BCC Minutes 12/08/1998 RDecember 8, 1998
Page
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COHHISSIONERS
Naples, Florida, December 8, 1998
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Board of County Commissioners, in
and for the County of Collier, and also acting as the Board of Zoning
Appeals and as the governing board(s) of such special districts as
have been created according to law and having conducted business
herein, met on this date at 9:00 a.m. in REGULAR SESSION in Building
"F" of the Government Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the
following members present:
CHAIRPERSON:
Barbara B. Berry
Pamela S. Hac'Kie
John C. Norris
Timothy J. Constantine
James D. Carter
ALSO PRESENT:
Item #3
Robert Fernandez, County Administrator
David Weigel, County Attorney
REGULAR, CONSENT AND SUMMARY AGENDA - APPROVED AND OR/ADOPTED WITH
CHANGES
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Good morning. I'd like to call to order the
December 8th meeting of the Collier County Board of Commissioners.
We're pleased to have with us this morning Reverend Harold Brown from
the Lely Presbyterian Church.
If you'd rise for the invocation, remain standing for the pledge
of allegiance.
REVEREND BROWN: Let us pray.
Our Father, we welcome Jim to the board and we thank You for all
the blessings of relationship in these happy holidays. Bless our
friends who celebrate Hanukkah, and bless our friends who surround
Christmas trees and see Christian Christmas magic and all that you
mean to us as Christ of God.
Bless us today as we try to celebrate also our relationship in
the county. Help us to be mindful of the needs of those who are less
fortunate than we in our very prosperous and lovely county. We thank
you for the day you've given us.
Help us use our minds and our bodies and our spirits to rise to
the occasion of the next period of delightful vacations as we look
forward to being with our families. Help us to think of our friends,
too.
We give thee thanks for all the bounty of blessings, food,
clothing and shelter, as we try to provide for others. We thank you
for the opportunity to share. In the name of your love, O, God, Amen.
(The pledge of allegiance was recited in unison.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Thank you, Reverend Brown.
Good morning, Mr. Fernandez.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Good morning, Madam Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Do we have any changes to our agenda?
MR. FERNANDEZ: Just a couple. First one is to add item 8(E)(4).
This is a recommendation to amend the agreement for Referendum
Information Services with Floridians for Fairness in Court Funding.
This has to do with consideration of the unexpended funds that we
discussed in Tallahassee at the Florida Association of Counties.
The next item is to move item 12(B)(1) to 17(F). This is a PUD
98-7, request to fezone A agriculture to PUD to be known as Wyndham
Park PUD for single family and multi-family land uses.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'd just as soon keep that on the
regular agenda.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Okay.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I would as well.
MR. FERNANDEZ: We'll leave that one on.
The next is to continue item 8(E)(3) to the December 15th
meeting. This is staff report on the potential impact of the Clerk of
Courts yield burning lawsuit on the pending refunding of county water
and sewer district revenue bonds. This is at my request, given the
fact that we need some additional information before we can make a
full report to the board.
Next item is to continue item 17(E) to the December 15th meeting.
This is petition PUD 98-13, Collier Development Corporation requesting
AR fezone from A rural agriculture to PUD, and PUD to a planned unit
development known as Collier Tract 21.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Why is that?
MR. FERNANDEZ: That is as a request -- at a request from Mr.
Varnadoe. This is to be added to the public hearing agenda for that
meeting of --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Right.
MR. FERNANDEZ: -- December 15th as a companion item to be --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Oh, I see.
MR. FERNANDEZ: -- continued -- considered that same day.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: That request came to me, and it has to do --
if we were to take it -- obviously the 15th is our last meeting, and
they didn't have all the necessary things ready. But to hold it up
any further than that until our first meeting in January, that --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Silly.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: -- seemed like a ridiculous kind of thing to
do, so '-
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Thanks, just curious.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Okay, these next two items, 17(A) and 17(D), are
to be moved from the summary agenda to the regular public hearing
agenda. Request of Commissioner Carter.
This is -- 17(A) is petition CU 98-18, American Funding and
Service Corporation, requesting additional use. 6 of the RMF, that's
6(3), zoning district to allow for an assisted living facility located
on the west side of Goodlette-Frank Road and east side of 12th Street
North.
And item 17(D) is the petition PUD 86-12(3). John B. Goodman,
Limited Partnership, requesting an amendment to the Bretonne Park PUD
for the purpose of eliminating commercial land uses on the
commercially designed tract, and replacing those uses with an existing
living facility located on the northeast quadrant of Davis Boulevard
and Embassy Woods Boulevard.
That completes our list, Madam Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. Commissioner Hac'Kie, do you have any
changes?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Just one item I'd like to move, 16(B)(1)
from consent to regular agenda, just for a brief discussion. This is
where we have ranked and selected engineering firms, and I just want
to have a brief discussion about the process.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, where do you want that to go?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: 8 (B)(2).
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Mr. Fernandez, I'll go to 8 --
MR. FERNANDEZ: 8(B) (2).
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: 8(B)(2)? Okay.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: 16(B)(1), was it?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Yes.
That's all.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, Commissioner Norris?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Yeah, just a question of -- and maybe you
could answer. Why are we continuing 16(B)(5)?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: 16(B) --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: This is the second continuation for that
one. Why are we continuing that?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: What was the topic there?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Traffic signal at RP.
MR. FERNANDEZ: That was requested by Commissioner Constantine.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm sorry, what was the question?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Why are we continuing the traffic signal at
RP?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We've got a meeting with those folks.
There's a couple of different issues with that. One is the traffic
study was conducted on a Monday, which is the day they're closed, so
it's probably not the best day to get an indicator of when traffic
was.
But also, they are looking to construct a different entrance off
Country Club Drive, so they'll probably be open in 18 months anyway.
And the question being, is there any harm to our overall system --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: To hang on for 18 months.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yeah, and take it down at that time
when they then are going to have a different entrance anyway. So I've
got a sit-down scheduled for next week with them and staff and
everybody to see -- to answer all those questions and then bring it
back to us in January.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: No changes?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: No. I just wanted to know why we were --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, Commissioner Constantine?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'd like to add an item under 10(C),
and that will be looking for discussion and board direction on the
intersection of Recreation Lane and Santa Barbara Boulevard, traffic
signalization issue.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Santa Barbara and --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Recreation.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Is that the one we just got copied on a
memo from the county administrator to --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yes.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Okay.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, Commissioner Carter?
COHMISSIONER CARTER: No additions, thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: No additions. Nor do I.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I'll make a motion that we approve the
agenda, consent agenda and summary agenda with the changes as noted.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY:
All in favor?
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY:
Item #4
All right, we have a motion and a second.
Hotion carries five-zero.
HINUTES OF THE REGULAR HEETINGS OF NOVEHBER 10 AND 17, 1998 - APPROVED
AS PRESENTED
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: And I'll move approval of the minutes of
November 10th regular meeting, November 17th regular meeting.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, we have a motion. Do I have a second?
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Motion carries five-zero -- four-zero, excuse
me.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: No, five.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Five-zero, from the hallway.
Item #5A1
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 7-11, 1998 AS NOAA
WEATHER RADIO AWARENESS WEEK - ADOPTED
This morning it's our pleasure, we have a proclamation, I
believe Commissioner Carter.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Thank you.
WHEREAS, local weather conditions can change quickly, bringing
severe weather which can cause injuries, death and property damage;
and
WHEREAS, Collier County residents need to be alerted to the
possibility or imminent approach of severe weather to protect the
lives and property; and
WHEREAS, NOAA Weather Radio is a network of 450 radio
transmitters across the United States, providing current weather
observation data and forecasts for use by the general public 24 hours
a day, seven days a week; and
WHEREAS, NOAA Weather Radio provides severe weather information
in the form of watches and warnings for severe thunderstorms,
tornados, flooding and hurricanes in order to protect the lives and
property of the people of Collier County; and
WHEREAS, the watches and warnings issued by National Weather
Service through the alarm capabilities of NOAA Weather Radio can
provide precarious (sic) minutes of additional lead time when
dangerous weather threatens our area, even in the middle of the night;
and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, FEMA, and local emergency management agencies
across the country recommend that every building be equipped with a
NOAA Weather Radio, just as they are with smoke detectors; and
WHEREAS, in the past year Collier County and the State of Florida
have worked together as a place -- to place a NOAA Weather Radio alert
receiver in every public and private school, as well as other public
facilities where the public gathers in large numbers in Collier
County; and
WHEREAS, NOAA Weather Radio receivers are readily available and
may be purchased for $25 to $100 at consumer electronic stores
throughout Collier County; and
WHEREAS, the newest NOAA Weather Radio transmitter in the United
States is now in operation, serving the people of Collier County,
Florida, on a frequency of 162.525 megahertz, 24 hours a day, seven
days a week through the partnership of Collier County, the National
Weather Service, the State of Florida and WAVV Radio, which has
generously provided the tower space for the antenna rent for two
years.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that the week of December 7
through 11, 1998 be designated as NOAA Weather Radio Awareness Week,
and urge all Collier County residents to acquire a suitable NOAA
Weather Radio receiver for their home and place of business to receive
this critical and potential life-saving information in as timely a
manner as possible.
Done and ordered this 8th day of December, 1998, Board of Collier
County Commissioners, Collier County, Florida, Barbara B. Berry,
Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Mr. Arnold?
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I'll make that motion that we accept that
proclamation.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: We have a motion and a second. All in favor?
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Motion carries four-zero.
(Applause.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: If you'd like to say something, Gary, please
do.
MR. ARNOLD: I'm very happy to be able to stand before you today
with a small NOAA Weather Radio. As you know, over the past 10 years
or so, it's been very difficult to receive a signal out of the Fort
Myers transmitter, unless you have an outside antenna in much of
Collier County.
And you'll notice there's no antenna pulled up on this one.
We're just operating with it folded up. And our transmitter in Golden
Gate is transmitting very nicely throughout all of Collier County.
We would also like to present a receiver to the board. As we
say, we are trying to put them in as many public places in the county
as possible, so Chairman Berry, we'd like to present this to the
board.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Thank you. I will accept this graciously.
Thank you very much.
(Applause).
MR. ARNOLD: And we hope to see you Friday at our dedication and
commissioning ceremony here in the boardroom at 11:00 a.m., as the
Weather Service and the State -- Collier County puts the service
formally into full service for Collier County. Thank you very much.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, very good. Thank you so much.
I just noticed recently, I believe -- have the schools, are they
doing anything with these?
MR. ARNOLD: Every school, public and private, in Collier County
now has a receiver. And we're in the process now of switching them
over from Fort Myers transmitter to the Collier County transmitter.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. Very good. I think that's really
critical that they have that awareness as well. So that's super.
Anyway, here's the radio, and these are available to the public,
right?
MR. ARNOLD: Yes. Go to any consumer electronic store. Right
now Radio Shack is the only one that provides the county specific
alerting.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay.
MR. ARNOLD: But there are some new radios coming out this fall.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Very good. So here's what it looks like and
this is what you ask for.
MR. ARNOLD: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Thank you.
Item #5A2
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING DECEBHER 7-11, 1998 AS FLORIDA YARDS AND
NEIGHBORHOODS WEEK IN COLLIER COUNTY - ADOPTED
All right. Commissioner Hac'Kie, I believe you have a
proclamation this morning.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I do. I have a proclamation I'd like to
ask Noelle -- and I hope I get this right -- Kauramaki? Close?
MS. KAURAMAKI: Very close.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Okay, close.
-- to come forward while I read the proclamation for Florida
Yards and Neighborhood Week.
WHEREAS, the Cooperative Extension Service -- wait a minute,
before I go, how do you really say your name? MS. KAURAMAKI: Kauramaki.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Kauramaki. Not bad. Okay.
WHEREAS, the Cooperative Extension Service is an integral part of
Collier County government, in partnership with the University of
Florida; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program, implemented
through the local county Cooperative Extension Service, offers special
education programs for residents and neighborhoods, distributes an FYN
landscape guide, and certifies yards as following the FYN program
guidelines; and
WHEREAS, that by enlisting residents in the battle to save
Florida's natural resources by recruiting them to adopt
environmentally friendly landscape practices, they volunteer their
time and energy to a common good of Collier County; and
WHEREAS, urban impacts on water quality and natural ecosystems
will be reduced as Floridians adopt landscape practices that decrease
stormwater runoff, reduce water consumption and minimize the use of
fertilizers and pesticides; and
WHEREAS, Collier County and the University of Florida Extension
Service have been cooperating for many years to identify and combat
the threats associated with invasive exotic plants, Florida Yards use
plants that more closely harmonize with Florida's natural areas and
wildlife; and
WHEREAS, Noelle Kauramacki is the first Florida resident to be
certified as a Florida Yard homeowner.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that December 7th through
11, 1998 be designated as Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Week in
Collier County, and that gratitude and appreciation is extended to all
the county residents who have coordinated their efforts to change
their yard maintenance practices to conserve Florida's coastal waters.
Done and ordered this 8th day of December, 1998, Board of County
Commissioners, Barbara Berry, Chairman.
I'm proud to move acceptance of this proclamation.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Second.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: We have a motion and a second. All in favor?
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Motion carries five-zero.
MS. KAURAMAKI: You have before you a --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: You have to go to our microphone so our
friends at home can hear what you have to say.
MS. KAURAMAKI: Okay. You have before you just a little booklet
that we put together for before and after. And I would like to
introduce Elizabeth Glennon, horticulture agent, who helped me work
all this through.
MS. GLENNON: First of all, I would like to go ahead and give
Noelle the first certified Florida Yard plaque to be placed in her
yard and congratulations for her doing all her hard work. It's been
incredible what she's done.
If you'll look through this real quickly you can see some of the
improvements that have been made. It first of all shows you right on
the waterfront where her property is. And it gives you the A, B, C,
D, E and F of the photographs that we've included in the report.
She's removed all of her invasive exotics, she's replanted that
with a butterfly garden that has attracted up to about 12 species of
-- is that right -- 12 genus and species of butterflies that some of
them aren't even known to have been in Collier County yet, they're in
Noelle's yard.
Then there's the front drive where she's increased -- she's done
vegetables and fruits right next to her driveway.
On section C, she's totally replaced all the sod with natural
ground covers that don't require water. She's reduced her water
consumption by about 50 percent, increased her wildlife habitat by
about 100 percent, she's increased her water availability by about 60
percent, and her maintenance and time and labor has been reduced by
about 50 to 60 percent.
In section C, you'll see the area next to the waterfront. It is
now all completely covered. It has mulch paths and nothing but open
soil area to permeate the rainwater and whatnot.
And in section C, she's put in aqua-scaping.
Section D is the area right next to the waterfront that was
really bad. It caught all the winds from Hitch and Georges, but she's
maintained her plant cover by having succulents and plants that can
handle high winds and all those kinds of things. And it's maintained
the soils. And nothing has gone flying into the neighbor's next yard.
She's also restored and had restoration and surgery on the orchid
tree that was there. And that's no small cost to the homeowner for
that. But that holds all the soil there.
And in section F, you can see the before and after of the surgery
of that tree.
So I just want to commemorate her with the first certified
Florida Yard and tell her that all her hard work has definitely been
appreciated.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: It certainly is. Could you be sure that
the Naples Daily News gets a copy of these photographs? MS. GLENNON: Yes, ma'am.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Because these are incredibly -- very --
MS. GLENNON: She's done an incredible amount of work.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: -- descriptive. Wonderful work.
MS. GLENNON: All right. Thank you.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Thank you.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: And have her come over and work in my yard.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: That's great. It's pretty impressive.
If any of you would like to take a look at this, I'll have this
available when we have a break here. You're welcome to come up and
take a look at it. She's done a good job.
Item #5B
EHPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS - PRESENTED
Okay, and Commissioner Norris?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Thank you, Hadam Chairman. I have a few
service awards today. Our first one is for Daisy Rodriguez from code
enforcement for five years.
(Applause.)
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: The second one is Charles Smallwood, from
wastewater, also for five years.
(Applause.)
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: And our third one is Hartha Vellos, from
building review and planning, five years.
(Applause.)
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: And finally, we have Heliton Almendarez
from road and bridge, 10 years.
(Applause.)
Item #5C
EHPLOYEE OF THE YEAR FOR 1998 - DEBRAH PRESTON, PRINCIPAL PLANNER,
PLANNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING SECTION,
RECOGNIZED
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: And now it's my pleasure to present the
employee of the year for 1998. So if we could have Debrah Preston
come up here and turn around, and we're going to talk about you,
Debrah.
Debrah has been very active with the redevelopment efforts
underway in Immokalee and the Gateway Triangle/Bayshore area. She
coordinated a competitive grant application through the State Division
of Historical Resources to have Immokalee designated as a Florida Main
Street. This designation was received, along with a cash award of
$10,000 and technical assistance in developing a revitalized downtown
area.
Debrah developed a program that provides for grants of up to
$1,000 and technical assistance on design resulting in facade
improvements for five businesses along Main Street.
Her efforts also included coordinating volunteers, securing
donations, painting, and serving as a member of the Main Street board.
She also keyed in -- served in key rolls with the Friends of Roberts
Ranch, seeking funds to purchase and develop the site as a living
ranch from the turn of the century, and with the Lake Trafford
Restoration Committee.
Debrah has participated in several community programs, including
cleanup projects in Immokalee and the Gateway Triangle, Paint Your
Heart Out efforts in the Gateway Triangle, Habitat for Humanity house
raising in Immokalee, Christmas dinner at the Immokalee Friendship
House, as well as volunteering countless hours for fundraisers at
Pepper's Preserve, which that is to promote the nature tourism of the
Immokalee community.
She has served as a resource for the Economic Development Council
Redevelopment Committee by acquiring free legal assistance for facade
improvements on the Arcade Theatre.
As a lead person for the Gateway Triangle area, she initiated the
process of hiring consultants to prepare an initial assessment of
redevelopment potential in the Triangle, coordinated several public
workshops to seek input on the concerns facing the area, formed a
steering committee to provide input from the community, and organized
a cleanup day and Paint Your Heart Out event for the residents.
These efforts have been expanded for both the Triangle and
Bayshore areas, and a redevelopment plan is currently underway with a
consultant team of planners, architects and an economic analyst.
It is my pleasure to recommend this lady, Debrah Preston, as the
employee of the year for 1998.
Debrah, we'd like to present you with a plaque to commemorate
this occasion, which you can display in your office. And last, but
not least, we have a check for you. And certainly offer our
congratulations and our sincere thanks and appreciation. Thanks so
much.
(Applause.)
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I can't resist saying, because I've been
working with Debrah on the Gateway redevelopment, just every now and
then we get an absolute gem as an employee, and Debrah is that. And
she not only has the expertise to help us with the technical parts,
but she's not shy about getting a paint brush and getting out and
doing the actual on-the-ground work, too.
And to all the private firms out there, stay away from her, we're
keeping her.
MR. FERNANDEZ: You're right, she's not shy. She asked if she
could say a few words, and I said sure.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Great.
MS. PRESTON: Good morning, commissioners. I would just like to
thank the commission and the administration for having this award, and
I hope that it's an award that's always here in Collier County,
available to the employees. And it's especially rewarding for me
because I was selected from my peers, and that's important.
And I'd like to just say that in the last four years since I've
worked in Collier County, everyone that I've worked with, from our
receptionist to our support staff, from my co-workers at the
comprehensive planning department, everyone's very helpful and
knowledgeable, and without them, I wouldn't be able to do my job.
And I couldn't go without saying thank you to my supervisors,
Vince Cautero, Bob Hulhere, and especially Barbara Cacchione. They
created an environment that I can work in and I can excel in. And
without their direction and support, I wouldn't be able to do the
things that I like to do.
And I really enjoy working for Collier County, and my job is
challenging but rewarding. And most of all, we all seem to have a
good time, and that's important. So thank you very much.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Thank you.
(Applause.)
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Madam Chairman, before we go on with
the agenda, I had added the item regarding what is now 10(C),
Recreation Lane and Santa Barbara Boulevard, to which Commissioner
Hac'Kie responded, oh, is that the memorandum I received? I have
received no such memorandum.
And now we've inquired with the administrator's office and they
can't seem to get us one. They tell us they don't have a copy.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: There is one. I mean --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I mean, if it's in response to
something I've sent, I'd kind of like to see it before the item comes
up, Bob. Nobody downstairs can get us one.
MR. FERNANDEZ: I apologize. The question that Ms. Filson asked
me about, I was thinking about a different memo than the one that you
referred to. I was thinking about the memorandum that you had
mentioned earlier on the item that you asked to remove from the
consent agenda.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: That's on the engineering thing.
