BCC Minutes 12/17/1996 RREGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 17, 1996
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 9:06 a.m. in REGULAR SESSION in Building
"F" of the Government Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the
following members present:
CHAIRMAN: John C. Norris
VICE-CHAIRMAN: Timothy L. Hancock
Timothy J. Constantine
Pamela S. Hac'Kie
Barbara B. Berry
ALSO PRESENT: W. Neil Dorrill, County Manager
Mike HcNees, Assistant County Manager
David C. Weigel, County Attorney
Item #3
AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA - APPROVED AND/OR ADOPTED WITH CHANGES
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Call the county commission meeting to
order on December 17, 1996. Mr. Dotrill, could you lead us in an
invocation and a pledge to the flag, please.
MR. DORRILL: Heavenly Father, on what is our final
county commission meeting of 1996, we want to pause and -- and give
thanks and the glory to you and the blessings that you have bestowed
on Collier County and its people during the past year. Father, we
give thanks for our elected officials, the constitutional officers,
and the county commission who work so diligently to make this the
wonderful community that it is. Father, we give thanks for our
hard-working staff and the many citizens who choose to participate in
government in Collier County.
Father, especially for those of us who are public
officials, we give thanks for the love and support of our families and
our friends and our colleagues over the past year, and we look forward
with anticipation to 1997. But at the end of 1996, we just pause and
give thanks and praise to you for all the wonders that you have
bestowed on us. We ask that you bless our time here together this
morning. We pray these things in your son's holy name. Amen.
(The pledge of allegiance was recited in unison.)
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Mr. Dorrill, I see we have a few
changes to our agenda today.
MR. DORRILL: Yes, sir. Good morning, Mr. Chairman.
Merry Christmas, Commissioners, on behalf of your staff. We have a
number of changes this morning, Mr. Chairman. I'll go through these
as -- as quickly as I can.
We have an add-on item this morning under community
development that will be an update and some recommendations from last
week's Code Enforcement Board issue involving Lely Barefoot Beach.
That will be 8(A)(6).
I have one additional routine plat approval trying to
accommodate a project before year's end, which is 8(A)(7), which is
also an add-on for Kensington, Phase III.
I have one additional add-on item this morning under the
Board of County Commissioners, which will be Item 10(C), which is a
clarification of the board's position on the Cleveland Clinic
certificate of need and necessity; that was at the request of
Commissioner Mac'Kie.
I have several items that we would like to continue.
The first one is on the regular agenda, 8(A)(2) under community
development, be continued until your first meeting in January on the
7th, which was a review and certain recommendations concerning
Ordinance 90-37, a PUD called Arbor Lake Club.
We're also requesting at the request of the petitioner
this morning that we continue -- and I don't have a -- a date
certain. We will reschedule as necessary Item 12(B)(2), which is PUD
94-9, WCI Communities requesting a certain PUD amendment as it
pertains to the Pelican Marsh project.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm sorry. That has been
continued?
MR. DORRILL: Yes, at the request of the petitioner.
And then finally this morning the final continuance is
Item 12(C)(7), also under advertised public hearings, again, continued
to your first meeting in January, recommendation that the board
approve an interlocal agreement between the Board of County
Commissioners and independent fire districts within Collier County for
code inspection pertaining to fire plans.
I have several agenda notes this morning. Under
communications I have two items, one of which was a memorandum that I
had sent the board yesterday concerning your review and comment on the
job announcement and job description and a questionnaire that we've
sent to each commissioner concerning the selection process for the
county manager; also, a revision to the perk -- public purpose
ordinance.
And I have one additional agenda note, that the Item
9(A) under the county attorney's office as it pertains to a resolution
associated with a bond issue, that in order to accommodate the travel
considerations of individuals for taking -- that we try and hear that
as close to but not prior to 10 a.m. this morning because of their
plane schedules. And, Mr. Chairman, that's all that I have.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay, Mr. Weigel, anything else?
MR. WEIGEL: No changes. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Commissioner Berry?
COMMISSIONER BERRY: Nothing.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Commissioner Hancock?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: No, sir. I just want to say
again, anyone here for the Pelican Marsh item, that has been
continued; so you can make your tee time.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Commissioner Mac'Kie?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Not a thing.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Commissioner Constantine?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Chairman, I wouldn't
think of changing this long, long agenda. CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We need a motion.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I make a motion we approve
the agenda as amended.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #4
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 26, 1996 - APPROVED AS PRESENTED
We have minutes.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'll move approval of the
November 26, 1996, regular meeting minutes. COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second for
approval. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #5A
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING DECEMBER AS DRUNK AND DRUGGED DRIVING
PREVENTION MONTH AND DESIGNATING DECEMBER 20, 1996, AS LIGHTS ON FOR
LIFE DAY - ADOPTED
Proclamations, Commissioner Hancock, I believe you have
One.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yes, sir. It's my pleasure this
morning to read into the record a proclamation. May I ask if Marilyn
Petska and Hal Winget (phonetic) are here. If I could ask the two of
you to come to the front and stand here to my left and face all of
your fans out there in TV land. Good morning.
Proclamation reads as follows: Whereas, obtaining a
license to drive is a major milestone for youth and a necessity for
the majority of our citizens, we must teach young people the
responsibilities that accompany having a driver's license. At the
same time we must teach them about the risks of driving under the
influence of drugs and alcohol; and
Whereas, all citizens and institutions need to
acknowledge that a license to drive is not a license to kill, injure,
or destroy. We must also recognize that when we drive under the
influence of drugs and alcohol, we are saying that under certain
circumstances it's okay to harm our families, friends, and neighbors;
and
Whereas, we all need to take a stand against impaired
driving, individually and collectively. Intervening to prevent others
from drinking and driving should be common practice among hosts and
friends. We must use designated drivers and plan alternative
transportation when we know we will be drinking. Through our
schools, places of employment, houses of worship, and community
organizations, we must send the message that drinking and driving is
not socially acceptable; and
Whereas, the holidays are approaching, I ask each
citizen to make our community safe by not driving under the influence
of drugs and alcohol. I also ask that on December 20 everyone drive
with their headlights on to support National Lights on for Life Day in
memory of those who have been killed or injured by impaired drivers
and as a reminder of the dangers of impaired driving.
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that December 1996 be
designated as Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month and that
December 20, 1996, be designated as Lights on For Life Day.
I call on all citizens and organizations to observe this
month by taking responsibility for preventing impaired driving in our
community and teaching our young people safe driving behavior.
Done and ordered this 17th day of December 1996, signed
Mr. John C. Norris, Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to move acceptance of this
proclamation.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON MATTHEWS: We have a motion and a second for
acceptance. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Applause)
MS. PETSKA: On behalf of the three Ds; Drunk, Drugged,
Driving Prevention Month, I would like to thank you for the
proclamation. I would also like to say that this is a joyous time for
most of us, but for about six -- seventeen thousand people in the
United States, this is not -- this is a time for them to mourn those
that have been killed due to drunk driving. So as the proclamation
indicates, the 20th is Lights on for Life. So we're asking that
everyone drive with their lights on in memory of those that were
killed by a drunk driver. Thank you very much.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Thank you.
(Applause)
Item #5B
EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARD PRESENTED
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Commissioner Berry, I believe you have
a service award today.
COHMISSIONER BERRY: Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman. If Gwen
Butler would come forward, please. It's always a pleasure to
recognize people who have been very dedicated in their service to the
county, and this morning we're pleased to honor Miss Butler for 15
years of continuous service for Collier County, and we want to
congratulate you and thank you for this service and time that you've
given to Collier County.
(Applause)
Item #7A
JERRY THIRION REGARDING THE CLAM PASS CONCESSION - STAFF DIRECTED TO
BRING BACK EXTENSION IN JANUARY, 1997
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a public petition today. The
county's policy, Mr. Thirion, as you probably know, is you have ten
minutes to -- to tell us what your petition is, and the board is
unlikely to take any action today but merely decide whether to put it
on a future agenda for action.
MR. THIRION: Thank you. I promise to be brief. Good
morning. My name is Jerry Thirion. I'm with the Registry Resort.
I'm here today to seek commission approval to work with
your staff on an extension of our Clam Pass agreement, which we
currently have in place. We would like to pursue the opportunity to
work further with you in future years, and we think we need this time
to sit down with your staff and provide an agreement which will be
mutually benefit for everyone; so we're seeking that approval.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Chairman, if he's just
looking to sit down with staff and explore the option, I don't know
that it's going to require specific action from us anyway, and perhaps
we can say go ahead, get our staff rolling instead of bringing this
back in January and giving that exact same instruction.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I think one of the main reasons
for this is that this is not a typical situation where you have an
RFP. This is a joint relationship that's worked very well in the
past. I think if staff is looking for direction, so they don't have
to go to a bidding process, I would be pleased to give that direction.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Similar, same direction from me.
COHMISSIONER BERRY: I would agree.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
MR. THERION: Okay. Thank you. Happy holidays.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: You too.
Item #8A1
CARNIVAL PERMIT 96-6 RE PETITION C-96-6 COLLIER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL
FAIR & EXPOSITION, INC., REQUESTING A PERMIT TO CONDUCT A CARNIVAL FROM
JANUARY 10 THROUGH JANUARY 18, 1997, ON THE EAST SIDE OF C.R. 846 -
APPROVED
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. Our first item of business then
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to
make a motion to approve Petition 96-6.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second. Are
there public speakers on this item?
MR. McNEES: No, sir.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: For those who missed that, that's
the Collier County Agricultural Fair and Exposition.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #8A3
RESOLUTION 96-588, RE STAFF REVIEW AND RECOHMENDATIONS RELATIVE TO
ORDINANCE 89-70 ALSO KNOWN AS CASA DEL SOL PUD - ADOPTED FOR TWO YEAR
EXTENSION
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Next item, 8(A)(3). This is the staff
review of PUD 89-70.
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Good morning, Commissioners, Charam
Badamtchian from planning services staff. Collier County Land
Development Code requires all PUDs approved prior to October 30, 1991,
which have not commenced construction, to come in front of this board
for teevaluation. This PUD was approved in 1989. It contains 240
acres. It was approved for 2.7 dwelling units per acre for a total of
650 units.
Staff reviewed this PUD. It fully complies with all
Land Development Code and growth management requirements. Staff
recommends your extension of this PUD.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Two years?
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Two years. However, we are not the
owners. There are two owners -- two groups of owners. One own 100
acres, the other one 140 acres. Mr. Israelson, who owns 140 acres,
wishes to get his old zoning back, agricultural zoning back. The
other group, we haven't heard from them. We sent them a letter. They
did not respond to our require -- our letters. Staff believes that if
they want to change the zoning back to agricultural, they should apply
for fezone or amend the PUD to take 140 acres out of that PUD.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We agree.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: We can't separate those owners
out. They have to do so collectively and properly so --
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Mr. Richard Grant is representing Mr.
Israelson. I don't see him here today.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Do we have a public speaker on this
one?
MR. HcNEES: No, sir, you have none.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Just a question, I -- I
notice on all of these sunset items, I don't know that we've had --
other than Mr. Anderson was here for one, I don't know that we've had
anyone here. I assume there's notification and communication with
each of the --
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Yes.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- petitioners, for lack of a
better word?
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: We have done that.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I sense that if they're in
agreement, they're not showing up. Otherwise, well, tough.
I assume our -- the approval today would include the
stipulations such as under transportation 50-foot reservation of
right-of-way and so forth?
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Yes, sir. They have to do it in
support of original agreement.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Motion?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'll move approval of the
two-year extension of PUD 89-70.
COHMISSIONER BERRY: Second it.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #8A4
APPEAL OF LIEN RESOLUTION NO. 90-454 AND LIEN RESOLUTION NO. 92-572,
OWNER OF RECORD MAX LEVY - APPEAL DENIED
8(A)(4), appeal of Lien Resolution No. 90-454 and
92-572.
MS. SULLIVAN: I don't know where the appellant is. But
anyhow, this was a -- Linda Sullivan, code enforcement director, for
the record. This was a property which was purchased at a tax sale,
and the gentleman, Mr. Levy, purchased the prop -- the property with
two weed abatement liens on it. It's staff's position that this is
not properly before the commissioners because there's a 30-day
requirement when the lien is assessed in order to bring it here. So
that's basically our thoughts on this one. I believe Mr. Levy's
position is that he didn't realize that there were liens on the
property when he bought it.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: But he bought it at a tax
deed sale?
MS. SULLIVAN: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER BERRY: Are they never notified? I had a
question about this. Are they not notified when you --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Well, I -- I'm -- I'm not sure I
understand the issue. If there's violations on the property, what
difference does it make how the property was acquired?
MS. SULLIVAN: It shouldn't; that's our point. The
liens were assessed a long time ago, and he bought the property, I
guess, the first of last year. You know, there is -- I'm told that
the -- when something is -- is transferred in a deed sale like this,
that they are notified; but in any event, there's constructive notice
because the liens were properly recorded.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm not going to put staff in
the position of trying to argue his case for him. He's not here to
fulfill his appeal so --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Motion to deny the appeal.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second for
denial. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #8A5
STAFF SEEKING DIRECTION ON THE PREPARATION OF AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE
AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO MODIFY THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF
POOL DECK/SCREEN PORCH STRUCTURES ON WATERFRONT LOTS - EMERGENCY
DECLARED; STAFF TO PREPARE ORDINANCE FOR 1/7/97 MEETING
Next item, 8(A)(5).
MR. ARNOLD: Good morning. Wayne Arnold, planning
services director. Staff is seeking your direction on the preparation
of an emergency amendment to our Land Development Code. Last
amendment cycle that passed approximately two months ago we brought
forward an amendment that changed the pool deck heights for waterfront
lots and restricted them to 4 feet in height above the seawall when
they were within 10 feet of the rear property line.
It's come to our attention that after two months of
implementation of this that almost every home on Marco Island will
fall short of meeting this requirement as they're currently designed
and being constructed. It was certainly an unintentional consequence
of the modification to restrict the height of stem wall constructions
along our waterfront lots. Nonetheless, we do have a situation that
-- that truly affects Marco Island a little bit more uniquely than it
would the balance of the county. I think maybe Isle of Capri would
also fall under Marco Island's concerns.
And it's two factors: One, a factor of this actual
seawall height as they are constructed; and, secondly, the actual
ground elevation of the lots before they're improved. And what we're
finding, that at 4 feet you're going to have to have essentially a
2-foot to 3-foot stepdown from the living area to any pool deck that
may be attached, which unlike Vanderbilt Beach, it's about a 10-foot
difference; but the fact is we have many model homes on Marco Island
that are permitted. They're selling the models. We have permits
in-house that can't be released because they don't comply with this
new code requirement.
And I think after meeting with several of the Marco
Island contractors over the last week or so, it's come to our
conclusion that probably anywhere between 6 and 7 feet as a maximum
elevation above seawall would certainly meet their concerns. We also
recognize that the visibility of a stem wall construction from your
adjoining property owners to the side is not the most attractive
situation and -- and certainly some method of having an exposed stem
wall where you have earthen berm or some form to hide that stem wall
meets at least the -- the builders we've met with, it meets, sort of,
their needs and allows them to construct as they've been permitting
them in the past.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Mr. Arnold, are you proposing this
amendment just to be specific to Marco Island alone?
MR. ARNOLD: Well, I guess we would be hesitant to
propose any amendment that affects only one geographic area of the
county. And I think if we could look at something -- and I will
admit, I have not spoken with the Vanderbilt Beach Homeowner's
Association that brought the original issue to the attention of the
commission and the staff, but it's our opinion that at 7 feet instead
of 4 feet above the seawall we probably resolve all the problems on
Marco Island, and maybe we don't negatively impact the Vanderbilt
Beach people to a great degree.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And you're just asking for
direction to prepare the emergency order?
MR. ARNOLD: Yes. It would be to seek your direction to
do so and declaration of an emergency which, I guess the earliest we
could potentially bring something back to you would be your first
meeting in January.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm -- if I may, I'm the first to
admit that I don't have as much a grasp of how this impacts Marco as I
do Vanderbilt. But if we're talking 7 feet above seawall, in
Vanderbilt we're now talking about, in essence, a masonry wall 7 feet
in height from seawall level that extends to within 10 feet of the
rear property line. Yet if you construct a fence on a waterfront lot,
you can go no higher than 4 feet. MR. ARNOLD: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: And the purpose of that was to
allow for -- so the two are opposing a little bit. And, you know,
Vanderbilt is where I'm familiar. I'm not as familiar with Marco. So
I'm not going to say let's not proceed with the amendment, but I'm
going to want to see some visual display of why this creates such a
hardship on Marco, yet it doesn't -- it does create the same hardship,
if not more, if I'm not mistaken, at Vanderbilt Beach, yet it can be
complied with.
MR. ARNOLD: That's correct. It certainly is more
restriction in the Vanderbilt Beach area. Two things on Marco Island;
again, Marco Island is not heavily sewered as it is in Vanderbilt
Beach, which means they're bringing in fill material to put in their
septic systems as well to go ahead and try to level out the lots so
that you don't have the mound of the septic tank exposed. You also
have a more restrictive setback in Marco Island because of deed
restrictions that applied throughout the island. It's 15 feet from
the water in lieu of 10 elsewhere in the county.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. And again, rather than
hear that whole thing, I'd say, like, to go ahead and see the
amendment, but I would like to see some visual application of this so
we understand what it is -- is being allowed or I understand, excuse
me. We --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Speakers?
MR. McNEES: Mr. Chairman, you have one speaker, Whit
Ward.
MR. WARD: Good morning, commission. My name is Whit
Ward. I'm representing the Collier Building Industry Association. We
have been working with your staff to correct what was an oversight
that that -- that we approved -- we feel is an oversight we approved
in the Land Development Code. The only thing that I would ask is that
in the instance of Marco Island, we have some permits that are in
process now that are being held up as a result of this. If -- if you
could see fit to grant a variance so that we could release those
permits, that -- they're creating a real hardship for the builders
that are trying to go forward. Those permits were applied for under
all of the rules and regulations of the former Land Development Code,
and they -- they -- they're exactly like all of the other homes that
are on Marco Island now.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Well, we can't grant a variance
today for things not in front of us. However, you're saying the
permits were -- were applied for prior to the adoption of the change
to this code?
MR. WARD: No, they weren't. They were applied -- and
Wayne could -- could answer that better than myself, I think.
MR. ARNOLD: Yeah, I would just say that some permits
certainly were, and in some cases we have administratively allowed
permits to move forward where the pool pilings were shown on the
original building permit issued prior to the effective date of the
Land Development Code, even though the actual pool permit had not been
pulled but the pilings had been set for that structure. We
administratively have allowed those few permits to move forward to
proceed as they were intended to be constructed. And I think what Mr.
Ward is referring to is that we have -- we do have some permits that
are still in-house that were not issued a final development order or
the building permit before the code changed, which are now affected by
this code change, and we also have a few other permits that have come
in, and builders have -- on the island have essentially said just
release my home permit. I'll come in and apply for the pool permit
separately. But we still have some cases where they've applied for
both permits concurrently. And I think that's the reference here that
Mr. Ward is seeking some relaxation or some direction to allow these
permits to come through the process.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: How many are we talking about?
MR. ARNOLD: I don't have an exact number, but I suspect
it's not more than a dozen at this point.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Well, it seems that -- I mean, I
don't know what our options are, but it seems that if we -- 4 feet is
not reasonable and we don't really have a choice because of the
increased setback but to go to the higher elevation on Marco, then
we're going to have to do that. I'm just not sure we have the vehicle
to accomplish that for those that are in the process. I'm seeking
that.
MR. ARNOLD: Okay. I'm not sure I have the answer for
you there either in terms of the vehicle that may get you there. I
don't know if the county attorney's office can -- can give us some
direction there.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Ms. Student, could you help us with --
give us some direction there.
MS. STUDENT: For the record, Marjorie Student,
assistant county attorney. To go through a variance process, you
would have to have advertised public hearings, and it has to go to
Planning Commission. I don't think there's any authority in our code
for you to be able to give a blanket variance today. I do believe the
emergency amendment could be accomplished at our January 7th meeting,
and that would probably be the most expeditious way to handle the
matter.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. What -- Mr. Ward, some of the
-- some of the builders have gone ahead and pulled their home permit
and then delayed their pool permit. Would that carry us till January
the 7th you think?
MR. WARD: You know, it might. I haven't talked to all
of the builders, but I certainly would be amenable to going back and
-- and --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Uh-huh.
MR. WARD: -- making that recommendation to them.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: That appears to be our most functional
option for today.
MR. WARD: I agree and especially since the board seems
inclined to do something that would work -- you know, would be
workable in the long run; so that sounds like it might work. CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to
make a motion that we give staff direction to prepare an emergency
Land Development Code ordinance amendment referring to the site.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: And declare an emergency?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Can I ask that that amendment --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- that amendment be specific to
areas in which deed restrictions exceed a certain level so that we
don't blanket the county with something?
MR. ARNOLD: We can certainly bring something back
that's specific or even a couple of options for your consideration.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I don't want to undo what we've
accomplished in some areas.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Sure.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Continuation of Item #8A4
MR. HcNEES: Mr. Chairman, excuse me, if I may
interrupt. I understand your appellant for Item 8(A)(4) is actually
in the room, was unfamiliar with our process and hadn't registered to
speak and did not identify himself to the staff. Obviously it's at
your discretion. He would like to make his case, I understand,
whether you want to hear that or whether you want to move on.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I'd like to hear from him. If he
didn't understand the process, I don't want to cut him out.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Sure. We're rehearing then the appeal
of Lien Resolution No. 90-454 and 92-572. Mr. Levy.
MR. LEVY: Good morning, Commissioners. Contrary to the
statement that was made earlier, I did not purchase the property; I
got stuck with it. It was a certificate of deed that was issued to me
because I had a tax certificate. And at the date -- the day of the
sale no one was interested in buying the property because it was
overvalued. The amount of taxes that were due on the property were
more than what the property is worth. So I did end up getting stuck
with the property, and I'm -- I'm paying the taxes on it right now,
and I did receive the notice. I went to see Connie -- I forgot her
name -- Johnson, and I explained to her the fact, and she suggested
that I appeal the case to the board and hopefully that you will
consider the fact that it's not my fault.
You know, I'm a resident, or I have been a resident
since 1973. I always pay my bills on time. I always pay my tax on
time. Had I known, I wouldn't have even get involved with this
property.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: I understand it's an unfortunate
situation that -- and something that you didn't anticipate, but I
believe that you are the owner of the property; is that correct? MR. LEVY: Now I am, yes.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: And the property does have violations
on it.
MR. LEVY: It did have violation prior to me owning the
property.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Right. Those violations still exist?
MS. SULLIVAN: No, they've been abated. That's what the
assessment is for.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: That's the lien.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: But with the property he also
inherited the liens?
MS. SULLIVAN: Yes. I checked with the county attorney,
and there's a statute that -- that authorizes that.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: The problem that we have, Mr.
Levy, is if we tell every property owner that comes in and says I
didn't know about the lien before I purchased it --
MR. LEVY: I did not -- I'm sorry to interrupt. I did
not purchase it. I was stuck with it, because I did have the tax
certificate on the property.
COHHISSIONER HAC'KIE: Can -- can I -- yeah, how that
works, if I'm -- if I'm right, is that you go in, you bid an interest
rate on the tax certificate on the -- on the hope that the property
will be redeemed by the property owner, and then they will have to pay
you in addition to the past-due assessment that -- for taxes, they'll
have to pay you the interest rate that you bid. So what happened here
is he bid, got a tax certificate that was not redeemed. And at the
end of that process -- it's actually, you know -- the gamble that you
take is that if you -- if the property owner's not willing to pay
what's due, that's --
MR. LEVY: But that's when I forced the sale and --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: That's the downside, the upside
being you earn a high interest rate usually, the downside being you
might get stuck with the property.
MR. LEVY: Yeah, but I don't mind getting stuck with the
property if it has any value, but it doesn't have any value, and for
$40 --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: It's a little late to worry about that
now, Mr. Levy. You should have thought about that before you bid on
the property.
MR. LEVY: I did not bid on the property, Your Honor. I
bid on -- I raised my hand to get a tax certificate which was awarded
to me by the tax collector.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And unfortunately, this is
part of the process. I understand you're anxious for us to give 18
percent or close to it on your money, and that's why those tax
certificate sales are so well attended. However, there is a downside
to that. The reason you have such a high interest rate is you run the
risk --
MR. LEVY: Well, I was not told that there was any risk,
you know, plus the fact we're talking about $40 mowing that it's $800
right now. You know, it's a little bit too much.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I guess -- I've been to those
tax certificate sales, and Mr. Carlton explains the process, explains
the risks. They also, I believe, have that in writing available to
everyone who goes and bids on that. So I understand your frustration
having the piece of land, but that's not unusual at all, and that's --
that's part of the process that you entered into and agreed to.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Chairman, I -- I see no
reason to make any motion to reconsider the item.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Agreed.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Levy.
MR. LEVY: Thank you.
Item #8A6
UPDATE ON CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD - DISCUSSION RE LELY BAREFOOT HEARINGS
TO BE HELD IN JANUARY, 1997
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Mr. Cautero, are you going to give us
an update on our code enforcement?
MR. CAUTERO: Yes, sir. Good morning, Mr. Chairman,
Vince Cautero. As I'm sure the board is aware, the Code Enforcement
Board has had two special hearing dates in December, the 12th and
13th, to hear the Lely Barefoot Beach guardhouse case, and as I'm sure
you're also aware, that a quorum was not present for the meeting on
the 12th. When that session concluded on the 12th, and there was some
discussion about procedures after that meeting on the 12th, I
immediately took some steps that I want to inform you of and then tell
you about how the Code Enforcement Board is proceeding to hear this
case in January.
I immediately made our case known to the legal staff,
and Mr. Hanalich was very helpful in assisting me in discussing the
case and the procedures for the case with the board. Mr. Hanalich was
also in agreement that the case should be brought to closure as soon
as possible. And I reiterated to him and Hiss Rawson, the chairman of
the Code Enforcement Board, that it was my intent to bring this case
to closure as soon as possible since the board had given that mandate
to staff. I instructed the code enforcement director to call all the
members of the Code Enforcement Board even though only four were
eligible to hear the case, which began in July at the Code Enforcement
Board. And I'm happy to tell you that six of the seven members
attended the meeting the next day. That meeting was still kept, and
we did conduct that meeting on December 13th, Friday the 13th.
At that meeting I made a presentation to the board, and
prior to the meeting I talked to the chairman in private about
possibly scheduling the hearings for this week and/or the first
meeting -- the first week in January. I made that plea on the record
and also told them that we believe that all seven members should be
eligible to hear the case. The board did vote that all seven members
are eligible to hear the case, and I'm pleased to tell you that now I
don't believe we'll have a quorum problem because we have more members
that are eligible.
The downside is that the board elected not to hold
special hearings this week or the first week in January, but they did
commit four dates in this room in January to finish the case. In
addition, they are conducting their special meeting in January so that
we can move more cases off the docket. The special meeting dates are
the 22nd, 27th, 29th, and 30th, and the 23rd is the regular meeting.
One final note, at their regular meeting in January
they're going to be discussing the rules and regulations, and I wanted
to talk to you about two of the items that we're possibly going to
talk to them about. We will talk to the chairman about them, and we
-- we may discuss them on the record. I hope it is the chairman's
intent to talk about those issues on the record, one being time
limits, similar to how this board operates, so that we can move cases
quicker.
And secondly -- and I mean no disrespect to the legal
profession when I say this, and I don't know what Mr. Weigel will
recommend to you, but one item that we're seriously considering is not
allowing attorneys to make cases or presentations at the Code
Enforcement Board. Your Code Enforcement Board is supposed to
function as an expedient way to move cases through the system, to
bring those issues to closure, and if people still have an appeal,
they would then take it to the next level, which is court. One way to
achieve that is to not make these cases appear like a trial, and Lely
has become a full-blown trial. The only thing we can do at this point
is to get as many members sitting in those chairs as possible and get
the case over with, and I believe we will do that with four dates set
aside in January. Counsel on both sides believe they need at least a
day and a half to two; so we set four days aside for that. To hear
the other cases --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I'm sorry. Just one other
suggestion.
MR. CAUTERO: I'm finished, ma'am.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Well, that makes a lot of sense,
but it might -- you might also just -- you know, lawyers want two days
every time they have a case, and judges give them 20 minutes; so that
might be another alternative.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I think Hiss Rawson will be fully
capable of keeping it to the subject. COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: She can do it.
MR. CAUTERO: If there's any questions, I'll be glad to
answer them. My only purpose was to give you an update on the case.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Any questions from the board? Thank
you,Mr. Cautero.
Item #8A7
KENSINGTON PHASE III PLAT APPROVAL - STAFF RECOHMENDATION APPROVED
Our next item is a plat approval for Kensington.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: If there's not any discussion --
it's routine -- I'll be happy to move we approve it on staff's
recommendation.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #SB1
RESOLUTION 96-589, RE COLLIER COUNTY STREETSCAPE MASTER PLAN AS
PREPARED BY COLLIER NAPLESCAPE - ADOPTED
Next item, 8(B)(1), Naplescape presentation.
MR. ARCHIBALD: Good morning, Chairman, board members.
For the record, George Archibald, transportation director. Board
members, Agenda Item 8(B)(1) is a presentation on the Collier County
streetscape master plan. The master plan has been an ongoing effort
between both Collier County and Naplescape '90s. It also represents
the efforts of George Botner over a period of years. Accordingly, I'd
like to go ahead and introduce George Botner to make a brief
presentation and also to introduce three committee members that will
provide some information.
I'd also like to just make the comments that this
document is awfully important. It's important from the standpoint of
assisting the staff in prioritizing landscaping needs and also
becoming a catalyst for private-sector funding of those priorities.
Also it's going to be an important element toward getting FDOT grant
funds, particularly for State Road 84, Davis. With that, Mr. Botner.
MR. BOTNER: Yes.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Before Mr. Botner speaks -- Mr.
Archibald, from a staff perspective -- come on up, George. From a
staff perspective, do I understand this to be more of a blueprint and
a framework of how to proceed so that we can be consistent in the
future as opposed to the piecemeal basis of one project at a time? Is
that really the thrust of what's being presented today?
MR. ARCHIBALD: That's a major thrust.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. ARCHIBALD: There are some other elements that Mr.
Botner will touch on.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Thank you.
