For the record, Michael
Smykowski, acting budget director. Just to give you a quick
background of what we have done previously in terms of performance
measurements, in fiscal years prior to FY '95, departments of county
managers agency monitored -- we monitored activity measures of
workload indicators. These were used by the county manager to provide
a snapshot kind of workload levels within the departments under his
purview, and we're also using evaluating funding request during the
budget process. While these provided a mechanism to monitor the
volume of work being performed, they didn't address either time
required to perform a task or qualitative aspects of the services
rendered. As a result, in FY '95 the quality council consisting of
the county manager, assistant county manager, and senior division
staff members within the county manager's agency made a decision to
begin a transition to the development of performance indicators within
each department that would address both quality and the quantity.
Following up on that, in the budget policy this year, the statement
was included the department would be examined after track records is
developed for performance reporting, and then as benchmarks for
performance were developed, an analysis of output versus funding would
be conducted to determine gainsharing. It's also important to note
here the citizens productivity committee has also expressed interest
in this, and that's a current task assignment of the productivity
committee to assist in the development of what are called service
efforts and accomplishments which are essentially performance measures
and/or standards for government, and that's kind of how the government
is changing across the country in terms of trying to develop
standardized benchmarks and performance measurements for similar-type
services to see how well given services provided compared to relevant
jurisdictions.
In FY '96 as part of the program review process this
year, each department in the county manager's agency incorporated
specific performance measures into their program budget packages that
were reviewed and approved by the board. This provides a mechanism to
evaluate the impact of the programs as well as a key in having
benchmarks to enable us to compare our service accomplishments to
similar Florida counties and/or other jurisdictions.
The BCC expressed further interest in staff developing a
gainsharing program. The county manager had indicated at that point
that a pilot program would be developed. As part of the package here,
we have a -- at least a draft proposal for your review and
consideration. The pilot program participants are the facilities
management department, the library department, the water operations
department. In terms of gainsharing measurement on page five, the
department performance will be measured against one or more of the
following. Previous department performance, regional comparisons,
national performance standards, and/or a gainsharing performance
target. The reward criteria on page six would be meeting goals in the
areas of efficiency of -- in terms of a unit cost for facilities
management in terms of square footage maintained for the library,
number of library materials circulated, and in the water department,
cost per gallon of water produced. A key note there I highlight on
the page, a footnote at the bottom is that current service standards
would be maintained. In other words, we're not going to attempt to
achieve a lower unit cost by cutting back on the current service
standards that are provided to the public. I think that's an
important component of this proposal.
I'm going to let each individual department or division
address the specific departments in terms of their gainsharing targets
to be achieved and their prior -- and with their service standards
that they will continue to maintain while attempting to lower their
unit costs.
On page ten of the package, the gainsharing reward
options, the reward would be based on the actual unit cost, as
previously noted for library materials circulated, gallon of water
produced, square footage maintained, compared to a target unit cost,
and that will be addressed by the division administrators. The
proposed savings would be shared 50/50 between the department and the
BCC with the department's share allocated 30 percent for employee cash
bonuses with a maximum --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I'm sorry to interrupt you, but
before I -- before you go any further, this is one of the questions I
wanted to ask you. This gainsharing, 50 percent to the department and
50 percent for the BCC, is that just for a single fiscal year? It
doesn't perpetuate into the future because of the same gain saving
policy?
MR. SHYKOWSKI: That's correct.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: It's designed by the year.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Okay.
MR. SHYKOWSKI: This would just be for the pilot program
for FY '96. Again, the department's share would be allocated 30
percent to employee cash bonuses, a maximum of $2,000; a 10 percent to
professional development, either training or continuing education; 10
percent to discretionary department purchases, and one note here is
that in calculating, we would propose to bring a report back at the
end of fiscal year '96 with a comparison of a -- of the actual unit
cost achieved versus the target and show you how our -- how the
departments fared in terms of achieving that goal, and at that point
what costs would be incurred in terms of what the gainshare would
actually be. At that point we would also adjust for attrition.
Obviously we have factored in 3 percent attrition into the budget
process, so that would be factored into the equation. Obviously if
the department had 10 percent attrition, we're only going to give
credit for the 7 because we were anticipating 3 percent up front.
And with that, I'd like to turn it over first to Mr.
Olliff to talk about the gainsharing targets to be achieved from the
library department and/or the quality standards to be maintained.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Just before I lose my
thought, do we want to give credit for attrition? I mean, if some
department has frequent turnover, congratulations, here's a bonus?
MR. SMYKOWSKI: Entertaining productivity in terms of
still producing -- In the library, for instance, if you're able to
circulate the same number of materials by enhancing productivity and
everyone working harder as opposed to filling all vacancies, I think,
yes, you would want to do that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah. In many gainsharing
situations, the employees actually reorganize offices amongst
themselves, and they might have somebody decide to leave the county's
employ, and instead of replacing that employee, they amongst
themselves say, no, we'll pick up what that person's work was doing,
what they were doing. And, mind you, they only get the gain from
having done that for one year because the following year is a brand
new program so -- But once they make the commitment, I would presume
-- and correct me -- if they elect to do that, we remove that body
from the budget, not the money, but we remove the position.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: FTE.
MR. DORRILL: In the subsequent year?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: In the subsequent year.
MR. DORRILL: At your discretion, I've got just I guess
three quick comments on this before we get into the individual
department descriptions. It's a shame that it's a little late on a
Tuesday afternoon, because this is a very cutting-edge proposal. To
my knowledge, there's no one in local government in the state that is
doing this type of real gainsharing performance, bonus-driven
mechanism. It is, I think, frankly, attainable in the first year. It
puts a huge burden on department directors in the second year to try
and maintain minimum board-prescribed performance or productivity
measures and continue to lower unit cost. And the only other comment
is that as we get into this, part of the proposal is that for
departments that are successful, that there would be performance
bonuses at the end of the year for having lowered unit cost and
maintained the board's service levels up to $2,000 per employee within
that group or that team or that department that has attained this.
And since this is a pilot project, that could be some sort of
morale-related problem in the balance of the departments that are not
participating, but we went into this saying that we would give you a
pilot-related proposal. I think that it will be very interesting if
the board elects to try this in the first year. I think it would be
very, very difficult in subsequent years and a real challenge, and
people are going to have to get very creative and work considerably
harder in order to make these things equal.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Let me just draw kind of a
scenario, and help me with how this works. A couple of vacancies crop
up with four months left in the fiscal year. The department bands
together, struggles through those four months, and says, gosh, look,
we saved "X" number of dollars, but we can't possibly do that any
longer, and as of October 1, you get those two FTEs still in the
budget yet they don't ever go ahead and fill it, so it's been budgeted
again for the following year. They save a year's money theoretically
knowing full well after that four months of the previous year that
they can perform the job. I'm just -- How do we get beyond the abuses
such as that?
MR. DORRILL: I spent about an hour -- We had a task
team put together. I spent an hour challenging them, frankly, on ways
to cheat the system, and I think that one of the things that we
focused on was an attrition factor because every department of any
size -- and all of these departments are -- they're fairly large
departments -- are going to have some attrition in the course of the
year, that the problem is that what ultimately is going to affect them
is the cost to maintain the service, and I don't know, frankly, the
example that you gave could be attainable. I don't know if Mr. Jones
could intentionally withhold replacing positions and still be able to
meet the seven-day-a-week scheduling of the library and man the
counters and restock the books that are there without incurring large
expenses for overtime, and so we factored the 3 percent already out of
any attrition that they -- that they may have.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Does it encourage -- I
remember we went through -- not to pick on utilities, but we went
through a thing with utilities two or three years ago where they asked
for eight new positions that we argued over through every public
hearing, and the final thing we did with utilities was said, oh, yeah,
what about those eight positions, and they said, oh, well, I guess we
don't need them. Does this in any way encourage departments to budget
for positions they're not sure they really need?
MR. DORRILL: Not in this first year. I think that
that's why I said in the second year we're going to have to really
take a hard look if this is going to be a multi-year project, to make
sure that he's not asking for additional positions in effect -- and
I'm not saying that he would -- to try and pad his staffing level
knowing that he can hold off to mid year to filling those portions
because he's, you know, struggling to get a little cushion there to
have at the end of the year to show that he saved the unit cost
because otherwise he's still -- and on the case of the water, I bet
he's got ten different performance requirements that still have to be
met, and if he starts experiencing problems with -- for example, his
operating permits or operating reports to DEP are not scheduled within
15 days of the end of the month or he's beginning to have certain
higher levels of contamination that caused problems, then he's cheated
himself because he hasn't maintained his performance levels. He's
still -- For example, he's got to install -- I forget -- 3.7 new water
meters per crew per day, and so he can't -- he can't slack off on his
performance side and still win, given the gain and the rules that
we're going to force him to play under, but next year we'd have to
watch his budget submittal and look at what he's projecting for new
customers or new meters to try and reconcile, well, you know, you've
been telling us all along, Mr. Newman, that you could install 3.7 new
meters per day with the five crew people that you have and now you
want to add two more crew people which you're only projecting -- and
I'm saying it takes a lot of effort on the budget staff. It would
take a lot of effort on my staff and yours and next year's budget, and
that's why I want you to know a year in advance. You really have to
hunker down here to make sure that the cost projections continue to
equate to the performance measures.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That was part of the difficulty
in instituting a program like this in the first place, is that from a
budget and management or management and budget, whichever one you want
to put first, perspective, this program is fairly labor-intensive.
But, again, I guess I had kind of envisioned smaller departments
coming into this so we could monitor it a lot more closely and look
for the pitfalls --
MR. SMYKOWSKI: Part of it too was departments with
available performance measures that have a national standard
comparison. Obviously we're in the evolution stage of going from
activity measures to performance measures. So in some cases -- in a
lot of cases, this year's budget is the first time they're actually
measuring a new indicator, so there is no -- it's never been measured
before, so we need to build that track history and use that. Then we
have some prior year benchmarks upon which to base some gainsharing
target in the future. In the case of like the library, there were
norms that are consistently applied throughout libraries, not only in
Florida, but across the country that allow us some reasonable means of
comparison to see how we stack up versus comparable operations, not
only in Florida, but, again, on a national basis.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hancock.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: As it is with most new programs,
the more discussion we have, we'll probably figure out more questions
and answers because we have no base line of experience in this. I
personally am in favor of the public sector attempting to offer
incentives to employees to work harder and smarter which has been the
greatest criticism of local, state, and federal government out there,
is the person that just has no incentive. They come in. They want to
get their 20 years in and get their retirement and go home. I think
we're trying to find a way to offer that incentive that goes beyond
the people that are just personally dedicated and actually gets to
that -- you know, that next layer. So I favor the effort, and I think
we are going to have a lot of questions, but I think the one
mitigating factor as we go through the next 12 months is if -- Let's
take libraries, for instance. It seems to be doing very well, but
Kandu gets phone calls, my office gets phone calls about extensive
lines in the library. Then it comes time to gainshare, and we have
more complaints than we've ever had in libraries, you know, I think
there's going to be some mitigation at that point.
MR. DORRILL: Your department directors are very
concerned about that. For example, they're saying, well, gee, you
know, we already think we're doing a great job. And a good case, just
to point to a quick example, would be your facilities department.
They maintain square footage owned and operated by the Board of County
Commissioners currently for $1.50 per square foot. A survey of
similar Florida counties says that they are spending on average $3.98
per square foot. So they're going to tell you we're doing twice as
good as other counties. And the national standards is $1.72 a square
foot, and so he's already saying, well, you know, how am I going to
maintain our very high standards and go from, you know, $1.70 a square
foot down to $1.60 a square foot in order to save money and split the
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: He'll probably take their clocks
away from them.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I think that's why they call it
gainsharing though, and that's to encourage employees to work smarter.
MR. DORRILL: Carrot and stick. Careful scheduling of
personnel and overtime usage and still maintaining the preventative
maintenance schedules or the minimum number of books that have to be
circulated every day. If we can, let's move on. We'll have just a
very brief description of the performance requirements by the three
departments that are participating, and then we'll see what the board
wants to do.
MR. OLLIFF: Real quickly, I just -- I want to begin by
telling you this is novel, and this is a pilot, and from your staff
perspective there is some trepidation about our ability to hit some of
these targets and also a fear that there are a lot of things that are
outside of a manager's control as well, and we've had that discussion
about we can't control certain things within our cost. There were
certain things we don't, and we'll just have to sort of deal with this
as a pilot program and see how it works.
The other -- The other issue and you've alluded to it
briefly is the fact that this program focuses primarily 100 percent on
efficiency, and aside from efficiency, there's also effectiveness
issues, and when we're dealing with our departments, the numbers that
you see from the library, I would tell you almost flat-footed without
having any other comparisons that you have the most efficient library
system in the State of Florida bar none. There's nobody who hits the
kind of numbers that your library system does, and there is a fear on
our part that we may be focusing on the wrong thing. I mean, we may
be focusing on efficiency when on the other hand there is a point
where the community is not going to be happy with what you are
providing them. I mean, how efficient can you be, how much blood can
you get from the turnip before the public is still not happy with the
quality of the service that you have.
So what I wanted to show you real quickly is if you'll
look at the library pilot performance gainsharing proposal page, the
performance measures, if you will look at the comparisons, the column
estimated '95 numbers, cost per circulation of Collier County is two
forty per circulation. That's a -- That's a -- the best way to measure
a library. How much does it cost me to circulate each individual item
out of that library. If you look, you're already about 44 percent
below similar counties and about 33 percent below the state mean
comparisons. So on average what we're trying to show you here is you
already have a very, very efficient library system, but that doesn't
mean that we can't do better, and I think that's what the whole point
of this program is. We have shot for a benchmark of $2.43, and I do
need to point out that's an increase over what our current cost for
circulation is. That's because as we went through the budget process,
the board made some quality improvement decisions that would simply
have an impact on the cost of what it costs us to circulate some
material. We added some additional children's librarians. You also
picked up the cost of the Immokalee library which was previously grant
funded, and you increased the materials budget, and all of those
things have an impact on our cost per circulation.
The other thing that we want to point out to you is that
there is a note just above the last page there. It says note, and we
are making a commitment to you that we will not be successful in
gainsharing at the cost of public quality. In other words, we -- you
know, that is a fear, and we talked about that, that a manager could
abuse this in order to hit your gainsharing targets. We're simply not
going to start library service four days a week in order to be able to
do that. You know, those are the ways that you can hit those
gainsharings. So we're telling you is we're committing to you that we
will maintain the same hours, qualities of materials, and qualities of
service that you currently are providing the public so that the only
way that we will achieve any efficiency is, one, through increased
circulation; and, two, by us being smarter and driving our cost down.
With that -- That is our target. We will circulate
materials next year for you hopefully at $2.43 or better, and we will
not do that at the cost of any quality, and we'll see how it goes. I
think it is a very novel concept, and we will provide for you probably
quarterly reports as to how we're doing in terms of hitting those
targets.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you, Mr. Olliff.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Just while we're changing the
guard here, Steve Hart, perk up and write a story about this. I think
this is so exciting that Collier County is doing something this
innovative. Don't miss it.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Camp.
MR. CAMP: For the record, Skip Camp, your facilities
management director. We're going to do four things to maintain the
current level of service, our current response time, our current
square footage that's being maintained and the quality which it's
being maintained, our current preventative maintenance, and our
current operating hours. The only thing I can tell you is I don't
know what's going to happen this next year, but I've worked here for
14 and a half years, and the only thing I can promise you is that
we're still going to be a quality service, and we'll do the best we
can and see what happens.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you. I think that's all
anybody asks, is that we have our dedicated employees and they're very
dedicated, do the best they can. If we can find some ways to save
some dollars along the way, we want to share them with you.
MR. NEWMAN: Commissioners, for the record, Mike Newman,
your water director. Can I just say make a ditto to what these
gentlemen said?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Ditto's fine but not a
ditto-head.
MR. NEWMAN: I too have been here for a long time, and
my primary responsibilities are to protect the health and safety of
the public and the customers of the county water-sewer district. We
don't intend to degrade our service at all either. In fact, we're
constantly doing everything we can to improve that and look for ways
to protect the public's health and safety better than we have. Any
savings that we reap from this program will come from increased
productivity from our employees, and basically we're going to
reiterate that to them, and it's basically in their hands, and we
thank you very much for the opportunity to participate. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. SMYKOWSKI: That concludes the staff presentation on
this item. Obviously we brought this forward as a -- as a pilot
program. We're looking for the board at least to endorse the concept
if you're so inclined and give us that direction, and we'll work
through it with you. Obviously from our standpoint I'm sure we'll
find a few things that we can improve upon.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: What are you looking for, Mr.
Smykowski? Direction to go forward with this program as presented?
MR. SMYKOWSKI: Yes. To implement --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I'll make that motion.
MR. SMYKOWSKI: -- the pilot program.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Second.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Second. Third.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second and
a third. I have one question, and because of the size of these
departments, it's not the most likely thing to happen, but I still
have to ask the question, and that is, we are limiting the per person
bonus to $2,000; correct?
MR. SHYKOWSKI: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: And if we have an employ who has
a real brainstorm and the whole technology of what it is they're doing
changes, it will --
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I like the optimism. That's
great.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah -- what happens to the -- if
the bonus winds up being more than $2,000 per person when it's spread
across them -- I accept the fact that that's a lot of people -- but
what happens to the excess money? Does it go to the BCC, or does it
go into one of these other --
MR. DORRILL: No. Under the rules it would accrue back
to your benefit.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: It would come back to the BCC.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: General fund.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: To the county's fund.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: To the taxpayer's benefit.