MR. FERNANDEZ: And Barbara is looking for that one. But I'll be
glad to get a copy of the Recreation Lane --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Thank you.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I think mine is still on my desk, maybe if
Sue just wants to dig around in there.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Does that answer --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yes.
Item #SB1
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE LIVINGSTON ROAD ROADWAY CORRIDOR AND
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS - STAFF RECEOHMENDATION APPROVED
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Moving on then to item 8(B)(1), the status
of Livingston Road corridor.
MR. KANT: Good morning, commissioners.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Good morning, Mr. Kant.
MR. KANT: Edward Kant, transportation services director.
Several years ago, during discussions of the county's
transportation system, this particular roadway corridor was one of the
subjects of discussion. And at that time, the board directed staff
not to proceed with certain segments of that roadway until it was
absolutely necessary.
I'm back. And this time we're here to present to you an update
status on the entire corridor. I've put on the visualizer, you have
as part of your package, just a sketch showing the corridor in a very
broad brushed sense. I've labeled the roadway segments in that sketch
so that they will match the roadway segments that are mentioned in
your agenda package.
We've basically broken it into five segments: Radio Road to
Golden Gate Parkway, Golden Gate Parkway to Pine Ridge Road, Pine
Ridge Road to Vanderbilt Beach Road, Vanderbilt Beach Road to
Immokalee Road and Immokalee Road to the Collier/Lee line. Roughly
two -- one and a half -- they vary from one and a half to three miles
an average of two-mile segments.
By itself, Livingston Road has no concurrency implications. It
can't go below a certain level of standard, because it doesn't exist.
However, it does play a very important role in the overall
transportation system characteristics in Collier County. And we
recognize that there are few alternate sites north-south or east-west.
The development pattern over the last two to three decades,
especially in the last two decades, has basically foreclosed a number
of potential routings for either north-south or east-west corridors.
Consequently, it's becoming more difficult to maintain levels of
service, both along the segments and at the intersections.
Many times we have situations where the segment, the roadway
segment from point to point, is operating at a reasonably acceptable
level of service. However, the intersection begins to break down, as
people must wade through a number of cycles of the green light.
We are beginning -- or we are about to let to construction the
first segment of Livingston Road, which will be from Radio Road up
through the intersection of Golden Gate Parkway just to a point just
north of Golden Gate Parkway. Typically when we have -- over the last
five years, at least, five to seven years, as I've been involved in
this program, when we have let these construction contracts -- when we
go through a major intersection, we try to get that intersection to
its ultimate configuration, or as close to it as is reasonably
possible.
I cite as an example Airport Road and Vanderbilt Beach Road,
where you'll notice there seems to be an awful lot of pavement out
there that's striped out. And the reason for that is it's much easier
to overlay and erase some striping than it is to go in and try to
rebuild an intersection over more than one time.
The proposed section from Radio Road through Golden Gate Parkway
will provide a small degree of relief to Airport Road. However, the
traffic at the northern end will then only have two ways it can go.
It can turn west to Airport Road or to Goodlette or 41, or it can turn
east to Santa Barbara or 951.
So based on the traffic numbers that we have and based on what we
believe are reasonable assumptions in applying some of the techniques
that we use to analyze traffic, we believe that the intersection of
Airport Road and Golden Gate Parkway, while it is stressed now, is
going to continue to be stressed, and at some point will be over
stressed and will begin to operate at a level of service F, which
we've defined as an unacceptable condition.
We have presented in this executive summary several options to
assist the county in maintaining concurrency at its levels of service.
The first option that we are proposing is to continue the construction
of this first segment as presently programmed. However, we're
recommending that under the first option that the segment from Golden
Gate Parkway to Pine Ridge Road be accelerated, the segment from Pine
Ridge Road to Vanderbilt Beach Road be accelerated, and the segment
from Vanderbilt Beach Road to Immokalee Road would remain where it is
in the program.
I believe that Mr. Ilschner has passed out to you a sketch
labeled Exhibit 1, which is a time line. The light gray bars on that
time line -- I'll put one on the visualizer so everybody can see it.
The light gray bars represent the existing program as we have it in
the five-year work plan. The dark bars, or black bars, would be the
recommendation that was given to you in alternative number one, to
move several of the segments a little bit ahead of the presently
programmed schedule.
The second alternative arosing (sic) is essentially the same,
except that the last two segments would be left where they are. The
only one that would be accelerated would be the one from Golden Gate
to Pine Ridge.
And the third alternative, obviously, is to merely continue with
the existing program and not move anything around.
In an effort to make sure that we weren't going to affect other
projects in the program, I also prepared Exhibits 2 and 3, which
unfortunately are very, very small -- I've got a few extra copies
here, if anybody is interested -- which show the effect of moving --
Exhibit 2 shows an excerpt of the present transportation planning data
base with the program as present -- for Livingston Road as presently
set out.
And we present a balanced program. And that includes the segment
which was added at the MPO meeting on Friday of Immokalee Road from
County Road 951 through to Oil Well Road at County Road 858.
Exhibit 3 was an example of the alternative number one, if you
choose to direct us to go with alternative number one. By moving
those particular segments and retaining Immokalee Road, we're still
showing a balanced program over the five years. So it is staff's
conclusion that there is not going to be a negative effect on our
program by making these changes.
We've also had -- one last thing I want to make a point of is
that we've had quite a bit -- well, it's a relative term. We've had
some inquiries from the development community. They -- it seems that
the number of inquiries are beginning to come in much more frequently
with respect to well, what's going to happen with Livingston Road, can
we get in there and do a piece of it, can we work with you to help get
it designed quicker, whatever.
And over the last, I would believe, about the last year or so,
eight months to a year, we've come to the conclusion that we need to
reexamine that, and that's why we're presenting this proposal to you
today. We're requesting that you take the information that we
presented to you and give us direction to proceed in accordance with
our recommendation, which would be the alternative number one, which
would be to accelerate the two roadway segments in the program for
design and construction. And I'll be glad to try to answer any
questions you may have.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Commissioner Carter?
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Will this -- I think what I'm processing
here is that will this help the total traffic picture in an
accelerated program in a way that we can minimize congestion in some
of these areas, versus not doing this? Per your change.
MR. KANT: Yes, I believe it will, sir.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: And will we continue to protect the
communities along this roadway, like Wyndemere, with the berms and
that, so that these communities are disturbed at a minimum during this
construction process?
MR. KANT: Yes, sir. The only existing community, as you point
out, is the Wyndemere community. We've been working very closely with
them for the last two years or so, I believe, since we were given
direction to continue to try to ameliorate their concerns.
We have looked at berms and walls, and I can't tell you exactly
what the answer is, but I do believe that the public works engineering
department staff has come up with what are reasonably acceptable
alternatives. I don't know if they finalized them yet. The rest --
COMMISSIONER CARTER: You're in close communication with them?
MR. KANT: I beg your pardon?
COMMISSIONER CARTER: You're in close communication with them?
MR. KANT: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Where is Rich Yovanovich today? We've
never had a Livingston Road discussion without him being in the room.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: He doesn't represent Wyndemere anymore.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Oh, sorry.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Thank you.
MR. KANT: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Mr. Kant, just to be clear, the option
number one, the acceleration of a couple of those phases, does that --
just to make sure I understood, did you say that that will not cause
any other road segments somewhere around the county to be slipped out?
MR. KANT: The only -- that's why I prepared Exhibits number 2
and 3, because the only thing that I changed was the timing on the
construction phase of those two segments, and then I made sure that
the Immokalee Road issue was handled at the same time.
Now, as you're aware, priorities tend to change from year to
year. We try to set out a five-year program that's balanced, but
sometimes something happens. As a perfect example is the inclusion of
this Immokalee Road segment, which wasn't there last year or the year
before. It's become to the point where both the board and staff agree,
it's become more critical, and so we've added it in.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: But your answer is that we're not
accelerating these segments at the scheduling expense of some other
segment.
MR. KANT: No, sir.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Okay.
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Is this a public hearing? Because I think
the staff's recommendation, number one, is an excellent one. I'm
prepared to make a motion to approve staff's recommendation number
one. So moved.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Is that a question? Could you restate it?
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: No.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: You're moving staff recommendation?
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Yes, I am.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll second that, but I have a
question. Is there any truth to the rumor that staff has been
referring behind the scenes to Livingston Road as Ronald Reagan
Boulevard?
MR. KANT: Not within my earshot, sir.
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I don't know, I thought we were looking
for something to name Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Just thought
I'd throw that in there.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I hadn't heard that rumor.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: You haven't?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I think we just should leave that alone.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: For today.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I certainly am in concurrence with stepping
up this process on this particular roadway. I don't think there's
anybody that has driven around here that wouldn't think that this
would be beneficial.
So anyway, we have a motion, and I believe we have a second.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: So all in favor?
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Motion carries five-zero.
Now's a fine time to ask, but do we --
MR. KANT: Thank you, commissioners.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: -- have anyone to speak on this item?
MR. FERNANDEZ: No speakers, Madam Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Sorry about that. I'll do better the next
time.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Great job on staff's part, as far as I'm
concerned.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I think so, too.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: And getting ahead of the ball.
Item #882
STAFF SELECTION OF FIRMS AND AGREEHENTS AWARDED WITH FIRMS FOR THE
FIXED TERM PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES 'RFP-98-2835) - STAFF
RECOHMENDATION APPROVED
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, the next item ms item 8(B)(2).
Commissioner Mac'Kie?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I just asked that this item for the
selection of -- you guys know this, but I'm just going to say it for
general introduction. This is the annual contract whereby we select
seven engineering firms that are sort of on call for county projects
going forward for the next year.
And basically, what troubled me most about this is that of the
top five firms, four of them are not local companies. And I really
think that we need to address the process. Perhaps we aren't giving
enough weight to the value of using local firms. And my comparison,
Madam Chairman, would be when the school board learned such a hard
lesson on construction companies that --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Yes, we did.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: -- were not local. And I don't want to
have to learn that lesson on engineering work in the county. And I
just wanted to pull it off for the purpose of asking Mr. Ilschner to
tell us about what kind of a weight we give to the local companies.
And also, just -- I'm surprised a little bit about the makeup of the
committee and wonder if the selection committee in fact has the very
best people with the most experience and the most -- CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Expertise.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: -- ability to judge engineering firms.
And maybe the whole procurement officer status or upper level
management, there ought to be some way to look at that. So I wanted
to pull it off for those purposes.
MR. ILSCHNER: Madam Chairman --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Mr. Ilschner.
MR. ILSCHNER: -- commissioners, Ed Ilschner, public works
administrator, for the record.
The committee process involved utilizing a criteria -- a
selection criteria for local firms that involved only a two-point
adjustment for being a local firm.
And I might add that in going back and reviewing the records this
morning again after you mentioned you'd like to discuss it, we have
three firms: Hartman and Associates, Camp Dresser and HcKey, and
Pittman, Hartenstein and Associates, that are located in Fort Myers.
And I also noted that in the selection criteria a local firm was
deemed to be any firm in Collier and Lee County, and so that rendered
six of the firms then being local, with only one being in -- I believe
in Orlando -- no, Tampa, Tampa Bay Engineering, Inc.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: And maybe that is -- and my suggestion
would be that the points for being a local firm should be more than
two, and that the definition of a local firm be Collier County,
because we have such premier firms here in the county. And I just
didn't know if that was something that the board wants to discuss or
if there's anybody who agrees with me.
And then also, the -- I'm troubled by -- one of the firms on the
top seven list, I know there has -- has had a bad experience with the
City of Naples, for example, and is no longer used at the City of
Naples because of that bad experience. I'm wondering if there is a
way of checking references with local government in a more thorough
way.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I agree with your concern, and whether
we decide today in this forum or not how to correct that I don't know
what's appropriate. But I want to be real careful not to give too
much to the locals, not only in this, but in anything we do, because I
think can you get to a point where your locals can charge you more
simply --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Sure.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- because they're local, and we want
to avoid that.
But I've got to agree, Hole-Hontes has done projects for Collier
County successfully forever, and they're ranked 17th out of 24. I may
have that number wrong, but as I counted them --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: It's hard to imagine.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I cannot follow that. I simply cannot
follow that. And I understand it's very competitive and there are a
number of them that are tight. Hole-Hontes wasn't even tight in the
scoring. They were 20 points off. And so I -- and I use them only by
way of one in which I'm particularly familiar, because we've used them
for so many projects in my six years on the board.
But I've got to agree, there -- it appears, anyway, that the
scoring process may be flawed and we probably need to review that.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Just to add another example, Turrell and
Associates is one of the Premier coastal engineering firms in the
country and didn't score well, as they had joined in with other firms,
and I don't know how that could happen.
And I agree with you, Commissioner, it's probably not possible
for us to solve this today, but it might be useful to --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: But it needs to be solved.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Yeah. It's an annual event, so if we
don't bring it up today, we probably won't --
MR. ILSCHNER: Madam Chairman?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Mr. Ilschner?
MR. ILSCHNER: Mr. Cornell, our purchasing director, Mr. Bibby,
our public works engineering department director, and I intend to
thoroughly review the consultant selection process and make
appropriate changes where those need to be made to ensure that we have
a system that you would be in agreement with and of course the
consulting community as well.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Right. My feeling is I don't want to
compromise Collier County, but I think when you look at a project and
you look at expertise available, if all things are equal, then I would
certainly like to see the nod given to the local group. COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Ditto.
MR. ILSCHNER: We concur with that, Madam Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I mean, if at all possible. These are people
that are in our community. Now, if there is a specific expertise that
you're looking for and none of the local groups have that, then that
certainly -- you know, you're justified. I want you to get the best
possible that in your opinion, your professional opinion, that we can
get.
But I think if there's -- if there's a little weight going one
way or the other, then I certainly would give the nod to the local
people, because for the most part, they employ the local people.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: And Madam Chairman, before you came on the
board, possibly before Commissioner Hac'Kie came on the board,
Commissioner Constantine will remember this, that we made that a
commission policy, that unless there was a distinct separation in
abilities or perhaps some specific expertise, that if possible, we
wanted local firms to get the nod on that. CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Would it be too complicated, Mr. Ilschner
-- I mean, I don't want to vote against the item that we have today.
Is it too complicated to continue it for a couple of weeks? Are there
repercussions to that, to allow you to go back and look at it, or
should we just --
MR. ILSCHNER: I have thoroughly looked at this particular
process and feel like I could find nothing concrete that indicated
this process was flawed. I believe they followed the appropriate
selection criteria.
I do intend to go speak to each of the committee members and try
to determine the basis for their ranking so that I can share with the
consultant how he might improve his presentation to ensure that his
greatest chance of selection is there.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: And will you look at the makeup of the
committee to -- not anything to do with individuals, but the level of
expertise and contact with, be sure that we have the people who are
the most qualified to make that decision.
MR. ILSCHNER: We basically are in agreement with this entire
board in what you're asking us to do. In fact, we are going to look
at that makeup and make sure there's a broad spectrum and some --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Is it a --
MR. ILSCHNER: -- understanding --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Mr. Ilschner, is --
MR. ILSCHNER: -- and as well as the equal decision with respect
to --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Is the problem --
MR. ILSCHNER: -- the order.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: -- perhaps -- is it a policy that the board
-- that we need to change? Is this the problem? If it is, then we
need --
MR. ILSCHNER: It is a policy --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay.
MR. ILSCHNER: -- that we're following, and we would intend to
review that policy, revise it and bring it back to you for your review
and --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Well, it sounds like -- you know, if we have
to live unfortunately with a policy that's there, then we're kind of
stuck at this point in time. But if it's something that we think we
want to change, then we need to have that brought back to us and
review that and make sure that we're all in sync here with what's --
what we think we want and that the policy states that.
MR. ILSCHNER: Madam Chairman, that was the dilemma I faced.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay.
MR. ILSCHNER: If we're following the policy, then I --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Right.
MR. ILSCHNER: -- need to come back with some changes to that
policy so that we can move ahead with --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I would ask you to contact the city
manager for the City of Naples about his experience with some of these
firms and see if you might want to, well, at least be advised of that.
MR. ILSCHNER: I certainly will.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Madam Chairman, considering the fact
that they've assured us all our current policies were met, I'll go
ahead and -- and while recognizing they're not necessarily the same
ones I would have selected, the process worked as it was laid out to.
So I'll make a motion we approve this, but as part of that, also
give staff direction to bring back to us some specifics of that policy
after the turn of the year, and we can review that and make
appropriate changes.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Second.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: I second --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: We have a motion and a second. So all in
favor?
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Motion carries five-zero.
MR. ILSCHNER: Thank you, Madam Chair.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Thank you very much.
Does that answer --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I appreciate that. Thank you.
Item #BE1
FURTHER DISCUSSION REGARDING FUNDING FOR LAW ENFORCEHENT SERVICES TO
MARCO ISLAND - STAFF TO COME BACK WITH A LISTING OF OUTSTANDING ITEMS
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: All right, moving on then to our county
administrator. Further discussion regarding funding for law
enforcement services, or lack of funding --
MR. FERNANDEZ: Madam Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: -- Marco Island.
MR. FERNANDEZ: City of Marco Island last night was scheduled to
consider the item of funding for law enforcement. In anticipation of
this morning's presentation, I directed our staff, Mr. HcNees and Mr.
Smykowski, to be present at that meeting so they could give you a
firsthand report on the deliberations.
Unfortunately, the firsthand report was very brief to me this
morning, but I've asked Mr. McNees to present to the commission the
status of the agreements that are pending between the Board of County
Commissioners and Marco Island, and the bottom line of what was done
last night.
Mr. McNees?
MR. McNEES: Good morning, Madam Chairman, commissioners, Mike
McNees from the county administrator's office.
To refresh your memory, although that's probably not necessary,
when you last discussed this issue, you directed the Chair to send a
letter to the chairman of the City Council on Marco Island, asking
that the city contribute six months' worth of cost for the provision
of law enforcement services through the Sheriff's Office. I believe
that number is $526,000, approximately.
They were to discuss that at last night's meeting, as Mr.
Fernandez said. Mike Smykowski and I went down there only to be able
to report to you accurately what happened.
What happened was, as they discussed their agenda, one of the
council members said that certain items that he wanted to be resolved
before the Sheriff's funding was discussed, he had learned immediately
before the meeting had not been resolved. Those were not specified at
that time. Hence, he was suggesting that it was not appropriate for
them to discuss the Sheriff's issue until all items had been resolved.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Could you tell us who that was, so maybe
we can contact him?
MR. McNEES: That was Councilman Day. He made a motion to that
effect --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And just to reiterate, we don't have
any idea what those items are?
MR. McNEES: We do now.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Okay.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Oh, you do now, okay.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Good.
MR. McNEES: I believe. I have a couple of ideas, anyway. I'll
get to that.
He made that motion, that motion was seconded, passed without
discussion. It was then suggested that in place of discussion of the
Sheriff's budget, they put on their agenda a discussion of their
creation of a law enforcement agency -- and I'm not using their
wording -- but that was added to the agenda in place of the discussion
of the Sheriff's budget.
At 11:00, with their meeting running long, they adjourned without
having that discussion. So there was no resolution of that issue
either.
I spoke to the city manager at one of their breaks to see if we
could determine what are the outstanding issues. He mentioned the
public road right-of-way dedication as one, whereas, you will recall,
you approved an agreement, directed the county attorney to add some
language to that agreement that included stormwater drainage easements
that had not originally been included, which the County Attorney's
Office, forwarded that all to Marco, and apparently there's -- some of
the wording in there that they're not happy with. And that is
apparently one of the things that he has said is not resolved.
And we had just gotten a letter from him in the last day or so
saying that they have a problem with some specific wording having to
do with drainage easements along State Road 92 -- or what's now County
Road 92.
The other issue -- and I don't represent this as the council's
wish -- but I know that Councilman Day asked me about it at one of
their breaks, and I expect this is what he was referring to, is the
issue of the cable franchise fees.
Apparently there is a question regarding the effective date from
which cable franchise fees collected from residents of Marco Island
would be given to the city. I had told chairman -- or City Manager
Moss a couple of weeks ago that whatever that -- during your
discussion of that, on November the 3rd, you were not specific. In
fact, Commissioner Mac'Kie asked the question, what will the effective
date of this be.
I responded -- and I just listened to the tape this morning so
I'd know exactly what happened -- that it would take some time to
modify the appropriate agreements, and that we would come back to you
with those when they were completed. We didn't specify a date.