MR. BOTNER: Thank you, Commissioners. For the record
my name is George Botner. I'm a landscape architect practicing here
in Collier County, been pleased to be able to operate also as
president, executive director, of a nonprofit organization called
Collier Naplescape '90s over the last four years. And if I could, I
think there's two forms that our presentation could take. There's the
long form, and then there's the somewhat shorter form.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm leaning toward the second
of those.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a busy agenda today.
MR. BOTNER: Yeah, I know. I know you do.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Let's hear the short version.
MR. BOTNER: But just to sort of set the stage for this,
over three years ago the Collier Naplescape board, which as you know
is totally privately funded by many individuals throughout our
community, determined in their goal-setting session in 1993 that we
needed some guidance to the method in which we develop our major
streetscapes throughout Collier County. And -- and the method to do
that might, in fact, be a -- a new master plan that could help guide
that, not on -- not only in terms of design, but in terms of funding
mechanisms and technical details of how you plant in these very
special circumstances. And so we set about that course as one of our
major goals, along with, as you know, a number of projects,
streetscape projects, that we've been doing over the years.
And we funded that through ourselves to create the basic
data-gathering information that we needed to start the whole process
going. And one major factor that came out of that was the
identification of a streetscape network for our urban area. That
streetscape network followed exactly the HPO's, at that time,
2010-year plan. Now it's a 2015-year plan since it's been in process
for so long. But that gave us the basis for establishing the area
that we wanted to focus on.
That was totally, as I mentioned, privately funded
through Collier Naplescape. But there was a -- an immediate follow-up
to that phase that was funded by Hiss Juliette Sproe (phonetic) to
create essentially the character guidelines for that and -- you know,
if you design a building, really what that means is you need to come
up with a program for how you deal with the design elements. And that
took the better part of a year to do, and it also involved many
committee meetings.
And I should also say at the same time that we engaged
the services pro bono of two technical advisory committees. The first
technical advisory committee, as is referenced in your document,
worked with us for the first two years, and the second technical
advisory committee worked with us through this last phase in the
design element. But in any case, those were the two first phases.
Then you-all agreed to work with us in the spirit of a
public and private partnership, which as you know is how we have built
most of our streetscapes in this county, to complete the work, and we
did that. And I can tell you it -- it has been a real pleasure and a
chore over the last six months to do that, because we had to go back,
teengage the tac -- the technical advisory committee, went through six
meetings with them, developed the document. We employed several out
-- outside consultants that have specific knowledge in this area to
work with us, and all of those names are mentioned in the
acknowledgement sections of the draft document that -- that we had
submitted. So it's been a long time getting here.
I shall also tell you that there are a couple of very
compelling reasons why we want to adopt this document in Collier
County. Number one, obviously it's going to give us the direction
that -- that we have sought over the years. Every time I come before
you and say, gee whiz, I've got this project we'd like to do, you-all
ask the same exact question: How does it fit into the overall scheme
of things? How much money are we going to have to pay, and what is
going to be the end product of all of this as it relates to an impact
on the community? That has been the major product, I think, that has
come out of the creation of this document, and it has been a -- a very
much community-based resource-related document over the years. It's
not a problem that came up six months ago we thought we needed to
solve, and so we solved it. We've been at this for a long time.
The -- the thing that we would like to ask of you is,
number one, its adoption and that the form of that adoption occur in
two places. The first place is that it needs to be recognized in
several elements of our comprehensive plan and cross-referenced. The
second place that it absolutely has to be referenced is in our Land
Development Code -- and I'm not sure exactly what the number is; I
think it's 2.4.7.5 -- as a subelement of our landscape code as a
specific item by reference. And we're not going to ask that all 92
pages of this plan be inserted in our LDC, but certainly there needs
to be language that is placed in our LDC that draws reference to it.
And there's a good reason for that other than the cumbersomeness of
including the whole document. And the other thing is that every year
what this document has said is that you, when you go through your
budget cycle, amend it as you see fit based upon the availability of
financial resources to fund the program.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Can I just interrupt and say I
just think it's critical that this get into the Land Development
Code. Otherwise we've done one more study for the shelf, and it's --
it's a waste of time. This has to get into the Land Development Code
so it becomes a part of the budget process and we look at it every
year to see what we can afford --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Can we wait and let Mr. Botner finish,
please.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Well, we can, or I'll say what I
want to say and you can fuss about it.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: You can say it -- you'll have an
opportunity to say it whenever you'd like after Mr. Botner speaks.
Would you let him speak, please.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Yeah, or I'll say now.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I think he's chairing the
meeting. I'm not sure.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: He can handle it.
MR. BOTNER: Moving forward, that's what we are here
today to ask you for, is the preparation of a resolution that will
intend that you adopt this document in those two areas of your
purview. We need that. It does -- and we recognize it can't happen
as -- immediately. It's got to go through the cycle, but if -- if we
can at least get the resolution that says that's what you want to do,
then I can use that as the backup and support that we need for our
initial state DOT grant application work that we're currently doing.
So that's what we wanted to try to achieve today. All
of you have had -- and I apologize for the brevity of your time with
the document, but you have had a copy of this, I think, rather
comprehensive approach to dealing with streetscape work. And if I can
back up five minutes before, I can tell you what the second major
important element of this is. I don't know if it's an ego element or
what, but the State of Florida has determined that they want to use
this approach as perhaps the statewide guideline for how one goes
about dealing with streetscape work and how one deals with the subject
of applying for funding through state resources. And as you all know,
as we've discussed, we've been talking with the state very closely
over the last five -- or six months and then intermittently for the
last three years about that item, and nobody else has done this
before. I mean, to me it's almost amazing that -- you know, that we
would not have already had some examples that we could refer to.
So we -- we border on the possibility of setting a
statewide precedence here, and the state's fully behind us. They want
us to get into their system of statewide grants. We in Collier County
have not been the recipient of a grant through that program to date.
Sarasota County, for example, has won eight of them, and so why are we
not involved in that when we probably do the best streetscape work in
the state of Florida?
So that's basically what this master plan sets us up to
be able to do. And coupled with that, simultaneously with your
authorization, we have prepared the construction documents for Davis
Boulevard, which will be the first sort of demonstration project that
goes in with our master plan to the State DOT for their review, and
the first phase of that, which -- I know I'm on public record, but I
will tell you that there's a tremendous interest in funding this from
the state perspective if we do everything we've said we were going to
do and that that funding would be available midsummer to do the first
phase of Davis Boulevard, which runs from the Trail out to Airport
Road; and then immediately on the heels of that next year is the next
phase that runs from Airport Road on Davis out to County Barn Road.
And what we're trying to do is establish a mechanism where every year
we are in the mill to get our grant allocation work for the state
roads that occur in our community.
Now then, having said all of that --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: This -- this was the short
version, I take it?
MR. BOTNER: No -- yeah, this was the short version.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Can you wrap it up, Mr. Botner,
please.
MR. BOTNER: Right. I -- you know, there were two
versions. I could do what I just did, or we could go to Step No. 2
and go through the document that we have submitted for your review.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: No, we can't. That's not an option
today, Mr. Botner. Please wrap it up for us.
MR. BOTNER: Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. I'd just like to
encourage the commission to adopt by resolution the document that you
have been submitted as the streetscape master plan for Collier County,
that it also recognized that that document will be amended from time
to time as recently as yearly, and that it provide the guidelines that
we've needed all these years to move our program forward.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you. Do we have more speakers?
MR. HcNEES: You do. Your next speaker is Donna Fiala.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Let me also say again in
the interest of time, it's my intent, probably, and -- unless
someone's going to talk me out of it, to make a motion to approve this
document in some form today. So for the speakers that are about to
come up, if you want to talk me out of it, that's great. But if you
don't, then --
MR. BOTNER: My recommendation to our speaker corps is
that they sit tight.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I -- I'm going to have some
questions for Mr. Botner, but I'll wait until --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Let's go with our public speakers.
MR. HcNEES: You have Donna Fiala followed by Cheryle
Newman.
MS. FIALA: Donna Fiala is happy to stay right back
here. Thank you.
MR. HcNEES: Hiss Fiala waived. We have Cheryle
Newman.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Cheryle Newman.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: We used to have Cheryle Newman.
She's here.
MS. NEWMAN: Good morning, Commissioners. Cheryle
Newman from Golden Gate. I'm on the advisory committee for the
beautification out there, and I believe I sent all of you letters with
some questions that I had. And I was hoping some of those questions
would be answered, but I guess the big one I have is where would the
advisory committees be if this is approved, and how would it affect
the individual HSTUs that have, you know, their own beautification
HSTUs. Those are the only questions I really have today.
COHHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Let's finish the speakers.
MR. BOTNER: If I may, Mr. Chairman, I could offer an
answer to that question. CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
MR. BOTNER: This document is, for all intents and
purposes, an overlay design document for the urban area of Collier
County. The individual HSTUs -- and, you know, we've attempted to
work with each one of those -- does not circumvent in any way, shape,
or form their authority to proceed with their mission. All this does
is gives us a way to get some consistency throughout our landscape
program in our major public rights-of-way. And in the case of Lely,
St. Andrews, it doesn't even deal with it. St. Andrews isn't even on
the streetscape network; so those folks are, you know, totally
absolved from whatever controls this may suggest. But in our major
public rights-of-way that everybody sees and everybody uses, it does
suggest some ways to deal with that. CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I got to follow up on that.
I appreciate the fact we're trying to compliment what exists or what's
being done within individual areas. My concern is that Golden Gate
beautification committee, for example, and I'm sure the same exists on
Marco and some of the others. I don't know what role they've been
allowed to play as this document took its final form -- MR. BOTNER: We've met with them.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- because as -- and I -- and
I'll ask that in a minute. But they are trying to put together a plan
within their own community, but that also includes in the case of
Golden Gate, Santa Barbara, 951, and so on, which is included in this
plan. And I don't know how recently you met with them. When I spoke
with them in the fairly recent past, they hadn't seen this document.
They weren't aware of that, and I think that's got to be an important
part of this, 'cause I think regardless of what part of the county you
go to as they try to do their own plans, they need to know what the
overall is going to look like.
MR. BOTNER: They need to know that, and as we mentioned
before, we've met throughout the county with various groups. I
personally met with the civic association out there, but it's been,
you know, over a year ago since we talked and -- and prior to your
authorization that we should complete this work. But basically,
again, I go back to the major premise for your document here, and that
is that it provides some guidelines that are flexible, but it does
have a plant list that relates to the native character of this
community. It is aerific in nature in terms of reducing the
requirements for irrigation and maintenance and all those things that,
you know, the whole community was looking for.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: No. I appreciate that, but
it also has a time schedule in here and a proposal and so on. My
point is that those areas that have taken the initiative on their own
in the past and are trying to plan for the future shouldn't simply be
told how it's going to happen. They should be a part of that
process. And if the last time you met with them was a year ago, I
suspect this document has changed an awful lot in the 12 -- last 12
months, and I don't think it existed 12 months ago. So they need to
be a part of that --
MR. BOTNER: Right.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- rather than simply told
what it says.
MR. BOTNER: Okay. Well, that leads me to the major
asterisks that I had on my notes here. This program is going to
require some ongoing management in the future. How you-all decide
that you want to manage the implementation of the master plan is
certainly up to you. Our group, Collier Naplescape, and the group of
technical advisory committee members, etc., etc., would be happy to
participate in that process. But as part of the resolution that
ultimately becomes a part of the LDC, we need to specify that out, you
know, who's going to be in charge of sort of the day-to-day management
and the annual --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Excuse me, Mr. Botner.
MR. BOTNER: -- relationship to the board.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: We're getting too far down the
road from what we're being asked to do today, and that was the reason
for my first question to Mr. Archibald. This, in fact, is a
blueprint. It says if you're going to do the medians, these are some
of the minimum requirements and plant lists that can be used to do
them. And when it comes to doing specific sections, those will still
be done on an individual basis, and we'll look at the funding and the
involvement and so forth. This is, in essence, a broad guideline, and
you should note, Commissioner Constantine, the carrotwood is not
included in the plant list.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I was disappointed to see
that.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yes, I know that. But, again,
rather than us making decisions today -- and we're not being asked to
make decisions on what's to be funded, when it's to be funded, who's
going to, you know, dot the I's and cross the T's down the road.
We're being asked to adopt a framework and direct staff to work with
the groups that you're talking about. That's what's got to happen.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I agree wholeheartedly.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: So rather than getting into that
long-term discussion here, let's deal with what's in front of us.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: More speakers?
MR. HcNEES: That's your last speaker.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: That was our last speaker?
MR. HcNEES: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. Commissioner Hac'Kie may have a
comment.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I'll let you know.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: A couple other parts -- I'm
sure you will.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: He can count on that.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: A couple other parts. The
part that concerns me with this becoming a part of the LDC and the
comp. plan, in here, you know, under the executive summary where it
says "ultimately become law," is anytime we deal with the DCA it gets
a little scary. DCA works in mysterious ways, and I just think we
need to be very clear on the record that we're doing what Commissioner
Hancock has laid out, and that is setting some goals, laying out a
blueprint. But we need to be very clear verbally and have a written
record that says these are not going to be self-imposed requirements
and that we can review year by year, and Mr. Botner has said that as
well. I want to make sure we're careful, because I don't want DCA
coming back and saying you've said to the community you're going to do
this and, by golly, you're going to find a way.
MR. BOTNER: Your master plan, I think, very clearly
states in the preface to Section 5.0, which deals with schedule and
funding, that you have absolute authority annually to review whatever
projects you may choose to implement that next year.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: And by limiting this in the
reference to the LDC, we don't involve DCA at all. MR. BOTNER: That's right.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Hang on. Mr. Betnet, let --
let's let Commissioner Constantine get through his questions.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Thank you. You mentioned 5.0
-- he's warming up for January and doing very well. 5.0, you do
mention taxes and -- and different ways to pay for this. Obviously we
love the grant section of that, but --
MR. BOTNER: The laundry list.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Right.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- as I look at road tax; gas
tax; sales tax, which we won't even -- the public doesn't even want to
build a jail with, I suspect they won't go for flowers with. We kind
of run a little thin there, and so I just -- I'm glad we have as many
options listed there as we do, but I think an awful lot of them -- MR. BOTNER: -- will fall by the wayside.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- get us in trouble, okay.
Page E-5, and I'm sure this is just a type, but the example he uses is
-- in order to complete what you've laid out, 120 miles in a 15-year
time frame, it's 8 miles.
MR. BOTNER: No. That's -- that's a mathematical type.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Can -- can I just finish the
question?
MR. BOTNER: I'm sorry.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Eight miles of landscape per
year would be required. In the past ten years -- I feel like I'm back
in fifth grade. In the past ten years Billy has built 20 miles of
road resulting an average of 2 miles per year or 1/2 the rate. Two
miles isn't half the rate --
MR. BOTNER: It's a quarter. It's a quarter of it.
That was a type.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: But the --
MR. BOTNER: In -- incidentally, this whole document is
going under great scrutiny right now. There's some spelling errors
and whatnot that we want to fix and bring back as a -- you know, a
final document.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: If there are no more public
speakers, I'd be happy to make a motion that we pass a resolution
directing staff to add this as an amendment to the LDC under the
landscape code section, with all of the understandings and all the
discussions that we've had about it being a document that will be
annually reviewed and annually discussed as far as implementation.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'd like to consider one
change, and that is 1.3.6, which is funding. And it says -- and this
is just semantics, but I want to make sure it's very clear. It says,
"It will be the prerogative of local government to assign specific
resources matched to streetscape schedules no less frequently than
annually." I'd just like to either put the word "whether to assign"
as opposed to "to assign" so it doesn't look like we're required to
assign something there. Hopefully we do every year, but I don't want
to put a requirement on ourselves.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Sure. Sure, I would agree with
that change.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: With that in mind, I'd second
your motion.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Commissioner Mac'Kie, can I ask
this for clarification on the LDC section. What I had jotted down
here is to direct staff to incorporate the document by reference as
appropriate in the Land Development Code at the next -- next cycle,
but including discussion for the various MSTU beautification groups
before doing that. I just wanted to cover those bases in the motion,
and I'd like to ask you to amend your -- the portion addressing the
LDC to reflect that as a friendly --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I certainly -- I certainly agree
with the -- yeah, no, I think both of those.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I can accept both of those.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I just had to think about it for
a second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Why don't we -- just for purposes of
clarification on the record, why don't we restate the motion in its
entirety.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Is that a test?
(Laughter)
Okay. I'll try. My motion is that we direct staff to
prepare a resolution adopting this as the streetscape master plan for
Collier County incorporating it where appropriate into the -- by
reference into the landscape code after having met with the
appropriate MSTUs prior to its incorporation into the ordinance and
with the insertion of the word "whether" in Section 1.3.6 with regard
to funding.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Pamela gets an A.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I passed.
MR. BOTNER: That was pretty darned good.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second then for
this rather lengthy motion. All those in favor signify by saying
aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Thank you, Mr. Botner.
MR. BOTNER: Thank you, Commissioners.
Item #882
RECOHMENDATION THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COHMISSIONERS ENTER INTO A
PROJECT UNDERSTANDING WITH THE IHMOKALEE BEAUTIFICATION H.S.T.U. FOR
FINANCING THEIR DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT PHASE TWO,
C.R. 29 (FROM N. 9TH STREET TO 1ST STREET) - LOAN IN FULL AMOUNT TO BE
PAID BACK IN 6 YEARS, WITH NO INTEREST; STAFF TO COME BACK WITH FUNDING
SOURCE ON 1/7/97
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Next Item, 8(B)(2), is quite similar
dealing with the Immokalee beautification HSTU.
MR. ARCHIBALD: Again, Mr. Chairman, Board. For the
record, George Archibald. Agenda Item 8(B)(2) is a request by the
Immokalee Beautification District for funding assistance of its down
time -- downtown streetscape project. The project is really Phase 2
of their improvements for Immokalee, and it involves a segment of 29
running both east and west of Immokalee Road intersection.
The project is very important from the standpoint that
it interfaces and really will be the first element of the main street
project in Immokalee. And it involves not only median landscaping,
but it also involves substantial sidewalk improvements, pedestrian
features, street lighting that includes a lot of street furnishings.
So it's a very important element of Immokalee's main street project
again.
The committee in Immokalee has spent a great deal of
effort and put in a great deal of -- of funds in designing and
permitting. And unfortunately, from a funding standpoint, we're
talking about a project that is estimated to cost approximately
$875,000 of which the district has currently approximately $600,000 in
a sinking fund to include a hundred-thousand-dollar grant. The
shortfall between those two numbers is approximately $275,000, and
that's really the issue of the agenda item today.
The committee has met on a number of occasions. They'd
like to present to the board two options of possibly funding this
project in the current year, FY '96-97, with the idea that the project
could begin the latter part of the financial year. To, in fact,
provide that funding assistance, the two options that they wanted
staff to present to the board is what's outlined in Option 1 to ask
the board to provide a funding source for the shortfall, again,
$275,000. Option 2 was to go ahead and provide a loan of $275,000
with interest. And those were the two basic options.
The staff has also provided in the report a couple of
options. One option is, of course, to consider a loan possibly
without interest if there were special payment provisions provided.
The other option, Option 4, which the staff would ask
the board to consider, is a combination loan and funding scenario, and
that involves reducing the amount of loan down to $205,000 and
supplementing the project with county funds from our bike path and our
sidewalk funds in the amount of $70,000 to represent the amount of
sidewalk and bike path and ped -- pedestrian-oriented improvements
that are being included in this project.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Does that appear on our
sidewalk list right now? We've got a sidewalk list that's been here
for four years, and we've only knocked off about 3 on the list of 23.
So I don't want to bump the remaining 20 for this project.
MR. ARCHIBALD: No. It does not because, in fact, this
is a reconstruction of downtown where we have an existing sidewalk,
but all of that has to be removed, and part of this improvement would
be to provide an improvement to that to include lighting and street
fixtures.
The alternative, of course, if the board decides not to
provide any funding assistance, would be that the district would
continue to accrue funds, place those funds in its sinking fund, and
at some point in time in the future when it has sufficient funds, to
let that contract; then they could proceed in doing just that. That,
in essence, are the alternatives that are included in the agenda item
that the staff wanted to present.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Archibald, to date -- I have
two questions. To date what funds -- and I'm not talking staff time.
What funds have been expended in the MSTU from the general fund, and
are they a part of this $875,0007
MR. ARCHIBALD: Currently there are none that I can
think of.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. ARCHIBALD: Keep in mind this is a taxing district,
and they've been funding everything to include overhead and design
costs themselves.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Are there projected funds for
this area that we saw in our five-year CIE that would now be rolled
into this project?
MR. ARCHIBALD: There are some bike path funds, but the
bike paths we need are new ones, not reconstruction of the existing
ones. So I can't think right now of any projects that are currently
funded that could provide a funding source for this.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: So whatever assistance the board
decides to provide is just outright $275,000 that is not really found
in any other fund or budgeted in any other place that you know of?
MR. ARCHIBALD: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Any other speakers, Mr. McNees?
MR. McNEES: No speakers on this item.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: No speakers? We've got folks
lined up over here.
MR. McNEES: Yes. I'm sorry. I have the wrong item.
Yes, you do have. You have four speakers. Your first would be Denise
Smith followed by Fred Thomas.
MS. SMITH: Good morning. Denise Smith, chairperson of
the Immokalee beautification committee. I'm a little nervous, so bear
with me. On behalf of the Immokalee MSTU committee, we would like to
thank you for giving the committee, its technical staff, and the
community supporters the opportunity to speak and answer any questions
you may have.
As Mr. Archibald has pointed out, the executive summary
is asking for additional funding of $275,000, and this funding would
allow the Immokalee beautification committee to move forward with its
State Route 29 project. Historically the 29 project began in 1990.
After numerous designs and redesigns, FDOT finally approved the
architectural plans in 1995. Once the plans were approved, the
committee needed additional funding to meet the project's full
monetary cost in order for the FDOT to issue the permits for our
construction. The committee began steps back in January of '96 to
approach the Board of County Commission for the additional funding
then. An executive summary was prepared in March, and a summary was
placed on the consent agenda in April; however, that executive summary
was pulled from the agenda for unknown reasons.
The committee asks that the additional funding be in the
form of a grant since precedent has been sent -- set by the Vineyards
projects, which was granted $250,000 in advance for maintenance; Davis
Boulevard project, which has been granted $27,000 for design, and
recently it was also advanced $80,000 for construction costs; also the
Collier Reserve, which was granted 50 percent of the total project
costs, plus the county has taken over the maintenance indefinitely.
Now, it's my understanding that these projects were
given precedence because they were classified as signature roadways
within the Naples urban area. I know State Route 29 through Immokalee
has not had this distinction placed upon it, but let's rethink this.
We are the northern gateway to Collier County. We have been
designated a main street zone, an enterprise zone, and a free trade
zone for the Immokalee Airport. The Immokalee Airport Industrial Park
is looking for -- to bring bus -- big industry to the Immokalee
community. With all this in mind and considering the before-mentioned
projects, I believe along with interest would be fair to the Immokalee
community.
Immokalee has consistently set its own precedence of
paying its own way with County Road 846 a prime example. Immokalee
taxpayers have already paid in taxes two-thirds of the money necessary
for this project. And according to the county staff people, we will
derive another $386,000 in ad valorem taxes over the next year. But
let's not delay our project another year depending on this tax,
because it will cause us to lose some 50,000 plus in grant money.
Immokalee State Route 29 project has the support of the
MPO, a majority of the downtown business owners, the Immokalee Airport
group, the main street group, many other community leaders, and the
community as a whole. Please grant us the money necessary to proceed
forward now without delay, not only for the betterment -- betterment
of Immokalee, but for the whole county as well. And I thank you for
your time.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I have one question. You
mentioned a couple of projects throughout the county that were median
landscape projects. Is there a difference here, because I believe
this one includes sidewalk, lighting, benches? It's not just a median
landscape project. It actually goes to the outside edges of the road
and -- and covers both sides of the roadways with sidewalks and
lighting and so forth? Is that -- is that correct?
MS. SMITH: Yes.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Thank you.
MR. McNEES: Mr. Thomas followed by Michael McGee.
MR. THOMAS: Good morning, Commissioners. Good morning,
Commissioner Berry. We talk about timing.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: What is your name, sir?
MR. THOMAS: Oh, my name is Fred Thomas, past president
of Immokalee Chamber representing the Chamber here today. We are in
Immokalee the last major area for industrial development in this
county. The county commissioners have invested significant dollars to
do some significant improvements out at the airport. We're having a
major problem, depression I would even say, in the ag business, and we
don't know where that's going with NAFTA and all of the competition
that's coming from offshore. So Immokalee is looking to change and
diversify its economic base.
And every time we try to attract businesses there,
there's always a question of our image and how we look. Our MSTU has
been working very hard on this for some time. Now we have a situation
where we can get some things done positively. And one of the things
everybody understands, even the old farmer understands, you can't get
a crop unless you make an investment on the front end and put some
seed in the ground. And we ask you commissioners to do exactly that.
Now, you could make us wait until we collect as much money in our
ad valorem taxes to do it, and that would take probably another year.
But another year will cause that total dollar amount to go up and just
increase the amount of money we're going to have to then raise at a
later time.
I think it would be a very wise investment. I think a
$275,000 outright grant would be a nice investment to help us develop
businesses and get industry to come into Immokalee, thereby increasing
the tax base in Immokalee. Okay? And I think that would be a real
good thing to do. But the option that staff is offering, a $200,000
loan interest free and a $75,000 grant, seems a -- an easy investment
to help turn around the community of Immokalee and make it a positive
income stream for this county. Thank you very much. CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you.
MR. HcNEES: Michael McGee followed by Michael Garrett.
MR. MCGEE: Good afternoon. My name is Michael McGee.
I'm the landscape design consultant that works with the beautification
district, and we prepared all the plans. I'm here today to answer any
technical information that you might need in regards to it. And,
again, I know your agenda is long. We do have some boards if you want
a full presentation, or we can continue on with a shorter one. If
it's permissible, I'd like to hand these copies of some photographs to
the commissioners.
But I'd like to probably just correct a couple of things
that I heard just earlier in regards to some of the funding. It's my
understanding that if -- if it's not funded, for the funds to be
raised to complete the project, the HSTU district generally has about
a hundred thousand a year towards capital project or -- that could go
towards developing a capital project. So it would probably take
approximately anywhere from two to three years to build up the funds
to get to the point that they'd have all the money to do it.
I do want to apologize for some of the clarity of the
pictures, but they went in through a rush, and they're a little bit
blurry. But we do have some big boards if you'd like to see them. If
not, I'm open for any questions that --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Any questions for Mr. McGee?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: One quick one.
COHMISSIONER BERRY: Go ahead.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Sorry. What comes to mind is the
phrase "Where's the beef?" I'm looking at 875,000 and not a lot of
landscaping. What's driving the cost up predominantly? What's the
big ticket here?
MR. MCGEE: It's an urban area, and the problem there
it's like retrofitting, and plus it's a state project; so we have to
abide by all the state's guidelines and installation of different
things.
One of the major costs is lighting. And one of the
factors that happened -- when we started the process in '93, we were
coming through doing kind of some accent lighting in the medians like
is done on 846.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Right.
MR. MCGEE: But what happened was about a third way
through the process, the state came back and found that their light
levels were below their own standards on 29, and so they implemented a
-- I call it a work program project and funded some money to redo all
the lighting down 29. Well, it wasn't in coordination with what this
project was happening, and so what we did is continued to talk with
them. And they agreed and we've got it to the point of they're going
to coordinate with us and allow the county to actually handle the
project so that the lighting installation -- they're going to provide
a hundred thousand in funds, and that's part of what was in there
towards that. But that's a major cost, is getting this lighting and
the fixtures in place.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Commissioner Berry.
COMHISSIONER BERRY: That's the question I had, is in
regard to the lighting. What is that going to look like?
MR. MCGEE: There's some pictures. And if you flip back
on one of the sheets, there's some pictures in there. The small
pictures of accent lighting are the ones like on 846. COMHISSIONER BERRY: Right. Go ahead.
MR. MCGEE: There's two other fixtures involved. One is
a simple street light fixture which will go intermediately between
what are those street planters that you see. And then at the street
planter locations, there's a combination of that fixture, the street
light fixture, with the accent fixture banner arm and lower pedestrian
light.
Just to kind of give you an idea of what's out there,
the light levels that were generated through the -- or recorded by the
FDOT were below 1 foot candle, which is below their standard. This
process will put it up to an average of 3.1 foot candles throughout
the area.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: You didn't pay anyone from Miami
to tell you what color to paint these, did you?
MR. MCGEE: No. The color was selected through the
beautification committee through --
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Careful.
MR. MCGEE: -- a presentation, and that's the color they
chose to go with, and we have existing fixtures on 846 and --
COMMISSIONER BERRY: But it's going to bring the
lighting up considerably on Main --
MR. MCGEE: Considerably. It's almost -- at the average
it's three times higher than what -- right now you're at 1 foot candle
or less out on the roadway, and it will bring it to an average of 3.1,
actually.
COMMISSIONER BERRY: All I can say to the rest of the
commissioners, I know that is a very important project. They're
trying to certainly beef up that particular area and -- and try and
spruce things up and get ready for something to happen hopefully at
the airport so --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Which seems to me like a
no-brainer to go ahead and do some sort of loan -- CHAIRMAN NORRIS: I think we have one more.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Okay. -- to make sure we can
make it a reality. I'm uncomfortable -- I'm not ready to give a
grant. Denise mentioned the precedent. But I think in terms of
whether it's Bayshore, Golden Gate Parkway, or out on Marco, or we can
find any number of places throughout the community that have
substantial traffic that have had to pay for their own, but Fred's
absolutely right. We don't need to wait a couple of years to make
this happen. I'm also uncomfortable with 70,000 on the sidewalk for
the very same reason I said before, and that is we have a list. I've
been on the commission four years. We had a list with 23 projects. I
think we've completed three of them because our funds set aside
specifically for bike paths and sidewalks are so sparse. And so I'm
not ready to jump this above those 20 projects that have literally
been waiting years, and this is actually just a rebuild. But if the
community wants to undertake it itself and we can help make that a
reality by doing a loan now, I think that's great. CHAIRMAN NORRIS: One more speaker?
MR. HcNEES: Michael Garrett is your last public
speaker.
MR. GARRETT: Good morning. My name's Michael Garrett.
