BCC Minutes 12/10-11/2013 R BCC
REGULAR
MEETING
MINUTES
December 10- 11 , 2013
December 10-11, 2013
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Naples, Florida, December 10, 2013
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:
CHAIRWOMAN: Georgia Hiller
Tom Henning
Tim Nance
Donna Fiala
Fred Coyle
ALSO PRESENT:
Leo Ochs, County Manager
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
Crystal Kinzel, Finance Director
Tim Durham, Business Operations Manager
Troy Miller, Communications & Customer Relations Manager
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Community Redevelopment Agency Board (CRAB)
Airport Authority
;)
AGENDA
Board of County Commission Chambers
Collier County Government Center
3299 Tamiami Trail East, 3rd Floor
Naples FL 34112
December 10, 2013
9:00 AM
Georgia Hiller - BCC Chairwoman; BCC Commissioner, District 2
Tom Henning - BCC Vice-Chairman; BCC Commissioner, District 3
Donna Fiala - BCC Commissioner, District 1; CRAB Vice- Chairman
Fred W. Coyle - BCC Commissioner, District 4
Tim Nance - BCC Commissioner, District 5; CRAB Chairman
NOTICE: ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS MUST
REGISTER PRIOR TO SPEAKING. SPEAKERS MUST REGISTER WITH THE
EXECUTIVE MANAGER TO THE BCC PRIOR TO PRESENTATION OF THE
AGENDA ITEM TO BE ADDRESSED. ALL REGISTERED SPEAKERS WILL
RECEIVE UP TO THREE (3) MINUTES UNLESS THE TIME IS ADJUSTED BY
THE CHAIRMAN.
COLLIER COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. 2003-53 AS AMENDED BY
ORDINANCE 2004-05 AND 2007-24, REQUIRES THAT ALL LOBBYISTS
SHALL, BEFORE ENGAGING IN ANY LOBBYING ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ADDRESSING THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS), REGISTER WITH THE CLERK TO THE BOARD AT THE
BOARD MINUTES AND RECORDS DEPARTMENT.
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December 10, 2013
REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON SUBJECTS WHICH ARE NOT ON
THIS AGENDA MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING WITH EXPLANATION
TO THE COUNTY MANAGER AT LEAST 13 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF
THE MEETING AND WILL BE HEARD UNDER "PUBLIC PETITIONS."
PUBLIC PETITIONS ARE LIMITED TO THE PRESENTER, WITH A
MAXIMUM TIME OF TEN MINUTES.
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD
WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDING PERTAINING THERETO,
AND THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD
OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE
TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.
IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS ANY
ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCEEDING,
YOU ARE ENTITLED, AT NO COST TO YOU, THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN
ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE COLLIER COUNTY FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT LOCATED AT 3335 EAST TAMIAMI TRAIL,
SUITE 1, NAPLES, FLORIDA, 34112-5356, (239) 252-8380; ASSISTED
LISTENING DEVICES FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED ARE AVAILABLE IN
THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT.
LUNCH RECESS SCHEDULED FOR 12:00 NOON TO 1:00 P.M.
1. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A. Pastor Michael Bannon - Crossroads Community Church of Naples
2. AGENDA AND MINUTES
A. Approval of today's consent agenda as amended (Ex Parte Disclosure
provided by Commission members for consent agenda.)
B. Approval of today's summary agenda as amended (Ex Parte Disclosure
provided by Commission members for summary agenda.)
C. Approval of today's regular agenda as amended.
D. October 22, 2013 - BCC/Regular Meeting
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December 10, 2013
E. November 5, 2013 - BCC Workshop
F. November 12, 2013 - BCC/Regular Meeting
3. SERVICE AWARDS - EMPLOYEE
A. 25 Year Attendees
1) Louise Bergeron, Library
4. PROCLAMATIONS
A. Proclamation designating December 10, 2013 as Douglas Molloy Day in
Collier County in recognition of Mr. Molloy's staunch commitment to
making our community safe and just during his 33 years as a top criminal
prosecutor. To be accepted by Douglas Molloy. Sponsored by
Commissioner Hiller.
B. Proclamation designating January 5-11, 2014 as Collier County Republican
Women's Week. To be accepted by Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, Honorary
Chair; Jan Face Glassman, Event Chair; Priscilla Grannis, President of
Women's Republican Club of Naples Federated; Cynthia Miles and Michelle
Morgenstern, Women's Republican Club of Naples Federated; Dorene
McShea, President, Southwest Florida Federated Republican Women; Litha
Berger, President of Caxambas Republican Club; Judy Taber, Collier
Republican Club; Judith Friedland, Republican Jewish Committee of
Southwest Florida; Phyllis Dallmann, Barbara Stang, Cindy Lyster, Kathi
Gray and Ann Brown, Collier County Republican Executive Committee;
Erika Donalds, Collier County Young Republicans; Mary Knaiz and Natalie
Staudacher, Collier County Teen-Age Republicans; and Christine
Sutherland, Collier Republican State Committeewoman. Sponsored by
Commissioner Hiller.
C. Proclamation recognizing the 70th Anniversary of the Naples Municipal
Airport and its contributions to the region. To be accepted by Executive
Director Ted Soliday, Deputy Executive Director Sheila Dugan and Board
Chair John Allen. Sponsored by Commissioner Fiala.
D. Proclamation designating January 5-11, 2014 as Corkscrew Regional
Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) Trust Week in Collier County. To be
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December 10, 2013
accepted by Doug Machesney, CREW Trustee. Sponsored by Commissioner
Fiala.
E. Proclamation recognizing the Collier County Alumnae Chapter of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., chartered in Collier County on October 26, 2013.
To be accepted by Chris Rahmings, Pamela Wilkins, Della Bradley, Diane
Haynes, Thelma Johnson, Rhonda Cummings, Jennifer Williams, Cynthia
Battle, Jenise Morgan, Cynthia Powers, Tonge Lawson, Darlene Jackson,
Debra Johnson, Wilmede Joseph, Rosetta Kirk, Mildred Pitts, Doris Cotton,
Crystal Moody, Carolyn Perry, Shirley Williams, Sandra Fulton, Rozalyne
Wright, Michelle Brice, Michelle Williams and Alana Smith. Sponsored by
the Board of County Commissioners.
5. PRESENTATIONS
A. Presentation of the Collier County Business of the Month for December
2013 to Shula's Steakhouse. To be accepted by Clark Hill, Jeff Jerome and
Tom Donahue.
B. Recommendation to recognize Corey Ford, Senior Technical Support
Professional, Public Utilities, as the Employee of the Month for November
2013.
C. Presentation by Mr. Richard Broome, Senior Vice President, Corporate
Affairs and Communications at Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.
6. PUBLIC PETITIONS
Item #7 to be heard no sooner than 1:00 pm unless otherwise noted.
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS NOT ON THE CURRENT
OR FUTURE AGENDA
Item #8 and Item #9 to be heard no sooner than 1:00 pm unless otherwise noted.
8. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
9. ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. This item continued from the November 12, 2013 BCC meeting.
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December 10, 2013
Recommendation to review and approve the 2013 combined Annual Update
and Inventory Report (AUIR) on Public Facilities and Capital Improvements
Element (CIE) amendment as provided for in Chapter 6.02.02 of the Collier
County Land Development Code and Section 163.3177(3)(b), Florida
Statutes.
B. Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners (1) adopts the
attached Resolution which would authorize the use of the uniform method of
collecting non-ad valorem special assessments within the La Peninsula
Community to fund the costs of providing seawall improvements and other
waterway improvements for the La Peninsula community, and (2) to adopt
an Ordinance to establish the La Peninsula Seawall Municipal Service
Benefit Unit.
C. This item has been continued to the January 14, 2013 BCC meeting.
This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by Commission
members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are required
to be sworn in. Recommendation to adopt a Resolution to disclaim, renounce
and vacate the County and the Public interest in a portion of Mamie Street
south of Chokoloskee Drive, being a part of Section 36, Township 53 South,
Range 29 East, Chokoloskee, Collier County, Florida.
10. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
A. Recommendation that the Collier County Board of Commissioners pledge its
support to the regional economic development initiative known as the
Southwest Florida Economic Development Alliance ("SWFEDA") as a
Cornerstone member in the amount of$10,000 per year for the next three
years. The intent of the alliance is to join the separate organizations in
Southwest Florida that work on economic development efforts at the county
and city levels in order to promote the region. The regional organization
will develop the region's brand that will serve to attract companies and their
site selectors, since they look at regions, not city and county boundaries.
Additional benefits of membership will include the county's logo on the
regional website, along with other information about Collier County, the
right to use the SWFEDA logo, the county's logo on SWFEDA print
material, participation in the roundtables, and recognition at regional
economic development events. The county will be officially recognized as a
promoter and supporter of regionalism, all in the interest of economic
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December 10, 2013
growth and prosperity. (Commissioner Hiller)
B. Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners approve sharing
in the cost of engaging a professional consulting firm with the Partnership
for Collier's Future Economy (a subsidiary of Collier's Chamber of
Commerce), to draft a "Community and Economic Development Strategic
Plan" for the benefit of Collier County. The total estimated cost of the
project is $222,000. The County's not to exceed share of the project cost is
$111,000 which includes one half of the consulting services contract costs
($71,000) and one half of the Partnership's allocated internal project
management and overhead expenses ($40,000). The Plan shall outline the
necessary steps needed to brand, market, promote and sell the County as an
economic development destination for relocating businesses and for
entrepreneurial growth, all in the interest of promoting an environment that
allows for job creation. In addition, authorize the Board to waive the
competitive solicitation requirements pursuant to Section V(A) of the
Purchasing Policy. (Commissioner Hiller)
C. Recommendation that the Collier County Board of Commissioners accept
the Collier County Accelerator Feasibility White Paper and provide Staff
direction based on the report recommendations. The County is committed to
fostering economic growth through the development of an entrepreneurial
accelerator which will house emerging businesses that are deemed to have
the greatest potential for successful growth. The project will be designed to
mirror the Community Innovation Collaboration and Masschallenge
programs in Cambridge, MA. This project will the first of its kind in the
Southwest Florida region and will include community partners such as
Florida Gulf Coast University, the Chamber of Commerce, venture
capitalists and local business leaders. At the state level, support for the
project will be garnered from Enterprise Florida, the Office of Economic
Development, the legislature and the governor. The hope is that this project
will become a model for additional accelerators throughout the state, serving
to advance the objective of job creation. (Commissioner Hiller)
D. Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners approve an
agreement between Collier County and RETIS designating Collier County
exclusive rights to host the RETIS FACE 6 Executive Training Program in
the spring of 2014, approve providing funding in the amount of up to
$10,000 for financial support in facilitating the event, and approve that the
County's Office of Economic Development will house and provide support
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December 10, 2013
staff to the French government's non-profit staff during the program period.
The local business community has matched the County's commitments by
offering incubator and accelerator space to aid the French companies as they
look to establish themselves here. This is a public-private initiative not only
involving local government and local businesses, but additionally involving
Florida Gulf Coast University and Enterprise Florida. The view to the long
term is that RETIS will establish a formal presence in Collier County,
treating Collier as its base of operation as it brings French businesses to the
region. (Commissioner Hiller)
E. Recommendation that the Collier County Board of Commissioners direct
staff to work with the Southwest Florida Soccer Foundation ("SWFSF") as
it seeks to develop a state of the art soccer facility in Collier County. Collier
County, as a community is committed to healthy living and sports
excellence. In its quest to achieve both objectives, Collier County
government recognizes the importance of growing sports facilities including
but not limited to sports parks. The positive consequence of investing in
sports facilities is not limited to the promotion of health and physical fitness,
but also is a major economic development driver for the County as promoted
through the County's sports marketing department. SWFSF intends to make
a major investment in Collier County in the form of a soccer complex that
will include outdoor fields, an indoor stadium and an outdoor stadium. The
intent is that Collier County Government will joint venture with SWFSF in
this project, since the County's parks budget is limited. By joint venturing
with the private sector, the County will have the opportunity to be a part of a
complex it would otherwise not be able to build on its own. The County's
participation would be limited to providing a rent abated County site for the
facility and to support SWFSF efforts to obtain an industrial revenue bond.
All other costs of construction and operations will be borne by SWFSF.
Since this project is considered an economic development project as well as
a parks project, it is unique in its nature. The hope is that this will be the
first of such sports driven public-private partnerships which in the future
could possibly include velo, baseball/softball, swimming, basketball,
lacrosse etc. (Commissioner Hiller)
F. Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners adopts the
attached Resolution which would set forth a rotation of the Chair of the
Board of County Commissioners and various other Boards. (Commissioner
Hiller)
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December 10, 2013
G. Chairwoman's annual report highlighting significant Board accomplishments
in Calendar Year 2013. (Commissioner Hiller)
H. Appointment of one alternate member to the Collier County Code
Enforcement Board.
11. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT
A. This item continued from the November 12, 2013 BCC Meeting.
Recommendation to approve the selection and contract with AVIAREPS for
tourism representation services in Brazil, authorize the Chair to sign a
County Attorney approved contract, and make a finding that this expenditure
promotes tourism. (Jack Wert, Tourism Director)
B. Recommendation to award Invitation to Bid (ITB) #13-6185 to Gates
Construction, Inc., in the amount of$2,248,975.72 for the construction of
the "Eagle Lakes Community Center"; authorize the necessary Budget
Amendment in the amount of$825,000 and authorize the Chairwoman to
execute the attached contract. (Barry Williams, Parks and Recreation
Director)
C. Recommendation to award Contract No. 13-6138 - Lely Area Stormwater
Improvement Project (LASIP), Davis Boulevard Weir and Canal
Improvements to D. N. Higgins, Inc., in the amount of$1,764,929 plus a
10% contingency of$176,492.90 on the Purchase Order for a total of
$1,941,421.90, Project No. 51101. (Jay Ahmad, Transportation Engineering
Director)
D. Recommendation to award Invitation to Bid #13-6161, ASR Well 2, in the
amount of$2,630,640 to Douglas N. Higgins, Inc., and, authorize a budget
amendment in the amount of$2,030,640 for the Livingston Road Irrigation
Quality Water Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well below the USDW - Phase
2, Project #74030. (Tom Chmelik, Planning and Project Management
Director)
E. Recommendation to adopt a resolution authorizing the condemnation of
those perpetual and temporary easement interests necessary for the
construction of a replacement bridge on 28th Avenue Southeast over the
Miller Canal. Estimated fiscal impact: $32,200. (Project No. 60123) (Jay
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Ahmad, Transportation Engineering Director.)
F. Recommendation to adopt a resolution amending Resolution No. 2008-353,
as amended and supplemented by Resolution No. 2011-190, in order to
further supplement the authorization of the condemnation of land and
easements necessary for the construction of roadway, drainage and utility
improvements required for the expansion of Collier Boulevard from four
lanes to six lanes from Green Boulevard to Golden Gate Boulevard,
including portions east on White Boulevard and west on Pine Ridge Road
(Project No. 68056). Estimated fiscal impact: $395,000. (Marlene Messam,
Senior Project Manager)
G. This item to be heard at 3:00 p.m. Recommendation for the Board of
County Commissioners to consider the All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Park Ad
Hoc Committee's recommendations with regard to settlement funds. (Nick
Casalanguida, Growth Management Administrator)
H. Recommendation to confirm the appointment of Mr. Stephen Y. Carnell to
the position of Public Services Division Administrator. (Leo Ochs, County
Manager)
12. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
13. OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
14. AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND/OR COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
A. AIRPORT
B. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
15. STAFF AND COMMISSION GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS
A. Current BCC Workshop Schedule.
16. CONSENT AGENDA - All matters listed under this item are considered to be
routine and action will be taken by one motion without separate discussion of
each item. If discussion is desired by a member of the Board, that item(s) will
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be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately.
A. GROWTH MANAGEMENT DIVISION
1) Recommendation to grant final approval of the private roadway and
drainage improvements for the final plat of Regal Acres (Application
Number AR-13297) with the roadway and drainage improvements
being privately maintained and authorizing the release of the
maintenance security and acceptance of the plat dedications.
2) This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by
Commission members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all
participants are required to be sworn in. Recommendation to
approve for recording the final plat of Esplanade at Hacienda Lakes
Phase One, (Application Number PL20130002273) approval of the
standard form Construction and Maintenance Agreement and approval
of the amount of the performance security.
3) This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by
Commission members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all
participants are required to be sworn in. Recommendation to
approve for recording the final plat of Lipari-Ponziane, Tract FD-2
Replat (PL20130001949). This plat is a re-subdivision of lands
within Traviso Bay/Wentworth Estates PUD.
4) Recommendation to authorize the Clerk of Courts to release a Letter
of Credit in the amount of$350,896 which was posted as a
development guaranty for work associated with Treviso Bay
Excavation Permit No.'s 59.917 and 59.917-1, AR-6463 and AR-
13732.
5) Recommendation to authorize the Clerk of Courts to release
Performance Bond No. 929541565 issued by the Continental
Insurance Company on behalf of Lennar Homes, LLC in the amount
of$30,641.75 which was posted as a development guaranty for work
associated with Aqua Di Treviso at Treviso Bay, Excavation Permit
No. 60.069, Application PL20110001276.
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December 10, 2013
6) This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by
Commission members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all
participants are required to be sworn in. Recommendation to
approve for recording the final plat of Creekside Commerce Park
East, (Application Number AR-8411) approval of the standard form
Construction and Maintenance Agreement and approval of the amount
of the performance security.
7) This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by
Commission members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all
participants are required to be sworn in. Recommendation to
approve for recording the final plat of Tuscany Pointe, (Application
Number PPL-PL20130001473) approval of the standard form
Construction and Maintenance Agreement and approval of the amount
of the performance security.
8) Recommendation to approve the partial release of a lien in the accrued
amount of$79,430.86 for payment of$530.86, in the Code
Enforcement Action entitled Board of County Commissioners vs.
Elias Nicot, relating to property known as Parcel No. 38552520000,
on 37th Avenue NW (no physical address), Collier County, Florida.
9) Recommendation to approve a release of lien in the accrued amount
of$102,000 for payment of$2,800 in the Code Enforcement action
entitled Board of County Commissioners vs. Ronald Talerico, Code
Enforcement Special Magistrate Case Number CEROW20110014889,
relating to property located at 262 Kirtland Drive, Collier County,
Florida.
10) Recommendation to approve the release of lien in the accrued amount
of$5,827.96 for payment of$1,527.96 in the Code Enforcement
action entitled Board of County Commissioners vs. Crystal Pepper,
Code Enforcement Special Magistrate Case Number
CEPM20090011813, relating to property located at 3850 Recreational
Lane, Collier County, Florida.
11) Recommendation to approve a release of lien in the amount of
$21,912.38 for payment of$562.38, in the Code Enforcement Action
entitled Board of County Commissioners vs. Teresa Lee Haney,
Special Magistrate Case No. CEAU20120004466, relating to property
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December 10, 2013
located at 857 105th Avenue N., Collier County, Florida.
12) Recommendation to approve a release of lien in the accrued amount
of$16,174.79 for payment of$1,874.79 in the Code Enforcement
action entitled Board of County Commissioners vs. Chad C. Dixon,
Code Enforcement Special Magistrate Case Number
CEPM20120016145, relating to property located at 2313 Kings Lake
Boulevard, Collier County, Florida.
13) Recommendation to terminate Contracts under #12-5857R for
"Nuisance Abatement Services" previously awarded to FA
Remodeling and Repairs, Inc. (Primary) and Oliva Enterprises, Inc.
(Secondary) and to award all services to Neal's Lawn and
Landscaping Maintenance, Inc. ; and to authorize the Chairwoman to
execute the attached amendment.
14) Recommendation to approve the 2014 schedule for submittals to
amend the Collier County Growth Management Plan (GMP).
15) Recommendation to approve an Agreement providing ExxonMobil
Oil Corporation access to perform environmental investigations and
remediation activities. Fiscal Impact: $44 (Project: #60116)
16) Recommendation to approve an easement agreement for the purchase
of a drainage, access and maintenance easement required for the
construction of storm water improvements known as the "Crews
Road, Cope Lane and Sandy Lane/Wing South Interconnect" segment
of the Lely Area Stormwater Improvement Project. (Project No.
51101). Estimated Fiscal Impact: $1,027.
17) Recommendation to authorize a budget amendment to recognize carry
forward for projects within the Transportation Supported Gas Tax
Fund (313) in the amount of$8,500.
18) Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the water and sewer
utility facilities for Verona Pointe, #AR-10279, and to authorize the
County Manager, or his designee, to release the Final Obligation Bond
in the amount of$4,000 to the Project Engineer or the Developer's
designated agent.
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19) Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the water utility
facility for Margood Harbor Park, PL20110002508.
20) Recommendation to approve payment of previously submitted
inaccurate invoices from FY12 to Better Roads, Inc., in the amount of
$37,929.53, for its application of sidewalk overlay on Pelican Bay
Blvd. under the County's Annual Resurfacing Contract #09-5328.
21) Recommendation to approve an Easement Agreement required for the
"Crews Road, Cope Lane and Sandy Lane/Wing South Interconnect"
segment of the Lely Area Stormwater Improvement Project (Project
#51101). Estimated Fiscal Impact: $6,900.