MR. DORRILL: Ultimately. But they get credit for the
other money that is there as outlined by Mr. Smykowski. There will be
additional opportunity for either tuition reimbursement or
professional development in training and/or what are otherwise
determined to be discretionary capital improvements that would not be
approved in the normal budget request process. So they benefit
through indirect ways, and they can benefit directly if they meet the
targets and save the money.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: So if they meet these targets and
they save some money --
MR. DORRILL: In excess of $2,000 would go back into the
appropriate contingency fund and would be restricted from any other
use.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. But they could take the
other 20 percent, whatever that is, that doesn't have a cap on it and
use it for professional development or use it to buy capital
improvements --
MR. DORRILL: Subject to what I would expect them to do
which is be legitimate and fruitful with that money and not be looking
to buy everybody a color TV or things that are just outlandish.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Please. Please. Let's not --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Well, we would expect at least
you to have to approve what they do with the money.
MR. DORRILL: Absolutely, because our normal procedures
would otherwise apply for discretionary purchases, professional
development, and training.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. Commissioner Norris.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Picking up on Commissioner
Matthews' point, something I thought about a long time on this type of
scenario where we're going to reward people actually for doing
something that saves money. Let's say someone comes up with a
proposal that actually saves or gathers a million dollars, for
example, to the county's benefit, and it's a legitimate brand new
idea. To give that employee $2,000 is almost an insult. I think that
we -- we also should --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Insult me, John.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: -- a mechanism that on special
cases that could be brought back before the board for review and
perhaps a little augmentation over the $2,000.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Where there's an extreme savings
created because of innovative --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Yeah. Some special cases.
MR. SHYKOWSKI: Again, the basis of award would be on a
unit cost. Obviously if a library where they're circulating a million
copies, whether or not they're going to be able to be achieve a
million dollar savings in a two and a half million dollar operation is
I guess unlikely.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I'm just saying for the future, in
case something comes up, somebody comes up with some idea that
legitimately saved a large amount of money, I think we should have a
process in there where we could maybe up the reward for that
particular person.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Give him a year off with pay.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Didn't you make a motion?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Yes, I did. I'll incorporate that
into my motion if you'll accept it.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I'll accept that as part of my
second or third.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: If he withdraws the second, then
you can second it.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Would you like to accept it?
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I can live without it.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll amend the second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have an amendment to the
motion, and the second accepts the amendment.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I can -- You know, Pam asked
Steve Hart to write the article tomorrow, and I can see the headline
now, county departments to buy color TVs for all employees, and $2,000
an insult so --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Is that all he got out of this
discussion?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I don't know.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Of course not.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I see his head going. If there's
no further discussion, I'll call the question. All those in favor
please say aye.
Opposed?
There being no opposition, motion passes 5-0.
MR. SHYKOWSKI: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We'll be looking at this at --
what -- each quarter? Is that what we were hearing?
MR. DORRILL: Quarter with the performance awards to be
done at the conclusion of the year with those departments that are
successful.
Item #9A
REPORT TO THE BOARD RE ISSUES OF COUNTY INVESTHENT POLICY INCLUDING
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - PRESENTED
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Sounds good. Next item on the
agenda is item 9(A) in conjunction with 5(B), a report to the board
regarding issues of the county investment policy including control of
the investment portfolio and accompanied by a recommendation to adopt
the revised investment policy. 6(B). I'm sorry. Well, who wants to
start?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: 9(A).
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: 9(A) in conjunction with 6(B).
MR. WEIGEL: 9(A) is prepared to start. I didn't know
if the clerk was, in fact, in presentation when it was continued, if
there's any preference there.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I'm sure he'll be here very
quickly.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: He is here.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Here is here. Okay.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: That was quick.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: You want to talk to us about
9(A), and then we'll get back to 6(B).
MR. WEIGEL: Okay. Thank you. A few weeks ago the
board directed staff, and specifically the county attorney office, to
look into two matters concerning the board's Collier County investment
policy. One of the matters concerned the question or authority or
ability for investments of Collier County funds, particularly surplus
funds, to be either invested directly by the clerk which is the
standard policy which has been in place since 1987 or if, in fact, the
authority existed for investments to be directed by an outside
investment manager pursuant to board direction directing the clerk to
make those investments.
A second directive from the board was to prepare a
request for qualifications for an outside investment manager or firm
to come back to the board for its review to review all of the terms
and potential costs. But the issue actually has gone-- gotten a
little larger than that because of the fact that there is 1995
legislation that the -- both the staff and the clerk have brought to
the attention of the board, and that 1995 legislation specifically in
the form of section two eighteen four fifteen did provide that county
and local governments shall by October 1st of this year have in --
have on line a policy that provides certain protections or guidelines
or standards, and if the policy of the county either is not adopted or
there is no policy or if the current on line policy does not contain
those provisions or standards, then there is a provision in the new
'95 legislation that might be characterized as a default provision
that does specify specific investment vehicles that may be utilized
for the -- for the funds that are subject to be invested.
As an aside, the clerk has previously stated to the
board that he is the lawful custodian of the county funds pursuant to
Florida Constitution, and that is the case. One of the issues we've
been researching high and low, mainly high, is whether it is -- the
clerk can be merely a custodian or if, in fact, the clerk has the --
may have the direction from someone other than the board directly
advising him and directing him or her to make the purchases and sales.
But in regard to the policy itself, the board has had
brought before it staff's recommendation for revised policy and has
now had brought before it a clerk's revised policy, and my -- my first
comments are really in that regard. The board really has before it
two or three options in regard to the policy. The current policy
adopted in 1987 and in place today upon the legal review appears to be
and have been a very good policy. In fact, it meets nearly all of the
precepts and requirements of the 1995 legislation which by its own
language was adopted pursuant to some of the tumultuous financial
occasions in local governments across the nation.
So the first alternative that the board may wish to
contemplate is whether it wishes to revise its current investment
policy, tweak it slightly as it were, that it may meet the
requirements of the 1995 legislation and to do so by October 1st of
1995, or secondly, it may authorize and adopt another policy that is
proffered before it. There, again, have been two policies placed
before it through its board meetings, one proposed by staff a few
weeks ago and the more recent proposal of the clerk.
A thorough review of each of those is necessary to see
that they -- that they are in align with the 1995 requirements. I
believe the clerk has stated in its executive summary that his does
conform to the 1995 legislative requirements.
I believe the county staff is prepared to provide
further information in regard to the proposed policy, the recent staff
proposed policy and how it complies with the 1995 legislative
requirements. I will note for the board that a policy or various
policy proposals may vary significantly although each of them may
comply absolutely with the 1995 legislative standards.
I'll next address the question about potential authority
for someone other than the clerk to make the investments themselves.
The board has heard of the case of Alachua County v. Powers, 1977
Supreme Court case which, in fact, addressed several specific elements
of clerk's jurisdiction and power. Particularly the case stated
specific findings that -- and I quote -- the clerk has investment
discretion of county funds except for those surplus funds directed by
resolution of the board to be invested pursuant to their directions,
closed quote.
Well, that's, of course, what we have in place at the
present time with our 1987 ordinance and resolution that adopted our
1987 purchasing policy, that the policy was provided by the clerk's
office at that time, was adopted by the board, and it has continued
thereafter with the clerk administering for making purchases and sales
of the securities and other funds that may legally be invested and
sold.
Well, again, in all our research, we found that the law
is not clear as to whether a private investment firm or financial
counselor hired by the board may direct the clerk's investment of
surplus funds. Such an outside advisor could indirectly influence the
clerk by making proposals to the board which, in turn, may direct the
clerk. It's arguable that an outside investment advisor may direct
the clerk's investments without the board as an intermediary if the
board passes an ordinance or resolution delegating such authority to
an advisor chosen by the board. I stated that it is arguable. There
is no case law, and there is no specific statutory provision that says
that it can be done or that it cannot. If we look to counties around
us, we know that -- have found that Leon County has had just such a
proposition in place for about two years now since 1993 where they, in
fact, used an RFQ or RFP process and went out and hired an outside
investment manager who directs the sale and purchase of surplus funds
investments by the clerk who -- or controller, who is a custodian of
funds, and that is undisputed.
Also Brevard County has in its investment policy a
provision providing where it may go out for RFP for an investment
advisor. My research to date has not indicated that they have done
so, but evidently they have put in place within their policy the
ability to do so. If the county were to take the tact of going
forward to put in place an outside investment advisor to direct the
clerk to make the purchase and sales of surplus funds and other
allowable securities or funding -- funds that the clerk holds as
custodian, it may be subject to lawsuit, and clearly if the board were
to take such action, it would need to provide for it by ordinance, by
resolution, and be as specific as possible in the parameters that it
wish to outline for just this procedure, but it's untested in court,
and the board will need to weigh the risks and opportunities that that
may place before it, and part of those risks and opportunities may be
found through a -- going forward with the information that can be
obtained in the RFP or RFQ process to make the fiscal comparisons that
would be necessary to compare the service that the clerk provides as
opposed to service provided by an outside investment manager working
with the board.
I come to my conclusions based upon a review of
essentially all of the relevant statutes, not withstanding
specifically one twenty-five o one, the Collier County -- well, it
applies to Collier County, but it's the -- it's the powers and duties
statute for county commissioners generally wherein it states that the
enumeration of powers shall not be deemed exclusive or restrictive but
shall be deemed to incorporate all implied powers necessary or
incident to carrying out such powers enumerated including specifically
authority to enter into contractual obligations, and I would presume
that the board would be entering into a contractual obligation with an
outside investment manager pursuant to the purchasing policy that
would have adopted to go forward with that kind of fiscal arrangement.
That pretty much summarizes my research and my report to
you. What I will state, that there is a distinction to be made
between bringing the current policy or a new policy on line prior to
October 1st, 1995, and the secondary consideration of going to an
outside investment manager.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you. Do you have
questions? Commissioner Norris.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I'm just going to ask a procedural
question. Are we going to act on this issue and not hear the clerk's
proposal, or what are we -- How are you going to --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We had a motion this morning to
continue item 6(B) until we heard item 9(A). So I -- It's my belief
that we would be in the end either adopting or not adopting the
investment policy proposed to us. And in light of what -- Mr. Weigel
has given us the report on the issues regarding the policy and the
control of the investment portfolio, we would either give direction on
that or not give direction on that. I mean, it's our choice.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Okay. All right. So the issue of
an outside -- the selection of an outside money manager is not
time-critical. What we have time-critical is the adoption of or
modification of our current policy or adoption of a new policy before
October the 1st to be able to comply with the 1995 law. I think
that's what we need to take care of today.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That's what I was hearing, and
the RFP that we were discussing three or four weeks ago for issuance
that the clerk's office and our purchasing office was going to put
together to distribute, I presume that should be near completion?
MR. DORRILL: That is at completion. I have not seen
the final copy, but I know that it has been worked through, and it is
about to go on the street subject to any final changes that it has.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: So we don't really need to act on
that today?
MR. DORRILL: No, sir. I think we've got the direction
to proceed on that. At some point, if you determine that's going to
be an element of your policy, then you would have to make the final
selection in the contract negotiations.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Mr. Weigel, it's my understanding
that there are two areas in our current policy which need to be
modified or even added to make it comply, and all the others would be
in compliance; is that correct? Do you have that information?
MR. WEIGEL: I believe that is correct. One is the bid
requirement which is listed as item number 12 in the new legislation
showing 14 standards to be adopted, and I believe the other is
internal controls if I recall correctly.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Number three, performance
measurement and appropriate performance standards.
MR. WEIGEL: Yeah. Now, there are internal controls,
but it's more a question of format as opposed to them not being in
existence at the present time, is my understanding.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Does the policy propose that we
-- we're listening to a proposal on this morning -- does that surpass
the legislation that was passed?
MR. WEIGEL: I'd like to think I'm more the legal man
than the money man as far as that goes, but it is -- it is within the
standards of the 1995 legislation.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Does it surpass them? Does it go
beyond what the legislature --
MR. WEIGEL: I understand your word, does it surpass. I
don't think that's perhaps a correct type of description if it
surpasses. The standards are there generally, and then even our own
policy that we've had since 1987 is very specific in regard to
identification of investment vehicles and maturity dates for certain
types of those vehicles, and that's where you may find a distinction
from one policy to another. Another question may come up, is that by
the omission of a statement within a proposed policy of investment
vehicles that may be utilized, one may infer that those vehicles may
not be purchased and arguably not even held if they're in the current
portfolio, and the clerk may have some discussion in regard -- in
regard to his proposed policy, and I think the same kind of underlying
assumption goes with the county's proposed policy, that if it wants to
provide special exceptions or address conditions that exist with the
current investment portfolio, it should do so. It should be specific
rather than unspecific. It should be clear rather than omit something
in that regard.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I think what we're hearing is that
we have an investment policy that has been in place since 1987, and as
I've been saying for some time, it's probably time to update it, and
it's also -- it's in need of a couple of modifications here quickly to
bring it up to the 1995 legislation standards. So I don't know that
we need to discuss that much further, so I'll make a motion that
that's what we do.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That we adopt the policy
presented to us earlier today.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll second the motion.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: That we keep our existing policy,
but we're to modify it to bring it up to the requirements of the 1995
legislation.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I guess that was my question
earlier and wanting to know if this existing policy exceeds the
requirements of the legislation, and I don't know whether it does or
not because I haven't seen the legislation, and I too am not an
investment person, and I'm not an attorney. So I'm looking for
somebody to tell me if it -- Do we need to essentially throw out the
'87 one and adopt something new or --
MR. WEIGEL: Well, I -- I have not stated that, and I
have the legislation before me, and the type of items or standards
that have to by legislative fiat appear in a purchasing or an
investment policy are such things as bid requirement, internal
controls, reporting, alternative investment guidelines. Those are the
last few, but they're all kind of the standard things, third-party
custodial agreements, authorized investment institutions, and so it
really boils down to really the definition or degree of limitation
that one puts under these particular 14 guidelines, standards that are
in there. So I'm really not qualified to say that -- I'm -- to
restate your word, if one is -- I've forgotten the word you used.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Exceed.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Exceed.
MR. WEIGEL: Exceeding. It probably in no sense exceed.
It's just that it can limit -- The policy itself can limit or expand
on maturity dates of investments or the number of particular vehicles
that -- that -- for federal -- federally backed investments as an
example or Fannie Maes and maturity dates. These things can be
articulated in the policy as either available for purchase within the
realm of things, always applying the prudent man rule, or they may be
specifically omitted or proscribed within the policy, and so I feel a
little ill at ease to try to say that the proposal from the clerk
exceeds the guidelines. It does not. But there certainly are policy
alternatives that could weigh in on -- in one policy and not be in
another policy which are choices that would need to be made by you,
and I really think that rather than the attorney telling you those
things, your investment staff would be the ones to point out some of
those differences a little better than I could.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Norris has made a
motion that we update our 1987 policy; is that correct? COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Our existing policy.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- our existing policy and merely
insert whatever new requirements have been enacted by the legislature.
We do not yet have a second for that and I --
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Yes, we do.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I seconded that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Oh, I'm sorry.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I wanted to make sure though
-- Dwight, that's essentially what you gave us this morning, or am I
mistaken?
MR. BROCK: No. That is not what I gave you this
morning. That is a policy that presently does not meet the standards
of the legislature. The legislature -- and I'm reading from the House
of Representatives Committee on governmental operations bill analysis
and economic impact -- has 14 criteria which has to be addressed in
the policy in order to allow the local government to set the policy
itself as opposed to reverting back to the standards that are set
forth in the statute. The requirements are, one, establishing the
scope of the funds to be covered by the plan; establishing investment
objectives; establishing performance measures; establishing standards
of prudence and ethical standards; a listing of authorized
investments, including recommending restrictions on investments and
derivatives and reverse -- repurchase agreements; establishing
maturity and liquidity requirements to assure obligations will be paid
when due; establishing a portfolio composition commensurate with the
nature and the size of the funds to be invested; providing for
diversification of the portfolio to control risk of loss due to
overconcentration of assets in one maturity issuer, instrument,
dealer, or bank; specifying authorized investment situations in
dealers; providing for third-party custodial agreements which shall
include provisions for protection of money and security transferred
pursuant to purchase or sale --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Dwight, I have -- are you almost
to the end of that list?
MR. BROCK: Yes. There's four more.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Okay. I apologize.
MR. BROCK: I mean, if no one wants to hear them, I
don't need to go through them.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Well, I just wanted to ask a
question of Commissioner Norris, if -- Maybe I missed this while I was
out of the room, but I thought that the proposal that Mr. Brock has
given us in his staff report could be viewed as accomplishing the same
goal that you stated. So if there's a reason to reject his proposal
and accept yours, I just would like it to be articulated clearly for
me.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: It -- It does accomplish, I assume
-- and I don't know that even our legal department has verified that
or -- or -- to their satisfaction, but the clerk has to his
satisfaction that it does meet the legal requirement, but that -- that
satisfies that concern, but there's more concerns, and that is the
investment policy contained therein.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I understand, and so there's
something. Is it the -- Is it the duration of investments that
bothers you about his proposed policy?
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: In my opinion, why I would rather
modify ours and -- and -- and, frankly, it needs some more
modification done in the future. In my opinion, and this is my
opinion only at this point, the clerk's proposal is a bit too
restrictive for the way we have operated in the past.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Is the clerk's proposal -- I
don't know who would answer this question for me. Is it what came out
of his investment committee which included our chair?
MR. BROCK: Yes, Commissioner, it is, in fact.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm going to withdraw my
second for the time being because I'm not clear on a couple of things.
Mr. Brock, can you -- I've heard some of them here, but can you
differentiate the basic differences, the basic -- What's different
about where you want to go and where you want to go?
MR. BROCK: Commissioner, to be quite honest with you, I
am not aware of what particular policy they're referring to. My staff
went to the county manager's office -- I think it was either late last
week or early this week and asked them for a copy of the investment
policy that they were proposing, and we were advised that they didn't
have one.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Commissioner Norris, maybe
you can answer that question then. What are you suggesting is
different? I know some of what they've suggested is a little more
restrictive, but what specifically are you suggesting that is
different from what the clerk has proposed?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: A lot of it has to do with
maturity dates. The clerk's policy limits the maturity length of
instruments much more than we have used in the past, I believe. There
are some instruments that are excluded from use that we have used in
the past.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Like the CHOs.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Right. That -- That are in
widespread use throughout municipal and county governments.