I informed Mr. Moss a couple of weeks ago that when we brought
those agreements back to you for the appropriate amendment, we would
ask you to specify the appropriate date. And it seemed or what would
be fair would have been what they are asking for, which is from the
date that you made the motion that we would go ahead and give back the
fees collected. And we certainly had no objection to that, but that
hasn't made paper yet, because you haven't directed that as a body.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Well, Mr. McNees, it was my motion the last
time we discussed that item, and the intent of my motion was to have
those fees effective as of the date of that motion. And I've made
that clear to them in Marco, and --
MR. McNEES: I understand that.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: -- they don't seem to be willing to accept
our word. I mean, we've sent them letters memorializing what actions
we have authorized to happen, simply because those actions are still
in transit in paperwork.
MR. McNEES: Commissioner, I understand completely, and I believe
that was your intent. What I represented to Mr. Moss was that since
that wasn't stated, and it wasn't formal direction that we as staff
couldn't just give them the money based on something that wasn't
directed, but that we would certainly ask you and certainly had every
confidence that you would reiterate that and make that a formal
direction.
I think you're exactly right, the issue seems to be that word,
either mine or yours, hasn't been good enough that that's what's about
to happen.
So I think one of the issues you said clearly at your last
meeting, or when we discussed this on November 3rd, you did not wish
to link the issues of cables franchise fees and the Sheriff's funding.
Clearly, last night the City Council was saying they are linked.
Since one is not resolved, we will not discuss -- not they will not
pay, they will not discuss the other. And that's where we are.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I think they're using that as an excuse,
myself, but --
COMMISSIONER CARTER: I would concur.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: -- Commissioner Mac'Kie?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: That's my question. I believe I voted
with the minority on the cable franchise issue, and therefore, am
unable to do anything about it. But I wonder if anyone who voted with
the majority would like to change their mind, because we need -- if
the bottom line -- and it can't get any later than today. We can't
wait any longer than today. And if the bottom line is they're not
going to pay anything for Sheriff services, then please, let's not
give away -- is it $400,000?
MR. HcNEES: Approximately 200,000 per year.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: $200,000, and -- because it's an absolute
gift to give that franchise fee money to them. We are not obligated
to do it. For God's sake, let's don't do it.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Can I ask you a question?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Commissioner Constantine?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And this is open to any commissioner,
to staff, to anybody. My recollection is we've been wholly
cooperative. We gave away the parks, we've taken care of the roads
issue, they wanted the public roads; we loaned staff out at the
beginning when they first had no one to help run things; we actually
have a couple of agreements where we're doing either code enforcement
or some certain services where we're sharing with them.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Contractor licensing.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Cancel them.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We've done -- the cable issue was on a
three-two majority, that passed. Can somebody tell me one thing that
the City of Marco has done to reciprocate the olive branches that have
been offered? I have yet -- I can't think of any. And I'm not trying
to be funny, I honestly cannot think of one thing --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I think it's an olive tree --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- the city has done --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: -- at this point.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- to reciprocate --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: It's been a one-way street.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- the relationship.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: It has been a one-way street, unfortunately.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: At this point, unless someone can tell
me that, I'm going to ask the board just let's pull back on anything
that's in motion, including -- I agree with you on the cable franchise
fees. But if we have agreements with contractors and licensing, if
we're helping out in code enforcement, if they want to be on their own
and are not going to contribute to the public safety, perhaps they
need to be on their own on everything.
MR. HcNEES: Commissioner, I think I can answer your question.
In fairness, there was a significant set of issues originally where we
and the city disagreed. And that was --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: But Mike, they were bogus issues.
MR. HcNEES: -- that was the dedication of all of the roads and
all of the right-of-way and all of the bridges on Marco Island. They
vehemently opposed the acceptance of those.
We, as Commissioner Hac'Kie mentions, never felt like they had
grounds with which to refuse, but that was something where along the
way they did say, okay, we will yield our position, and hence they
came to the county's position.
So if you're asking what were the circumstances where they did
agree with us eventually, that would be the major one that I can think
of.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: My point, I guess, is that it doesn't
serve the public well for two government bodies to be combative.
However, we have made every effort. We have -- in at least half a
dozen major issues, we have extended olive branch after olive branch
after olive branch, and at this point seems as though they're taking
that branch and just slapping the county in the face.
And there comes a point where you've only got five or six cheeks
to turn, and we've got to respond accordingly. COHMISSIONER CARTER: Well --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: You know, I did vote with the -- I'm
sorry, you were next, Commissioner.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: I was going to say, as an observer to this
process, I've always tried to figure out who we're negotiating with in
Marco.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Yeah.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: I mean, their county manager -- I mean,
their city manager stood in this room and committed to this commission
what they were willing to do, and yet when he went back to his own
council they said, well, I don't know where he got that idea.
So there has not been, in my observation, a uniformed negotiation
process by the City of Marco to approach these issues. And we're
being held hostage by -- you pick the area, they want to do it. And
they continue to do this.
And so maybe the hidden agenda is will we just flatly not go
along with this and let the Sheriff go ahead and appeal to the
governor and take that process? I don't know what they're doing, but
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: See, I think that's exactly their tack. They
knew today was the last day, the drop-dead date before the Sheriff
could go to the Governor. And by not dealing with the issue last
night, this throws this -- either the county is going to put up the
money and more or less say to the rest of the county, you are now
being jeopardized because the fact Marco is not going to contribute.
And so the Sheriff is going to have to go. If he wants more money,
he's going to have to go.
At the same time, the Sheriff knows and constitutionally is
compelled to provide services down there. The level, of course, could
be questioned. I mean, I don't think there's any doubt about that.
But that situation arises. It's there.
And I did vote in favor of the franchise fees for the cable
because I thought we were trying to do -- you know, get us somewhere,
particularly with the idea of the Sheriff. But as voting in the
majority, I certainly would be one to take another look at these
things. I'm willing to pull back on everything at this point that's
hanging out there.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Well, if that's -- if that's a motion to
reconsider, then I don't need to make mine, because I was intending to
make a motion to reconsider all of the votes where we entered into
interlocal agreements with Marco Island for sharing our staff --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Right.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: -- primarily sharing our staff with them.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: What areas are we doing that in right
now?
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: I have a question, too.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Let me just go ahead and say, while
they're looking that up, that what I'm proposing -- what I hope to
propose is that if Madam Chairman will pull back the vote to
reconsider the motion on the cable franchise, I can do the others or
we can '-
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I would like to propose that we reconsider,
and I guess we'll have to bring that back. According to policy, we'll
have to bring that back. But I would like to make a motion to
reconsider, if we can.
Mr. Weigel, can we do that?
MR. WEIGEL: Well, I think even Mr. Korn in the audience would
agree with me that a motion to reconsider is not appropriate today.
The action taken -- the action taken by the board, I believe it
was the November 3rd or 4th meeting, right around that time, in regard
to this was unilateral action taken by this board.
And I will say parenthetically separate from the action taken on
the agreement with -- concerning the homeowners' association and the
gatehouse, this was not the approval of a contract. This was a
determination of the board to take an action. And you are not bound
by the -- call it the parameters of the reconsideration ordinance
itself --
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: I'm sorry --
MR. WEIGEL: -- we're not reconsidering the --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: -- David, I didn't mean for a second that
MR. WEIGEL: -- action we took before.
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Oh, okay, I understand. So we don't have
to be tied to that reconsideration ordinance, we can just decide today
to change direction.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay.
MR. WEIGEL: You may.
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Great.
MR. WEIGEL: You may.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Now, let me ask my question.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Go ahead, Mr. -- Commissioner Norris.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: If we're not going to receive funding from
Marco for Sheriff services, then we need to do something perhaps to
encourage the Sheriff to conserve some money as it relates to the
services he provides to Marco.
We own that substation; is that correct?
MR. FERNANDEZ: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: How much notice do we have to give the
Sheriff to vacate that substation? Thirty days, less?
MR. FERNANDEZ: I don't know if there's any contractual
requirement.
MR. WEIGEL: What was the question?
MR. FERNANDEZ: How many notice to --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: To vacate the Sheriff's substation on Marco.
MR. WEIGEL: I don't know.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: What if we -- could we get an answer on
that soon, find out what the arrangement would have to be there?
Because we could declare that surplus, sell that off and let the
sheriff provide services from his substation that's located in the
East Naples Fire building there.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Maybe we could put that on as a formal
item for next week and have all the answers to that, what kind of time
frame do we need, what kind of notice to we give.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: And I'm sure that would help the Sheriff
save some of the funding that's he's been expending on Marco Island.
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: And I'm interested in doing -- in looking
at that. At the same time -- I hope you guys don't throw anything at
me -- but I'm also interested in -- in considering a reduction to the
Sheriff's budget that's less than the four million dollars.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Let's throw something at her.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I know you're going to throw something at
me, but I -- my --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I don't think that's the item that we're
considering here today.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Well, thank you, but I have a question,
and that is whether or not -- and Mr. Weigel, maybe you know this --
if we cut the Sheriff's budget by a million dollars, we know it's
going to be appealed, he has to do that. We know he's going to go to
Tallahassee. A question --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Doesn't mean he's going to win.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Doesn't mean he's going to win.
Nevertheless, my question is -- and if he doesn't win, what are the
repercussions to people in this county? And -- CHAIRPERSON BERRY: That's a big if.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: -- that's our responsibility. My question
is if it were appealed to Tallahassee, do the Governor and Cabinet
have the authority to order Marco Island to participate, or is that
just completely out of the realm of possibility?
MR. WEIGEL: I believe that's out of the realm, that they cannot
specifically --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: What they may be able to do, though,
is recognize, because the state statutes allow the Sheriff to request
of us what is the area you think should be cut when you are looking to
cut my budget. And we are done that. We have outlined exactly what
that is, and we have said we don't think those other positions all
over the county are being cut. What we have specifically requested is
the service on Marco Island.
If the appeal fails, that is essentially saying I agree with the
Board of Commissioners, and I think that is going to alleviate some of
the Sheriff's concern that boy, I am required to provide the exact
same level of service everywhere. COHMISSIONER CARTER: I --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Do you think that's what --
COHMISSIONER CARTER: -- would agree. He would have to revisit
what his level -- defined level of service would have to be to Marco,
and I don't think --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: For all incorporated areas, thank you very
much.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: Right. And I think we just have to maybe
just go that process to find out what happens here, and still leave
the door open, if Marco changes their direction in dealing with us.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: If we could later, Mr. Fernandez, amend
the budget to accept a contribution from Marco or to -- I mean, the
process, assuming that the Sheriff goes to Tallahassee, and is -- and
loses, and gets then somehow some comfort that he's not required to
provide the exact same level of service within an incorporated city as
he is an unincorporated Collier County, at some point in the future,
if it became necessary to do a budget amendment for the Sheriff's
Office, that is always available to us? MR. FERNANDEZ: Yes.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And just to clarify, the question
isn't about incorporated area or not, the question is about
participants in the HSTU or not.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Thank you. Good point. Used to be --
MR. FERNANDEZ: Madam Chairman?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Yes.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Just to add another point, from what I heard the
testimony from the Sheriff the day he came to present to us, it's not
the same level of service, but he preferred to Marco Island as the
best level of service in the county -- COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Right.
MR. FERNANDEZ: -- if I remember that correctly.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: That's what he said.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: He said that --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: That's what he said.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I think what he said was that it was the most
successful substation.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Okay.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Well --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And going back to the question I asked
before, what areas -- there's contractors and licensing board.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Right.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: What areas are we assisting in in any
way?
MR. HcNEES: I think probably only directly in the contractor
licensing we provide domestic animal services on the Island that if
you amended your ordinance, certainly you would not be required to.
Indirectly, pending issues would be the road impact fee agreement that
you have not yet approved in final form, and --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Substance of which is?
MR. HcNEES: Allowing the city to keep a portion of our road
impact fee, based on a certain formula that has been negotiated, but
hasn't been brought to you yet for adoption.
The amendment to the cable franchise ordinances you have not yet
approved, and is still in your balipark.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Also, code enforcement cases that were begun
prior to October 1st were continuing with us.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: We need to stop those.
MR. HcNEES: And we have handed responsibility to them.
Obviously, we are still providing staff assistance in helping them
resolve those. So that would be an area -- thank you for that. There
may be others I'm thinking on the fly.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Are there any services they have
contracted with the county to provide?
MR. HcNEES: The -- we had contracted for some plan planning
related services, the next to the last item of which was heard last
night, that we provided staff assistance to.
Mr. Cautero informed me there's one boat dock permit left in the
pipeline, and that that's the only one where we -- we are providing
service for. I can't think of anything -- we are providing solid
waste collection through the solid waste franchise on the Island is
another thing.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Hm.
MR. HcNEES: I can't immediately --
COHMISSIONER CARTER: A little garbage buildup might change their
attitude.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: If we wanted to address that, how
would we go about addressing that? What would a time frame be before
we could --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Shoot the tires out of the garbage truck.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- drop that responsibility on the
city?
MR. HcNEES: That one I'd hated to answer on the fly. I think if
you asked us to come back in a week with a comprehensive report of
what are the issues out there, where are our shared services, or our
provided services --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I think that's the way.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: That's the way.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I think so.
MR. McNEES: -- we'd love two weeks to do that, but I think we
could probably --
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We're not coming back 'til January, so
I'd like to get it --
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: It's got to be next week.
MR. McNEES: I like January a lot, but -- if you need that by
next week, we can do that.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I think that would be appropriate to go ahead
and let staff come back to us with a grocery list of outstanding
items.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Including the substation.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Oh, absolutely. Anything that the county is
providing down there that --
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I assume there's general consensus
that we -- nothing is in the pipeline right now to move forward in
those seven days either.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Absolutely.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: That's right.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I jotted down, and just tell me if I
missed any of these. Freeze and possibly rescind the cable franchise
agreement, and all cooperation on the contractor and licensing and
related programs. Investigate department of -- division of animal
services department. I don't know, whatever -- animal control.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Domestic animal services.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Thank you, DAS.
Road impact fee issue, code enforcement cases, planning services,
one case, and then particularly the solid waste issue and the
substation issue, if we could have those brought back in some attempt.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: And any others that staff might identify.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yeah, and --
COMHISSIONER CARTER: And any others that staff identifies so we
have a complete list to put on the table.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: That's direction I could support.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: That's direction. I assume that all we
need to do is give direction, and I agree with the direction.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I agree with the direction as well. I don't
think --
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: That's three.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: -- it requires a vote. I think you all know
what we're looking at.
MR. FERNANDEZ: We know exactly what you're looking for, Madam
Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, thank you, Mr. McNees, for the report.
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Can we take a break?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Sure. At this time, we'll give our court
reporter a break, and we'll be back in about seven to 10.
(Brief recess.)
Item #8E2
APPOINTMENT OF JOHN L. COOK, JR., AS EMERGENCY SERVICES DIVISION
ADMINISTRATOR - DENIED
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: All right. We are reconvene our meeting.
We are down to item 8(E)(2), which is the confirmation of appointment
of John L. Cook, Jr. as emergency services division administrator. Mr. Fernandez?
MR. FERNANDEZ: Madam Chairman, this is a new position that was
created in the reorganization that took effect October 1st. This is
the fifth division of county government.
Mr. Cook interviewed with us as one of five external candidates
and two internal candidates, and he was selected by myself and two
others on the selection committee to be the most qualified candidate.
He comes to us with over 25 years of experience in emergency services,
with primarily a fire services background. His most recent employment
is Loudoun County, Maryland. Prior to that, he spent time in Denton,
Texas, as well as Conroe, Texas.
I have selected him to begin as of the first of the year.
January 4th I think is the first date. The salary proposed is
$80,000. And I would ask for your confirmation at this time.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Commissioner Constantine?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Madam Chairman, unfortunately, I have
some problems with the candidate. The one that raised my eye to start
with is the -- primarily, as Mr. Fernandez just said, primarily a fire
services background. One of the issues we have struggled with in the
past several years is a division between individual fire districts and
EHS. And I have some concern where this takes us, both in reality and
in perception, if we have someone with exclusively a fire services
background.
More importantly, though, I did, as I do each time we have an
administrative approval or appointment of a -- excuse me, approval of
an appointment, some calls and talk to people familiar with the
candidate.
I talked to the county administrator in Loudoun County, and I
also have a very close friend, a gentleman who was in my wedding who I
visit two or three times who lives in Loudoun County. I talked with
him, who in turn put me in touch with a couple of the firefighters and
people that worked up there, so I had a real good varied background.
Someone who is just a resident up there, someone who Mr. Cook worked
for and then somebody who is familiar with the services provided.
And there were some questions pertaining to his ability to deal
with the public. Some questions about one quote was -- I don't have
an exact, I have it jogged in my notes -- but if you supervise him
very closely -- he's very intelligent and very capable, and if you
supervise him very closely, he's capable of the job. If you do not
supervise him very closely, he has a tendency to do what he wants to
do.
And I had asked him that last week -- in fairness to him, I asked
him that last week at the interview, the sit-down I had with him as,
you know, what works for you, what is your management style,
particularly as it pertains to your preference when that differs with
the preference of the board or of the manager. And his reaction was
one that concerned me before we even started, I guess, because he said
-- before we get too far, he said something to the effect of well,
while I disagree with the way your services are set up here now,
meaning the division between fire and EHS, I certainly can go ahead
and follow what Mr. Fernandez has.
And so perhaps if there's close supervision, as outlined by those
folks up in Loudoun County, he could. But if he disagrees before we
even come in with the way things are going here, that gives me pause
for concern as well.
In sum, I guess what I heard from each of these people was just
kind of hardheaded, does what he wants to do, does not -- really needs
close supervision in order to keep him on line, on track, to what the
general policy is. At a division level, division head level, that
gives me pause for concern. And Iwll leave it there for now.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Commissioner Mac'Kie?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I am also not supportive of the position,
not, frankly, because of the individual, because I have not met with
him. I have of course reviewed the resume and respect Mr. Fernandez's
ability to select the appropriate person.
I have, however, two big problems with the -- with this
appointment. One is, to speak bluntly, as you know I do, we don't
need to hire Diane Flagg a boss. She doesn't need a boss. She's
doing a great job. We don't need to hire Ken Pineau a new boss.
When we look at what are the departments that are to be included
in this division, they are the award-winning, the working like
clockwork, the no problems departments. I don't see why we need to
add another level of management and oversight when things aren't
broken.
Frankly, I voted for the creation of the position thinking that
Diane Flagg has been acting as a division head for years, so if this
gets her promoted to division head status, then I would go along with
that. I don't have any interest in hiring Diane Flagg a boss.
In addition, this item, or this position is primarily to oversee
EHS and fire. We have two dependent fire districts, both of whom are
seriously considering independence; both of whom have asked our staff
to make presentations over the course of this calendar year to allow
them to make a judgment of whether or not they want to go independent.
My, the irony if we hire somebody to supervise the EHS and the two
dependent fire districts and they're independent in a year.
So for both of those reasons, I'm not going to support the
appointment.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Commissioner Carter, comments?
COHMISSIONER CARTER: I was not here for your discussion on the
reorganization. I've had those conversations with our county
administrator. I told him I would hold him accountable for a decision
on that basis, that you need to do this type of thing. I would also
hold him accountable for the person he would select to put in that
position.
I have some concerns and questions about creating a fifth
division. I've expressed that. It was related to me we needed to do
this, but I'm hearing some things this morning that I'm wondering if
this board prior to my arrival was really comfortable with the
reorganization, and did we really want to add another person, and have
we gone to an expense of looking to bring in another person from the
outside when we have internal candidates that may be operating very
well as they're doing, and we don't need another level of government
or management?
So I'm -- I don't know if you can defer this process or what, but
it seems to me like we're revisiting a couple of things: One, do we
need another division, and we're revisiting whether or not we like the
candidates being presented.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I wish we could postpone the creation of
the position until we give the fire districts, the two dependent fire
districts, the opportunity to go through this calendar year and decide
whether or not we're going to continue to have dependent fire
districts.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: If they were going to be independent, then
I would think I'd have to -- I would certainly want to revisit why
would I want to spend $116,000 to have two people supervised, and
could this not be rethought of in another framework of how we're
organized from which they were currently reporting. CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Commissioner Norris?
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Well, Commissioner Mac'Kie, the last time
we discussed this, you made the point that we should let our county
administrator do the administration and the management, and I think we
all agree with that.
It appears that the support for this particular arrangement is
not here anymore on the board, but that doesn't mean that Mr.
Fernandez could not reorganize internally some other way, if that's
acceptable to the board.