22) Recommendation to approve a Purchase Order to Quality Enterprises
USA, Inc., for median safety modifications on Collier Boulevard at
the entrance to the Forest Glen Golf and Country Club in the amount
of$127,272.85 using the Annual Roadway Contractors Agreement
(Contract #12-5864).
23) Recommendation to invoke the exemption in the County's Purchasing
Policy (Section VII, Paragraph H) to waive competitive bidding and
increase an existing purchase order in the amount of$15,000 to cover
real estate appraisal research fees and expert witness testimony costs
anticipated in support of eminent domain litigation for the US-41
/Collier Boulevard Intersection Improvement project (Project No.
60116). Fiscal Impact $15,000.
24) Recommendation to invoke the exemption in the County's Purchasing
Policy (Section VII, Paragraph H) to waive competition required by
the Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act "CCNA" and increase
an existing purchase order in the amount of$20,000 to cover
engineering fees and expert witness testimony costs anticipated in
support of eminent domain litigation for the US-41 /Collier Boulevard
Intersection Improvement project (Project No. 60116). Fiscal Impact
$20,000.
25) Recommendation for the Board to consider a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with the Community Foundation of Collier
County (CFCC) to clarify CFCC and County roles regarding
acceptance of donations from the CFCC for the construction of
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December 10, 2013
artificial reefs.
B. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
1) Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), as
the Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA),
authorize a budget amendment for a Disaster Recovery Initiative
(DRI) subgrant in the amount of$517,300 to fund drainage system
improvements and new sidewalks along Colorado Avenue within the
Immokalee Community Redevelopment Area.
2) Recommendation for the Board of County Commissioners (BCC),
acting in its capacity as the Community Redevelopment Agency
(CRA), to approve the Amended Immokalee CRA's attached
proposed Exit Strategy for the Immokalee Business Development
Center (IBDC) and authorize the County Attorney to prepare the
necessary documents for future CRA Board consideration.
3) Recommendation that the Collier County Board of County
Commissioners (BCC), acting in its capacity as the Community
Redevelopment Agency (CRA), approve a grant budget amendment in
the amount of$150,000, and formally accept an amendment to
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Subrecipient
Agreement #B-10-UC-12-0016 between the Collier County BCC and
the Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
(Immokalee) and approve the underlying substantial amendment.
4) Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners, in its
capacity as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), approves
a Resolution modifying the CRA Bylaws as it relates to the timing of
its annual meeting.
5) Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners, as the
Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), approve
the attached Change Order 2 to Contract No. 12-5896 between the
CRA and David Corban Architects, PLLC for Design Services
associated with the First Street Zocalo project in Immokalee. This
change is limited to project completion date and has no fiscal impact.
6) Recommendation to award Invitation to Bid (ITB) #13-6067 —
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December 10, 2013
Immokalee First Street Public Plaza (a/Ik/a "Zocalo" or "Placita") to
Surety Construction, Inc., in the amount of$576,256 (Collier County
Project Number 33192), approve all necessary budget amendments
and authorize the Chairwoman to sign the attached contract.
C. PUBLIC UTILITIES DIVISION
1) Recommendation to approve a Resolution and Satisfactions of Liens
for the 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 Solid Waste Collection and
Disposal Services Special Assessments where Collier County has
received payment for full satisfaction of the liens. Fiscal impact is
$68.50 to record the Satisfactions of Liens.
2) Recommendation to award Invitation to Bid number 13-6179, Project
Number 70104 "NCRWTP Sulfuric Acid Injection Improvements for
Blowdown Water Disposal," to Mitchell & Stark Construction
Company, Inc., in the amount of$673,000.
3) Recommendation to authorize the Utilization of the Competitively
Solicited Lee County Award B-130513 - Electric Motor Repair &
Replacement services with John Mader Enterprises, Inc., dba Mader
Electric Motors for the purchase of pumps and motors in Public
Utilities and all other County Divisions.
4) Recommendation to approve removing uncollectible accounts
receivable and their respective balances from the financial records of
Collier County Public Utilities Division in the amount of$26,117.56.
5) Recommendation to approve a work order under Request For
Quotation #08-5011-107, in the amount of$377,369, to Douglas N.
Higgins, Inc., for the South County Regional Water Treatment Plant
Odor Control Blowdown Disposal, Project No. 70104.
D. PUBLIC SERVICES DIVISION
1) Recommendation to approve five (5) satisfactions of mortgage in the
amount of$52,652.50 of owner occupied dwelling units that have
satisfied the terms of their affordability period or for death of the
owner.
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December 10, 2013
2) Recommendation to approve one (1) mortgage satisfaction for the
State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) loan in the amount of
$3,920.
3) Recommendation to approve two Memorandums of Agreement with
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in
order to allow FWC to conduct Youth Hunts for Collier County
residents at Pepper Ranch Preserve in January 2014 and February
2014.
4) Recommendation to approve the Comprehensive Operational Analysis
(COA) for Collier Area Transit.
5) Recommendation to award Invitation to Bid (ITB) #13-6186 to
Compass Construction, Inc., in the amount of$931,926 for the
construction of the "Vanderbilt Beach Restroom Facilities", authorize
the Chair to execute the attached contract, approve the necessary
budget amendment, and make a finding that this project expenditure
promotes tourism.
6) Recommendation to accept a State Housing Initiatives Partnership
Program (SHIP) mortgage and promissory note in the amount of
$41,937.21 with a loan term of fifteen (15) years to begin effective
10/5/2009. This is a one-time exception to the 2007-2010 Local
Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) to allow for an alternate payment
term.
7) Recommendation to approve an after-the-fact Amendment #4 to the
Older Americans Act Title III B contract transferring funds from
Transportation to Case Management and In-Home Services and to
approve the necessary budget amendment. (Net Fiscal Impact
$-31,200)
8) Recommendation to approve two State Housing Initiative Program
(SHIP) Satisfactions of Mortgage in the amounts of$77,000 and
$5,500.
9) Recommendation to approve an amendment to Standard Contract
between Collier County and the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest
Florida, Inc. d/b/a Senior Choices of Southwest Florida to extend the
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December 10, 2013
grant period through February 28, 2014 and Attestation Statement as
well as authorize the necessary budget amendments to reflect
estimated funding for the Calendar Year 2014 Older Americans Act
Programs (Net Fiscal Impact $778,737)
10) Recommendation to approve four Disaster Recovery Grant Signature
Authority Forms for submittal to the Florida Department of Economic
Opportunity in order to reflect the signatures of current staff members.
11) Recommendation to approve the Collier County Consolidated Annual
Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership
(HOME and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) for Fiscal Year 2012-
2013 as required; approve the CAPER Resolution; and authorize the
Chair to certify the CAPER for submission to HUD.
12) Recommendation to acknowledge termination letters from Disaster
Recovery Initiative and Disaster Recovery Enhancement Grant
subrecipients Collier County Housing Authority (CCHA) and
Immokalee Housing and Family Services (THFS) for projects in the
amounts of$1,359,966.72 (2 projects) and $90,000, respectively.
Reprogramming of grant funds will be presented to the Board at a
future meeting.
13) Recommendation to authorize a budget amendment recognizing
$33,900 in program income revenue generated by affordable rental
properties acquired under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program
(NSP1).
14) Recommendation to authorize a budget amendment recognizing
$245,250.26 in program income revenue generated when conveying
properties acquired under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program
(NSP1).
15) Recommendation to approve substantial amendments to Annual
Action Plans for three funding years amending project scopes and
funding for various projects utilizing U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) and HOME Partnership Investment (HOME) funds and
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December 10, 2013
approve four subrecipient agreements funded with HUD CDBG funds
16) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the FY
2013-2014 State Aid to Libraries Grant Agreement. Fiscal Impact
($219,000).
17) Recommendation to authorize the County Manager or his designee to
enter into a Facility Rental Agreement with the Naples Model Yacht
Club, Inc. for the use of the North Collier Regional Park (NCRP)
pond during designated dates and times.
18) Recommendation to approve a Developer Commitment Agreement
with, and convey an easement to, Fifth Third Bank on County
property, (Project No. 80065.1) and authorized a $20,250 budget
amendment.
19) Recommendation to award Invitation to Bid (ITB) #13-6157 Senior
Food Program to The ILS Group, LLC dba Classic Caterers and
authorize the Chairwoman to execute a County Attorney approved
contract.
20) Recommendation to provide after-the-fact approval for the submittal
of a Holiday Wishes grant application to the Petco Foundation for an
animal welfare grant in an amount of up to $100,000.
21) Recommendation to approve the recognition of carryforward in the
amount of$156,201.04 in Housing Grant Fund 121 and approve the
necessary budget amendments.
22) Recommendation to approve amendment No. 1 to the Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) Agreement between Collier
County and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) -
Immokalee in order to update budget line items and extend the project
completion date. (Fiscal Impact $0)
23) Recommendation to grant a Deed of Conservation Easement to the
South Florida Water Management District for the Oakes
Neighborhood Park.
24) Recommendation to approve the Collier County University Extension
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December 10, 2013
Department's request for funding from the Collier County 4-H
Association in the amount of$82,000; approve a subsequent
acceptance of requested funds; authorize the Chair to sign a
Memorandum of Understanding with Collier County 4-H Association;
and authorize the necessary Budget Amendment.
25) Recommendation to approve an amendment to the Home Care for the
Elderly (HCE) agreement between Collier County and the Area
Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, Inc. d/b/a Senior Choices of
Southwest Florida increasing funding by transferring funds between
budget lines for year two (2013-2014). (Net fiscal impact is $6,254)
E. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION
1) Recommendation to award Bid #13-6111 "Annual Contract for
Painting Contractors" and contracts to Cover All, Inc., d/b/a Ron's
Jons Porta Potty Rental; Florida Service Painting, Inc., d/b/a Service
Painting of Florida; and FA Remodeling and Repairs, Inc. for painting
contractor services.
2) Recommendation to approve the purchase of Group Health
Reinsurance coverage for calendar year 2014 in the estimated amount
of$776,056 to SunLife Insurance Company.
3) Recommendation to approve the Collier County Government
Employee Benefit Plan Document, Flexible Benefits Plan Document
and Health Reimbursement Arrangement Document effective January
1, 2014.
4) Recommendation for the Board to authorize the necessary Budget
Amendment in the amount of$45,842 for unanticipated building
repairs related to the EMS #3 Helicopter Operations Hanger.
5) Recommendation to approve a Memorandum of Understanding
between Collier County and Edison State College in support of
Emergency Management activities related to natural and manmade
hazards emergency response.
6) Recommendation to award Bid 413-6057 "On-Call Mechanical
Contractor Services" to Johnson Controls, Inc. as primary vendor and
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December 10, 2013
Conditioned Air Corporation of Naples, Inc., as secondary vendor, for
Mechanical Engineering and Contractor Services and authorize the
Chair to sign the Contracts.
7) Recommendation to recognize carryforward from accrued interest
earned by EMS County Grant revenue and appropriate funds for a
total amount of$1,161.82.
8) Recommendation to approve the use of Contract #12-5846 Contract
Laborers with Balance Staffing within Board approved operating
budgets.
9) Recommendation to accept reports and ratify staff-approved change
orders and changes to work orders.
10) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairwoman to
execute a Settlement Agreement with the Florida Department of
Health to settle an administrative complaint captioned Florida
Department of Health v. Collier County EMS (Case No.: 2013-06440)
for $1,500.
11) This item continued from the November 12, 2013 BCC Meeting.
Recommendation to authorize the County Manager and staff to use
the Federal GSA schedules (i.e. Schedule 70 and 1122 Program); the
State of Florida Contracts, Agreements and Price Lists; competitively
solicited contracts by US Communities, Western States Contracting
Alliance, National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance (NIPA),
National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) public purchasing
consortiums; and, competitive solicitations from State of Florida
cities, counties, and other public municipalities (i.e. Sherriff s
Association) for the efficient purchase of goods and services for the
delivery of public services and for which funds were approved in
operating budgets.
F. COUNTY MANAGER OPERATIONS
1) This item continued from the October 22, 2013 BCC Meeting.
Recommendation to approve an amendment to the Tourism Travel
Expense Resolution 2006-40 related to County Purchasing Card limits
consistent with the County Purchasing Policy and make a finding that
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December 10, 2013
this item promotes tourism.
2) Recommendation to approve a refund of an Affordable Housing
Contribution to Naples Nissan, totaling $23,788.50, due to the
removal of an Affordable Housing Contribution commitment from the
Pine View Commercial Planned Unit Development.
3) Recommendation to adopt a resolution approving amendments
(appropriating grants, donations, contributions or insurance proceeds)
to the Fiscal Year 2013-14 Adopted Budget.
4) Recommendation to approve the attached agreements with Haynes
Corporation for economic incentives, consistent with the company's
approved incentive application, as directed by the Board of County
Commissioners at the June 11, 2013 regular meeting.
5) Recommendation to authorize the payment of impact fees, permit fees
and associated charges in the amount of$16,041.16 from Fund 107,
Impact Fee Administration, for Building Permit No. 2006062448.
G. AIRPORT AUTHORITY
1) Recommendation to authorize the Chairwoman to execute the
attached Resolution authorizing the suspension of hangar rent, tie-
down, and other applicable use agreement fees at the Marco Island
Executive Airport during the time period that the Airport is closed for
the rehabilitation construction of Runway 17/35.
2) Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners acting as
the governing body of the Collier County Airport Authority approve
and authorize the County Manager or his designee to execute the
attached standard tie-down agreements for the Everglades Airpark,
Immokalee Regional Airport and Marco Island Executive Airport.
3) Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners acting as
the governing body of the Collier County Airport Authority approve
and authorize the County Manager or his designee to execute the
attached standard t-hangar lease agreements for the Everglades
Airpark, Immokalee Regional Airport and Marco Island Executive
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December 10, 2013
Airport.
4) Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners, acting as
the Airport Authority, award Invitation to Bid (ITB) #13-6171 Sod
Harvesting at Immokalee Airport for a minimum license fee of
Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) per year to Florida Sod, Inc., and
authorize the Chairwoman to sign the attached Sod Harvesting
License Agreement, pending FAA approval.
H. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
1) Proclamation designating November 2013 as Pancreatic Cancer
Awareness Month in Collier County. Proclamation will be mailed to
the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Sponsored by the Board of
County Commissioners.
2) Proclamation recognizing the 20th Anniversary of Marco Movies
Cineplex. To be presented by Commissioner Fiala on December 13,
2013. Sponsored by Commissioner Fiala.
3) Commissioner Fiala requests Board approval for reimbursement
regarding attendance at a function serving a Valid Public Purpose.
Attended the Marco Island Area Association Installation Banquet on
December 3, 2013. The sum of$55 to be paid from Commissioner
Fiala's travel budget.
4) Commissioner Fiala requests Board approval for reimbursement
regarding attendance at a function serving a Valid Public Purpose.
Attended the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce Christmas Gala on
December 8, 2013. The sum of$75 to be paid from Commissioner
Fiala's travel budget.
5) Appointment of member to the Vanderbilt Beach Beautification
MSTU Advisory Committee.
6) Appointment of member to the Collier County Citizens Corps.
7) Appointment of members to the Development Services Advisory
Committee.
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December 10, 2013
8) Appointment of member to the Public Safety Authority.
9) Appointment of member to the Collier County Coastal Advisory
Committee.
10) Appointment of member to the Isles of Capri Fire Control District
Advisory Committee.
11) Appointment of member to the Immokalee Enterprise Zone
Development Agency/Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory
Committee.
12) Appointment of member to the Housing Finance Authority.
13) Appointment of member to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
14) Reconsideration request by Commissioner Hiller regarding November
12, 2013 Item 17C, moved to Item 9D, which reads:
Recommendation to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 74 of the
Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, which is the Collier
County Consolidated Impact Fee Ordinance, providing for
modifications directed by the Board of County Commissioners related
to a change in the timing of payment of impact fees to issuance of a
certificate of occupancy, the inclusion of Water and Wastewater
Impact Fees as eligible for the "Impact Fee Program for Existing
Commercial Redevelopment" and including additional minor updates
or corrections related to "Adult Only Communities," obsolete refund
provisions, reimbursement agreements and the "former" Goodland
Water District.
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
1) Miscellaneous correspondence to file with action as directed.
J. OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
1) To obtain approval for disbursements for the period of November 1,
2013 to November 7, 2013 and for submission into the official records
of the Board.
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December 10, 2013
2) To obtain Board approval for disbursements for the period of
November 8, 2013 through November 14, 2013 and for submission
into the official records of the Board.
3) To obtain Board approval for disbursements for the period of
November 15, 2013 through November 21, 2013 and for submission
into the official records of the Board.
4) To obtain Board approval for disbursements for the period of
November 22, 2013 through November 28, 2013 and for submission
into the official records of the Board.
5) Recommendation to accept the report of interest for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2013 pursuant to Florida Statute 218.78 and
Purchasing Policy XII.E; for the year ending September 30, 2013 no
interest was requested or paid.
6) Recommendation to approve a budget amendment recognizing
Federal HI-IS Vote Program Grant Award 2009 Funds for Voting
Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities in the amount of
$8,636.33.
7) Request that the Board of County Commissioners accepts and
approves capital asset disposition records for the time period July 1,
2013 through September 30, 2013.
8) To provide the Board of County Commissioners, acting as the Collier
County Airport Authority, the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office
Audit Report 2014-1 FAA Grants — Runway Rehabilitation Projects
issued on December 4, 2013.
K. COUNTY ATTORNEY
1) Recommendation to ratify and approve a stipulated Final Judgment as
to McDonald's Corporation's interest in Parcels 113FEE and 113TCE
in the lawsuit styled Collier County, Florida v. New Plan Florida
Holdings, LLC, et al., Case No. 13-CA-238 as part of the US-
41/Collier Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project. (Project No.
60116) Fiscal Impact: $5,000.
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December 10, 2013
2) Recommendation to approve a Mediated Settlement Agreement and a
Final Judgment to be drafted incorporating the same terms and
conditions as the Mediated Settlement Agreement in the amount of
$2,289,133 for the acquisition of Parcel 115FEE in the lawsuit styled
Collier County, Florida v. New Plan Florida Holdings, LLC, et al.,
Case No. 13-CA-238 (US 41/SR-CR-951 Intersection Improvement
Project #60116). (Fiscal Impact: $339,303)
3) Recommendation to approve an Amendment to Agreement for Legal
Services for the Retention Agreement with Ilopping Green & Sams by
amending Exhibit "A."
4) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chair to execute a
mediated Settlement Agreement in the lawsuit of Darling Elie v.
Collier County, filed in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in and for
Collier County, Florida, Case No. 07-1463-CA for the sum of
$400,000 and authorize the requested budget amendment for the Risk
Management Department pursuant to the settlement terms.
5) Recommendation to invoke the exemption in the County's Purchasing
Policy (Section VII, Paragraph II) to waive competitive bidding and
increase an existing purchase order in the amount of$125,000 to
cover attorney fees anticipated in support of eminent domain litigation
for the US-41 / Collier Boulevard Intersection Improvement project
(Project No. 60116) and to approve the attached amendment with
Smolker Bartlett Schlosser Loeb and Hinds, P.A. to allow for the
reimbursement of lodging fees incurred during trial not to exceed a
total of$5,000. Fiscal Impact $125,000.
17. SUMMARY AGENDA - THIS SECTION IS FOR ADVERTISED PUBLIC
HEARINGS AND MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: 1) A
RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL FROM STAFF; 2) UNANIMOUS
RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL BY THE COLLIER COUNTY
PLANNING COMMISSION OR OTHER AUTHORIZING AGENCIES OF
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT AND VOTING; 3) NO WRITTEN OR ORAL
OBJECTIONS TO THE ITEM RECEIVED BY STAFF, THE COLLIER
COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION, OTHER AUTHORIZING
AGENCIES OR THE BOARD, PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF
THE BCC MEETING ON WHICH THE ITEMS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE
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December 10, 2013
HEARD; AND 4) NO INDIVIDUALS ARE REGISTERED TO SPEAK IN
OPPOSITION TO THE ITEM. FOR THOSE ITEMS WHICH ARE QUASI-
JUI)ICIAL IN NATURE, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE SWORN IN.
A. This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by Commission
members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are
required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve an Ordinance of the
Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida amending
Ordinance Number 2004-41, as amended, the Collier County Land
Development Code, which established the comprehensive zoning regulations
for the unincorporated area of Collier County, Florida by amending the
appropriate zoning atlas map or maps for a project previously known as the
Bradford Square Mixed Use Planned Unit Development (MPUD) to a new
MPUD which will continue to be known as the Bradford Square MPUD, to
allow construction of either 100,000 square feet of gross leasable office or
retail with up to 10 residential dwelling units or to allow construction of
group housing for seniors for up to 130 units with a floor area ratio of 0.50
on property located on the northeast corner of the intersection of Vanderbilt
Beach Road and Livingston Road in Section 31, Township 48 South, Range
26 East, Collier County, Florida, consisting of 9.18+/- acres; providing for
the repeal of Ordinance Number 07-41, the former Bradford Square MPUD;
and by providing an effective date. (PUDZ-A-PL20130000266)
B. This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by Commission
members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are
required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve an Ordinance of the
Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida amending
Ordinance Number 2004-41, as amended, the Collier County Land
Development Code, which established the comprehensive zoning regulations
for the unincorporated area of Collier County, Florida, by amending the
appropriate zoning atlas map or maps for a project previously known as the
Cocohatchee River Trust Planned Unit Development (PUD) which is
henceforth to be known as the Bay House Campus CPUD, to remove the
Special Treatment Overlay and to allow 400 seats of restaurant/cocktail
lounge, a 50 room hotel or motel, and 4,500 square feet of gross floor area of
accessory retail uses including a culinary school, specialty retail and
restaurant/brew house on property located in Section 21, Township 48
South, Range 25 East, Collier County, Florida, consisting of 8.67 +/- acres;
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December 10, 2013
providing for the repeal of Ordinance Number 88-30, the Cocohatchee River
Trust PUD; and by providing an effective date. (PUDZ-A-PL20120001593)
C. This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by Commission
members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are
required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve Petition VAC-
PL20130002148, to disclaim, renounce and vacate the County and the public
interest in the 5-foot utility easement being a part of lot 418, Riviera Golf
Estates, Unit 2, as recorded in Plat Book 13, pages 108 through 111, of the
public records of Collier County, Florida, also being a part of Section 18,
Township 50 South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida.