MR. BROCK: Hay I speak to the maturity date?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Just a moment. Commissioner
Hancock has a question.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I was -- I was going to express
-- as I read through the policy, that's the only thing that stood out
to me as a substantially different limiting factor, and I don't tend
to know a tremendous amount about securities and investments, and I
won't go down that road except that I have learned enough in the past
few months to know that the way the market swings on certain
instruments, if something goes out to seven or eight years but could
easily rebound or typically rebound to much less than that without --
you know, barring unforeseen circumstances and so forth -- I'm just a
little concerned that if we're going to go to this restrictive
element, that we ought to save the $78,000 we paid to our in-house
person and just dump our money in the state and be done with it
because if we're going to spend money for someone to enforce a policy
that is terribly restrictive and limits further the county's ability
to increase earnings on those tax dollars, if we're going to go to
that level, then we might as well just throw our money in with the
state and be done with it. So if we're going to go that route, let's
just be honest about it and go all the way and save the $78,000 we pay
Mr. Kannengeiser.
MR. BROCK: Commissioner, you've said that twice, and I
don't mean to cut you off, but I read that article in the newspaper.
You know, I think the general public and you need to be aware that Mr.
Kannengeiser's salary is not $78,000. I think it's $42,600. That's a
long ways from $78,000.
But as to the investment maturity date, the government
financial officers association has prepared and put together a model
of what they would suggest to local governments in maturity dates, and
the maturity recommendation of the government financial officers
association is as follows. Entities should limit their maximum final
stated maturities to five years unless the specific authority is given
to exceed.
Now, the reason the policy is written as restrictive as
it is, is in an attempt to provide you, the Board of County
Commissioners, with the control of preventing speculation. If you
invest in a security beyond five years, in the way that our investment
portfolio is dealt with, because we do not know the specific days or
years when we're going to need funds, what you are, in effect, doing,
in my opinion, is you're speculating on what interest rates are going
to be in the future. That may or may not be true. But if, in fact,
we determine that a particular need is going to exist -- for instance,
seven years down the road or ten years down the road, based upon the
stated policy of the GFOA, we can come back to the Board of County
Commissioners giving you that control and ask you for authority to
invest in an instrument down the road for when we're going to need the
monies. Under those circumstances we're not speculating because we
know at the time we buy it what we're going to be earning. We're not
having to guess at what interest rates are going to be in the future.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: You read there that unless
specific authority is given. Is that also included in your --
MR. BROCK: The only way we can change from the policy
that is in existence or has been proposed to you is to come back to
the board and ask for that permission in the future.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: So the opportunity is there
if something outstanding comes about. MR. BROCK: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Do you have a follow-up?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yeah, I did real quick.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Sorry about that.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: The $78,000 came from you,
Brock, when you said the cost associated in your office with handling
the county's investment, and you can discuss that with Mr. Hart all
you want, but that was your cost. I referred to Mr. Kannengeiser
because he's the only staff member you mentioned as a part of that.
I'm sure there are other costs associated with, but that number came
from you, sir, not from me, and I don't think Steve made it up, but I
just want that clarified. I didn't pull it out of the air.
MR. BROCK: And that is the total cost of doing
everything with investments that I undertake and -- COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I understand that completely.
MR. BROCK: -- a lot of that will not go away under any
circumstances because we still have to record those. We have to still
allocate the funds and all of those activities.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I understand. I just wanted to
clarify that I heard that here from you so I --
MR. BROCK: I understand, and I knew what you were
talking about.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. BROCK: But, I mean, the way it was written, you
know, I was paying someone $80,000 which is not true.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: He could use one like that.
Commissioner Mac'Kie.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: As much respect as I have for
your opinion, Commissioner Norris, and I do, and I trust that you do
mine on legal matters, but, like you say to me often, but he's our
county attorney, and we're going to take his advice. In this case I
feel like he's our chief financial officer, and I'm going to take his
advice. And if a motion is appropriate since there is not a second --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion on the floor.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: But how long does it stay on the
floor without a second?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I'll call for a second in a
moment, and if we don't get one, then the motion is dead. The second
has been withdrawn.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Okay. Yeah. Well, let me just
make a comment. First of all, we have financial people on our staff
outside of the clerk's office. We also have a paid outside financial
advisor that we are supposed to take advice from. We -- Another issue
here is that it should be the Board of County Commissioners that sets
this policy and not the clerk of court's office.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: And we are being asked to set it
today.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: No. No. No. No. Well, we're
being asked to adopt his policy. That's much different than us
setting our own policy.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
COHMISSIONER NORRIS:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
second?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK:
The chair was on the committee.
We have a motion --
No comment.
We have a motion. Is there a
Do we have a recommendation from
our financial advisor based on the clerk's policy? Has -- Has -- I
mean, if we're paying a financial advisor out there -- and, again,
like you, Commissioner Hac'Kie, you know, Commissioner Norris has
experience in this area, but do we -- Has anyone reviewed this that
has the financial background?
MR. DORRILL: The gentleman is here from Mr. Samet's
firm.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: You've got to come to the
microphone.
MR. DORRILL: You need to be on the record.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Because if our financial advisor
says there are some things I'd like to work out in this, then, you
know, we pay him to be our advisor just as we pay the county attorney.
I, like you, am in uncharted waters so -- CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Samet.
MR. SAMET: I've just confirmed with Arthur Ziev with
whom I work. We have not been specifically asked to review any
specific policies, either proposed or the existing one at this point.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: So as much as I entrust our
chairperson, it would make sense to me that -- Our financial advisor
hasn't looked at this. So, you know, does -- does it kill us to wait
one week and get a report from our financial advisor on whether this
ties the hands of the county in an unfavorable position? And if it
doesn't, then we're back where we are, and everything is fine and
dandy. If it does, then at least we have some professional advice on
the matter coming from an independent source.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Constantine.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm leaning toward giving the
clerk the benefit of the doubt on the policy. They deal with this day
in and day out; however, I have to agree that it is certainly not
going to do any damage to take seven days and let our financial
advisor look it over and have some sort of conversation with the clerk
and come back, and if there's something wildly wrong, then seven days
from now we'll know that and if -- I'm going to assume there isn't,
but I don't think there's any problem waiting another week, is there,
Mr. Brock? And then we'll get this thing settled once and for all.
MR. BROCK: Commissioner, I don't have a problem with
that at all. I'm presenting the policy for your consideration. I
think that's all I'm doing, and, you know, whatever time you need to
take to make a determination about policy is your business, and I
accept that. The concern and the only concern I have is on October 1
if we don't have a policy in place, we revert back to those statutory
provisions which are extremely restrictive on how we can handle the
money of this county.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Well, that -- a seven-day
delay will keep us within that October 1 window. One thing I think is
important to remember, Mr. Brock and us are on the same team here. We
sound as though we're being adversarial. I think we're both trying to
play for the same team. We certainly should be, and I think he's
trying his best to fulfill his role.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: No question. We have the clerk
saying one thing and the commissioners saying another, and I say let's
get an independent advisor that we hire to advise us on this matter,
and that way we're all on the same page.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Samet, is seven days a
reasonable amount of time for you to review that and have whatever
conversations you need to have with Mr. Brock to report back to us
next Tuesday?
MR. SAMET: The firm will certainly try to do that if
asked.
MR. ZIEV: If I might just interject, my name is Arthur
Ziev. I'm also with Raymond James and Associates. I'm vice president
of public finance, and I think what we can do for you in this instance
is to compare the clerk's proposed policies and the existing policies
and sort of spell out what the differences are and sort of just advise
the effect of those differences. But as was stated, I mean, they're
clearly policy issues. They're not something that I think that we
would come forward and say this is the -- We're not going to tell you
which policy to accept or to use, but just to explain the differences,
pros and cons, and then you as the policymakers make that decision.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Just a question.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Mac'Kie.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Is this something we've already
paid you to do, or are we going to have to pay you by the hour to do
this?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Samet, you had a --
MR. SAMET: I'm sorry. We've not been paid. We've not
been asked to do it, so we've not been paid.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: So are you going to charge us to
do this?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Oh, sure.
MR. SAMET: The only charges that we can do are those
that the finance committee or the board authorizes.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: I just want this board to be sure
they understand. It's not like with the county attorney who's on a
salary who we've already paid. These guys work by the hour, and I'm
sure they're going to charge us for however many hours they spend to
come up with these charts to put the -- here's what that one says,
here's what this one says, it's more restrictive in this category,
it's less restrictive in this category.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm sure they are, but we're
talking about the future of a $200 million portfolio. So I don't
suppose a few hourly charges are going to knock us out here.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: And every -- Don't forget that
every tenth of a percent that we lose by restricting our investment
policy is $200,000.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Okay.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll make a motion we
continue the item for seven days and -- COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Second.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- give Mr. Samet direction
to review and be prepared to have a presentation for us next week.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I have -- I have one question.
Mr. Samet, you've been our financial advisor for a while, and you
recently went to work with Raymond James in the last couple of years?
MR. SAMET: Three years ago. Three years ago.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Three years ago. And transferred
your contract to them.
MR. SAMET: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Have you done investment advice
work for Collier County before?
MR. SAMET: Only with regard to investment of bond
proceeds with a notion of maximizing permitted earnings. The review
would be done by those investment professionals within the firm that
work with investments, and we would work with them, but the point I
think we're making is to give independent advice if so asked.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll alter my motion to
reflect Mr. Samet's firm as opposed to Mr. Samet specifically himself.
MR. SAMET: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Does the second accept the
amendment?
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
continue this item for seven days and to direct Mr. Samet's firm,
Raymond James and Company, to review and compare the two policies. If
there's no further discussion, I'll call the question. All in favor
please say aye.
All opposed?
Motion passes 5-0.
MR. BROCK: Is that -- Are you continuing both items?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We just continued the investment
policy. The other is a report on control of the investment portfolio.
We've received the report. I don't know if there was any direction
to do anything different.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: At this point we didn't make
direction on that. We just received the report. CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We just received the report.
MR. BROCK: You haven't heard Mr. Weigel's perspective,
legal perspective. I have for you, if you are interested, the clerk's
legal counsel to provide for you the rest of the story as Paul Harvey
says.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: As Paul Harvey says.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: As much as I'd love to listen to
two attorneys argue, I'm going to personally pass on this one.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm going to -- As long as
today has gone, I'm going to still suggest we hear it. The whole
issue came about in that there was a disagreement between what we
thought we could do and what the clerk thought could be done, and it's
probably appropriate if there is some disagreement, that we hear both
sides of that.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I can guess that our attorney has
told us we can and Mr. Pires tells us we can't.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Well, I would like to hear, and I
bet it's a little more complicated than that. I bet that Mr. Pires
could tell us rather succinctly -- is he in the room -- where -- yeah
-- where you disagree with Mr. Weigel, and I would also like to hear
that.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Key words there, Tony,
"rather succinctly."
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Can we do it succinctly and
quickly? Because -- MR. PIRES: I will try to do it succinctly. If I
recall, last time I was able to do it succinctly -- I think last time.
The time before that, maybe not so. For the record, Anthony Pires,
Junior, the attorney for the clerk of the circuit court. Mr. Weigel
correctly stated the law as to the clerk's function under the Florida
Constitution in article five and article eight. The clerk is the
custodian of all the county funds. That is clear and unequivocal. As
to Alachua County versus Powers, that is a Seminole case in the State
of Florida, a 1977 Florida Supreme Court opinion that has not been
receded from, withdrawn from, or modified since that time, and it is
the opinion that guides the activities in this function. We question
-- severely question and severely disagreed with the concept as
articulated by Mr. Weigel where he stated that arguably an outside
investor or someone outside the clerk's office has or can be delegated
the authority by the Board of County Commissioners to direct the clerk
to provide and perform investment functions.
The discretion of the clerk of the investments --
discretion of the clerk as to the investments to be made is solely
that of the clerk unless the Board of County Commissioners by
appropriate resolution designates the investment place of surplus
funds, and that's stated in Alachua County versus Powers at pages 39
and page 33. The Alachua County situation began -- the Board of
County Commissioners in that case delegated to the business services
department the authority to negotiate with banks. The deposit --
determination of who should be the depository. It sounds familiar.
The board delegated their employees a function of the clerk. The
clerk was criticized by the grand jury. The clerk went to court. The
clerk's authority was upheld by the trial court. The trial court's
order was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court. So we believe the
situation is articulated, and by delegating to an outside person or
entity outside the clerk's office is inappropriate and illegal.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: So may I just -- may I just but
in here to say, we remain where we started which is we're doing this
request for qualifications. Hopefully the clerk and the board will
agree on how to respond to that, and if we don't, then we're going to
have this disagreement between Mr. Weigel's opinion and your opinion
about whether or not we could go over the clerk's head and require an
outside advisor despite -- over his objection.
MR. PIRES: Yeah. But, in summary, I believe that that
would result in usurpation of the clerk's authority, constitutional
and statutory functions, and I don't think that would be taken lightly
by the clerk.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: And although this is by no means
a reflection of Mr. Brock, if the clerk decides one day to lock
himself in his office and drive $200 million into the ground, you're
telling us this board can do nothing?
MR. PIRES: I believe asking questions that are
hypothetical and probably not something that's going to be rationally
taken into account by the clerk or performed by the clerk -- I don't
think it's appropriate to even --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Drive $10 million into the
ground. We don't like -- We don't like the way in which the money is
being invested, or if it's being invested in a way we feel is
improper, you're telling us we have absolutely no authority whatsoever
to direct that investment?
MR. PIRES: No, sir. By appropriate resolution, this
board can direct the clerk to make investments. I believe that was
articulated by Mr. Weigel, by Mr. Brock, but this board does not have
the authority to delegate to one of its employees or delegate to an
outside investment manager, that authority to say, you, Mr. Smith, you
tell the clerk where to invest the monies on a daily basis, an hourly
basis, or minute basis. If this board wants to come back each week
and say we want to adopt a resolution telling the clerk where to
invest those funds this week or next week, they have that authority.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Or to say we're unhappy with what
you did with that $10 million. Stop it right now. We could pass that
resolution.
MR. PIRES: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: So if he gets in a room and
starts throwing money out the window --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: This isn't aimed at Mr. Brock.
I'm just trying to define this because what I hear you saying is we
can hire an advisor to tell us how to do it, and we can tell the
clerk.
MR. PIRES: Correct.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: But we can't hire an advisor to
tell the clerk.
MR. PIRES: That's correct.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
MR. PIRES: Yes, sir.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
That's right.
That's it.
That's it.
Welcome to the law.
Does that complete --
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Succinct.
Okay. We have heard the clerk's
position in this. We're going to have to take a break. The court
reporter has to relieve -- She's got her relief here, so let's take a
five-minute break.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Can I do this before we go? Can I
ask, is there any consideration being given to this agenda since we're
still on the morning's agenda at this point and it's 5:30?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yes. We won't be taking lunch.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Okay.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Lunch is -- Lunch is over. Five
minutes. Let's come back at 25 of. Thank you. (A short break was held.)
Item #9B
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RE COLLIER COUNTY UTILITIES
RATE REGULATION AUTHORITY JURISDICTIONAL ISSUES, IMPLEMENTATION
PROCEDURES - STAFF TO SET PUBLIC HEARING DATE TO CONSIDER
RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE TO RESCIND PRIOR BCC ACTION AND REPLAN AUTHORITY
RE RATE REGULATION
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Let's reconvene the Board of
County Commission meeting for September the 12th, 1995. Next item on
the agenda is a report to the board regarding utilities rate
regulation authority.
Mr. Weigel.
MR. WEIGEL: Yes. I provided in the agenda a report
concerning a Collier County utility rate regulation authority and
implementation procedures if the board wished to go forward to retain
jurisdiction over the utilities within Collier County.
I'll keep it brief. I think the report speaks pretty
well to itself in regard to the procedures that are required as well
as some aspects affecting current utilities within the county,
specific utilities. I'll just stand by to answer any questions you
may have.
MR. DORRILL: You have some speakers.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: How many?
MR. DORRILL: I have four.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Four? Commissioner Constantine.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Just a couple of brief
comments. Both Marco Island and Golden Gate have suffered through
rather large rate increases on water and sewer several times over the
past few years. I understand what the county's intent was in 1985
when they gave up the authority to regulate the rates. Obviously it
wasn't appropriate if at that time they were also pursuing purchasing
all the utilities for them to be regulating rates.
However, since it's clear we're not going to do that for
the time being with either Marco Island or Golden Gate and it's
equally clear that neither one of those has been getting appropriate
response from the Public Service Commission and God bless the Public
Service Commission, but you've got five appointed people that are
making 90,000 bucks a year who are dealing with every water and sewer
company in the state and telephone company and so on, and every
utility in the state's rates go through them. So they certainly have
their plate full. And while I'm sure their intentions are the very
best, they may not always give the attention to Marco Island and
Golden Gate that those communities deserve.
I won't make a motion until we get the speakers, but my
suggestion will be that we direct the county attorney to advertise a
public hearing to consider taking back the regulatory authority and to
have both resolution and ordinance as necessary to rescind the prior
BCC action.
And then I understand there's a couple different formats
we can do that with. We don't need to get into that today. I think
just the general direction is probably what we need to decide today.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I won't second that motion until
after we hear from the public speakers, but -- but I wonder if on the
public hearing we need to advertise that -- that part of the proposal
may be to form a -- a local utility rate commission or authority of
some sort. Do we need to put that in the advertising?
MR. WEIGEL: Well, I think that's probably appropriate.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Okay.
MR. WEIGEL: Usually for advertising purposes the more
information the better beyond surplus.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: The one other thing I will
likely include in the motion I won't be making yet is when any of
these utilities apply for rate increase to the Public Service
Commission, there is a certain cost associated similar to when cable
companies apply with us.