I'm the Immokalee Main Street coordinator. And the good thing about
going last is everybody else took what I was going to say; so let me
just say thank you for your time. This is a very big community
project, and hopefully this will help get the ball rolling. So thank
you for your time.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Can I ask, Mr. Archibald, what is
fund 3417
MR. ARCHIBALD: Fund 341 is an assessment fund where
there's dollars that are rolling over year after year for assessment
project funding. So I believe that there were sufficient funds in
there for loan purposes if the board so directs.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Like Commissioner Constantine,
I'm all in favor of a loan for the full amount with terms of payback
at no interest to be determined between transportation and the folks
doing the project. As long as we're comfortable those funds are in
excess and -- and we don't need them, we can be flexible on that
payback and do it at no interest.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Can I just suggest do it at
whatever interest rate we would carry so we don't actually make a
dollar on it, but we don't lose any money either that way.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Agreed. The funds sitting in
there right now are not accruing anything, to my understanding. So --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Mr. HcNees, you got some advice
on that?
MR. HcNEES: Whatever funds we would have in reserve
would be drawing interest, yes, and the staff probably wouldn't
object. Generally when we do interfund loans, we do it in exactly
that manner at whatever the -- whatever our opportunity cost is of --
of not being able to invest that money, we would -- we would pay
interest from fund to fund; so staff would agree to that.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I'm going to support an
interest-free loan so just for what it's worth.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I guess there's -- the only
thing we need to be aware of, there is an expense -- COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Right.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- the general fund is
incurring then, and I'm not comfortable with that.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: What was the nominal percentage
of interest over a period of four or five years. But if that's the
only dollars that we put into this project from the general tax fund,
I'm comfortable with that. You know, obviously -- yeah, I'd love to
-- I'd love to grant the funds but fiscally can't do it; so I think
this is something we can do.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: If that's a motion, I'll second
it.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Let me explain why I have the
concern.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: It may only be ten or fifteen
thousand dollars in interest. But if we have beautification projects
or other projects all over the county that require loans and if we
start with one, we run the risk of others saying -- we're hard-pressed
to say no on any other similar loan, and those start to add up pretty
soon if you have five or ten different projects going.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Let me in the form of a motion
try and make it specific enough that we -- the board approve a loan in
the total amount for funding three -- from Fund 341 with no interest
and a payback of up to six years, and the purpose for that loan with
no interest is that the county has invested significant dollars in the
industrial development at the airport. This is a gateway to that, and
without this, that's going to have a tough time getting off the
ground.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second.
MR. WEIGEL: Mr. Chairman, excuse me. Pardon me. Just
one comment, and that is it appears that you're using that Fund 341 as
the element for disbursal of funds here. This is a taxing district,
not an assessment district, and there are statutory limitations on
pledging ad valorem, for instance, to pay back debt or projects into
the future. Typically, for instance, with a capital project we get
over the hurdle of -- of long-term debt in an ad valorem district when
you go through the -- like the bond mechanism to pay for something all
up front. But when you go and pay over a period of years, Chapter 125
provides, I think, a requirement for referendum. I would suggest that
if you're going to get into long-term debt payment with an ad valorem
pledge of more than two years. So I think that there -- it may be a
little problematical, and I would like the ability to advise the board
in -- in that regard a little further than -- than today's hearing.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'll -- let me see if I can solve
that problem by revising the motion to not identify specifically Fund
341, but to identify those rollover funds available for the project,
and that would give us, I believe, the latitude to -- to determine
those funds without putting ourselves in a sticky situation.
MR. WEIGEL: Well, I think the question is really in
regard to the payback -- COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. WEIGEL: -- because that requires the HSTU no matter
what fund it's paying back into to have an obligation of payback
beyond a two-year statutory period; that is the statutory sticky issue
there.
MR. HcNEES: It's not the source of the loan proceeds,
rather the source of the repayment.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Scratch the revision then and
just ask the county attorney to help us work through that to the best
of your ability.
MR. WEIGEL: I certainly would. I might suggest even
working with the finance committee and coming back to the board with
some enhanced recommendation in that regard, perhaps even at the next
meeting, January 7th, if it works for you.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I would have appreciated that
that element be pointed out before it be listed as an option in our
executive summary so that we could have either scratched it or
considered others. But we'll -- I'll let the mot -- I'll just leave
the motion stand as a commitment of that -- that amount and ask that
you come back with the appropriate funding source --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: For the repayment period?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- for the repayment period for a
final approval by this board. That's the best I can do, I'm afraid.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second agrees.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
MR. WEIGEL: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you. And thank you very much to
the beautification district for all their fine work on this. This is
a great project. I know it's going to help a lot out in the Immokalee
area.
MR. THOMAS: Thank you very, very much. We might be
able to get some state funds early on; so we might be able to pay it
back over two years so we eliminate the problem for you. You know, if
that's the understanding, we'll try to do that rather than delay this
decision.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
MR. THOMAS: Thank you.
Item #9A
RESOLUTION 96-590, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT EXCEEDING
$16,500,000 IN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA,
SPECIAL OBLIGATION REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 1997, TO REFUND CERTAIN
OUTSTANDING INDEBTEDNESS OF THE COUNTY - ADOPTED
MR. McNEES: Mr. Chairman, the bond counsel
representative is here if you'd like to proceed with our ten o'clock
item.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Is he charging us by the hour?
MR. McNEES: I expect he is.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Then let's go to him.
MR. McNEES: He's probably getting paid by the deal on
this one.
MR. MILLER: I'm Steve Miller with Nabors, Giblin, and
Nickarson in Tampa, Florida; and, no, we're not charging by the hour.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Good.
MR. MILLER: I wanted to point out there are two --
there were some changes to the resolution that was handed out in your
agenda packages that were required by the bond insurer and the rating
agencies. The county attorney has the updated resolutions. I wanted
to point out two changes to the title which is printed in the agenda.
Instead of the not exceeding 15 million dollar amount, at the advice
of your financial advisor, it is not exceeding 16 1/2. That was
because of a fear that the insurance company was going to require a
large reserve account. They did not. They required a -- a much
smaller reserve.
There's -- also in the title to the resolution, we have
also inserted a provision identifying the security and repayment
source for these bonds, and I will just quote that insert.
Covenanting to budget and appropriate certain legally available
nonad valorem funds to pay debt service on the bonds.
The basic changes to your -- to this resolution were the
requirements of the insurance company to include a reserve fund for
this deal, which is funded at about half of what most reserve funds
are funded at, and there is an antidilution test in there, which is
neither of those requirements by the insurance company were a
surprise.
So to go forward with this, this is a delegation
resolution that delegates to the chairman the authority to go forward
and issue bonds if the interest rate market allows the parameters set
forth in Section 202, which is on page 10 of the resolution. If all
those parameters are met, the chairman may go forward and issue the
bonds.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: What is the projected realized
income savings or dollar savings?
MR. MILLER: If the financial advisor were here -- I'm
really not in a position to answer that. There is a require -- what
we're doing with this is taking commercial paper, which is very short
term, taking it longer term. So it's more of a restructuring. I
think there's some savings, but it's more of a restructuring of the --
of the debt of the county.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Commercial paper is also somewhat
volatile, and it can change year to year -- MR. MILLER: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- in a low fixed rate so that we
can't get burned over the long haul.
MR. MILLER: Absolutely. That's the goal.
MR. McNEES: Commissioner, the other update would be --
as it stands today, having spoken to the financial advisor yesterday,
we would not quite meet the target that you set, which is the 4.6
percent that's on page 10, and we will be essentially just staying
tuned to the market. It's expected that sometime after January 1st we
will probably hit that target and are not recommending issuing bonds
immediately, but we'll just have to watch the market. And when we hit
the target, we'll be ready, once you've adopted this resolution, to
move forward quickly.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: So we're going to save from a
budgetary standpoint an annual reduced payment on these particular
bonds over what we were experiencing in the commercial paper program?
MR. McNEES: That's our assumption given how well we can
predict what our fixed-rate instruments will do, which is not very
well. So that's where your target comes from. We're saying that if
fixed rates are at 4.6 or below, we think it's a good move to fix the
rates as opposed to run the annual variable rate lottery.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: And upon issuance we will have
those numbers in hand? MR. McNEES: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. I'm going to move approval
of the resolution that we authorize the issuance of an amount not to
exceed 60,500,000 in bonds, special obligation revenue bonds.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
MR. MILLER: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Let's take a short break and let our
court reporter change paper.
(A short break was held.)
Item #883
EMERGENCY DECLARED. ORDINANCE 96-84 CREATING THE RADIO ROAD
BEAUTIFICATION MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNIT - ADOPTED
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Ladies and gentlemen, we'll reconvene
our meeting. Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. We'll
reconvene our meeting here.
Mr. Archibald, this next item is yours, municipal
service taxing unit for a beautification district on Radio Road.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We'll be looking for an
interest-free loan there. Sorry.
MR. ARCHIBALD: Board members, agenda Item 8(B)(3) is an
emergency ordinance to consider the creation of the Radio Road
beautification municipal service taxing unit. For short, we'll refer
to it just as a Radio Road HSTU.
The ordinance is being processed at this time to meet
the end-of-year requirement, and as a result staff couldn't meet the
two-week advertising requirement, and that's -- that's why you're
seeing it on your agenda item, not under public hearing, but under
public works and also being considered as a emergency ordinance.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Archibald, this won't
begin any tax; all it does is make it legal and possible if they vote
to have a tax for themselves this coming year that it could begin in
the fall; is that correct?
MR. ARCHIBALD: Yes. It's strictly the mechanism that
would allow a future district for landscaping Radio Road.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to
make a motion that we declare an emergency and approve this item so
that we can meet the year-end calendar.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Speakers?
MR. HcNEES: You have none.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Next item, 8(B)(4), report to the board on the status of
the extension of Airport Road from Immokalee Road to Piper Boulevard.
MR. ARCHIBALD: Board members, agenda Item 8(B)(4) is a
report on the type of bridge structure --
MR. WEIGEL: Okay, pardon me. The board just in this --
in the previous agenda item declared the emergency and voted with the
appropriate supermajority for the emergency. Then the next step on
that agenda item would then be to vote for the approval of the
ordinance.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We did that all in one motion. Do we
need two separate motions?
MR. WEIGEL: I would prefer that if you could do two
motions in that regard.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
MR. WEIGEL: Thank you.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Well, considering that the
first motion will suffice as declaring the emergency, I'll now make a
motion that we approve the item.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: A motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
MR. WEIGEL: And I would also declare for the record
that notwithstanding that we couldn't meet the statutory time period
for advertisement, that an advertisement was placed and did appear in
the Naples Daily News in this regard.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you. Now, Mr. Archibald.
Item #884
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF AIRPORT ROAD FROM
IHMOKALEE ROAD TO PIPER BOULEVARD AND ON THE STATUS OF THE PIPER
BOULEVARD CONNECTOR FROM CYPRESS WAY EAST TO EUCLID AVENUE - STAFF TO
CONTINUE WORKING ON THIS ISSUE
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Archibald, before we go
too far, could you explain to me why we're doing this?
MR. ARCHIBALD: Yeah. This particular agenda item dates
back to mid -- midyear when the board directed staff to go ahead and
develop an alignment and a bridge schedule and an estimate of cost to
implement the extension of Airport Road to what will be Piper
Boulevard when it's extended between both Palm River and Willoughby
Acres.
The purpose behind it is twofold. One is to provide
bridge access to Palm River during the time frame in which the Palm
River Boulevard Bridge will be removed and rebuilt. Also, this will
provide access for Willoughby Acres at a signalized location to
eliminate some concerns that currently exist at the intersection of
Euclid and Immokalee Road.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Which is the primary reason?
MR. ARCHIBALD: The first. That is, to provide bridge
access during the time the Palm River Bridge is removed.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'll call that the initiator,
because that's what really got the ball rolling on this, because we
have some funds coming in from South Florida for the replacement of
that bridge.
The reason I made a request of this is at the last
hearing was, as Mr. Archibald said, twofold. First is that that is
the only light in and out of Palm River, and we have a lot of families
and a nice mix in that community. The second thing is Willoughby has
never had a light.
COHMISSIONER BERRY: And that's been a big concern, and
that's where I come into this whole thing.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: The third is Cypress Way East;
that bridge is dangerous and needs to be removed. So we're talking
about reconstructing one, removing another, and not providing anything
else.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Other than that, though, is
there a reason?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Other than that, I can't think of
anything. So -- but that's kind of the shotgun approach, all of those
things. And I think Commissioner Norris is the one that said it last
time -- or I said it and he nodded -- that this should have been done
a long time ago. We really should have bridged that area in the
past.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: The late '60s.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Any speakers on this item?
MR. HcNEES: No, sir, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Any other questions from the board?
Motion, please.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Chairman, I make a motion
we accept the status report and direct staff to continue working
toward the completion of this project within the time frame and
funding scenario presented so eloquently by Mr. Archibald.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Archibald, when do we plan on
having those numbers back for the necessary budget amendments that
were -- for that time?
MR. ARCHIBALD: Probably the first quarter of the new
year we'll have a report back to the board, not only on the financing
of it, but probably we'll have our first design report for the board.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Great. Thank you.
Item #8C1
STAFF TO PREPARE REPORT FOR THE 1/14/97 MEETING REGARDING A DISCUSSION
ITEM TO THE COLLIER COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION REGARDING A PROPOSED
AMENDMENT TO SECITON 125.0104, FLORIDA STATUTES, THAT WOULD PERMIT THE
USE OF TOURIST TAXES TO PURCHASE LAND FOR ADDITIONAL PUBLIC BEACH
PARKING FACILITIES AND FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING PUBLIC
BEACH PARKING FACILITIES AND TO ACQUIRE OR USE TOURIST TAX FUNDS FOR
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BEACH ACCESS AREAS
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: 8(C)(1), recommendation that
commissioners authorize staff to present a discussion item to the
Collier County legislative delegation.
MR. OLLIFF: Good morning, Commissioners. For the
record, Tom Olliff, your public services administrator. This item is
just that; it's a request that you authorize your staff to be able to
make a presentation to the legislative delegation at their meeting on
the 16th now which would amend Florida general law and would allow for
counties to be able to use tourist development taxes to be able to
purchase additional beach parking properties or beach access
properties or to be able to improve properties that the county may
already own and -- and wish to use for beach parking or accesses.
The -- the actual statute is very, very specific in
terms of what tourist development taxes can be -- be used for. And
oddly enough, this is one of the uses that was not included in that
statute. And -- and while the tax can be used for beach maintenance,
beach renourishment, there is nothing in the ordinance that allows for
the improvements associated with beach parking. And in Collier
County's case this board is all too familiar with the fact that beach
parking is at a premium. We have done all we can to maximize the --
the beach parking lands that you currently have available. We have
just recently made a very large investment in renourishing the
existing beaches that we have, but without some improvements and some
additions in terms of public beach parking, it -- it's a difficult
thing for the public to be able to access the beaches that we just
spent so much money to improve.
The other issue that we think the legislature will
consider is that the purpose of the tax was to enhance tourism. And
if -- as you know, most of the properties that are beachfront and
developable for hotel and motel uses are already done so. So most of
the hotels that you see being developed today are inland. And those
people who are coming to Collier County and staying at those hotels
have to rely on public beach accesses in order to be able to avail
themselves of public beach. So for those reasons we're asking that
you authorize your staff to be able to make that presentation. We're
sorry that we didn't have it in bill format already for you, but we
think that the legislative delegation will support this.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: This is one of those dichotomies;
the state says you can use the money to make your beaches great, but
you can't use it to let people park and enjoy them. I think we need
to establish a priority, though.
The funds primarily should be used for renourishment.
And I don't want renourishment hindered in allocating any dollars for
potential or future beach parking. So in presenting this to the
state, obviously I'm supportive of it, but only in the sense that it
does not sacrifice your ability and scheduled ability to renourish the
beaches. I don't want to, you know, do one at the sacrifice of the
other.
The second element is -- I think you may know; we've
been dealing with the state on an access question at the south end of
Delnor-Wiggins asking for 10 feet there. And what we hear is that the
beach is too crowded or something silly like that at Delnor-Wiggins.
So, again, spend the money to renourish the beach, but don't let
anybody else use them. These things don't make sense.
So I would like to see in some format this proposed to
the delegation and ask for their assistance. In addition, I'd like to
ask for their assistance in working with the state agencies to try and
accomplish an innocuous easement to the south of Delnor-Wiggins so our
people can access this beach that we've just renourished.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Just a procedural question,
and that is I assume if we're successful in lobbying our legislators,
this will change state law. There would be a second step; we would
have to then change our local ordinance? MR. OLLIFF: Yes.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Commissioner Berry.
COMMISSIONER BERRY: Is this supported locally by the
TDC, this idea?
MR. OLLIFF: The idea was actually brought up by the TDC
several years ago, and an attorney's opinion was requested and
rendered that said that in order to be able to do this, it would have
to have an amendment to the statute. So I took from that that there
was interest on the part of the TDC, at least at that time. We have
not broached the TDC with this only because it was not a funding
request that they -- they generally make recommendations on. However,
if this were authorized and an amendment to the ordinance were
actually developed, that would process itself through the TDC back
before this board before the ordinance was amended, and then, of
course, any funding requests would also go that route.
COMMISSIONER BERRY: My reason for this is if there
needed to be any lobbying effort if, indeed, this is approved, that
that group could certainly be called on to lobby in behalf of this on
the state level.
MR. OLLIFF: That's a good idea.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: If they're supportive of it,
which I'm very curious to know.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: We don't have an official
position, but as I mentioned to one of the members in a meeting
yesterday, not all the properties are on the beach. And all of those
inland properties that pay into the bed taxes, their guests would like
to use the beach, too, and they need to park generally to do that.
I think the TDC would be remiss in not at least, you know, supporting
it in part.
COHMISSIONER BERRY: I'd like to hear from them.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Certainly.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: The -- when is the legislative
delegation?
MR. OLLIFF: My understanding, it's been pushed to
January 16th now, and as far as I knew late last week, it hadn't
changed since then.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. Can we have Hiss Gansel then
put that on the TDC agenda for the January meeting? She is indicating
yes.
MR. OLLIFF: I -- I don't know when the meeting was. I
recall that I know I checked on it. Whether or not they had a meeting
before I could get to this county commission meeting, they didn't. So
if there is a meeting before the 16th, we will have it on their
agenda.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Not before the 16th.
MS. GANSEL: Excuse me. Jean Gansel from the budget
office. The next TDC meeting is on January 20th. However, if -- we
can call a special meeting regarding this or poll the members if
that's the desire of the board to do so.
COHMISSIONER BERRY: I'd like to know if they support
this.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I would too.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yeah. Let -- can we leave it to
their chairman as an option whether to poll the members or call a
special meeting? But either way we would request their input prior to
the board meeting before the 16th.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I guess if -- it's going to
be Commissioner Norris's discretion, but I hope it's not simply
polling them, because I think somehow you don't get the same
discussion when you pick up the phone and run through with each
individual as opposed to having a conversation like we are right now.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Agreed. My only thought is that
if they are so -- if there's no question about their support for it,
why should we require them to have a special meeting? I would like to
leave that option available to them, you know, in case --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: You are such an optimist.
MR. OLLIFF: What I'd suggest then is that I'll go ahead
and schedule this for the delegation's agenda and bring this back to
you on your meeting of the 14th, January 14th, and -- and give you an
update as to what the TDC's recommendation is. And then should you
decide you don't want to have that on the legislative delegation, we
can always withdraw it from consideration before the 16th.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: In addition, could I ask if it's
the board's -- if the board agrees to ask staff to prepare a separate
statement regarding the request for an access easement to the south of
Delnor-Wiggins State Park for board discussion on the 14th and
possible presentation to the delegation on the 16th?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Great idea.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. The -- the other question, Miss
Gansel, what -- what would preclude us from changing the date of the
TDC meeting to the 13th?
MS. GANSEL: We -- we advertise the meetings at the
beginning of the year. What I would suggest, that if we have a
special meeting on the 13th and continue with the regular-scheduled
meeting on the 20th would maybe be a better way of approaching it.
But there would be no problem with having a special meeting on the
13th.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. Thank you. No action is needed
on that then, Mr. Olliff?
MR. OLLIFF: No, sir.
Item #BE1
FUNDING TO THE NAPLES AREA CHAMBER OF COHMERCE FOR $125,000 TOURIST
DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY B FUNDS - APPROVED
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: All right. Our next item then is
8(E)(1), funding for the Naples Area Chamber of Commerce, 125,000,
TDC, Category B.
MS. GANSEL: Good morning, Commissioners. Jean Gansel
from the budget office. The next three items are all tourist
development requests for funding. The -- all the applications were
reviewed at their December 2nd meeting. I'm very happy to report that
all three of these applications received unanimous support from the
Tourist Development Council. I haven't been able to report that in
awhile.
The first item is -- is for Category B, the advertising
and promotion funds. And this is -- the applicant was -- the Naples
Area Chamber of Commerce had requested $125,000 to provide the
fulfillment aspect of the -- for the North Naples area for promotion.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Do we have public speakers on any of
these items?
MR. HcNEES: You have none.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. Do we have questions from the
board?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I don't have any. Mr. Chairman,
I'm going to move approval of Item 8(E)(1).
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #8E2
FUNDING TO THE NAPLES AREA ACCOHODATIONS ASSOCIATION FOR $489,058 FOR
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY B FUNDS - APPROVED
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: 8 (B (2) .
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I will move approval of Item
8 (B) (2) .
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
Item #8E3
FUNDING TO THE MARCO ISLAND YHCA FOR $120,000 FOR THE 1997 MARCO ISLAND
SPORTS FESTIVAL, TOURIST DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY C FUNDS - APPROVED
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: On the third item I got a
question.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. I'll just hold off on --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Last year -- there was some
question raised about last year the gentleman who organized it paying
himself a salary or something for running the event. That hadn't been
listed in the application. What's the situation for this year?
MS. GANSEL: Okay. That -- with regard to last year --
and, of course, this application is a different applicant --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Right.
MS. GANSEL: -- and such, but it was not listed as
salary when the request for funding came through. It was appropriate
for promotion, which was the line item that was included in their
budget. This had been done with other people. The line item of the
budget was more specific as to the purpose as to exactly who would be
receiving the funding.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I realize we have a different
entity this year. But I assume the question may have been asked at
TDC, but -- but we don't have fifteen or twenty thousand of a hundred
and twenty thousand set aside to pay whomever it is that has brought
this to us.
MS. GANSEL: Exactly. And there is -- in fact, in this
application on page 24 we do have the budget that is being proposed,
and as -- the fourth column of numbers over is how they anticipate
spending the $120,000 that would be from TDC funds, and you'll notice
that there is a salary here. That will not be for the promoters or
the people that are conducting the event. This will be for officials
for some clerical support. There will not be the same situation --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: This is a wonderful event.
With that I'll yield to Commissioner Hancock.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'll move approval of 8(E)(3).
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: As a footnote to those three
items, hopefully the checklist that the TDC is forming now will
include in it more detailed budget information in the future?
MS. GANSEL: Yes. There is a subcommittee that has met
and is continuing to meet and will be bringing their recommendations
back to both the full TDC and the board. COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Great.
MS. GANSEL: Thank you, Commissioners.
Item #8E4
YEAR-END REPORT ON REVENUES FOR FISCAL YEAR 1996 - PRESENTED
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Mr. Smykowski, you have a report for
us on revenues.
MR. SHYKOWSKI: Yes, Mr. Chairman. Good morning. For
the record, Michael Smykowski, budget director. I've got a year-end
report on revenues for fiscal year '96. Essentially what it does is
compares actual revenues received to the budget figures as well as to
the amounts forecast during the budget process, and the -- the
importance of the -- the amounts forecast in the budget process is
that our -- our cash balances to be brought forward -- what we call
carryforward is predicated on our forecast revenues and expenses.
essentially when you get down to the end of the year, the forecast
revenue figures become actually more important than the budgeted.
I am happy to report on page 3 of the executive summary,
in most cases with minor deviations, all revenues are in excess of the
amounts forecast. I'll just highlight a few of the areas of
significance. The half-cent sales tax, as you will recall, based on
the information contained in our third-quarter revenue report, we had
upped those estimates, and the actual revenue received was slightly in
excess of our revised estimate in September. So that will provide
some additional revenue to the general fund. There was a 1.1 percent
vari -- positive variance.
We had also revised upwards the state revenue-sharing
estimates in September prior to the final millage rate being set on
September 18th. There was no variance from the revised figure that we
had provided at that point. The gas taxes, for the most part, were
fine. Ambulance revenues exceeded the amount forecast.
Building permits and road impact fees, our construction
activity remained strong during the fourth quarter. There are
positive variances within each of those categories. As part of the --
the building permit variance is significant. As you will recall, we
had discussed the -- based on the decision to transition some of the
community development functions from ad valorem taxes to permits,
there was a question as to the need for a fee increase within
community development. That was also a -- an item of discussion Mr.
Ward from the CBIA focused on at the final public hearing. In fact,
Mr. Cautero is bringing the revised fee schedule for community
development, and you'll hear that this afternoon as part of your
public hearings.
We re -- we recognize the fact during the third-quarter
revenue report that there would be revenue in excess of the amount in
the budget. We just felt that, though, administratively it made more
sense to just fix that once as opposed to take an interim step on
September 18th and then be changing it again based on actual -- actual
receipts in FY '96 at that point.
Beach parking fees, there was just a slight deviation
from our revised forecast of 405,000.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Help me remember. When did we
revise that forecast? At what point in the year did we look at and
change the forecast?
MR. SHYKOWSKI: For?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: For that one, for example. Do
you know? I mean, we orig -- it was originally almost 60 percent
under budget, and then we changed the forecast, and now it's only
about 3 percent under budget. I was just wondering at what point in
the year we --
MR. SHYKOWSKI: We recognized that fairly early on. The
first quarter we were projecting a shortfall and -- and recognize that
in the budget process.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: How timely.
MR. SHYKOWSKI: And the numbers that were finally
forecast were the 405 versus the budget of 938. So that was
recognized quite early on in the process. And next year we budgeted
550,000 as the meters for beach parking will be in place for the full
season. You'll recall last year we had problems with, A, poor winter
weather, and in addition, the meters weren't installed in a lot of
cases until late December missing the first bulk of the tourist
season.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I remember why. I just couldn't
remember when.
MR. SMYKOWSKI: Sure.
So in general terms, the report is -- is quite
positive. There's no major shortfalls noted. There's no corrective
action or anything that's required at this point. This is just -- as
we report quarterly throughout the year, this is just telling you how
we finished up compared to what we -- what we thought we'd be.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I think, more importantly, it
shows the office of management and budget, although being slightly
conservative, has been on the mark with their projections. And I
think there have been past accusations of some shell game with those
projections, and this obviously shows that's not the case. I think
you're to be congratulated.
MR. SMYKOWSKI: And where we've been wrong, we've used
this measure as a means to take the corrective action necessary in the
case of the beach parking fees or the sales tax revenues. As we
recognized we'd get additional revenue, your final millage rate
decision was based on information contained in our third-quarter
report. So we're trying to provide you with the best information
possible for you to make your decisions.
Item #8E5
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE A BUDGET AMENDMENT RECOGNIZING AND
APPROPRIATING CARRY FORWARD IN THE GENERAL FUND - APPROVED
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: This next item yours as well?
MR. SMYKOWSKI: Yes. This is -- Item 8(E)(5) is
appropriating carryforward within the general fund.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Smykowski, I just need to
interrupt for a minute and make a motion that we approve budget
amendments recognizing carryforward as described herein and authorize
the transfer of $267,000 to Fund 490.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #8E6
FISCAL YEAR 1996 PILOT GAINSHARING PROGRAM RESULTS - APPROVED
Next item, 8(E)(6), fiscal year 1996 pilot gainsharing
program results.
MR. SHYKOWSKI: Yes, sir. As you'll recall, the board
had expressed interest in staff developing a gainsharing program for
FY '96. The county manager did develop a pilot program with incentive
rewards for participating departments that achieved or surpassed
established performance measurement criteria while also maintaining
their quality standards. The three participating departments were the
library; facilities management, the maintenance services section; and
the utilities water department. Proposed gainsharing was based on
meeting goals in the areas of efficiency of output as measured by
actual unit cost versus target unit cost for library materials
circulated, gallons of water produced, and square footage maintained.
Savings generated from budget would be 50-50 between participating
department and the board. It was further agreed that as the -- the
budget was predicated on a 3 percent attrition rate, that we would
back out 3 percent attrition, and that has been done.
There -- there is a note, though, the pay plan
adjustment in FY '96 was unanticipated and unbudgeted; and, therefore,
it was not included in the unit cost targets for each of the
respective departments. As such, we have backed the -- the associated
cost of the pay plan adjustment out of the department's actual
expenditures prior to calculating savings.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Smykowski, let me make
sure I understand this. Through their hard work the library
department identified 107,000 in savings, the facilities management
saved over 54,000, and our water department saved over $600,0007
MR. SMYKOWSKI: Yes.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Wow.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: It seems that we accomplished a
set-out goal here.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: It should be expanded for next
year to other departments so that we have more success.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: It appears to be working well, Mr.
Smykowski.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: You need some approval for us
to -- for the gainsharing?
MR. SMYKOWSKI: Yes, indeed, Mr. Chairman. Bonuses --
as identified, employee bonuses would be awarded, as well as setting
aside money for discretionary department purchases and professional
development training.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: So moved.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: And, importantly, we lower the
bar a notch for next year and see how well we go.
MR. McNEES: And I judge from the look on
Mr. Smykowski's face, he may be recommending the gainsharing budget
analyst be added to his staff next year. This is a lot of work for
his people.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Was it the dark circles under his
eyes that gave that away?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Somewhere in all those savings
there may be the funds to do that.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
MR. SMYKOWSKI: That's probably more a function of the
baby not sleeping.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: It could be that.
MR. SMYKOWSKI: Thank you.
Item #9B
BOARD CONSIDERATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO TOURISM GRANT PROGRAM AGREEHENT
DATED DECEMBER 27, 1995, BY AND BETWEEN PGA TOUR, INC., AND COLLIER
COUNTY - STAFF RECOHMENDATION APPROVED
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Next item is 9(B), board consideration
of voter amendment to tourism grant program agreement.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: And how appropriate that just
three seconds ago we're handed the executive summary for this item.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Miss Ashton.