D. This item requires that ex parte disclosure be provided by Commission
members. Should a hearing be held on this item, all participants are
required to be sworn in. Recommendation to approve an Ordinance of the
Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida amending
Ordinance Number 2004-41, as amended, the Collier County Land
Development Code, which established the comprehensive zoning regulations
for the unincorporated area of Collier County, Florida by amending the
appropriate zoning atlas map or maps by changing the zoning classification
of the herein described real property from an Agricultural (A) zoning district
within Wellfield Risk Management Special Treatment Overlay zones W-3
and W-4 (ST/W-3 and ST/W-4) to a Residential Planned Unit Development
(RPUD) zoning district within Wellfield Risk Management Special
Treatment Overlay zones W-3 and W-4 (ST/W-3 and ST/W-4) for a project
to be known as the Landings at Bear's Paw RPUD to allow construction of a
maximum of 25 residential dwelling units and up to 38 boat slips on
property located on the Golden Gate canal south of Bear's Paw in Section
35, Township 49 South, Range 25 East, Collier County, Florida consisting
of 10.75± Acres; and by providing an effective date. (Petition number RZ-
PL20120002095)
E. Recommendation to adopt an Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 90-105,
as amended, known as the Collier County Contractors' Licensing Board
Ordinance, in order to apply recent revisions to Chapter 489, Florida
Statutes, with an effective date of January 1, 2014.
F. Recommendation to adopt a resolution approving amendments
(appropriating carry forward, transfers and supplemental revenue) to the
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December 10, 2013
Fiscal Year 2013-14 Adopted Budget.
G. Recommendation to adopt an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 97-82, as
amended, which created the Bayshore Beautification Municipal Service
Taxing Unit, so as to allow for additional right-of-way improvements.
H. Recommendation to adopt a Resolution proposing amendment to the Collier
County Growth Management Plan, Ordinance 89-05, as amended,
specifically amending the Potable Water subelement of the Public Facilities
Element to amend Policy 1.7 to reference the updated Ten Year Water
Supply Facilities Work Plan, and furthermore recommending transmittal of
the amendment to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
(Transmittal Hearing: CPSP-2013-7)
L Recommendation to approve a Resolution amending the Collier County
Water-Sewer District's Utilities Standards Manual.
J. Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners enacts a new
Purchasing Ordinance, and that until a Purchasing Manual is approved by
the Board, that the present Purchasing Policy with respect to all purchases
under $50,000 continue in full force and effect, as amended by this
Ordinance.
18. ADJOURN
INQUIRIES CONCERNING CHANGES TO THE BOARD'S AGENDA SHOULD
BE MADE TO THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE AT 252-8383.
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December 10, 2013
December 10-11, 2013
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Good morning. I'd like to call this
meeting to order.
To begin, we're going to have an invocation presented by Pastor
Michael Bannon from Crossroads Community Church of Naples,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Douglas Molloy.
Item #1
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Please rise.
PASTOR BANNON: Let's pray.
Lord God, we thank you for giving to us this beautiful place in
which to live. We thank you that, as our creator, you've made us --
you've given us a stewardship over your creation. I pray that you
would bless us, even this day, with the gift of faith that we might
know you as you want to be known and to trust you as you want to be
trusted.
I thank you for our County Commissioners; thank you for their
willingness to do the job for us. I pray that you would bless them with
wisdom this day, that you might be glorified in all the decisions that
are made.
I pray that you would help us to be good citizens as well, that we
would be partners with them in making this county the beautiful place
that it needs to be.
So bless these proceedings. Glorify yourself, we pray, amen.
MR. MOLLOY: Ladies and gentlemen, to the flag.
(The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
County Manager?
MR. OCHS: Good morning, Madam Chair and Commissioners,
and happy holidays.
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December 10-11, 2013
Item #2A
APPROVAL OF TODAY'S CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED
(EXPARTE DISCLOSURE PROVIDED BY COMMISSION
MEMBERS FOR CONSENT AGENDA) — APPROVED AND/OR
ADOPTED W/CHANGES
MR. OCHS: These are your proposed agenda changes for the
Board of County Commissioners' meeting of December 10, 2013.
The first proposed change is to move Item 16A25 from your
consent agenda to become Item 11I on your county manager regular
agenda. It's a memorandum of understanding between the Community
Foundation and the board.
The next proposed change is to add Item 12A under the county
attorney's agenda. This is a recommendation for the board to enter
into a retainer agreement with Nabors Giblin Nickerson to assist the
county in a recovery of an overpayment made to the Florida
Department of Juvenile Justice. That add-on is made at Attorney
Klatzkow's request.
The next proposed change is to add Item 16A26. This is a release
of a lien for a previous code enforcement action. The release,
Commissioners, will allow an individual to purchase a previously
abandoned home and close on that before the holidays. So we would
ask the board's indulgence and consider that as a routine add-on item.
The next proposed change is to withdraw Item 16G4 from your
consent agenda. It is a contract award having to do with sod
harvesting at the Immokalee Airport. We have a few more details to
work out with the proposed vendor, and we'll bring that back when we
have those finalized.
Commissioners, we have a number of time-certain items today
and tomorrow, beginning with Item 5C, which will be heard at 10
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December 10-11, 2013
a.m., and it will be immediately followed by a series of exciting
economic development incentives and initiatives that we'd like to
discuss today, those being Items 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10F, and 10G.
Again, those will be heard in order beginning with 5C at 10 a.m.
The next time-certain item is Item 11G that will be heard at 3
p.m. today. That's a report from your All-Terrain Vehicle Ad Hoc
Committee.
Your next time-certain item this afternoon will be heard at 3:30
p.m., and that's a presentation from the Southwest Florida Soccer
Foundation.
And, finally, tomorrow morning, Wednesday, December 11th at
9:30 a.m., you will hear Item 11B. That is a proposed contract award
for the community center and related improvements at Eagle Lakes
Community Park.
We have one agenda note this morning, Commissioners. That
has to do with Item 16H5. This is an appointment of a member to an
advisory board. Your Packet Page 2191, there's a memorandum on
that page that refers to Mr. Weber's prior service on the Radio Road
East MSTU Board when, in fact, his prior service was on the
Vanderbilt Beach MSTU Board, and that correction was made at
Commissioner Fiala's request, and we thank you for that,
Commissioner.
And I have a couple reminders about our court reporter breaks,
Madam Chair. We will break this morning at 10:30 a.m. for our court
reporter morning break and then again at 2:50 p.m. this afternoon just
before your 3 p.m. time-certain hearing.
And also I'm advised by the chair that she plans to adjourn
today's meeting at 5:30 p.m., and we would reconvene tomorrow
morning at 9 a.m. for any unfinished business and, of course, for our
9:30 time-certain hearing tomorrow.
Madam Chair, that's all the changes that I have this morning, but
I would like to make one other announcement to kick us off on the
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December 10-11, 2013
right foot, if I could, this morning, and that is -- the board already
knows this, but I'd like to advise the public that our countywide beach
renourishment project is scheduled to be completed today on budget
and well ahead of schedule, so we're very pleased to announce that
particular completion of that project this morning.
I would like to thank the Board of County Commissioners for the
very strong, unflappable policy, support, and guidance during this
project. We've had many twists and turns as we've moved forward on
this project.
Also, the Naples City Council and Bill Moss and his staff at the
city have been a joy to work with as we coordinated and collaborated
on all the issues involved in traffic control and other safety related
issues.
Sheriff Rambosk and his command staff have done a great job of
helping us control the traffic and the movements and logistics of the
trucks as they renourish the beach.
And then, most importantly, I'd like to thank Nick Casalanguida
and Bill Lorenz and Gary McAlpin and the entire county team who
have really stepped up and made sure that we could get this project
done as quickly and as safely as possible with minimum
inconvenience to the public.
So we're very pleased to present what I would call an early
holiday present to our residents and visitors with a beautiful new
completed beach renourishment project.
So that's all I have this morning, Madam Chair.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yeah, Madam Chair, I think it is
operational staff that worked on this project to make it happen. I
mean, policy is one thing, but the people in operations are the ones
that led this forward to such a wonderful conclusion. I give them my
congratulations. You did a great job.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Here, here.
(Applause.)
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December 10-11, 2013
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Absolutely. I think everybody feels
the same way. Staff did an outstanding job. Leo and Nick, under
your leadership, this job was done -- I mean, it went smoother and
faster and more on schedule than a Swiss train. So you really did
great, and we really appreciate you for all your efforts.
MR. OCHS: Thank you, ma'am.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. I do have a couple of
things I'd like to mention before we get into the consent agenda, and
that is the reason we have a two day meeting is because normally we
have two meetings in December, one on the second Tuesday and one
on the fourth Tuesday of the month. But because of the holidays,
we're consolidating the second meeting into this meeting. And so
we've got two days back to back. So as Leo indicated, we will start
again tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Leo, there is another time-certain at 5: 15 to celebrate your
birthday and Nick's birthday. And I just want you to know I have
violated Chapter 125, and I told Mike Sheffield that as soon as I made
this announcement to let all employees in the county know who want
to come and celebrate with you to be here at 5:15.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And Jamie French, too.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And it's Jamie's birthday also?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, yes.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Are you serious?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, my goodness. Donna, thank
you for letting me -- all right. We've got three birthdays. We've got
Leo's, Nick's, and Jamie's. So please invite Jamie. He falls under that
category.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: What about Jesus?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, stop.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: We didn't bring presents.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, well -- and, actually, our
Page 6
December 10-11, 2013
ethics ordinance now would allow you to give these gentlemen
presents. So if you choose to do so, feel free.
With that --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: A nice hat for you, Leo.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, no, no, no. That's for you to
wear. No, no.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: My present to Leo.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No, no, it's for you. I mean, don't
we all want to see Commissioner Coyle wearing a Santa's hat? You
know how jovial and charming he is.
All right. So let's move forward with the approval of today's
consent agenda, Leo.
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
Item 2A is approval of today's consent agenda as amended.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any discussion from the board?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Motion to approve.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: May I have a second?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Before we proceed to the vote, any
ex parte disclosure by the commissioners on consent?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: None.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: None.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Ma'am, I have none on today's
consent agenda.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Nothing.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yes, I have several. Item No.
16A2, I have met with Rich Yovanovich, Bob Mulhere, and George
Bauer.
Page 7
December 10-11, 2013
COMMISSIONER FIALA: It's consent that we're talking about.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Consent.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, that is correct. 16A2 is
consent.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah. On February the 7th, 2011, I
met with Rich Yovanovich and David Torres on October the 10th,
2011, and I met with Rich Yovanovich and David Torres on
September the 10th, 2012.
On Item No. 16A6, I had meetings with Mr. Yovanovich and
Wayne Arnold on March the 11th, 2013.
And on 16A7, I had a meeting with Bob Mulhere on September
the 23rd, 2013.
And that concludes my ex parte disclosure for the consent
agenda.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Madam Chairman?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes. Go ahead.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: He straightened me out. He's
absolutely right. Thank you. I was just blinded by the Christmas
holidays, I guess.
Anyway, on the consent I, too, have declarations.
On 16A2, I've had meetings, correspondence, emails, and calls,
and this is regarding the Hacienda Lakes Development. I met with
Rich Yovanovich, David Torres, and George Bauer.
16A3, it's the final plat for -- I can't even pronounce the name,
Lipari-Ponziane or something like that. Anyway, I just had some staff
updates and also a site visit. Sorry to mispronounce the name.
And let's see. On 16A6, which is the Creekside, I had meetings,
correspondence, emails, and calls, and I met with Rich Yovanovich.
On 16A7 -- boy, I've been busy, huh. 16A7, I met with Bob
Mulhere. That's the Tuscany Pointe issue.
And then on -- but that's just consent. Okay, thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I can see that Rich Yovanovich has
Page 8
December 10-11, 2013
been earning his keep.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: He has been.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's obvious.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: That's because all those meetings
are billable.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Of course. Exactly. Of course.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Commissioner Coyle.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, you know. Anyway, there
being no further discussion, we have a motion and a second. All in
favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
County Manager?
Item #2B
APPROVAL OF TODAY'S SUMMARY AGENDA AS AMENDED
(EXPARTE DISCLOSURE PROVIDED BY COMMISSION
MEMBERS FOR SUMMARY AGENDA) — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Item 2B is approval of today's summary agenda as
amended.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioners, any discussion?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Move to approve.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: May I have a second?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I have some ex parte.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We're going to wait.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I'll second.
Page 9
December 10-11, 2013
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: County Attorney? County
Attorney, for the ex parte, we reserve to do it at the time, or do you
want them done now?
MR. KLATZKOW: This summary.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Do it now?
MR. KLATZKOW: Yeah.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Okay. Commissioner Fiala, ex
parte.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. On 17A, this is Bradford
Square. I've received correspondence and emails, and I spoke in
passing regarding this item.
And 17B, which is the Cocohatchee Riviera Trust Planned Unit
Development, I just had a staff report.
And on 16 -- I mean 17C, Riveria Golf Estates, I spoke to staff
about this one.
And 17D, which is the Wellfield Risk Management Special
Treatment Overlay, I had a staff report.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Commissioner Coyle, on summary?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: For Items 17A and B, I have read
the staff report, and for Item 17D I have had emails and telephone
conversations with members of the Bear's Paw community.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Madam Chair, I received staffs
report on 17A, 17B, and 17D.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Madam Chair, likewise, I have
received and reviewed the staff report on Item 17A, B, and D, and I've
also had meetings on 17D, which is the Landing at Bear's Paw RPUD.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And I have received and reviewed
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December 10-11, 2013
the staff reports for 17A, 17B, and 17D, and I also received emails on
17A.
There being no further discussion, we have a motion and a
second. All in favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
Item #2C
APPROVAL OF TODAY'S REGULAR AGENDA AS AMENDED
— APPROVED AND/OR ADOPTED W/CHANGES
MR. OCHS: Item 2C is approval of today's regular agenda as
recommended.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: So moved.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. We have a motion and
a second.
Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no discussion, all in
favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
Page 11
Proposed Agenda Changes
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
December 10,2013
Move Item 16A25 to Item 11I: Recommendation for the Board to consider a Memorandum of
Understanding(MOU)with the Community Foundation of Collier County(CFCC)to clarify CFCC and
County roles regarding acceptance of donations from the CFCC for the construction of artificial reefs.
(Staff's request)
Add On Item 12A: Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners authorizes the County
Attorney to enter into the attached Retainer Agreement with Nabors Giblin &Nickerson to represent Collier
County in an$1.9 million overpayment to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. (County Attorney's
request)
Add On Item 16A26: Recommendation to approve a release of lien in the amount of $31,330.86, for
payment of $23,976.96, in the Code Enforcement Action entitled Board of County Commissioners v. J.P.
Morgan Chase Bank, Code Enforcement Board Case No. CESD20130000542, relating to property located at
321 7th St. NW,Collier County,Florida. (Staff's request)
Withdraw Item 16G4: Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners,acting as the Airport
Authority,award Invitation to Bid(ITB)13-6171 Sod Harvesting at Immokalee Airport for a minimum
license fee of Twenty Thousand Dollars($20,000) per year to Florida Sod,Inc.,and authorize the
Chairwoman to sign the attached Sod Harvesting License Agreement,pending FAA approval. (Staff's
request)
Note:
Item 16H5: Packet Page 2191 Memo refers to Mr.Weber's prior service on the Radio Road East MSTU
Board when in fact his prior service was on the Vanderbilt Beach MSTU Board(Commissioner Fiala)
Time Certain Items:
Item 5C to be heard at 10:00 a.m.,followed immediately by Items 10A, 10B,10C, 1OD, 1OF and 10G
Item HG to be heard at 3:00 p.m.
Item 10E to be heard at 3:30 p.m.
Item 11B to be heard at 9:30 a.m.,Wednesday,December 11,2013
12/10/2013 8:46 AM
December 10-11, 2013
Item #2D
MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 22, 2014 BCC/REGULAR
MEETING — APPROVED AS PRESENTED
MR. OCHS: Item 2D is approval of the minutes from the Board
of County Commissioners' meeting of October 22, 2013.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: May I have a motion and a second?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Motion.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no discussion, all in
favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
Item #2E
MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 5, 2013 BCC WORKSHOP —
APPROVED AS PRESENTED
MR. OCHS: Item 2E is approval of the minutes from the Board
of Commissioners' workshop of November 5, 2013.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Move to approve.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any discussion?
Page 12
December 10-11, 2013
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no discussion, all in
favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
Item #2F
MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 12, 2013 BCC/REGULAR
MEETING — APPROVED AS PRESENTED
MR. OCHS: Item 2F is approval of the minutes from the regular
Board of County Commissioners' meeting of November 12, 2013.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: May I have a motion?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Motion to approve.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no discussion, all in
favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: (No verbal response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
Page 13
December 10-11, 2013
Item #3A1
SERVICES AWARD — EMPLOYEE — 25 YEAR ATTENDEE —
PRESENTED
MR. OCHS: Madam Chair, that takes us to Item 3 on your
agenda today, employee service awards. We have one award to
present celebrating 25 years of service to our county from our library
department, Louise Bergeron.
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Congratulations.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Thank you for your service.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Congratulations on your service.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Which library do you work at now?
MS. BERGERON: Golden Gate.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Oh, my goodness. She's worked at
Golden Gate for 25 years.
MR. OCHS: Can I get a photo?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: How about with a plaque? Does
she get one?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah, give her some money,
too.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Does she have a plaque?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's what I was -- they didn't --
you know what, Leo --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Twenty-five years?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I know. You would think that there
should be something.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: You should have gotten a gold
watch.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Actually, there should be more than
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December 10-11, 2013
a gold watch. Leo, can you make arrangements to get --
MR. OCHS: Yes. We're having a recognition breakfast on
Thursday when we're going to pass out the actual recognition award.
We'll make sure that you get that.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: And a piece of Mr. Ochs' cake.
MR. OCHS: Yes, absolutely. You could have the whole cake.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Actually, I was going to say
something else, but that's okay.
MS. BERGERON: Last time when I came here, they gave the
pins, and they ran out when I got to here.
MR. OCHS: Well, thank you very much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
(Applause.)
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, that takes us to Item 4 on your
agenda this morning, proclamations.
Item #4
PROCLAMATIONS — ONE MOTION TAKEN TO ADOPT ALL
PROCLAMATIONS
Item #4A
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING DECEMBER 10, 2013 AS
DOUGLAS MOLLOY DAY IN COLLIER COUNTY IN
RECOGNITION OF MR. MOLLOY'S STAUNCH COMMITMENT
TO MAKING OUT COMMUNITY SAFE AND JUST DURING HIS
33 YEARS AS A TOP CRIMINAL PROSECUTOR, ACCEPTED
BY DOUGLAS MOLLOY — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Item 4A is a proclamation designating December
10, 2013, as Douglas Molloy Day in Collier County in recognition of
Page 15
December 10-11, 2013
Mr. Molloy's staunch commitment to make our community safe and
just during his 33 years as a top criminal prosecutor.
To be accepted by Douglas Molloy. And this item is sponsored
by Commissioner Hiller. If you'd please step forward.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Members of the board, could you
have a seat. I'd like to take a few minutes to talk about Douglas
Molloy before we get into the proclamation.
As you all know, we, as a board, are committed to public safety.
It is our priority. And in this community there are so many who serve
and sacrifice themselves for our safety that it is imperative that we
recognize their contribution to our community.
What Doug has done for this community is indescribable. And
so today, this is not only a proclamation, but this is also a presentation.
What I'm going to do is I'm going to go ahead and read the
proclamation, and then I'm going to ask the members of the board to
please step down and present both the proclamation and the
recognition award to Mr. Molloy in person.
But before I start, I want to mention that there are many people in
the audience today who deserve recognition who worked with Doug
over these past 33 years who wanted to be here to honor him. And so I
won't read off all the names. I'm just going to read off a few.
And I'm going to start by saying, there are U.S. Assistant
Attorneys present; there are Agents from the FBI present; there are
Agents from the IRS Criminal Investigations' division present; there
are DA Agents present. And, by the way, I've never felt safer in my
life. I'll just add that.