It's my belief we're going to be able to do that a lot
cheaper locally. But I've talked to Mr. Dotrill about it. We may
most likely bring in an outside source. We don't have anybody on
staff who can necessarily take the time and effort to do that.
In time for that public hearing, we're going to need the
information as far as what those costs would be and how those would be
borne and so on.
MR. WEIGEL: Commissioner, please note in Exhibit B as
part of the agenda package which appears on page 5 are some notes that
-- footnotes that carry over from the memo itself. One is that for
those utilities which have been determined jurisdictionally to be --
to transverse county lines, be multi-county, there would appear to be
a legal inability to reacquire jurisdiction over them for rate making
and all other purposes.
We -- there currently is a case on appeal at the present
time from a determination of Public Service Commission that SSU is
that type of utility. So if the board were to adopt the appropriate
measures to retain jurisdiction, arguably it would be in conflict with
the determination of Public Service Commission regarding SSU at the
present time.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: So we might have to fight for the
right to have Marco Island control?
MR. WEIGEL: No. Well, you might fight for the right.
But the fact is that there's a state jurisdictional entity that's
claiming that it has the right, and it is so determined in its own
procedures which are under appeal right now by several counties that
feel affected in the wrong way for them. But it's in appeal, and the
-- there's no way to say that the -- that the counties will
necessarily prevail.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: So we may not have control
pending the outcome of that appeal. If the appeal comes in our favor,
then we would be able to regain control.
MR. WEIGEL: That's true.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: That's right.
MR. WEIGEL: And I can't predict when the appeal
decision will come down. But if the appeal decision came down and
affirmed the jurisdictional finding of the Public Service Commission,
no matter what the county did, it would not obtain jurisdiction over
those utilities.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Based on the --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Com -- Commissioner Hancock.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I can't speak to how the Court
legally will act, but based on the information I've received through
the Florida Association of -- Association of Counties which is closely
monitoring this and has, in fact, become a part of the process of the
appeal, if the Court should decide to -- decide to use any form of
logic, it -- it will be overturned because the interpretation for it
-- for a utility extending from one county to another was -- was so
liberal that if you had a -- if you set up a station in one county
that tested the water from another county, you were connected because
a truck went back and forth. That's how liberal the opinion is. So I
hold out strong hopes that the Court will -- will decide in the favor
of the appeal.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Well, I was hearing information
even to the liberality of it that SSU, for instance, does its billing
from somewhere in the central part of the state. And merely because
they mail a bill from wherever it is to Marco Island, they're
connected so --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: It wasn't limited to hard
transmission lines is -- is the basis of the opinion the PSC rendered,
so I think hopefully that's arguable.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I -- I just like your comment
about relating law and logic.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Just in case the two should
cross.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Bottom feeder.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: No offense to the attorneys.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Stop.
MR. DORRILL: Speakers.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Speakers.
MR. DORRILL: I'm not sure the first one is still here.
Mr. Carsillo.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Gone.
MR. DORRILL: Tracy Smith. Mr. Smith and then those
Biles.
MR. SMITH: Thank you. Good afternoon, Commissioners.
My name is Tracy Smith. I'm with Southern States Utilities. My
purpose here today is, of course, on this issue, and I did want to
state that we agree with the staff evaluation of the -- of the current
situation that, in fact, if you did take jurisdiction, it would not
impact SSU. That -- that proceeding that recognize that we are very
much like any other statewide utility in that we provide functionally
related services across county lines was an ll-day process up in
Tallahassee. It is under appeal. I agree with that.
The second thing I would -- I would also mention is that
a second law that comes into play here, our current filing with the
Public Service Commission, that would not have any impact on whatever
action you take here. That stays with the commission. Okay?
I would also like to mention that we certainly
acknowledge that our customers are impacted by the rate decisions that
we have to make. The Public Service Commission in reviewing our
filings, they have to meet the test that the cost that -- that we are
proposing on customers reflects the cost of service. The county would
have to take that same basis to determine any rates that we would
set.
Again, I will tell you that we are here for any
questions if you have any afterwards. Okay?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. SMITH: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Those Biles and then Kjell Pettersen.
MS. BILES: Yeah. Can I split mine to two minutes and
three minutes because Kjell really has a very important appointment?
I'd rather have Kjell speak first if that's all right. CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That's all right.
MS. BILES: And then I'll come up be -- that will give
you a chance to --
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Pettersen.
MR. PETTERSEN: Thank you and good afternoon. My name
is Kjell Pettersen, and I'm here as chairman of a concerned citizens
group from Marco Island who opposes the steep rate increase sought by
Southern State Utilities. My committee is made up of the presidents
of Marco Island Taxpayers' Association, Marco Island Civic
Association, Marco Island Condominium Association, Marco Island Condo
Managers' Association, Marco Island Board of Realtors, Marco Island
Chamber of Commerce, and a number of the most prominent community
leaders on Marco Island who have asked me to -- to chair their
committee. We represent we believe approximately 85 percent of Marco
Island residents.
The rate increase sought by SSU is unconscionable, and
it's a further part of a pattern we saw most recently on Marco Island
-- in Marco Island from SSU in 1992 and in Golden Gate from Florida
City Water in 1993.
After careful consideration, we believe that the only
answer to this continuing problem is for Collier County to take
regulatory jurisdiction over water utility rates. Without county
jurisdiction, SSU and Florida City Water will undoubtedly continue to
prevail in Public Service Commission.
By its actions, SSU and Florida City Water is
economically strangling our fellow Collier County residents. People
on fixed incomes, young families, and those struggling to make a
livelihood are severely hurt by the massive and unjustified increases
by SSU and Florida City Water Company.
Unfortunately, SSU and Florida does -- City Water
Company have a history of seeking unjustifiable rate increases. In
1993 SSU received a huge increase effective -- effectively doubling
average sewer and water bills both for Marco Island residents and for
customers of the county system that purchases water and the waste
water on the bulk sale arrangement.
SSU is subjecting Marco Island to the highest 10 percent
of all systems in Florida and likely among the highest in the United
States. Golden Gate has the same problem, same experience. The
average homeowner in Golden Gate in 1990 paid $360 per year for water
and sewer -- water and sewer, waste water service. Today it's
approaching $1,000.
SSU has continually sought to increase rates by
overstating its costs and understating its revenue. It is also using
a bundling device in its application to increase its rates without
justification. The net result is that Marco Island will be
subsidizing residents of other counties to the tune of more than one
million dollars a year.
Rather than going through every number, let me just
summarize the situation briefly. In its current application, SSU
bundles Marco Island with a place called Burnt Store. They decided
that Burnt Store should not pay its proper share, so they cut the
requested Burnt Store rate and increased Marco Island's requested rate
by $350,000. Marco Island should not be subsidizing Burnt Store.
Waste water is an equally sad story. Marco Island is
served by three sewer companies, a small one in Old Marco, SSU, and
Collier County utilities. Collier County utilities sends its waste
water to SSU waste water plant at a hefty price.
In the past four years SSU has increased its sewer rates
to Collier County utilities by 98 percent and is now seeking another
increase. For waste water purposes Marco Island is not bundled with
Burnt Store. It is thrown in with the rest of the state.
To pay its own way Marco Island should furnish revenues
of 3.6 million dollars a year. However, SSU demands that Marco Island
furnishes another $870,000 to subsidize other non-Collier County
communities. This is wrong.
Obviously Marco Island should pay its own way, but
there's no justification for us to subsidize almost -- for a subsidy
of almost one and a half million dollars a year. The subsidy which is
requested from the appointed officials of Public Service Commission is
fully 23.9 percent more than they're legally required to support Marco
Island's own costs.
SSU is owned by Topeka Group which is wholly owned by
Minnesota Power, a cot -- corporation based in Minnesota.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Go ahead and try to finish up.
Try to finish up.
MR. PETTERSEN: Okay. I'm going to -- can I finish up?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Sure.
MS. BILES: And I'll finish the rest, Kjell.
MR. PETTERSEN: In 1994 the shareholders of Minnesota
Power earned 48 cents a share with 13 and a half million dollars from
its water utility operation. This represents 23 percent to Minnesota
Power's total earnings per share of 58 million dollars.
Now Marco Island is faced with an out-of-state
corporation seeking to increase its profits beyond a reasonable rate
of return. Without county regulatory scrutiny of its rate increase
application, SSU will undoubtedly prevail. It will not have the -- to
answer for its inefficiency or waste. It will not have to justify its
current operation. It will not have to explain its future plans. It
will continue to simply service a profit center for the shareholders
of Minnesota Power. And Marco Island will continue to serve as its
money cow. The SSU steam roller must be stopped.
Now, the question on the -- on the transfers, there is
no continuity. Marco Island -- there's no continuity with other
counties. And what they're talking about is Hernando County. In the
10 K report filed with the Security Exchange Commission in Washington
for the -- for the year -- calendar year ending December 31, 1994,
Minnesota Power stated that in April 1994 Hernando County board of
commissioners passed a resolution to take over and take back the
regulatory jurisdiction from the Public Service Commission. Couple of
months later the Public Service Commission acknowledged that and sent
the jurisdiction to them. SSU has appealed that, and that is still
pending. Thank you very much for your time.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you, Mr. Pettersen. I'm '-
I'm glad you -- you were able to wrap it up when you did. It's a very
important issue, so I don't want to -- didn't want to interrupt you.
Commissioner Hancock.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Just quickly, Mr. Gaston, I'm
going to be attending a board of directors' meeting for the Florida
Association --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: It's Pettersen.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Pettersen, I'm sorry -- for the
Florida Association of Counties in October. Would you forward a copy
of your notes to my office, please?
MR. PETTERSEN: Yes.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: And those Biles.
MS. BILES: Fay Biles for the record, and I'm president
of the Marco Island Taxpayers' Association.
Most of my comments -- all of us got together and put
together what Kjell has just given you. His whole world has been
financial world. He's marvelous with financial records. He can go
right down through the record and pick out all kinds of things.
Some of the things that we intended to do was go back to
Minnesota Power and Light and find out -- get all their reports and
find out how much profit are they making from Marco Island and Golden
-- well, Golden Gate is Florida City Waters.
We also found out that they brag in their annual report
that they're making a lot of money from Florida utility companies.
When we tried to find out how much profit, that became a different
matter.
We do know, for example, that they tell us, well,
they're -- they -- they're expensive. They've had to buy a lot of
resources. They've had to put money into more resources.
What -- what troubled us a little bit was the -- that --
the fact that they ended up paying eight million dollars for the
Collier pits. Eight million dollars. Now, I think that's
exorbitant. We were -- we thought four million was a lot when we
heard that, and it ended up eight million.
So we're wondering, you know, where is this profit,
loss? How much profit can you make? We know that the PSC says they
can make 12.5 percent profit. And I think that's legitimate, and they
have to make a profit, of course. But we hate to see all of this
money kind of as -- I feel that it's -- I think HITA feels that it's
our water and yet all the profit's gone up to Minnesota. And it's
kind of going out of state.
But the committee has met around the clock literally.
We have been meeting night and day many, many times, hours of the week
to put together what Kjell has given you. And we'll be happy to give
those notes to you, Commissioner Hancock.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Please do.
MS. BILES: But we feel very strongly that both Golden
Gate and Marco Island going together should have something to say
about what's happening to us.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: That's all.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That's all the speakers?
Commissioner Constantine.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: You know, at the beginning of
every calendar year I put together seven or eight or ten goals for the
year. And among my top priorities for 1995 -- this -- this is being
the first year we had the ability to take this back legally -- was to
take back the regulatory authority.
A couple of the statistics cited are very accurate.
It's nearly 170 percent increase in the water, sewer package in the
Golden Gate area in the last 5 years. And -- and when you start
talking about people who are living on a fixed income and in -- in
limited homes, 70,000, $80,000 homes, and that's a lot of money. When
you're talking $360 versus nearly $1,000, it's a lot of money.
And so without further ado, we've still got a lot of
agenda left here. I'll make a motion that we set a date, we -- we
direct our county attorney and county manager to set a date for a
public hearing to consider a resolution and/or ordinance as necessary
to rescind prior Board of County Commissioners action and reclaim the
authority over rate regulation as legally possible.
I'd suggest the framework for that -- and this will be
open to debate the day of the hearing -- but is that we have a panel,
expert panel of some sort, who will actually hear those rate hearings
both from the public and from the utility and then we put an appeal
process perhaps to this board but an appeal process into that. But
those hearings can go three, four days and more. So obviously it's
not workable to have the initial hearings in front of this board.
But also -- also part of my motion, I would direct the
manager to provide an outline of expense and the -- and review what we
can expect as part of this process and contrast that with the expense
currently undertaken by the petitioner or the utility when they go to
the Public Service Commission.
MR. DORRILL: In terms of --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Second.
MR. DORRILL: -- a filing fee?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Correct.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Isn't there also a 4 percent
franchise fee that's involved with the PSC -- COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I'm not sure.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- and the higher the rates, the
more money they receive, so it behooves them to raise the rates?
Commissioner -- Commissioner Hancock.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Point of information, I'm going
to support the motion, but there's one thing that I would like to ask
Mr. Weigel. One of the main reasons that we see rate increases based
on going through the PSC of the magnitude we see is because they're
allowed to subsidize poor operations elsewhere in the state with the
revenue producers that may be local.
If -- unless that is changed by our taking it back over,
if they are still continued to allow or be allowed to subsidize other
operations, whether the county controls it or the PSC, that to me is a
critical element in our review.
So I -- I -- I'm going to support the motion. But
unless the legal action supports that the county itself can force upon
a local provider that draws from this county and provides to this
county that they have to contain their costs within and not subsidize
other operations, we may be spinning our wheels so --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Right -- right now that is
accurate for Southern States. It's not the case of Florida Cities.
They -- they -- their rates currently are solely based on the Golden
Gate operation.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. That was just a point of
information and --
MR. WEIGEL: Yeah. And the distinction is it's provided
statutorily that if there's a determination that a utility trans --
transverses county lines, ipso facto PSC has exclusive jurisdiction.
So it's through this hearing -- well, not hearing process, appeal
process, litigation process, the PSC has -- has come and made that
determination which is under appeal right now. Incidently, Collier
County is part of that appeal against the status quo obviously of the
early determination.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Thank you, Mr. Weigel.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second.
Is there further discussion?
All those in favor please say aye.
Opposed?
Motion passes 5 to 0.
MS. BILES: Thank you.
Item #9C
AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CHAIRMAN TO TRAVEL TO TAMPA, FL AND PARTICIPATE
IN THE MEDIATION CONFERENCE FOR THE LITIGATION CASE OF GREAT MONUMENT
CONSTRUCTION CO., V. BOARD OF COUNTY COHMISSIONERS FOR COLLIER COUNTY,
CASE NO. 94-2928-CA-01-TB - APPROVED
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Next item on the agenda is 9-C.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Madam Chairman, if you'd give the
particulars, I'll make the motion.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: The particulars are --
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: For her to go to Tampa.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah. We're having a mediation
conference with Great Monument Construction in Tampa this coming
Friday, and Mike Necterline (phonetic) has invited me to attend that.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I will move approval of the
associated expenses of the chairman going to Tampa for the Great
Monument mediation hearing on -- what's the date?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
what it is?
COMHISSIONER NORRIS:
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK:
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE:
Friday.
On Friday, September 167
I guess it's the 16th.
Is that
15th.
15th, Friday, September 15.
Second.
COHHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm going to vote in favor of
it. Can I ask a quick question?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Are you driving or flying?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Driving, yeah. $79.50.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Good question.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: If there's no further discussion,
I'll call the question. All those in favor please say aye.
Opposed?
There being none, motion passes five to zero.
That was a quickie.
Item #10A
RESOLUTION 95-521 APPOINTING ROSE ALBERTER AND REAPPOINTING DIANE
GONZALEZ TO THE HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRESERVATION BOARD - ADOPTED
Next one is item 10-A, appointment of members to the
Historical Archaeological Preservation Board.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Comment on this. One
reappointment on here I have no disagreement with. I take a little
concern that the recommendation is that the board direct staff to
readvertise when we have two other people who apparently --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: This is the historical?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yeah.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. I'm sorry.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- two other people who are
apparently qualified. What we have tried to make a habit of doing is
if people are eligible and qualified, we don't simply turn them down
and say, we hope to get somebody better. We have made a habit of
selecting from the pool we have.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK:
people has a degree in --
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE:
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK:
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
Not to mention one of these
A degree.
-- historical something or other.
Preservation.
So unless -- unless Mr. Bellows
can offer some insight as to -- is there some reason that a
recommendation couldn't be made of -- of one of these two individuals,
or is there -- I'm just curious because one person has a degree in --
in the field. And although the experience may not be as relevant, she
seems to be more qualified than most people that would sit on the
committee.
MR. BELLOWS: Yeah, I had a discussion with Art Lee, the
chairman of the preservation board, and he determined that he was
looking for practical working experience in public boards, and I think
that was his reason.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I'd like to move that we appoint
Rose Alberter who's the person with the historic preservation degree
in the citizen at large and Diane Gonzalez as a reappointment within
the law category.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
appoint Rose Alberter and Diane Gonzalez, reappointment to the
Historical Archaeological Preservation Board. Is there further
discussion?
All those in favor please say aye.
Opposed?
Motion passes 5 to 0.
MS. FILSON: Thank you.
Item #10B
DISCUSSION RE APPOINTHENTS TO ADVISORY BOARDS - STAFF TO ADVERTISE FOR
THREE SEATS ON THE COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COHMISSION
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Next item is item 10-B which is
an add-on. Commissioner Constantine.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I had added that on. It's
come to my attention by a couple of rather spirited phone calls that
we have a technical flaw in our ad procedure for the planning
commission seats. I was just going to suggest we might want to
readvertise that to --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I had a similar phone call.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- alleviate any concerns.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yeah. I -- I don't see a problem
with that. I had a similar phone call. What was it, Hiss Filson? It
showed up in the paper on Friday, and they were due Monday?