He doesn't have to necessarily create a new division. I think he
could -- if this doesn't go forward today, then perhaps his next
charge would be to think about a reorganization within the existing
divisions, if that's what he wants to do, which he wouldn't have to
come to us about.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Of course, keeping in mind again, and
you're right, he doesn't have to come to us about it. But I would
hope he would keep in mind that it seems to be kind of silly to
reorganize and then to unreorganize in a year if the fire districts
become independent.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Well, that would be one of the -- one of
the benefits of doing it internally. If they do decide to go
independent, then they would simply disappear from the county's roster
of departments.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I'm going to make a motion not to approve
the -- not to confirm the appointment of the emergency services
division administrator.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll second that.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: We have a motion and a second. And it
doesn't take too much to count to three, Mr. Fernandez, on this
particular item.
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: We've got speakers here.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I understand. I haven't said anything yet.
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Sorry.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I've been always very nice to let all of the
rest of you talk, and then I wait 'til the last. You know, it's
called manners.
At any rate, when this came to us, when Mr. Fernandez brought
this to us, I have been used to working the segment when the
administrator brings the appointment recommendation to the board. It
certainly goes without saying, Mr. Carter mentioned it, that obviously
they're held accountable for that particular person. Then unless you
know something that is very, very compelling, and usually has to do
with morally in most cases, something that is not an individual that
you'd like to have working and being associated with the county, that
would be a reason to not confirm an appointment.
I looked at this as a new administrator coming in assessing the
situation, making a decision to change an administration, which I
think he has every right to do. Whether I agree or disagree, he is
still accountable for that particular decision, whichever way that
goes. But it doesn't -- I can see this morning that there's two very
strong and a third very questionable situation here.
We have a motion and a second on the floor in regard to not
accepting this confirmation. So at this time, I guess the most
appropriate is to go ahead and hear from the public speakers on it.
MR. FERNANDEZ: First speaker, Madam Chair, is Ty Agoston and
then Mary Dunavan.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Just prior to Mr. Agoston, too, I want
to clarify. You said normally what you would anticipate is only in
the event of some immoral act or question of morality and so on. And
just a general disagreement of philosophy there, I guess, because the
division administrators require board approval -- CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I understand.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- and because of that, and it's just
my opinion, I think we are then held accountable as well, it's not
strictly Mr. Fernandez.
My questions about Mr. Cook have nothing to do with his morality
or anything else. I'm sure he's a moral, upstanding citizen. I just
-- his management style reported from John Q. Citizen in Loudoun
County, reported from people in the fire service and from county
administrator are not what I see as a man of his style we need here.
I understand where you're coming from, I just want to clarify.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Right. I just -- I guess -- and our
differences is that I look at the value of the county administrator,
that I look at him as the person that's in charge and responsible.
And he's the one that I hire and fire. I don't really hire and fire
the rest of the individuals. But he's the one that I have to hold
accountable. And no matter whether I know anything about this
individual -- it may not be the person that I would have selected, but
it was a person that he saw obviously certain qualities in. And
unless there had been something reported to me that was extremely
objectionable about the individual, then I feel like, you know, we've
always told that you better -- if you don't confirm an appointment,
you better be able to substantiate whatever your reason for denial in
court. And I have -- I know nothing. Even the things that you say, I
don't know that you can substantiate it in court to be compelling
enough to not have a judgment come against you in that confirmation.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And I want to be real careful what we
say there, because I don't think we are obligated to give this person
a job because Mr. Fernandez brought him forward. There's a
confirmation process from the board, and the board -- you may decide
that in your opinion that's due to moral issues, I may decide that I
have the responsibility as a commissioner that if I think the
management style is poor, the track record is poor, and it's not in
the best interest of the public, that may be my reasoning. But we
don't have any obligation to give him a job because Mr. Fernandez has
put his name forward in nomination.
And so when we talk about legal issues, I want to be careful that
we don't set ourselves up for something there.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Just a thought.
Mr. Agoston?
MR. AGOSTON: Morning, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Ty
Agoston. I'm from that disadvantaged Golden Gate Estates. And I'm
also a co-president of TAG, Taxpayers Action Group, and I'm speaking
for them.
Just a short while ago, at the initiation of our county
administrator, you have reduced, in my opinion, public access. But in
bottom line of fact, you have reduced the hour load, the workload, on
your executive staff by two days a month. They now are free to do on
every other Monday (sic) whatever they want to do or have to do,
instead of sitting here staring at you.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: As pleasant as that might be. Sorry.
MR. AGOSTON: Now we get another proposal. Well, the proposal
came before you quite some time ago, but the proposal is to increase
the administrator's ranks by what's that, 25 percent? You're adding
one on four. And I don't understand, with the loss of Marco Island as
a workload, it seems to me that we are going against the current.
Now, I seem to remember well that all of you have ran as
republicans. And as republicans, one of the basic tenant is less
government, less intrusion into public's lives, less expense. Are we
going down that track? And I am not trying to sound partisan. I am
just essentially talking as a taxpayer, want to save as much money as
possible.
And I really don't believe that you have any justification for
this type of an expansion in the bureaucracy of the county, where the
actual need doesn't seem to be there. Aside from the technical aspect
of who is -- are running the actual emergency services sector. Thank
you very much.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Next speaker is Mary Dunavan.
MS. DUNAVAN: Good morning, commissioners, Chairman Berry.
Welcome to our new Commissioner, Jim Carter.
I don't want to talk you out of your motion, and -- but I would
like to see you rescind the division -- fifth division ordinance
itself. It is not needed.
And I'm going to go back to Commissioner Berry's nod to local
policy that we hire in-house people. I mean, we're sending them a
message. This is the third time this year that we've decided we're
going to hire somebody out of the county when we have somebody that's
in that position to take over right here. They're here, their
family's here, we don't have to pay to move any of them in. And so I
feel that we have good employees that we can give this -- these
positions to and stop the cost more to our taxpayers and the county.
Also, I want to make another point. I was a little late this
morning. We had a bad wreck on Immokalee Road at the TwinEagles
entrance to their construction area. And they are still cleaning up.
They were -- the wreck was around 6:30 this morning. They were still
cleaning up around 8:30. And I came across another wreck on 951. But
Immokalee Road really needs something done to it. Thank you very
much.
MR. FERNANDEZ: No other speakers, Madam Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. We have a motion and a second for
denial of this position.
All in favor?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Aye.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Opposed?
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Aye.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Aye.
Motion carries three-two.
Item #8E3 - Continued to 12/15/98
Item #8E4
AMENDED AGREEHENT FOR REFERENDUH INFORMATION SERVICES WITH FLORIDIRKS
FOR FAIRNESS IN COURT FUNDING
The next item, item 8(E)(3), has been continued to next week.
And then item 8(E)(4), this has to do with the fairness in court
funding, which was revision seven that was passed in the latest
election.
MR. TINDALL: Good morning, Madam Chairman, commissioners, Phil
Tindall from the county administrator's office.
On July 28th of this year the board entered into an agreement
with the group Floridians for Fairness in Court Funding, which
entailed a contribution of $52,120 for the campaign for revision seven
to Article V of the state constitution, which promises to require the
state to pay more of its fair share in terms of circuit court funding.
What we're asking you to do today is to amend that agreement in
order to allow the Florida Association of Counties to use the residual
funds to continue the final phase of this initiative, the follow-up in
which they would continue to lobby the legislature, and do the
information dissemination efforts necessary to ensure that this
success is not undermined during the state budget appropriation
process.
What we're worried about is the possibility of funding that might
otherwise be earmarked for things that would benefit counties to be
reduced in order to pay for the state's additional cost in this area.
The residual funds, according to the Florida Association of
Counties, is approximately $1,116. That's the county's pro rata share
of a total of about $75,000.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, so you're asking for a motion to --
MR. TINDALL: To amend the agreement to allow the Florida
Association of Counties to use the residual funds for that purpose.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: That's a positive.
MR. TINDALL: As the agreement exists right now, this group would
have to refund that amount back to the county after -- within 30 days
after the end of the campaign.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Why, would we not want them again to refund
that?
MR. TINDALL: Because what we're concerned about is the
possibility of the legislature undermining that effort through its
appropriation process, in other words, perhaps --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: How is our $1,000 going to help that?
MR. TINDALL: Well, what the FAC intends to do is extend the
contract of its political consultant to work with the governor elect's
transaction committee to continue to lobby the legislature to keep the
county commissions informed on what's going on and provide information
in general out to the public to continue to keep the pressure up to
ensure that the $51,000 that we already spent has not been spent in
vain, and that the success here is not undermined through the budget
process of the state.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Madam Chairman?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Yes.
MR. FERNANDEZ: As we heard in Tallahassee a couple of weeks ago,
there is considerable concern that the battle is really not over with
the initiative passing, but rather, there was -- there were
indications that there may be attempts to remove funding that would
otherwise be coming to counties in order for the state to come up with
the funds to meet this obligation.
And the association voted as a group to continue to pursue the
legislature, to maintain the relationships and the contacts and so
forth, and to continue the consultant as Phil referred to.
The funds are necessary to continue to do that. The vote was
taken in Tallahassee to continue to have the funds roll over into next
year.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Motion to approve.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, we have a motion and a second.
And I will also add, this is to be implemented over a five-year
period. In other words, by -- or is it implemented in five years, or
have they got five years to plan for it? I believe that -- isn't it
2004?
MR. FERNANDEZ: I think the effective date of it is --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Is 2004.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: So we can't count on spending the money
next year, it's --
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: No.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: No.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: -- going to come more slowly than that.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: It's -- exactly right. And they're very
fearful, because the legislature, the leadership up there has not been
real happy with the fact that the counties were supportive of this
particular revision, and they were very outspoken, some of them, not
all of them. Some of them were very outspoken about this.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: The democrats are.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Well, some of the legislators want to
punish the --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: That's exactly right.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: -- counties for taking this action.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Do we have any idea about the position of
our delegation? Do we need to communicate with them?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Well, we have -- as you well know, we have a
new representative. And I have spoken to him in this regard, kind of
telling him that when he goes to Tallahassee he's going to have --
probably be bombarded by some outside influence out there that's going
to try and move him in a different direction.
I think this -- what's happened is, it's almost like, as you
know, we've gotten many unfunded mandates in the past where they've
come down to us, and they basically say work it out, figure out what
you're going to do.
The shoe is now on the other foot, but it's not just coming from
a group of people, it's coming from the citizens of the State of
Florida. Because they passed this in a state-wide referendum. And so
now there's even more pressure that has been placed on the legislature
to go ahead and figure out how they're going to do it.
But at the same time, they are angry with us because there was a
sizeable and obviously a very compelling campaign in the regard of
this particular amendment.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: And any legislator that tries to punish the
counties for what the citizens of Florida told the legislators to do
will find themselves in another campaign in the future, and I'm sure
they will be quick to report to the citizens exactly how their
legislators have performed.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Well, we have three representatives we can
work on: We have Representative Goodlette and Rojas and Green that
I'm sure would side with the direction that we want to take. But it
behooves all of us to communicate with our legislators to let them
know that this is what we want.
I think most citizens think because it was approved that it's a
done deal --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Right, and it's --
COMHISSIONER CARTER: -- and it's not. It's now a how do you pay
for it, and that's what everyone needs to participate in in this
process.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. Do we have any speakers on this?
MR. FERNANDEZ: No speakers, Madam Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, we have a motion and a second. All in
favor?
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Motion carries five-zero.
MR. TINDALL: Thank you, commissioners.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Thank you.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Can I just use this, since it's a
constitutional revision question, to ask, Mr. Weigel, when I asked you
once to come back to us with a list of all the potential ordinances
that might result -- or might be available to us as a result of the
constitutional revisions, it's occurred to me later that it might be
helpful to have a citizens committee or something to look at all of
that.
Is this something that you think you've got a handle on, or would
you like us to think about doing something to assist you? I thought
about all the retired lawyers in this town who might be able to help.
MR. WEIGEL: Well, I'll tell you what, I appreciate your idea.
And I think I can reach out in a grassroots request in an informal way
and see if I can get some outside assistance to kind of review what
we're doing and coming forward. And it will help with a timely return
of that, too.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: I'll talk to you about that.
MR. WEIGEL: I appreciate that.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Thanks.
Item #10A
RECONSIDERATION OF SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH LELY BAREFOOT BEACH
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION REGARDING THE LELY GUARDHOUSE - AGREEMENT NOT TO
BE APPROVED AND LEGAL REMEDIES TO BE PURSUED IN COURT SYSTEM
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, moving on then to item 10(A). Will
this ever go away? The reconsideration of the settlement agreement
with the Lely Barefoot Beach homeowners' association regarding the
Lely guardhouse.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: So do we first vote, Mr. Weigel, on the
motion to --
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We already did vote to reconsider.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: What's the procedure for this?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: We voted on that.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Today we are --
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Today we are --
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- reconsidering.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: -- reconsidering.
MR. WEIGEL: Yes, the item in chief today is a reconsideration.
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Thank you.
MR. WEIGEL: I'll just mention --
COMHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'll be glad to short-circuit it and
make a motion.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Go.
MR. WEIGEL: I'll just mention right here that I do have the
agenda packets from before. I know they've been distributed to you.
If you don't have them handy or would like to have them handy, I can
provide you copies. We have additional copies for the public or anyone
else.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Do we have to rehear the item?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I don't think so.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Do we have to take public speakers? Do we
have to do any of that?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Madam Chairman, I don't know what the
pleasure of the Chair is, but I'd be happy to make a motion that we do
not approve the agreement --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Second.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- and that we move forward in court
as directed by the board I think November of a year ago. COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, it's pretty obviously -- obvious, I
think to all, what was going to happen today. This is a matter of
formality, as far as I'm concerned. Unless there are some people out
there that want to talk us out of doing this.
Do we have any speakers on this item, Mr. Fernandez?
MR. FERNANDEZ: Yes, Madam Chairman, we do.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: How many?
MR. FERNANDEZ: We have about six.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I think we should hear from the public.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Maybe some of them will waive.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Well, that's up to them, but we'll give them
the opportunity to speak.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Okay, the first two speakers are Honica Reimer
and Emily Haggio.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Emily --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Haggio waives.
MS. REIHER: Madam Chairman, commissioners, good morning. I will
be very brief today.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Welcome back again this week, by the
way. I saw you here last week.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Sorry about that.
MS. REIHER: That's okay. My name is Honica Reimer, I'm an
assistant attorney general with the Attorney General's Office in
Tallahassee. I'm here representing the Attorney General's Office and
the board of trustees of the internal improvement trust fund.
I would simply like to incorporate by reference into this hearing
the comments that I made at the hearing on November 10th, 1998, where
I spoke on this issue. I would also like to incorporate by reference
the November 6th, 1998 letter from the Attorney General to Madam
Chairman Berry in which we recommended that the settlement agreement
not be approved by the County Commission, and stating forth the
reasons why, and our specific concerns with this particular settlement
agreement.
The position of the Attorney General continues to be that this
agreement should not be approved, and that the only acceptable
settlement agreement should be one that incorporates moving the
guardhouse off of the side of the road.
There was one -- I received one question from Madam Chairman
concerning the uniqueness of this situation. I would like to just
briefly revisit that issue. At that time, what I stated was that I
did not know of another situation in which there was a public easement
which provided access to a county park. That sort of got turned into
that I didn't know of another situation in which there was a
residential development that coexisted with a county park or a state
park.
Obviously that is not true. They exist all over the State of
Florida, and they exist very comfortably.
I think that the uniqueness of this situation is that you have a
homeowners' association that does not want to recognize the existence
of a legally recorded easement, even in the face of the fact that that
easement was there, recorded in the public records of Collier County
long before any of these homeowners purchased their property in Lely
Beach.
We urge the county to go forward with the code enforcement
action. We urge to you continue with the circuit court litigation.
We would like to be supporting you in that litigation, and we fully
intend to. And once again suggest that you not approve the settlement
agreement that's before you today. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Mr. Fernandez, or Mr. Weigel, if we -- that's
fine, Hike. I just have a question for him. If we go forward and
this goes into litigation, do we still have -- is there still a suit
with the Attorney General?
MR. WEIGEL: Yes, it's not that it goes into litigation. We have
two cases right now. One is the appeal of the Code Enforcement Board
determination, and the other one is a declarative judgment lawsuit
initiated by homeowners association against Collier County, of which
the State of Florida, through the Attorney General, is a party also.
If your question is, is there going to be additional litigation
based upon a vote that the board may take today, that remains to be
seen. I've advised the board previously in regard to, I think, the
legal elements of reconsideration ordinance, and we'll stand ready to
defend my opinion in court, if need be.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: All right.
Next speaker?
MR. FERNANDEZ: Next speaker is Janet Wall and then Vera
Fitz-Gerald.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Janet Wall is waiving, it looks like.
MS. FITZ-GERALD: My name is Vera Fitz-Gerald.
I want to commend Commissioner Constantine for his little action
here. And of course Commissioner Hac'Kie, and Commissioner Carter on
this, that they're finally going to do something and get this thing
resolved.
We don't want any more erosion of our accesses to beaches, and
this seems to be just an ongoing thing. For 10 whole miserable years
we've been coming down here and screaming about this thing. It just
keeps getting worse. Now we have great big bumps in the road right at
the gate. I hope you can incorporate that. And that obstruction has
to go, too. I mean, we've got enough. Gatehouse, bumps all up and
down the road. I want to thank you for your action.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Next speaker is Victor Rosenberger, and then
Harjorie Ward.
MR. ROSENBERGER: I'm Victor Rosenberger. I'm a resident of
Barefoot Beach.
We homeowners feel like we are the victim here. Obviously the
state has been involved in this since 1970. The county has been
involved in this in the Seventies. And of course we moved in later on.
First of all, the county -- I'd like to point out, the county
received the free public beach up front from Lely Development as part
of the PUD. I'd also like to point out that the gate -- there has
been a gatehouse there since 1979 in the center of the road. I have
-- the county appraiser's office shows a 36 square foot gate on their
evaluation in 1980. So the gate -- a small gatehouse was in the
center of the road.
At that time there was two lanes, one coming in and one going
out. The county later on in the PUD required that an extra lane of
traffic be put in so that the public could go through and not
interfere with the gate where people would receive information. This
was done, as I think you all know.
There was an agreement with the state August 1st, 1978. It says
the corporation hereby -- the corporation, which is Lely -- hereby
grants the DNR the right to construct a sign on the easement near
Bonita Beach Road to identify the state prop -- route to the state
property.
A gate may be installed to limit the use of the road necess -- to
necessary state business. Once the property is opened, the gate may
be kept closed to the general public only after the state visiting
hours, pursuant to a schedule developed by DNR.
Now, the state -- this was when the state was going to go ahead
with their part of the property. This is signed by State of Florida,
Department of Natural Resources, Carmen Shields.
Now, in -- when the application for the building permit was
filed, 3-3-88, it included the plot plan that -- where the guardhouse
is going to be, submitted March 3rd. This was attached to the
building permit. It shows where the guardhouse is supposed to be, 20
foot from the road that goes to the parking area on the side.
Down below, it shows existing gatehouse. So there was a
continual gatehouse in the center of the road from 1979 up to the time
this was submitted. And then the county -- the new guardhouse, they
call it, and it was in the center of the road from that date on.
All of the zoning -- everything was approved by the county. It
-- Mr. Joy was at the -- Joseph Joy was at the hearing and he said
that the county told him to move this three separate times. And the
engineer, HacHanelli (phonetic), had to revise the drawings. So the
county fully participated in this.
I notice I only have a few seconds.
The land management agreement with the state for the preserve
directed us to change the gate and put up a sign. Sign's been there
ever since -- ever since we were ordered to put it up. All visitors
shall go directly to the preserve without stopping. I mean, if you
can't read, you can't read.
I see I'm just -- I just want to say one more thing about the
gate here on my time. The code board says Mr. Allen, golly, you've
had 374,000 people that went through that guardhouse in 1994, and we
all -- I don't call that very much of an impediment, okay? When a
quarter of a million people go to the park freely, I don't think the
guardhouse is that big of an impediment or impedes the access. And I
believe that.
And just one other statement. Mrs. Deifik says, and what with
all the publicity from the Naples Daily News and everything, I don't
think there's a soul in this county over the age of five that doesn't
know that you can go to the beach at Lely Barefoot.
I just fail to understand why you're insisting on taking the
guardhouse down when an extra lane of traffic was built to go -- have
the public go around and it was constructed, signs are there,
everything was done, as far as we're concerned, that we were ordered
to do. And at this point now you want to go ahead and move the
guardhouse over to the curb or something, which is totally
impractical.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Thank you, Mr. Rosenberg.