And then we also have -- and if you would please rise, Chief Don
Hunter. Don? Hey. I'm so glad to see you. State Attorney Steve
Russell. Steve? And we also have Chief Jim Williams from the
Collier County Sheriffs Office. And then, finally, we have Laura
Page 16
December 10-11, 2013
Germino from the Immokalee Coalition of Workers.
Most importantly, we have Doug's family here with him, and
they're sitting here in the first row. And we know how much you've
gone through putting up with him as he's been, you know, fighting for
truth and justice. So thank you for your patience in support of him in
doing his job.
And with that, I'd like to read the proclamation.
Whereas, Douglas Molloy managed the office of statewide
prosecution Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Key West division, and served as
Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southwest Florida division of
the Middle District of Florida and recently retired after 33 years as a
Criminal Prosecutor; and,
Whereas, in his criminal prosecution career, Douglas Molloy
vigorously prosecuted every criminal type, including serial killers,
swindling financiers, fraudulent bankers, law-breaking politicians,
corrupt police officers, pill mill operators, drug cartels, and human
traffickers; and,
Whereas, Douglas Molloy prosecuted two of the most notorious
human trafficking cases in Collier County history, which received
national attention and brought the spotlight to the travesty and
magnitude of human trafficking and modern-day slave labor in
Florida; and,
Whereas, at the request of the United States Department of
Justice, Douglas Molloy educated law enforcement officials in other
nations on how to thoroughly investigate and successfully prosecute
cases involving organized crime, public corruption, money laundering,
and slavery; and,
Whereas, Douglas Molloy has been staunchly committed to
justice and safety in our community and has earned a reputation for
being a champion of the people, especially those most vulnerable,
including senior citizens, retirees, migrant workers, and victims of
slave labor and human trafficking; and,
Page 17
December 10-11, 2013
Whereas, we are grateful for his dedication and commitment to a
legacy of integrity that will endure long after his retirement.
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that December 10, 2013,
be designated as Douglas Molloy Day.
Done and ordered this 10th day of December 2013 by this board.
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Members of the Board, would you
step down.
On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners; and your
proclamation.
MR. MOLLOY: Thank you, thank you very much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you again.
MR. MOLLOY: Appreciate it.
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: If anyone in the audience would like
to have a photograph with Doug while he's here receiving this award,
after he speaks why don't you all come up, and we'll arrange for a
photograph to be taken, either individually or collectively.
Go ahead, Doug.
MR. MOLLOY: I think the first thing that I should say is that
people who do this job don't expect anything like this. This is quite
possibly the -- one of the most inexplicable things that's ever occurred
to me in 33 years, and I am deeply grateful and very moved and,
unlike me, more than a little humble.
I would -- I'm thinking now that since I have never actually
investigated the Collier County Commission, that I've investigated --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank God.
MR. MOLLOY: And that I've investigated the Lee County
Commission five separate times in 25 years, I am starting to
understand why there's no Douglas Molloy Day in Lee County.
I would -- actually, taking it seriously, thank you for not doing
Page 18
December 10-11, 2013
something stupid or illegal or foolish. I really appreciate it. We need
to keep our attention on our sister county north.
Naples -- I grew up in Southwest Florida. I grew up in Fort
Myers, I took many trips to Naples, because my father was a traveling
salesman of electronic parts, and I would come down to Naples with
him on his trips, and I never saw a more beautiful place. I never saw a
place where I thought -- I thought all the money in the world had to be
in Naples, because we would go on millionaires' row. But for all
beauty, there is a cost, and my personal motto is "everything costs."
And the cost is -- behind that beauty, there is, in Immokalee, human
trafficking. When there is wealth, there is corruption.
My job was always really simple. Do the right thing. Do the
right thing. Let nothing else get in the way.
If I just -- and trust me, I believe a lawyer should always tell you
how long he's going to speak. I'll speak for exactly four more
minutes.
I started out with State Attorney Steve Russell, and that was one
of the things that I learned in the -- I'm sorry, the State Attorney's
Office -- just do the right thing.
I prosecuted judges; I prosecuted ministers; I prosecuted doctors,
lawyers, sheriffs, every profession, every walk of life. You do the
right thing.
I know that the agents that I've asked to be here that have
honored me with their presence here don't usually like their names
said, but Jim Roncinske from the FBI; Mike Musick (phonetic), John
Johnson from the IRS; Captain Mark Baker, who also likes to fly
under the radar; these are agents that have always done the right thing.
When there was a public corruption case, a severe, very heinous
public corruption case, the sheriff at the time, Sheriff Don Hunter, did
not hesitate in letting loose the dogs of war, and we spent two years'
investigation and trial and changed the very shape of the way things
were done in Immokalee.
Page 19
December 10-11, 2013
And I had my trial partner for life back there, Jim Williams, who
was steadfast in his commitment to that case.
So sheriff or whatever, chief-- you've all got shifting titles, I
mean, but I want you to know I'll always appreciate the commitment
that Collier County Sheriffs Department gave to making sure that
their entire department was always doing the right thing.
The human-trafficking cases that I prosecuted here are -- they're
heartbreaking. But also we've had the commitment of the FBI and the
Collier County Sheriffs Department in making sure that these people
who do not have a voice, these people that are here illegally, these
people that have had their hopes and dreams destroyed by becoming
slaves here, that that cannot happen in America.
When we first started these prosecutions, people would say,
illegal aliens, well, they deserve what they get; they came here
illegally. But there was a dawning recognition that that can't happen
here, and it's important to note, Madam Chairman, Chairperson --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Chairwoman works.
MR. MOLLOY: -- Commissioner Hiller --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I like that, too.
MR. MOLLOY: -- that it is Collier County that set the tone for
the entire federal prosecutions in Florida, and still those cases
reverberate (sic) throughout the country. It's sometimes hard to
picture, you know, just little Southwest Florida having that national
effect.
As to my family who's here, my wife, Sherry, her son Rob, my
brother Donald, his beautiful wife Tara. I shouldn't have said that
first. Beautiful wife.
They have been a constant source of support. They understand
what I do. They understand that that's, you know, who I am.
And so I would tell you that I really deeply appreciate this. You
don't recognize -- don't usually recognize toilers in the vineyard. And
that -- for 33 years, that's what I was, and it was my honor to be so.
Page 20
December 10-11, 2013
Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I just -- Chief? Chief Hunter?
CHIEF HUNTER: I would like --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I would like to --
CHIEF HUNTER: I would like a rebuttal. No, I would like to
amplify on the closing argument of United States Attorney Molloy,
now retired.
When's the official date?
MR. MALLORY: The official date was actually November
14th, but --
CHIEF HUNTER: Thanks for inviting me to the party.
MR. MALLORY: I would rush to tell you, this is as close to a
party as it got.
CHIEF HUNTER: Well, I'd just like to amplify on a few points
that U.S. Attorney Molloy made, and that is that Doug has had a
tremendous -- a tremendous influence on the region. He mentioned
some sheriffs, fortunately not local, in these two sister counties, but
there were some sheriffs who weren't doing the right thing, and there
was no hesitation to go after them.
Doug has shown tremendous courage. The drug traffickers that
were prosecuted were known to use pipe bombs from time to time,
typically against themselves, but -- and other elements of their cartel,
if you will, the local group.
Doug was courageous, Doug was dedicated, Doug is dedicated,
and Doug is one of those people who were not only willing to
prosecute but to offer advice. He was extraordinarily active as a U.S.
attorney, assistant U.S. attorney in this region, gave critical advice and
guidance to the Sheriffs Office when we faced these what appeared to
be almost insurmountable political and legal issues within the agency.
I also would like to commend Chief Williams and Captain Baker
Page 21
December 10-11, 2013
for their work in our internal affairs group in working hand in glove
with Doug Molloy in cleaning up the -- that particular small element
of the agency that needed cleaning up, and changing the face of
Immokalee through human-trafficking prosecutions and going after
corrupt officers as we've discovered them.
Doug offered advice in the Williams and Santos case. Those
were missing men that we -- their cases are republished annually.
Most people in this room remember that -- remember that ongoing
missing persons case, or those ongoing missing-persons cases, and
Doug was instrumental in eliciting the aid of the FBI and other
extraterritorial elements of U.S. and state government in trying to find
them.
And I can only commend him and offer my utmost respect for
Doug Molloy as an assistant attorney and would recommend him to
our highest levels of government and wish you all the best in your
next adventure, Doug. And you'll have to visit Marco so I can -- we
can catch up a little bit.
MR. MALLORY: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
CHIEF HUNTER: Madam Chair, thank you for the opportunity
to make a comment.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you very much.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And by the way, you're doing a
great job on Marco.
CHIEF HUNTER: Oh, thank you.
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And now let me just repeat, if
there's anyone that would like to have a photograph, maybe the family
or any of the agents present, if you'd like to stand up.
Chief? Chief? Would you like to have a picture with him? Do
you want to have a picture with Doug?
MR. MALLORY: The last one was, I think, a mugshot type of
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December 10-11, 2013
thing.
CHIEF HUNTER: After -- if you take a break, I'll stick around.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: All right. Then if you'll stay -- if
you don't mind staying, the break is going to be coming up at about
10:20, 10:30. The last thing I would like to say is we have a
gentleman joining us that I would actually like you to meet, and any of
the agents involved in human trafficking might want to stay to meet
this man. His name is David Diamond, and he's the President of
DeAngelis Diamond, and he has been working tirelessly against
human trafficking, actually traveling the world. I mean, he's on a
mission.
And I think it would be worthy of your time to stay and meet him
and, again, any agent that would like to stay or any other prosecutor
that would like to stay and speak to David and about his initiative and
endeavors, I think it would be well worth your time. So please feel
free to stay.
Thank you. And thank you for everything you've done.
Item #4B
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING JANUARY 5-11, 2014 AS
COLLIER COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN'S WEEK,
ACCEPTED BY REP. KATHLEEN PASSIDOMO, HONORARY
CHAIR; JAN FACE GLASSMAN, EVENT CHAIR; PRISCILLA
GRANNIS, PRESIDENT OF WOMEN'S REPUBLICAN CLUB OF
NAPLES FEDERATED; CYNTHIA MILES AND MICHELLE
MORGENSTERN, WOMEN'S REPUBLICAN CLUB OF NAPLES
FEDERATED; DORENE MCSHEA, PRESIDENT, SOUTHWEST
FLORIDA FEDERATED REPUBLICAN WOMEN; LITHA
BERGER, PRESIDENT OF CAXAMBAS REPUBLICAN CLUB;
JUDY TABER, COLLIER REPUBLICAN CLUB; JUDITH
FRIEDLAND, REPUBLICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE OF
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December 10-11, 2013
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA; PHYLLIS DALLMANN, BARBARA
STANG, CINDY LYSTER, KATHI GRAY AND ANN BROWN,
COLLIER COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE;
ERIKA DONALDS, COLLIER COUNTY YOUNG
REPUBLICANS; MARY KNAIZ AND NATALIE STAUDACHER,
COLLIER COUNTY TEEN-AGE REPUBLICANS; AND
CHRISTINE SUTHERLAND, COLLIER REPUBLICAN STATE
COMMITTEEWOMAN — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, that takes us to Item 4B on this
morning's agenda. It's a proclamation designating January 5th through
11th, 2014, as Collier County Republican Women's Week. To be
accepted by the elected Republican women of Collier County,
including Representative Kathleen Passidomo, Commissioner Donna
Fiala, Commissioner Georgia Hiller, Naples Councilwoman Theresa
Heitmann, Naples Councilwoman Dee Sulick, Supervisor of Elections
Jennifer Edwards, Collier County School Board Members Barbara
Berry, Pat Carroll, Kathleen Curatolo, also Jan Face Glassman, who's
the Event Chair; Prescilla Grannis, President of the Women's
Republican Club of Naples Federated; Cynthia Miles and Michelle
Morgenstern, Women's Republican Club of Naples Federated; Dorene
McShea, President, Southwest Florida Federated Republicans; Litha
Berger, President of Caxambas Republican Club; Judy Taber, Collier
Republican Club; Judith Friedland, Republican Jewish Committee of
Southwest Florida; Phyllis Dallmann, Barbara Stang, Cindy Lyster,
Kathi Gray, and Ann Brown, Collier County Republican Executive
Committee; Erika Donalds, Collier County Young Republicans; Mary
Knaiz and Natalie Staudacher, Collier County Teenage Republicans;
Shari Monetta, Constituent Service Representative for Congressman
Trey Radel; and Christine Sutherland, Collier Republican State
Committeewoman.
I think I have them all, Madam Chair, and some are here and
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December 10-11, 2013
some are not.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Believe it or not, there are many
more, but this is the select representative few of the fine Republican
women in Collier County.
MR. OCHS: Very good. Congratulations, ladies.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Should we sit down? We
shouldn't be any higher, right?
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: County Manager?
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
Item #4C
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE NAPLES MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AND ITS
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE REGION, ACCEPTED BY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TED SOLIDAY, DEPUTY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHEILA DUGAN AND BOARD
CHAIR JOHN ALLEN — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Item 4C is a proclamation recognizing the 70th
anniversary of the Naples Municipal Airport and its contributions to
the region.
To be accepted by Executive Director Ted Soliday, Deputy
Executive Director Sheila Dugan, and Board Member Cormac Giblin.
And this item is sponsored by Commissioner Fiala.
If you'd please step forward and receive your proclamation.
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Congratulations.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, come on up, Ted. Don't sit
there.
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December 10-11, 2013
COMMISSIONER COYLE: You can walk with a broken arm.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Congratulations.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Ted's got some wing damage here
right before the event.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Congratulations, Ted.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Thank you so much, sir.
MR. GIBLIN: Thank you, Commissioners. We sincerely
appreciate the support of the Board of County Commissioners. And,
in recognition, we would just like to take a moment to invite all of you
and all members of the public out to our 70th anniversary event
coming up this Saturday at the airport, it's being held from one to four,
as we celebrate 70 years of the City of Naples Airport being the best
little airport in the country.
So thank you. Hope to see you there.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's great. Thank you.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Just a fast side note. I remember
when it used to be a Quonset Hut, right? It was great back then.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Item #4D
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING JANUARY 5-11, 2014 AS
CORKSCREW REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM WATERSHED (CREW)
TRUST WEEK IN COLLIER COUNTY, ACCEPTED BY DOUG
MACHESNEY, CREW TRUSTEE — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Item 4D is a proclamation designating January 5
through the 11th, 2014, as Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed
CREW Trust Week in Collier County.
To be accepted by Doug Machesney, CREW trustee. And this
item is sponsored by Commissioner Fiala.
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December 10-11, 2013
If you'd please step forward, Doug.
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Congratulations.
MR. MACHESNEY: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: You do such vital work.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Congratulations.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Thanks for your work, sir.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Thanks.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: You're going to say a couple words
for us after the pictures, right?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Wait for the picture.
MR. MACHESNEY: Madam Chair and members of the
commission, Donna, who is -- Fiala is a member of our board. We
really appreciate your endorsement of the mission of CREW. CREW,
for those who don't know, is the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem
Watershed. That's a land and water trust, and our mission is to
preserve and protect our natural resources.
We do a lot more than take care of some land. Part of our
program -- a major part of our program is education. And as a result
of that, thousands of elementary and secondary students, as well as
college students, have been involved in programs at CREW.
This year, or next year, will be our 25th year. We invite you to
come out to CREW. We do more than remove exotics and take care
of the land. We have hiking, we have birding, we have camping, and
the myriad of programs for students as well as adults.
So come out during the next year, take advantage of the
opportunities on our hiking trails and, again, we thank you for your
endorsement of our mission by adopting this resolution.
Thank you very much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you, and thank you for all
you do.
(Applause.)
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December 10-11, 2013
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We should also, at this time,
remember the tremendous amount of work to make all of this happen
by our House of Representatives most famous lady -- of course, next
to Kathleen Passidomo -- and that's Mary Ellen Hawkins. Because
without her help, without her contribution, CREW would not be what
it is today.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And what they really do is they
work at preserving our future water sources. They've been buying up
land and protecting it so nobody can come in there and build
something. So, again, that preserves our future sources, and I'm proud
to serve on their board.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, thank you.
Leo?
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
Item #4E
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE COLLIER COUNTY
ALUMNAE CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY,
INC., CHARTERED IN COLLIER COUNTY ON OCTOBER 26,
2013, ACCEPTED BY CHRIS RAHMINGS, PAMELA WILKINS,
DELLA BRADLEY, DIANE HAYNES, THELMA JOHNSON,
RHONDA CUMMINGS, JENNIFER WILLIAMS, CYNTHIA
BATTLE, JENISE MORGAN, CYNTHIA POWERS, TONGE
LAWSON, DARLENE JACKSON, DEBRA JOHNSON,
WILMEDE JOSEPH, ROSETTA KIRK, MILDRED PITTS, DORIS
COTTON, CRYSTAL MOODY, CAROLYN PERRY, SHIRLEY
WILLIAMS, SANDRA FULTON, ROZALYNE WRIGHT,
MICHELLE BRICE, MICHELLE WILLIAMS AND ALANA
SMITH — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Item 4E is a proclamation recognizing the Collier
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December 10-11, 2013
County Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated,
chartered in Collier County on December 26, 2013 (sic).
To be accepted by Chris Rahmings, Pamela Wilkins, Della
Bradley, Diane Haynes, Thelma Johnson, Rhonda Cummings,
Jennifer Williams, Cynthia Battle, Jenise Morgan, Cynthia Powers,
Tonge Lawson, Darlene Jackson, Debra Johnson, Wilmede Joseph,
Rosetta Kirk, Mildred Pitts, Doris Cotton, Crystal Moody, Carolyn
Perry, Shirley Williams, Sandra Fulton, Rozalyne Wright, Michelle
Brice, Michelle Williams, and Alana Smith.
And this item is sponsored by the entire Board of County
Commissioners.
Ladies, please step forward.
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Congratulations.
Why don't we get one of you on this side; that way we're a little
more balanced. There we go.
Thank you. Would you like to say a few words?
MS. RAHMINGS: Good morning. My name is Chris
Rahmings, R-a-h-m-i-n-g-s.
To the County Commissioners and everyone out here, we are just
filled with joy about this proclamation. For over 20 years, the women
of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, tried to make this a
reality in Collier County.
You might say, well, what happened? Unfortunately, we never
had enough sorors to make it happen. Delta Sigma Theta is a public
service organization that turned 100 years old this past January 13th.
And throughout traveling of trying to make it a possibility, it
happened for us during this centennial year. Not only were we able to
get 25 women to make it happen, God allowed me to be voted as the
Charter President.
You see, I grew up in Immokalee, Florida. I picked bell pepper,
cucumbers, squash, and anything to make a living. And when I
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December 10-11, 2013
graduated from High School, I had no choice about my future. My
mother told me that I was going to college.
Unfortunately, she did not live to see the fruits of her labor, and
off to Miami I went. And I met the women of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Incorporated, who took me in over 37 years ago.
Delta Sigma Theta works up on the five-point thrust. Each one
of us pledge a lifetime commitment to community service:
educational development, economic development, international
awareness, physical and mental health, and political awareness and
involvement.
We pledge to join forces with Collier County to partner with you
to do the work in the African-American Community as well as for all
Americans.
Our charter service: Marco Island, Everglades City, Immokalee,
Golden Gate, and Naples.
Sister, sister, you're forgiving. Don't forget about the women of
Delta Sigma Theta in your end of year, because everything we do is
through fundraising. We're going to host our first fundraiser on
February the 23rd at the Hilton. When you see the ladies in red -- and,
Chief Hunter, if you're having a situation, call on us. It's our job to
come and help Collier County school system, Collier County, County
Commissioners, Collier County Sheriffs Department, and any things
that revolves around our five point thrust.
I would like for my sorors, those who were able to come this
morning, to stand again. Turn around to the audience. Each one of
these ladies took a commitment when they were in college.
Some of us think that sorority girls love to party, drink, dance,
and hang around with their boobies hanging out. That may have been
so for us many, many years ago when we were young, but we still
remember that we made a lifetime commitment.
We come from different colleges. Soror Mini Hooks came from
Bethune Cookman College, and she's been a Delta over 45 years.
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December 10-11, 2013
Soror Hooks has the hat on.
Soror Cynthia Battle made it in Tallahassee at Florida A&M
University, and she has been a Delta for over 30 years.
Soror Diane Haynes initiated in the Fort Myers Alumni Chapter
when I served as Chapter President three years ago, and Soror Rhonda
Cummings, who worked for Collier County, was initiated in the Fort
Myers Alumni Chapter three years ago.
We must have at least a four year degree to be in this
organization. We have doctors, lawyers, dentists, nurses, and all
occupations.
We say to the County Commissioners, thank you. We say to
Collier County, thank you for embracing the women in red, the
women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Thank you.
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And the Collier County
Commission and the citizens of Collier County say we embrace right
back.
MS. RAHMINGS: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Great presentation, and thank you
so much for all you're doing and for being here.
MS. RAHMINGS: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Madam Chair, I'll make a
motion to approve the proclamations as presented and, also, Chief Don
Hunter would like to say a word.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second the motion.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Chief Hunter, did you want to say
something at this time?
CHIEF HUNTER: Well, I certainly congratulate Mrs.
Rahmings. She's also a friend and family member of the Sheriffs
Office.