MS. ASHTON: Good morning, Commissioners. For the
record I'm Heidi Ashton, assistant county attorney. The item before
you is as a result of some report that's being issued by the internal
audit department. They've identified some amendments that we need to
make to some of our contracts to reflect the way these contracts are
actually being paid.
I've listed the PGA Tour contract and four other
contracts. The PGA Tour is for Category C money, and the other four
are for Category B. These contracts are actually payment contracts
rather than reimbursement contracts, and the internal audit department
has advised that we amend our contracts accordingly.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Well, who decided that they were
payment instead of reimbursement contracts? We approved them, and
they said they were reimbursement contracts. So who made the decision
that they were actually payment instead of reimbursement?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Well, when you allocate Category
B funds to an organization, NATB, that exists solely for the purpose
of expending those funds, what are we reimbursing? They create no
revenue --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I don't have a problem with
that. I have a problem with the golf tournament.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Well, wait a minute. These are all
the same circumstance.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Including the one we just
approved for the Marco Island YHCA.
MS. ASHTON: Apparently since this program was
instituted, the contracts have always stated "reimbursement."
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Uh-huh.
MS. ASHTON: I wasn't aware that there was a distinction
between the payment and reimbursement, and to that effect I'll take
responsibility for the error. All Category B funds are payment. They
are never reimbursement, and I didn't -- I didn't realize that, and so
this contract -- I don't know if there are any other Category C
contracts that will require amendment at this point. Our TDC
coordinator can take a look at the rest of the contracts that are
still outstanding. We're amending the -- our standard contract. The
previous contracts that you approved will provide for payment
contracts rather than reimbursement.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I understand for Category B '-
I'm sorry. No, I'm confused. The golf tournament comes out of
which?
MS. ASHTON: It requested Category B funds but was
directed to use Category C funds instead.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: And -- and so I understand that
it's different from, for example, the tourism board; true or false?
MS. ASHTON: It might be better for somebody else from
the finance department or our TDC coordinator to answer that finance
side of it.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: The application we just approved
for the Marco YMCA for the -- the event down there, is that
reimbursement or payment?
MS. ASHTON: I believe it's reimbursement, but I don't
know if our TDC coordinator is here to address -- I don't see her.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: The difference in reimbursement
and payment is, do you submit a paid invoice that says I have spent
this money, please reimburse me, or do you submit a bill that says
please pay this bill?
MS. ASHTON: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: And in some cases do you submit
an estimate that says I think it might cost this much? Please give me
the money. And that's apparently what's been happening, and that's
just unacceptable.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: If you go back in Category C,
we've been doing payment more than reimbursement. A perfect example
is the outdoor theater thing we just did. So if we're going to pull
all of them back, let's pull them all back now.
MS. ASHTON: Yeah. That is one contract that may
require amendment at this point.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Because that one
specifically was payment. We knew that going in, and we did it
anyway.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Which one?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: The outdoor theater.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Epic.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: No, it came out. I mean, I
couldn't vote on that one, but I looked at the contract. It says
reimbursement. They know they have to go to get a line of credit
somewhere and get -- and spend the money and then get reimbursed.
That's what their contract said.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. That wasn't their
presentation.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Yes. But, see, that's the problem.
They all say that where some of them have been paid.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Let me -- you know, quite
obviously, Commissioner Mac'Kie, you have stated several times you
have a real problem with the -- the golf tournament expenses anyway.
My point is, rather than an individual -- and pardon the term. I
can't think of -- vendetta or problem with that one, we really need to
talk about the whole of Category C, not just the tournament. And if
we're going to go back to previous approvals that allowed for a
payment scenario --
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Let's bring them all back.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- we're going to have to go way
back. Now, my point is that some areas it may be appropriate payment,
other areas an appropriate reimbursement depending on the entity
holding the event and what the county's role and involvement may be.
If we don't have the flexibility to determine that, then what we're
saying is you have to have the money before you can have the event.
It's kind of like needing a hundred-thousand-dollar loan and asking --
and having to provide a hundred thousand dollars in collateral.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I agree that changes need to be
made. What I object to is that on today's agenda is the golf
tournament that we're going to -- we're being asked to change last
year's contract, which they have not even complied with the minimum
standards of last year's contract. They haven't -- they -- they have,
according to the draft report, received improper expenditures and have
not submitted the financial data that they are required to submit --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: December 27th.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: -- within 30 days of -- of being
asked and -- and they haven't, and they continue not to. And I don't
want to give them any special favors. I don't want to do anything
special for them. I want them to comply with their contract, and then
let's look at this overall problem, because it's a big problem
overall. But I'm very nervous when we single out the golf tournament,
which already doesn't comport with the guidelines, doesn't -- is not
an event in off season. I mean, we've made so many exceptions for
this golf tournament that now to give -- to make it the one that we do
the special amendment to the contract for is a bad idea, at least
until they have complied with the contract from last year by providing
the financial data.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Well, it's no secret that you
have a problem with the golf tournament, and that's fine. But to
suggest that they are the only one or somehow the leader in
alterations to what our tourist tax ordinance reads is absurd. We've
-- at least half of what we've approved, including the epic drama, do
not meet the guidelines of our TDC ordinance, of our tourist tax
dollar ordinance. We've done that with the Marco Cat -- COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Absolutely.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- Naples Institute. So to
suggest that this is somehow different and being given special favors
is absurd.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: But it's being given special
favors because the agenda item today is 9(B), board consideration of
an amendment to the tourism grant agreement dated this time last year
between the PGA Tour and Collier County.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: And I'm reading the executive summary,
and it lists PGA Tour, Incorporated; it lists Naples Area Convention
and Visitors' Bureau, Incorporated, 595,000; Naples Area Convention
and Visitors' Bureau, Incorporated, 900,000; Marco Island Chamber of
Commerce, Incorporated, 397,000; Marco Island Chamber of Commerce,
600,000. All of these are going to have to have contract amendments
to make sure that they reflect that they are payment contracts instead
of reimbursement contracts. Why are you not picking on them?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Because this was handed to me 30
seconds ago, and I've been mad since Thursday that the golf tournament
was getting some sort of special attention.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Well, I've -- I've had
discussions with Mr. Weigel and had summaries since this past week; so
I'm not sure. Perhaps --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: What did you get from Mr. Weigel
because -- I am sorry to interrupt.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I did not have this executive
summary. If you let me finish my sentence, I'll tell you exactly what
I got. I got a general -- actually from Mr. Brock's office as well, a
breakdown of the audit, what they did, what corrective action they
think is necessary. It outlined all the different groups including
the golf tournament and the others and what action would be taken
today. I assume corrective action will be taken on the others as
well. Just because it's not in this particular item doesn't mean it
will never happen.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: But it is.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: And -- wait. Has anyone bothered
to read the recommendation that we conceptually approve the
amendments, forward them to the TDC for their review, and then back to
the board for final approval? So rather than having this argument
twice, I'd like to have it once. And I know we're going to have it
again. It's like talking about the landfill. We have the same
argument over and over and over. So rather than have it twice, you
know, let's just hold off on that argument. And because when this
comes back to us, we will have received the final report and
accounting of the tournament; so your comments about whether it does
or doesn't meet it can be either verified or not by this entire board
rather than your position alone.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: I had not read the
recommendation; so I think that that does make sense. So let's -- if
we send it back to TDC, if we go through a thorough review, I just
want to be careful. This draft audit report that's out indicates bad
things from PGA, and I don't want to give them any more money until we
know that they're going to comply with the financial requirements of
last year's contract.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Mitchell, can you clarify
that? Does your audit indicate bad things from the PGA?
MR. MITCHELL: For the record, Jim Mitchell from the
finance and accounting department. Commissioner, it's not my audit,
but we do have the director of internal audit here, Mr. Bob Titus, so
if he would come up and address that issue.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: While he's coming, I'll tell you
what I think are some of the bad things in the draft.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'd like to hear from the
folks who actually put the draft together instead of interpretation of
what might be in there.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: I was going to read to you from
the audit draft.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I think Mr. Titus can read, don't
you, Mr. Titus?
MR. TITUS: Bob Titus, director of internal audit. I
think to sum up what we found in the audit was that as far as the PGA
is concerned, there was not strict compliance with the letter of the
law. It wasn't strict compliance with what was written in the
contract. And our sense, however, is that the contract may not have
reflected the intention of the parties, and that's the sense. We
didn't get a sense of any intent to deceive on their part, but we had
a sense that they were attempting to comply to something that it was
difficult for them to comply with. That, thereby, led us to the
conclusion that maybe the contract what they signed -- that they
signed, they didn't really mean to comply with those -- those terms in
the contract.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: May I ask you a couple of
specific questions about the draft audit? Does it indicate that about
$20,000 has been paid for travel and promotional expenses that were
not included in the budget or the application submitted to the county
commission?
MR. TITUS: What we found was that there were invoices
that were submitted by the PGA Tour that may not have reflected
expenditures that they actually incurred. It seems as though the
invoice --
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Thank you.
MR. TITUS: It seems as though the invoices that they
submitted were submitted at a date that would have been prior to the
actual incur -- incurfence of expenditures.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: And -- and, likewise, I -- I have
it here and can -- and can point to you. There are -- there are about
twenty -- is it twenty-one, twenty-six thousand dollars of expenses
that were for travel reimbursement and other costs which were not
listed in the grant application?
MR. TITUS: Our audit didn't really look that much at
the expenditures behind those invoices.
COHHISSIONER HAC'KIE: I got it from the clerk.
MR. TITUS: No. I'm saying our audit did not look that
much behind the expenditures that were submitted for the support,
because we felt that the invoices themself did not comply with the
terms of the contract.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Mr. Brock, could you discuss what
you and I looked at yesterday?
MR. BROCK: Okay. I think part of the problem,
Commissioner -- and let me identify myself for the record. I'm Dwight
Brock. I'm the clerk of the court. What the audit was looking at was
the TDC programs in general as opposed to any specific element of the
TDC program that we were trying to take apart piece by piece. The
finance department in the process of doing its preaudit function began
looking at some of the expenditures that were presented to us. And we
determined, based upon the records that were submitted to us --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Chairman, I have to ask, one
board member came here today prepared to hear in detail an audit
report. That's not on the agenda. Now, I'm not -- I'm not saying
that what is being said doesn't need to be said. We have a draft
report. We do not have a response to the draft report yet. We don't
have both sides of a given story for the -- and this is not scheduled
for the board to hear it and should be scheduled for the board to hear
it. Point being, I didn't come here today with the necessary
preparation to discuss in full detail the draft report, yet we're
hearing it now.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Let me tell you why I did, and
that's because there is an item on the agenda that said we were going
to amend last year's contract with the golf tournament; no backup in
the packet. So I decided I better do some research to find out what
happened with last year's golf tournament that required an amendment.
The more I looked, the more I found problems. And f what we're going
to do today is begin the process of looking, that's different than
what the agenda item said.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Well, that -- and we said that's
exactly what we're doing. My point is, before we go into -- and I'm
sorry to interrupt you, Mr. Brock. MR. BROCK: No problem.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm sure you'd rather sit there
and talk to us. But the point is rather than going into this full
detail thing about the audit, which I did not come prepared to discuss
today, you know, if you guys want to have a talk and you want to get,
you know, Hike Cutty (phonetic) from the paper and sit around and
listen to you talk about it, great. But let's do it at the
appropriate time, which is when the audit has been presented with both
sides, so that we can look at the actual merits and the board is being
asked to make a final decision. We're not being asked that today.
So, again, I want to hear this once, not twice.
COHMISSIONER BERRY: Agreed.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Agreed.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I can hear it once. The agenda
item made me think we were going to hear it once and that that was
going to be today; so I was prepared for that.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Right. We now know that's not
true so --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I can wait.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Are you also going to expect a draft
or a final audit report on -- on the irregularities with the Category
B monies?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Are you going to insist on that?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Or are you just going to single out
the golf tournament as you have been doing in the past?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: If you look at the draft report,
it covers many, many events other than the golf tournament, all of
which have not been --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: I read it to you.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Excuse me?
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: You were unaware of it. I read it to
you.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: No, sir. I'm talking about the
draft audit report --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: -- which covers much more --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: My question is, are you going to
insist on the same level of scrutiny to the Category B events as you
are on this one particular Category C event, if you have some sort of
personal objection to it?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: That scrutiny is already in
process because our clerk is thorough.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Chairman, I sense the
Christmas spirit waning a bit.
(Laughter)
COMMISSIONER BERRY: I think it's out the window myself.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: What I'm going to do is ask that
we approve staff recommendation which will allow for all of this to be
heard at the appropriate time and the appropriate form before a final
decision is made.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you, Mr. Brock.
MR. BROCK: Thank you.
Item #10A
REQUEST FOR STREET CLOSURE FOR SECOND ANNUAL CUB SCOUT SOAP BOX DERBY -
APPROVED
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Commissioner Hancock, on the
next item, unless you get some -- need to get some good publicity in
for it, feel free to --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yeah. On Item 10(A) I know Mr.
Standridge (phonetic) has been here all day and would probably love to
say something, but if you don't mind, I'm going to ask that the board
approve Item 10(A), request for street closure for the second annual
Cub Scout Cubmobile Derby.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: It was a great success last
year.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Speakers?
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Do we have any speakers on Item
10 (A) ?
MR. DORRILL: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Worth waiting for, gentlemen?
Item #10B
RESOLUTION 96-591, APPOINTING C. PERRY PEEPLES, THOMAS R. PEEK, ROBERT
L. DUANE, DALAS D. DISNEY AND STEVEN W. VERGO TO THE DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE - ADOPTED
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Appointment of members to the
Development Services Advisory Committee, reappoint five members to
serve four-year terms.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Perhaps we could each make a
suggestion.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Perhaps we could each make a
suggestion.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I'll start. I'd like to see
Perry Peoples on the board.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Oh, you took mine.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Commissioner Constantine, do you have
a suggestion?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Bob Duane.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Where is he?
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Dalas Disney.
COMMISSIONER BERRY: Tom Peek.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I don't know any of the remaining
people. I should have spoke up there. I don't know any of the
remaining people. Let's see, do we have -- are these all recommended
reappointments, or is it just wide open at this point?
MS. FILSON: The ones that are -- Sue Filson from the
board. I -- the ones that are recommended for appointment I have to
the right of them. I have four --
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. The one member that was
recommended and not reappointed is Steven Verge; so I'll add him.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Motion to approve the five as
outlined by each of us: Peoples, Peek, Duane, Disney, and Verge.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Nice to see things back together
again.
Item #10C
CLARIFICATION OF THE BCC'S POSITION ON THE CLEVELAND CLINIC'S
CERTIFICATE OF NEED APPLICATION BEFORE THE STATE - BCC ENDORSEMENT
RESTATED ALONG WITH INDIGENT CARE PROVISION
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Item 10(C), Commissioner Mac'Kie.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: 10(C) is an item that I added
just in an attempt to clarify the Board of County Commissioners'
involvement in the certificate of need process. I didn't attend but
did watch on television the presentation that the chairman made, and I
have a copy of the letter that he wrote to the health care
administration agency, and -- and in the transcript which I have, too,
of the -- of the meeting where Mr. Norris spoke, I'm afraid he went
beyond what my intention was. And so I want to bring it back to -- to
be sure that that -- that at least my position is clarified, and if
there are others who want to have it clarified, then this would be an
opportunity for that.
What we discussed in the meeting in the -- before the
Wednesday hearing was what I intended to communicate, and what I
believe the record reflects is that State of Florida, should you
choose to issue a certificate of need for another hospital in Collier
County, most importantly, that hospital must participate
proportionately in charity care in Collier County. And we like
Cleveland Clinic. If you're going to issue a certificate of need, we
like Cleveland Clinic better than we like a for-profit hospital
because we like Cleveland's reputation, and we like its not-for-profit
status.
That's all I intended to convey, because I don't know
whether or not -- I don't want to be involved in the process of a
certificate of need issuance. Those are long, drawn-out hearings
because it's a very technical, very involved process. And so I wanted
to clarify that my position was as I just stated.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I think the first thing we need
to do is thank Commissioner Norris for spending the time he did that
day through that entire hearing to advance the board's position. I,
too, share a little -- a similar concern that my -- you know, we
didn't sit and adopt a written resolution that was very specific and
to the point. It was a verbal discussion, and we asked Commissioner
Norris to take from that and convey to the panel what we had said.
And the only discrepancy I had was that it's the state's job to
determine the certificate of need. And I don't know whether we need
more beds or not. I think we need competition. I think we need a
not-for-profit research institution over a predatory for-profit one,
and I think we need them to fund indigent care. Those are the points
that I wanted to convey that were conveyed very clearly. The one
statement regarding we think you should issue the certificate is the
only element that I wouldn't have said taking away from that
conversation. But, again, I'm just one member of the board.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: And let me -- let me clarify. Let me
just make a statement. I'm sorry if it wasn't made clear on that
December the 3rd meeting, but I know the discussion went very rapidly,
actually. There was very little discussion. And I simply asked for
board permission to authorize me to represent that the county
commission supports the application of the Cleveland Clinic. And by
that I would take to mean, and I did take to mean, that since they are
applying for a certificate of need, that the board, indeed, since I
had full acclimation of the board at that point, support, that that's,
indeed, what the board's position was. If it was not, I'm sorry. It
wasn't made clear at that time.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: No doubt that you were there
doing -- representing us and appropriately so. It's just I've heard a
lot from a lot of my constituents that you don't need to be in that
process about the -- whether or not to issue the certificate of need.
So I just wanted to see if the board wanted to clarify that.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I've heard the opposite.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I've heard laudeds for doing
it. The -- my recollection, and obviously perhaps we needed to
clarify and in the future shall have to do that, but it will be
interesting to see the transcript when it becomes available or to hear
the tape. Perhaps we can dig that out during lunch hour today.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I have a transcript here.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: My recollection or my
interpretation when we approved that was exactly as -- as Commissioner
Norris just said, and that was that we would -- we would approve the
effort, and I remember Commissioner Hancock saying we needed to make
sure some specific things were taken care of, being indigent care and
so on. And we were all happy that Cleveland Clinic had already
stepped to the plate in that particular regard. So my interpretation
was we were giving them an endorsement in that effort. We have --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I apologize --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- different interpretation
among us.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I apologize to you for not making
myself clear. I didn't want to interject us into the certificate of
need process. But, again, you were -- I wasn't clear enough on that.
So I will take part of the blame for not --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Well, once again, the discussion went
very rapidly, and I don't think anyone made themselves a hundred
percent clear. It could have used some further discussion and
clarification, I think.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Would you like to weigh in on
this one, Commissioner Berry?
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Nice comment. I like that.
COMMISSIONER BERRY: No. I -- I get -- I -- I think my
-- my recollection of it was that if Commissioner Norris was going to
speak in regard to the Cleveland Clinic application, it was to clarify
and make sure that the indigent care aspect would certainly be covered
in their application. That was all that I -- that's how I remembered
that conversation.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: That was one of your critical points,
I think.
COMMISSIONER BERRY: Right.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Anything further, Commissioner
Mac'Kie?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Well, I just wonder if the board
feels it's necessary, because we have sent -- sent a written
communication to the state that says the board took action to endorse
the application of the Cleveland Clinic for hospital facility. We
urge your agency to approve their application and issue the
certificate of need, and I don't -- I think we might, based on this
discussion today, send a letter clarifying that our position is, if
you issue a certificate of need, we like the Cleveland Clinic, and
please be sure that indigent care is a part of their requirement.
That would be my suggestion. If there's not a majority agreeing with
that, then --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I did notice you highlighted
the quotes from the other meetings. You didn't highlight any here,
and perhaps I understand why now. It appears there was some
discussion, and it was why I remember thinking that we were endorsing
it is because I was the one who suggested that. As I read here it
says, "I'm comfortable with Commissioner Norris conveying level of
support from this board." And you said, "As long as it's conveyed
with the comments about indigent care." And I said, "Yes, correct."
And Norris said, "Well, that's going to be the general thrust of my
comments; so I'll relay those as official." And that's exactly what
he did --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- was support from the
board.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: He did a wonderful job, and I
think that it just needed some clarification, because as we've all
said, the discussion wasn't lengthy. Maybe this isn't even worth it.
You know, it may not even be important enough to be spending this much
time on it but --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I hate to say this, but the idea
that what Commissioner Norris said is either going to carry the day or
not carry the day with a state board is probably --
COMMISSIONER BERRY: I don't really think -- I don't
mean to minimize the chairman, but I don't think it makes a whole lot
of difference what the chairman says.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I don't think it's necessarily
officially revising. We've had a discussion. We see there's some
concern about that element of it. However, I'll say in the future we
need to write the resolution down in form -- COMMISSIONER BERRY: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- before approving it, and if it
takes a ten-minute recess for someone to jot that down so it can be
read and repeated, let's do that. I think we do see a little division
on the board on this issue, but I don't think it's going to have a
material effect on the application unfortunately. COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Agree.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We had a situation pop up like this
about almost four years ago -- three years ago, too; so maybe it would
be best to clarify it in the future if we're going to have something
like this.
COMMISSIONER BERRY: That's my exact point. I
definitely think that whenever you're sent forth or whoever the
chairman is to deliver something to a group, I think it's important
that it is written down so everybody has a very clear understanding of
what's going to be said. I don't think it makes so much difference to
the state in this regard. It made more difference to some of the
local people in this particular community over the statement. But I
don't think it -- truly I don't think it has any bearing in terms of
what Tallahassee's going to do.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. If there's nothing further on
that then -- public comments?
PUBLIC COMMENT - JUDY LEINWEBER RE C.A.R.L. LIST - DISCUSSED
MR. DORRILL: I have two today, Mr. Chairman, Ms.
Leinweber.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Just for that, this is your last
meeting as chairman.
MR. DORRILL: If you would, please, ma'am, and then, Mr.
Erlichman, if you would stand by. Good morning.
MS. LEINWEBER: I'm Judy Leinweber. Would you pass this
out, please. I was given this document by a gentleman named Thomas
Reese, and it's pertaining to the CARL list. The Gargiulos own
property behind Bay West Nursery and woodlands. That's Sections 1, 2,
and 3. This gentleman is a prosecuting attorney, and he said he does
not think he can get the Gargiulos in court, and they are going to go
after their permits to develop that property behind us.
I would like to know what makes the Gargiulos above the
law. Maybe because Valetie Boyd's godfather is Governor Chiles. But
I think what is good for the goose is good for the gander. If the
rest of the people in Golden Gate Estates cannot develop their land on
the CARL list, why are the Gargiulos going to do it? That's all I
have to say. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you.
PUBLIC COHMENT - GIL ERLICHHAN RE PGA TOUR, INC., AGREEMENT - DISCUSSED
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Erlichman, if you would, please, sir.
MR. ERLICHHAN: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is
Gil Erlichman. I reside in Royal Wood in East Naples, and I'm
speaking for myself. Evidently there was no call for public com --
discussion or speakers on 9(B); so I'm now speaking under public
comments.
It is not very often that I agree with Commissioner
Hac'Kie, but in this -- in this situation -- COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: You and me both, Gil.
MR. ERLICHHAN: -- I have -- I have to congratulate her
on pursuing the -- Item 9(B) in the agenda insofar as the points that
she was making. I'm totally in the dark as to what this is, because I
went right out into the hall and grabbed this insert from the
executive summary. And I'm looking at it, and the total amounts of
money is almost 3 million dollars. And I'm looking at the dates of
January and February '96.
I don't understand -- I'm not a lawyer. I'm not legally
trained. I'm a pure, simple layman. But how do you amend a contract
almost a year after the contract was entered into? Was this contract
entered into in the beginning of '96? And if it was, how do you amend
it 11 months later? I don't understand that. I know you've got this
under consideration for -- at a future date, but I'm in complete -- I
have no -- six-page document here, and I would like to request
Commissioner Hac'Kie to please keep me informed personally as to what
happened -- what is happening and all -- any documents pertaining to
this question.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I have a file, sure.
MR. ERLICHHAN: Thank you very much.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Gil, let me help you with your
question.
MR. ERLICHHAN: Okay.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: So many times there are elements
entered into in the record that become the nexus for a contract. In
other words, it's as if you were standing there saying I promise to do
X and the board then says we need to write an agreement and have both
parties sign that you're going to do that. In this case the verbal
representation of what was to occur and the written representation,
apparently, don't match. And at some point you have to reconcile the
two. So when you agree on something verbally and say we'll develop a
contract that says that, the two need to match. If they don't match,
you can reconcile the contract later. The discussion we're going to
have is, did they match and should they have matched?
MR. ERLICHMAN: Well, why did it take 11 months to do
this?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Because the audit that just came
out pointed that out as a discrepancy. That's what audits are for.
MR. ERLICHMAN: I know. I worked in a bank, and I was
in the auditing department, but that's what I'm trying to find out. I
don't --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: The audit showed us that the two
need to be reconciled, but that's going to be the point of
discussion.
MR. ERLICHMAN: Thank you very much.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yes, sir.
MR. DORRILL: That's all the public comment.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: That's all the public comment? It's a
little early for lunch.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm all for pushing ahead, 'cause
it looks like we may be able to make this agenda without a lunch break
if we're willing to starve a little bit.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: There's cookies back there.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We have 30 speakers on Royal
Wood.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: How many speakers do we have on the
Royal Wood petition?
MR. DORRILL: A bunch.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: A whole bunch?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Why don't we do up until then
and go to lunch.
Item #12B1
ORDINANCE 96-85, RE PETITION R-96-13, MICHAEL AND ROBERTA WIENER
REQUESTING A REZONE FROM "A" TO "RSF-5" FOR PROPRTY LOCATED AT 1301
WHIPPORWILL LANE, CONSISTING OF 5 ACRES - ADOPTED WITH STIPULATIONS
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Let's just go to twelve o'clock.
Let's start with our afternoon agenda, 12(B)(1), Petition R-96-13.
MR. DORRILL: You've got 15, Commissioner.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Hour and a half of speakers.
MR. NINO: For the record my name is Ron Nino from your
planning services department. The petition that's before you is a
petition by Roberta and Michael Wiener who are the owners of 5 acres
of land on the west side of Whippoorwill Lane, the property that's
currently zoned A, agricultural, who wish to fezone the property so
that they could divide it into two lots.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: While you're putting that up,
Mr. Nino, this is a 5-acre tract. They'd like to be able to use two
lots on their current zoning?
MR. NINO: Correct. It's a bit odd in the fact that
they -- they need to request an RSF-5 zoning designation, because the
property is so narrow that the minimum frontage required by zoning
districts that is available is 60 feet, which happens to be consistent
with the minimum frontage for the RSF-5 zoning district. However,
they have agreed and have indicated in their petition that their only
interest is really to create two lots of the 5 acres, which is really
consistent with the E-estate zoning district. The Planning Commission
heard this petition, unanimously recommended approval.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Are they flagging this lot
because that used to be illegal and isn't now? How are they
accessing? Is it a front and back separation or --
MR. NINO: The property will have 60 feet of frontage on
Whippoorwill Road --
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. NINO: -- and will widen as is shown in the
iljustrations in your packet. It will widen to -- to -- once it's
past the house that it fronts on Whippoorwill Road, once it gets past
that, provides that front lot, front -- the house that's next to
Whippoorwill with a -- with an appropriately-sized lot, the lot will
widen out to include a portion of the lake, but not the entire lake,
because the petitioner wishes to allow access to the existing
residence that fronts on Whippoorwill Road to allow them to have a
portion of the lake advantage.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: It's a very logical division.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: The answer is, yes, it's being
flagged.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Let's take a look at the -- public
speakers here.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Ferguson, are you here representing
the petitioner or someone else?
MR. FERGUSON: I'm here representing someone else --
MR. DORRILL: He just indicated that he's on another
party. Is the petitioner here wishing to speak based on the slips?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: The petitioner is here.
MR. NINO: I think Mrs. Wiener, perhaps, will want to
address some of the issues that Mr. Ferguson is going to raise.
MR. DORRILL: If the petitioner is going to wait, then
the first speaker I have is, I believe, Ms. Moorman. She's coming
forward. Mr. Dellecave, you'll follow this lady. Good morning. MS. MOORMAN: Good morning.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: I don't know that Mr. Ferguson's
job is to keep someone else from speaking. Is this your client,
Mr. Ferguson?
MR. DORRILL: Yes, he is.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. In that case, you can keep
her from speaking.
MR. FERGUSON: We -- for purposes of the record, Tim
Ferguson. We have a little presentation to give here, and Mrs.
Moorman and Steve Dellecave are property owners along the lake. And
we are taking a record here, and we'd probably like to have them sworn
in, and we'd like to proceed with the quasi-judicial hearing. CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Mr. Weigel.
MR. WEIGEL: Therefore, the request would be that all
speakers be sworn in from this point forward. CHAIRMAN NORRIS: All right.
MR. DORRILL: We have four registered speakers. Anyone
who -- who has previously registered then, Mr. Ferguson, Mr.
Dellecave, Mr. Anderson also, we'll need you to stand, please, and
have our recorder swear you folks and anyone else who may be speaking
in this matter.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. Swear them in, please.
(The witnesses were collectively sworn.)
MR. DORRILL: Thank you. Ms. Moorman, we'll be on to
you, please, ma'am.
MR. FERGUSON: Well, what I would like to do is reserve
-- if I could, we have a -- a presentation. If -- if we could move
through this, I think it would be expedient.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Are you registered to speak in
addition to Miss Moorman? MR. FERGUSON: Yes.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. You each get five minutes; so
do whatever you want in your five minutes and --
MR. FERGUSON: Okay. Well, what I'd like to do is make
a presentation and reserve. I'm going to speak. I'd like Mr.
Dellecave to come up and have some expert testimony, and then I'd like
__
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Let me clarify something for you.
This is not -- this is a quasi-judicial hearing. It is not a court
proceeding.
MR. FERGUSON: I understand that.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We're going to give each one of you
five minutes. You can ask, you can tell, you can show, whatever you
want, but five minutes is all you get. All right.
MR. FERGUSON: Okay. I'll go first then.
What I'd like to do is have Mr. Anderson go first, if we could.
MR. ANDERSON: My name's Eric Anderson. Really the
purpose in my testifying is to inform you that I own -- hold title to
the property next door to the petitioners as trustee and that the
trust document authorizes me to delegate the authority to represent
the property, and I am doing so by delegating Mr. Ferguson to act as
my attorney in fact on that property. CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you.
MR. FERGUSON: Okay. I'll take part of my five minutes,
and then we'll reserve.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: No, Mr. Ferguson, you don't
understand. You get five minutes start to finish, no rebuttal, no
cross-examination --
MR. FERGUSON: I can't take 2 1/2 of it and --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: No.