MS. FILSON: It was on the paper -- it was in the paper
on Thursday. The deadline was on Friday.
Hay I ask a question?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We actually -- we actually
issued -- we didn't actually issue the thing until right up against
the deadline. I'd just -- I'd make a motion that we just readvertise
for that. We have three --
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Three.
MS. FILSON: Three.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- planning commission
seats?
MS. FILSON: Yes.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And -- and my -- it's not up
for -- they weren't due for a couple of weeks anyway. But I know
those expire October 1. So I thought if we could do that now instead
of two weeks from now, maybe we can still come close to having them
seated.
MS. FILSON: You want me to advertise -- you want me to
send a press release out with a deadline for two weeks?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Just as long as there's ample
time. I think we ended up pretty short before.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second. I
just want to comment in defense of Miss Filson who handles this, the
press release was prepared in ample time. It simply did not get in
the paper in time.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yeah. It's not your fault, Sue.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: That's acceptable. We all know
Hiss Filson would never make a mistake.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: She's perfect.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Well, she -- she more than -- she
prepared it in more than ample time. But for one reason or another,
it didn't get published.
I'm going to call the question. All those in favor
please say aye.
Opposed?
Motion passes 5 to 0.
Item #12B1
ORDINANCE 95-47, RE PETITION PUD-95-4, HICHAEL R. FERNANDEZ, AICP, OF
AGNOLI, BARBER & BRUNDAGE, INC. REPRESENTING PIPER BOULEVARD MEDICAL
OFFIC CENTER INVESTORS, FOR A REZONE FROM RHF-16 TO PUD FOR PROPERTY
LOCATED IHMEDIATELY EAST OF CYPRESS WAY EAST AND NORTH OF IHMOKALEE
ROAD - ADOPTED
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK:
COHMISSIONER NORRIS:
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Wow, yeah.
We're at pub -- at the public comment.
public commenters?
MR. DORRILL: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you.
real quick.
We're to the afternoon.
We're down to lunch break, yeah.
Okay. Lunch break.
ll-A was withdrawn.
Mr. Dotrill, do we have any
I wanted to say that
Item 12-B-l, petition PUD-95-4, Hichael Fernandez of
Agnoli, Barber, and Brundage. Mr. Nino.
MR. NINO: Ron -- Ron Nino, your current planning
staff. Petition PUD-95-4 is a rezoning request to change a parcel of
property fronting on Immokalee Road -- actually the Immokalee canal
adjacent to the Palm River development that is currently zoned
RHF-16. And this would have -- yes, Commissioner.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Mr. Nino, how many residential
units would be deleted under this proposal?
MR. NINO: 16 times 2.4, two and a half.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Thirty-six.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Have you -- have you had any
letters of objection?
MR. NINO: No letters of objection to this petition.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Have you had any letters of
support from the surrounding community?
MR. NINO: No letters of support, none. No
communication for --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: All right.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Any letters taking no
opinion?
MR. NINO: No.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Any strong no opinions out there?
MR. NINO: No opinions. Let me say that the staff
review indicates that the petition is entirely consistent with all
elements of the Growth Management Plan. The -- one of the -- one of
the benefits that will accrue to the county if this petition is
approved is that the petitioner has agreed to convey 45 feet of
right-of-way for the extension of Piper Boulevard from the westernmost
to the easternmost part of this property --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: That's what we needed to hear,
Ron.
MR. NINO: -- at a price that they are paying for the
property and to lease an additional 15 feet of right-of-way for $10.
Planning commission --
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Are there registered speakers on
this, Mr. Dotrill?
MR. NINO: Planning commission heard this petition and
unanimously recommended its approval.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: We read that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah, we read that.
Mr. Fernandez, do you have anything that you need to get
on the record before we close the public hearing?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Nino, we're in the
two-minute offense.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Minute by minute.
MR. FERNANDEZ: No. We're fine.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. Public speakers, Mr.
Dorrill?
MR. DORRILL: No, ma'am.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Move approval.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Close the public hearing.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
approve PUD-95-4. All in favor please say aye. Opposed?
Motion passes 5 to 0.
Item #12C1
ORDINANCE 95-48, AMENDING ORDINANCE 88-87 TO CORRECT A SCRIVENER'S
ERROR ON THE OFFICIAL ZONING ATLAS MAP NUMBER 9618N RE THE PINE RIDGE
CENTER WEST PUD, LOCATED WEST OF 1-75 ON PINE RIDGE ROAD - ADOPTED
Next item on the agenda is petition R-95-5, Dennis
Portella representing Immokalee Habitat for Humanity. COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: That's continued.
MR. DORRILL: It's previously been continued to the
24th.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Oh, I'm sorry.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: We're to the scrivener's error.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Item 12-C-1, an ordinance
amending ordinance 88-87, correcting a scrivener's error.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Madam Chairman, if this is
merely correcting a scrivener's error, if you want to close the public
hearing, I'll be happy to make a motion to approve it.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
error?
MR. REISCHL: Exactly.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
Is there a motion?
And I'll second it.
It is merely fixing a scrivener's
I'll close the public hearing.
COHHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll make a motion to approve
the item.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
approve an amendment to ordinance 88-87. No further discussion?
In all in favor please say aye.
Opposed?
Motion passes 5 to 0.
Item #12C2
PETITION SNR-95-2, A RESOLUTION RENAMING A PORTION OF THE FORMER
ALIGNMENT OF LOGAN BOULEVARD TO "LOGAN COURT", LOCATED OFF GREEN
BOULEVARD, AND EAST OF SANTA BARBARA BOULEVARD - CONTINUED UNTIL AFTER
READVERTISING
Next item on the agenda --
MR. REISCHL: Just a note before you get to that, the
reason that the next item was continued was not to shorten the agenda
today. It was because the Daily News informed us that this item
inadvertently did not make the advertising. So it has not been
advertised.
MR. DORRILL: We were -- we were advised of that after
the start of the meeting. MR. REISCHL: Right.
MR. DORRILL: So the petition with respect to Logan
Court will need to be continued because --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: It needs to be continued now?
MR. DORRILL: It was submitted on time and was not
properly advertised.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Madam Chairman, motion to
continue item 12-C-2 to the first available meeting after proper
advertising.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a --
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: What?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
continue petition SNR-95-2 to the first available meeting after proper
advertising. All those in favor please say aye. Opposed?
There being none, motion passes five to zero.
Item #12C4
BUDGET AMENDMENT RESOLUTION 95-9, APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE FISCAL
YEAR 1994-95 ADOPTED BUDGET - ADOPTED
Next item on the agenda is -- let's see, 3's continued.
-- 4, recommendation to adopt a resolution approving amendments to
fiscal year '94, '95 adopted budget. Mr. Smykowski.
MR. SMYKOWSKI: Good evening. For the record, Michael
Smykowski, acting budget director. This is a public hearing to amend
the '95 budget. Each of the 67 items that are included in the back-up
have been approved by separate executive summary by the board. This
is --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Madam Chairman, since these
have all been previously approved by the board, if you'd be so kind as
to close the public hearing, I'd be happy --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Speakers?
Close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- to make a motion that we
approve the item.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
approve a resolution approving budget amendments for '94, '95. All
those in favor please say aye.
Opposed?
Motion passes 5 to 0.
MR. SMYKOWSKI: Thank you.
Item #12C5
RESOLUTION 95-522, RE PETITION AV-95-005, JACK NOLD AS AGENT FOR OWNER,
EAGLE CREEK PROPERTIES, INC., REQUESTING VACATION OF THE DRAINAGE
EASEMENT LOCATED ON TRACT A, OF THE PLAT OF EAGLE CREEK COUNTRY CLUB -
ADOPTED
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Next item's petition AV-95-005,
Jack Nold as agent for the owner of Eagle Creek Properties.
MR. HULLER: Hi. For the record, Russ Mullet with
transportation services. Item 12-C-5 is a public hearing to consider
vacation of a drainage easement. We're getting one back. How much do
you want to hear?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Is this a swap? This is one of
the swaps?
MR. HULLER: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: That's almost too much,
Russ.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Speakers?
MR. DORRILL: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I'll close the public hearing.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Motion to approve.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Motion and a second to approve
petition AV-95-005. All those in favor please say aye. Opposed?
Motion passes five to zero.
Item #12C6
RESOLUTION 95-523, RE PETITION AV-95-004, TO VACATE A PORTION OF A 60
FOOT ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY KNOWN AS BAILEY LANE - ADOPTED; CLERK TO
ADVERTISE NOTICE OF ADOPTION WITHIN 30 DAYS UPON RECEIPT OF
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OF PROOF OF COMPLIANCE FROM THE CITY
Petition AV-95-004, to vacate a portion of a 60-foot
road right-of-way known as Bailey Lane. COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Uh-oh.
MR. HULLER: Yes. This item I need to get something on
the record. We need to have the direction of the clerk to advertise
the adoption of the resolution within 30 days and record the
resolution, proof of publication of notice of public hearing, and
proof of publication and notice of adoption. That's upon receipt by
-- from transportation services of proof of compliance with a
stipulation made by the city, and that is -- is in the works.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: What's going on here?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Question --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm about to probably --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- Commissioner Hancock.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm about to probably ask a
question that will figure that out. This property's at the existing
terminus of Bailey Lane; is that correct? MR. HULLER: Yes, sir.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Do any properties gain access
from this roadway other than a single unified piece that -- that is on
both sides and the end of the road?
MR. DUANE: No, they do not, Commissioner. For the
record, Robert Duane.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: So by vacating this easement,
we're not affecting anyone other than the one property owner that's
requesting it.
MR. HULLER: I don't believe they're a property owner
yet, but it's under contract. They will be the property owners, and
it will affect no one's convenient access.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: So someone is consolidating more
than one piece of property here?
MR. DUANE: Yeah, you just re -- reviewed the zoning
petition within the last few months.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. And this -- okay. I -- I
remember this. Does that answer your question, Commissioner
Constantine?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yeah, thank you very much.
MR. DUANE: There is one other add-on I need to call to
your attention. There's a requirement that the cul-de-sac be
constructed prior to the recordation of the easement. Development
services and I have agreed to some alternate language that we will
make that a condition of the plat, and it will be constructed when we
commence the improvements on the subdivision. There's no disagreement
between staff and I on that. And there's no cul-de-sac there today.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yeah, it just dead ends, and
people have created a T turnaround by themselves if I'm not mistaken.
MR. DUANE: Exactly. Thank you.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Is this a public hearing?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yes, it is. Do we have speakers,
Mr. Dotrill?
MR. DORRILL: We have none. I have one question of
staff. Is this in any way adjacent to the drainage easement that
would be the west -- western terminus of Bailey Lane for access to
what I would call the Gordon River canal? Would -- would we at some
point -- would we ever need access to that section of that ditch or
canal that runs north and south and is perpendicular to Bailey Lane?
MR. HULLER: We received a letter of no objection from
storm water management so -- MR. DUANE: We discharge into that canal, Mr. Manager,
and we have a surface water permit from the district.
MR. DORRILL: If there's a letter of no objection from
the water management department, then that resolves the concern that I
have.
There are no other speakers.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Is there such a letter, Mr.
Huller, of no objection? MR. HULLER: Right.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Have we received any letters of
objection or any letters of any kind on this item?
MR. HULLER: We've received letters of no objection from
all pertinent utility companies, storm water management, utilities,
planning, sheriff, FPL, UTS.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Any letters of objection?
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Objection is what he said.
MR. HULLER: Yes. Objection came from Tom Kuck who's
with project review. And he's addressed that stipulation and
objection from the city of Naples subject to an agreement and approval
of their -- of their plan which is -- is what we're holding up the
recording of the resolution until that is -- is received.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Which is the language Mr. Duane
referred to.
MR. HULLER: Right.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: How does that affect what we're
doing then today? I'm -- I'm -- I'm confused.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We're approving the petition
subject to that? Is that what you're suggesting?
MR. HULLER: Right, right. We will -- we will not
record the resolution until such time as we receive the letter from --
from the city of Naples saying they approve the plans.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: And presently what the letter
from the city says is that the city presently operates a water main
and low pressure force main within the right-of-way proposed for
vacation and is reluctant to give up operational rights until an
alternate solution and agreement has been reached.
MR. DORRILL: By virtue of the fact that this is in the
city's water franchise service area.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Right. So since this is subject
to the ability to reach that agreement --
MR. DUANE: Commissioner, they're reviewing our -- our
subdivision plat. They're a signature. They have to sign the plat,
so -- and the plat's going to be before you within the next month or
so. Thank you.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: It's a little backwards. It
makes sense, so I'll -- if you'll close the public hearing --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Are there -- are there speakers,
Mr. Dotrill?
MR. DORRILL: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I'll close the public hearing.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'll move approval.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Who can jump in first? We have a
motion and a second to approve AV-95-004. All those in favor please
say aye.
Opposed?
There being none, motion passes 5 to 0.
Item #12C7
ORDINANCE 95-49 AMENDING COLLIER COUNTY ORDINANCE 93-72, ADOPTING THE
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION LAW OF 1974 - ADOPTED
Item 12 -- is it C? I've lost track.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: 12-C-7.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- 12-C-7, an ordinance amending
Collier County ordinance number 93-72, providing violation definition
and sanctions for the board and its members.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: You know, we're cruising
along so nicely here, I hate to -- hate to get off track, but I
actually have some questions on this. We -- over on page -- agenda
item page 5 where the changes are -- and I'm reading up above where it
says that it's still included -- it is included in the current even
without any changes. It says the Board of County Commissioners and
its members shall deal with the administrative services solely through
the county administrator. And then the part we're adding in is that
we'll be penalized by money, jail time, and possibly death.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Where appropriate.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: My only concern is -- is
who's making the call, who's making the charge when you have that kind
of penalty? Who charges Commission Gus, you've done this, who's done
that because I use the Lely Barefoot Beach item, for example?
Commissioner Hancock has tried, I've tried to come up with some
alternatives, some ways to do that. That's not a policy item.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Uh-huh.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: But that's just trying to do
good business on behalf of our constituents. And to sit down with
constituents and sit down with county attorney staff and to sit down
with park staff and sit down with transportation and anybody who's
involved in that particular thing is not in a literal sense dealing
strictly or solely through the county administrator, yet I don't think
it's interfering. We're not telling -- telling anybody what to do.
And I'm just a little concerned, does this end up causing more trouble
than it's worth in the long run?
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Mr. Weigel --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I understand the intent.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Yeah. Our ordinances are -- how
would this ordinance be enforced I think is basically the question?
MR. WEIGEL: Okay. Well, it'd be enforced by someone
bringing an information to -- to the state attorney's office as one
example.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: State attorney would have to
agree to bring a charge.
MR. WEIGEL: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: So I think that that's a
sufficient safeguard that we don't have to worry about somebody just
saying, I didn't like how you talked to him. I mean, the state
attorney doesn't lightly decide to bring charges.
MR. WEIGEL: No. This is identical language to what was
in the prior county manager ordinance and was directed to be brought
back in, in essence more of a -- kind of a public sign post that there
is a law on the books and that the commission and everyone is aware of
what the intent of it is. And there's never been a criminal penalty
enforced or imposed in the -- in the past. But it was there for lo
the many years prior to about a year and a half ago.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Norris.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I may -- may not be on the right
page or something, but were you reading from page 5 of our agenda
package, page 57
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Uh-huh.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Item number 3 at line 107
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I was reading item number 3,
line 15, 16, 17, 18 in there, the Board of County Commissioners and
its members down through the word administrator.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Okay. And the -- the -- deal with
the administrative services solely through the county administrator is
what's giving you the problem?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Well, and that already
exists. It's then that someone might interpret the fact that I called
George Archibald and started asking questions about transportation or
about drainage, someone might interpret that and suddenly I'm facing a
fine and prison time. And -- and I understand, again, the intent is
to make sure we don't interfere in the day-to-day operation.
MR. DORRILL: I can at least give you my -- my
interpretation of that. And I think as you have outlined your
interest or concern as a county commissioner, if you went beyond that
-- let's use the same example of Lely Barefoot Beach where prior
board action has caused us to believe that a code enforcement item is
in order as it pertains to the guard house. If a county commissioner
were to individually intimidate or threaten an employee within the
code enforcement department to prevent them from going about their
duties to investigate or to pursue a code enforcement action in front
of the Code Enforcement Board, at that point then you would have
interfered in that individual's ability or you would have attempted to
intimidate or harass that individual. And it's -- it is intended to
protect that type of abuse of power if you will. COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Can I --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And I understand the intent.
My only concern is how is it interpreted then? I think we all
understand the intent.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hac'Kie.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: It's a -- it's a -- it's a useful
and appropriate exercise to be figuring out what exactly -- how this
ordinance would be interpreted. But it's important for us to focus on
that the prohibited behavior is exact -- exactly the same as it has
been since the ordinance existed. So the prohibited behavior,
whatever it is, we should understand more clearly. But there's no
change being offered in that today. All we're doing today is putting
back in the penalty that was removed I guess a year or so ago.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: That was removed by a
majority of the Board of County Commissioners?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah, it was.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: That's a interesting concept.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I -- I understand Commissioner
Constantine's concern. But the early part of paragraph 3 which is
line 10 through 14 talks about no commissioner shall direct or request
the appointment of a person to removal of and so forth and then goes
into the portion Commissioner Constantine read about dealing solely
through the county administrator. And then at the end it finishes up
by saying either publicly or privately except for the purpose of
inquiry and information.