Next speaker?
MR. FERNANDEZ: Next speaker is Marjorie Ward and then Donald
Dawson.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Emily, you already waived. And in
fairness, we don't allow reactions to other speakers. I know you want
to rebut him.
MS. WARD: Good morning, commissioners. For the record, I'm
Harjorie Ward, representing CABB, who has been concerned with the
Barefoot Beach Preserves for more years than any of you have been
usurped on the board.
We've always maintained that the guardhouse which sits in the
state right-of-way of Barefoot Beach Boulevard, formally called Lely
Boulevard, is not properly permitted, is in the wrong PUD, and should,
therefore, not be allowed any more than any of the public could erect
a lemonade stand in the middle of Bonita Beach Road or any other
public roadway.
We concur with the findings of the Attorney General of Florida
that the guardhouse must be removed completely from the 60-foot state
easement, and must not be visible in any manner, shape or form to
intimidate or discourage prospective beach-goers.
Additional signage, as was suggested by the state many years ago,
just be provided going both directions on Bonita Beach Road and
Hickory Boulevard. The sign should be the standard size and type for
the county and state parks.
Not only do we agree with the October 29th proposal settlement
agreement concerns from the Attorney General's Office, but we'd like
to make the suggestion of the addition of another item, a restriction
against ever bringing up a subject of gate houses, gates or any
whatever in the middle of the state right-of-way so that when future
commissioners sit in your chairs or others are in charge of a part of
this long, enduring headache, that it cannot be brought up again,
changed or amended to subject the public and the commission to a
reoccurrence. Because we have a fear that that could very well happen.
There are -- there's a very nice letter to the -- or rather an
editorial in the News Press today regarding the speed bumps, regarding
the subject, which I would suggest that you have a chance to read, if
you can.
Meanwhile, thank you very much, on behalf of present and future
beach-goers, and there's been some information that has been submitted
to you. It's been a little bit one-sided, and we concur with what
vote that you have already taken, and we thank you.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Donald Dawson, and the final speaker, Jason Korn.
MR. DAWSON: Good morning. I'm Don Dawson. I live at 46 Ninth
Street, in Bonita Shores.
I don't feel very well today. I've been coming down here for
over 10 years. And I wasn't going to speak long, but after something
that was said, I have to say something.
Ten years ago, or nine years ago, I came before this commission
and I brought advertisements of Lely Barefoot Beach, and presented
that. And I think it was very misleading. And I asked the people
that had purchased in Lely Barefoot Beach that their gripe is with the
development and not with this county commission. They advertised here
three-and-a-half miles of your own beach are just the beginning. And
it's private. That is very misleading to the public. And I told them
at that meeting that they should do something with the developer.
A couple of items. This is amusing. I don't know how long this
gentleman from Lely has lived there. I found, going through some
papers, I thought this was interesting and a fun thing that I might
interject here. The harassment of these gates and having the extra
gate there, they said we're going to keep that down for the homeowners
in Lely Barefoot Beach. And I remember Tim Constantine said don't buy
remote to operate that gate. Do you remember that, Tim? You said
don't waste your money doing that. And this was in the paper. This
was back in 1994. It's the -- this is a homeowner in Lely Barefoot
Beach now, this is not just the public, this is a homeowner.
Sansmark (phonetic) said he drove through the residents' gate
after a guard would not open it for him. I honked, I waited, but he
wouldn't open it for me. He said Sansmark and other villa residents
have become fed up with Lely's insistance on controlling the
entrances. Their refusal to open both gates, despite a state order to
do so, and the latest revelation that the guardhouse actually rests on
villas property, they are strange -- they are a strange breed of
people. I just don't understand people like this, said another villas
property owner, who asked not to be named. They want to keep their
heads in the sand over this. The only person they should be fighting
is Lely Development.
And I concur with that. And I kind of visualized this, you know,
this guy at the gate that they got down, he wouldn't buy a remote,
he's a property owner, and then bang, he goes through this gate, he
gets so frustrated. So -- and this was back in 1994. And I know some
of you commissioners weren't around then.
And there's one other item that I had brought up a long time ago,
and that is about the bumps. And this is a concern that I have today.
You go down there today, there's a bump and it's not a small bump,
it's a big bump. And it's right at the gatehouse, so you have to stop
at the gatehouse. And it's only within two or 300 feet of Bonita
Beach Road. Why you need a bump there, I'll never understand that.
But we had -- and this is back in October of '94, and we had the
North Naples Fire Chief, Jim Jones at that time, said his department
responded to 17 medical calls and 16 fire calls between January 1 and
September 30th of this year. Jones said eight of those calls came
after park hours, when Lely Boulevard is closed to the public. "The
biggest hindrance to us getting down that road is the over-sized speed
bumps," Jones said. "I understand they were put there to control
construction vehicles and delivery trucks coming in and out of there,
but they should be removed." And that was in 1994.
We have not been -- I don't want to go into a lot of things, but
I could. Over these years, these meetings, some of them have been
very comical, and some of them have been very serious. But I think
that the public has been harassed enough, and I think it's time that
you put this to rest and ask that that gatehouse be removed and let
that private -- public -- I shouldn't say private, but this public
easement be uninhindered (sic) in any way.
And when you stop and think of nine bumps within a mile, I think
that's excessive. And I think that something should be done about
that. I don't know if there's a legal height for the bumps, but
something should be done about those bumps.
And it's just another thing that they have done right up recently
to hinder the public use of that preserve. They have taken the sign
down that they had in the median that it was a public preserve, they
put up a larger Lely Barefoot Beach entrance there that is very
confusing to the public. And it's like a private club down there, and
it's not.
So please, have the gatehouse removed, and thank you very much
for your time. And congratulations, Mr. Carter, on your success of
becoming a county commissioner.
And if I had my way, I'm not like the rest of the world, I would
say you're in this job for eternity, because then we could hold each
one of you accountable. I could go through the different commissioners
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Hr. Dawson, thanks for the politics.
MR. DAWSON: Yeah, thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: That's enough. Your time's up. Thank you.
MR. DAWSON: Thank you very much.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Next speaker and final speaker is Jason Korn.
MR. KORN: Good morning, commissioners. Jason Korn, on behalf of
Lely Barefoot Beach property owners association and Lely Barefoot
Beach master association. I'll refer to them collectively as the
homeowners association.
I'll be brief. I'm here to inform you of our objection -- the
homeowners' association's objections to these proceedings as being out
of order and improper.
I incorporate by reference my correspondence of November 13th,
'98 and November 16th, 1998, which was put into the record before this
board, I believe, on November 17th at the hearing.
I also want to incorporate by reference the notices of settlement
provided to the board on that same date, as well as incorporate by
reference my arguments and comments at the November 10th, 1998
hearing, as well as the November 17th, 1998 hearing.
Specifically, and generally, we object because of the board's
failure to follow its own code, administrative county code, in terms
of requirements that are necessary for this reconsideration, as well
as the requirements of the code relating to Robert's Rules of Order,
which I went on at length about on the 17th, and I'll incorporate by
reference those again.
Generally, that the settlement agreement is a binding contract
and that it's barred because of the nature of a contract and cannot be
reconsidered.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Does that go both ways?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: That's my question.
MR. KORN: I don't understand your question, Commissioner.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Well, in 1995, we had a settlement
agreement that was agreed to in this room from that podium from Mr.
Hazzard representing your client that then your client backed out of.
So, I mean, if the argument is that settlement agreement is
binding, God bless, let's go back to 1995 and we'll all be happy.
MR. KORN: If we had a settlement agreement, that would be fine.
Unfortunately, I spoke to Mr. Hazzard in response to your comments
that day -- I think it was the 17th -- and he informed me that that
was not the case.
The settlement agreement was not reached. It was an agreement to
work on a settlement agreement, but it wasn't specific like all the
terms that we have that were in the agenda.
And the settlement agreement, as you know, must be specific and
speak directly to all the contract terms, which we have.
Lastly -- or actually, a few more points. I request that
Commissioner Norris or Commissioner --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: My recollection, by the way,
different.
MR. KORN: All right, so we differ on opinion respectively.
I respectfully request that Commissioner Norris or Commissioner
Berry at least make a motion that this is out of order. It is my
opinion most likely the vote will go three to two against, but at
least it will preserve the issue on the record that the motion for
reconsideration is out of order.
I just wanted to inform the board that the homeowners have relied
upon this agreement, the guardhouse arms have been taken off every
day. As to the speed bump issue, I'm not going to dignify that too
much, but give you my legal opinion that basically that issue is a
bunch of baloney.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: That's a legal opinion?
MR. KORN: Correct, Commissioner. The speed bumps are there for
safety --
COHMISSIONER CARTER: Would you like to quote some cases on that?
MR. KORN: The speed bumps are there for safety. There are
children in the area. The speed bumps have been there for years, the
ones in the back. And as you know, those have been reduced in height.
Lastly, in the executive summary, it's indicated that this
particular litigation to continue will cost approximately $250,000, a
quarter of a million dollars, which in the homeowners' opinion, and
respectfully submitted for your consideration, should be spent on law
enforcement or other public services, when this issue is really about
information and notices, as Commissioner Norris indicated on November
10th.
He addressed those notices in the settlement agreement, and we
request that he refrain from voting on the reconsideration, as it is
out of order.
If you have any questions. Thank you.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Just one. When I was at Cummings and
Lockwood, it was a firm policy that the -- that a legal opinion was
rarely phrased in the terms you gave today.
MR. KORN: Obviously I said that with a little bit of humor, but
you might not have found it as funny as I did.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I didn't.
MR. KORN: Thank you, commissioners. CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Thank you.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Madam Chairman, the county attorney
has already opined that it is not out of order, so I don't know that
we need to go --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I'm aware of that.
Okay, we have a motion and I believe we have a second --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: -- regarding this agreement. I'll call the
question.
All in favor?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Aye.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Aye.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: Aye.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Opposed?
Aye.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Aye.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Motion carries three-two.
MR. WEIGEL: Madam Chairman?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Yes, Mr. Weigel?
MR. WEIGEL: For the record, to be clear in this, this is a
reconsideration of the vote that was taken before. And could you
restate what the motion is?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: The motion was not to enter into the
agreement, and to pursue the legal remedies in the court system.
MR. WEIGEL: Okay, fine, I appreciate that. I wanted to make
sure it was as clear at the end as it was in the beginning.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: And frankly, whether we voted this agreement
up or down today, we were going to go there anyway. COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Correct.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Now that we've wasted all that time, let's
move on.
Item #10B
GOLDEN GATE PARKWAY WATER AND SEWER ASSESSMENT DISTRICT - EMERGENCY
DECLARED; STAFF TO INITIATE AND ADVERTISE FOR AN HSBU
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, next item on the agenda, 10(B),
Golden Gate Parkway and sewer assessment district. Commissioner Constantine?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Madam Chairman, I put this on, and
what I intend to do is ask the board next week to declare an emergency
and move forward and create a special taxing district, deja vous,
because fairly simple reasoning, all of you got a packet on this, but
I'll give it to you in a nutshell and that is as you enter Golden Gate
headed east, cross Santa Barbara, and on either side -- on one side
there is a shopping center right now, but on either side most of the
way for about a mile there is open land. There are a couple of
duplexes and there's one child care facility on the north side of the
property, but -- north side of the parkway.
This property used to all be zoned multi-family, and we changed
that, as part of our Growth Management Plan with the Golden Gate
Master Plan, to be various PUDs, or a number of PUDs along there.
There are 11 property owners on one stretch of that that would
like to go ahead and create their special taxing district to fund
sewer service. Our master plan doesn't allow them to build unless
they have water and sewer. It's kind of a unique animal, because
they're all only about 125 feet deep, so you're limited in what you
could do otherwise. Anyway, that's why we had the requirement in
there. There's not a whole lot of room.
But it is Florida Cities' water. It's not -- the county utility
does not service that. And the private utility has said all the way
along, whoever the first guy in has to pay the bill. And so it's kind
of tough for us all, personally, with a 125-foot lot to pay that whole
stretch.
Florida Cities, after some discussions this year, has agreed to
spread that out over a number of years, if there is a guaranteed
payment mechanism from all those homeowners. And that's what they're
looking to do. They have had -- I don't know if they got the llth by
now or not, but they had 10 out of 11. One lived in Germany and they
were having trouble locating him. But they had -- 10 out of 11 of the
property owners had all agreed to a taxing unit and just wanted to
create this. The reason we want to declare the emergency and put it
on formally for next week is if we wait 'til January, they end up
waiting a full year.
The taxes, if we did this now, can start being collected in
October of this coming year. Otherwise, they wait 'til October of
2000. That's a year they'd just as soon not lose.
I think there is clearly a public purpose there. Just because the
development of that area is hindered in the meantime, we cannot have
any commercial development in an area that requires --
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I think we get the point. Rather than
discuss the issue twice, I'll go ahead and make a motion that we
declare an emergency and hear this item next Tuesday. Can we do that?
MR. WEIGEL: You can. In fact, I think I can shorten the process
for you, if I may. And that is we're talking here about the creation
of a benefit unit. And under Florida Statutes, and specifically
197.3632, it does require a resolution to be adopted by the board
typically prior to the end of the calendar year.
That resolution, however, does require four weeks' advertisement
ahead of time in four separate weeks. Notwithstanding that we're
talking about just a few parcels here.
The statute does provide that if the county should not advertise
and adopt a resolution prior to December 31st of the calendar year
preceding the year in which heavy lifting is going to occur for that
benefit unit, that with the approval of the tax collector and the
property appraiser, such resolution may be advertised and brought to
the board and approved up until the end of March.
And so if the board wishes today to give the direction, I'll
initiate the discussions with the appraiser and the tax collector, and
would look to put together the proper advertisement and bring it back
in either January or February at the new agenda --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: As long as you're sure we can achieve
it that way. I know in the -- one of the past years, we declared the
emergency and filled it in the last week in December for --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: That's what you did in Bayshore.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- one of Commissioner Mac'Kie's
projects.
MR. WEIGEL: That was an MSTU and not an MSBU.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I'll amend my motion to include the
advertising discussion that was brought forth by our county attorney.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Just to clarify, you're saying that we
can still meet the October of '99 hurdle -- MR. WEIGEL: Yes.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- with the approval of our friends in
building C; this will come back in January, early February. MR. WEIGEL: That's exactly right.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Because it's an MSBU benefit unit instead
of taxing unit?
MR. WEIGEL: That is correct.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I see.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Let me -- I don't mean to throw water on
this, and I'm sure it's probably good, but on the second sheet of this
packet we received, there were about five items of concern regarding
doing this. Are we disregarding those concerns, or how have they been
addressed in the future?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'd love to go through them with you.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Well, I --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Just tell me how they were addressed.
Pam, apparently you had been involved in something like this?
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: I have. And I'll tell you one that is
absolutely a real con, and that is a very small project, number three.
This is a very small project, hence, it is inefficient and costly from
the property owner's standpoint for the county to administer it.
I would so much like to have this board look at what the policy
is in this county for passing through administrative costs to these
MSTU's. I was flabbergasted with the level of charge-through, with
the amount of cost of just general county employees that is passed
through to these special taxing districts.
And frankly, I was just going to be sure that Commissioner
Constantine would watch that on a district this small. It's what, 20
percent of the budget on Bayshore?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Well, probably the fact --
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Shocking.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: -- that it is smaller, probably. And in this
case, I would think it would be even more cumbersome.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yeah, you'd lose some economy in
scaling.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: You do lose some economy here. I mean, I'm
not disagreeing with trying to improve the area. That -- I mean, that
isn't what I'm even getting into. There's no question that I'm sure
this is going to be a big benefit to the area.
But when it gets over into some of these other areas, how much
credence and how much weight do we give to these particular concerns?
And this is what my concern is.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Let me try to address each of these.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Because the cons, the first one says
through the process the private utility provider is gaining additional
utilities, system assets and customer base, while contributing nothing
to the process.
That's not exactly true, because what they're doing is
contributing time. They're agreeing to a process with which they
really don't do normally, and that is spreading these out over a
period of time to make them a reality. Normally what they do is
require whoever that first guy to put the shovel in the ground is, is
responsible for all his accounts up front. So unless you can get all
11 to coordinate when they're going to build at exactly the same time,
it's a problem. So they are contributing there. They're contributing
the time factor.
May create a precedent problem. I don't think we're creating --
it's certainly not setting any legal precedent. And it costs no one
but them. This is something they're choosing to do themselves.
And I think the important thing is, this is a unique animal,
because it's a private utility. And I don't think you could duplicate
a situation in the county that is like this one. So when we talk
about precedent, there isn't a similar situation.
And you're right about the question of losing some of the economy
of scale, but they are willing to accept that in order to make it a
reality. For them, they have land that is sitting there that's
costing them money every year to not be able to use now, because they
can't afford -- none of them individually can afford to put that money
up. So by spending a little more for the administration, that saves
them a lot in the long run, rather than just sitting on land and not
developing it.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: And Tim, if this property is sold through the
event of getting this additional service and whatever, that is passed
along, isn't it?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Absolutely.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: And Tim, my only question was, just
because of my shock at the amount of administrative cost from county
staff -- and I'm going to say it again, I wish we'd look at our policy
in that regard -- but is this not something that they could do
privately, more simply?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I think that for Florida Cities,
there's a great deal of comfort if it's created -- COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I see.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- and then they know --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: That they're going to be paid.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- that they're going to get the money
on the other end.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I gotcha.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Because of the very reason
Commissioner Berry just mentioned, and that is even if someone has
some trouble --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Whoever the new guy --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- the back's up --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Right, whoever the new guy is on the block,
they're still going to be -- they're going to be paying.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Always a responsibility.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Well, how do the rest of these areas
service? It's troublesome to me that we ended up isolating 11 pieces
of property here that have to go to a special taxing unit to get
accomplished. What took place here on 53rd and Santa Barbara and 29th
Place? Are all of those in -- already being serviced?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Those have residential units on them.
And even Santa Barbara has multi-family residential. So you've just
got a different situation. You've got one -- there's two or three out
here that combine into one big apartment complex and so on. So it's
just a little different animal.
This is -- these are actually commercial, although we didn't do a
PUD. And it's -- this stretch from here up the Parkway, there's one,
two, three up here and two on the north side.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Well, is there any way that we could have
ever prevented this?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Well, we're kind of playing catchup on
what was probably a poor design 30 some odd years ago by GAC.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: So we're living with --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: We're living with it.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: -- that history. Okay.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: You took care of it. You don't have to go
through any further.
Okay, we have a motion. Do we have a second?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, we have a motion and a second.
Do we have any public speakers on this item?
MR. FERNANDEZ: Yes, you do, Madam Chairman.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I'd like to reserve my comments.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: All right, we have a motion and a second
obviously in favor of this, I guess. Okay.
All in favor?
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Motion carries five-zero.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Commissioner Constantine, I was
confused at the beginning of the meeting when you added on the next
item. This was the Golden Gate memo that I had seen and not anything
to do with the traffic light. And I apologize for that.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Not the other memo that has since been
distributed?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Yes.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Before we lose your comment, Commissioner
Mac'Kie, about revisiting our policy, is there something you wish us
to do here that we're not doing?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Just I mentioned it to the county
administrator in a couple of our private sessions and asked him in the
budget process this next year -- and maybe it's as a part of the
budget policy adoption, but it's amazing to me how much of just
general county overhead is passed through in these MSTU's. So I'm
just going to trust that he's going to have that addressed as we go
through the next year's budget process. But I'm glad that we got a
chance to get that brought up publicly.
Item #10C
TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT RECREATION LANE AND SANTA BARBARA BOULEVARD - STAFF
TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PROJECT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. Next item is the intersection of
Santa Barbara and Recreation Lane. Commissioner Constantine.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We have a rather dangerous
intersection that for some reason seems to have been slowed down in
the process. I think a big part of my frustration is that the story
has changed two or three times, as I've been told verbally and in
writing.
Each year we go through our prioritization of what intersections
warrant traffic signals and so on. One of the ones that has come up
the last couple of years and finally was last year put in the budget
to put in the signalization for the current fiscal year was the
intersection of Recreation Lane and Santa Barbara Boulevard, which
continues, as of last Friday, to assemble an impressive action in
history.
The -- while we looked at this in previous years, there was some
concern because of the unique nature of the intersection. If you're
not familiar with it, it's the entrance to Golden Gate Community Park,
where you come up over the interstate and then down the hill and the
entrance is right there. So the uniqueness of this is, if you are
headed northbound on Santa Barbara and traffic is backed up at 5:00,
theoretically you may not see traffic backed up as you go up over the
overpass.