MR. FERGUSON: -- put someone else on and take 2 1/27
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: No. This is not a courtroom. We'll
give you five minutes; so say whatever you want.
MR. FERGUSON: I'll take my time. I'll take my five
minutes.
The neighborhood that we're discussing here is off of
Whippoorwill Lane. It was developed precomp. plan, and four
individuals went in, and they dug a lake, and they've got some lots.
The way the property has been developed is estates type of use. They
all have single-family dwellings there, and then they've got a lake,
and they've got some property reserved on the other side of the lake,
which Mr. Dellecave will show the board later.
The petitioners are asking for RSF-5, and they're
stating that they must have RSF-5 in order to get this done. Quite
frankly, they could come in and ask for estate zone and ask for a
variance for the road frontage. And the road frontage is important
because the ULDC requires in 2.7.2.12.1 that you're not even allowed
to fezone a lot unless it has 200 feet road frontage, okay, and this
lot does not have 200 feet of road frontage. This lot has 165 feet of
road frontage. Therefore, according to the ULDC, they're not even
entitled to a fezone here.
And that's important because when the Hospice, which is
one of the other four lots, came in and asked for a fezone, Hospice
was required to purchase 40 extra feet in order to meet the
requirement for fezone. If this board were to fezone this property
without requiring the 40 extra feet, it would be in violation of the
ULDC, which would be in violation of the Growth Management Plan. It
wouldn't be consistent. It would be a violation of equal protection.
The petitioner states that they'd like to have two
houses. And in cooperation the neighbors went to them and said, okay,
you only want two houses here, we don't have any problem with that.
Give us a restrictive covenant saying that you only want two houses
and you're not going to come back sometime later and try to amend this
RSF-5 and sell it to an adjacent property owner and try to put a bunch
of houses on the lake, which they flatly refused to do. If their
intention was just to build two houses, it seems they would have given
us the restrictive covenant, and we wouldn't be here today. But
unfortunately they didn't do that.
When you look at some of the pictures of what they've
done with their lot, I think you can see that what they intend to do
is put very little money in this lot and probably sell it out later.
It's -- furthermore, it's the petitioner's responsibility to have
substantial and competent evidence of why they -- they are allowed to
fezone, and we haven't heard any evidence at all today. We've heard
from your staff, and we haven't heard anything at all about why they
believe that they've met the criteria. Now, they went before the
Planning Commission, and they presented a case, and I suppose that
staff presented that case. And they have a number of criteria which I
think you'll find in your packet, and specifically I'd like to address
some of the things in the packet.
We have a summary of findings, and in the summary of
findings we have some questions that are supposed to be answered, and
the answers are interesting. On page 1 of the fezone findings we have
existing land pattern and use, which is considered to be not
applicable. We have on page 2 whether the proposed change will
adversely influence living conditions in the neighborhood, and they
say, Well, you know, it may change and -- from the agricultural use,
but you know, we really think it's more pro than con.
Well, the fact of the matter here is that the property
owners that I represent have very small lots. Most of their lot is a
lake, okay. They're not going to benefit from an increased zone,
because they can't put anything else on here. And what it's going to
end up doing is ruining the integrity of their neighborhood. Now,
they're able to buffer this off from the rest of the zone, and what
they end up having is a rural feel inside an urban area, which makes
it a very appealable situation. However, if we were to have RSF-5 and
stack things somewhere down the line along the side of that lake,
we're not going to have that character. It's going to ruin the
character. It's going to ruin the value of their homes because they
can't take advantage of the extra zoning.
When we look at part 10, which is proposed change --
will the proposed change adversely affect property values, they say
there's no -- there's all pros and no cons. I just addressed that.
The con is it definitely will.
Eleven is whether the proposed change will be a
detriment or improvement to the development of adjacent properties.
We believe it will be a detriment. The staff felt that wasn't
applicable.
Twelve said will it constitute a grant of a special
privilege to an individual owner. The staff felt that was not
applicable. We feel it is applicable. We feel that in this
particular situation the Wieners are going to be getting a definite
advantage over the surrounding neighbors. Their -- their property
value is going to be very high, and the property that -- around the
area won't be able to take advantage of that same thing.
Quite frankly, this is a situation where we have a
violation of the ULDC. It's not consistent with the code, and we
believe it adversely affects the neighbors, and we'd like the board to
find that way. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Ferguson, let me make
sure I understand something earlier on. If it's going to be limited
to two, you don't have any problem with that. You're concerned with
the RSF-5, that they might come back at some point and put five units
in?
MR. FERGUSON: If this board would fezone this to estate
zone and give them a variance for the road frontage, nobody has a
problem with it.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Okay.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Do you understand that the
application is -- or the recommendation is RSF-5(2)?
MR. FERGUSON: I find no provision for that in the
ULDC. I mean, what that does is -- my understanding of that
classification is that that's going to go on the zoning map so that it
would indicate to somebody that was looking at the zoning map that
there was only two residences on there. But that doesn't keep them
from coming back and amending this later. That's why we asked for the
restrictive covenant. This could have been easily handled, because a
restrictive covenant can be enforced.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Can you tell us the effect of
that RSF-5 --
MS. STUDENT: From my understanding of the history of
this, that would mean -- we do have a provision, Tim, in our code that
does permit us to put conditions and safeguards on fezones,
conditional uses, and so forth. And that 2 means they have a cap, a
density cap of 2, which falls under that provision of the LDC.
MR. FERGUSON: I understand that completely.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Ferguson, this is no
different than the lot we did on the corner of County Barn and Davis
road that got multifamily 6(4).
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: That's right.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: They are limited to four
units per acre on that whole property, and this is the exact same
thing. We do have and we have practiced that before. Takes me back
to my original question. And I don't want legalese. I want a yes or
no. What you said earlier was if they would agree to two units and no
more, and you could have that legally restricted, you're willing to
accept that?
MR. FERGUSON: Two units, no more forever, that's fine.
That's fine with my clients.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Okay. Thank you very much.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Dellecave.
MR. DELLECAVE: If I may, I'd like to just -- I'm Steve
Dellecave. I own the house adjacent to the Wieners, 1145 Whippoorwill
Lane. And quickly I'd like to put up a map that a little more clearly
identifies' the surrounding area than the one county staff prepared.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Mr. Dellecave, there's a hand-held
microphone there if you need to use it.
MR. DELLECAVE: Thank you. Okay. I also have taken
some photographs that are lettered and corresponds with the letters on
the map and the direction of the arrows. And I don't know if the
board is interested in looking at them, but I'd like to present it
anyway.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Sure.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Give to it Mr. Dorrill there. He'll
-- he'll handle it.
MR. DELLECAVE: Okay. The first one is the approach.
And this gives you, No. A, coming south on Whippoorwill Lane shows you
the Baptist church located on this first parcel. Excuse me. The
second photograph is -- is B, picks up the entrance to Hospice. C is
a picture of the front of Hardi Hoorman's property, very nicely
buffered, and that's one of the -- the things that has been important
for us as a little development is we feel we are buffered. This is
the entrance to my driveway. This is a view of the lake. It's a
panoramic view taken from back here, the whole western property line.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Why don't you give all those
photos to Mr. Dotrill, and we can be looking at them while you
describe them.
MR. DELLECAVE: Okay. Very good. And then here, H
through J, basically shows the property and petition of the Wiener
residence. So the character is very serene, very quiet. Whippoorwill
Lane is an apropos name. After sunset that's about the only sounds
you hear, and that is very important to us as owners there. We have
the ability to, we feel, buffer ourselves from development and impact
from around us with the buffers that would be required from
development, the buffer we as neighbors could install in the rear.
Hospice acted as a wonderful buffer; that's why we did not oppose
Hospice, because this could be a high-density commercial piece and
that act as a wonderful transition to help preserve the lake. So we
as neighbors banded together happy to see Hospice, and we fought
another developer who wanted to put 11 homes down here, because we
felt that would be detrimental to our lake, the noise, the pollution,
and so we fought that.
We believe that if that zoning is approved -- and the
potential of RSF-5, the way I understand it, could be as much as 25
units on this lot, would just be unacceptable as neighbors because of
the density, because, again, the noise, the pollution.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Good. Because that's not part of
the application.
MR. DELLECAVE: And that's what we're up against.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: That's not part of the
application at all.
MR. DELLECAVE: Okay. But our feeling was that down the
road, could they go back and amend that. That has been our problem
all along. So with that, any questions? I'll --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Just one. I'd like for you for the
purposes of the record, if you could, if -- if the board can somehow
limit this 5-acre parcel to a maximum of two housing units, do you
have any objection?
MR. DELLECAVE: No, sir, we don't.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Finally Hiss Moorman gets an opportunity
to speak.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Miss Moorman.
MS. MOORMAN: I, of course, am the other neighbor, and
my concern there again was that I do not want 25 -- CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Could you state your name for the
record.
MS. MOORMAN: My name is Hardi Moorman. I'm sorry. I
am concerned that that, too, could be somehow eliminated down the road
and I could have 25 units, as my neighbor, all having use of my lake,
which I've lived there the longest and put in the most time and effort
and money and don't want that to happen to our neighborhood. As it is
now we all own land on the opposite side of the lake, which is the
advantage that no one can build on the backside or either side than on
of the property owners at hand. And as long as I understand that
that, too, can't be just some kind of -- erased somewhere and someone
can come in and -- the people that come in next door to Wieners can
buy them out and then fezone that whole thing to RSF-5, I would be
very, very unhappy. And I -- I am --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Well, I was just going to say,
anybody can apply anytime for a fezone. We fezone this to
straight-out RSF-5 or RSF-5(2), it can't be changed -- COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Or estates.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: -- or estates. Somebody can come
in next week and apply for a fezone.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Doesn't mean it will be
approved, but they can apply.
MS. MOORMAN: I understand that. It just seems like the
RSF-5(2) leaves the door wide open for them to be able to sell to
their adjoining neighbor possibly and then having that whole
development be RSF-5. It just seems like it's wide open.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Same -- same question, Mrs. Moorman,
for you if -- would you for the purposes of the record state your
answer to the question: If the board of commissioners can somehow
limit that 5-acre parcel to a maximum of two housing units, are you --
would you be in support of the present --
MS. MOORMAN: Yes. I have no problem for them to have
two homes there. I'm happy with that. That's what I understood at
first what it was going to be. I have no objection. When I saw the
RSF-5, I got nervous.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Well, that's understandable. We
understand.
MS. MOORMAN: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: That's all.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: That's all.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: The petitioner was --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: I see we're having a legal conference
here, because I think they understand what we want to do.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: The difficulty comes in, Mr.
Nino, RSF-5(2), if I looked at the zoning map, would tell me it's
RSF-5 with a cap of 2 units per acre. We will then asterisk that and
detail it on the bottom of the page?
MR. NINO: Yes, we would have to do that.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
CHAIRNLAN NORRIS: Is there some other way? Hiss
Student, could you tell us is there some other way -- excuse me, for
Miss Student, could you tell us if there's a way that we can make sure
that there could not be confusion in the future about this parcel
being limited to two -- two units total?
HS. STUDENT: The only mechanism I'm aware of would be
the stipulation in the fezone ordinance itself that it's limited to
the two units. And I understand there's a notation on the zoning map,
which I would believe would necessitate, if anyone wanted further
detail, to go back to the ordinance, you know, just -- that's the only
thing I know. That's the way we've done it. CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We -- before -- the example I
cited was (4), which was -- even though it was multifamily, six would
only be allowed four units per acre. Can't we put paten point four,
and that way it's very clear that it's point four per acre, and then
have your notation above and beyond that? MR. NINO: We could do that.
HS. STUDENT: I think that could be --
HR. NINO: We could do that, point -- point zero four?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Got your J.D. right there.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: That makes it consistent. The
one thing we have to be knowledgeable of is that the -- what we have
to do today is build a record that indicates the absolute intention
with the agreement of the existing property owner of what is to be
accomplished here. With that we have done everything possible to
build a record to ensure that the property will not be rezoned down
the road. However, no action we take can bind successor owners from
making requests, and Mr. Ferguson's well aware of that. However, by
building a record and making the fezone conditioned upon that record,
we've done about everything legally possible I think we can do as a
board.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: You're right. I mean,
someone could come in and request industrial. It's not going to
happen, but they can -- anybody can ask for anything.
HS. STUDENT: I just want to state for the record that
we have limitations upon us, because we are local government, in
casting something in stone forever because of police powers and
changing conditions. That's where the private side usually comes up
and writes deed restrictions and such to take care of those types of
issues.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. So, Hr. Weigel, do you -- point
four is okay to put on the zoning map?
HR. WEIGEL: Well, I can tell you, part of the
conference and my moving around here has been that Mr. Ferguson had
indicated that there was a violation of the Land Development Code, and
we wanted to check the facts and figures in that regard. It appears
that there is one element that's probably very important for the type
of zoning that's been requested. It's RS -- RSF-5(2), and that is the
requirement for 200 feet of frontage, and I think the documents that
are before you shows that there's 165 1/2 feet of frontage, which
doesn't meet the minimum requirement for this particular zoning. So I
think -- and I'm going to advise the board that because of that legal
impediment, that I would not advise you to approve this zoning, even
with the parentheses, but that the petitioner may find that they have,
in fact, petitioned for the wrong zoning, may want to repetition for
estate zoning and bring it back and, therefore -- and even Mr.
Ferguson on the record indicated that estate zoning providing for the
limitations of two would work for -- for him and his clients that he's
representing. But I -- I'm afraid we've got the right church but the
wrong pew this morning.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Well, the question I have
then is, you can't even request, you can't ask -- and that was what
Mr. Ferguson said, is the ULDC indicates they can't even ask for the
change?
MR. WEIGEL: Not for this particular zoning change.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: So where was our staff till now,
guys? Good grief. These people have been put through a lot of
expense, a lot of time. How could we miss that?
MR. CAUTERO: Vince Cautero for the record. Planning
staff believes that that can be obtained through a legal easement that
would be created as a separate document after the zone change was
approved, and I've just had the last few minutes to confer with Mr.
Weigel. So I can't tell you that we're in complete agreement with the
opinion that was just rendered to you. I believe that we can achieve
that if the zoning is approved from talking to my planning director.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: What we'd run a risk here of if
we approve that zoning is it opens the door for Mr. Ferguson to
provide a legal challenge, which will just put the Wieners right back
in court or back in a litigious situation. It sounds like the only
long-term solution is the estate zoning. But, again, I don't want --
for the Wieners to go through that entire process and cost all over
again is a little more cumbersome than I would --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I just can't comprehend that
someone can't come and ask. Obviously if -- if there is less footage,
that should be a consideration that's brought forward. But to say you
can't even make the request, we don't want to hear from you, I don't
-- I'm amazed. I didn't realize the LDC said that.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: And if it does, it ought to be
changed.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yup. Perhaps you can tell me
-- you can read to me where it says that.
MR. WEIGEL: They've got it right there. But it's just
one of the requirements for that particular zoning. I don't have the
cite with me at this moment.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Can we grant a variance to that?
MR. WEIGEL: Well, Miss Student advises me that -- for
instance, under the current zoning -- I stick with what I have advised
you, and I try to choose my words pretty carefully, and that is,
before you today is a -- is a legal inability to go forward on the
ULDC. If you go forward, you can always vote. But I felt I must
advise you of this impediment. Mr. Ferguson brought it up on the
record himself, but if an easement were obtained, yes, that could
work. But you can't come to a conclusion today because you don't have
-- concerning an easement because an easement isn't there. One
option, I guess, could be that you can continue this to a date certain
going for the -- if this is the first date that this has been heard,
you can go even five weeks into the future as a date certain
continuance, and if they can put the pieces together with an easement
to come up with the appropriate frontage, you may be okay. And,
again, I want to look at this. An easement is not fee ownership, and
I want to look at that very, very closely myself.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Let me ask you a question.
The petitioner and our staff have -- have apparently indicated all
they want to do is put two homes in there. Virtually everyone who is
opposed to the RSF-5 have agreed that if we can guarantee that it's
only going to be two homes, they don't have any objection. I'm
curious if it's true that the petitioner wouldn't enter into some sort
of covenant with the other homeowners. Why, because it would seem to
make all this moot, if that's the case. If you'll agree to enter into
that covenant, then we can approve this today, and I suspect they
won't bother to challenge it, and the whole question of RSF will be
moot.
MS. WEINER: Hi. My name is Roberta Weiner, and I'm the
property owner at 1301 Whippoorwill Lane. And I have no problem going
into a covenant that we're only going to build one home. But the way
this all came about is that Mr. Dellecave -- and I may have pronounced
his last name wrong, and I apologize -- basically came to my home one
evening and said, I will go in and support you splitting this land and
building another home with whistles and bells if you sign over
easement that I can get to the prop -- back of my land. And I told
him, we've always had a gentleman agreement that we can always go to
the back of the land and everything, but we weren't about to sign over
land to him for him to get to the back of his land. And that's a
little bit where all this has come from.
We only want to build one home there; that's it. I
mean, I will sign that covenant. My husband will sign that covenant.
That's not a problem. And, you know, I took the advice of the
planning board, you know, whether we could go in for estates, whether
we could go in for variance or something like this, and they said that
this was the best, you know, route to follow.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I guess if you'll enter into
the covenant, they'll accept the covenant. There's no one left to
challenge the RSF whether it is or isn't legal, and this issue can be
concluded today.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I'm worried about future owners
of -- of the adjacent property who aren't waiving it.
MS. WEINER: Yeah. I mean, I can't predict the future,
you know, and what may happen. But our intention is, you know, to
spend the rest of, you know -- not our life there necessarily but, you
know, for many years there. And we want to build one home only.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: This is obviously something that
there's a logical solution except that our own code tells us we can't
do it by virtue of a 200-foot requirement. I understand the purpose
and reason for it. Someone -- someone bark up with a solution.
MR. NINO: Let me respond to that. It was the position
of staff -- with all deference to Mr. Weigel, it was the position of
staff that inasmuch as this is a lot of record we're creating, we're
separating a piece of property which suggests that the minimum
frontage be 200 feet of frontage, but this is a 5-acre tract of land
that only has 165 feet of frontage, and we took the position that the
minimum frontage did not apply or wasn't intended to imply in these
types of cases.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Because it wasn't creation of a
home?
MR. NINO: Correct. This is 5 acres of land that's in
the urban designated area that under normal circumstances is entitled
to four dwelling units to the acre.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Based on the statement of
Mr. Nino is that the staff position is because it's not the creation
of a new parcel --
MR. NINO: Correct.
COHHISSIONER HANCOCK: -- and that differentiates this,
that may give us the position to not apply this across the board to
all future fezones that someone else may try and abuse. So even
though Mr. Weigel's comments are noted, I think that is specific
enough --
MR. NINO: Yeah. I would remind you that we -- we have
zoned properties that are a hundred acres and more in size and don't
have 200 feet of frontage. The Gallman PUD, for example, 20 acres of
land had a hundred feet of access frontage.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. Well, let's --
MR. NINO: We do it every day.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: I think we've heard the issue. Let's
-- let's go ahead and --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I'm going to move --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Let me close the public hearing.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Sorry. Then I'll move approval
subject to the petitioner entering into a restrictive covenant to be
recorded that will run with the land that that lot -- that you'll have
to agree to this on the record. I can't require it, but I'm asking to
you agree that you will record a restrictive covenant that limits your
lot to two units and that we note for the record that this is rezoned
RSF-5, paten, dot 4, close paten, and that we note that the minimum
frontage requirement doesn't apply since this is an already existing
lot.
MS. WEINER: I don't have a problem with that, but from
what Mr. Nino had said, that if it's approved all the time -- I don't
have a problem doing that covenant; that's not the issue here. But
why is that still necessary then?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Because they're going to sue you
if we don't put that in there. I'm trying to keep you from getting
sued.
MS. WEINER: And the covenant is only going to be that
I'm only going to build two homes? Okay. That's fine. I mean, I
don't have a problem with the covenant for building two homes.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Ferguson, that appears to
meet all of the requirements you stated earlier?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: There might have been something
Mr. Ferguson didn't tell us.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Let me reopen the public hearing if
we're going to have discussions here.
MR. FERGUSON: For the record again, Tim Ferguson. As
far as -- as far as I know from my clients' position, as long as she's
willing to provide a restrictive covenant, that's fine. I'm not sure
about the legal position that you can do this, but nobody's going to
challenge it if that's the way it is. So I think it's probably as
good as you can do.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. I'll reclose the public
hearing.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll second the motion.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Would the motion maker also
include that we ask the staff to work with the county attorney's
office so that future applications similar to this, we have a very
clear line of --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: -- demarcation.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Clear, bright line. Lawyers like
that phrase. Yes.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. We have a motion and a second.
All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you very much. We're going to
take a lunch break and be back at 1:15.
(A lunch break was held between 12:17 p.m. to 1:26 p.m.)
Item #12C1
ORDINANCE 96-86, AMENDING ORDINANCE 96-58, THE FIRST ASSEMBLY
MINISTRIES EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION CAMPUS PUD, TO CORRECT A
SCRIVENER'S ERROR IN THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR LAND BEING REZONED FROM
"PUD" AND "A" TO "PUD" - ADOPTED
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Ladies and gentlemen, we'll reconvene
our county commission meeting this afternoon. We're ready for Item
12(C)(1), which is a scrivener's error. Any public speakers on the
scrivener's error?
MR. McNEES: No, sir. I'm checking to make sure.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Close the public hearing.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Motion to approve. Is the motion
controversial?
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Scrivener's error? All
right. I'll second it.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: All right.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: As a favor to Commissioner
Hancock, I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: A motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #12C2
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FUNDING FOR TEEN COURT THROUGH AN ASSESSMENT OF
THREE DOLLARS ($3.00) IN SPECIFIC CASES AS A COURT COST PURSUANT TO
SECTION 775.0833, FLORIDA STATUTES, AS AMENDED BY CHAPTER 96-382, LAWS
OF FLORIDA - DENIED; COMHISSIONER HANCOCK TO DEVELOP MISSION STATEMENT
FOR THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
12(C)(2), an ordinance providing for funding for teen
court.
MR. BROCK: Commissioners, my name is Dwight Brock. I'm
the Clerk of Courts. And the clerk's office, the judiciary, and the
county attorney's office has worked on this proposal. The Florida
legislature this year provided the statutory authority for the Board
of County Commissioners to impose by ordinance a $3 fee to impose in
criminal and civil infraction cases, and we're asking that that be
imposed.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Does -- does teen court exist
in Collier County right now?
MR. BROCK: We are -- it exists in that the clerk's
office is setting it up today.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Okay. How -- how much is it
going to cost every year?
MR. BROCK: To begin with, we anticipate it will cost
the salary of one employee and those expenses necessary to carry out
the operation.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: How much --
MR. BROCK: That will be, in terms of dollars, probably
somewhere in the neighborhood of twenty to twenty-two thousand dollars
for the employee as a coordinator and one-third for benefits and
taxes.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I guess there are two items
in a row here dealing with this, and -- and I have a couple problems:
One, I kind of think the kids that get in trouble, they should be
adjudicated just like everybody else. And that's just a philosophical
difference, but -- but I -- I really don't like the idea of creating a
new program for fear of how it grows and how it ends up being funded
later. Do -- will -- will all these $3 collections fund for -- fund
the entire thing?
MR. BROCK: To begin with -- you know, when we analyzed
it -- and I'm not trying to avoid the question, but let me give you
some background into what we have looked at and where the legislative
authority exists today.
In nineteen and ninety-six the Florida legislature
passed this particular statute that authorizes the board to impose
this by ordinance on all traffic infractions; misdemeanors; and
felonies; and juvenile cases, whether they were adjudicated or not.
The problem that exists is, at the same time that they passed that
legislation in Chapter 118 of the -- of the Florida statute, they
passed a provision that said regardless of special or general act or
other action by local governments, that no additional fees could be
imposed on traffic infractions other than those enumerated in 118.
And that does not exist, or it -- what happens is the two legislative
packages together cancel each other out. So it is probably not going
to be imposable against infractions this year until we can straighten
that out with the legislature. They obviously didn't intend to pass
an act authorizing it, then pass another act taking that authorization
away, especially in one legislative session.
But we anticipate that there's about 10,000 misdemeanor
cases and about 7,000 felony cases that are in the system. So we're
talking $3 per pe -- per case. If they're imposed and people are
either adjudicated or adjudication is withheld on 60 percent of those
and we collect them, we're talking somewhere in the neighborhood of --
the -- twenty to twenty-two thousand dollars.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: What -- what's the collection
rate on those? I know we do our best, but we don't get 100 percent,
do we?
MR. BROCK: No. Out of the misdemeanor cases today,
we're collecting somewhere in the neighborhood of 72 percent. But you
have to keep in mind that all of those cases that originate are not
found guilty; therefore, they're not adjudicated or adjudication's
withheld. So that is a factor that needs to be taken into
consideration also.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I guess I --
MR. BROCK: There are also -- if we can ever straighten
out the legislation -- the Florida legislature to remove the
prohibition against imposing civil infractions, somewhere in the
neighborhood of 27,000 traffic violations that we could assess this $3
to.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: But --
MR. BROCK: And that's ultimately where your funding
will come from, is that $3 from traffic infractions.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And that, ultimately, is my
objection, actually, is -- is I have the -- the philosophical
difference that I don't think teen courts necessarily are the answer.
But jumping past that for a moment, I understand the idea of criminals
paying to fight future crime. That makes perfect sense to me.
Someone getting tagged with failure to yield or parking in a
no-parking zone or whatever it happens to be paying for it doesn't
have -- hold the same logic for it -- for me. And while I think it's
easy for us to say, well, you know, they've done something wrong, they
need to pay a fine, the connection isn't there. They're not
necessarily a criminal because they parked in the fire lane or parked
in the no-parking zone or whatever they did. And -- and -- so I -- I
have a little trouble with depending on that.
And then going back to my prior question, is how much do
we anticipate -- what's the total dollar amount that we anticipate
annually this program costing?
MR. BROCK: Probably somewhere in the neighborhood of
twenty-five to twenty-eight thousand dollars.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Okay. And we ant --
MR. BROCK: The program as it has been structured today
will consist of once every two weeks having teen court with two
defendants. Teen court, as we have set it up with the committee that
we have been working with, is a pretrial diversion program. The --
and I don't disagree with you philosophically, Commissioner, but the
reality of the situation is whether or not teen court exists or
doesn't exist, the pretrial diversion out of the Department of
Juvenile Justice will take place. It will go into another program,
which is the arbitration program or alternative actions by the
Department of Juvenile Justice, and will not be prosecuted by the
state attorney's office. This is simply a mechanism by which we can
step in and provide some guidance to those diversionary programs.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: How many -- you -- you said
about $28,000 a year to run. And at the collection rate we have and
the amount we're looking at, we collect maybe sixteen or eighteen
thousand. Where -- where do we anticipate making up the difference?
MR. BROCK: Well, we're -- before we are going to expand
to the point that we will be utilizing the entire $28,000, I will cut
back the program to only deal with the resources that we have
available and run it out of our office and through the judiciary.
We have conversed with the Bar Association, with the
Legal Assistants Association, who are willing to volunteer their time
at this point to both represent as counselors for both plaintiff and
defendant in teen court and in order to run the program. And I will
use what resources I have available out of the clerk's office out of
my existing staff to try to do that until such time as we have the
funding for a full-time coordinator.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: So you wouldn't come looking
for general fund dollars to fund that?
MR. BROCK: No, sir. That is not our intent at all.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: The --
MR. BROCK: The reason that we have not implemented this
in this county until this point in time is that there has not been
funding available other than ad valorem tax dollars. And I think it
is the position of the judiciary as well as the clerk's office that we
do not want to impose that as a burden upon the taxpayers.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: How many teens in trouble
does -- do we run through our court system every year?
MR. BROCK: Commissioner, I don't have that at the tip
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Ballpark. Thousand? Ten
thousand?
MR. BROCK: I -- it would be a pure guess, but I su -- I
would suspect it's more than that.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: All right. My concern here
-- again, pretending I can get beyond the idea of teen court -- is
even if it's a good idea, we're only seeing 52 defendants a year.
MR. BROCK: That is correct. These -- and the purpose
of the program -- if you will look at the proposal that was put
together by the committee, the purpose of the program is to identify
those juveniles that appear to have the ability to reform and to
target only those individuals who are first-time offenders the first
time they've ever been involved to give them a taste of the process so
that they really won't ever want to be back.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: What -- what counties is this
currently in use in? What -- what comparables --
MR. BROCK: It is -- I know it's in use in Lee,
Sarasota, Manatee, Palm Beach; and beyond that it's -- it is a growing
trend throughout the United States.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And that's what I want to be
careful of is that we don't just follow a trend. Do we know what the
recidivism rate is in Lee or Sarasota or Manatee or Palm Beach?
MR. BROCK: In Lee County -- we went up and looked at
the program as it existed in Lee County. And I've not seen the
records, but the conversation that I had with the coordinator was that
they have had one person that has been through the program that has
repeated.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: How long has their program
been in effect?
MR. BROCK: I think it's about three years, which I'm
not too sure.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: When you say "repeated,"
meaning make a repeat appearance in teen court or repeated getting
into trouble?
MR. BROCK: Repeated getting into trouble. The way the
program is set up in Lee County is -- is basically for first-time
offenders only, as it would be here. And your second time through the
system you would not be -- an alternative would not be teen court.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Thank you.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Brock, the State of Florida
has a first offender's rule for misdemeanors, do we not? If you
commit a misdemeanor crime and are taken to court, there is something
to the effect of a first offender's rule that you can plead -- I think
it's no contest. And then if you have no violations within a 6-month
or 12-month period, it is quashed. I -- I -- the reason I -- I know
that is I -- I filed charges --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Has a record himself?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- against somebody once, and
they got off on a first offender rule. COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Uh-huh.
MR. BROCK: You -- you'll have to run that one by me
again. You know, I prosecuted for eleven years. That -- I'll have to
admit that it has been almost four years since I have been out of the
system, but I am totally unaware of any such thing as a first
offender's rule.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Basically adjudication
withheld; does that ring a bell?
MR. BROCK: Okay. Adjudication withheld is not
something that is dependant upon first offender or anything other than
the discretion of the Court.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: But typically ad -- adjudication
is not -- withheld time and time again. It -- it's kind of like a
strike, if you will, isn't it? You give them a shot occasionally and
-- and see if they screw up in the next year. And if they do, they
come back and are prosecuted on that charge.