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December 10-11, 2013
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's wonderful.
CHIEF HUNTER: But I would like to insert myself, because I
understand the Molloy family must depart.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Okay.
CHIEF HUNTER: But I would like to get one photo.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Can we go ahead and -- we're going
to go ahead -- I'm going to call the vote, and after that, anyone that
would like to have a photograph with the Molloys, please stand up
here and do so.
So all in favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any opposed? Well, obviously not.
Motion carries unanimously.
All right.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: We're going to get a photo.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah. Let's go ahead and stand up.
And if you'd all like to come up to the dais, and we'll go ahead and
have a photograph taken with you all.
CHIEF HUNTER: I appreciate it.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, no. It's perfectly all right.
CHIEF HUNTER: Thanks for having me.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you for being here.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I haven't seen you.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I see him.
CHIEF HUNTER: Make me look thin and tall.
MR. MALLORY: Make us both look younger.
CHIEF HUNTER: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. And, Doug, would you
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December 10-11, 2013
like to have your family come up?
MR. MALLORY: Yes. My family actually would be -- yeah, a
picture, and I've got a sorority sister who needs a phone number.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Congratulations. That was so
interesting to hear all that you do.
MR. MALLORY: It's been a long ride.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, no doubt.
MR. MALLORY: Thank you again.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. MOLLOY: Thank you. Call me if you need me. I'm
surprisingly free.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Leo?
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
Item #5A
PRESENTATION OF THE COLLIER COUNTY BUSINESS OF
THE MONTH DECEMBER, 2013 TO SHULA'S STEAKHOUSE,
ACCEPTED BY CLARK HILL, JEFF GEROME AND TOM
DONAHUE — PRESENTED
MR. OCHS: Madam Chairman, that takes us to Item 5A this
morning. This is a presentation of the Collier County Business of the
Month for December 2013 to Shula's Steak House. To be accepted by
Clark Hill, Jeff Gerome, and Tom Donahue.
Gentlemen, if you'd please come forward.
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. Nice to see you.
Congratulations.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: You deserve it.
MR. DONAHUE: They said we get to speak.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Please.
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December 10-11, 2013
MR. DONAHUE: I'll make it quick. It will just be about a half
hour.
Madam Chairwoman, Commission, thank you so much. We do
not take this lightly. This is a true honor for not only Shula's Steak
House, but the Hilton Naples.
In 2000 we opened, and ever since that first day we opened, the
community, Collier County, Naples, has embraced Shula's and the
Hilton. We feel that we are part of a big family here in Naples,
Florida.
And, again, we thank the chamber, the commission so very much
for allowing us to be here today.
There's 12 months in a year. We're one business of the month.
Again, this is an amazing recognition. Thank you.
I wouldn't be forgiven if I didn't tell you about the fact that we do
still have some space available for private luncheons and dinners as
well as the Hilton does have some meeting space left for your holiday
season.
Thank you all very much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. And you do an
outstanding job not only as a business partner in the community, but
as a community member. I just can't think of any other organization
that does so much for Collier County as Hilton does and as Shula's
does.
MR. DONAHUE: Thank you, ma'am.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's really tremendous. Thank you.
Item #5B
RECOGNIZING COREY FORD, SENIOR TECHNICAL
SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL, PUBLIC UTILITIES, AS
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER, 2013 —
RECOGNIZED
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December 10-11, 2013
MR. OCHS: Item 5B is a recommendation to recognize Corey
Ford, senior technical support professional in our public utilities
division, as the Employee of the Month for November 2013.
Corey, if you'd please step forward and receive your award.
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Congratulations. Thank you for
your service.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Congratulations.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Congratulations, Corey.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Thank you, sir.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Good job. Is your family here?
MR. FORD: No.
MR. OCHS: Corey, stand right there and get a photo. I'm going
to tell the board a little bit about you.
Commissioners, Corey's been an employee of our Public Utilities
Division for more than 10 years, again, working most recently as a
Technical Support Professional. His normal responsibilities include
providing technical support to our internal public utilities division
operational staff responsible for operating all of our radio telemetry
monitoring systems that helps us monitor valves and pumps and
motors and all of the equipment that runs throughout our entire
distribution system, as well as the monitoring systems in our various
water and wastewater plants. A very important job.
And, of course, Corey's expertise is not just confined to our
Public Utilities Division. We also use this kind of telemetry in other
areas of county operations, most notably in our Stormwater
Management Systems. And recently, when we encountered a problem
with our Gateway Triangle Pump Station, Corey was more than
willing to jump over to help Mr. Casalanguida's team in Growth
Management Division to solve those problems and to get that station
running in an automated mode so that we can troubleshoot it right
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December 10-11, 2013
from the station. Very important and very efficient operation now,
thanks to Corey's help.
As always, he's very dedicated, engaged, highly accountable, and
eager to provide guidance and support to any and all who ask. He is
the epitome of a team player in our organization, works across
divisions for the good of the organization, and, of course, our own
community and our customers.
Extremely well deserving of this honor, and it's my pleasure,
Commissioners, to represent Mr. Corey Ford, your Senior Technical
Support Professional and Employee of the Month for November 2013.
Congratulations, Corey.
(Applause.)
Item #5C
PRESENTATION BY MR. RICHARD BROOME, SENIOR VICE
PRESIDENT, CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND
COMMUNICATIONS AT HERTZ GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. —
PRESENTED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, that moves us to our time-certain
hearings this morning. As I announced this morning, we have a series
of time-certain items beginning with Item 5C. And we are honored
this morning, Commissioners, to have Mr. Richard Broome, the
executive vice president of corporate affairs and communication at
Hertz Global Holdings, Incorporated, to make some remarks to the
County Commission.
I know that Chairwoman Hiller has been in frequent
communication with Mr. Broome over the past several weeks, and I'm
sure she'd like to make some opening remarks.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I would. Thank you so much, Leo.
To begin, before I get started, I would like to say that Mr.
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December 10-11, 2013
Broome's presentation will be followed by 10A, IOB, 10C, 10D, 10F,
and 10G. So I would like to ask if there's any members in the
audience that would like to speak to any of those items, if you'd like to
take a moment and get a speaker slip and hand them to the county
attorney sitting over there wearing a red tie, waving his hand up in the
air, if you haven't already done so.
Members of the board, we're very honored today to have the
senior executive vice president from Hertz presenting to us to tell us
how great he thinks the region is and how Hertz made the decision to
come to the area.
What I've done for your benefit is I've provided some
background information, which you received yesterday, on Mr.
Broome and also on Hertz. And a copy of that background
information will be entered into the record.
When I met with Richard last week to discuss this presentation,
he presented me with an article, which I've made copies of and I'd like
to go ahead and distribute to you right now. And I'd like you, at your
leisure, to read and internalize what this article says, because it's
probably the best article we could ever hope for in terms of promoting
Collier County economically.
It's dated December 5, 2013, and it was in Forbes. And the title
is, will more corporations follow Hertz to Florida's low taxes and
Sunshine? And it talks all about our region and what we have to offer.
And we are so excited that Hertz decided to locate to Southwest
Florida because it is a boom to the entire area.
So with that, I'd like to turn the podium over to you. And please
share all your thoughts and wisdom. And anything that we can get out
of this, we're sure to test and put to market.
MR. BROOME: Thank you, Commissioner Hiller, and good
morning, Commissioners. And on behalf of the Hertz senior
management team, I do want to thank all of you for the very warm
welcome and support that we've received from this community since
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December 10-11, 2013
we started working here in September of this year in our temporary
headquarters in Naples. It's really been tremendous.
And all of us who have relocated here are just absolutely
overwhelmed by the support. So thank you very much, and thank you
everybody here. There's a lot of people behind me here that support
economic development in this county in this region who have
provided me invaluable advice on how Hertz can proceed to make a
valuable contribution to this community, and we plan to do so.
I want to start by saying that the answer to the question in the
Forbes article is, yes, we believe many more companies will decide to
relocate to Southwest Florida. When they -- if they're looking to
move, undertake the analysis that we went through and made the
decision we made to relocate here.
And I want to explain some of the -- of our experience and some
of our observations that led us to this conclusion.
About a year ago we completed the acquisition of Dollar Thrifty,
one of our largest competitors, and they're headquartered in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. Hertz is headquartered in Burgen County, New Jersey.
And we quickly figured out that none of the folks in New Jersey
wanted to move to Oklahoma, and none of the folks in Oklahoma
wanted to move to New Jersey, nor could they afford to move to New
Jersey.
So we decided quickly that we wanted a common culture, and the
only way to do that was to pick a neutral third site to host our
corporate headquarters.
So we began a pretty quick process. I would say within 60 days
we quickly figured out it was going to be Florida. I won't go into all
the gory details, but Florida quickly emerged as the lead candidate for
us.
And I think you should understand a little bit about why Florida,
as well as why this area. First, it's the second largest state in our
network for business. It's a huge tourism center as well as business
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December 10-11, 2013
conference center for Americans, even people overseas. So Florida's a
big business operation and, as a result, it's got the second largest
number of Hertz employees in the country as well. So it was a great
place for us to come, because we knew we could draw on a talented
pool of our own people, as well as people from in the community,
because there are over -- you know, by some estimates, over a million
tourism jobs in Florida.
So it creates a rich talent pool for us to grow on as we're trying to
grow our business in the future and as we're trying to create a common
culture to make our company even stronger.
The second is, obviously, it's a very favorable business climate.
If you look across the United States, there are some great states and
not so great states to be doing business in. And I've got to say that as
we did the analysis -- and this was based on hard core facts, data, and
analysis -- Florida's right near or right at the top in almost every
category.
And most people will say, no state income tax. Well -- and that's
not unimportant. But if you look at the other factors, corporate taxes,
permitting approvals, just the general sense of the elected officials of
this state to try and support business, those were all very important
factors in our decision to relocate.
And, again, I think that this particular administration, the Scott
administration in particular, has been very supportive of the concept
attracting business to the state. And when they realized -- they didn't
know who we were at the time, and confidentiality was very
important. When they realized a Fortune 300 company wanted to
relocate to their state, they were all over us, more so than in any other
state. And that commitment makes a big deal.
You know, people will talk about, oh, you got a great incentive
package. And I'm not discounting the importance of that, but it's the
total package that you look at. And one of the key things for a
company like ours is, is there a commitment by the public as well as
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December 10-11, 2013
the private sector to welcome the company to the area?
And we found that with Florida, and we also found that
especially in Lee County, which was the most aggressive of all of the
areas of the state trying to attract us in. And let me just stop and talk
about a couple of the elements of what Lee County did.
Because as I've said publicly, it's not so much what others didn't
do that convinced us to go to Lee County. It's really what they did
that went above and beyond others to try and attract us to the
Southwest Florida area.
They have a very strong private sector and public sector group
that's dedicated to economic development, and that came through very
loud and clear to a few of us who came down anonymously back in
January to meet and hear what they had to say about coming to Lee
County.
And it was interesting, because they were very -- there were
some public officials there. The mayor of Bonita Springs was there, as
well as some private sector folks, and there were very -- they're in
sync. Their message hung together. They had obviously worked hard
to try and figure out what would be of interest to a company like ours
coming in. They really hit their marks.
They talked about the fact that if we decided to come to their
regions, the support wouldn't stop on the day we announced. It would
continue on. And that's -- they've been true to their commitment to
help us make sure that we could get through the school choice issue if
we had children who were relocating into Lee County, to help us
figure out where could people live affordably at different income
brackets, to help the spouses of our employees try to find jobs as they
were relocating, to help some of our employees who are coming down
with relatives who need special medical assistance.
Again, you know, really overwhelming -- a lot of support. And
even not always saying, oh, you should do this in Lee County. They'd
say, well, we've got great options if you can get into Collier County,
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December 10-11, 2013
Naples, or if you need to travel up to Tampa.
So it wasn't all only about Lee County. They really tried to
recognize that there was a regional aspect to this and that we would be
attracted to a more regional approach.
So they did a great job trying to attract us. And I think that, you
know, you should really take a look at that, what I'll call holistic
approach. And, you know, I guess I'd say then -- and some of our
observations -- and I've talked to our senior management team who
were involved in this.
Some of the takeaways we have from this, number one, I think
the key thing was, you know, a very strong private and public
partnership, because at the end of the day, we really -- you know, we
love our elected officials, but we really look to the private sector to
tell us, you know, what's it like to do business here? Because they
know. They know what it's like dealing with the various local and
state issues.
So I think it starts with the private sector that's got to be very
strong in this, but it needs full public sector support if we're going to
have a successful program.
And I do think, because this area doesn't have a major urban
center, like a Miami or Tampa, for example, the regional approach
makes perfect sense, because between Lee, Collier, and the
surrounding counties, you're really it all, but alone you really don't
have enough, in my opinion, to attract a lot of other major
corporations.
And I think the new efforts to develop a regional approach to
economic development will pay off big time. And, you know, that's
why it's the only commitment that Hertz has made at this point in the
region to a new sponsorship activity is to the regional development
effort because, A, we think it's very important, we think it can be
successful and, third, we think we have a lot to offer to help in that,
and we're committed to doing that.
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December 10-11, 2013
The other thing I would say that you need -- and I think Collier
needs this a little bit more than Lee does right now -- is a really
focused branding and marketing effort, because if you talk to people
around the country, they might say about Naples, well, it's a place
where rich white people go to retire.
And I know that will sound kind of strong, but that's the
impression folks have. But we learned in the process of coming down
here that this is a much more diverse community than that, but we had
to go looking for it. It didn't jump out at us as we started our analysis.
And I think, to some degree, you're being branded. You're not
branding yourself. And I think that effort has to happen. And if you
do that, you really have a lot to sell beyond, obviously, the wonderful
lifestyle there is down here. There is economic opportunity here.
There are great schools down here. There are great -- there's great
medical infrastructure here. There's a great transportation
infrastructure here. But you've got to sell it.
The next would be the incentive program, and I don't want to
ever -- I'm a businessperson. I don't want to underestimate that. But
it's not always about just hard dollars. We would count, for example,
tax abatements and a streamlined regulatory process as every bit as
important as hard dollars that we could get from the state or local
government.
And when I talk about an expedited regulatory process, I'm not
talking about suspending the rules to give us a break. I'm talking
about, you know, if you've got rules, helping us work through that
process as quickly and as efficiently as possible, because we want to,
obviously, come here and obey the rules but want to get through the
process as quickly as possible.
The other aspect, I think, would be, as we come down here, a lot
of our families and the management team are really looking at, you
know, what I'll call -- we call -- the jargon is the talent pipeline, and
that really is just people who we can hire for entry level jobs all the
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December 10-11, 2013
way up to mid management and top level management. And that's
really going to be a function of how strong the local school systems
are and how strong the post secondary education systems are.
And, you know, we've been impressed, as we were looking at
this area, about the growth potential, especially for FGCU, and we're
going to have a strong partnership with them. And I know Edison's
making strides forward, and we see opportunity with them as well as
with Hodges and some of the other institutions.
But, again, I would say to the extent that, you know, the
community can support the post secondary education system and
propel that, that's going to be a big difference for a company like ours
which has hiring needs.
And I think if those things can happen in partnership with the
neighboring counties, the sky is the limit because I think, as I've said, I
believe the answer to the Forbes article question is, yes, other
companies will follow, and it's just a question of, you know, really,
making the most of what you've got and selling yourselves.
That's really it, Commissioner Hiller. And if there are any
questions, I'd be happy to take those.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Members of the board, do you have
any questions? Commissioners?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: No.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No questions?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: It was a wonderful presentation.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: How do you know more about our
county when you don't even live here?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: It was a wonderful presentation, and
I'd like to say this: I think that you've given us some great points to
work on. I think a lot of our people are already moving in that
direction but, more importantly, now you've given us the ability to
realize the importance of these different things, especially branding;
that was very interesting.
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December 10-11, 2013
MR. BROOME: Thank you, Commissioner.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I think the point you made is
extremely important, and that is that we do have to brand ourselves
and we do have to market ourselves because, quite frankly, we can't
let anyone do that for us, or what they will do is give us a negative
reputation, and they will do it to their competitive advantage. I mean,
it is business, and that's the name of the game.
MR. BROOME: Right.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So as quickly as we can, we need to
do that. And I believe that we are, right now, in the process of
engaging -- and hopefully the board will accept the proposal -- a
consultant who will put a plan together to help us figure out how to
properly brand ourselves and sell ourselves, because that is what it's
about.
I mean, we certainly have so much to offer, and you're absolutely
right, it is about regionalism because, very clearly, individually, none
of us have enough but collectively we have more than our
competitors, and that's why you picked us, and we're very grateful that
you did.
And we'll certainly be here to help you as you establish yourself.
I know many of you have bought homes in my district. I know there
have been a few laggards who have gone to, like, Coyle's district, but
we'll just ignore that.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: We welcome more.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And I was going to say, you know,
anything that we can do to support you in the way of schools --
because we do have a wonderful public school system. We have
incredible private schools. We have, as you know and have
mentioned, an outstanding university. You have office space in my
district. To the extent that you need any improvements to that space
that require permits, Nick Casalanguida is head of Growth
Management, and if you need expedited permitting to get that done,
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December 10-11, 2013
we will be there for you because we are as aggressive, if not more
aggressive than Lee when the rubber meets the road. So thank you.
MR. BROOME: Thank you, Commissioner. And, again,
anything we can do to help the commission and the county with your
branding efforts or other efforts, just give me a call, and we'll be 100
percent supportive.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We would really welcome your
feedback. And when we get this report back, if you don't mind sitting
down with us and reviewing it and giving us guidance as to what you
think is strong or weak, that would certainly be beneficial, because I
know it's in your interest to --
MR. BROOME: Absolutely.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- see this area grow economically
as well.
MR. BROOME: That's absolutely true.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah. I just cannot ignore the
comment by one of the members of the audience that recently exited
the room. I think you know our county very, very well. I think you
described it properly. But in -- as in most places, there are people who
are completely resistant to change of any kind. I want you to know
that those people are in a very, very small minority, and we are fully
supportive of your business here in Collier County. We hope it grows.
We'll do whatever we can to make it grow. And we're going to use
your example to try to get other people here.
So thank you very much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Absolutely.
MR. BROOME: Thank you. Thank you very much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, sir. Mr. Broome, I'd like to
thank you very much, sir, for being such a positive advocate for
Florida and our region and for taking time today, and I also want to
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December 10-11, 2013
really appreciate you for your very focused remarks to Collier County.
Thank you for your time, sir.
MR. BROOME: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. Thank you so much.
Item #10A
COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PLEDGE
ITS SUPPORT TO THE REGIONAL ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE KNOWN AS THE SOUTHWEST
FLORIDA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
("SWFEDA") AS A CORNERSTONE MEMBER IN THE
AMOUNT OF $10,000 PER YEAR FOR THE NEXT THREE
YEARS. THE INTENT OF THE ALLIANCE IS TO JOIN THE
SEPARATE ORGANIZATIONS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
THAT WORK ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS AT
THE COUNTY AND CITY LEVELS IN ORDER TO PROMOTE
THE REGION. THE REGIONAL ORGANIZATION WILL
DEVELOP THE REGION'S BRAND THAT WILL SERVE TO
ATTRACT COMPANIES AND THEIR SITE SELECTORS, SINCE
THEY LOOK AT REGIONS, NOT CITY AND COUNTY
BOUNDARIES. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
WILL INCLUDE THE COUNTY'S LOGO ON THE REGIONAL
WEBSITE, ALONG WITH OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT
COLLIER COUNTY, THE RIGHT TO USE THE SWFEDA LOGO,
THE COUNTY'S LOGO ON SWFEDA PRINT MATERIAL,
PARTICIPATION IN THE ROUNDTABLES, AND
RECOGNITION AT REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EVENTS. THE COUNTY WILL BE OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED
AS A PROMOTER AND SUPPORTER OF REGIONALISM, ALL
IN THE INTEREST OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND
PROSPERITY — APPROVED
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December 10-11, 2013
MR. OCHS: Madam Chair, that takes us to our next time-certain
item this morning. It is Item 10A under Board of County
Commissioners. And this is a recommendation that the board pledge
its support to the Regional Economic Development initiative known as
the Southwest Florida Economic Development Alliance as a
cornerstone member in the amount of$10,000 per year for the next
three years.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Members of the board, we're very
fortunate today to have Al Reynolds presenting to us as to what this
whole regionalism initiative is up to in Southwest Florida.
Mr. Reynolds will present to you what I had the opportunity to
hear presented at a forum at a regional -- a regionalism forum several
weeks ago at Florida Gulf Coast University. I believe Commissioner
Henning was in attendance as well. It was most impressive.
And while in the audience listening to what Mr. Reynolds and
others had to say about regionalism and about the alliance, I was
moved to come out and let the alliance know that I believed our board
would be supportive and would step up to the plate and be a
contributor, not just in attendance but also financially at the ground
floor level of this program.
And that is why today I am bringing forward this request to ask
you to approve a $10,000 per year contribution for the next three years
with the understanding that we cannot commit next year's board or the
future board to that dollar figure, but at least for this year, to
contribute $10,000 with the expectation that we will do the same the
next year and the year after in the support of the alliance initiative so it
can move forward and so we can have a seat at the table and a voice as
Collier County.