And ideally that's -- that's all we're doing is asking
for information. I mean, we -- we ask for copies of PUDs. We've
asked -- you know, we ask for information regarding an interpretation
of the LDC. And, you know, we ask for information. I don't think any
of us would want to go to a staff member and say, you do this or you
do that other than to say, I'd like some information regarding this
matter. And it's my understanding that's -- that's all that we've
ever done, and that's what's been in the ordinance from the
beginning.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Is the suggestion then unless
there's a threat of a $500 fine and 60 days in jail that any one of us
might cross that line?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: That's not my suggestion.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That's not my suggestion.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: What's the purpose of adding
this then?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: That it's -- well, I can only
analogize it to my children. They -- they -- they need to know what
the penalty is.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We're putting your kids in
jail for 60 days?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Well, if they harass the
manager's employees I guess. But it's important for the public to
know that we do mean what we say even when we're telling ourselves how
to behave, and I think that it's -- it's appropriate. It's an
appropriate penalty. And I don't suggest anybody's been violating the
ordinance, and I just think it's appropriate to put some teeth in it.
MR. DORRILL: You have one speaker on this one.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: One speaker? Why don't we hear
the speaker.
MR. DORRILL: Ms. Fitch.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Who's been patiently waiting all
day.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: She's waited all day.
MS. FITCH: You might have known we would be here since
this is one of our favorite subjects. And we appreciate -- Dorothy
Fitch, Legal of Women Voters. We appreciate the fact that this is
being brought up for consideration and hope you would all see that
this may not affect you as a board. But think of some future boards
or think of some past boards, in fact.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: That made the point.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Think of some past boards, but
they already had this wording, and it didn't make any difference.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Good point.
MS. FITCH: Well, apparently it wasn't strong enough to
go to the state attorney.
We don't want to see any of you in jail, but this
measure does teenforce what we consider a positive part of the overall
county administrator's ordinance. And we hope you will agree to the
practice of commun -- communicating and dealing with the staff through
-- through the county manager except as you pointed out that it
certainly does not interfere with the concept of the law just to
request an item.
But to try to influence the thinking of the staff is
another matter we feel. And it could create a -- not only a bad
atmosphere in the county but we feel disastrous effects among the
employees themselves morale-wise, work scheduling, feelings of bias
and jealousy, and many of the very things we're trying to avoid in
order to keep an emotionally healthy workplace.
So we would appreciate your joining together and
reestablishing this good government practice. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hancock.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Question for Mr. Weigel.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you, Miss Fitch. I'm
sorry.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: If -- if I make a repeated
request for information from a -- an individual within the county and
that individual's performance is in my opinion less than -- than
adequate and I relay that information to the county manager, have I
violated this section?
MR. WEIGEL: I certainly don't think so.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Because that's the
strongest situation which I can think of saying anything, and I just
want to make sure that my -- my perception of what I was able to do --
I think that's an information transfer and not -- MR. WEIGEL: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Now, if I say, I'm going to not
vote to renew your contract if you don't fire this guy, then I'm in
violation, but that's -- that's a different -- that's a different
story. Okay. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Good example.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I -- I have one question as to
how we -- we construe this section also in that typically when we have
public meetings we request various staff members to attend those
meetings for information purposes. And I just want to verify that
that is still a part of what we are allowed to do. And that is to ask
Mr. Archibald and Mr. Boldt who I understand are going to be in
Immokalee tomorrow night helping me explain the lack of drainage or
flooding, whatever you want to call it, that that's still available to
us to -- to ask for that.
MR. DORRILL: I would say that you would need -- and
this is very important. You would need to stop -- if you begin at
that meeting and say, I'm going to have the road -- I'm going to tell
Mr. Archibald that he's going to be out here tomorrow and he's going
to be out here every day until I'm satisfied and we're going to take
these culverts out, and then I would say you have gone beyond having
staff people available to provide information. And in some instances
there's -- there's a fine line there. The staff is real good to come
back and tell me when they think that -- that any one or collectively
you've stepped out of line. And then I usually come and talk to you
about that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. But -- but --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: If we call a week in advance
and say, gee, George, I got a meeting in Immokalee. Can --
MR. DORRILL: My policy has always been that any
division administrator and/or department director is available to
attend and participate in meetings with you in the evening.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Provided it doesn't conflict with
something else and we --
MR. DORRILL: Obviously.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah.
MR. DORRILL: Or we can send someone else.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: MAdam Chairman, I'm
comfortable if you'll close the public hearing.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have no further speakers, Mr.
Dorrill?
MR. DORRILL: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I'll close the public hearing.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'd like to make a motion we
approve the item.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
approve an ordinance amending ordinance 93-72. All in favor please
say aye.
Opposed?
There being none, motion passes five to zero.
Item #13A2
RESOLUTIONS 95-524, 95-525, 95-526 AND 95-527, RE PETITIONS CU-95-7,
CU-95-8, CU-95-9 AND CU-95-10, BILL HOOVER OF HOOVER PLANNING SHOPPE,
REPRESENTING IHMOKALEE WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT, REQUESTING A
CONDITIONAL USE PER SECTION 2.6.9.2 (ESSENTIAL SERVICES) FOR THE
EXPANSION OF WASTEWATER AND WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES - ADOPTED
Next item is 13-A-2, petition CU-95, et cetera, et
cetera, represent -- Mr. Hoover representing the Immokalee water and
sewer district.
MR. REISCHL: I'm Fred Reischl, planning services.
These are four separate conditional uses regarding four separate sites
all on Immokalee water, sewer district property for improvements in
existing service sites. The four sites are all within groundwater
protection zones basically because the well heads are located on the
sewer district property.
The -- I received one phone call of no objection, and
the planning commission recommended unanimous approval.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Dorrill, do we have
speakers?
MR. DORRILL: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I'll close the public hearing.
Are there questions or a motion?
HR. WEIGEL: It will take four.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
MR. WEIGEL: Four.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE:
COHMISSIONER NORRIS:
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE:
recommendations.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
-- just -- we need four separate motions?
MR. WEIGEL: Yes.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. I'm sorry.
said -- meant four votes.
MR. WEIGEL: You need that too.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We need that too.
to approve petition CU-95-7. We have a second.
please say aye.
Opposed?
We need four for this?
Conditional uses?
I move approval of CU95-7 --
Second.
-- subject to the staff's
We have a motion and a second to
I thought you
Okay. Hotion
All those in favor
There being none, motion passes 5 to --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Madam Chairman --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- 0.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- motion to approve
CU-95-8.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
approve CU-95-8. All those in favor please say aye.
Motion passes 5 to 0.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK:
CU95-9.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE:
COMHISSIONER NORRIS:
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
Madam Chairman, motion to approve
You're next.
Second.
There you go.
We have a motion and a second to
approve CU-95-9. All those in favor please say aye. Motion passes 5 to 0.
Commissioner Norris, it's your turn.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Good. I'm excited. I'll make a
motion that we approve CU-95-10.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: It's a wave.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- to approve CU-95-10. All
those in favor please say aye. Opposed?
There being none, motion passes 5 to 0.
Thank you.
Item #13A3
RESOLUTION 95-528, RE PETITION CU-95-5, WILLA POPE JOY AND HERMAN
SPOONER, TRUSTEES, REPRESENTING VERSIE SPOONER, REQUESTING CONDITIONAL
USE 2.6.9.2 OF SECTION 2.6.9 (ESSENTIAL SERVICES) FOR A POST OFFICE,
LOCATED EAST OF FIFTEENTH STREET NORTH (S.R. 29), NORTH OF IHMOKALEE
DRIVE AND SOUTH OF LAKE TRAFFORD ROAD - ADOPTED
Next item on the agenda is petition CU95-5, Willa Pope
Joy and Herman Spooner, trustees. Go ahead.
MR. MILK: For the record, Bryan Milk. I am presenting
petition CU-95-5. The United States Postal Service is currently
located at 109 North Third Street in Immokalee. They desire to
relocate to the Spooner estate which is located on State Road 29 just
north of Immokalee Road, south of Lake Trafford Road, and contiguous
to State Road 29.
The subject property is 1.7 acres in size and is between
two zoning districts. Three quarters of the property, 1.2 acres, lies
within the C-4 zoning district. .5 acres is currently zoned RSF-3.
The property is 200 by 360 foot in depth. That 360 foot in depth also
coincides with the commercial land use designation of the Immokalee
area master plan. Therefore, the entire property is commercially
designated on the master plan in this area.
The reason for the conditional use is that in any
residential zoning district of this nature a postal service requires
an essential service conditional use. Therefore, the 110 feet of the
easternmost portion of the property requires this hearing.
On August 3 we had a public hearing at the planning
commission. By a vote of seven to zero they voted to approve this
unanimously. There were no letters or opposition, or no one spoke to
or for, against this petition at the hearing. Staff recommends
approval and would answer any questions at this time.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hancock.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: On the north side, the building
looks fairly close to the property line there. I note that there is
single-family zoning on the north side.
MR. MILK: Yes, sir.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: How close is the nearest home?
MR. MILK: That home is basically at a guesstimate 50
feet away from the property line to the --
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: No letter of objection or
objection from that -- that resident regarding that?
MR. MILK: No. That's -- that's what I would call an
estate property, probably three and a half, four acres in size. There
is a pool on it. It's a single-family house.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. MILK: No letters of opposition.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Does the petitioner need to get
anything on the record?
Mr. Dorrill, are there public speakers?
MR. DORRILL: There are none.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I'll close the public hearing --
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Motion to approve.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- if there's no further
questions.
COHHISSIONER HAC'KIE: Motion to approve.
COHHISSIONER HANCOCK: I was going to ask if there's a
gun shop within a thousand feet since it's a postal office.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Shhh.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Move approval of the item subject
to the staff recommendations.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Just kidding.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion. Is there a
second?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Second.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: We have a second motion actually.
I already made the motion, but --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Oh, I'm sorry.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: -- I'll second it instead.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I didn't -- sorry. I didn't
hear.
approve petition CU-95-5.
Opposed?
Hotion passes 5 to 0.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: No, I made the motion.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second to
All those in favor please say aye.
Item #13A4
RESOLUTION 95-529, RE PETITION V-95-11, MITCHELL B. THOMPSON, P.L.S.,
REPRESENTING GASTION, INC., FOR A VARIANCE FROM THE REQUIRED 15 FOOT
LANDSCAPE BUFFER ALONG SANTA BARBARA BOULEVARD, FOR PROPERTY DESCRIBED
AS COUNTRYSIDE AT BERKSHIRE LAKES, SECTION THREE - ADOPTED
Petition V-95-11, Hitchell B. Thompson requesting a
variance.
Mr. Nino.
MR. NINO: Yes. Madam Chairman, members of the board,
Ron Nino, your current planning staff. The petition that's before
you, I heard them whispering to Mr. Dotrill.
MR. DORRILL: I was going to say the principals
associated with this had -- had to leave, so my question of staff is
going to be the typical. Have we had any letters of objection? What
was the planning commission because in the event that a member of the
county commission has a question, then we should probably continue
this one because they had to leave.
MR. NINO: If you're disposed to get this off your plate
by approving it, then we should deal with it. But if you're thinking
of denying it, you ought to continue it.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Well, the staff report says that
the planning commission reviewed it and had a 7-0 recommendation of
approval.
MR. NINO: Correct.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: And nobody spoke or communicated
any objection.
MR. NINO: Correct.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: So I don't see why we shouldn't
hear it.
MR. DORRILL: We have -- we have no speakers other than
the two gentlemen who just had to leave unfortunately.
MR. NINO: Yes. They were from Hiami. They had to
leave.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Were they petitioners?
MR. NINO: They were petitioners.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Okay.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Are there other questions?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Is a member of the board -- and I
assume, Commissioner Constantine, are you familiar with this parcel
and with the -- the plans that are proposed?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm familiar with the
parcel. I'm familiar with the plans only through what's been
presented to us here, but I'm comfortable with it. COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Any speakers, Mr. Dorrill?
MR. DORRILL: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Close the public hearing. Is
there a motion?
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE:
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
approve petition V95-11.
Opposed?
Motion passes five to zero.
Move approval.
Second.
We have a motion and a second to
All those in favor please say aye.
Item #13A5
RESOLUTION 95-530, RE PETITION V-95-9,, MARK W. MINOR OF Q. GRADY MINOR
& ASSOCIATES, P.A., REPRESENTING STERLING OAKS JOINT VENTURE,
REQUESTING AN 8.5 FOOT VARIANCE FROM THE 20 FOOT REQUIREMENT FOR LOT
15, BLOCK E, STERLING OAKS - ADOPTED
Next item is petition V-95-9 which is another variance.
MR. REISCHL: Fred Reischl, planning services. This is
a little bit of an unusual variance request. There's a requirement in
the Sterling Oaks PUD that requires 20 feet of clear parking -- not a
building setback but a parking setback from the property line to the
garage. Because of the configuration -- because of the configuration
of the lot on a bend in the road, it was not able to be safely
engineered to allow a side-entry garage as the other homes along the
street are.
So they are proposing a front entry two-car garage which
would allow eleven and a half feet between the garage and the property
line and over twenty feet to the pavement. So they're still over 20
feet from pavement to the garage. There's no sidewalk on that side of
the street, so there's no pedestrian traffic that will be impeded if
the request is granted.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: So in summary, when they platted
this, they made a mistake.
MR. REISCHL: That could be said.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That could be said.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Just has.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: And in -- in your opinion there's
really no other way to resolve this and maintain a buildable lot
that's in character with the balancing properties?
MR. REISCHL: That's the key, that it would be in
character with the rest of the houses on the street. They're very
similar houses. They have, I believe, three building styles that they
build there.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: I don't particularly like using
variances to correct platting mistakes, but I guess to maintain a
consistency on the street and to avoid making an anomaly that could be
considered a hardship -- CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
have any public speakers.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK:
COMHISSIONER NORRIS:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
approve petition V-95-9.
Opposed?
Motion passes 5 to 0.
Mr. Dotrill indicated we don't
I will close the public hearing.
Just keep going. Nevermind.
Is there a motion?
I'll move approval of the item.
Second.
We have a motion and a second to
All in favor please say aye.
Item #13A6
RESOLUTION 95-531, PETITION V-95-7, DAVID C. SNEED REPRESENTING MARVIN
MONTGOMERY, REQUESTING A 17.5 FOOT VARIANCE FROM THE REQUIRED 50 FOOT
SIDE YARD SETBACK FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5445 SHIRLEY STREET - ADOPTED
Next item on the agenda's petition V-95-7.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Are you in charge of variances?
Is that how this works?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: David C. Sneed representing
Marvin Montgomery.
Mr. Reischl.
MR. REISCHL: Fred Reischl, planning services. This
variance --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: He's got a busy day.
MR. REISCHL: -- is for a continuation of an existing
building line along the south property line. The petitioner is
proposing an addition that would continue the building line of this
existing steel building which increases a encroachment because of the
T shape of the building on the north property line for 20 feet along
the property line. It creates a -- an encroachment. Except for this
part of the T, there is 52 feet, 52 and a half feet setback. Fifty
feet is required.
So the variance basically is a request for along 20 feet
of the property line in order to add this addition to an existing
building and continue the current building line.
I received one letter of -- or one phone call of no
objection, and the planning commission recommended unanimous
approval.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Speakers, Mr. Dorrill?
MR. DORRILL: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Questions?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Is there any identification of a
hardship here? Is this just merely an expansion? Is there something
forcing this -- this to occur? We had -- the reason is the board in
the past has taken a position that variances will be approved based
on --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Hardship.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- hardship.
MR. REISCHL: Right. And -- and staff recommended
denial. The planning commission -- because of the fact in the code
that administrative approval for this type of variance for residential
property, the planning commission recommended unanimous approval for
this. Even though it's not residential, it's in the industrial
district.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I -- I don't think I followed what
you were talking about on the T-shaped portion up there. Isn't the
addition to the building down below on the map there?
MR. REISCHL: Right. This is an existing building.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Right.
MR. REISCHL: But if this part of the T wasn't there,
then there would be no variance required. This -- the total setback
here and here is 52 and a half feet. Fifty feet is what's required.
However, because of this little part of the T, that makes it
non-conforming. And, therefore, by proposing an addition to the
building, they are increasing --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: It's not the addition itself then
that's into the variance portion. It's the --
MR. REISCHL: That's an existing portion, exactly.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I got it.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Thank you. That's where I --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Now it makes sense.
MR. REISCHL: Sorry. That was my explanation.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: No speakers?
MR. DORRILL: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I'll close the public hearing.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Motion to approve the item.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Motion and a second to approve.
All those in favor please say aye. Opposed?
There being none, motion passes five to zero.
Item #13A8
RESOLUTION 95-532, PETITION CU-95-6, ROBERT F. ROGERS OF CUHMINGS AND
LOCKWOOD, REPRESENTING THE SUNRISE ACADEMY PRIVATE SCHOOL, REQUESTING
CONDITIONAL USE "1" OF THE "E" ZONING DISTRICT TO ALLOW FOR A CHURCH
FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF COUNTY BARN ROAD,
APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET NORTH OF CREWS ROAD - ADOPTED
Next item is petition CU-95-6, Robert F. Rogers of
Cummings and Lockwood. Mr. Bellows.
MR. BELLOWS: For the record, Ray Bellows of current
planning staff. I'm presenting petition CU-95-6, Robert Rogers
requesting conditional use 1 of the estates zoning district to allow
for an 80-seat church. The subject, known as the Baker site, is
located on the east side of County Barn Road. The proposed church
will be held within an existing private school facility. Therefore,
no new construction is proposed.
The surrounding land uses include the Collier County
fleet management facility to the south, County Barn Road and estates
zoning to the west. There is also undeveloped lands to the north and
west.
The proposed church will generate approximately 200
trips on a Sunday. The ingress and egress is the existing driveway
for the school. The Collier County Planning Commission heard and
reviewed this petition on August 3 and recommended approval subject to
attached stipulations. No letters for or against have been received.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Questions?
MR. DORRILL: No speakers.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: No speakers? Close the public
hearing.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Motion to approve the item.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Motion and a second to approve
petition CU-95-6. All those in favor please say aye. Opposed?
There being none, motion passes 5 to 0.