MR. BROCK: No, sir. An adjudication being withheld is
simply that the Court does not adjudicate one guilty of the offense
for which they are charged. If they are placed on probation and the
Court violates their probation, they bring them back; and by law they
are at that point required to adjudicate them.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. All I know is in 1985 I
was made aware by a Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy that there's
something called a first offender's rule, and the person was not
prosecuted on the misdemeanor charge. If they were a good boy for 12
months, it was then wiped clean, and off they went. They could only
go through that process once; they couldn't do it twice. I assume,
unless the statute has changed, a similar approach is still available
in the courts, my point being, if -- I did a teen court when I was in
sixth grade. I mean, we -- we did set up the court and that routine.
It was really a lot of fun. But the truth is those people that were
subject to those penalties, whether it's writing letters of apology or
whatever, knew it was out there, didn't really take it that
seriously. And that was for very minor school-related issues. We're
talking about shoplifting, vandalism, possession of alcohol,
disorderly conduct, trespassing, interference in a school function,
petty theft. And my concern is if we create a program of teen court
that really -- the -- you know, what we're saying is we're going to
run you through a diversionary program, give you a taste of it, you
know, so you know enough not to come back and do it again. Where's
the hammer to that? If you're going to give some -- you know, a teen
some leeway the first time, say, okay, we're going to run you through
something a little less intensive than the legal system may be,
because we're going to give you a chance to make right on this, what's
the hammer? Just like drill camp; if they go to drill camp, if they
violate certain things, they are hit twofold in violation.
So, you know, I -- I -- I have yet to see the deterrent
effect of this other than it being something that's going on right
now, and -- and there are a lot of warm fuzzies attached to it. But I
want to -- if we're going to give them a chance, they need to know
there's a consequence that exceeds what would have occurred in the
system had they not taken this route. And just from reading this, I
didn't pick anything like that up. Does it exist?
MR. BROCK: Digressing for a moment, you know, the
statute imposed -- imposes upon the Department of Juvenile Justice to
make a recommendation to the state attorney's office in juvenile
cases. You have to draw the distinction. Juvenile cases are handled
totally different than adult cases, and the Department of Juvenile
Justice does an intake evaluation. And if, in fact, they make the
determination that individuals are not subject or should not be
subjected to prosecution for those juvenile offenses, they are going
to direct them to diversionary programs.
There are diversionary programs of one form or another
already in existence in which those individuals are going to go to
whether or not we create teen ca -- teen court or not. The only thing
that we are doing by creating teen court, in my concept and I think
the concept of all of the committee members that were involved in
this, which involved the school board, the judiciary, court
administration, and the clerk's office, is that we are going to do
exactly what you said. As opposed to placing people in a diversionary
program in -- which probably doesn't have any teeth and is not -- does
not leave the individual with an impression, teen court is to create
that impression in the minds of these juveniles so that they will
understand that what they did is not acceptable to society.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Can we -- why can't we stop
funding the -- funding the ones that don't work and fund this one with
that instead of creating a new fee? If we have diversionary programs
that are ineffective, why do we continue fund -- I know you -- that's
not an answer for you individually, but before we go creating a new
program with new funding -- you know, it's kind of like making a law.
If you're going to make a good law, take a bad one off the books. So,
you know --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Two.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Take two bad ones off of the
books. If we're going to start a new program because the diversionary
programs aren't fitting the problem, why don't we cut one of them down
and use those funds to create it? Has that even been broached by the
Department of Juvenile Justice in this area?
MR. BROCK: Commissioner, I -- I -- I don't know the
answer to that.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. BROCK: That is a legislative decision that is made
back in Tallahassee as to the programs that are in existence. This
program, I think, will be of benefit to those individuals that we can
target to keep them from repeating what they did in the past. This is
only for those first-time people. And if you will look at the program
-- I mean, you -- we're talking about all of these volumes of cases
that are coming through the system, and we are targeting only two
every two weeks. So we're talking about what? CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Fifty-two.
MR. BROCK: Fifty-two or so individuals out of all of
those peoples that -- all of those people that go through the process.
It -- they will get the first evaluation by the Department of
Juvenile Justice, and then they will be evaluated by the teen court
coordinator.
The hope -- hope of the process is that we make an
impression, whereas, some of the programs that are in existence out
there may not be designed to deal with these people that we have
identified as really having a hope. And that's where we're trying to
go with teen court.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Can I --
MR. BROCK: And as I said before, you know, the whole
purpose for us creating it or trying to create it at this point in
time is simply because the legislature provided for us, with the
blessing of you five individuals, an opportunity to fund it with those
who have created the system that they're now involved in.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: My -- my analysis of this simply
is that we have an ineffective system that will continue to operate
for most of the juveniles, most of the kids who commit crimes; and
here's a chance to grab a few of them before they become unable to be
saved. And it's going to be funded by -- if it's traffic offenders,
then I'd rather them fund it than the general public; but it's going
to be funded by people who break the law.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Well, I see --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: And it's a chance to save some
kids before they get too far into the system. Leave the ones -- leave
the ones that we've lost in the ineffective system, but create one --
create one for the ones where we have a chance of saving them.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Unfortunately, Commissioner
Hac'Kie, that is the same logic they used in selling us the other
diversionary programs, is we're going to save that group we couldn't
otherwise get.
The reason -- you know, I'm not real sold on the concept
itself. I'm willing to give it a try, but only if we admit that
certain areas aren't working and take the funds that are allocated to
those areas that are ineffective and apply them in a more effective
sense rather than adding a new cost, a new program, a new fee, a new
process. So, you know, obviously, Mr. Brock, I -- there's no fault in
you in bringing this forward. You're doing your job, and I appreciate
it.
MR. BROCK: You can't do that statutorily with the
funding mechanism that has been created by the Florida legislature.
The legislature has said you can impose $3, which every penny of it
must be spent in its entirety for teen court and nothing else.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: It's another case where the state
has said, Where we have failed to accomplish the objective, you can
create fees locally to try and do it yourself.
COHMISSIONER BERRY: That's exactly correct.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: And that's getting -- that's --
that's a -- an argument as old as the hills in the State of Florida,
and it's getting tiring. I think we need to stop creating more
programs and begin pressing the state to give us effective programs in
place of the ineffective ones. And I just think we're adding to that
-- that cycle by -- by approving this today. CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Any other comments?
COHMISSIONER BERRY: I will say there are some areas
where it's been thought that the teen court is effective in dealing
with certain individuals. But, again, I -- I totally agree with
Commissioner Hancock. If they would remove something else -- if the
state would do that and say, We're going to give you the option of
doing this or doing -- you know, you -- you can have this or -- or --
or this, I think that would be fine. But, again, it's -- the state is
handing it back to the locals and saying, We really don't want to deal
with this; you guys deal with it and, here, we'll give you a little
mechanism. We'll -- we'll give you -- we'll let you all -- you know,
levy $3. And that's exactly what they're doing, and this goes on time
after time.
I've been involved with this kind of thing for over ten
years, and as -- as effective as I think this might be, I think it
really is time to send a message to the legislature and -- and we hear
this -- I would be willing to support this if we could do it for a
year and take a look and see how many we save.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I was just going to say that.
MR. BROCK: Commissioner, it is entirely in your hands
as to whether or not we implement it, period. As I said, I think the
program was set up from the standpoint of we're not going to use ad
valorem taxes to do it -- COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. BROCK: -- that we're only going to use those funds
that have been made available by the legislature to do it. And if, in
fact, after a year the program is not successful, we can certainly
revisit the issue.
If I could take the concept as it has been considered by
the committee a little bit further, one of the steps that is hoped to
be dealt with in teen court are instances involving disciplinary
actions in the school. Now, that is not the way we are setting it up
to begin with, but that is one of the extensions that would like to be
made by the school board participants in the committee is that in
addition to legal violators, that people who are involved in
disciplinary measures in the school could also be sent to teen court
to be dealt with through the teen court process. And if, in fact,
they fail to comport to the demands of the teen court verdict, then
they would be reverted back to the school system for disciplinary
action.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Call me crazy, but it seems
to me if a kid gets in trouble in school, the school system should be
the first place that that's dealt with. But --
MR. BROCK: I don't disagree with you, Commissioner, but
that was the example.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I un -- I understand. And,
as Commissioner Hancock said, I'm not picking on you. I know you're
just doing your job.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Don't shoot the messenger.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Uh-huh. I -- is there any more
comments from the board or --COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Just -- yes -- that I can count
to three, but so -- since what we want to do is send a message to the
legislature that we're turning this down because we want them to do
something different, could we make some presentation in -- at the
legislative delegation on this issue? CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Absolutely.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: And I think between now and then
we could formulate that again as an official position because --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Well, we'd better write it
down --
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- instead of a resolution.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: The Juvenile Justice Council was
formed to rethink the way we deal with juveniles. This isn't
rethinking; this is heaping on top of an ineffective system.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: And -- and shuffling responsibility.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: And shuffling responsibility from
the state to the local organizations. So, yes, we can take -- I think
we need to take a position.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Absolutely.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: And, unfortunately, this -- this
program is going to see the way of the dinosaur for today.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Let me -- let me close the public
hearing.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I don't know if we need a
motion since the action we'll be taking is not passing these
ordinances. If you -- if Mr. Weigel tells us we need something on the
record, I'll be happy to make a motion. But --
MR. WEIGEL: Well, you don't have to make a motion in
that regard, but if there is a -- a direction from the board to bring
something before the legislative delegation -- this is the clerk's
agenda item, but I -- I need to know -- I think we all need to know
who's directed to make that preparation for the legislative
delegation.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Well, let me -- let me go ahead
and -- and with thanks to the clerk for bringing this item forward
today, let me make a motion that we do not approve the ordinance
providing for a teen court and the $3 fine assessment attached to it.
In addition, I guess I'm looking for the -- the -- we really -- it
really needs to come from the board. If the board will allow me to at
least develop a -- I guess a position statement for your review prior
to the legislative delegation regarding asking the state to assume its
responsibilities correctly and fairly, that would -- that would be the
totality of my motion.
(Hr. Dotrill entered the boardroom.)
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #12C3
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE JUVENILE ASSESSMENT CENTER AND
SUSPENSION PROGRAM THROUGH COUNTYY DELINQUENCY PREVENTION FINES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 775.0833, FLORIDA STATUTES, AS AMENDED BY CHAPTER
96-382, LAWS OF FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR A HANDATORY COST OF THREE
DOLLARS ($3.00) T BE ASSESSED AGAINST EVERY PERSON CONVICTED OF A
VIOLATION OF A CRIMINAL STATUTE - DENIED; COHMISSIONER HANCOCK TO
DEVELOP MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
That was quite unanimous. Mr. Brock, you have another
item that's very similar.
MR. BROCK: Correct, very similar. The -- the Juvenile
Assessment Center -- the department of -- or the Juvenile Justice
Council has asked me to draft a proposed ordinance to the board for a
very similar -- created by the same legislative package to fund the
special assessment center operation. As I understand, the board is in
the process of reviewing a special assessment center contract with the
Department of Juvenile Justice, and the purpose of this is to fund the
operations of the assessment center.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Why -- why -- why do I remember
that we were told we wouldn't be asked to fund -- I guess they just
meant general fund dollars not --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yeah. And I'd -- I'd make
the same argument. And, again, I -- I'm not going to make the same
argue -- I won't go into it. I'm going to make the same argument.
But if you close the public hearing, I'll make a motion.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. Close the public hearing.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Motion to deny --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Second.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- or not to pass the
ordinance.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Are -- are you going to formulate a --
a position paper for the legislative delegation?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Just like the last motion,
I'll suggest Commissioner Hancock formulate a position paper us -- for
our reviewal prior to January 16th.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I think -- I think the two can be
combined.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
MR. BROCK: Thank you, Commissioners.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: I think it can too. Thank you, Mr.
Brock. We have a motion and a second. Do we have a second?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yes.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: All those in favor signify by saying
aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
That will teach those rascals.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yeah, assuming they're listening.
Item #12C4
ORDINANCE 96-87, AMENDING ORDINANCE 91-24 BY EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM
PROHIBITING THE INSTALLATION OF DRAINAGE CULVERTS INCLUDING PIPES OR
OTHER APPURTENANCES WITHIN THE SWALES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY OF THE
AREA GENERALLLY KNOWN AS NAPLES PARK UNTIL JUNE 30, 1997 - ADOPTED
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Item 12(C)(4), a recommendation to
consider the adoption of an ordinance amending Collier County
Ordinance No. 91-24 extending the moratorium --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Is this our annual
extension?
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: This is a --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: This is a little different.
We're not doing an annual extension; we're doing a six-month. And the
reason is Mr. Wiley has been working with the engineers to develop a
cross-section that will allow people to fill their swales in properly
with a -- a perforated concrete pipe. We're going to go ahead and
work with the state on say -- getting the DEP to try and give us a
sign-off on it. So the -- and we expect that to either occur or be
denied within a six-month period. So I -- I'm just try -- trying to
push the time frame here and not let it lag for a 12-month period.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: All right.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Anything to add, Mr. Wiley?
MR. WILEY: That also concurs with the completion of
construction on the project.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: And what is your name, sir?
MR. WILEY: My name is Robert Wiley with your office of
capital projects management.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: That -- that all also includes
the fact that we're not really sure the moratorium is necessary, but
that's a whole other issue.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: That --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Do we have any public speakers,
Mr. Dotrill, on this --
MR. DORRILL: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: -- particular item?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm going to --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Close the public hearing.
COHHISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm going to move approval of
extension of Ordinance 91-24, but for a period of six months to
terminate on June 30, 1997.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #12C5
RESOLUTION 96-592/CWS-96-15, RE PETITION AV-96-020 TO VACATE ALL PUBLIC
ROADWAYS LOCATED ON ROYAL WOOD GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB UNIT 1, ROYAL WOOD
GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB UNIT 2 AND ROYAL WOOD GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB UNIT
3 - ADOPTED
Thank you, Mr. Wiley. Next, Item 12(C)(5), Petition AV
96-020 to vacate all public roadways located on Royal Wood Golf and
Country Club, Unit 1.
MR. HULLER: Good afternoon, Commissioners. For the
record my name is Russ Mullet with the transportation services
department. Item 12(C)(5) is a public hearing to consider Petition AV
96-020 to vacate the public's right to ingress-egress travel upon all
roadways within the Royal Wood Golf and Country Club development. The
location of the development is north of the Rattlesnake Hammock Road
across from Augusta Boulevard in the Lely development. This is a
single-entry development.
The reason for the vacation is one of crime or fear of
crime. Letters of no objection have been received from Collier County
engineering review, stormwater management, the sheriff, East Naples
fire control and rescue district, Collier County utilities, Collier
County planning, FPL, Sprint, and Cablevision. The public benefit to
the -- to the vacation of these roadways would be the reduced
maintenance cost and possible improved value to the community.
In 1995 we received a -- an original petition. On that
petition there was -- a majority of the property owners were in favor.
That petition was 474 for and 163 against. Last week we received a
petition stating that a majority are opposed with 320 for and 354
against. In addition, I've received four letters opposing the
vacation and one letter in favor.
A resolution was prepared and approved by the county
attorney's office in accordance with Florida Statutes 336.09 and
336.10. Based on the public benefit, without transportation concerns,
staff has no objection to the vacation. I think the board's options
are one of approval, denial, and maybe to continue the item until
January 14th with direction to staff to verify the petitions.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Considering how upset some of
the folks were that we took a lunch, they probably don't want to wait
until January 14. So I'd just as soon go ahead and hear the item
today.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Mr. Mullet.
MR. HULLER: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Who -- you -- what -- what was the
date of the first petition?
MR. HULLER: It was in 1995.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: What -- what date?
MR. HULLER: It was about --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: About -- just give me --
MR. HULLER: It was about a year ago.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. And who conducted that poll?
MR. HULLER: It's my understanding -- the petitioner's
agent may be able to address this better, but it was my understanding
it was -- the Royal Wood Homeowners' Association conducted a poll.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. And do you know who conducted
the most recent poll that conflicted in the results?
MR. HULLER: Property owners that were opposed to the --
to the vacation.
(Audience responded negatively)
MR. HULLER: Maybe I'm wrong.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Folks -- folks, everyone's going
to have their chance to speak that registered. So boos, hisses, and
even applause is not appropriate.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Uh-huh.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Thanks.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Maybe someone will be able to answer
that question as we go to the public speakers. How many do we have?
MR. DORRILL: We have 15, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have 15 speakers. Mr. Dorrill's
going to call your name and ask you to come forward. Our policy on
public speakers is we allow you five minutes. We ask you please to be
concise in your remarks.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Are we using the on-deck
circle?
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Yeah. We -- we're -- we're using the
on-deck circle, too, Mr. Dotrill. All right? MR. DORRILL: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: He'll call two and ask you to come
forward. I also point out that -- that you may not need to be
redundant. If someone has already made your points, you might just
agree to verify that that is your -- your position as well. And
remember that you catch more flies with sugar than -- than you do with
vinegar. So when you're ready, let's get started, Mr. Dotrill.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Hart, if you would, please, sir, and
then Mr. Allmendinger. I believe I had that correct; A, double 1,
m-e-n-d-i-n-g-e-r. If I could have you come up here and stand by,
please, sir. Mr. Hart, good afternoon.
MR. HART: Thank you. Excuse me. Good afternoon,
Commissioners. My name's Tom Hart, and I'm representing the Royal
Wood Homeowners' Master Association, and we are the applicant for --
for this vacation today.
I -- I just wanted to hit some highlights. Your staff
has presented this to you. You have the backup material. There are
some important highlights. To answer that first question, however,
let -- let's get that taken care of. The petition that our
association obtained was done -- was concluded on February the 26th of
1996. That petition is in my hand, and I'll show it to you
momentarily. In fact, I'd like to submit it to -- for the record. We
don't know about another petition. We don't know who took that, but
it was not an official petition of the master home -- master associ --
excuse me -- association.
The process that we have come to this day by is that
about a year and a half ago the master association was asked by a
number of its residents to consider the option of privatizing the
roads. The association looked into it, saw the benefits and the
burdens, and -- and concluded that it was a benefit to the community
if they could privatize the roads. Before going forward, however,
even though their -- their articles and bylaws permitted them to do
that, they decided that it was -- because it was so important, they
should ha -- take a vote of the membership. That process involved two
letters from the association to the membership. And in one of those
letters was a petition, and those -- those petitions were signed by
the homeowner or lot owner and then returned to my office, and they
were tallied by my secretary. The -- importantly, the petition is per
lot; it's not per person. And so we have a -- we think a -- a valid
tally of what the residents wanted.
After the petitions were returned -- and I'd like to
submit those now for the record. As you can see, they were 3 to 1 --
these are the for; these are the against -- 3 to 1 in favor of going
forward with this request that is now before you.
If I might, one other -- very quickly, the -- the
letters that were sent to the -- to the residents to explain this
process to them, I would like to submit those to you. You have most
of the items in your backup, but these two you do not.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Never mind. Never mind.
MR. HART: And if I might --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: No. That's -- never mind.
MR. HART: This is -- there are copies here for each
commissioner. Thank you.
There's a very important point to be made, and that is
that there is a big difference between Countryside and this petition
that's before you today. That big difference is that the roads within
Royal Wood do not connect at -- at other than one location. They
connect to Rattlesnake Hammock, but they do not provide a traffic
interconnect to any other road or to any other community. We think
that makes your decision today a whole lot easier.
The public benefit is pretty obvious. The county will
not be required to maintain these roads in the future or resurface
them. The private benefit is that the community will have control
over its own roads. Its -- it will have an enhanced quality of life
and a greater sense of community and security and safety.
The burdens to the public are none. There are no
burdens to the public from making this change. The burden to the --
to the homeowners, of course, are the requirement that they maintain
these roads. Now, the association, in order to look at that burden,
has -- has gotten two contractors to give them an estimate of the time
and the expense involved in maintaining those roads. They took those
estimates to Mr. Archibald and had him verify that those were within
the ballpark. And then they took those numbers, and they put a
substantial portion already in reserve optimistically hoping that you
would approve this today.
There is something that is very similar about this
request to that which you heard last week, and that is that all the
residents are asking you to do is vacate the public's right of
access. This does not affect the right of emergency services,
sheriff, fire, etc., to co -- to come into the community and to serve
the community; and it does not affect any public or private utility
easements. There are letters in your backup material of no objection
from all of those services, and they recognize that.
We understand that there's been a last-minute claim that
there's some -- there's some additional people that are against this;
but we wanted you to know that the board had those votes counted very
carefully, that they have -- that they have maintained that integrity,
and we believe that the accurate count and the accurate voting was
done and it was done properly.
I've got to -- I understand that I'm just about out of
time. We have only three speakers. We have limited our speakers. I
want to tell you that there was a -- a bit of misinformation that was
sent out. I've seen one letter that some of the opposition sent out.
It said the sheriff would not be able to come into the community if
this was granted, and we know that's not true. And it said that this
vacation meant that the community would become gated, and that is not
true. The board has always said that they will gate the community
only after they've had time to study it and only if the residents have
discussed it and voted on it. And so this was not raised. And I
appreciate your attention.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Let me ask you a question.
MR. HART: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: You're -- you're an attorney
representing the master association?
MR. HART: That's correct, yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: I believe I heard you say that it is
not a requirement of the association's bylaws to make this decision
contingent upon a favorable approval of a petition; is that correct?
MR. HART: That is correct, in my opinion. I have
looked at those bylaws.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: So whether the petition is for or
against, really, under your bylaws is fairly immaterial.
MR. HART: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
MR. HART: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you.
MR. HART: And we'll be available for questions. Thank
you very much.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Just -- I -- I -- I do have
one question.
MR. HART: I'm sorry.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: You went into some detail
about the petition that was mailed out, and it had a little -- you
said two mailings, actually. And it had a -- MR. HART: Correct.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- letter in with it giving
some information on what would happen. It might assist people in
making their decision. The -- I assume -- I'm trying to remember what
you said. Every owner?
MR. HART: Every property owner.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Every property owner?
MR. HART: Yes.
COMMISSIONER CONSTATINE: And -- and I assume there was
some methodology to make sure no one was omitted from that process and
MR. HART: We -- we got a list from the homeowners'
association of all of their members who are the owners. And we have
since gotten a list of all the -- the taxpayers, and we've verified
that. So we think we've hit everybody. Now, mistakes could be made,
but I'm not aware of any.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And -- and how many were sent
out?
MR. HART: There were a total of, I believe, 800. We
had a 79 percent return of that 800, and of that 79 percent --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Three out of four.
MR. HART: -- 74 percent were in favor.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Okay. Thank you.
MR. HART: And as I said, the speakers are
representatives of the associations. So we think they're elective
people who can speak for the associations rather than having everybody
that's in favor come up here. We know your time is valuable as well.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Allmendinger, and then Mr. Connelly.
MR. ALLHENDINGER: Good afternoon. My name is Raymond
Allmendinger, and I'm a -- a resident of Royal Wood, a relatively new
resident. I've only been there a year. I, for one, signed the
original petition that was presented in favor of it. I had just
purchased the condo I live in -- my wife and I live in, and I thought
at that time it made sense. When I arrived down here in December of
last year, I started talking to folks and getting their opinions on
what's right and what's wrong, which makes sense, which doesn't make
sense. I changed my mind somewhat, but I still tried to listen and
pay attention to the pro -- proponents and the opponents. As I
listened to them, I found that I really was in a quandary. There were
no easy decisions on this one.
I think the master association was well intended when
they tried to do this. There were obviously people who wanted this
done. I looked at the new petition that was presented to you folks
within the past couple of days or this morning or whenever; and there
are people who changed their mind, I being one of them. I signed the
original petition. I signed the -- the second petition, because after
listening to people and being concerned about ingress, egress,
liability, what happens, as I understand it, the county would deed
from the center line to the property owner. The property owner would
then turn that back to the master association. There are people who
signed this petition against takeover who live on Royal Wood
Boulevard. Suppose, in fact, they don't want to turn that property
back over to the master association for whatever reasons.
I live on a private road up north in the summertime. We
had the exact same problem. People didn't want to turn it back. It
became a very protracted legal experience, a lot of hate, a lot of
dishonest feelings amongst both parties, which really wasn't
warranted.
I think in this instance here we've got possibly a 50/50
standoff. Originally it was two-thirds to one. Now it's supposedly
60 to 40 with the position changed.
I try to rationalize and say, If I were you folks, how
do I handle this thing? You've got a community kind of split down the
middle. I would like to see, as an individual, either -- put this on
hold and don't vote on it today. Allow the association -- the master
association to go back in -- in its next mailing and say to folks, All
right. Here's the list of the proponents. And let -- let the people
who are proponents of this thing put their -- their -- their ideas on,
and let the people who are opponents of this put their ideas down, and
then have another vote. That doesn't sound very democratic. You had
one vote, supposedly; now you're going to have another vote. But
you've got a 50/50 split here. You've got neighbor talking against
neighbor. You've got rumors going crazy.
There's so many things on the master board's plates
right now that one runs into the other automatically. So I think if
you -- if I were you folks, the right thing might be to do is just sit
back, do nothing now, and possibly let this thing -- if it's that
important to the master association, let them come back to us with the
-- both ideas, the good and the bad of it. That's not hard. There's
no great expense to that. And I think it would make you folks -- a
lot easier if you knew the true sentiments of the community. It's a
difficult decision for you, and I understand that. You're going to
get either booed, or -- or -- or applause are going to be given to
you.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: We get both either way.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Either way.
MR. ALLHENDINGER: Well --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Either way we get both.
MR. ALLHENDINGER: Yeah. I know that, unfortunately.
But I think this might be a way.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Hay I ask you --
MR. ALLHENDINGER: Or else vote against it today and
allow the master association to come back again at it at a future
date.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Hay I ask you a question.
How did this petition come to you? How did it come to your
attention?
MR. ALLHENDINGER: It was brought to me by one of the --
one of the residents. Which -- which -- the first or the second?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: The second. This one
(indicating).
MR. ALLHENDINGER: That was brought to me by one of the
residents.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Like a door-to-door-type
thing?
MR. ALLHENDINGER: Yes.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Thank you.
MR. ALLHENDINGER: You're welcome.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Connelly. And then, Mr. Barra, if I
could have you stand by, please.
MR. CONNELLY: Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman,
Commissioners. My name's Doyle Connelly, and I live at 3865 Royal
Wood Boulevard. As president of the Royal Wood Master Association,
I'm here on behalf of the owners of Royal Wood Golf and Country Club
to request that you approve the vacation request.
The Royal Wood Master Association is comprised of one
representative from each of the seven communities in Royal Wood and
the country club. Last year after much con -- consideration our board
recognized the several benefits of privatizing our roads in the
community.
According to Article 4, Section 1 of the Royal Wood
amended and restated bylaws of the master association, the master
association board has the right to ask for this vacation without a
membership vote. It was felt that we needed to take the issue to the
membership. We, therefore, sent information about the subject and the
process involved to each of our residents requesting that they send
back their vote indicating whether -- whether we should come before
you, the county commissioners, making this request or not.
We received the 79 percent response to that request,
which 74 percent voted to go forward with the privatization of the
roads. Seventy-four percent of our residents actually signed their
names to petitions indicating yes, they were in favor of privatizing
our roads and requesting that the roads be vacated. These figures
were challenged. We had -- we then had Mr. Hart bring the ballots in
a sealed envelope to a committee appointed by the board, who in turn
canvassed them and satisfied themselves that it was an accurate count.
The cost of maintaining our roads has been thoroughly
researched in that we have had two different contractors give us cost
of maintenance and an over -- cost of maintenance and an overlay of a
-- of an inch of asphalt. We ran these numbers by your department of
transportation to satisfy ourselves that they were realistic amounts.
They indicated they were in line. We then broke that down to a cost
per unit, which came out to $13.50 per unit owner per year. This
figure has already been established in a reserve account for 1997.
There will be no special assessments.
As an individual resident of Royal Wood, I firmly
believe that privatizing our roads will enhance the quality of our
life and our community. I believe that we will as residents benefit
from a greater sense of security, common pride, neighborliness, and
enhanced property values.
In conclusion, I would simply say to you that we
appreciate your favorable consideration of this request. Vacating the
roads in Royal Wood will not only provide a benefit to the county, but
will also provide a significant benefit to the residents of our
community. There are no adverse consequences to the county. And our
residents, your constituents, overwhelmingly support your doing so.
Thank you for your attention and your favor -- favorable consideration
of this matter. Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Barra.
(Applause)
MR. DORRILL: Then, Reverend Lawlet, if I could have you
stand by, please, sir.
MR. BARRA: My name is John Barra. I live in Royal
Wood. I originally did a lot of research before I bought into a place
because Iwm on a fixed income. I came here after seeing the rules and
regulations, and I was happy with the expenses that I was going to be
able to meet. Now I find the expenses are getting greater and
greater.
Privatizing the road -- he mentioned something like $12
a year. Well, that would be very hard to believe that you can
maintain a road for that small amount. But in any case, itws not only
privatizing the road. If you allow the road to be privatized, there
are many other ideas that they have -- to have a guard at the gate; to
fence in the whole area, which is going to start to become a very big
expense. And then I would have to leave the -- and Iwve spoken to
quite a few of my friends and neighbors in the -- who have changed
their minds since, because they find now that in retrospect this is
going to become quite a big event. So I feel that if you do that,
therewre going to be many people whowre going to leave the place
because itws going to become too expensive. Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Reverend Lawlet, then Mr. Connelly. Doyle
Connelly.
MR. CONNELLY: Thatls me.
MR. DORRILL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Hews already -- hews already spoken
once.
FATHER LAWLER: My name is Father Lawlet. I've been
called other names. And I am a -- a resident of Royal Wood. I might
have to iterate some of the things that have been said, but I'd like
to make a point. I have been there for five years, and I get to know
some of the people. The original ballot that was mailed out to us was
very vague. They had two points that were favorable and two, perhaps,
that were unfavorable. Many people took them very casually, I'm sure,
as I did at first. Although I've been dealing in these matters not
only in the parish and the service -- I grew up in Boston politics,
and that should tell you something.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: At least it wasn't Chicago.