At that meeting, I challenged my fellow chair in Lee County to
do the same. And so hopefully this December he'll be bringing the
same request to his board. Theresa Heitmann from the city stood up
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December 10-11, 2013
and said that she would do the same with city council, and one of the
council members from Bonita said he would do the same as well.
I hope that this will be the start of a momentum that will bring all
the counties and cities to the table, and hopefully they will all join the
alliance and become donating as well as actively participating
members.
I will refrain from making a motion right now. I will go ahead
and I will let Al make his presentation, then allow the speakers to
speak, then hopefully I will get support for the motion to support you
and your initiative. Go ahead, Al.
MR. REYNOLDS: Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to
the board for the invitation to come talk to you this morning about the
Southwest Florida Economic Development Alliance.
And I also want to first thank Richard Broome and the Hertz
Corporation for not only picking Southwest Florida for their new
headquarters, but for their public support of our regional initiative.
And, frankly, he's already, I think, made the case better than I can as
to how important it is for Southwest Florida to have a regional effort
to market and brand Southwest Florida.
We, as a region -- and when we talk about the region, it's the five
county region -- are better together. And one of the reasons we're
better together is because when we put our region together as a whole,
we have a population of over a million people. We have a workforce
of over 500,000. We have much higher national visibility and,
frankly, we have everything to offer as a region that, individually, as
cities and counties, we simply don't have.
And so the idea of having a regional effort to market Southwest
Florida, we believe, is extremely important.
Sadly, as we are here today, the only populous region in Florida
that does not currently have a regional effort -- and we're in the
process of changing that, and I'm pleased to report that we are ready to
launch in the first quarter of next year.
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December 10-11, 2013
We believe that a marketing engine for all of Southwest Florida
is going to serve as an enhancement to what is being done by the great
EDOs across Southwest Florida. This is an enhancement, not a
replacement to anything that's being done by any of the existing
economic development organizations.
And we are going to be very focused on a mission that is targeted
to recruiting and providing good and valuable information to site
selectors, to people who are making the decisions about relocating
businesses to Southwest Florida.
You all, I think, were aware that we've been working on this for
over a year now. It was -- we called ourselves Regional Economic
Development initiative, and it was started, really, by a joint effort
between Florida Gulf Coast University, the Horizon Council in Lee
County, and the chambers partnership here in Collier County.
So that was the group that started the process rolling. And our
goal, ultimately, is to have an organization that truly represents all of
Southwest Florida, all of the counties, and all of the cities that choose
to participate in this effort.
We think that it's really important that we have a
non jurisdictional perspective when we look at putting ourselves
forward to the world.
Professional excellence and collaboration with all of the
Economic Development Organizations throughout Southwest Florida
is key. Establishing and maintaining those strong relationships going
forward is a key to success of this kind of an organization.
Very specifically, we're focused right now on the data and the
analytics that site selectors and businesses need to have in order to
make the decision to select us over all of the other potential
opportunities. So to that end we have been building a website and a
data repository at Florida Gulf Coast University that is going to have
all of the necessary information, the demographics, and other kinds of
things that are necessary for site selectors to support and, as Richard
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December 10-11, 2013
mentioned, a strong brand identity that we can really focus our
marketing efforts on.
We have been spending a lot of time analyzing best practices
about the data repository. We are pleased to tell you that we're going
to be ready to launch in the first quarter of 2014. That effort was
previously funded by those three organizations that I talked about.
So the efforts that are underway now for fundraising are going to
be focused on building the enhancements to this existing site.
We have a beta version of the site that we've been analyzing and
testing. This is one of the slide shots from the website. As you can
see, it's going to be very focused on quality of life, because we think
that's one of the leading advantages that Southwest Florida can offer in
addition to all the other great things that we have.
The website is going to include information and linkages to all of
the counties and all of the cities. It will be all pulled together as a
unified effort. And we will have testimonials. We will have synopses
of all the things, the workforce, the educational opportunities; all of
those things will be brought together into this website.
We will also be highlighting each of the counties' individual
efforts, the Collier County Economic Development Organization, and
all of the things that you have and are going to continue to do here in
Collier County will be integrated into the whole effort.
So we are a -- we are an organization in formation. We are
incorporated. We're in the process of building our business plan. I'm
pleased to tell you that next week we're going to be launching an
effort through the funding from the Department of Economic Affairs
of the state in a grant to build our business plan. The Regional
Planning Council's going to help us with that.
We have started our fundraising process, and I'm going to be
giving you a very brief report in just a second.
As I said, we're going to be launching the website. So we've got
a lot of things that are going, and we are ready to go. And, again, we
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December 10-11, 2013
really appreciate the offer of support from Collier County.
This is going to take a couple of years to get this organization,
you know, fully up to where we think it can be, but we're going to stay
focused on our mission. Everything we do is going to be of the
highest quality, and everything will be oriented towards the idea of a
true public/private collaborative effort and an alignment among all of
the organizations of Southwest Florida.
We have had some good success in our fundraising for the past
couple months. I'm pleased to report that as of today we have just
reached $160,000 annual over three years, so almost a $480,000
commitment coming from the private sector of Southwest Florida.
The Horizon Council and the Partnership for Collier's Future
were, obviously, the key founding sponsors along with Florida Gulf
Coast University. But as you can see, we have some fantastic
companies that have pledged their support. And the catalyst investors,
this is a list that keeps growing. And next time I give you a report,
we'll have a couple more slides I think that we can add some names to.
So I just want to thank you very much for the invitation to tell
you that we believe that this is an important component of the overall
economic development efforts that are going to be transforming the
economy of Southwest Florida, and we will have more successes to
celebrate like we have celebrated with bringing Hertz to Southwest
Florida.
Thank you very much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you so much for your
presentation. And just for the benefit of the audience, the region is
made up of Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Collier Counties. It's
a five county region that we are calling Southwest Florida.
MR. REYNOLDS: That's correct.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. REYNOLDS: Thank you very much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Members of the board, would you
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December 10-11, 2013
like to ask Al any questions, or shall we go straight to public
speakers?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Public speakers.
MR. OCHS: Madam Chair?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: One second. I believe
Commissioner Henning would like to address Mr. Reynolds.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, what's important about the
presentation is a lot of those companies were companies based in
Collier County looking to put their money into this program of
regionalism. And, comparably, what is on our agenda is a pittance
compared to what the community -- business community is dedicated
to.
So I'm excited about it. I wasn't last year, but I think you guys --
Al, you did a great job, and --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Great leadership.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yep.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yep, really great leadership from
the private sector, and that's what's so important based on what Mr.
Broome said, that if we don't have the private sector partnering with
the public sector and the private sector really leading the charge in
terms of the marketing and the branding, the promotion, and the sales,
it's not going to happen.
So we're so grateful to all of you for taking the initiative, because
this is truly the first time this has happened.
MR. REYNOLDS: Thank you very much. And it's been a big
collaborative effort with a lot of folks, and many of whom are in the
room today that have got us to this point, so I appreciate that very
much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Let's go to our public speakers.
MR. MILLER: We have one registered public speaker for Item
10A, Bob Krasowski.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We also have Mr. Broome. Mr.
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December 10-11, 2013
Anderson was going to -- or Mr. Register, I'm sorry, was going to turn
in a speaker slip, I believe.
MR. OCHS: He was going to speak as one of the presenters, Mr.
Broome.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, all right. That's fine.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Should I wait till he's done presenting?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's your choice.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Okay. I'll wait till he's done.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, that would be fine.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Sure.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Go ahead.
MR. OCHS: Mr. Broome had agreed to make a few comments.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, would you like to --
Okay, go ahead, Mr. Broome. I thought you were going to be a
speaker. But if you'd like to be a presenter then, please, go right
ahead.
MR. Broome: I think I've said more than enough, so thank you
very much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, you know what, could you
just add that you support regionalism and that you also made a pledge.
We saw your name up there --
MR. Broome: Yes.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- but it was a momentous event
when, in the middle of the meeting -- and you made a really good
point, and the point you made was that, unlike me, who had to come
back to the board and get the five of us to agree, you were able to do it
really simply, which was picking up your cell phone, calling your
fearless leader and saying, let's get it done, and he said yes, and that
was it, and you stood up at the podium and said, we're pledged, we're
in.
And so thank you very much for making that your first
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December 10-11, 2013
commitment.
MR. Broome: Yeah. It might have been a little easier for us, but
I think it sends a huge signal to a lot of businesses to know that the
elected officials are onboard as well, so that combined message is
very, very powerful. But, again, thank you very much. I have nothing
else to add.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. Thanks.
Bob?
MR. KRASOWSKI: Good morning. For the record, my name's
Bob Krasowski. I guess that's my concern here is this -- the new and
upcoming fearless leader. I think that Collier --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Leadership, which is everyone in
the community.
MR. KRASOWSKI: No, it's not everyone in the community. It's
the business community taking over the government, and you have
these alliances -- and I respect these people. They're very impressive
and very capable, but I think there should be a separation between the
local business community and the county government.
We have processes of different committees and councils that
advise the board, they're public participation, and they operate under
the Sunshine.
With these various suggestions of where taxpayers are supposed
to provide money to support, you have no regulation that you must
allow us to attend, you must allow us, the public, to speak.
So you're getting into this government arena. In the '80s when we
opposed a big trash incinerator, we referred to it as soft Neo-American
fascism, which was kind of a rallying cry and an extreme position, but
that's kind of what it is. I mean, you've got the business, you have the
government. All we need is the police beating us down when we don't
think or do what you say.
So I don't support you spending any money to do this. We don't
have to go, as a government, kowtowing and spending money to
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December 10-11, 2013
support these efforts. We have committees. We can have a regional
council of people representing each county. It could be in the open.
These people can come to it and contribute to it, but we can maintain
it as an independent individual government type of operation.
Once again, it's out of our view. It's not in the Sunshine. It's not
transparent.
And that's pretty much -- you know, and the county can be
supportive with different zoning type of things and participating in
various opportunities that allow these people to come, but you have to
keep it open to the people and transparent.
There's other things coming up. I'll be back for those. Thank
you very much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Thank you. The regional --
Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council is going to be the
clearinghouse for this program of the regionalism. Another thing
that's really exciting, when I went to the presentation, it's about, you
know, all the environmental attributes that we have and want to
enhance. That's what they're going to do.
And I hate to see continuing opposing of what we're trying to do
for the community, whether it be beaches for our residents or visitors
or trying to create an atmosphere so our children here in Collier
County going to school do not have to leave the region as they have
since I went to school.
And that's what it's really all about for me is a choice for our
students to -- our children to find a job.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Commissioner?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Go ahead.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. I totally support a regional
public/private partnership. I think that's the way for us to move into
the new light of business, and I think it's about time we got there.
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December 10-11, 2013
We've maybe been a little bit stagnant in the past, and I would
like to make a motion that we become a cornerstone member by
authorizing $10,000 a year for three years to begin this partnership.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you, Commissioner Fiala.
Do I have a second?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Second.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: All right. Would you like to flip a
coin? Commissioner Nance, we'll give you the second. I think you
and Commissioner Fiala make a nice partnership together.
Any further discussion on this?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I'd just like to make a -- just a
couple remarks.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I believe that regionalism is the
new reality across the nation, and it's so very, very important. I
believe that making decisions in a vacuum on the part of many
governments have led us to most of the problems that we experience
today, and I'm very, very excited about reaching out to our other four
county partners in this effort.
Whether you talk about business development and economic
development, which, of course, is on the front burner here, when
you're talking about jobs, when you're talking about water
management, environmental restoration and management, everything
you want to talk about, the regional approach is always better.
And, actually, to Mr. Krasowski's remarks, you know that we
receive taxes and represent the people, but we also tax our businesses,
and we represent them.
So I believe that representation by the government for business
is, indeed, just as important as for any single individual. And I'm
happy to be part of it, and I endorse this effort 100 percent.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Very well said, Commissioner
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December 10-11, 2013
Nance.
With that, I'm going to call the question.
All in favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
With that, we're going to take a ten-minute hard break. We're six
minutes over. We were going to break at 10:30. So what does that
make it, Leo? Help me.
MR. OCHS: 10:46.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Wow, thanks.
(A brief recess was had.)
MR. OCHS: Ladies and gentlemen, if you could please take
your seats, we can proceed with the meeting.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Leo?
Item #10B
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVE
SHARING IN THE COST OF ENGAGING A PROFESSIONAL
CONSULTING FIRM WITH THE PARTNERSHIP FOR
COLLIER'S FUTURE ECONOMY (A SUBSIDIARY OF
COLLIER'S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE), TO DRAFT A
"COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC PLAN" FOR THE BENEFIT OF COLLIER
COUNTY. THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF THE PROJECT
IS $222,000. THE COUNTY'S NOT TO EXCEED SHARE OF
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THE PROJECT COST IS $111,000 WHICH INCLUDES ONE
HALF OF THE CONSULTING SERVICES CONTRACT COSTS
($71,000) AND ONE HALF OF THE PARTNERSHIP'S
ALLOCATED INTERNAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND
OVERHEAD EXPENSES ($40,000). THE PLAN SHALL
OUTLINE THE NECESSARY STEPS NEEDED TO BRAND,
MARKET, PROMOTE AND SELL THE COUNTY AS AN
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DESTINATION FOR
RELOCATING BUSINESSES AND FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL
GROWTH, ALL IN THE INTEREST OF PROMOTING AN
ENVIRONMENT THAT ALLOWS FOR JOB CREATION. IN
ADDITION, AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO WAIVE THE
COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT
TO SECTION V(A) OF THE PURCHASING POLICY —
APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Madam Chair, that takes us to our next time-certain
item on this morning's agenda. It's Item 10B. This is a
recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners approve
sharing in the cost of engaging a professional consulting firm with a
Partnership for Collier's Future Economy to draft a community and
economic development strategic plan for the benefit of Collier
County.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Ladies and gentlemen, the board directed that staff work with the
chamber to start developing the public/private partnership as Mr.
Broome described is so important and fundamental to the economic
development success of Collier County.
And to that end, the first step that was identified was the need to
come up with a plan, a plan to brand Collier County, a plan to market
Collier County, a plan to promote and sell Collier County. And that
plan will be put together by an outside consultant.
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The recommendation is that the Board of County Commissioners
will share in the cost with the chamber and that as a result, we will,
again, have a seat at the table and be in partnership with the private
sector as we move forward with this initiative.
So I'm going to go ahead and turn the podium over to Mr. Wynn,
and Mr. Wynn is the chair of the Naples Chamber of Commerce, who
will present. He will be followed by Julie Schmelzle, and then John
Cox, who is the Executive Director of the Chamber. And I should add
that Julie is on the Board of the Chamber. So we will have a
presentation from the chamber side as to who we are contracting with
and what they will be doing for the benefit of Collier County.
Go ahead.
MR. WYNN: Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners.
My name is Michael Wynn. I'm chair of the Greater Naples Chamber
of Commerce and President of Sunshine Ace Hardware.
I appreciate the opportunity to briefly speak to you today about
the proposed contract between Collier County Government and the
Partnership for Collier's Future Economy.
It's over a year ago today, or over a year ago, actually, I'm sorry,
that many of the same people in this room asked that you approve the
office of business and economic development. And you not only
approved that, but you did so unanimously, and we're asking for that
same unanimous support today.
Now, your vote to approve this agreement will accomplish
several things. First, you'll send a message that you're doubling down
on your commitment to build a spirit of collegiality and appropriately
divide responsibilities that play to the strengths of both government
and the private sector. You'll also be endorsing the private/public
partnership recommendation that came out of the 2012 comparative
study.
Second, you'll be recognizing our need to be organized in our
approach to promote the business opportunities in Collier County by
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enlisting one of the foremost international professionals in building
sustainable and diverse economies, that being Market Street Services
and their Principal, Mac Holaday.
Now, his strategic planning approach is one that is sensitive to
the importance of a broad outreach to the diverse interests in the
community and making sure that all have a voice in the process.
Finally, your vote represents an acknowledgment that we have to
learn our lesson from this recent downturn. We've all seen firsthand
how our core industries, agricultural, construction, tourism, have all
been severely impacted. And, unfortunately, thousands of local
families are the all-too-real victims of that downturn, and many lost
their homes; many are still looking for work now.
And although we can't prevent future swings in the economy, we
can minimize their impact by taking proactive steps. This agreement
is a strong proactive step, a 50/50 partnership between the private and
public sector.
Now, this partnership will challenge all of us to find ways to
effectively compete with other counties for businesses that
complement the unique character of Collier County, and it will require
us to continue the progress that's already been made in removing
unnecessary regulation and streamlining the permitting and
development process.
So we need your unanimous support in approving this agreement.
Doing so will ensure that Collier County is known as a community
that embraces business and will reaffirm the fact that a prosperous
economy is vital to retaining the quality of life that has made this such
a beautiful area of the world.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MS. SCHMELZLE: Hi. Good morning, Commissioners. My
name is Julie Schmelzle, and I'm honored to be speaking with you
today in the role as chairman of the Partnership for Collier's Future
Economy.
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I've had the good fortune of living in Collier County for the last
24 years, drawn to this community by the opportunity to create a life
with my husband as he purchased and built a small company.
To create -- and I joined a large financial services company to
pursue a career serving business clients throughout South Florida.
Hard works, great clients and associates, and a little luck -- I've
enjoyed a long-time career here, seeing a variety of-- serving a
variety of businesses ranging from small business, privately owned
companies, to large public and multi nationals.
George and I have been blessed with three children who were
born at North Collier Hospital, and they still fondly call this place
home.
While one has already moved on to college and two are close
behind, I want them to go out and see what's out there for them in the
world but, ultimately, I'd like to see their return home for the same
opportunities that were afforded to me.
So here we are. Conversations and actions over the last six
months are pointedly centered around economic -- the topic today,
which is economic development, job retention, expansion, and
attraction, a diversified community, contemplating the plans and,
therefore, the steps that we'll need to take together to craft and mold
the future of our community.
I believe that this is the first time that we have had the broader
community involved in these conversations, and here we stand today
setting the direction and the tone. We celebrate the significance of a
Fortune 300 company, Hertz, and, yes, this is a big deal, but to also
hone in on the significance of companies like the one that was
featured on the Naples Daily News yesterday. They were working
from their home on an app that will serve us to be more efficient in
our eBay interne sales.
But then you also have the job creator of a private enterprise in
the form of the company and people behind Arthrex, all of whom have
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selected Collier County as their home from which to create
opportunity and sustainable businesses. They have vested and
invested in calling this place home.
It would be easy to forget; it's been a short six years since we
popped our bubble, that bubble that was blown and built on population
growth, that required the existence of a variety of companies, local
companies but, unfortunately, those that are more susceptible to
cyclicality.
So we all saw and experienced the loss of jobs, livelihoods, the
loss of property, and a sustained period of correction. Lower
revenues, lightening expenses, lower profits, if you have profits, and
trepidation as to whether they, those businesses, their livelihood would
survive and whether they would be able to offer employment to their
employees.
So fast forward to today. In daily conversations with business
owners and senior management that I have, the sentiment is that, yeah,
we have recovered, that things are moderately good, but not great.
We've heard the term "the new norm." We've been hovering in
moderate growth with pragmatic measured growth in employment.
There remain too many unknowns, and memories, thankfully, have
remained long, because there's still some resistance to putting capital
to work.
We will hopefully always be attractive as a tourism destination,
which translates into calling this place home. Construction and
supporting lifestyle services along with agriculture will always be
elements of who we are and what comprises our historical industry.
Yet, it is the partnership and my sincere focus to take the opportunity
before us and craft our future in a very thoughtful way.
A plan, more importantly an execution of that plan,that reflects
who we are, where we have come, our roots but, more importantly,
where we can go together.
There's real work for us to pursue. I'm expecting active
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engagement by the partnership board, many of whom are here today,
the County Commission, and a dedicated staff, along with a
community reflection in the form of a steering committee that you're
going to be hearing more about, that will lead our community
visioning, all of whom I would expect to get behind this work.
I'd like to end by emphasizing that we have a great opportunity to
do something, something for our community together. It will take all
of us to contemplate the good fortunes afforded by our history but,
more importantly, envisioning the future.
The partnership board and I look forward to the opportunities
ahead. Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. COX: Madam Chair and members of the commission, good
morning. It's a privilege and honor to be here before you.
In conversations that we've held in the community and
conversation I've had with you, you know that we believe that the
economy is best served when good government and good business
work together. In the late '80s or in -- as late as 1990, the president of
AT&T said that the future of economic development is regional, and
the regions are defined by partnerships, and those partnerships begin
at the local level.
And so as many of us have worked hard to advance the initiative
that Al Reynolds has put before you this morning, we also know that
in order for Collier County to be strong at the table on a regional basis,
not just with respect to providing funding that you have agreed to do
and many of our businesses have, we have to be strong as a local
community with respect to economic development.
There are more than 3,100 counties in the United States. All of
them that want to be competitive are out there doing what we are
proposing, and that is analyzing what their current situation is,
examining from a competitive standpoint how they not only fare in
their own state, but how they compete nationally.
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In over 20 years of being a recruiter, I've never competed for a
single project in Southwest Florida and, as Al said earlier, the only
region in Florida that does not have a named partnership is Southwest
Florida.