We expressed that concern probably 18 months ago when we knew
this was moving up the ladder, as far as its warrant. At that time I
was told by -- this was in the pre Ed Kant era, but told that the
engineering work was being done in advance with our friends at Florida
DOT and so on, because we had to combine a number of different
governments and processes because of the unique nature going over the
interstate, but that the engineering would be done in advance, and
that when it came time, when this did make the list, we could move
ahead posthaste.
As we got to October of this year, October 1 of this year, this
was ranked, I believe, top priority on our signalization list.
MR. ILSCHNER: That is correct, Mr. Commissioner.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And -- thank you. And I inquired
toward the end of October, because I had been told verbally that it
would be up certainly by the holiday season, which is traditionally
what we've done each year. We've had them on Radio Road, we've had
them in a couple of different locations year by year; one by Foxfire,
one last year by Countryside.
And it usually takes a couple months time from the beginning of
the fiscal year to order the poles, to get them up, to install them,
to do whatever, and by holiday we'd have them so that in season they
are in place.
I inquired with Mr. Fernandez around October 15, 18, 20,
somewhere in there, as to the status of this, and making sure it was
still on track, and I got a written response that indicated it had
gone off October 1 and was operational October 7th or 8th. I travel
this road literally daily and was quite sure that it had not been
installed, and went back and checked and sure enough, it had not.
We're now told that it may be April or March at the earliest that
it can go up. And I wanted to share my frustration with the board
that poor information has been forthcoming, but I also wanted to see
if we couldn't give some direction.
We have had, I made light of it before, but a very, very poor
accident history out there, including this past week yet another --
literally the day after I asked to put this item on the agenda, yet
another accident out there at the intersection.
We are opening the new physical center -- what's it called, Tom
-- fitness center, thank you, in the park, which will encourage even
more use and more traffic from the public. Obviously our recreation
services are primarily used by families, and so encouraging more
family traffic, while delaying what we're told may be through another
season --
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Do you have a suggestion?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Yeah, I have a suggestion that board
give some direction to staff to find a creative way to move forward
with this. I realize there are -- the engineering, though, we were
told will be done in advance apparently has not been. Wilson-Miller is
now working on that. But that we make this enough of a priority to
move it up, get them to move forward so that we can have it sooner
than Easter when everyone goes north again.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Commissioner, you're saying that in the
past as we adopted those priorities in October, we typically -- I
mean, you cited some examples -- would see those lights installed in
December?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Every year I'm sure all of you have
your pet signals that someone has asked for, you've kept your eye out
for in your district that -- when they go up. And yeah, my experience
has been the example being Foxfire/Briarwood entrance off Radio Road
went up the holiday week of two or three years ago. Last year was
Countryside over by the Berkshires on Radio Road. Went up again by
December.
And the rationale or the reason I'm told for that is after
October 1, they have to order the poles, they have to do the
installation, so on. It takes several weeks' time, but they have it
up for a full-fledged season, like by 1 January.
I had some indication verbally earlier this year that this one
would not be any different. However, now it is.
MR. ILSCHNER: Madam Chairman, Ed Ilschner, public works
administrator, Collier County.
First of all, let me state that the misinformation that
Commissioner Constantine received earlier was the result of my not
correctly interpreting a request with respect to start-up a
signalization. And in my memorandum that you've been provided, I
indicate and take full responsibility for that misinformation. I
thought Mr. Tindall in Mr. Fernandez's office was requesting
information about a start-up of a signal, and gave him the procedure
we go through, not understanding he was asking about a specific
location.
So I stand before you today taking full responsibility for that
information, misinformation, and pledge to you to provide clear, more
precise information in the future on matters of that nature.
With respect to the Santa Barbara/Recreation Lane signal, I share
your concerns that we accelerate that project as much as possible. I
have not been able to ascertain who verbally committed, but I
certainly was not part of that process. And I have to stand before
you and apologize again for any misinformation that may have been
conveyed to you.
I share your concern that we move ahead as quickly and as
diligently as possible. I can tell you that our transportation staff
is already moving in that direction. Wilson-Miller is asked to
provide us the preliminary engineering design next week.
Based on that preliminary engineering design, I feel like based
on my 29 years of experience in this field, that we can probably go
out and locate all the detector systems, locate the strain pole
locations and start that process.
I also feel like we're in position to start the process of the
turn lane that will be necessary there to accommodate the signal. So
our Transportation Services Department will begin that work next week
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: But why --
MR. ILSCHNER: -- the construction of the turn lane.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Why is this one going to take six months
when in the past they've taken two or three months?
MR. ILSCHNER: I don't -- I haven't been here to experience the
six-month period, but I know that we've had some commitments in the
past and we did commit to have a signal in by December the 31st last
year, if I recall. And we met that commitment. But it was tough to
meet, I'll have to admit for you.
This particular signal, we committed, from my records, and going
back and looking at all the records of the budget process, this board
approved the funding of this signal October 1, and we immediately
began the process for the engineering process.
This is a complex signal, as Commissioner Constantine has
mentioned to you. We're going to have to have some advanced signing
on the far side of that bridge that works in conjunction with the
traffic signal so when it turns red, it flashes and warns people to
stop ahead. That's more complex than what we've experienced in the
past and does require some additional engineering.
We still think that we will do everything we can to get it as
soon as possible. I just simply cannot stand before you and the rest
of this board and guarantee it will be before March. We'll do
everything we can to accomplish it prior to March.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Do you know -- you just mentioned turn
lanes. Which turn lanes need to be --
MR. ILSCHNER: It would be a left turn lane coming southbound to
construct.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: There is an existing left turn lane
there.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I thought there is one --
MR. ILSCHNER: Right turn-left turn out of Recreation Lane. A
right turn.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Coming out of the park.
MR. ILSCHNER: We have already the turn lane going into the
facility on Santa Barbara. It's the right turn out.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Are there not two lanes coming out of
-- as you come to the intersection of --
MR. ILSCHNER: Ed Kant, address that.
MR. KANT: Edward Kant, transportation services director.
There are one lane in and one lane out on Recreation Lane. There
is an area where motorists have been voting with their tires with
respect to whether or not there should be a turn lane there in order
to fully accommodate the signal, because you'll have to have a
dedicated left turn. We have to add the turn lane.
And I've talked with our field people and they're confident that
we can get started on that next week.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And I guess I hear mixed signals
there. Because I hear gee, we're going to have our engineering stuff
back, our preliminary engineering back from Wilson-Miller and we're
going to go out and -- I can't repeat the terminology -- but do
something next week and --
MR. ILSCHNER: We're going to locate all of the detector
locations, start construction of those, the strain pole locations, we
can start construction of those. Of course we have to get the
controller on order.
Is the controller on order at this point?
MR. KANT: That's correct.
MR. ILSCHNER: And that's going to be the unknown at this point
that I can't guarantee. And we're going to try to speed the delivery
of that controller up.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Is the controller subject to the
design? One would think that doesn't matter.
MR. ILSCHNER: Yes, it is. Yes, those are specifically --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I saw Mr. Kant shaking his head no as
you said yes.
MR. KANT: No, I was not disagreeing.
The issue with the controller is a little bit more complex. As
you remember several weeks ago, the board gave us an approval to go
out and get about a dozen replacement controllers so we don't hit that
Y2K problem. Unfortunately, we are one of probably several thousand
jurisdictions in the county that are trying to get controllers from
only one of probably three or four different manufacturers. And so
that's why -- we have got our controllers on order, we don't
anticipate a problem, but one never knows.
As far as the construction of this signal under these conditions,
we're basically going to try to piecemeal it in to get it in as early
as we can. And ordinarily we would not do this if it's not a
recommended practice, but in order to try to alleviate some of these
concerns, we're going to go in and do the turn lane, we'll go ahead
and spot some of these locations and be ready so that when we get all
the final bits and pieces, we can package together.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I can't stress enough -- I know we all
get requests for traffic signals and all. This is not simply a
neighborhood wanting a traffic signal. This is -- we have had
accident after accident after accident out there. And it is an honest
to God danger, and that's my concern here.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: Well, I can understand that. We have a
similar one in front of Pelican Bay, and it's just a disaster waiting
to happen. So I'm hoping that we're moving ahead on that one also.
MR. ILSCHNER: Yeah, that's the one where we have the delay on
the delivery of the mast arm poles. And those are problematic always
in getting those in.
Ed says he has some good news on that one.
MR. KANT: Yes. I spoke with our contractor, Hid-Con Electric,
and they've agreed to go in and put a temporary strain pole
arrangement up while we're waiting for the mast arms.
Unfortunately, the mast arm supplier -- and again, there are only
three in this country that are supplying mast arms. The one they
bought from went out of business, so we had to replace the order.
But because of that, they've agreed to put up the temporaries and
once we get FDOT approval, you should see that happening within the
next few weeks.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: Okay, thank you.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Well, as long as we're talking about
traffic lights, Mr. Ilschner, what can you tell us about the St.
Andrews and 41 light? Mr. Kant has some information on that.
MR. KANT: Thank you. Both St. Andrews and Broward have been
assigned for design. We expect those to be in. I believe that they
had 60 days, I can't give you the date. But once the designs are in,
it's a matter of getting the equipment.
FDOT, we have an agreement with FDOT to supply the equipment on a
temporary basis, and then they'll go in.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Okay. So that means --
MR. KANT: We're trying to move as -- absolutely as quickly as we
Can.
COMHISSIONER NORRIS: Somewhere in January, February time frame?
MR. KANT: The design should be back at that point in time. And
having, frankly, learned from past lessons, I'm reluctant to make any
commitments beyond that point.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Oh, and while we're at it --
MR. ILSCHNER: And I can assure the board that the Santa
Barbara/Recreation Lane signal is our highest priority, and will take
priority over the --
COMHISSIONER MAC'KIE: Right, we prioritized it as number one.
MR. ILSCHNER: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I have a signal, too, but I think you're
already working on it -- MR. ILSCHNER: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: -- and that's the one going into Pelican
Strand.
MR. ILSCHNER: Yes, Madam Chairman, we are certainly aware of
that and we're working on that one, yes.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I know that. I got some information
regarding that at this point in time so -- anyway, do we have public
speakers on this item?
MR. FERNANDEZ: Yes, Madam Chairman, we have two. Peggy Silva
Marino and Vincent Lambert.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Do you all want to talk us out of doing
something good on this?
MS. MARINO: I want to see how fast I can crack the whip.
Good morning, commissioners and ladies and gentlemen. I'm Peggy
Silva Marino and I'd like to talk about traffic lights in Golden Gate
Park area. This is like the song, the same old story. We need
traffic lights now, not later. Travel in our area, Recreation Lane
and St. Andrew Boulevard on Santa Barbara is suicidal and despicable.
The road rage is getting worse, and our lives in the area are in
constant danger. A three-car accident on Friday, December 4th, proved
that right.
There are a lot of scared people in this area that should not be.
This all could be corrected by having these traffic lights. Just
imagine school buses, special needs bus involved in a major accident.
Wouldn't this be a great scandal? And I'm sure there would be a lot
of sleepless nights for all.
As it is, the buses have to go all around. They can't cut
across. They've been given warnings by, I guess, the bus company not
to endanger the students. Wouldn't this be -- where are we? Golden
Gate Community Park has a Snow Fest each year that costs hundreds of
dollars and it's a burden on our police department. A light would
alleviate that.
This is a wonderful park, and as the Commissioner said, has
constant improvements going on at all times, but no safety going in
and out of here. What if there is a serious fatality at that
entrance? Very contradictory, right?
Commissioner, I want to thank you for your support. You've been
right there along with us. I just hope the transportation department
can see fit to do so.
Commissioner, we need lights sooner, not later, today, not
tomorrow. Thank you, sincerely, and happy holidays to all. Thank
you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Thank you.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Vincent Lambert.
MR. LAMBERT: Good morning.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Morning.
MR. LAMBERT: My name is Vince Lambert and I live in Berkshire
Village, which is right across the street from the park. And Friday
morning at 7:30 in the morning I came out of Berkshire Village and I
went to the -- in between the median on Santa Barbara going north, and
my car is a big car and it stuck out a little bit, and a car came over
and hit me in the front. And I had over $4,000 worth of damage.
And one of the things I wanted to express, too, is that when I
was coming out, the sun was -- 7:30 in the morning, it was so bright
that you couldn't see to the right where the cars were coming from.
And if a light was there, it would alleviate that.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Interesting point. I talked to the
Sheriff's Department following this accident, and the state trooper
actually took charge of the accident, but the sheriff's deputy who
responded indicated that if a traffic signal was there, it would not
have -- you wouldn't have had the accident. MR. LAMBERT: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I can understand that.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Let me ask a question. Considering it
is the entrance to a public facility, and considering the overwhelming
accident history, would there be any interest in exploring the
possibility, since we're apparently 90 days or more away, of during
the 90 minutes in the morning rush hour, 90 minutes in the morning --
I'm sorry, 90 minutes in the afternoon rush hour, having traffic
assistance out there from a uniformed deputy?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Tim, how does it help, though, with the
people coming over the bridge northbound? Is the bridge -- is it too
close to that entrance? How are they going to know? I mean, I
understand what you're saying, and I -- it's a problem out there.
Because I've traveled down there, and I understand the problem. But I
also see the problem on the northbound lane of people coming over and
not suspecting that there's going to be a deputy there. And I can
start seeing rear end accidents happening, kind of a domino effect.
And then maybe you throw some fog in, like we usually experience, and
I can see some real difficulties there.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I think in the morning we could
certainly make a difference, because most of your traffic is
southbound.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Southbound?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And we'd want to I think defer to
whatever the deputy thought was a safe situation for the afternoon.
But at least try to address what we can, because it's just --
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I would like -- I would prefer to let it
work its way through the system, rather than to start a -- which would
inevitably become a program of supplying deputies to suspect
locations. I think I'd rather just let it --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: The only reason I thought about it on
this, because it does lead to one of our own facilities, rather than
just developments. It's -- and it's -- it does have a very bad
accident history. But the public access to a public facility is why I
thought of it.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Well, I'll -- we don't need a motion. I
think the --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Are you --
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: -- staff knows what --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: -- what were you looking for on this, Tim?
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: -- we're talking about.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I'm looking for some commitment to get
it in sooner than March, or the end of season.
MR. ILSCHNER: Mr. Constantine? Commissioner Constantine, you
have my commitment to work diligently to get that in as soon as
possible. And that means doing whatever we have to do that's within
our power to acquire the equipment and get it in as early as possible.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Is there some --
MR. ILSCHNER: Our goal is not --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: -- temporary solution --
MR. ILSCHNER: We're going to look at --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: -- similar to Pelican Bay?
MR. ILSCHNER: -- that as well, see if there's some temporary
equipment that we might be able to install if the controller is going
to be delayed. We can go in and do some rewiring and some things of
that nature that might help us do that. But we'll do everything we
can to try to accelerate that.
My concern about placing an officer there is of course the
dilemma zone problem that we're trying to address. Now, there might
be a way for us to temporarily put a trailer operated warning sign on
the other side of the bridge that the office activated or something
that would let them know he's up there and be prepared to stop, but --
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: The other thing to do is just put
flashing lights at the top of the bridge so that as you come up,
that's your indicator. But again, I would defer to your deputy saying
what was appropriate and what was not.
But I'd like to ask the board to entertain that idea, too,
because -- and I understand you want to be careful not to create a
precedent here, Commissioner Norris, but I don't think we get to
demand where there is a public facility and where there is this
accident history. I can't think of another situation like this. I
think it's very, very unique.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I don't think a lot of residents will think
it's unique once you start doing that. They're going to all want to
do it. I just don't think we should do that. It will be in soon. I
think we should just wait and let the staff do it. They've committed
to us that they're going to do it as fast as they can. We may have an
opportunity to get a controller from the RP light -- I don't know if
that controller is of the same type -- when we remove that.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Well, I might be interested -- that may be
a wise opt, but I'd be interested in asking staff to investigate
alternatives in the interim, between now and March, because of high
season. If there is something like a trailer sign you could put up,
if there's some temporary solution for this season.
MR. ILSCHNER: We recognize your concern and the concern of the
public, and it's our job to try to ensure that's as safe an operation
as possible. And we'll look at every opportunity to do those things,
yes.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Commissioner Norris has indicated he's
not up for it, but is the remainder of the board not in favor of
looking at deputies as one of those options?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I'd like to look at all the options.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: I would -- Commissioner Constantine, I
would like to look at all the options, and I also would like a 30-day
kind of review back on this so this just doesn't get lost, so that we
really know what's happening. What are the options, what works, what
are we going to do, how fast can we do it.
MR. ILSCHNER: Ed Ilschner. We commit to bring that report to
you and let you know where we are.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: And can you do me one other favor, and
that is as you get each step, no matter how tiny in this, as we get
our preliminary report back next week and so on -- MR. ILSCHNER: Certainly.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- just share that with me, and share
the progress with me so that I can share it with the residents.
MR. ILSCHNER: Most assuredly that will happen. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: That's good. We don't need a motion I don't
believe, on this.
Okay, moving on then to the public comments. Do we have any
registered speakers, Mr. Fernandez?
MR. FERNANDEZ: No, Madam Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: No public speakers. Nobody wants to talk to
us. Okay.
Item #12B1
PETITION PUD-98-7, MICHAEL R. FERNANDEZ, AICP, OF PLANNING DEVELOPHENT
INCORPORATED, REPRESENTING MASTERCRAFT HOMES, LTD., REQUESTING A REZONE
FROM "A" AGRICULTURE TO "PUD" PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT TO BE KNOWN AS
WYNDHAM PARK PUD FOR SINGLE FAMILY AND MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LAND
USES, FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF C.R. 951, APPROXIMATELY
0.6 OF A MILE SOUTH OF IHMOKALEE ROAD, CONSISTING OF +/- 120 ACRES -
DENIED
All right, then we'll go into the public hearing -- well, we
are at lunchtime.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Is the photographer waiting? That's
the only question.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Is the photographer waiting? Yes, we have to
do this.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Can't he continue to wait while we do
these three petitions? It's going to be quick. Is it a staff person,
the photographer?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: No.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: No, I think it's a real photographer.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: It's a real photographer.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I think the photographer is here. Why don't
we just go ahead -- let's go ahead and try and do these three items,
and then we can do the photographer thing and then we'll be finished
to do whatever it is we want to do.
Let's go on in then to the next section. This is a zoning
amendment, PUD-98-7. Has to do with Mastercraft Homes requesting
fezone from agriculture to PUD. This is located off of 951, just
south of Oak Ridge Middle School.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Can I ask a related question of the
administrator?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Yes.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: This morning there was a -- this
morning there was a move to put this on summary agenda. I'm
wondering, A, where that request came from, but B, if that's probably
not a good practice if we have advertised something as a regular
public hearing, then the morning of to move it.
Because theoretically, if someone has seen that advertised as a
public hearing, they may not show up, if you know how the process
works. Public hearings aren't at 9:00 a.m., they may not come 'til
10:30 or 11:00 and lo and behold be told well, it's already been
approved on summary. It just seems like poor practice to move it at
the last minute to summary agenda.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Madam Chair?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Yes.
MR. FERNANDEZ: That request came to me this morning at the
request of Mr. Hulhere. He indicated that at the time the agenda was
prepared, we didn't have the information as to whether this would
qualify as a summary item, because I believe Planning Commission had
not met yet.
MS. HURRAY: Hay I, Madam Chairman?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Yes.
MS. HURRAY: Susan Murray, for the record.
I just want to clarify that. The Planning Commission had met,
and at the Planning Commission, the petitioner had committed to making
some amendments to the PUD on the record.
As part of their unanimous approval, that included those
stipulations. When it came time to submit the document to you all for
your review, I still did not have those corrections. I was very
uncomfortable bringing it back before you on a summary agenda because
the corrections had not been made, so technically it did not qualify.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay.
MS. HURRAY: However, I received the corrections yesterday, and
thought perhaps it might be -- to expedite the petition, now that it
qualified, it could go on the summary agenda. CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Good point, though, for Commissioner
Constantine about it's probably not a good idea in the future.
Because it could look like we're pulling a fast one.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. What we need to do here before we go
any further is all persons wishing to speak to this item need to be
stand and be sworn in, please.
(All speakers were duly sworn.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. This is a fezone, so it requires four
votes.
MS. HURRAY: The subject site is located six-tenths of a mile
south of the intersection of Immokalee Road and County Road 951. And
it's immediately abutting the Oak Ridge Middle School, which is to the
north.