FATHER LAWLER: My uncle was the campaign manager for
Jim Curly (phonetic). Now, what I'd like to -- to say here is that
when I came down here last fall, in talking with one of the members of
the board, I was told this is a done deal. With political background
you know what that means. I said, "And who said so?" Well, that's
what the count was. I said, "How many people honestly knew what were
the pros and cons in this statement that you asked them to answer yes
or no?" The answer was, very few understood the implications.
Now, I ask you, consider it yourself. You have a
roadway. You want to take it over. Why bother? The county's going
to maintain it. You don't have to maintain it. You are paying taxes,
and that goes to the maintenance. No. We want the road. Why? Well,
we want it private. It gives a sense of affluence. We're going to be
able to keep out undesirables. There's no undesirables that come into
Royal Wood. There's nothing to see.
We had -- we had one incident and only one incident, and
I was here at the time.
VOICE: What about the robberies?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Let him speak.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Yeah. Let's -- let's --
FATHER LAWLER: There was that one incident, and they
got the perpetrators and put them in jail. There is no way to have
security in Royal Wood, because you can enter it from any side of this
development, any side. There is one entrance. And if you find where
they say we don't have -- we're not planning on a -- a security there,
look at your application. And you can have no security even with that
gate. That would not have prevented the incident that took place in
one of the homes. It will not prevent any robbery, because they can
walk in anyplace. And all they're doing with their security gate is
putting in further expense.
Now, why impose on the people in that community -- and
many of them -- and I'm not speaking for just the poor people. You
say, Well, you're perhaps one of them. No. I have a sufficiency of
funds, and I -- it's not because I was scooping. It's because I spent
28 years in the Air Force and saved it, and they were keen enough to
realize my abilities and promoted me accordingly. And so now I live
off of that.
But I can't stand to see people's money wasted because
of the ambitions -- we have here in Royal Wood, as every golf course
does, a character. I was taken in by it the first time I drove in
there. Now, if you don't like the personality of Royal Wood, why did
you buy here? And now you in -- you are in here. Now you want to
change everything. Well, there's other courses you can go to that
will perhaps comply with all of your needs as far as golf is
concerned. But I'm concerned with people.
(Applause)
FATHER LAWLER: First time I ever gave a sermon and I
had that on the thing.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I hope my priest is watching;
that's all I know. I got an idea -- MR. DORRILL: Mr. --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: -- for Sunday.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Hasker, you'll be following
Mr. Connelly.
MR. CONNELLY: My name is Ron Connelly. I'm an owner at
Royal Wood, not related to Doyle Connelly, same spelling. I'm against
this; shows that Connellys can be, you know, in opposing views. I'm
against it for two basic reasons -- three, really. The first is that
we're here today, as you can see, with dissension. The master board
failed to get the point across intelligently, in my opinion, and
that's why we've got all this confusion.
There are -- are a lot of people at Royal Wood that
perceive this to be an expensive undertaking in the future. And,
again, as someone previously said before me, people on fixed incomes
that live in the building I live in are frightened to death of this.
I think that driven by the fact that we're told that this will
increase security -- well, the only way you're going to increase
security is to hire a security force to come in there and maintain the
place, because the last gentleman was quite right; there's
accessibility on all four sides to Royal Wood.
One of the reasons I was told that privatation --
privatization would be beneficial to us was that it would eliminate a
pass-through on our road to any adjacent developer that built
property. It's my perception -- and you can correct me -- that if a
developer or developers built adjacent to us and there had to be
accessibility down Royal Palm Boulevard, that through eminent domain
you could do that, which negates the whole process of maintaining that
privacy. Because the county felt it had to have accessibility to
those developers, then that's what would happen. That's basically all
I have to say. Thank you very much.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Hasker, and then, Mr. Hall, if I could
have you come forward, please.
MR. HASKER: Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and
Commissioners. My name's A1 Hasker. I live in Andover Way in Royal
Wood. I am also the president of the Andover Condo Association, which
consists of 144 units. Andover voted in favor of privatizing our roads
in Royal Wood -- Royal Wood. We believed that the proposed
privatization of our roads is a -- real and substantial benefits to
each of the residents of Royal Wood.
I'd like to echo Mr. Connelly's statements when he told
you that our residents are strongly in favor of this request. Our com
-- community is made up of seven individual associations, both
single-family and condominium association, each of which has its own
president. The president of each association meets regularly as a
presidents' council, and I am chairman of that group. Our council has
discussed this issue on a number of occasions, and we're -- we are
aware of the benefits and burdens, such as they are, associated with
the privatization of our roads in Royal Wood.
The ma -- majority of us believe that the proposed
privatizations of our road is of a real and substantial benefit to
each of the residents in Royal Wood. It will be an improvement to our
quality of life, and we think it will enhance our property values. It
will allow us as a community to have better control of our facilities,
and -- and we think it will bring our neighbors and residents closer
together.
I would like to state at this time that all associations
within Royal Wood voted in favor of privatization. As president of
our associations, we are mandated to recommend to the master
association the way a majority of our members voted. I want to thank
you ladies and gentlemen for your time, and I request that you vote
favorable on our measure. Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you, sir.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Hall.
(Applause)
MR. DORRILL: And then Mr. Sousek.
MR. HALL: My name is Wayne Hall. I am the president of
Cranbrook Colony, which is one of the seven neighborhood associations
in Royal Wood. Cranbrook Colony consists of 120 condominium units. A
poll of our unit owners regarding the proposal to privatize the
streets in Royal Wood resulted in a response from 99 owners, or 82.5
percent, which indicates the interest of the unit owners in this
matter. Of the 99 who responded, 89, or 90 percent, voted in favor of
action to privatize -- the petition for (sic) privatize the Royal Wood
streets. This certainly indicates the desires of the members of
Cranbrook Colony to support the petition action.
To support the statement made by president Doyle
Connelly regarding the vote of the membership, at the request of some
of our members, a subsequent canvass of the membership vote was
authorized by the Royal Wood board of directors. I served on that
committee with four other members representing both sides of the
question. This intensive canvass verified that the reported vote was
complete and correct.
One factor mentioned by several members is the fact that
the golf course layout at Royal Wood requires that golfers and golf
carts must cross internal streets nine times during an 18-hole round
of golf. Each crossing of a public street is an opportunity for an
adverse safety incident. Needless to say, the membership I represent
support the action to privatize the streets in Royal Wood. Thank you.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Sousek and then Mr. Bloom.
(Applause)
MR. SOUSEK: Good afternoon, Commissioners. My name is
Orland Sousek, and I live at 6058 Westborough Drive in Royal Wood.
I'm here to be against the privatization because of all the false
rumors and just complete obfuscation of some of the things that have
been said.
Now, I know this: that the estimate that is given of
$13.20 a year per person is not going to be correct, because on my
street it's already deteriorating. The ca -- the developer was
supposed to put in 3 inches of macadam. There is not 3 inches there,
because I've seen the holes and the chuckholes. It's about an inch
and a half. So, I mean, this road is ready to be paved or chuckholes
filled. And there's gravel that comes loose from the macadam, and
it's just a matter of time. People have said, Well, you aren't going
to do anything for 20 years. That is false. This road needs to be
paved right now.
And the other particular things they have on is the
security. Well, I have a neighbor who just moved into that place from
another development that had a gate and privatized roads. He got
robbed two times last year, and he just received notes from his
neighbors that there were seven attempted break-ins in his old
neighborhood. Another person that lived in the Vineyards told me that
being in a private place does not sell your home faster. In fact,
it's -- it's -- it is a deterrent.
And further on, I wish to address that the lots that are
north and northeast of Royal Wood -- there's a number of lots there,
and it is so -- let's say it's complicated in that there's a lot of --
there's a few homeowners there and a few lot owners that no big
development can handle or can be put on that thing. You'll have a
small condo, but you never can have a unit development like we have.
So I urge you to vote against the privatization. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you, sir.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Bloom and Mr. McGarity.
(Applause)
MR. BLOOM: My name is Elmer Bloom. I live at 3655
Amberly Circle. I want to go on record as opposing this
privatization. My history is a good deal the same as Mr.
Allmendinger, the first speaker. I originally supported the -- the
petition, and I later called the attorney's office and told them to
withdraw my support. And I also this year wrote a letter to your
chairman indicating that I was now opposed.
I want to endorse the statements that were made by the
opponents thus far and add just one additional thing. From the
beginning it was my understanding that a lot of people were afraid
that the Royal Wood Boulevard being public, it would be easy to make a
connection to Whitaker or some road to the north and, thus, if it were
privatized, make it a -- a throughway. I question that very strongly.
I think that fear is overblown.
I recently walked around the north side of -- of Royal
Wood and the east side; and I know that Whitaker is connected to
Polly, which is a street just a -- a few hundred feet to the east of
Royal Wood Boulevard. Whitaker is connected to a Pol -- through Polly
by a right-of-way of some kind. You can stand on Whitaker and look
down that right-of-way and see Polly and, in fact, see all the way to
Rattlesnake Hammock. And it would seem to me that -- at the present
time that appear -- apparently is a drainage ditch. But it is quite
wide, and it would seem to me that if there were some desire to
connect Whitaker with Royal Wood, that it would be very simple to
utilize this right-of-way, thus, not disturbing anything and being
just about as easy and just as good a connection between Whitaker and
Rattlesnake Hammock as going down Royal Wood Boulevard.
Thank you very much. I think we're being asked to buy a
pig in a poke here. We have the best of all worlds at the present
time, and I urge you to leave it that way.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you, sir.
MR. DORRILL: Miss McGarity.
(Applause)
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Erlichman, you'll follow this lady.
MS. McGARITY: Good afternoon. I have a little bit
different story to tell. I've been in -- CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Name, please.
MS. McGARITY: Ruth McGarity, M-c-G-a-r-i-t-y. I have
lived in this area of Collier County for 20 years. I lived in a home
in Lely for quite a while. I was a member of Lakewood Golf Course.
And later on my husband and I decided to buy a condo in Royal Wood,
because we really liked the -- this part of Naples. It's quiet. It's
crime free -- almost crime free thanks to the sheriff's department.
They do a good job. And it's not an area where people travel
through. It's really quiet, and we chose it for that reason. We did
not choose it because it would be a privatized community. As a matter
of fact, we would have chosen to live elsewhere.
Now, there are enough privatized communities in Collier
County if people want to live in those. We did not choose to live in
one. So I think this is kind of misrepresenting the whole community
to sell it as a public community and then eight years later decide,
for what I think are absolutely false pretenses -- it's not a
dangerous community. There's no crime. There's no traffic. We love
it there, and I don't think it needs to be privatized. And I think
the large majority of people who were sold on voting for this are
really -- I hate to say this word, but I think they're snowbirds. And
they think this sounds good in Massachusetts and Michigan and places
like that.
Our community is going to be protected, but I say we
don't need protection. They were mislead, and I don't think they
should rule a community where the rest of us know that it's going to
be lovely, not only now -- and it has been -- but it will as long as
we're going to be there, I'm sure.
I don't think we need privatization at all. It's -- as
a matter of fact, there are only two permanent residents in my
condominium all year round, and you know, I kind of like it that way.
It's quiet. It's peaceful. It's pleasant. Do I need protection?
No, thanks to the Collier County Sheriff's Department. And thank you
for allowing me to speak, and thank you for answering my questions
when I wrote to you. Thank you.
(Applause)
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Erlichman. Mr. Smith, you'll follow
Mr. Erlichman.
MR. ERLICHHAN: Good afternoon, Commissioners, Gil
Erlichman. I reside at -- in Royal Wood in the Amherst Cove Condo
Association area. I've been a -- a unit owner there since its
inception in 1989.
When my wife and I come down here to Naples in April of
1988, we rented a -- a condominium in Kings Lake, and we looked
around. And at that time -- later on in the year I -- Royal Wood was
starting to be developed. So we -- we explored the area, and we liked
the convenience of where we were living in Kings Lake with its -- with
its nearness to the commun -- Collier County center -- Government
Center and our position and lawyer, etc.; so we decided to purchase in
Royal Wood. We liked the idea of living on a golf course. We do not
play golf. I brought -- I brought -- I brought down a set of clubs,
and I think I played once and that's it. I have -- my time is too
valuable to spend on the golf course when I have other activities to
do, but people that like to play golf, fine.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Really --
MR. ERLICHHAN: We like --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- I think you ought to take it
up.
MR. ERLICHHAN: We like -- (Applause)
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm just teasing you, Gil. Just
kidding.
MR. ERLICHHAN: I'm glad I'm making you laugh.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Give him an extra minute. I'm
sorry.
MR. ERLICHHAN: Okay. But we like the openness of the
area of Royal Wood and the -- the trees and the vegetation and so
forth. And it's nice and quiet, and we liked it because there was
only one entrance, period. So there was -- wasn't going to be any
through traffic, and this is why we chose to live in Royal Wood.
We have no -- we have no inclination or no desire to
live in a -- in a gated community, and this is what I think this
privatization is leading to. You have a certain mind-set, a certain
group of people -- I -- I think most of them are homeowners in Royal
Wood -- that want to create a private enclave, gated community. This,
they think, is going to enhance their property values. Maybe -- maybe
so; maybe not. And this, they think, is going to prevent crime. You
cannot prevent crime. I don't care where you live. I mean, you could
live in a -- in a high-rise in -- on the Gulf Coast, and I think that
you might get -- you -- you'll probably be mugged going into your --
your apart -- your condo.
But, anyhow, as I said, there's only one entrance. We
have no through traffic. We have no problems with speeders. There
are very few families with school-age children. So, therefore, I
don't see the -- the reason for privatizing the road and putting up a
gate. We have a speed limit in there.
Our restaurant was just made public about two weeks ago
by a petition through -- to you commissioners. Now, if they want to
make the rest -- the restaurant public, why do we want to create pri
-- a pri -- and privatize the road? Most people that own and -- and
reside in Royal Wood are retirees and are on fixed incomes. I'm one
of them. And when I purchased -- when my wife and I purchased the
unit, we did it because of its affordability and our ability to pay
for the necessary maintenance required. Privatizing the road means
that I'm going to have to pay for maintenance of the road plus I'll be
still paying my taxes to maintain the other public roads in Collier
County.
As I said before, I don't believe in living in an
exclusive enclave to prevent the so-called riffraff from driving
through. And I don't like -- I don't like the idea of stopping -- to
stop at a -- at a gate, identify myself before I can proceed to my
home.
Now, they -- people that are -- that are for this
privatization say, Oh, this -- they're only doing this because they
want to prevent the -- the -- the building of a -- of a -- or
development of some area northwest -- on the northwest -- the
northeast corner of -- of the -- of Royal Wood and that in the future
that road might be used as a through road.
I'd like to wrap this up by saying let's not go back
into the middle ages and live in the walled -- in walled cities as the
people in those times -- those times had to do because of the high
women and the cut-throats that were around -- running around at
night. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you, sir.
MR. DORRILL: Mr. Smith.
(Applause)
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Hey, Gil. Gil, we're in trouble,
because we're going to be agreeing on two things today. It can
happen.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: You're slipping. You're
slipping.
MR. DORRILL: Ms. McLean, you'll follow this gentleman.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Dorrill, how much --
MR. DORRILL: Ms. McLean's the last one.
MR. SMITH: County Commissioners, my name is Claude
Smith. I've lived in Royal Wood in the Amberly Village for -- this is
-- will be my seventh year. I've enjoyed it immensely. It's a great
golf course, and I've met a lot of great people. It's been fun for me
and my wife.
I am the bearer of that opposition petition. If you
want to know where it came from, it probably originated at our place
in Armberly. It was supported by a -- a great many cooperative and
helpful people throughout most of the Royal Wood community. It was
provoked probably by, again, questions that were encompassed in the
early letters that were directed to everybody. I happen to have a
corroborating tally of what transpired, and I'll just give you a
little history of that. And I'll -- you've heard a lot of the aspects
of pros and cons, and some of them have been somewhat redundant, we
all recognize.
The original petition mailed by Tom Hart from Fort Myers
was originated by or authorized by the Royal Wood Master Association.
The original tally, as I have been made aware of, was 461 for
privatization, 163 against. There was efforts extended and letters
written, and I think you've had some accumulation of letters that were
directed to the commissioners as well as Mr. Hart's office as well as
the Royal Wood Master Association.
We've tried to keep everybody abreast of what we were
doing in this opposition group, if you want to call us that. Some
people call us something very much more drastic. But we tried to be
honest and aboveboard in what efforts we were doing.
We did accumulate a number of petitions, and it was only
just recently that I was given the opportunity -- I'm, by the way, on
the Royal Wood Haster's Association. I'm a board of director, and I
am the secretary. I went up to Tom Hart's office a -- a week ago
Friday on -- I believe that was the -- December 6th; and we, again,
reviewed all petitions that he had in his file both for and against.
We did this for a specific reason. We wanted to cross-check the
original petitioners' votes with what we had been accumulating since
February of this year. We tried to get a unbiased response of those
people to vote their convictions since the opposition became a concern
for at least many people.
We found that by a very prudent and concerned
analyzation of the petitions, signatures that we had obtained, there
was 141 people who had originally voted for privatization who had
changed their vote to against. There was also an accumulated vote of
50 petitions from people opposing Royal Wood road privatization that
had previously not voted.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Smith?
MR. SMITH: Yes.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: How --
MR. SMITH: Yes.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- was that -- this petition
circulated?
MR. SMITH: It was circulated by hand. A few of them
were mailed. And I presume that, our petition being a -- a
straightforward petition, you have a copy of it.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And over what period of time
was it?
MR. SMITH: We started with letters probably in January
-- late January. One la -- one letter was over the signature of
Rolly Pions, a civil engineer. And it was a concerned letter pointing
out some of the issues that we thought should be made aware of the
total membership of Royal Wood. And then we did circulate the
petition, most of it by hand. We discussed things with the various
people throughout the condo groups as well as some of the homeowners'
groups.
(Audience responded negatively)
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Allow him to have his
opportunity to speak, please.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Come on, let's hold the comments down,
please.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Give everyone the same
courtesy, please.
MR. SMITH: We didn't make a total mailing or
distribution of our petition against Royal Wood privatization of roads
simply because we were working on a zero cost or zero budget. We were
doing this all by our own good efforts. We didn't have the $25,000
that Royal master board spent for the petition that they actually
originated. Any questions of me?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yes, sir. Seeing as -- that you
mentioned that the letter under Mr. -- is it Peons (phonetic) or
Pions?
MR. SMITH: Pions.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Pions -- signature, that's where
I tend to derive the greatest difficulty with a lot of the new
petition's signatures that you circulated, because some of the points
in here are factually incorrect such as sheriff's patrols not being
allowed in the community or that they would not continue in the
community. I know that not to be true. The element that storm sewers,
if they begin destroying the roadway, who pays for it? Well, that
depends on who owns the storm sewers, the easements for them, and who
operates them. If it's the county, the county -- just like when we
have sanitary sewer that goes bad that -- or will begin leaking in an
area and begins to create potholes, we have to fix the sewer and then
fix the road on top of it.
So I -- I guess I want to ask what research went into
this letter that you then indicated to people that the sheriffs were
no longer going to patrol -- patrol, that you had no idea who was
going to fix the roadway if the storm sewers went bad, and -- and the
other points. I guess -- who did the research and came up with these
points?
MR. SMITH: That was a personal letter originated by
Rolly Pions, and it was used by his own mailing as well -- or giving
out as well as mailing. And you -- you know who it's addressed to?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yes, the master board of
directors.
MR. SMITH: That's right.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: But it was circulated among the
community.
MR. SMITH: That one wasn't circulated. The one that
was circulated is a two-page -- with the petition. Is that what
you're referring to?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: No. Actually I was referring to
another one. But --
MR. SMITH: Okay. But I'll -- I'd like to --
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: You're not Mr. Pions; so maybe my
question's inappropriate. But I was just curious if you knew who had
contacted the sheriff's office to inquire about these things or who
had contacted county utilities to ask about them. The big concern I
have on these petitions --
MR. SMITH: I --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- is --
MR. SMITH: I appreciate --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- the information be valid and
correct.
MR. SMITH: I appreciate where you're coming from, but
that particular letter was basically addressed to the Royal Wood
Master Association at Royal Wood. COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. SMITH: And we even had sent letters to Tom Hart
expressing some concern, but the letter that was -- accompanied the --
the individual petition is a two-page letter, and I think it's dated
somewhere around the -- late February. And I think you all have
copies of those.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
MR. SMITH: It's a two-page letter. I think that's the
one that more realistically embraced the concerns and the information
that we were actually trying to convey to the -- to the people for
their edification before they actually took time to consider voting
against the road privatization.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Mr. Smith --
MR. SMITH: Anything else?
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: -- let me see if I can -- I'm not
clear on a couple of things. I'm going to see if I can get you to
help me with it. Tell me again the time frame which you circulated
your petition.
MR. SMITH: We started -- is -- I just went back through
some of the dates. It seemed like the dating of the petitions were
starting early in February, and some of them were even consummated as
recently as a week ago.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: So you've been collecting petitions
for eight or nine months?
MR. SMITH: We didn't do it during the summer, because
most of the people who were working on the project against the road
privatization are snowbirds.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. And did I hear you say that you
are a member of the master association or board yourself?
MR. SMITH: Yes. I am the secretary of the Royal Wood
Master Association.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. And how long have you been in
that position?
MR. SMITH: Since February. I took the place of Ed
Keyes, the president, who resigned. And he -- then I represented Am
-- Amberly at -- CHAIRMAN NORRIS: When did the -- when did the master
association vote to support privatization?
MR. SMITH: Interesting that you would bring that up,
because I searched the -- the Royal Wood Master Association meetings
during the entire 1995 period, and there was no minutes of Royal Wood
Master Association -- Association voting on a movement to privatize
Royal Wood roads.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: The petitions that the master
association circulated were completed in February of --
MR. SMITH: No. No. The Royal Wood Master Association
petitions, they were mailed out November 21, 1995.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: But completed in February. I guess
that's what we're --
MR. SMITH: The -- yes. The tally was made in February;
that's correct.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. So you as a member of a board
are actively working to subvert what the board has agreed to.
MR. SMITH: I started it before I ever had any thoughts
of becoming a member of the Royal Wood Board of tru -- Board of
Directors.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Not that there's anything wrong
with representing a mi -- minority petition.
MR. SMITH: I appreciate that. Now --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Well-spoken.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Yeah. I'm doing a lot of that
too. You and I disagree all the time, John. He's entitled to
disagree with the board.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Yes. But when I lose one, I don't go
out and actively try to --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: That's right.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: -- subvert the will of this board.
(Applause)
MR. SMITH: I'll re -- I'll repeat --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: But the issue's not decided yet.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: I understand.
MR. SMITH: No. I -- I just want to repeat the fact,
Commissioner Norris, that -- that I started my efforts, if you will,
with the group --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have one more --
MR. SMITH: -- late last year, late 1995. And I wasn't
even appointed until -- and I think I was appointed to some degree
because of the opposition for road --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you, sir.
MR. SMITH: -- maintenance.
MR. DORRILL: Ms. McLean.
(Applause)
MR. DORRILL: I think they're applauding the arrival of
Ms. McLean --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Spontaneous '-
MR. DORRILL: -- who is your final registered speaker.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Now that I'll applaud.
MS. MCLEAN: Commissioners, I want to speak to a single
point. And I think it's important to speak -- CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Name, please.
MS. MCLEAN: Oh, I'm sorry. Barbara McLean, and I'm a
resident of Royal Wood.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm sorry. I can't hear her
with that gentleman holding his conversation across the aisle back
there.
MS. MCLEAN: Okay. I'm Barbara McLean, and I live in
Amberly in Royal Wood. The single issue that I see, anyway, presented
to you is to vote to privatize the road, and all of the other issues
have come to the fore either because of newspaper articles or private
conversations. And what I see your business is this one single
point: the privatization of the road. All of the other stuff really
doesn't matter today. And so I'd like to say that just to underscore
the importance and the relevance of this point, and it's a simple
One.
One of the most desirable attributes of Royal Wood is
the existing no-through-traffic pattern. Private -- privatization
would guarantee that this would never change. Not privatizing leaves
the absolute potential in place for losing this desirable
no-through-traffic pattern; therefore, privatization is essential to
pre -- preserve the existing situation and literally changes nothing
else. And that's the -- in my impression, the only business before
the board, and all of the rest is distraction. Thank you.
(Applause)
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: We've got -- I'm sorry. I don't
know. Who's first?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Go ahead. Go on.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I've got a couple of questions
for staff, but the one thing I want to mention -- I've said this
before -- is you could have a -- a ballot among a homeowners'
association on what color of the carpeting in the clubhouse should be,
and you'll get a split vote. You know, you're never going to see
unanimity in associations. It's -- it's -- it doesn't happen.
What I'm concerned about is the division here and why
the division has occurred. It was -- I mean, 74 percent is a
substantial percentage to vote for something to then be changed later,
and that's what I'd like to get to.
Mr. Mullet, are there communities in the county that
have private roads but are not gated? MR. HULLER: Yes, sir.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. Are -- are there several
of them? One or two? MR. HULLER: Lots.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. So one doesn't necessarily
mean the other, and we've seen that throughout -- because I'm not
sure. I don't know. I've -- I've only lived in one gated community,
and we had private roads. But -- but there are communities with
private roads that don't have gates. MR. HULLER: Right.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. The second thing -- and
this may be something Mr. Cautero needs to answer. We used to have a
requirement that if you came in to develop a parcel, your density --
allowable density was based on whether or not you interconnected with
the adjacent properties. Now, if the property to the north of Royal
Wood is to be developed -- I know Youth Haven sits there, and there's
some vacant parcels -- is their density in any way based on
interconnection to adjacent parcels?
Mr.: I believe that's still the case.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. You can -- you get four
units an acre unless you don't interconnect, and then it's three units
an acre in the urban area. Is that -- that's my understanding.
Mr.: I believe that's similar. I can verify that for
you.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: So if they want four units an
acre, they're going to have to interconnect to the adjacent parcel.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Actually, I'm pretty familiar
with that, and I -- I think it says you get -- that you -- you lose
the unit if it's possible to interconnect and you choose not to.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Right. Which I'm looking at a
perimeter road and a couple locations that are -- that would be
possible, and then there's Whitaker Road to the north. So I'm just --
I'm just trying to find out if that is a viable concern.
Mr.: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: But it sounds like it may be.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Uh-huh.
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay. And the -- the third thing
-- and I've already mentioned it -- is in the letters that the
association sent out, you can say they didn't have enough information
in them. I think that can always be the case. I'm more concerned
about the letters afterwards that skewed information such as the
sheriff's patrols and -- and who pays for what and -- and so forth.
That may have something to do with a lot of the signatures that have
come in since then, and that concerns me a little bit.
But we just have -- the first decision we have to make
is, is there a public purpose to these roadways remaining as public
right-of-way, which is exactly what we had to do at Countryside. And
this one -- in that case it is even clearer that the general public
has no benefit of these roadways being public. I mean, we -- we don't
gain anything as a community from them. So once we get past that, it
then becomes a question of how much rights do you give the property
owners inside there who collectively want to pursue something. And
that's what it boils down to today with those other things being
answered.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: That's what I wanted to say,
is there are two distinct questions. One, has the proper body or
authority come forward and asked for this? The master association has
that authority. It -- it certainly appears that they have gone to
great effort to have some measured scientific result as to what the
majority of the people in the community want.
And, as Commissioner Hancock said, there are always
going to be disputes within homeowners' associations, and there
obviously is one here. But the disputes -- the individual disputes
within the association isn't within the purview of this board. We
don't have any -- any ability for that. What we have is a vote that
went out that's been certified by a local attorney. It went out to
every homeowner, every property owner with some quantifiable results.
So I'm comfortable that that question has been answered, that -- that
it is the proper authority asking it, and are they reflecting the will
of the majority.
The -- the second part is exactly what you said: What
are the merits? And this is really what we've got to get into is,
have they met the merits? What is the merit of the request? And --
and, as you said, this is even more cut and dried than a week ago.
There are no letters of objection. Our staff has no objection. The
fire department has no objection. EMS has no objection and so on.
There is zero impact on the public traffic or on safety. There's a
positive impact fiscally on the county. And so, I mean, if -- if --
if we are looking simply at the merits of it and we can -- are
comfortable that it's been brought forward properly, then I -- I'm not
sure how we can oppose that.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Any other comments or questions --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I have one.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: -- before I close the public hearing?
Yeah.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I -- I have a question about the
process. Is the process for review created by ordinance -- for staff
review of these applications? Mr.: Yes.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Because --
Mr.: But not ordinance; resolution.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: By resolution. I -- I think that
the -- that the process is faulty in that we don't have any review by
long-range planning or any planning staff. The responsibility all
falls on Mr. Archibald as the only nonengineer -- you -- you may have
that expertise, and I don't even know, but -- to look at how -- what
effect this may have on the overall transportation system of the
county. And I'd -- I'd like to ask that we consider revising the
process so that the -- the long-range planning staff look at -- look
at these so that we get some advice from them about how closing a road
might or might not affect future growth in the county.
And I'm just opposed fundamentally to the concept of
continuing to close private roads -- I mean, to privatize roads that
are presently public, especially until we have an overall review of
what effect they're going to have on the future transportation needs.
The current, as of this moment, transportation system indicates that
this is not -- there isn't a loss of a public benefit. But we're not
looking at the long term, and that's what concerns me at this --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Are you suggesting that maybe
at some point we should interconnect this and have traffic flowing
through this community?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I am suggesting that we should
look at it before we make decisions.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Some of the no votes may have
just changed their mind.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: That -- that's no problem.
Everybody's entitled to their opinion. I think that the -- the --
that the process is flawed, because we're not looking at the overall
impact for the county. We're looking bit by bit at the neighborhoods.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I -- I -- I have to disagree,
because it's Mr. Archibald's department that is responsible for the
long-range transportation planning. Long-range planning doesn't do
that solely for the county. If there's any other entity that should
be involved, maybe the HPO. But -- but it is Mr. Archibald's
department and Mr. Mullet that actually review the transportation
impacts, and that's a part of your staff recommendation, if I'm not
mistaken. So I -- I think it is being addressed. And the idea that
-- that we should enter into this or not enter into it because we
think we may some day want to subject the people on Royal Wood
Boulevard to creating a through road between Whitaker and Rattlesnake
Hammock, well, I think is a -- is an -- a fairly incredible leap and
probably something they would not expect. So I'm -- again, that being
the reasoning, I -- I disagree respectfully. But --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Well, if you look at the map
and the Santa Barbara extension that's planned, it wouldn't make any
sense to have the interconnection there anyway, which is probably one
of the reasons our staff came up with no objection. I think that
Commissioner Hancock's point is right; Mr. Mullet and Mr. Archibald
are the ones who are looking at what our needs are long term. And
they did look in this case, and they did look a week ago and did not
see a problem and then filed that as part of their executive summary.