There's a lot of work to do, and so we are asking that we begin
with this competitive assessment, that it ends with an implementation
stage that gives us a clear path for economic development, partnering
with you, the community, and the business community over the next
three to five years.
In meeting with your county manager and his Department of
Economic Development as early as August, he spoke about the desire
for this strategic plan, and we're glad to take hold of it and move
forward.
Thank you so much for the opportunity, and I'd be happy to take
questions if you have them.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. Members of the board?
Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I think Commissioner Coyle was
first.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, Commissioner Coyle.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: That's all right. Ladies can go first.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Oh, okay, fine. Good. First of all,
just on a personal note, Julie, I remember you and George when you
came to town. George was in my Kiwanis Club, and you were just
thinking of having children.
MS. SCHMELZLE: That's a long time ago.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I felt a real personal connection
there.
Anyway, moving on. I think that as you're talking about
streamlining our process here, permitting and so forth -- and you gave
a very good speech, Michael, about the streamlining of the process, I
have to say that our county, especially Nick Casalanguida and his
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whole team, have been working for over a year, and you'll hear that
from much -- from many, many people in the building community.
They've been finding out what the problems were and correcting them,
and each time a new one presents itself, again they tackle it.
And I have to say that we're ready to assist you from all of our
permitting and streamlining that's in place. And any other little stubs
of the toe, we'll fix them. Thank you.
MR. COX: That's why we called it good government and good
business.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Right. And, in fact, I'd like to
expound on what Commissioner Fiala said. When I present the state of
the county later today, I think what you will hear is -- and just a non-
ending list of everything that Collier County has done over this past
year to do exactly what Commissioner Fiala is describing.
You know, we're in a new reality, and we are living up to the
expectations of the community, and the proof is in the pudding.
So, yeah, growth management, Nick, thank you very much for all
you're doing; Leo, thank you for all you're doing. Absolutely
fantastic.
Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah. Some of the people
involved in this process are relatively new to the process, I think. And
I think it's important that we take a very close look at the necessary
steps that you've outlined here, just as you provide guidance to the
consultant.
You say the necessary steps needed to brand, market, promote,
and sell. The last time I remember sitting in a conference room
discussing this was four to five years ago.
And my observation was that there's a difference between what
we do to brand, market, and sell tourism and what we do to brand,
market, and sell new businesses. There's a difference, but there's not a
lot of difference.
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It's absolutely essential, in my opinion, that the branding process
be closely coordinated with the TDC. They have spent years trying to
define a brand that is effective in bringing tourism here. It would be
very unfortunate if we develop another brand that is not mutually
supporting, so -- and that means that perhaps we can improve on the
TDC's tourism marketing and we can improve on our economic
development marketing.
But I think that we need to coordinate those two things, and I
would hope that you would give appropriate guidance to your
consultant to accomplish that goal.
I know that it was started. The dissolution of the EDC stopped
that effort, and I don't know how much progress was made at that
point in time, but it is certainly, I think, an important criteria for your
consultant to consider. Okay.
MR. COX: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Commissioner Henning, and then Commissioner Nance. And
then we're going to go to public comment.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. This is not CCNA;
however, it meets the threshold for going out to bid. Are we being
asked to waive that?
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir. That's part of your recommendation is --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. And then --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And just so you know,
Commissioner Henning, if I may interrupt, all of this has been vetted
with the Clerk of Courts, and he said -- as well as with the county
attorney -- that we could, since the chamber is actually hiring the
consultant and we're making a contribution towards the cost, that we
do have the ability to waive competitive solicitation requirements.
And also, for your comfort, you ought to know that the clerk has
the ability to fully audit the full use of these public funds and, you
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know, any of the transactions that the partnership engages in with
respect to our participation.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, you answered my second
question. So we will be actually stroking a check to the Naples
Chamber.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: To the partnership, yes, which is a
subsidiary of the chamber, in effect, yes.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: And they will bill us. I mean,
there's no agreement attached.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There is an agreement. There --
County Attorney, did you not upload the agreement into Sire?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I was late getting my app --
MR. OCHS: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: -- for the agenda.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I believe it should have been
uploaded.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: It is there?
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. There's an agreement.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And just so you also know, the
county attorney has reviewed that agreement as well and has found it
to be legally appropriate.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. Well, thank you so
much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: My pleasure.
Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes. I think this is an exciting
opportunity to bring together a lot of the moving parts that are coming
to light.
Very, very excited about having Mr. Register and Mr. Cox here
providing leadership in the manner that they are. And if you'll go
through today's agenda and the last workshop, you may have noticed
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or participated or looked at that online.
I think it's essential that we have something like this study to
bring some of these moving parts together. A lot of these things are
interrelated. For example, elsewhere in this agenda you're going to see
where our chair, Commissioner Hiller, is proposing an additional
liaison for community and economic development, which is very, very
exciting, and I think through this analysis it's laid out in the Market
Street study.
And I would encourage -- if each of you haven't looked at the
summary on that that's in the backup, I would encourage you to do
that. It starts to bring some of these things together in a very
meaningful way.
And I would like to just address one thing that Commissioner
Coyle said. You know, tourism and the TDC, which is our industry
that is our most visible industry and the thing that we are thus noted
for, has had their development council for years and years and years.
I believe, had Collier County had an economic development
council and a business and industry council that were putting as much
effort as tourism did into their focused activities that we, indeed,
would be in a much different place today than we are.
So I look forward to putting some of these things together. I will
say in the proposal, under Phase 2 -- and I'm going to go to a specific,
which is probably not appropriate here since it's a wider discussion,
but I certainly want to make sure that the accelerator feasibility white
paper and the three focal business sectors that we have there coincide
in the target business analysis in the study.
And one of the things that I must mention, being the easternmost
commissioner, is that agribusiness and sustainable technologies were
omitted, and I certainly know that that's really an oversight that we
can correct. But I want to --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's not intended, and it should not
be intended --
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COMMISSIONER NANCE: I know.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- to be limited to those industries.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: No, I know.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I mean, they need to look at the
totality.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: But what I'm saying is that this
study is really the thing that is going to tie a lot of these things
together and make them functional, and I'm tremendously supportive
of everyone's efforts.
The buzz in this room is something that I haven't experienced in
total, and I think it's wonderful.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you so much.
Public speakers, please.
MR. MILLER: Yes, Madam Chair. We have six registered
speakers for Item 10B. First, Lydia Galton. She'll be followed by
Ron Rice.
MS. GALTON: Good morning, Commissioners.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Good morning, Lydia.
MS. GALTON: For the record, my name is Lydia Galton, and
I'm here representing the Collier Citizens Council, a coalition of
community leaders from throughout Collier County.
The council strongly supports the vision and plan for economic
development as put forth by John Cox, President of The Greater
Naples Chamber of Commerce.
We believe John is proposing to partner with Collier County and
to set up a private -- a public/private partnership that's essential for the
effectiveness of business growth in the future. We especially applaud
John's effort to promote community involvement in the process.
The Collier Citizens Council urges County Commissioners to
accept and implement John Cox's plan.
And I want to also say that, whereas, I am representing the
Collier Citizens Council, there are many other private citizens from
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many other organizations, and I wish they would raise their hands who
are supportive of this effort as well.
Thank you. Any questions?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. No thank you, Lydia.
Thanks very much.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Ron Rice. He'll be followed
by Russell Priddy.
MR. RICE: My name is Ron Rice. I'm the President of
CityGate. You see CityGate on the right-hand side. There are two
beautiful Marriott Hotels. That is the Water Plant behind it.
We have 288 acres. We are a PUD, a DRI, and we are zoned for
2,950,000 square feet.
I want to report two old experiences to you before I get to
today's. I had a sale to Burger King. I sold them a site, Lot 1, which
was right next to the gas station, and they wanted to build a
3,200-square-foot Burger King. And they got a bill from -- I can't
believe this, but they got a bill from us for impact fees of$480,000.
And the guy who owns 38 Burger Kings said, I can build the God --
excuse me, you know.
Then I had a sale to a beautiful company who wanted to build a
35,000-square-foot MRI/CAT scan. Now, what you do, park your car
when you go into that. And they had a contract with me, $2,154,000.
My son Roger had $100,000 in escrow. They went to see -- to da, the
impact fees would be $1,600,000, 75 percent of the purchase price of
the land. Hello.
Now, what happens -- and I'm going to tell you this. It's all good
you're talking about all this go here, do this, and all that stuff. When I
go to meetings in New Orleans, in Atlanta, in Chicago, and I talk to
acquisition managers, you know what they say about Naples? Forget
it. I wouldn't go down there for all the money in the world.
I had a deal working with Carl Solstein, who was the immediate
past president of Carrabba's. He went to see some of the people and
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he said, Ron, never mind. Solstein, Carrabba's, okay.
In any event, we have paid $8 million in impact fees to my friend
Nick Casalanguida, we paid $5 million to get through U.S. Fish and
Wildlife, and we have 380 acres someplace, and Roger's going to take
me there sometime by helicopter to see it.
And we are very much in favor of you turning loose Bruce and
John Cox. Give them the tools that they need. But a big thing is not
connections as much as it is, give them some concessions, for God's
sake. That is how Lee County got Hertz. That is how they got Hertz,
because they put their arms out and put them around them and said,
what do you need? We'll give it to you. And that's happening all over
the country. Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
(Applause.)
MR. MILLER: Your next public speaker is Russell Priddy. He'll
be followed by Michael Ramsey.
MR. PRIDDY: Good morning. I'm here as a private citizen to
applaud and encourage you to move forward with this study.
I think of the comment that was made earlier that you can either
be branded or brand yourself. And I was thinking in the 20-plus years
that I've been involved on the fringes through the Planning
Commission or other committees that you have appointed me to over
the years, we have certainly been branded, and not in the positive
light, and it is encouraging that we might finally step forward and
bring ourselves, perhaps, to the light that Lee County and some other
counties are in with encouraging business to move forward.
I do live in the far reaches of Eastern Collier County. I am a
large landowner. I would like to say that none of my land is
appropriate for, perhaps, any of this development, so that's certainly
not why I'm here.
Although the Immokalee area, the Immokalee Airport, Ave
Maria, and in Eastern Collier County is just a wonderful place for
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some of this development to take place as we identify it and encourage
that to move forward in our county.
I want to switch hats on you just a moment as a trustee of Florida
Gulf Coast University, and I have another trustee in the room, and
Vice-President and Provost Ron Toll.
The university system is moving to performance-based funding,
which means we have to start proving to the taxpayers and the
students and their families that we are going to produce. And one of
those measurements is moving that graduate with a degree into a job.
So this is fitting hand in hand and back to what Commissioner
Henning said earlier, having a job for his children in this community.
So all in all, I think it's great. I think it's wonderful what we're
doing, and I encourage you to move forward.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. PRIDDY: I will respectfully disagree with the gentleman
earlier who said it was inappropriate to spend public dollars. I think it
is very appropriate. Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Commissioner Fiala, did you want to comment?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: You know, I'll wait till the other --
yes, but thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Go ahead.
MR. MILLER: Your next public speaker is Michael Ramsey.
He'll be followed by Bruce Anderson.
MR. RAMSEY: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is
Michael Ramsey. I am the president of the Golden Gate Estates Area
Civic Association, which is primarily the single-family subdivision
east of 951 .
I don't have as much buzz about this maybe as the rest. I've
heard this before a while back. This seems like we're starting over
again. A little bit of dej a vu here.
Our first reservation is that when you start off with the steering
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committee of 50 people, it kind of dilutes the results all the way down
through the process, because 50's hard to handle.
We also have a good handle on the idea that a good project is --
you base it on your history. We remember the chamber's position
when they supported, and prior activities, the utilization of taxation
money for business incentive without voter approval. We hope that
we don't stray to that again.
We also are very concerned that the Estates was never considered
a participant in this process, and we put that out there;
However, on the positive side, if the chamber includes the Estates
and considers us a participant, we have support. If the chamber is
truly interested in developing a county wide diversification of
economics and opportunities that is unselfish in its application, we
will support it.
And last, we're encouraged with the new leadership of the
chamber, that they are truly interested in pursuing economic
diversifications and opportunities that add to the three legs of the stool
we have. We would like to see, not just a stool, but a big set of
bleachers out there that everybody has an unselfish opportunity to
participate in.
So with that, I give you that the Golden Gate Estates Area Civic
Association, we have a guarded optimism in our support for this.
Thank you, Commissioners.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. I'd like to comment on
what you said, Mr. Ramsey, and I'd like to go backwards with the
three positives, if you mind coming up to the podium.
To begin, we have totally new leadership in the chamber, which
is very important. Secondly, the chamber was not involved in, really,
economic development. They might have taken positions. But I
remember when I was first elected, I sat down with Mike Reagan, and
I said, what are you doing to recruit businesses? He goes, that's not
our job description.
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So the description of the Chamber's role in economic
development is very different from what it was in the past. And under
the executive leadership of John Cox, I think you will see all those
positives that you have listed as being the reality. So it's definitely not
deja vu.
On the back end of what you just said, as you know, I felt very
strongly about all those negatives as being negative, and I personally
could not support those negatives ever being a reality today. So I
don't think that this board supports those negatives. I don't think that
current chamber supports those negatives. I don't think the
community supports those negatives. And so you can put them to bed
and just stick to the positive, so thank you.
MR. RAMSEY: We'll be watching.
MR. MILLER: Your next public speaker is Bob -- Bruce
Anderson, rather. He'll be followed by Bob Krasowski.
MR. ANDERSON: Good morning. For the record, my name is
Bruce Anderson, and I want to encourage you to support this measure.
I'm also here to follow up on a discussion I'd had with
Commissioner Nance about the need for a parallel effort for the areas
-- the rural areas where expanding businesses would logically locate
because there's enough space for them there.
And right now in the rural fringe area, for example, it's narrowly
focused on residential uses, but there's no consideration given to
businesses that are necessary to serve those residences or to employ
those residences. And thank you very much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your final public speaker on this item is Bob
Krasowski.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Hi. Bob Krasowski again.
I think I find some agreement with what Bruce just said about
identifying those businesses that will serve the residences in the area
and also provide them with jobs.
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You know, people keep referring to Hertz. Now, Hertz
supposedly provides people with good paying jobs. Now, for
everyone that comes here and gets a good paying job, they have a
house, which is great, and then they have a lawn, and then they have
to hire a lawn service, and then they come here, they get paid minimal
to nothing, and then they have to come to the county to get housing
assistance for affordable housing programs so we can find a place for
them to live.
This is so lopsided here, what you're looking at in this wonderful,
glorious business environment, but where you're not considering those
things, I hope you do.
Once again, my problem here -- and I don't mean to rain on
anybody's parade, and I don't like coming up here and only identifying
problems. I see some very good things in here. What I like to see is a
separation from the government and the business community so
government can act as it should and allow for the public input on
every element and every aspect of this.
Before you know it, these guys are going to want to be pulling
trash incinerators into the landfill. And if it's all part of a bigger plan
and the public isn't involved, things like that will be stuck in various
communities. And it will be great for business, but it won't be good
for the people who live here.
And let's really think about what we want here. We want this to
be a little Bronx? A little Brooklyn, New York? I mean, there's only
so much you can do here before you mess it up.
Previous comments about, oh, we want to protect the
environment and provide jobs. You're renourishing the beaches
during turtle nesting season, damaging turtles. You're suggesting,
slightly, about sticking sports stadiums out in panther habitat, and that
might not happen, but it was suggested as a possibility.
You know, you're not the environmental commission by a long
shot, and I don't think that we can rely on the business community to
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be that either. It has to be the process. We have to have guarantees in
-- and through the process. TDC, nice example. They've done a lot of
branding, some good stuff. We could follow along on that. We don't
need to do this blended business, county business, and the businesses
can come and participate in the county government.
And the TDC's funded with the bed tax. Okay. How about a
business tax, or we can remove some of the tax and then put it back on
to dedicate it to an organization like the TDC so they can -- through
the government can have an opportunity to develop strategies and
plans.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, thank you.
The first thing was, as I speak to the people that are in charge of
this program -- and I'm sure you've done this, but I just wanted to ask
the question anyway. Have you been working with the local
educational facilities to -- they're all there, but are they churning out
the skilled workers that these jobs -- that these employers will need to
fill their jobs?
I was making it a point to go around and speak to some of the
business owners in the area, and that was one of the things they said.
The hardest thing was to find the skilled workers they need; that they
can find a lot of, like, one or two classifications, but they had
problems getting out. And I thought, if you haven't, it would be
wonderful. Although, I noticed in the write-up, that you were working
with FGCU.
And just so that they share their ideas about the educational
opportunities that are needed in order to fill the requirements of the
businesses that we want to draw to the area. And so that was all I'd
ask.
And then the other thing I wanted to say, somebody else made a
point, and I totally agree with it, and they talked about the draw to our
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community is the beauty of our community. And we have a lot of
agreement up here about that, because we've seen firsthand where
businesses -- and I'll just say Arthrex for one of them. The reason they
came here was because they wanted to live in this beautiful
community, and they want their employees to live here.
And so he has nurtured and built this business because of the
beauty of our community, and that is an important point. And I'll take
one step further and say, look at tourism. That's one of the reasons
people come back repeatedly to come to this community is because it's
such a beautiful community, and then they decide that they want to
buy a house, so now the real estate business flourishes.
So we have to always be mindful that we might have to spend a
few more dollars to do the landscaping in the medians or whatever
needs to be done to build class-quality buildings, whether it be to
house businesses or so forth. But in the end, it's going to pay off. We
might not be able to add it up on a page, but it does pay off.
Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
I'd like to make a comment about what Mr. Rice said. One of the
ways to stimulate business is, obviously, with incentives. And I had
the opportunity, when I spoke to Mr. Broome, to get some insight in
terms of what type of incentive really can motivate a company when
they're looking at the package and that element of the package.
You're absolutely, right, tax credits are a very significant
motivator. And tax credits work far more effectively than cash,
especially for a county like ours that has a smaller population, a
smaller pool of funds than, for example, if we were competing with
Austin, Texas, that has a lot of people and lots of money, but we can
incentivize business by providing credits.
And I firmly believe, you know, we shouldn't be picking winners
and losers. And if we can incentivize an industry by providing credits,
we get even more bang for a buck. And so, to that end, you know, I
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have, in the past, proposed that we, at a minimum, impose a
commercial impact fee moratorium to stimulate economic
development, to let companies like, you know, Burger King come in
and hire people, to let companies like your eye-care facility.
MR. COX: MRI.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: MRI, sorry -- MRI business
establish itself here and other businesses.
Hertz received predominantly tax credits as part of its incentive
package. And I think, if my understanding is correct, it was basically
almost equivalent to the cost of the construction of their facility. That
is a big deal. And the second issue, as you also pointed out correctly
is expedited permitting.
So if we look to incentivizing by creating a tax credit program,
for example, our property tax credit program, if we look to imposing
moratoriums with respect to commercial development on, like
commercial development impact fees, if we look to really mastering
expedited permitting through growth management, I think we can do a
lot to help people like you see projects like yours grow.
MR. RICE: Could I take 90 seconds to explain something?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Ninety seconds. Timer on. No, I'm
just kidding.
MR. RICE: I used to live in Cleveland and Akron, which was a
bedroom community between Cleveland and Akron, and I was a
developer up there and well known. And I got a call one day from a
friend of mine, Jim Stanley, who was an Executive VP of Goodyear
Tire and Rubber.
He said, Ronnie, come over for coffee tomorrow. I went over.
He said, Ron, we're going to build a one-and-a-half-million square
foot plant in Union City, Tennessee. We want you to go down and see
if you could do a small subdivision, you know, the under 100, 200 lots
and so on and so forth.
So, my gosh, he sends me down in their Learjet. That was nice.
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CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Remember, 90 seconds.
MR. RICE: Okay. I'm almost there.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We have a lot on the agenda.
MR. RICE: But he sends me down there. And I get down there,
car picks me up. I go to this lawyer's office; big gigantic, gorgeous
office.
I get my coffee and I walk around the room, and it says,
Chairman of the Board of University Tennessee, of the University of
Tennessee.
So this very aghast looking lawyer walks in and he says, good
morning.
And I said, good morning.
And he said, okay, what do you want?
I said, I beg your pardon?
What do you want? What do you want?
I said, excuse me, sir. I'm not sure.
He said, What do you want? Fourplexes, duplexes, four stories,
three story? What do you want? We'll give it to you.
Okay. Now, we don't -- that's A to Z, but that is what's out there.
And they -- and I said to my friend Jim, why -- first of all, where the
hell is Union, Tennessee? And, secondly, why are you going there?
And then he said to me -- because we knew each other well, he
said, there are no unions, we're tax abated for 25 years. This is
happening.
Do you know why -- up in the east where they have driven
businesses away, do you know why -- that beautiful park down in
Duke, North Carolina, and so on, because of businesses who left.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And we're -- and I have to cut you
off, because we have to keep going, but thanks for your comments.
That's why we have an executive director who comes from North
Carolina who knows the inside scoop on that. We're going to make
that happen.
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MR. RICE: Good.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: My commitment is that I plan this
spring on bringing these initiatives back to the board for their vote. I
would like to see a property tax abatement program come before this
community as a way to incentivize business, and it would go to
referendum. I do want to see it on the ballot. I want the taxpayers of
Collier County to vote on such a program.