The petitioner is proposing to develop the property for a maximum
of 442 single-family and multi-family dwelling units at a density of
3.66 dwelling units per acre, and access to the property will be
provided from a single entrance from County Road 951.
The projected density of 3.66 dwelling units per acre is
consistent with the density rating system, in that 47 acres of this
property is located within an activity center density band, thus
making it eligible for a maximum of seven dwelling units per acre.
And approximately 74 acres are located outside of the activity
center density band, thus making it eligible for four dwelling units
per acre, for a total eligibility of 624 units. The petitioner is
requesting a maximum 442 dwelling units, which constitutes 70 percent
of the maximum allowable 624.
As I said before, the Planning Commission did meet and
recommended unanimous approval, with the stipulations, the first one
being that sidewalks would be constructed on both sides of the street
consistent with the requirements of the Land Development Code, and
that a pedestrian and bicycle access would be provided from the
subject site to the adjacent school, provided that an agreement could
be reached between the petitioner and the school board.
The PUD document I handed out to you this afternoon or morning
reflects those changes as the petitioner agreed to make on the record
at the Planning Commission meeting.
Other than that, I did not receive any letters of objection or
comment from the public.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: Madam Chairman?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Yes, Mr. Carter.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: What troubles me about this project is not
the project itself. But as I read through this, it keeps implying
that we have a lot of other areas that soon may be coming in front of
us asking the same question, can we be rezoned, can we be a PUD, and
what is the impact upon the road system?
I see that we have some projections here that says if we do such
and such, this will all work out. And that troubled me, because I
don't know, if we miss something in here, then I suspect that we're
looking for gridlock of some type, or a lot of congestion in this
area.
Secondly, we are looking for a density reduction plan that will
be coming to us sometime in the near future, and what impact is that
going to have upon the decision we make here today for the future?
I'm concerned that we don't have a total area planned in here that
tells me or begins to answer some of these questions. How have you
been addressing this in your department?
MS. MURRAY: Commissioner, every petition that comes before us is
reviewed for traffic impacts related to the level of service standards
which are established in that the level at which the road is
functioning at the time.
If there are necessary changes that need to be made to that road,
or if the road is planned to be expanded in the future, that is taken
into account and to staff's analysis, and then necessary improvements
related to those roadways would be made a requirement of this PUD
document, and the developer would be required to provide those at the
time.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: If we have these other properties that will
be coming at us, I'm sure, in the near future, the same kinds of
questions, that's all going into this formulation?
MS. MURRAY: They're evaluated as they're received, and related
to the comprehensive -- or the Growth Management Plan, of course.
There are projections for future growth and development and
projections for the need for future road improvements that are also
evaluated at the same time.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Thank you.
MS. MURRAY: So to answer your question, yes, we are looking long
range in the future. However, when we do receive these PUD's, we look
at them as individuals, related to their individual impacts and how
they relate to the Growth Management Plan and what's been adopted and
planned for in the future.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Because in some of your findings in here,
for example, under -- when you talk about will this create a drainage
problem, you are saying that potentially it can in the future. Is
that -- any intensification. And what troubles me about these
intensifications is do we know that it is or isn't. Do we have a plan
that assures us that we are on top of this, or do we create the
situation and later have to come back and try to deal with it?
MS. MURRAY: No, we plan for it as they come up. And in this
case, this property is actually part of the Harvey Basin Canal
District, which is an overall master plan for the drainage of
properties within that entire area north of the subject property.
This PUD master plan makes accommodations to provide the necessary
drainage easements to take care of that stormwater runoff as it occurs
through development of properties to the north, as well as the subject
property.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Any other questions, Commissioner?
COMMISSIONER CARTER: No, I'm okay at this point, thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. Susan, I didn't -- I was talking with
our county administrator. Was there an agreement reached between the
school system and the developer?
MS. MURRAY: Not to my knowledge. The developer is here and they
might want to clarify.
MR. MICHAEL FERNANDEZ: Michael Fernandez, representing the
petitioner.
My understanding right now is that an agreement has not been
worked out. We proposed an access directly across from the
recreational area that's shown on our master plan that's next door to
our environmental areas, and we're hoping that that's going to be
acceptable to the school board.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. My concern is you've got an entrance
into the school. How far from this entrance into this property?
MS. MURRAY: It's approximately 700 feet to the north of this
subject property.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: And you're not going to have -- you have a
light currently going into the school, correct?
MR. MICHAEL FERNANDEZ: That's correct, Commissioner.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: So there's going to be another median cut, or
is --
MR. KANT: No. This -- Edward Kant, transportation services.
This particular property is located along the section that is
still two-laned.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. Oh, that's right. But what's going to
happen when it is four-laned? I mean, isn't that scheduled to be --
MR. KANT: Then we'll have to work out an access management
program that is consistent with our policies and with what is
necessary to serve both the public facilities, like the schools.
Right now, without looking at that overall corridor, I can't tell
you exactly where the median openings would be, but typically they're
on quarter to half mile spacings.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: This is my concern, that if -- I understand,
I know it's -- I momentarily had a little lapse here, but I do
understand it is a two-laned road there right now. But I know also
that it is going to be four-laned.
But my concern is that you've got two openings into this side of
the road. And also, the second thing is the impact of -- I'm looking
at the types, or what you mentioned here in homes that probably is
going to generate children being there, and there needs to be an
access from this property into and availability made to not only this
school, depending on the rezoning, but somehow in sidewalks or
whatever to perhaps link up in some way with Laurel Oak Elementary
School.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Look at --
MR. KANT: Yes, Commissioner. The -- typically what we do in our
reviews is when we have a two-lane condition that we know is going to
go to a four or six lane is we add language to the PUD that requires
-- or that specifies that under the two-lane condition, they may enjoy
relatively unconstrained access. But under a four-lane or a six-lane
condition in the future, that they may be constrained, either to a
right in/right out, or to a directional median opening, or to no
median opening. And that any approval would not vest in them any
right to any median opening. And that language typically you'll find
in PUD documents all up and down arterials.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Is it in this one?
MS. HURRAY: Yes, it is.
MR. MICHAEL FERNANDEZ: Also, Commissioner Berry, we don't have
any problems, and there's numerous different places we can provide the
access. We just wanted to make sure that we weren't prohibited from
doing development because the school board may not want it. But I'm
sure we're going to be able to find someplace that is mutually
acceptable to both parties.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Have you looked at the sidewalks, that the
possibility of connecting by sidewalks that Commissioner --
MR. MICHAEL FERNANDEZ: Well, the sidewalks go out the street and
then you can go across the front. What we were looking for, and
actually it's as you said, we may very well have a family oriented
community here. We're looking to have more of a direct access so that
the children of our community don't have to go all the way out to the
street. It's a very positive for us. It's a selling point, quite
frankly. We're just trying to find the place.
We had heard one instance where the school board was not able to
reach an agreement with someone and it didn't work out. And we just
didn't want to be stopped from doing it. We have no problem providing
one. And we will find one.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: It's a concern. Understanding, too, that the
property -- from the school board point of view is to secure the
property. If you somehow cut a gate, somebody's going to have to man
that gate.
MR. FERNANDEZ: Right.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: You're going to have to have somebody that's
able to make sure the gate's unlocked in the morning to let the kids
in and make sure that then they leave in the evening, or whatever.
And of course there are evening activities that they may well be
involved in. Are you going to allow them to come through that gate,
who's going to take care of that gate and who's going to be the person
in charge?
These are things -- but I think they're critical. I think they're
things that we need to think about. And particularly, as much as I'm
concerned about that, I'm also concerned about these two roadways
being so close together, which I think that's fairly close.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Frankly, unless they've pretty clearly
answered, I can't support this. I need to have those answers, not
just maybe we'll try, somehow. That doesn't work for me.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Sounds like we need to factor in the
school board or the school system somehow into our process a little
more completely than we have.
MS. HURRAY: Typically they are sent documentation for review,
and in this case they were and did not respond.
I have met with one of their engineers, and he has indicated to
me that he has intention of responding in the future, but in this case
they didn't. And I don't know that he was on board at the time but --
COHMISSIONER CARTER: Again, that wouldn't be acceptable to me.
I want to know what they're going to do.
I also have another question: Will we have internal sidewalks
throughout this project?
MS. HURRAY: Yes, sir, on both sides of the street.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: It seems like when there's something
that's this relevant to school issues, that that receipt of response
from the school engineers should be a condition precedent to it coming
to the County Commission.
MS. HURRAY: Yes, ma'am. I think the concern again that Mr.
Fernandez explained was that the school board I think takes these on a
case-by-case basis, and concern over safety, concern over -- I know
there's been a lot of vandalism at schools and access between
properties, and that's why the stipulation formulated as it did in
that they agreed to provide the -- provided they could work out
something with the school board. And I think that was the best we
could do at the time.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: What did you say the distance was between
the school?
MS. HURRAY: Approximately 700 feet from the southern entrance.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Seven hundred.
MS. HURRAY: Uh-huh.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: Last question I have is, you are familiar
with the proposed densities that are coming down. How does this
project stack with what is going to be presented to us? Otherwise, if
the new densities were in, how would this project be affected? MR. CAUTERO: Vince Cautero for the record.
Commissioner, we really do not have any idea at this point, nor
would we want to relay that information before you've had a chance to
receive another briefing from our consultants on that. I know that's
not necessarily the answer you want to hear, but it's the best answer
I can give you now.
The piece of the puzzle that you're talking about, unfortunately
that density study is one that takes into account the entire
unincorporated area of Collier County. It is not something that can
fit nice and neat into one portion of the county.
I will tell you, though, the density reduction study would, if we
have delivered the product that you want, would lessen the impact on
various road systems in the county, as well as other infrastructure.
That's my prediction.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Thank you very much.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. Do we have any public speakers on this
item?
MR. FERNANDEZ: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: No public speakers?
If we have no public speakers at this time, I'll close the public
hearing.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Motion to deny.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: We have a motion. Do we have a second?
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Second.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: We have a motion and a second.
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Question.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Question.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: For the attorney. Is the effect of a
motion to deny that this can't come back for six months? Because I'm
more interested in a continuance subject to the school board's action
on it than to just shut this down altogether, personally.
MR. WEIGEL: I believe the answer to your question is correct,
that would put it out of the box for six months.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Forever?
MR. WEIGEL: No, six months. CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Six months.
But perhaps in that length of time we could get some questions
answered, too.
MR. WEIGEL: You know, you could continue this indefinitely, and
then it'd be readvertised to come back.
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I'd be more interested in an indefinite
continuance, but that's just my personal position.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I think that's the more fair way to do it.
I think the concerns were raised, several different aspects, different
questions. Those could be answered certainly in less than six months,
I would think.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I think there's some responsibility
upon Mr. Fernandez to bring something to us complete.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I'm not really pleased with this whole thing.
Anyway, we've got a motion, we've got a second.
COMMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I have another question for Mr. Weigel.
Just playing defense here. Do we need to make any particular record
if we're going to deny this petition? Maybe Ms. Student wants to '-
MS. STUDENT: For the record, Harjorie Student, assistant county
attorney.
You do need to state a reason on the record. This is a fezone,
it's quasi-judicial, and under the Snyder case, if a petition is
consistent with the comp. plan, the burden is on the petitioner to
show that, then it shifts to the government to find some public
health, safety, welfare aspect of it that would justify the denial in
the face of the consistency with the comp. plan.
MR. WEIGEL: May the record reflect the answer was yes.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: The denial is based on a number of
different things: One, we don't have complete information. And
probably the most glaring of that is the school issue and also the
transportation and access issues. And I think Commissioner Carter
mentioned some questions regarding density. So we've got a number of
areas that just appear to be incomplete there.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Right. And from my perspective, I think the
ingress and egress of this property in such close proximity to the
school is a big concern. Not only at this point in time but in the
future when we get into the four-laning of the roadway.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Is a safety concern?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: It is a safety concern, yes, sir.
Okay, I'll call for the question, then. What was your motion?
What was the motion?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: To deny.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: To deny, okay.
All in favor?
Opposed?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Aye.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Motion carries four-one.
Item #12B2
RESOLUTION 98-487, RE PETITION CU-98-18, AMERICAN FUNDING AND SERVICE
CORPORATION REQUESTING CONDITIONAL USE "6" OF THE RHF-6(3) ZONING
DISTRICT TO ALLOW FOR AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY LOCATED ON THE WEST
SIDE OF GOODLETTE-FRANK ROAD AND THE EAST SIDE OF 12TH STREET NORTH -
ADOPTED
The next item on the agenda was placed on here by Commissioner
Carter. This was having to do with an assisted living facility.
Which facility is this, Mr. Carter?
COMMISSIONER CARTER: First one is on -- off Goodlette-Frank.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. I need to swear in -- or have the
people wishing to speak to this item stand and be sworn in by our
court reporter.
(All speakers were duly sworn.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Is there any --
COMMISSIONER CARTER: I just have --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Just a minute, Commissioner Carter.
Any disclosure here? Have you had contact by the petitioner --
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: -- or anyone else?
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Commissioner Constantine?
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I believe I have.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I'm certain that I have.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I have.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: I've spoken with Mr. Conrecode briefly.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. All right, go ahead, Mr. Carter.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: I only had two questions, and that's why I
pulled it from the summary agenda, is were there meetings held with
the neighborhood groups, and what were their reactions to the project?
The other one is a very easy question, what is the height on this
building?
MR. BELLOWS: I cannot answer the questions relating to meetings
with the neighborhood residents. I think the applicant can better
address that question.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Your name?
MR. BELLOWS: The maximum height in the RHF zoning district is
three --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Your name?
MR. BELLOWS: Oh, for the record, Ray Bellows.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Thank you.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: And how many feet is that?
MR. BELLOWS: Code only says three inhabitable stories.
Approximate height would be about 40 feet. COHMISSIONER CARTER: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Commissioner Constantine?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: My only question is did Mr. Ilschner
and Mr. Bellows make a phone call to arrange those neckties today?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Mr. Conrecode, I think you need to answer the
other question with regard to the homeowners that were contacted.
Identify yourself, please.
MR. CONRECODE: For the record, Tom Conrecode, representing the
petitioner.
There was a meeting held by the petitioner with the homeowners in
the neighborhood around there to address their questions, to present
the project in terms of setbacks and landscape buffers and all those
sort of things. It was well received by the community.
There was only one comment at the public hearing before the
Planning Commission, and that was in favor of the project.
We have since had further discussions with a couple of the
neighbors regarding road right-of-way and easements, and those have
been addressed as well. Oh, and in regard to building height, it is
going to be approximately 35 feet total height. COHMISSIONER CARTER: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. Do we have any public speakers?
MR. FERNANDEZ: No, Madam Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I'll close the public hearing.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Motion to approve.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: We have a motion. Do we have a second? I'll
take a second.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I wanted to be sure Commissioner Carter's
issues were addressed.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: Yes, yes. I would move to approve.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. But we have a motion. Do you want to
second the motion?
COHMISSIONER CARTER: Second.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY:
All in favor?
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY:
much.
Okay, we have a motion and a second.
Motion carries five-zero. Thank you very
Item #1283
ORDINANCE 98-112, RE PETITION PUD-86-12(3), JOHN B. GOODMAN LIHITED
PARTNERSHIP REQUESTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE BRETONNE PARK PUD FOR THE
PURPOSE OF ELIMINATING COHMERCIAL LAND USES ON COHMERCIALLY DESIGNED
TRACT AND REPLACING THOSE USES WITH AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY LOCATED
ON THE NORTHEAST QUADRANT OF DAVIS BLVD. AND EMBASSY WOODS BOULEVARD -
ADOPTED
The next item is the next ALF.
All persons wishing to speak to this item, please stand and be
sworn in by our court reporter.
(All speakers were duly sworn.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Disclosure, commissioners?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Yes --
COHMISSIONER CARTER: Yes.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: -- I've met with the applicants.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I have, too.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I also.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: As have I.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: As have I.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay.
MR. BELLOWS: For the record, Ray Bellows.
The assistant county attorney has questioned that I hand out the
last page of the ordinance that was missing from her executive
summary, and I'll just pass that out.
This is an amendment to the Bretonne Park DRI and PUD document to
eliminate the commercial uses on tract B and replace it with an
assisted living facility use.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Who pulled this one off?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Jim did. Commissioner Carter.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I have a question on it, too.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: I have a question on it, too.
MR. BELLOWS: I'll be happy to answer any questions.
It was approved unanimously at the Planning Commission.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: My question, and I raised this at the time
it was presented to me, was about being a four-story building or
requesting a change in height from -- to 50 feet, of which I disclosed
my displeasure with that at the point in time. And I'm still at that
position, looking for a facility that does not have to be up four
stories.
MR. BELLOWS: Well, staff looked at the issue of height and
worked with the applicant. The applicant has provided increased
setbacks. It was their opinion and staff's opinion that the greater
the setback provided more open space and green space, more compatible
with adjacent residential and golf community.
Since it fronts on a major arterial road, it was deemed to be
acceptable. We've approved other buildings at similar heights or
higher.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Yeah. Commissioner Carter, I have been
talking with the applicant for -- since late last week. I think we
have reached a little proposal that might satisfy your concerns. I
had the same concern as you did, as having 50 feet right along Davis
Boulevard would not be the most appropriate thing that I could think
of.
But they have agreed to me in private that they would take
several steps that might alleviate some of those concerns. I think
it's much better, from my perspective. So perhaps maybe we could hear
from them and let them tell us what they'll commit to doing, because
that was the same concern I have.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: Thank you. Because this is not the only
one coming down the line.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Commissioner Constantine?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I've got a different concern and that
is -- first let me preface it by saying I met with some of the
residential property owners nearby who are very excited at the
prospect of an ALF instead of some strip shopping center or something
in there.
However, the manner in which these units are being set up with
complete kitchen facilities in every one of them, and so on, I was not
satisfied in my discussion last Friday -- and Mr. Arnold has been
asked to address this today -- but that there are sufficient
restrictions to assure that they will not become something different
than what's intended.
And the only restrictions I was told on Friday was well, it's an
over 55 community, which doesn't mean anything, because I live in an
over 55 community --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: We know why.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: -- and I generate a lot of traffic.
The -- and it's part of a package where you can -- they'll do your
laundry and they'll feed you meals. And I said, jeez, you know, I'm
34 and if somebody would do that for Janet and me, that would be
great. I wish they had a place where they'd do that now where we came
home at night and the meals were there, and so --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: There is.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: It's called a nanny.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: It's called the Ritz-Carlton. You can go up
and do that every day.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: I made light of it, but I think the
point is none of those things guarantee that we will have people that
are in somehow restricted -- one of the reasons we allow higher
densities in that situation is because they are less likely to use
their cars and have an impact on transportation system and so on. And
Davis, just recently been widened, still a congested roadway, and last
thing we want to do is have that recongested because of high usage, so
I need that issue addressed as well.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Commissioner, how would this differ from,
say, a situation like Moorings Park who also has -- you know, they
have some very nice facilities in terms of their accommodations and so
forth. But isn't this -- how was this addressed by the county? Do
you have any idea?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Well, isn't the full kitchens the
question? Because we addressed something similar to this on Marco
Island that I think we turned down, because we thought that it was
kind of a -- might have been trying to -- COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Stealth --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: -- confuse the -- stealth, there you go, a
stealth condo. That I thought that ALF's could not have full
kitchens. I thought that was how we had addressed the issue so that
it couldn't be a stealth condominium.
MR. BELLOWS: Yes, the petitioners required to submit
documentation that they meet the state requirements for assisted
living facility at the time of site development plan approval. At
this stage there's no concep -- or specific plans of development, no
floor plans, but they will be required to meet the requirements of
assisted living facility at the time of site development plan.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Again, we have no commitment at this
point. I mean, no --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Are there specific requirements that you're
aware of, Mr. Bellows, in terms of the ALF and anything about this,
quote, kitchen situation?
MR. NINO: For the record, Ron Nino. There are no restrictions
or prohibitions in the Land Development Code with respect to assisted
living facilities that determine whether or not they can or cannot
have kitchens.
As a matter of fact, the law specifically provides for -- Florida
regulations specifically provide for independent housing units versus
partially dependent housing units. And the final end of the spectrum,
of course, being the nursing care facilities.
What your provisions call for is that the applicant evidence in
their application a characteristic that the opportunity for aging in
place is being achieved, i.e., that there are independent units and
that there are semi-dependent units, and there is an element of
nursing care units as well.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Ron, can I ask you a question? The
density permitted for an ALF is significantly higher than the density
for a condo, true?