Item #13A9
PETITION SV-95-3, HARK MINOR REPRESENTING GENERAL BUILDING CORPORATION
REQUESTING A VARIANCE FROM THE REQUIRED ONE (1) DOUBLE FACED SIGN NOT
TO EXCEED 32 SQUARE FEET TO ALLOW TWO (2) SINGLE FACED SIGNS NOT TO
EXCEED 32 SQUARE FEET PER SIGN FOR A MODEL HOME LOCATED AT 6562 TRAIL
BOULEVARD, IN PINE RIDGE SUBDIVISION - DENIED
Next item, petition SV-95-3, HArk Hinor requesting
General Building Corporation -- representing General Building
Corporation in looking for a variance.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Didn't he just leave?
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Good evening. Chahran Badamtchian
from current planning.
MR. DORRILL: We have an agent here, and you do have a
speaker as well.
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: SV-95-3 is the sign variance for a
model home on North Tam -- actually it's not North Tamiami Trail.
It's on North -- on Trail Boulevard which is across the street from
Pelican Bay. Collier County Land Development Code allows one sign not
to exceed 32 square feet. Double-sided signs are considered one
sign.
Applicant is requesting this variance in order to
install two signs, according to their calculation, each one 32 square
feet. However, they have built two fairly large walls with cascading
water, Falling Waters feature, and they want to install those signs on
those walls which, according to our sign code, we have to measure the
entire wall as a sign.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Chahran, I'm -- I'm going to
interrupt you because I've -- I have received phone calls on this. I
drove by the other day. And in addition to two walls which -- and
kind of a center sign in an island with two walls that have
waterfalls, there was a large wooden sign, there were two small metal
signs saying open house. This looks like a sign factory. Not only do
I --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Political corner.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: You'd think a campaign's being
run on this parcel.
Not only do I not see a hardship for Falling Waters,
there's -- a hardship is for the people that have to drive up and down
Trail Boulevard. So if the petitioner wants to present something,
great. But I'm -- you know, to make an exception based on a hardship
here, I see no merit for that whatsoever.
COMHISSIONER HAC'KIE: Ditto.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. --
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Siesky is --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Chahran, do you need to get more
on the -- on the record?
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: No. Staff is recommending denial.
There's no reason for this variance. CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Siesky.
MR. SIESKY: Thank you, Madam Chairman. I'd ask that
the county manager pass out some photographs to you. These are the
same photographs that I have on the board here.
And my understanding of the sign ordinance -- and let's
just start with its premise -- is there's a general finding that
increased numbers of -- and sizes of signs as well as certain types of
lighting distract the attention of motorists and pedestrians and
interfere with traffic safety. The indiscriminate erection of signs
degrades the aesthetic attractiveness of the natural and man-made
attributes of the community and thereby undermines the economic value
of tourism, visitation, and permanent economic growth.
My understanding is you can have one sign that is either
double sided or V-shaped and it can have 32 square feet. What you see
-- excuse me. I'll get the other microphone. What you see is at
Hawk's Ridge at the -- both the southern and northern entrance, there
is a sign far in excess of 32 square feet that is, as I read the
ordinance, illegal.
At Royal Wood at the entrance, you have the typical
entrance sign that says Royal Wood, but on top of it on each side
there's a 32-square-foot sign for Paragon Homes model homes.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Siesky, I'm -- I'm going to
interrupt you there for one reason. I'm going to turn your sign --
these pictures over to code enforcement -- MR. SIESKY: That's fine.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- and ask them to take a look at
them because if something going on out there is illegal, we need to
stop it. But that doesn't --
MR. DORRILL: I can tell you the develop --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- provide merit.
MR. DORRILL: The developer in particular at Hawk's
Ridge is notorious for this. COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. DORRILL: And I bet we go out twice a year to
take -- CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: It -- it seems to me, too, that
Wilshire Lakes was in asking for a variance to the sign ordinance --
MR. SIESKY: Commissioner, I asked --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: -- eighteen months ago.
MR. SIESKY: -- Mr. Badamtchian about that issue, and he
said that the only time that you prosecute for violation of a sign
ordinance is when there's a complaint. COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. SIESKY: He also said there's never been --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Consider this a complaint on each
one of these from me.
MR. SIESKY: He said there's never been a sign variance
issued for a residential area. But each one of these, as I read them,
are illegal. And I think that if your mode of enforcement is only by
complaint, that is improper. If you choose to enforce it equally
against everyone, that would be fine. But as it stands right now,
you're treating this developer differently unless you require all of
these illegal signs to be removed.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'll consider your presentation a
complaint, Mr. Siesky, and we will respond to it but --
MR. SIESKY: Well, you may not consider it a complaint
because it is not a complaint. COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. SIESKY: I am not complaining against these signs.
What I'm pointing out to you is you have existing violations which
apparently are not aesthetic problems, which apparently are not
traffic problems which belie the statement of the ordinance. That's
the point I'm making.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Siesky, to get a
variance, you need to have some sort of hardship. I haven't heard you
describe anything even closely resembling a hardship.
MR. SIESKY: Well, I don't agree with you,
Commissioner. I don't think that is a requirement. I think that is
one of the criteria that may be considered. The other criteria that
may be considered is that a literal interpretation of the provisions
of the code would deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by
other property similarly situated -- and I think that's what -- one of
the criteria here -- and the granting of the variance would be in
harmony with the general intent and purpose of this code.
The other thing I'd like to point out to you is not a
sign that's up here but one of the photographs for you is for the
American Homes model center at the corner of Golden Gate Parkway and
951 -- excuse me, Pine Ridge Road and 951. This is an entirely legal
sign which to my mind is much more garish and distracting than any of
these signs that you see here and the proposed sign for the Falling
Waters model center.
I would request that the county commission grant the
variance, and I'm prepared to answer any questions.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: To --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Are there questions?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: To compare signs at the entrance
of an entire subdivision with that of a single model home is probably
not what I would call an even basis for comparison. Now, the one you
have mentioned, the All American Homes sign, that's the one of the
pictures you have that I think we're talking apples and apples.
If there are sign violations out there that have not
been reported, I for one am going to take those pictures and walk them
to code enforcement and ask them to look at each one of them because
if some member of our community --
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Careful.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Could be -- could be a $500
fine.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Could put you in jail.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm going to walk them to the
county manager's office and ask him if he would like code enforcement
to go after that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: You just avoided a $500 fine.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Six months in jail.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: But I think we're talking about a
single model home here. And to use a -- an entire subdivision's
apparent abuse of an ordinance to justify that this is no more
improper to me is not an argument that I'm convinced.
MR. SIESKY: What I'm suggesting to the commission is
that the proposed sign will be less offensive than a 32-square-foot
double-sided or V sign on the property that it's entitled to have.
All we're asking is that you separate the two signs.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Does the property, in fact, have
one sign now where it says Falling Waters?
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: It's one double-faced sign.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: It does have one double-faced
sign.
MR. SIESKY: And it is smaller than 32 square feet.
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: According to the code, that's
considered one single sign.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: So how many more signs according
to the code without a variance can the property have?
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Just one sign per model home.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: How many more?
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Except for those little real
estate ones that say open house.
MR. SIESKY: And model -- and model home signs and flags
and everything else. And if you look around the community, you'll see
constant violations of the model home and flag sign. Even at some of
these photographs that I have here, people were flying flags that say
model home. If you look at your sign ordinance, all you -- all you
can have is a flag that says -- that's a governmental flag or a
religious flag or something like that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Norris.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: The code allows you to have one
double-faced sign that doesn't exceed 32 feet all together. MR. SIESKY: Yes.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: You're asking for 2 single-faced
signs of 32 square feet each. Doesn't that double the allowable
square feet?
MR. SIESKY: No, the -- well, the copy would be 64
square feet either way. The double-faced sign and the V sign, the
measurement, as I understand it from looking at the other sign, is
each side is 32 square feet.
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: According to the code if you have a
double-sided sign we only measure one side -- COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Oh, okay.
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: -- if both sides read the exact same
thing.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Okay. The other question is if --
if someone holds up the corner convenience store and gets away with
it, should we then excuse all future hold-up people?
MR. SIESKY: Commissioner, I -- I don't agree that that
would be a similar case here. As a matter of fact, I have a similar
case here that I would be happy to cite you to. It's Ads In Motion
Florida, Inc., versus City of Fort Lauderdale where the city passed an
ordinance prohibiting what they called snipe signs. You have that in
your ordinance, too, and I never knew what they were. They are signs
that you pull on a -- behind a cart on a trailer or put on your
vehicle. They only chose to prosecute one person, and they had an
excuse that everybody else just -- they weren't selling advertising.
They were just putting advertising on their vehicles because they were
out and about in taxis and everything. The Court said that that was
an improper and selective enforcement and refused to enforce it
against that person.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I will point out that we are not
prosecuting your case here. We're just merely ruling on a variance
request.
MR. SIESKY: That's absolutely true. I was just
commenting upon your analogy to the corner convenience store.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That's fine. Anything more you
need to get on the record, Chahran?
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Just that once they attach those signs
to those walls, we have to measure the entire wall as a sign. And
that will exceed the 32 square feet per sign that they are saying. It
will be probably close to 80 or 90 square feet per sign.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Are these the waterfalls on the
side?
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Correct.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: So instead of having it where
it's in the center island now, you want to put it out on the
waterfalls?
MR. SIESKY: Right. It would be further back from the
road and I think, in my opinion, less noticeable. But that's just my
opinion. The existing sign is my estimate of about 16 square feet on
a side.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Dotrill, are there speakers?
MR. DORRILL: There's one. Ms. Barker.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Bless me.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Bless you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Bless you.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Sally, I might not make the 7:30
meeting tonight.
MS. BARKER: Well, you might. I know you've had an
awfully long day, so I'll try to keep this as short as possible.
I brought some maps along to show you -- give you a
little better idea of where this model is in Pine Ridge, by the way,
folks. For the record, my name is Sally Barker. I'm a 15-year
resident of Pine Ridge.
I saw that map in your executive summary. It's a hoot.
It's a wonderful depiction of Pelican Bay, but they've managed to make
Pine Ridge completely disappear, poof, vanished, gone. Hey, Jeff
Lidel's (phonetic) been trying to do that for years. Anyway, I wanted
to say that --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: It's always a pleasure to have
you here, Sally. I just want you to know that.
MS. BARKER: I not only object to the sign variance that
they are asking for, I object to the Falling Waters sign that's
already there. Now, I wouldn't have any problem if they had a sign up
that said model home by General Building Corporation because that's a
pretty standard, straightforward model home sign. Falling Waters is
not the name of the builder. I mean, it's the name -- and it's not
even the name of this alleged model. It's the name of a subdivision,
and that sign they have up there now is intended to advertise, market,
and sell a subdivision and a multi-family subdivision which to my mind
is a blatant commercial use of a single-family residential lot which
is what we have along Trail Boulevard. Those are single-family
residential lots. And most of them are occupied.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Could I ask this? I think that
argument has a lot of merit. I was wondering how is it -- what's the
argument that allows us to have given a permit for this sign in the
first place?
MR. MULHERE: Well, first of all, that's an issue that
we're looking at. And, in fact, we will be bringing back some
language to clarify the current language within the Land Development
Code relative to models and how and when they're permitted. However,
the current code simply says a model home is permitted in any
residential zoning district.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: No. What about the sign,
though? How can the sign not say -- it seems to me it should say
model home.
MR. MULHERE: Well, the argument -- when the time came
-- when the -- when the time came for both the -- the temporary use
permit and the building permit, we were told it was a single-family
home. And, in fact, it's permitted as a single-family home even
though it's being marketed or arguably marketed as a -- MS. BARKER: Multi-family.
MR. MULHERE: -- multi-family condominium. And the sign
-- there is a company called Falling Waters Development Corporation.
And the question that we asked the representatives who were pulling
the permit was, what is your intention? And their intention repeated
to us was that we will build this product anywhere in Collier County
anywhere anybody wants it.
MS. BARKER: Yeah, right.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: So if I own a -- if I own a
lot in Pine Ridge and I -- and I love this unit, they'd build this for
me --
MR. MULHERE: That -- that's correct.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- according to what they've
told you.
MS. BARKER: Commissioner Constantine, this unit is 29
feet wide, 74 feet long. Those two 74-foot-long side walls don't have
any windows.
MR. MULHERE: Not -- not --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: With two separate one-car
garages.
MS. BARKER: Yeah. They look like outhouses.
MR. MULHERE: And not to get off the issue of the
variance, I do want you to know that we are looking at that language
to -- to bring back something that -- that -- I don't have the
language in front of me right now, but we're -- we're suggesting
something that simply says, within a single-family residential zoning
district, you can only -- it is in -- a model is intended to market
the same products that are permitted in that district.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: We could probably -- and we're
probably getting off of -- of just the variance request today, and --
and, you know, all we're being asked to do is either approve or deny a
variance. And I'm ready to do just that.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Well, Miss Barker, do you have
more to say?
MS. BARKER: Well, I just wanted to make one point. And
that is if they are -- continue to keep that Falling Waters sign, I
don't see anything that would prevent another developer from coming
along, buying up a lot on Trail Boulevard, throwing up some kind of
structure, calling it a model, and then emblazing, you know, their
wall with their sign. You know, eventually we could have walls all
along Trail Boulevard for Orange Tree, Berkshire Lakes, Eagle's Nest,
you name it. And that's going to be a -- a lovely site for the
tourists as they come out of the Ritz-Carlton and toodle (sic) down 41
towards town.
So, you know, this issue has got to be dealt with, and I
know we have talked with development services at some length about
this. And we know Mr. Hulhere is trying to deal with it, and we hope
they can. And that's basically all I wanted to say. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Thank you. Only speaker, Mr.
Dorrill?
MR. DORRILL: That's all.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I'll close the public hearing.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm going to make a motion to
deny on the following criteria: That there are no special conditions
or circumstances or no conditions or circumstances peculiar to the
land or structure, that granting this would allow a special privilege
to the owner, that a variance is not required to make possible the
reasonable use of the land, and that granting this variance will not
be in keeping with the general intent and purpose of the land
development --
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Second.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Well done.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Motion and a second. Is there
further discussion?
All in favor please say aye.
Opposed?
Motion passes 5 to 0.
Item #13A10
PETITION V-95-13, PETER R. COMEAU OF U.S. HOME CORPORATION,
REPRESENTING ROBERT H. LINDSAY, REQUESTING A 3.9 FOOT AFTER THE FACT
VARIANCE FROM THE REQUIRED 10 FOOT REAR YARD ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
SETBACK, FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF LELY ISLAND CIRCLE -
DENIED
Next item on the agenda is petition V-95-13, Mr. Peter
Comeau of U.S. Homes asking for an after-the-fact variance. Mr. Bellows.
MR. BELLOWS: For the record, Ray Bellows, current
planning staff. Robert Lindsay is requesting a 3.9-foot
after-the-fact variance from the required 10-foot rear yard setback
for accessory structures to 6.1 feet. The subject site is located on
the north side of Lely Island Circle within the Lely Resort PUD.
Petitioner states that the encroachment resulted from an
oversight in fitting the pool enclosure along the rear -- radius of
the rear lot line. It's staff's opinion that a conforming structure
could have been built. But considering the fact that the rear yard
adjacent property is a golf driving range that staff is of the opinion
that no hardship would result from the approval of this variance.
Since staff is constrained from recommending approval
based on lack of land-related hardship, it should be noted that the
staff's usual concerns regarding site distance and -- and the safety
from adjoining properties is not a concern. Therefore, staff is
recommending -- or the Collier County Planning Commission reviewed
this on October -- August 17, and they recommended approval by a
five-to-zero vote.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: What is staff recommending on
it?
MR. BELLOWS: Staff had recommended denial during the
planning commission, and planning commission recommended --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Based on --
MR. BELLOWS: Based on the fact that they determined
that there was a land-related hardship based on the fact of the radius
of the curve in the back.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Okay. Questions, Mr. --
Commissioner Norris.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: This is U.S. Homes; right?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Yeah.
MR. BELLOWS: Yes.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: But the guy who owns the house --
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: I question how a big company like
U.S. Homes can make a silly mistake like this. And I'm really
questioning it's a mistake at all.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Is this a model, Mr. Bellows?
MR. BELLOWS: No.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: This is built to -- for -- for a
customer?
MR. BELLOWS: I believe it was relayed to me that it was
for a customer and it was the pool enclosure that was the problem, not
the home that they were building.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Is the home completed?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes. The pool enclosure's in.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: How did it get by the spot
survey?
MR. BELLOWS: Spot survey picked it up.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: So it's not completed then.
MR. DORRILL: It is. It's after the fact is my
understanding.
MR. BELLOWS: It's after the fact. They -- they caught
it at spot survey time for the pool enclosure, not for the house.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Did they give them a CO?
MR. BELLOWS: For the house they have a CO.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Oh.
MR. BELLOWS: Pool is a separate permit separate from
the house.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Gotcha.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Is there some sort of penalty
here that goes along with this if we approve the variance?
MR. DORRILL: They have -- they have already paid the
cost to process the variance, but there is no --
MR. BELLOWS: They doubled the fee, so it's $850.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: This -- the drawings that we have
in our material really don't show me a good enough detail to know how
much of this --
MR. BELLOWS: They started out conforming on the -- the
west side of the site. And as the radius curved -- this is the golf
driving range -- it slowly encroached to 6.1 feet.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: So how much of the pool enclosure
is in the encroachment?
MR. BELLOWS: It starts right about here which is
approximately five feet and then all the way out to the remainder of
the width of the house or the width of the pool enclosure.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Does -- is this --
MR. BELLOWS: About 35 feet.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Is this pool deck now? Are we
talking the -- the pool itself into that encroachment?
MR. BELLOWS: Just the deck and the screen enclosure.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Could I --
MR. BELLOWS: The house is conforming. It meets all
setbacks. It's just the pool enclosure.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Has -- has U.S. Homes sold this
house to these people already, or is it still waiting to be conveyed
from U.S. Homes to the eventual owner?
MR. BELLOWS: I don't have that information.
MR. DORRILL: The owner is shown on the petition as Mr.