And you may disagree with that.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Uh-huh.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: But don't suggest that the
process isn't being gone through just because you don't agree with the
end result.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I would like to have a broader
view, and I'm entitled to that opinion. I would like to have a
broader review than just the transportation review.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm afraid you're not allowed to
have an opinion.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I understand.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: You're not -- you're not --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: No opinions allowed.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: No opinions.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Are there any further comments or
questions for the staff? If not, I'll close the public hearing.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Chairman, I'm going to make a
motion to put this on the floor. And I'm -- just as we did for
Countryside, I think it needs to be qualified for the -- on the basis
that there -- the Royal Wood Boulevard and interior streets really
serve no public purpose other than access to private property. And
based on the -- an official survey of residents citing a 74 percent
approval rate of privatization of the roadways, I'm going to move
approval of the application.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Mr. Weigel's trying to jump in here.
MR. WEIGEL: I -- I would ask if maybe Mr. Constantine
might lead the group with any disclaimer of any outside information he
may have had prior to the hearing today.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I have had some
correspondence and telephone and live- and in-person communication;
however, as required by statute of the State of Florida, I'll base my
decision solely on the information provided during this public
hearing.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: I, too, have had numerous contacts on
this item, both written, personal, and by telephone; but I will base
my decision solely on what we have heard in this hearing today.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm going to give it a ditto.
COHMISSIONER BERRY: Ditto.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Ditto.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm going to second the
motion, recognize the -- recognizing the uniqueness of this request.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. We have a motion and a second.
All those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: That motion is successful.
(Applause)
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We'll take a short break.
(A short break was held.)
Item #12C6
ORDINANCE 96-88, AMENDING ORDINANCE 72-01, AS AMENDED, WHICH CREATED
THE COLLIER COUNTY LIGHTING DISTRICT BY ADDING QUEENS PARKS AT LAGO
VERDE PHASES 7 AND 8 AND SABAL LAKE PHASE 2 TO THE COLLIER COUNTY
LIGHTING DISTRICT - ADOPTED
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We'll reconvene our county commission
meeting. Next item is 12(C)(6) concerning a lighting district --
district at Queen's Park.
MR. ARCHIBALD: Board members, Agenda Item 12(C)(6) is a
public hearing to amend County Ordinance No. 72-1 as amended for the
purposes of adding some streets that are already lit in subdivisions
that are already part of a street lighting district.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And that's --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Do we have any public speakers on
this?
MR. WEIGEL: I don't see any.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: This one's high. This one's
for sale.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Oh.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Excuse me, Miss --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: No comment.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Who's paying the bill on them
right now, Mr. Archibald?
MR. ARCHIBALD: I believe the developer is until such
time as he turns it over to either the association or the county. In
these two cases these are part of old, ongoing street lighting
districts that were rolled into the countywide street lighting
district.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: These are extensions of those old
districts?
MR. ARCHIBALD: They are, yes.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
MR. ARCHIBALD: Probably the last two that you'll see.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Close the public hearing.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'll move approval of amendment
to County Ordinance 72-01.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #12C7 - Continued to 1/7/97
Item #12C8
RESOLUTION 96-593, SETTING FORTH THE INTENT TO USE THE UNIFORM METHOD
OF COLLECTING NON-AD VALOREH ASSESSMENTS FOR INTERIM GOVERNMENTAL
SERVICES FEES WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA AND THE INCORPORATED AREAS
OF COLLIER COUNTY - ADOPTED WITH CHANGES
Next item, 12(C)(8), a resolution setting forth the
intent to use a uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem
assessments for interim governmental services fee.
MR. YONKOSKY: Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman,
Commissioners. For the record my name is John Yonkosky. I'm your
revenue services director. Agenda Item 12(C)(8) is a recommendation
to have the Board of County Commissioners adopt a resolution in
accordance with Section 125.01, Florida Statutes, and 197.3632,
Florida Statutes. This resolution is based on your action on November
5th, and it's a notice of intent to use the uniform method of
collection to collect the interim governmental services fees on the --
the nan -- non-ad valorem assessment on a countywide basis on the tax
roll for 1997.
There have been some changes since the resolution was
prepared including the executive summary. There -- there -- and Mr.
Weigel can explain those to you in just a minute. I believe he has
passed out the new resolution to the commissioners.
This re -- use -- or putting the item on -- the interim
governmental service fee on the tax bill requires that you adopt a
resolution -- a notice of intent resolution prior to January 1. And
after -- or upon the adoption of this resolution it must be provided
by first-class mail to the county tax collector, property appraiser,
and the State of Florida Department of Revenue by January 10, 1997.
There's one thing that's in the executive summary that I
want to point out to the commissioners, that at the time of writing
the executive summary, the city commission was not sure whether or not
they could meet the schedule to have an ordinance in place to allow
this to be collected in the city by February 1st. Since the executive
summary's been put together, they have notified us that they can make
that schedule, and they are -- they've already established their two
hearings. As a matter of fact, they'll have the first hearing on this
tomorrow. So there is no need for the board to make any change as to
date in the intent resolution. And basically that is just -- MR. DORRILL: No speakers, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Mr. Weigel, do you have anything for
us on this?
MR. WEIGEL: Yes. Thank you. Just for the record to
note that I had passed out to you and placed in the agenda book in the
hallway for the public a revised resolution where a couple changes
were made, and -- and I'll just iterate those very quickly.
The first and third "wheteases" appearing on your
resolution before you are new. And also paragraph 1 shown under the
"now, therefore" part -- paragraph 1 on the top of page 2 of the
resolution is also new, as is paragraph 4. And the reason that I've
made these changes is really for clarification.
I want to state that in communication with the tax
collector after the board had acted in November, we had provided him
copies of all that had come before the board at that point. And he
had submitted them to his attorney, Mr. Ken van Assenderp, who had
provided an opinion back to Mr. Carlton. And Mr. Carlton, in curious
manner, had provided me with a copy of his opinion.
The opinion -- the changes I have made here are to
clarify that, in fact, a finding of need is being made to use the
uniform ad valorem method of -- of collecting non-ad valorem
assessments. And, also, he had stated that he thought a true, legal
description would be required. And although I differ with him in that
because I think the legal description of Collier County is static and
is provided for under Chapter 74 of the statutes, I took the
opportunity to speak with Mr. Skinner and have provided as an
attachment an exact legal description of Collier County, its
boundaries, as well as the legal descriptions of the City of
Everglades and Naples.
We will be waiting, if the board should adopt this
resolution, to determine if the City of Naples and Everglades City
should go forward and adopt consenting ordinances, which would work
with the county's ordinance that it would adopt -- potentially adopt
subsequent to this resolution.
One other change that I am making -- would recommend
making is in the second "whereas ...... whereas" paragraph in the second
line. It talks about an asse -- an ad val -- non-ad valorem
assessment is the most feasible method to collect. I think for
clarification I would state it's the most feasible method to impose to
collect. I would add the words "impose to" there midline on the
second whereas. And those are those changes there, and I'll respond
to any questions you may have.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Any questions for Mr. Weigel or -- or
Mr. Yonkosky?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I was going to ask if we talked
to the tax collector, but the seven-page legal response tells me that
we have.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. So I'll close the public
hearing.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm going to move approval of --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Adoption of the resolution?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yes. Adoption of the resolution
setting forth the interim government services fee.
COMMISSIONER BERRY: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #12C9
RESOLUTION 96-594, AMENDING RESOLUTION 95-642, WHICH ESTABLISHED A FEE
SCHEDULE OF DEVELOPMENT RELATED REVIEW AND PROCESSING FEES AS PROVIDED
FOR IN DIVISION 1.10 OF THE COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE
12(C)(9), proposed amendment to Resolution 95-642, fee
schedule for development-related review and processing fees.
Mr.: Mr. Chairman, Vince Cautero for the record. This
resolution amendment we've talked about on several occasions. The
carried-forward positive variance was greater than $1 million as Mr.
Smykowski and I have pointed out to you in your executive summary;
therefore, we do not recommend an across-the-board 50 percent fee
increase for development review and building permit fees until such
time as we can conduct a more in-depth review, keeping track of our
time better.
In the meantime, I have recommended to you some fees
that are brand new. I've outlined those in the executive summary and
have also recommended that all reinspection fees for construction
inspections be raised. And I'd be happy to answer any questions and
outline those. I -- Commissioner Hancock has a question.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Cautero, how are we doing on
that time study that the board authorized?
Mr.: The consultant that is establishing our permit
software for tracking --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: All right.
Mr.: -- is developing a special timekeeper program so
that we can be selective on what programs we want to track and which
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
Mr.: -- ones we don't. We believe we're going to get
better data from that. We should that have -- should have that ready
to go prior to the permit system going live in late January, early
February. And at that time I'll be able to instruct staff on what to
keep track of. And during your budget workshops, I should be able to
give you some good data.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Great. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. Close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Move approval.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Motion and a second. Do we have a
second for that?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second. The motion's waiting
down here for me to do that? Sorry.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response)
Item #13A1
RESOLUTION 96-595, RE PETITION V-96-26, SUZANNE CHARNOCK OF THE SOUTH
FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, REQUESTING A 25 FOOT VARIANCE FROM
THE REQUIRED 50 FOOT FRONT YARD SETBACK TO 25 FEET FOR PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 6167 JANES LANE, PARCEL 238 (J & C INDUSTRIAL PARK) - ADOPTED
13(A)(1), Petition V-96-26.
HR. BELLOWS: For the record, Ray Bellows with planning
services.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Bellows, I really, really
like that tie.
MR. BELLOWS: Hey, thank you.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Very festive.
MR. BELLOWS: For Petition V-96-26, the South Florida
Water Management District is requesting a 25-foot variance from the
required 50-foot setback in the industrial district for property
located at 6167 Jane's Lane.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: That's a hardship.
MR. BELLOWS: The parcel is adjacent to and south of the
existing Big Cypress field station. Proposed office requirements for
Big Cypress -- they need 4,200 square feet to meet the district
needs. Unfortunately, it doesn't meet their building envelopes once
the setbacks are applied and -- because there are existing easements
around the building and --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Would those be water management
easements?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes. And --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I didn't expect the answer to be
yes, but okay.
MR. BELLOWS: It's staff's opinion that a conforming
structure could be placed on the site; however, due to the existing
field station location, easements, and the need to interconnect with
the existing field station buildings, imposed encroachment is
necessary. In addition, only 2 of the existing build -- 15 buildings
now on Jane's Lane meet the 50-foot setback requirement. The others
are preexisting, nonconforming structures; therefore, staff is
recommending approval. The Collier County Planning Commission
reviewed this petition, and they also recommend approval.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: What was the vote of the
Planning Commission?
MR. BELLOWS: It was unanimous.
MR. DORRILL: No speakers, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Questions? Close the public hearing.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Since this is not a -- a
landowner looking to expand their business at the detriment of the
county solely for the purpose of receiving increased revenues, I think
it's worth saving the taxpayer some dollars here --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Okay. Make a motion.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: -- approving --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: I'm just trying to drag it out
until five o'clock.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: A motion and a second. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No ~esponse)
Item #14A
DISCUSSION RE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT AND DESCRIPTION RE COUNTY MANAGER'S
POSITION - DISCUSSED
Okay. Commissioner Berry, anything further?
COMMISSIONER BERRY: Yes. Last week I was informed I
was to bring some information back to the commission. I believe you
should have received something in your mailboxes from a process that
was used by the school system in selection of a recent high school
principal. In the meantime, you've also gotten -- or we've all gotten
something from our own human resource department.
Basically what I provided you is a time line that they
used, which isn't too inconsistent, I think, with really what we're
looking at. Maybe it's a little longer. I merely provided this to
you as a guideline, nothing more. If you have any further questions,
we can certainly discuss it. Other than that, I don't -- I think it's
all self-explanatory.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Well, thank you very much for that.
That will be helpful. Commissioner Hancock?
COMHISSIONER HANCOCK: No, sir. Merry Christmas, Happy
Hanukkah, and all that other good stuff.
Item #14B
DISCUSSION RE CONVERTING GAS TO ELECTRICITY FOR THE LANDFILL - COUNTY
MANAGER TOO CHECK INTO THE ISSUE OF STAFF NOT BRINGING THIS MATTER TO
THE BCC
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Commissioner Mac'Kie?
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Just one thing that I -- I'm
worried about that I thought was going to be on this week's agenda
that didn't make it. It had to do with a gas recovery conversion --
converting the gas to electricity at the landfill. And I had,
frankly, been approached by -- by Waste Management and had been aware
that there was going to be something on this week's agenda, because if
-- if we're going to do -- if we're going to look at the waste -- at
the gas-to-electricity system, it would be best if we could look at it
in some detail prior to the end of this year, because if Waste
Management can get the tax credits, then the cost recovery to the
county goes from 20 to 15 years. And I was wondering if anybody else
had heard anything about this, if we had expected -- you know, how did
this come not to be on the agenda?
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Yes. I -- I, too, discussed it
with Waste Management, and all it is is really preserving the right to
make a decision in March of next year. Without it the decision has a
material change.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: A big change of five years' cost
to the county.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Who theoretically made the
request to be on the agenda?
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I -- I don't know. I know that
there was a contract Mr. Weigel's office was working on.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Maybe no one made the request.
COHMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Mr. Weigel, were you -- did you
pull it from consideration?
MR. WEIGEL: Well, I didn't pull it. We received it as
a request for legal services from David Russell, the solid waste
director, and worked with him very assiduously on it in the time that
we had it. And there were, frankly, some fairly important issues that
we could not finalize to bring it to the agenda; and -- and -- and --
and so he determined not to put it forward. It was going to be, I
think, a solid waste agenda item. But --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: When was --
MR. WEIGEL: -- we -- we had some questions that we just
couldn't answer.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Did -- did you just notice
this or -- or -- I guess I'm wondering why we didn't bring this up at
the beginning of the agenda.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Frankly, I didn't realize that it
wasn't on until I saw the Waste Management people here and said, You
know, whatever happened? Why -- why isn't this here? I thought it
was going to be here, and it isn't.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Likewise, apparently Mr. Bigelow
thought it was going to be on the agenda as -- based on our meeting,
so did I. I -- I never saw it on there. I -- it's just not something
I specifically picked out.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I just wonder if there's any
interest in the board or if it's possible for us to take any action
that would be sufficient to preserve -- we don't have to enter into
any kind of a contract until April. But if we don't take some kind of
an action before the end of the year, we lose that tax credit
opportunity, and it costs us five years of -- of dollars. CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Well --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Is there some action we could
take?
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: And if the -- the -- if it doesn't
cost us anything to explore it a little further, I don't have any
objection to it. But if -- if we're -- if you're asking do we want to
move forward with a -- with an investment that pays back over 15
years, I don't know. I think we can put our money in the SBA and do
better than that.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: And I don't know either if it's
what we ought to do, but I know that I want to get the opportunity to
look it at. And I'd like to get the opportunity to look at it with a
15-year payout instead of a 20-year payout. CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Uh-huh.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: If -- if we don't have to
make a final decision on April -- until April, why do we need to do
something now to reserve our rights, Mr. Weigel?
MR. WEIGEL: Well, we were looking for the IRS code site
and provisions that -- we were told that was necessary to have an
agreement of a type in place before December 31st of this year and
then a finalized agreement by April 1st or 15th of next year.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: What -- what type would that
be?
MR. WEIGEL: Well, what -- what we have proffered before
us initially was a kind of letter agreement that was not signed off by
a -- a company named RUST, which is a -- a subsidiary connected with
Waste Management. We -- we determined that in order to do this kind
of agreement, we actually had -- we couldn't just do a letter
agreement with RUST. We had to involve -- pursuant to our landfill
operations agreement, had to bring in Waste Management as a signatory
also and actually amend that Waste Management agreement.
And we -- we -- we crafted forward. Part of the
elements that we're dealing with are -- there -- there's a 3.7 million
estimated capital expenditure to -- to ultimately factor in based on
sale of royalty -- royalty rights on gas. And the county was -- was
under the purported agreement to sell the rights to that gas, but
determined the fees at some point later with some rather -- what
initially looked like rather --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Uh-huh.
MR. WEIGEL: -- curtailed --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Okay. I'm sorry. My -- my
-- I was just wondering how complex the agreement would have to be;
and, obviously, it's more complex than we can do now without something
in front of us. But --
MR. WEIGEL: And there were questions of sale as opposed
to lease. Originally we were told to -- to lease, and then they
changed to sale. And so we wanted to try to determine, based on the
IRS code, which was absolutely necessary. We never actually
determined that before we got to the board meeting today.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: Mr. Weigel, when was this first
broached? When was the first notice of this idea involving staff that
you're aware of?
MR. WEIGEL: It came to our office just over a week ago.
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: And do you know if Mr. Russell
had it before then?
MR. WEIGEL: I know. Yes, he had it sometime before
that.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Well, what -- what's the pleasure of
the board on this item?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I'd -- I'd like to at least take
action indicating -- if it's by resolution or otherwise -- it might
not be sufficient for the IRS, but I'd like to take a shot by -- by
making some resolution that we are interested in pursuing this
further, that we're in the process of finalizing a contract draft that
will be before us before the deadline. We don't make commitments
today to enter into any agreement, but we do commit to look at it
thoroughly between now and this April deadline.
MR. WEIGEL: If I may respond, I think it's going to
take a contractual agreement, because there is a determination of
actual property rights that has to be determined prior to the end of
the year. If the board were to authorize the chairman to sign an
agreement that the county attorney creates prior to the end of the
year that is -- is legally sufficient, we'll do that.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: But that is as general as I just
described in the form of -- I -- I was describing it in a resolution.
You're saying it has to be in the form of a contract.
MR. WEIGEL: I -- I expect it's going to have to be a
contract to -- to show rights of parties. That's --
COHMISSIONER HANCOCK: I -- I don't like it any more
than you do, Commissioner Hac'Kie, but it sounds like we missed the
window this year. I would like to get an explanation from Mr. Russell
why this board wasn't at least given an option of hearing something
before the end of the year, because it's 12 months of an opportunity
that -- that we may have -- have got earned revenues on that we will
now lose.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Well, let me just make a short
comment, and then, you know, we'll do whatever you want to do. But
the -- the proposal is to install machinery to generate electricity
from burning the gas. If it takes a 15- to 20-year payback at best to
-- to recover your money, then I suggest that you would be better off
to put your money in an SBA and continue to flare the gas.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Well, that's exactly what I --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: And -- and, you know, there may be
other things you can do with the gas that would gather you more
money. I don't know that. I -- I have no idea. But there may be
something else you can do, some other place you can sell the gas;
perhaps compress it and sell it to someone else at a -- at a quicker
recovery rate for your money. But to -- to do it at 15 years --
COMMISSIONER BERRY: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: -- it's -- it's not cost-effective.
COMMISSIONER BERRY: I -- I tend to agree with you, but
I really think that this board ought to -- should have had that
information before us, and -- and we should have been able to have
made that decision.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: I don't disagree. I'm just saying
that from the -- purely investment standpoint, it doesn't make much
sense to -- to pursue heavily something that -- that's -- that, at
best, a 15-year payback.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Well, I agree with
Commissioner Berry. We should have had that information.
Unfortunately, we don't. And I don't know that we can spend a whole
lot of time discussing something we don't have. COMMISSIONER BERRY: That's true.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Well, two things I'd like: I'd
like Mr. Dotrill to let us know how Mr. Russell had the authority to
-- to make such a, you know, significant decision. You know, I think
something's wrong with the process if -- if he had -- strictly been
his purview to pull this.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: And I'd ask you to look at that.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: And -- and then is there any
interest on the board in entering into a contract that's as general as
I described before, that we have an intention to look into this
matter, investigate it thoroughly to see if it's possible for us to --
if -- if we choose or -- or don't to go forward?
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: As much as I would like to -- to
do that, entering into a contract on -- on basically those verbal
terms, I think, is just not something we want to make a habit of. I'm
as frustrated as you are on this, but I just -- I don't think that's
appropriate, regardless of how much I would like to pursue it, at
least not within these 12 months.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Mr. Dotrill, anything further?
MR. DORRILL: Yes, sir. Just to, again, relate that I
had -- had sent you some information, and I wanted to advise you that
I made a decision last Wednesday to send the job announcement as it
appears on page 3. And the rationale for that was to -- last
Wednesday was the deadline for job announcements for both the January
2nd Florida Newsletter and the December 23rd International City and
County Manager's Newsletter. And so the -- the ad will run as it is
shown here. It can be modified subsequent to us receiving some
resumes or expressions of interest, but I made that decision in order
to run the ad on the schedule that I thought that you wanted to adhere
to. And we provided for 30 days for a closing period that would close
expressions of interest on January the 31st of 1997.
There's also a questionnaire that has been developed
there, and I'm encouraging each board member just to review that and
fill it out. I think it's important, because then you collectively
determine the traits and experience and ability, both managerially and
personality and otherwise, that you're seeking in your next manager.
And I think it's important for the board to -- to do that. That's all
that I have, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Thank you. Mr. Weigel, anything
further?
MR. WEIGEL: No. Nothing. Thank you. Have a good
holiday.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Commissioner Constantine, anything
further?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: No, I don't have anything.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: But thanks for asking.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: We just hadn't gotten to you yet.
Miss Filson --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Merry Christmas to all --
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: -- is there anything further?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- and to all --
MS. FILSON: No. I don't have anything.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- good-bye.
Item #15A
REVISION TO PUBLIC PURPOSE ORDINANCE - STAFF DIRECTED TO AMEND THE
ORDINANCE
MS. FILSON: But under staff it says revision to public
purpose ordinance.
MR. DORRILL: We, as part of the board's merit plan,
need your acknowledgment that we need to rewrite the resolution that
in lieu of cash merit that a portion of the money could be used to
obtain noncash incentive awards, and we need to be able to amend the
ordinance to do that. That was something we had discussed during
budget time.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Is that like those baseball
caps you gave Kevin Hendricks a couple years ago?
MR. DORRILL: Coffee mugs; it could include training.
It could include other material incentives for performance, bonuses in
lieu of cash. And unless the board has a concern with that, Mr.
Weigel and I will work to develop that revision and bring it back in
the new year.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: That will all occur with the
input of the human resources department and the employee advisory
council?
MR. DORRILL: I believe it already has.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK: Okay.
CHAIRMAN NORRIS: Okay. With that, then we are
dismissed.
***** Commisisoner Constantine moved, seconded by Commissioner Hancock
and carried unanimously, that the following items under the
Consent Agenda be approved and/or Adopted:
Item #16A1
SATISFACTION OF LIEN FOR PUBLIC NUISANCE RESOLUTION 96-344, PROPERTY
OWNER: RUTH G. AND ELIAZER VALDEZ, LOT 2 OF BLOCK 2 IN EDEN PARK
Item #16A2
SATISFACTION OF LIEN FOR PUBLIC NUISANCE RESOLUTION 96-348, PROPERTY
OWNER: FULVIO AVA SALVADOR, LOT 3, BLOCK 786, MARCO BEACH UNIT 25
Item #16A3
SATISFACITON OF LIEN FOR PUBLIC NUISANCE RESOLUTION 96-115, PROPERTY
OWNER: NORBERTO PEREZ-URRIAAND ZOILA PEREZ-URRIA, LOT 5, BLOCK 246,
GOLDEN GATE UNIT 7
Item #16A4
RECORDING OF THE FINAL PLAT OF PELICAN STRAND WITH STIPULATIONS AND
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
Item #16A5
RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENT FOR 100% DEFERRAL OF COLLIER COUNTY IMPACT
FEES WITH EAST RIDGE PARTNERS, LTD. FOR VILLAS OF CAPRI
Item #16A6
RECORDING OF THE FINAL PLAT OF SAPPHIRE LAKES PHASE 3B WITH
STIPULATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND ESCROW AGREEMENT
Item #16A7
RESOLUTION 96-583 GRANTING FINAL ACCEPTANCE TO THE ROADWAY, DRAINAGE,
WATER, AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE FINAL PALT OF CRYSTAL LAKE RV
RESORT, PHASE FOUR AND RELEASE OF MAINTENANCE SECURITY
Item #16A8
RECORDING OF THE FINAL PLAT OF TIHARRON UNIT ONE WITH STIPULATIONS,
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT AND LETTER OF CREDIT
Item #16A9
RECORDING OF THE FINAL PLAT OF SILVER LAKES PHASE 2C WITH STIPULATIONS,
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT AND LETTER OF CREDIT
Item #16A10
RESOLUTION 96-584 GRANTING FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE
IMPROVEMENTS FOR SAFE HARBOR AND RELEASE OF SECURITY
Item #16All
ACCEPTANCE OF WATER AND SEWER FACILITIES FOR CARLTON LAKES, PHASE 1-A
WITH STIPULATIONS
Item #16A12
RECORDING OF THE FINAL PLAT OF TIHARRON UNIT TWO WITH STIPULATIONS,
LETTER OF CREDIT AND CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
Item #16B1
BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $70,000 TO COVER LEGAL EXPENSES
INCURRED IN THE CASE OF WESTWIND CONTRACTING COMPANY VS. COLLIER COUNTY
FOR THE IHMOKALEE ROAD FOUR-LANING PROJECT
Item #1682 - Deleted
Item #1683
REVISED STRATEGY FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LELY AREA STORMWATER
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Item #1684
CHANGE ORDER FOR PERFORMANCE OF ADDITIONAL SERVICES UNDER THE
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH COASTAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS,
INC. FOR THE MARCO ISLAND BEACH RENOURISHHENT PROJECT
Item #1685
AGREEHENT TO THE ROAD IHPACT FEE CONTRIBUTION AGREEHENT WITH THE
DEVELOPERS OF CARLTON LAKES FOR ADDITIONAL COST IN BUILDING A SEGMENT
OF LIVINGSTON ROAD
Item #1686
RESOLUTION 96-585 DESIGNATING THE INTERIH PUBLIC WORKS ADHINISTRATOR AS
AUTHORIZED OWNER SIGNEE FOR THE COLLIER COUNTY WATER-SEWER DISTRICT,
THE MARCO WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT AND THE GOODLAND WATER DISTRICT FOR
EXECUTION OF ROUTINE DOCUMENTS RELATED TO PUBLIC WORKS MATTERS
Item #1687
CHANGE ORDER TO CONTRACT NO. 95-2391, MARCO ISLAND SEGMENTED BREAKWATER
IN THE A_MOUNT OF $63,333.15 WITH KELLY BROTHERS
Item #1688
WATER MANAGEMENT FAIR SHARE CONTRIBUTION AGREEHENT WIHT TARPON COVE PUD
Item #16B9
REJECTION OF A PORTION OF BID #96-2580 AND RE-AWARD OF THAT PORTION TO
SUNSTATE METER COMPANY FOR UNDERGROUND UTILITIES FOR WATER OPERATIONS
Item #16B10
EMERGENCY PURCHASE FOR ONE RADICON GEAR DRIVE UNIT TO HORVATH ELECTRIC
MOTORS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,915
Item #16Bll
BID NO. 96-2576 FOR AN ALL TERRAIN EXCAVATOR AWARDED TO PIONEER
HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS, CLEARWATER, FLORIDA IN THE AMOUNT OF $191,105
Item #16B12
WATER MANAGEMENT CIP BUDGET (325) TO REFLECT REVISIONS IN CAPITAL
PROGRAM
Item #16B13
BUDGET AMENDMENTS RECOGNIZING CARRY FORWARD AMOUNTS FROM FY96 FOR ROAD
PROJECTS IN FUNDS 313, 331, 333, 334, 336, 338, 339 AND 340
Item #16C1
CHANGE ORDER FOR GOLDEN GATE COMMUNITY CENTER IMPROVEMENTS TO VARIAN
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,250
Item #16C2
AUTHORIZATION OF AN AGREEMENT FOR THE RENTAL OF BOAT SLIPS AT THE
COCOHATCHEE RIVER PARK IN THE AMOUNT OF $7.00 PER BOAT FOOT
Item #16D1 - Deleted
Item #16D2
RESOLUTION 96-586 RATIFYING SPECIFIC EXPENDITURES AT THE COLLIER COUNTY
EMPLOYEE PICNIC AS SERVING A VALID PUBLIC PURPOSE
Item #16El - Deleted
Item #16E2
AMENDMENT OF AIRPORT AUTHORITY FY 96/97 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
FUND (496)
Item #16E3
COUNTY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO APPROVE CONSENT/EMERGENCY ITEMS DURING THE
BOARD'S RECESS - DECEMBER 30, 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 6, 1997
Item #16E4
COMPETITIVE PROCESS WAIVED AND PROCUREHENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES TO
ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LONG TERM CLAM BAY RESTORATION PLAN
AND TO COMPLETE THE SHORT TERM RECOHMENDATIONS FOR THE CLAM BAY SYSTEM
AUTHORIZED
Item #16E5
BUDGET AMENDMENTS 97-051, 97-052, 97-061 AND 97-069
Item #16G1
CERTIFICATES OF CORRECTION TO THE TAX ROLLS AS PRESENTED BY THE
PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE
1996 Real Property
No. Dated
58, 62 and 63 11-25 - 12-05-96
1996 Tangible Personal Property
No. Dated
30 - 32 11-10 - 11-19-96
35 - 40 11-25 - 11-27-96
Item #1662
SATISFACTION OF LIEN FOR SERVICES OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER
Item #1663
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE - FILED AND/OR REFERRED
The following miscellaneous correspondence as filed and/or
referred to the various departments as indicated below:
Item #1611
RESOLUTION 96-587 AUTHORIZING THE HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY OF LEE
COUNTY TO ISSUE SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE REVENUE BONDS IN COOPERATION
WITH THE COLLIER COUNTY HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY, A PORTION TO BE USED
TO FINANCE QUALIFYING LOAN PROGRAMS IN COLLIER COUNTY AND TO AUTHORIZE
THE LEE AUTHORITY TO OPERATE IN COLLIER COUNTY FOR THIS PROGRAM AND TO
AUTHORIZE THE COLLIER AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
WITH THE LEE AUTHORITY FOR THESE PURPOSES
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 3:40 p.m.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX
OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF
SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS
CONTROL
JOHN C. NORRIS, CHAIRMAN
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 and Helissa Hilligan