MR. NINO: Well, we don't -- true, but we really don't talk in
terms of density any longer when we talk about assisted living
facilities.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Because you do it by square feet, floor to
air (sic) ratio?
MR. NINO: We've changed that system to a floor area ratio system
which talks about the intensity of the land use versus the density
land use.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: But the net effect is --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: But if mathematically we do this, it
comes out to -- and Wayne, help me here -- I think it was 20.66; is
that right? Something like -- somewhere in that neighborhood. It
comes out to a lot.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Yeah, so --
MR. NINO: A lot, but a lot less than the regulation that was in
place prior to introducing the floor area concept, floor area ratio.
The --
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Not a lot more than a multi-family.
MR. NINO: -- density was -- the density was 26 units per acre
under the old --
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: And Ron, distinguish this from --
MR. NINO: -- system.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: -- the Marco case that you're familiar
with.
MR. NINO: The Marco case obviously, as I recall that, did not
evidence varying characteristics of units. They were -- COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: That's what I thought.
MR. NINO: -- all obviously independent living units. The
minimum floor areas were in the neighborhood of 14, 1,500 square feet.
It became very obvious that they were coming in through the back door
to achieve a density that would not otherwise be allowed for
conventional housing.
Our law -- our requirements state that all of the licensure
requirements are in place for the independent units, as well as the
semi-independent units and the care units. There are requirements
under state law for continuing retirement centers, and they need to
present that licensure approval prior to achieving their site
development plan, so that we make every effort to assure that indeed
this is a care environment, as opposed to conventional housing.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Let me ask a question, and I think it will
help me clarify one of our safeguards.
I think the concern, as I understand it from you, Commissioner
Constantine, is that you don't want to see these in the future become
residential units. But isn't that a zoning matter?
MR. NINO: Yes, it is.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: It would be a zoning matter. This PUD
would not allow residential units.
MR. NINO: Correct.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: So in the future, if this were to be
converted to a condominium building, they would have to come back to
the board for a fezone approval to do that; is that not correct?
MR. NINO: That is correct. That would be --
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: That's our safeguard.
MR. NINO: -- contrary to their development approval, and they
would be in contravention, and it would be a code violation issue,
which would need to come back to you for rectification.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: If they didn't go about coming back to
us, how would we ever know the difference? If there were just a lot
of people over 55 living there?
MR. NINO: Well, I think those things tend to come to our
attention either by someone else complaining, or -- MR. BELLOWS: Marketing.
MR. NINO: -- marketing or whatever. Those things --
MS. STUDENT: PUD monitoring.
MR. NINO: Well, this -- I think this is a conditional use,
Marjorie.
COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: My concern being what -- you know,
yes, I love the concept of having the whole transition of years when
you can do more in your own place, great, and you don't have to move
as you get older and more infirm. But I want stronger assurance --
and Wayne may be able to provide that, I don't know. But I want a
stronger assurance, because that what comes out to roughly I think,
and he'll correct me if I'm wrong, but close to 21 units per acre, I
need to have that assurance, or we've got a problem.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Fine.
MR. NINO: You may recall, commissioners, that when we converted
the system to a floor area ratio versus the 26 units per acres, we
submitted to you a -- the development characteristics of a number of
existing developments in the county, and we pointed out to you that
the Carlisle, for example, was the only building that exactly equaled
the floor area ratio factor that we were suggesting you adopt, which
you did, which is .45 times the area of the lot.
The Carlisle actually achieved 23 units per acre, or will be able
to achieve 23 units per acre when that project is completed.
Chadsford Park, which --
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Do we need -- I'm sorry, but as much as I
love this whole thing, I'm getting hungry. Maybe we could just hear
on this particular one.
MR. NINO: What I'm attempting to say is that there are projects
out there that are just as large as this project.
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Right.
COHHISSIONER CONSTANTINE: They're not bordering on a residential
property in my district, though.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Oh, never mind if they're in somebody else's
district.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: No, I took that phrase from --
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: I know, I'm just kidding.
Okay.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: But they have some comments to us.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Do we need -- I think we need to hear from
the petitioner.
MS. HEALY: Good afternoon. My name is Harilyn Healy. I'm with
Ruden-HcClosky, and I have Wayne Arnold and Jeff Perry from
Wilson-Miller, and Peter Worthington, from the Goodman Group, our
director of development.
What I'd like to do is briefly try to respond again to your
comment, Commissioner, and then Mr. Arnold will deal with the height
issue. And then if you have any other questions about us, we can
answer them at that time.
Basically the Goodman Group has been in the senior health care
development industry for over 25 years. We own and operate our own
developments. We are regulated by Chapter 400. We have to have the
appropriate licensure requirements. We have to meet those. We also
have to meet your county requirements in the Department of Health,
requirements in line with that.
We have no problem stipulating that we will do that. In the
event of a transfer to another company, we would have to go through
the DRI process and your county processes to basically amend the PUD
document to allow for multi-family dwellings, as well as depending on
the number of residential units that we would be increasing or a
subsequent purchaser be increasing go through the state DRI process as
well.
So we are an ALF. We have specifically stated assisted living,
not necessarily independent living or senior living in your PUD
zoning, and we've worked with staff to make sure that that language
was pretty specific.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay. Any other questions for the
petitioner?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: The height discussion.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: The height.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: The height?
MS. HEALY: I'm going to let Mr. Arnold handle that and show you
our site vision chart that we had prepared after discussing these
issues with you collectively. We'd like to show you that and try to
come to an acceptable compromise. Thank you.
MR. ARNOLD: Thank you. Wayne Arnold, with Wilson-Miller.
I'd like to go ahead and tack up a line of sight drawing that we
have. And I'd also like to distribute a copy of a color rendering
that we've done that I think will try to explain to you what we're
trying to do here in transitioning a building that albeit is one that
we hope to achieve in part a 50-foot height that equals a four-story
building, we're looking for an ability to transition this from
three-story that faces Davis Boulevard to a four-story building as you
increase that distance from Davis Boulevard.
I think this rendering indicates to you how we would hope to do
that. I also have some language here that I'd like to present to you
that I think mirrors what we've been trying to demonstrate in our
rendering.
If I could -- I don't know how best to distribute these copies.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: I wish you'd put it on the visualizer.
Don't you feel like Star Trek?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Activate the visualizer.
MR. ARNOLD: In essence, again, what we're trying to do is
eliminate the provision that currently allows for the 130,000 square
foot shopping center on the tract. We're hoping to build an assisted
living facility and skilled nursing components. We've asked for a
four-story building in 50 feet for several reasons. One, it allows
the developer to develop as they have in other communities, and that
is to provide a lot of open space areas for their residents. It
allows for gardens, walking paths, et cetera.
The environment, as we talked about, is very much an aging in
place philosophy where people may, you know, as husband and wife or
individually come and hopefully age in place without having to migrate
between other care facilities.
One of the things we tried to show you is that there are several
factors here along Davis Boulevard that come in to play. One of which
is the fact that there's an 80-foot drainage easement and canal that
separates our property from Davis Boulevard.
Taking into consideration that 80-foot setback, what we're
looking at is a building that in all likelihood would be 120 foot at a
minimum from our property line; 120 feet as a minimum.
What we're willing to do is step this building down from the
four-story to show a three-story facade on Davis Boulevard. If I
could point to the drawing. If you look to the right side of the
drawing that you've been presented, that is the facade that is
designed to face Davis Boulevard. And you can see that the first
level is really a covered loggia or walkway that progresses up to a
three-story building that you have. And in the background you see the
four-story roof top.
And what we're providing is that no four-story component of the
building, or any four-story building would be within 175 feet of Davis
Boulevard.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Did you say loggia?
MR. ARNOLD: Loggia, yes. Or covered walkway.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: Very impressive.
MR. ARNOLD: Put it in layman terms, thank you.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Robert Loggia.
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: See what happens when you get in the
private sector, you get uppity. Use big words.
MR. ARNOLD: But one of the other drawings I would -- I would
point you to the exhibit I placed over here on the backboard, and what
I'm showing there is the line of sight, an issue progressed back to
the four-story component that's at about 175 feet, which is at this
point; this being Davis Boulevard.
Between the several layers of landscaping that you have at our
drainage canal along the parking line in the front of the building,
you essentially end up with a line of sight that takes you beyond the
three-story building. Then, in fact, the four-story sight line is
very much minimized.
And as you can see, as the trees grow and continue to grow, that
line of sight becomes entirely blocked at that legal. And, of course,
if you're in your automobile looking horizontally through there,
you're looking through several layers of landscaping anyway.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Mr. Arnold, how far did you say from
the northern side of the canal to the edge of the building?
MR. ARNOLD: From the northern side of the canal to the edge of
the building will be approximately 80 to 90 feet.
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: How far is that?
MR. ARNOLD: Again, we think in this treatment of altering the
building, by presenting at least a one-story step-down and putting a
three-story component there, we think that that is something that can
work for us. We think it also presents a good face to Davis
Boulevard.
This issue was not necessarily one that was at issue with the
residents. We did meet with them on two different occasions and talk
to them about the project and what we're doing. I did notice that a
representative of Trans-Eastern is here as well, registered to speak.
Again, we think that this building and the footprint we're
looking at can be very compatible and look very good from Davis
Boulevard. I think that some of the examples we've shown previously
of the varying building styles that they've designed, this is one that
very much looks in the character of the adjoining development.
Features stucco and, you know, roof treatments very similar to what
you see in the balance of now Glen Eagle's development. And I think
you're going to hear that they're in support of what we're going to
try to do.
If you have some other specific questions about how we're
treating the height, I'd be happy to answer those. But again, just to
reiterate, we're looking at no component of a four-story building to
be within 175 feet of our property line from Davis Boulevard. And, in
fact, the only thing that we would build would be anything up to three
stories within first 175 feet from Davis Boulevard.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: What percentage of the property then
becomes a four-story complex in the totality of this?
MR. ARNOLD: Well, we're looking at a potential for two phases,
and only a portion of the first building that we would design that
houses the primary number of ALF units would have a four-story
component.
Any future buildings, we're willing to agree that we wouldn't
exceed three stories in height for that building. But we are looking
for at least the ability for this portion of our site that's beyond
the 175 feet to have the four-story or 50-foot height maximum.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: Is that part of the agreement, you would be
willing not to go any higher than three?
MR. ARNOLD: That's correct. I do have some language drafted, if
you'd care to see that specifically.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Does that answer your question, Commissioner?
COHMISSIONER CARTER: I think so.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Public speakers?
MR. FERNANDEZ: You have one public speaker, Madam Chairman. His
name is Ron Yuter, I believe.
MR. YUTER: Good morning -- or afternoon. My name is Ron Yuter
from Trans-Eastern. I'm also president of Glen Eagle's Golf and
Country Club. And we had the opportunity to have a presentation by
the proposed developer of this facility.
The consensus of both the developer and the residents that were
there had no real objection about -- as a matter of fact, they had
only positive statements, having this congregate care facility in lieu
of the shopping center.
The overall community and the association had two major concerns
-- actually three major concerns. One, the architectural that would
compatible with the surrounding area, the monumentation that would be
adapted to the monumentation that we currently just put up in that
area, and then to kind of put it on the record, their financial
contribution to the master association to maintain the integrity of
the landscaping and the preservation of a front entrance.
Those are the items that we were interested in voicing at the
meeting that we had, and there was no objection from the proposed
developer of this community. And that's basically it. CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay.
MR. YUTER: Any questions? Now I can have lunch.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Thank you. If there's no other public
speakers, I'll close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: I'd like to move approval based on the --
on several commitments that the proposer has made here. The first
most important one dealing with the height of the buildings. Nothing
that fronts Davis Boulevard would be over three stories. And then the
additional language that they have.
I don't know, Mr. Arnold, you may want to pass that out to the
other commissioners so they can see that. I think that's new language
since yesterday.
But nothing on the south side of the -- or measured from the
south side of the property line within 175 feet, without it having a
four-story component.
Additionally, the petitioner has committed that only the building
in Phase I would have a four-story commitment, that the Phase II
building would not have any four-story -- would be limited to three.
And also, I would like to have the petitioner commit to a style
of architecture that would be similar in nature to the existing Glen
Eagle's subdivision; that being the typical stucco and tile roof type
buildings. And would you please state that, or commit --
MS. HEALY: Yes, Marilyn Healy for the petitioner. We have no
problem. We would be happy to commit to either equalling or exceeding
and harmonizing our architecture with the surrounding Glen Eagle's
development.
COMMISSIONER NORRIS: Thank you.
Then that's my motion.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: We have a motion. Do we have a second?
COMMISSIONER MAC'KIE: Second.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Okay, we have a motion and a second. If
there's no further questions, all in favor?
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Motion carries five-zero. Thank you.
Item #14
STAFF'S COMMUNICATIONS
Okay, we're down to the -- toward the end of our agenda. Mr.
Weigel, do you have anything to share with us, please?
MR. WEIGEL: One last note. In regard to 10(B), which was the
Golden Gate Parkway water and sewer assessment district discussion.
Again, I really do believe that there is nothing further for next
week's agenda at all, but if there were to be, I'll just reserve the
right that I will place something on an agenda if it were needed. I
don't think that's going to be the case, but I want to go back and
check the books one last time. I've already talked with outside
counsel, but I want to check the books.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: That's fair.
MR. WEIGEL: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Mr. Fernandez?
MR. FERNANDEZ: I have nothing, Madam Chairman.
Item #15
BOARD OF COUNTY COHMISSIONERS' COHMUNICATIONS
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Commissioner Hac'Kie?
COHMISSIONER HAC'KIE: No, ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Commissioner Norris?
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Lunch.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Pictures first.
COHMISSIONER NORRIS: Pictures first.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Commissioner Constantine?
COHMISSIONER CONSTANTINE: We have one more meeting?
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: We have one more meeting.
COHMISSIONER CARTER: We have one more meeting.
I would just like to publicly thank our human resources
department. I went through the orientation program yesterday for new
employees. They do an excellent job. And we really are ahead of the
curve in the benefit packages that we do for our employees. So I'd
like to go on the record saying great job.
CHAIRPERSON BERRY: Thank you.
I have -- I wouldn't think of doing anything further. Heeting's
adjourned.
***** Commissioner Norris moved, seconded by Commissioner Hac'Kie and
carried unanimously, that the following items under the Consent and
Summary Agendas be approved and/or adopted with changes *****
Item #16A1
RESOLUTION 98-481 RE PETITON CU-97-23E, HR. ROY A. SHUCK, PASTOR,
REPRESENTING FAITH COHMUNITY CHURCH REQUESTING A ONE YEAR EXTENSION OF
A CONDITIONAL USE FOR A CHURCH IN THE "E" ESTATES ZONING DISTRICT FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED ON 22ND AVENUE NW AND OAKS BOULEVARD APPROXIMATELY ~
OF A MILE SOUTH OF IHMOKALEE ROAD
Item #16A2
FINAL PLAT OF COCO LAKES - SUBJECT TO THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT AND STIPULATIONS
Ttem #16A3
ROAD IHPACT FEE REFUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,738.00 TO THE CLUB ESTATES
Item #16A4
SATISFACTION OF LIEN FOR PUBLIC NUISANCE RESOLUTION 91-396
Item #16B1 - Moved to Item #882
Item #1682
BID #98-2850 FOR EHULSION POLYHER FOR THE NORTH AND SOUTH COUNTY WATER
RECLAMATION FACILITIES - AWARDED TO CIBA SPECIALTY CHEMICALS WATER
TREATMENTS, INC.
Item #1683
RESOLUTION 98-482 RE RATIFYING SPECIFIC EXPENDITURES FOR WASTE WATER
DEPARTMENT TEAMBUILDING SESSIONS AS SERVING A VALID PUBLIC PURPOSE
Item #1684
ANNUAL LEASE AGREEHENT IN THE A_MOUNT OF $872.00 BETWEEN COLLIER COUNTY
AND RAYMOND CRAWFORD FOR USE OF A PARCEL OF LAND IN SECTION 8 AND 9,
TOWNSHIP 48, RANGE 27 FOR CATTLE GRAZING
Item #1685 - CONTINUED TO JANUARY 15, 1999
Item #1686
AUTHORIZE PAYHENT IN THE A_MOUNT OF $7,653.11 FOR AN URBAN FORESTRY
GRANT (NO. 95-69) TO THE CITY OF MARCO ISLAND AND AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIRMAN TO SIGN A LETTER TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
GIVING THEM AUTHORIZATION TO MAKE THE GRANT PAYABLE TO THE CITY OF
MARCO ISLAND
Item #1687
ADJUSTHENTS TO BE MADE TO THE STORMWATER NLA/~AGEHENT CAPITAL FUND 325 TO
REFLECT REVISIONS IN CERTAIN CAPITAL PROGRAMS
Item #1688
BID 98-2889 IN THE A_MOUNT OF $44,529.00 FOR SITE WORK AT WATER
DEPARTHENT'S MAINTENANCE BUILDING - AWARDED TO SUNSHINE EXCAVATORS,
INC.
Item #1689
A_MDENDHENT SIX (6) TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEHENT FOR ENGINEERING
SERVICES RELATED TO IMPROVEMENTS AT THE SOUTH COUNTY WATER RECLAivLATION
FACILITY, UNDER RFP 93-2121, PROJECT 73053 - AWARDED TO HOLE, HONTES &
ASSOCIATES, INC.
Item #16B10
RESOLUTION 98-483\CWS-98-5 IDENTIFYING THE PLEDGED REVENUES AND
AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE ANY STATE
REVOLVING FUND LOAN AMENDMENTS
Item #16D1
SERVICE AGREEHENT BETWEEN THE GOLDEN GATE FIRE CONTROL AND RESCUE
DISTRICT AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COHMISSIONERS FOR FIRE AND RESCUE
PROTECTION SERVICES WITHIN THE COLLIER COUNTY FIRE CONTROL
DISTRICT
Item #16D2
RESOLUTION 98-484 RE THE GRANT OF UTILITY EASEHENT, EASEHENT AGREEHENT
AND A TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT FOR PROPERTY BETWEEN COLLIER
COUNTY AND SPRINT-FLORIDA, INC LOCATED ON THE GOVERNMENT CENTER COMPLEX
AT 3301 EAST TA_MIA_MI TRAIL
Item #16D3
APPRAISAL SERVICES AGREEHENT WITH THE APPRAISAL SHOPPE, INC. FOR THE
APPRAISAL OF GAC LAND TRUST PROPERTIES RE BID NO. 98-2884
Item #16El
BUDGET AMENDHENT NO. 99-048 AND NO. 99-068
Item #16G1
HISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE - FILED AND/OR REFERRED
The following miscellaneous correspondence as presented by the
Board of County Commissioners has been directed to the various
departments as indicated:
Item #16H1
CERTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF SUBGRANT AWARD ENTITLED DEVELOPHENT AND
AUTOMATION OF CRIMINAL COURT CASE RECORDS REPORTING SYSTEM
Item #1611
AGREEHENT AND BUDGET FOR PARTIAL FUNDING OF LEGAL AID SOCIETY
Item #17A - Moved to Item #1282
Item #17B
RESOLUTION 98-485 RE PETITION SNR-98-5, ROB WRIGHT, REPRESENTING GLEN
EAGLE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, REQUESTING THE FOLLOWING STREET NAME CHANGES
FOR PROPERTY LOCATED IN EMBASSY WOODS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB AT BRETONNE
PARK: EMBASSY WOODS BOULEVARD IS TO BE CHANGED TO GLEN EAGLE BOULEVARD
SOUTH; EMBASSY WOODS BOULEVARD EAST AND EMBASSY WOODS BOULEVARD WEST
ARE TO BE CHANGED TO GLEN EAGLE BOULEVARD; AMBASSADOR BOULEVARD IS TO
BE CHANGED TO GLEN EAGLE BOULEVARD NORTH
Item #17C
RESOLUTION 98-486 RE PETITION SNR-98-11, COLLIER COUNTY COHMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIVISION, REQUESTING A STREET
NAME CHANGE FROM ATHOL COURT TO ATHOL WAY, LOCATED IN BRITTANY
PLACE
Item #17D - Moved to Item #1283
Item #17E - Continued to December 15, 1998
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 12:50 p.m.
BOARD OF COUNTY COHMISSIONERS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX
OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF
SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS CONTROL
BARBARA B. BERRY, CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST:
DWIGHT E. BROCK, CLERK
These minutes approved by the Board on
as presented or as corrected
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF GREGORY COURT REPORTING
SERVICE, INC., BY CHERIE' R. LEONE, NOTARY PUBLIC