Lindsay through his agent in this case who's U.S. Homes who obviously
built the house.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I see.
MR. BELLOWS: Yeah. I think the -- U.S. Homes made the
error, so they were acting as agents to correct it. But the owner is
Mr. Lindsay.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: So what happens if we -- if we
don't approve this variance? I mean, they -- they have to take --
they have to move the cage and take up that part of the deck? MR. BELLOWS: That's correct.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Other than the fact that it
already exists, what's the land-related hardship? None I presume.
MR. BELLOWS: Staff's determination, there was none.
Planning commission determined because it abutted a golf driving range
there was no significant impact on the adjacent property to the rear
and that the radius and the curve was such that it made it difficult
for them to fit the pool enclosure on.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Once -- once more for
clarification, if they go in there and saw off the pool deck, do they
still have deck before they get to the pool? I mean, there's -- will
there still be walking deck room out there?
MR. BELLOWS: I don't have plans to show where the lip
of the pool is.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: We don't have that in our
material?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Are there any representatives
here from U.S. Homes? COHMISSIONER NORRIS: No.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Do we want to continue this, or
do we want to deny it or approve it?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I don't have the desire to
continue it.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Dorrill, are there speakers?
MR. DORRILL: No, ma'am.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I certainly don't want to do
something that hurts the purchaser of a home because U.S. Home made a
mistake. But by the same token, if we develop a pattern of, yeah, if
you build four feet into a setback and you realize that, golly, you
know, just come before the board and we'll -- we'll say it's okay.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I'm going to close the public
hearing if there's further discussion or a motion.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Motion to deny.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have --
MR. WEIGEL: Would you put some findings with the
motion, please?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We need -- okay. Commissioner
Norris, do you want to make some findings with your motion?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Commissioner Norris, do you
also have any suggested remedy or just -- COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Saw it off.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- let them do it? Okay.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We've been threatening to do this
for three years.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I'll make a motion to deny based
on the findings that there is no land-related hardship.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: And the second amends.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Second amends?
Further discussion?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I'm going to -- I'm going to
oppose it because I can't think of any way to -- to solve the
problem. And you're right. U.S. Homes, if they screwed it up,
they're the ones who ought to be penalized. They have paid $1,000
almost for the fee. And I guess that might be a sufficient penalty.
I'm troubled by it. But the only way that they could avoid just
tearing it down is to get part of the golf course deeded to them. And
my goodness, that would be so complicated because of the ownership.
So I think that we're penalizing an innocent party, so
I'm going to oppose the motion.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Any other comments?
Call the question. All those in favor of the motion
which is to deny the variance please say aye. Opposed?
Motion passes four to one with Commissioner Mac'Kie
being in the opposition.
Yeah, I realize we're probably penalizing an innocent
person, but it's about time the county told the builders to take
notice.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: If we carried that logic out,
every builder who ever builds a home ultimately would be penalizing
the owner.
Item #13All
RESOLUTION 95-533, RE PETITION V-95-12, JAMES H. BOSWELL, II REQUESTING
A 5 FOOT VARIANCE FROM THE REQUIRED FRONT SETBACK OF 25 FEET TO 20 FEET
AND A 5 FOOT VARIANCE FROM THE REQUIRED REAR SETBACK OF 25 FEET TO 20
FEET FOR PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS A PORTION OF LOT 16, BLOCK "F" AND A
PORTION OF LOT 11, BLOCK "H", REPLAT OF UNIT NO. 3, LITTLE HICKORY
SHORES - ADOPTED
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Next item on the agenda is
petition V-95-12, James M. Boswell the Second requesting a five-foot
variance.
MR. REISCHL: Fred Reischl, planning services --
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Reischl.
MR. REISCHL: -- once again. I'd like to -- Mr. Boswell
asked me to explain that he has a sick child and was here for a little
bit but was unable to be here.
This is an unusual -- unusually shaped lot in Little
Hickory Shores. Because of the configuration of the lot, the
buildable area, as you can see either here or in your packet, is a
small triangular shaped area. And the petitioner is requesting a
five-foot variance from the rear setback and from the front setback to
a setback for each front and rear of 20 feet.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: The request really is just to
make this odd-shaped lot usable.
MR. REISCHL: It -- well, it -- technically it is usable
now for about a 1,500-square-foot house. I received four letters of
objection from the neighbors who said it wouldn't be consistent with
the neighborhood. However, Mr. Boswell wants to build a 2,000-foot --
square-foot house which would be more consistent with the neighborhood
if this variance is granted.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: So the -- I'm sorry. I need to
understand. The neighbors who objected would be happier with the
variance than without the variance? I don't understand the
objection.
MR. REISCHL: As I understand their objection, I believe
that they would be happier with a larger house because they were
saying that the lot is too small to build a house on which that's why
Mr. Boswell -- or a house that's comparable with the neighbors.
That's why Mr. Boswell's requesting the variance.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Reischl, there are some real
tiny lots on one side and some real big lots on the other, so I'm
wondering who we're being consistent with because it appears to me on
the real tiny lots that 1,500 square feet would be big.
MR. REISCHL: Right. Well, those tiny lots -- I believe
there was an interpretation a few years ago that those are buildable
for boat docks only, and a boat dock would be allowed to be built
there without a principal structure.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. So those are not --
MR. REISCHL: And that's what it's platted for.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Those are not going to
contain structures.
MR. REISCHL: Those aren't house lots. Those are
boat dock-only lots.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. REISCHL: And one other thing that I wanted to bring
up, because of the wording in the resolution -- CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: They are tiny.
MR. REISCHL: -- and the fact that the resolution
references this exhibit, on the west end of the lot, you can see where
the 20-foot setback line goes straight but because the curve of the
lot over here just -- so there's a consistency when he comes in -- if
this variance is granted and he comes in for his building permit, that
that line is the setback line that he's requesting.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Reischl, I have a question
here. The small lots that you're talking about on the exhibit on page
4 are bracketed I assume because they're all under similar development
requirements.
MR. REISCHL: Those are blocks.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Those are blocks?
MR. REISCHL: Blocks as in lot and block.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Oh, okay.
MR. REISCHL: One was like block H, and the other is
block F.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: The reason I ask is because his
lot is in the same block as proposed boat docks.
MR. REISCHL: Right. It was created -- in order to make
the lot larger, it would -- he took and got a lot line adjustment,
took one of the boat dock lots and added it to his lot additionally.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Come on.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: So he got a residential lot. He
bought a boat dock lot and now wants to build a house on the two of
them.
MR. REISCHL: Well, the house won't even fit -- this is
the boat dock lot over here. COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Right.
MR. REISCHL: So basically that's just his front and
rear yard setback. That's unusable for building structure.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: If he had not --
MR. REISCHL: It just adds to his lot area.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: If he had not purchased the
boat dock lot, he would have even less room on which to build on that
residential lot; is that correct?
MR. REISCHL: Probably because he'd have a seven and a
half foot side yard setback on that still.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I don't really see a problem
with what he's trying to do here.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I just wanted to make sure we
weren't being finagled, that somebody wasn't taking boat dock lots and
trying to turn them into house lots. You know, I just saw that line
and thought if we're being duped, I'd at least like to know.
MR. REISCHL: No. That was done through a lot line
adjustment through the county.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: It is getting late.
MR. REISCHL: And that procedure was completed I believe
earlier this year.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: So in your opinion the objections
are in favor of issuing the variance so that he can build a house
comparable with what else is on the block.
MR. REISCHL: That was, right, the main objection from
the people. There was also -- they were saying that it would have a
negative impact on the neighborhood safety because it's on a corner.
By building out into the front yard setback, it would impede the
safety of traffic along the curve. I've been out on the street
several times, and the speed limit's 30 miles an hour. There's
approximately 10 or 12 houses south of that on a cul-de-sac.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. REISCHL: Staff recommended approval, and the
planning commission agreed.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Speakers, Mr. Dotrill?
MR. DORRILL: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Madam Chairman, I'll make a
motion to approve the item recognizing that there are special
conditions, particularly the unusual shape of the lot. COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I'll second.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And that the variance will be
in harmony with the general intent and the purpose of the Land
Development Code.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: That's a mouthful.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a second. Thank you. We
have a motion. Thank you. We have a motion and a second -- second
jumped in there before the motion was finished. But if there's no
further discussion, I'll call the motion. All in favor please say
aye.
Opposed?
Motion passes 5 to 0.
Item #1382
RESOLUTION 95-534, RE PETITION CU-94-4, RONALD J. LAFLEHME,
REPRESENTING JAMES BILLIE, REQUESTING AN EXTENSION OF A CONDITIONAL USE
"23" IN THE "A" AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISTRICT TO ALLOW FOR A MUSEUM AND
INDIAN CULTURAL FACILITY, FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF
U.S. 41 AND APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES EAST OF THE PORT OF THE ISLES -
ADOPTED
Is that it?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: One to go.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Which one?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: B-2.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: B-2.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: B-2.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: CU-94-4.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Move approval.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I've got that as continued.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Is this public hearing closed?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I've got that one continued.
That concludes -- that concludes our agenda for the day.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I don't have that one continued.
MR. DORRILL: I didn't have B-2 continued.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I do not either.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: What?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I appreciate your efforts, Madam
Chairman.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Is this public hearing closed?
MR. DORRILL: This was for Mr. Billie's Indian culture
facility.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I don't have that.
MR. HULHERE: I'm sorry. I thought that was continued.
Is it not?
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I don't think so.
MR. DORRILL: B-2 is not continued.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Darn.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Hulhere, this is
merely --
MR. HULHERE: I'm confused.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Continuation?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- merely -- this is merely a
-- a --
MR. HULHERE: It's an extension of a conditional use.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- extension of a continued
(sic) use that was already granted?
MR. HULHERE: That is correct.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS:
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
Is there a motion?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS:
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE:
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS:
Hotion to approve. Second.
Let me close the public hearing.
Motion to approve. Second.
We have a motion and a second to
approve petition CU-94-4, an extension of conditional use 23.
those in favor please say aye.
Opposed?
All
Motion passes 5 to O.
That concludes the day's agenda. We are at
communications. Commissioner --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm willing to wrestle any
commissioner that has communications at this hour.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner -- Commissioner
Norris?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: With that threat, I will decline.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hancock?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'll decline. That could be
interpreted as harassment with two members of the board.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll leave you and John
alone.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Yeah.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Hac'Kie?
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Commissioner Constantine?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: No.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: I don't have anything either.
Mr. Dotrill?
MR. DORRILL: Not I.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Mr. Weigel?
MR. WEIGEL: No, thank you.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Miss Filson?
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: Miss Filson, we're finished?
We're adjourned.
***** Commissioner Hancock moved, seconded by Commissioner Norris, and
carried 5/0, that the following items under the consent agenda be
approved and/or adopted, excepted Item #16A1 (Commissioner Hac'Kie
abstained): *****
Item #16A1
FINAL PLAT OF "WALDEN SHORES" - WITH CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT
See Pages
O. R. Book Pages
Item #16A2a
RESOLUTION 95-491 RE LIEN RESOLUTION FOR COMPLIANCE SERVICES CASE NO.
41212-028; OWNER OF RECORD - DOUGLAS L. & SANDRA CARTER
See Pages
Item #16A2b - Withdrawn
Item #16A2c
RESOLUTION 95-492 RE LIEN RESOLUTION FOR COMPLIANCE SERVICES CASE NO.
50516-035; OWNER OF RECORD - DANIEL & GISELA CASTRO
See Pages
Item #16A2d
RESOLUTION 95-493 RE LIEN RESOLUTION FOR COMPLIANCE SERVICES CASE NO.
50519-019; OWNER OF RECORD - THOMAS D. & ROBERT A. SAYLOR
See Pages
Item #16A2e
RESOLUTION 95-494 RE LIEN RESOLUTION FOR COMPLIANCE SERVICES CASE NO.
50609-016; OWNER OF RECORD - HON REVE HOLDINGS, INC.
See Pages
Item #16A3
RECORD FINAL PLAT OF "SILVER LAKES PHASE TWO-B" - WITH LETTER OF CREDIT
AND CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
See Pages
O. R. Book Pages
Item #16A4
ACCEPTANCE OF WATER FACILITIES FOR NAPLES TOMATO GROWERS - WITH LETTER
OF CREDIT
See Pages
O. R. Book Pages
Item #16A5
ACCEPTANCE OF WATER FACILITIES FOR STONEBRIDGE MAINTENANCE FACILITY -
SUBJECT TO STIPULATIONS AS DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
O. R. Book Pages
Item #16A6
ACCEPTANCE OF WATER AND SEWER FACILITIES FOR THE ORCHARDS, PHASE TWO -
SUBJECT TO STIPULATIONS AS DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
O. R. Book Pages
Item #16A7
WATER AND SEWER FACILITIES ACCEPTANCE FOR PELICAN MARSH, UNIT 6, PHASE
2 - SUBJECT TO STIPULATIONS AS DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
O. R. Book Pages
Item #16A8
WATER AND SEWER FACILITIES ACCEPTACE FOR PELICAN MARSH, UNIT 9 -
SUBJECT TO STIPULATIONS AS DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
See Pages
O. R. Book Pages
Item #16A9
RESOLUTION 95-495 THROUGH RESOLUTION 95-514 RE WAIVER OF ROAD IMPACT
FEES, LIBRARY SYSTEM IMPACT FEES, PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY
IMPACT FEES, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM IMPACT FEES, AD
EDUCATION FACILITY SYSTEM IMPACT FEES FOR TWENTY (20) SINGLE FAMILY
HOUSES TO BE BUILT BY IHMOKALEE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, INC. ON LOTS 1
THROUGH 20, HIGHLANDS HABITAT SUBDIVISION, IHHMOKALEE
See Pages
Item #16A10
RESOLUTION 95-515 RE ROADWAY, DRAINAGE, WATER AND SEWER IHPROVEHENTS
FOR THE FINAL PLAT OF "THE VERANDAS AT TIGER ISLAND UNIT ONE"
See Pages
Item #16All
RESOLUTION 95-516 RE ROADWAY, DRAINAGE, WATER AND SEWER IHPROVEHENTS
FOR THE FINAL PLAT OF "LELY BAREFOOT BEACH UNIT FOUR"
See Pages
Item #16B1
PETITION AV95-015, BLAIR FOLEY AS AGENT FOR OWNER, VINEYARDS
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, REQUESTING VACATION OF A UTILITY EASEMENT
LOCATED ON TRACT CH, OF THE PLAT OF VINEYARDS UNIT ONE, AS RECORDED IN
PLAT BOOK 14, PAGES 67-74, AND AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORD BOOK
1318, PAGE 2070, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA -
WITH QUITCLAIM DEED AND REPLACEMENT EASEMENT
See Pages
Item #1682
A_MENDHENT NO. 1 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEHENT WITH COASTAL
ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS, INC., TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING AND
SURVEYING SERVICES NECESSARY IN PERFORMANCE OF ANNUAL MONITORING
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MARCO ISLAND BEACH RENOURISHENT PROJECT
See Pages
Item #1683
WORK ORDER #CEC-8-S WITH COASTAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS, INC., IN THE
A_MOUNT $24,680.00 TO PERFORM PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYING SERVICES FOR
THE WIGGINS PASS MAINTENANCE DREDGING PROJECT
See Pages
Item #1684
INITIATE WORK ORDERS UNDER THE ANNUAL SURVEYING SERVICES CONTRACT TO
DOCUMENT PEAK STORHWATER ELEVATIONS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTY
CAUSED BY TROPICAL STORM "JERRY"
Item #1685
AWARD BID #95-2395 TO MITCHELL & STARKE CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF
$174,022.00 TO CONSTRUCT A DISINFECTION FACILITY UPGRADE FOR SOUTH
COUNTY REGIONAL WASTEWATER TREATEHENT FACILITY
Item #16C1
TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM ONE COST CENTER WITHIN THE LIBRARY BUDGET TO
ANOTHER COST CENTER WITHIN THE LIBRARY BUDGET
Item #16C2
INCREASE THE DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR CONTRACT #94-2199 FOR THE PARKS AND
RECREATION LEISURE LINE PUBLICATION - IN THE A~OUNT OF $5,500.00
Item #16C3
CONVEYANCE OF A LAND INTEREST FROM THE EAST NAPLES CIVIC ASSOCIATION
FOR USE AS A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK - WITH WARRANTY DEED
See Pages
Item #16D1
CHAIRPERSON TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COHMISSIONERS AND FOCUS
See Pages
Item #16D2 - moved to Item #SD1
Item #16D3
REPORT CONCERNING THE SALE AND TRANSFER OF ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
COUNTY AUCTION OF JULY 29, 1995 - AS INDICATED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16D4
AMENDMENT TO THE LEASE WITH OPTION TO PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN LEASE
RESOURCE, INC. AND COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN
TO EXECUTE THE AMENDMENT
See Pages
Item #16D5
BOARD OF COUNTY COHMISSIONERS TO BECOME A SPONSOR OF THE NAPLES
FREE-NET - WITH CONTRIBUTION IN THE A~OUNT OF $1,2000.00
Item #16D6
WORK ORDER FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF A WORK ORDER FOR ARCHITECTURAL
SERVICES FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE THE TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE
See Pages
Item #16El
BUDGET AMENDMENTS 95-490, 95-491, 95-492, 95-497, 95-498, 95-502,
95-503, 95-504, 95-512 AND 95-513
Item #16G1
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE - FILED AND/OR REFERRED
The following miscellaneous correspondence as presented by the
Board of County Commissioners has bewen directed to the various
departments as indicated:
There being no further business for the Good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by Order of the Chair at 7:15 p.m.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX
OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF
SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS
CONTROL
BETTYE J. MATTHEWS, CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST:
DWIGHT E. BROCK, CLERK
These minutes approved by the Board on
as presented or as corrected
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF DONOVAN COURT REPORTING BY:
Barbara A. Donovan, Christine E. Whitfield, and Shelly Semmler