I would like to see a moratorium to test out impact fee credits
specifically as to commercial. And I know we had a group that came
forward and suggested a 75 percent cut. I believe we go 100 percent
and do it for 12 months, see what impact it has on business, to test it
out. If it doesn't work, you know, we reimpose impact fees. If it does
make a difference, we consider, you know, alternatives to funding for
projects if we see that, you know, impact fees can make such a
difference on economic development.
And then, finally, I do want to work with staff to develop a really
sophisticated expedited permitting program and one where not just
new businesses coming in get expedited permitting as an incentive,
but where we establish a program where, for example, we can charge;
supplementally, if there's a developer who wants expedited permitting
so that, you know, it's not an additional cost to the taxpayer but it's a
value-add service to a business looking to grow in Collier County.
Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Are we on commissioners'
comments?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No. But it was important to state,
so forgive me if-- when you're chair -- because I'm going to vote for
you, just saying -- I will promise to be a good girl.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: You may regret that.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I promise to be a good girl.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: It may be a lot shorter meetings.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I swear. I swear I will be a good
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girl. I swear. Well, not too hard, but --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Motion to approve.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: All right. We have a motion -- this
is really great. I just think it's great that we are just, like, splitting
teams here.
So thank you for the motion, Commissioner Henning. Thank you
for the second, Commissioner Coyle.
Any further discussion, Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. I've still got my button on.
And I've heard what you just said about tax cuts, which is very,
very nice. One of the things we enjoy here in Collier County is the
sixth lowest tax rate in the entire state of Florida. That's wonderful.
One of the reasons we've been able to enjoy that and attract
businesses who also want to have low taxes is because we've had
impact fees.
And another thing that CityGate isn't going to be enjoying soon, I
understand, along with a couple others, is the innovative -- innovation
zone where they act like a CRA.
And so -- now, if we're giving all this away and, yet, we want to
maintain our community, the quality of our community, the quality of
our public utilities, how are we going to maintain all of that if we're
giving it all away because of no impact fees?
We've seen what happened in Lee County now because they
weren't but a few months old with eliminating -- or, rather, putting a
moratorium on it, and then they said they're going to have to raise
their taxes because they were going under with that.
We've seen -- now, I don't know what would happen with the
innovation zone if we then eliminate impact fees and reduce tax. I
don't know how that will affect your program, Bruce, but you might
be thinking about that.
So I think we have to think very clearly, very clearly, and we
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need to talk to our business community to make sure we're heading in
the right direction and not shooting ourselves in the foot.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, thank you for those
comments. And we have to stay competitive, look to what the other
counties are proposing. And all our competitors are proposing
programs just like I've described.
So we have to figure out how to get it done. And my thought is --
and this is the last comment on the subject.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: No. I have to say one more thing.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: We're off subject.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We are, but I just want to make one
last point, because it is important.
Just one thing, Commissioner Fiala. You have to look at the
short term investment and offset it against the long term gain.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Oh, I tell you, I'm --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Commissioners' comments.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- looking out the window and
seeing that there's so much growth taking place right now in East
Naples. I mean, four times the amount of growth than anyplace else,
and nobody's complaining about impact fees --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: See what you started?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I see.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- or taxes. They are moving
forward.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I'm sorry. Forgive me.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I didn't interrupt you either.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No. Good points. Thank you very
much.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And we will have this discussion.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We have a motion; we have a
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second.
All in favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Great. All right.
Next item?
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
Item #10C
THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACCEPTED THE COLLIER COUNTY ACCELERATOR
FEASIBILITY WHITE PAPER AND PROVIDED STAFF
DIRECTION BASED ON THE REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO FOSTERING ECONOMIC
GROWTH THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN
ENTREPRENEURIAL ACCELERATOR WHICH WILL HOUSE
EMERGING BUSINESSES THAT ARE DEEMED TO HAVE THE
GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR SUCCESSFUL GROWTH. THE
PROJECT WILL BE DESIGNED TO MIRROR THE
COMMUNITY INNOVATION COLLABORATION AND
MASSCHALLENGE PROGRAMS IN CAMBRIDGE, MA. THIS
PROJECT WILL THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE SOUTHWEST
FLORIDA REGION AND WILL INCLUDE COMMUNITY
PARTNERS SUCH AS FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY,
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, VENTURE CAPITALISTS AND
LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS. AT THE STATE LEVEL,
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SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT WILL BE GARNERED FROM
ENTERPRISE FLORIDA, THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR.
THE HOPE IS THAT THIS PROJECT WILL BECOME A
MODEL FOR ADDITIONAL ACCELERATORS THROUGHOUT
THE STATE, SERVING TO ADVANCE THE OBJECTIVE OF
JOB CREATION - MOTION TO ACCEPT THE REPORT AND
DIRECT STAFF TO WORK WITH DR. GOODMAN ON
DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR, AN OPERATIONAL
PLAN, EXPLORE POSSIBLE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES,
OPTIONS REGARDING AVAILABLE SPACE AND RETURN TO
THE BOARD WITH INFORMATION FOR FURTHER
DISCUSSION — APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, that takes us to Item 10C on your
agenda this morning. It's a recommendation that the Board of County
Commissioners accept the Collier County accelerator feasibility white
paper and provide staff direction based on the report
recommendations.
Commissioners, this past summer, as the board will recall, you
allowed me to commission a study on the feasibility of creating a local
business incubator and accelerator to provide a center for emerging
businesses and expanding businesses both locally and outside the
region to have a center where they could come and take advantage of
an array of services that would help them grow their business and
create new jobs here locally in the region.
As a result of that approval, Dr. Marshall Goodman was brought
in to do that feasibility study. As part of his engagement, he also put
together a request for funding support from the state legislature that
the board has already seen and endorsed through the adoption of your
legislative priorities for the coming session.
And I'm pleased now to present Dr. Goodman to present his final
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report on his feasibility study.
MR. GOODMAN: Good morning. Thank you.
I appreciate this opportunity. I appreciate your leadership that
we're seeing this morning in economic development. I think it's very,
very important.
I want to start by thanking the manager. I want to especially
thank Bruce Register and his office for all of the support that they've
given me throughout the study. And, finally, I want to thank the
people of Collier County.
This white paper is the result of a wide number of interviews and
meetings that I held with a number of stakeholders over the last four
months. So many of the ideas that are in the report and what you're
about to hear are really coming from those individuals.
So apropos, one of the earlier citizens, I am not from here.
Sometimes it is good to have an outside perspective, but I have taken
that outside perspective. I've spent the last four months interviewing
and meeting one-on-one for countless number of hours and meetings,
and this is the result.
To start, you know, I use a phrase -- if I can advance the
PowerPoint.
Okay. One of the key phrases in the industry is if you've seen
one incubator, you've seen one incubator. NBIA, which is National
Business Incubator Association, reports there's 1,400
incubators/accelerators in the United States today.
And each one of them is very different, because it's important
that the incubator/accelerator really represents what Collier County is
all about and where it wants to go in the future.
So you really have to make it your own, but you have to build on
a model. You can't start with nothing. And there are some great
models out there.
And in the executive summary, we're suggesting that the
community innovation collaboration and the Mass Challenge out of
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Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an excellent place to start.
In fact, that Mass Challenge, they're saying their motto is to
catalyze a startup Renaissance. And that's exactly what I'm hearing
this morning in this room is the need for that Renaissance of thinking
in terms of economic development.
So as I went through the entire study, I came to a conclusion that
one thing, given your comparative advantages -- and I put them all in
the report, and there's many that you have as a community. And some
of those have not really been leveraged and utilized to the point that
they could be.
And I think each one of you, as we've discussed, recognizes that
there's tremendous synergies through those regional partnerships that
can come about through a lot of attributes that you have.
And I'm recommending that you really focus on creating a
soft-landing accelerator. There's only 10 of them in the United States,
and there's none in Florida. There's a lot of incubators in Florida, but
there's very few accelerators, and there's no soft-landing accelerators.
So what is the elevator speech if somebody were to ask you, what
is a soft-landing accelerator? Very simple. It's an easy button. And
you're hearing that this morning from people in both citizens and the
business community. It's an easy button. Not just for local
businesses, but these are national -- whether they're Hertz -- and
international companies, because when you think about the concerns
that businesses have moving into areas, multiply that by 10 times.
If you're coming from Cleveland, Ohio, and you really don't
know Florida, you don't know Collier County, or if you're coming
from overseas, if you're coming from Germany, if you're coming from
France, if you're coming from China, and you don't even speak the
language, imagine how difficult it is in the 21st century to get through
those regulations, to understand impact fees and taxes to the point
where you're willing to pay because you understand the value that you
may get from that.
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Now, if you had that place, that makes it easy. That's what a soft
landing accelerator does.
So the three things that I say are important is to have a very clear
mission: Recruit, support, accelerate. Recruit innovation companies
into key focal areas.
I found, through my interviews in this community, there's very
clearly three. And these are not things that you need to import in and
start afresh. They're here. They're organic. You just need to grow
them to the next level. Because in the 21st century we're seeing a
revolution in technologies. It's very well understood in that industry.
In the next three years you are going to see changes in
technology that are greater than the last 15 years combined. Now,
think about that. There were no iPads, there were no iPhones, and yet
that's minuscule compared to the changes in technology you're going
to see in three years.
Why isn't Collier County attracting those companies? It can
through a soft landing accelerator in three key areas. Number one,
smart technologies. You have a wonderful healthcare system; very
important world class providers. They use technology. They're very
interested in even moving forward with new technologies. There's
something called blue zones. I think a very exciting concept that can
add to your brand value is by adopting the tenets of a blue zone.
The second, we've already heard some discussion about this
morning, tourism and hospitality technology. Absolutely booming, a
lot of new innovation.
Clearly you get a lot of tourists. You have a big hospitality
sector. Why isn't that innovation? The companies that are leading
those changes moving and starting in Collier County.
And the third is agribusiness and sustainability technologies tied
to that industry. Food is still important. There are mega changes
taking place in how we grow food, we process it, we deliver it. A lot
of those changes a lot of those innovations can occur again right here
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in Collier County.
So I end my report by saying something that people typically
said to me as I was leaving their offices, and it wasn't "get out." But
what they said was two things: Number one, how quickly can we get
started? And, number two, how can I help?
Every single individual -- and many of them did not know what
the interviews were about before I started, but every single individual
I met in this community was ready to help and was very excited to get
started.
So I'm proposing a kickstart. I'm proposing that you recommend
to this gentleman here that he comes back with a plan, with a business
plan to kickstart this effort, and there are three things. Number one, in
the next 30 to 60 days, develop an operational plan to kickstart the
accelerator with the goal being finding $400,000 locally. I'm
suggesting a split. That's my suggestion. Local public sector support,
200,000; private sector match, 200,000.
And one of those individuals who has helped in countless ways
throughout this study has also stepped forward to say that if this
moves forward, Manager, Commissioners, that he would chair the
private sector effort to find the 200,000. That's an individual I think
you all know, Mr. Fred Pezeshkan.
I want to thank -- publicly thank Fred for all of his help and for
his willingness to take on that endeavor.
In the next 30 to 60 days, find space where this could get started:
Furnishings, equipment, hire a director, with the goal being in the
next six months the soft landing accelerator will soft land 10 to 15
companies.
And I believe that is more than doable, because ever since I
started this and there has been discussion, I have received a number of
phone calls from people saying, how much are you charging in rent?
How much space can I take?
So you haven't even built this yet but, just from word of mouth,
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people are understanding this is an opportunity that they don't want to
miss.
Another is to strategically pursue international linkages, find our
mirror images, both nationally -- and I've already suggested there's
some great opportunities in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to learn from
what has made them so successful. And they have been very
successful. How can we important some of those ideas here?
But also internationally. I know -- because of the efforts of the
Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and through your efforts in
hosting French delegations, there's been German delegations, and I
know there are other countries that are interested in visiting Collier
County.
Find the ways to link their incubators, their accelerators, to ours
and engage in joint economic development. It is a partnership, and it's
very important to understand this is a two-way street that is -- just as
we're talking about bringing companies into Collier County, there's a
world of opportunity for our companies here to engage in
opportunities in their countries.
And the more you get people talking with one another, the more
you have joint venture, the more you're going to open doors for
Collier County companies to expand internationally. At the end of the
day, that's good for Collier County, because their home base is right
here.
So in the end, I believe there is a fabulous opportunity for Collier
to carve out an important niche in Florida's economic landscape.
There is no question in my mind Collier County can be Florida's soft
landing hub.
Thank you. I'm happy to take any questions.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah. I know we haven't gotten to
some of these items yet, but I have a question, because it's important
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for this particular discussion. We have agreed today to proceed with
the regional partnership. We are accepting the white paper on
accelerators today.
We have provided money to brand, market, and promote
economic development. We will soon be approving money for a
French delegation to come here, and a consideration for a sports
stadium.
This seems to me that rather than taking a rifle shot at specific
target industries, we've just fired off a couple of shotgun blasts here.
And the theme of your presentation is focus, focus, focus. I think
that's good, focus. These other ideas are all good, too. We should
explore them, but my concern is, are they being coordinated? Is any
of what's in your white paper being coordinated with our partners in
Lee County and other places? Are the proposals to build athletic
facilities being coordinated with them? And those are the kinds of
concerns I have.
We don't seem to be focusing when we're considering this entire
range of issues today, and we don't even have the plan that is to be
developed by the Chamber of Commerce and our county office of
economic development.
Shouldn't there be some sequence of events here that assures that
we are using our resources in the most effective way?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Can I answer that?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: No. I'm asking him.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: He can -- I'm going to --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: No, no, Commissioner Hiller.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Go ahead.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Your clock is not on yet.
MR. GOODMAN: You raise a good point. And I think you are
doing that. I mean, these are sequential ways that I have seen. And
I've lived in a number of different communities, and I've been a
consultant for those communities. That, sequentially, you're building
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a very powerful economic model.
You know, I live currently in Lakeland. I said I don't live here.
And there's a small company there called Publix. And the founder of
that company, you know, started with one store. And he had on his
desk a very important statement that he lived by, and that was "Start.
The rest is easy."
And, you know, a lot of times it's really hard getting to start,
because I think you will find those linkages will occur, because I think
a lot of the players that are behind each one of these initiatives are in
conversations with one another.
And so those linkages will grow, but the most difficult thing for
government and even for the private sector is taking that first step.
When he took that first step, and it was a big one for him to leave
A&P and to create in Winter Haven this fancy new art deco store that
people would say would never work. Well, we know it did work. But
today Publix is very different than the company he started, because
they've grown at each step.
So, Commissioner, I think the bigger danger is missing
opportunities that are here today in this community where you have a
private sector and citizens willing to give it their all.
And we've heard comments before about the private sector. I
could tell you, I've talked to just as many private citizens, many of
whom are retired, who'd say, you know, I want to spend an hour,
couple hours a week mentoring.
Some of these people ran, not Fortune 500, not Fortune 300 like
Hertz, some ran Fortune 50, and they're in your community, and they
want to find a way that we can institutionalize and create an
infrastructure for them to be part of something exciting.
So I understand your point. Focus is very important. I think you
do have some clear industry foci in Collier, but I think it's more
important to get started. And those linkages won't be built around a
committee room. They're built by doing.
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CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I would like to expound on that.
There is a very clear focus. There is no shotgun approach to this.
In fact, the way the agenda is organized is to absolutely focus
from the regional down to the company.
The first discussion we had was the promotion of regionalism.
The second discussion we had was the public/private partnership
between the chamber and the county to basically brand and market
and promote and sell Collier County as a business destination.
This presentation that we have before us now is about the
accelerator, where those companies will land when they come here.
And there's a second part to this presentation which will be put
forward by David Diamond who will discuss an incubator that is
currently established, one that he created, one that he owns. And
when you hear how many companies he is incubating, you will be
shocked and amazed.
And then the final presentation that we're going to have in this
chain of discussions will be about an incubator from France that we
are partnering with that includes about 100 companies -- I mean, sorry
-- forgive me, wrong number, one zero too few -- a thousand
companies.
And this incubator, through the French government, will be
exporting companies to Collier County, to Southwest Florida, to the
state of Florida.
We'll be working with FGCU. We'll be working with our local
schools. We'll be working with the Chamber of Commerce. We'll be
working with the -- with Enterprise Florida, with the Office of
Economic Opportunity, all to establish themselves here, hire locals,
and prosper. So it is very, very coordinated. It is very focused.
The sports is something completely different. The soccer is
public/private partnership looking to give us the opportunity to grow
our parks without using tax dollars, because we are short on the park
side with respect to park facilities. And this is -- that project has really
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-- I mean, it will promote economic development, because it is
focused on tourism and sports marketing, but it is -- it is a separate
project.
So your questions are very fair and actually very good,
Commissioner Coyle.
And thank you for the opportunity to bring that out,
Commissioner Nance.
And then I'd like to have David Diamond present.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Dr. Goodman, I would like to
thank you for your focus on the three areas -- the three focal business
sectors that you've identified, and I would just like to also thank you,
sir, as an aside for -- as you've gone out on your work on this project,
for your support of our legislative efforts for the University of Florida
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Research and Education
Center, sir, in Immokalee, as it is an integral part of agribusiness and
sustainable technologies and as an economic resource to the
University of Florida and the whole system.
I believe that it is very important for us to engage the citizens and
the county on this effort because of the great many things that are
being discussed here and the way that they do look complicated and
they do look a little bit foreign to them; however, I will remind
everybody in this room that together we have had these sorts of
discussions going all the way back to 2000 when we hired Dover-Kohl
to come out and do our community character study and again when we
had the Anderson Economic Group come in 2006 or '7 -- I can't
remember which one -- and then five years later.
These same topics, these same foci were identified and suggested
to us. So this is, indeed -- we have come full circle on a lot of this;
however, what we share at this time, I feel, is the critical mass of
support from the business community, the private sector, and the
government to gain political will that we do need to take those first
steps that sometimes seem like they're huge, but I don't think they're
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near as painful as if we push this back again or extend this out.
We can't afford to extend and pretend any longer about economic
development and working together with our business community. We
just cannot. Now's the time. Now's the time for us to do this.
It's very important -- I'm going to -- I'm going to move approval
on this item and say I think it's a small part of a very important
package, and I endorse it 100 percent.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. I have a motion and a
second. We have public speakers, and David also has to present on
the incubator.
So I'm going to ask that we hold on the vote till after we hear
from David and the speakers.
It's 12 o'clock now, and I know a number of people in the room
have lunch meetings, so we're going to adjourn and be back at one to
continue this agenda item and then to have the vote on it.
So with that, see you at one.
(A luncheon recess was had.)
MR. OCHS: Madam Chair, you have a live mike.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. We're reconvening our
meeting, continuing from this morning.
We were on Item 10C. I had -- I stand corrected. I said that
David Diamond was going to be speaking, but he's actually going to
be speaking to 10 -- doing a presentation under 10D. So I apologize
for that.
Can we turn to public speakers, please.
MR. MILLER: Yes, ma'am. Your first public speaker is David
Diamond, and he will be followed by Dr. Ron Toll.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And then, just for the benefit of the
audience, once we are done with this agenda item, since we're
continuing it from this morning, we are going to go to public comment
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and then allow, if there's anyone who wants to speak publicly, to do
so, and then we're going to go back to 10D. Go ahead.
MR. DIAMOND: Good morning, Commissioners. Thank you
for allowing me to speak to you today.
I'm Dave Diamond. I'm president of D'Angelis Diamond
Construction, also a cofounder of VentureX, and I'm an Angel
investor.
And I wanted to speak in favor of the recommendation this
morning as an Angel investor. As an Angel investor, I've had the
opportunity to invest in several early stage companies and
entrepreneurs here locally, as well as in Silicon Valley and New York
City and Austin, Texas, and Seattle where I travel often looking for
investment opportunities. Many of those investments were in
companies that came through an accelerator program.
I like the direction that I see recently happening with several
organizations here in Southwest Florida to develop and enhance the
entrepreneurial community in a regional way that both attracts and
retains bright innovative entrepreneurs. And it engages our
universities, our investors, businesses, service providers, and our
government agencies.
I see this as adding value to our community, and I look forward
to seeing the development of our entrepreneurial ecosystem.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. DIAMOND: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Dr. Ron Toll. He will be
followed by Maegan Evans.
DR. TOLL: Thank you very much, and thank you for the
opportunity to be here with you this afternoon.
My name is Ron Toll. I'm provost and vice president for
academic affairs at Florida Gulf Coast University. And I just want to
speak for a couple of moments with regard to the university's
participation and partnership with all things economic development
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within the Southwest Florida region.
We are your regional partner, and I want to be clear, we love all
of our counties equally. And we --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We like that.
DR. TOLL: -- were brought here to serve the people of
Southwest Florida in a very short period of time, 17 years; still a very
young university. We have excelled in terms of our academic
programs, in terms of providing great learning outcomes.
Commissioner Fiala, I'll mention that the newest data coming to
me just within the last 10 days shows that FGCU was tied for number
one in the state university system for the percentage of our students
that are gainfully employed post baccalaureate within one year of
graduation.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's great.
DR. TOLL: We are number one. Someone else tied us.
We believe that the university's role in terms of being part of
economic development has been well known and well advertised.
We're a leadership and ready, which has become the Southwest
Florida Alliance.
And we provide a number of different things in terms of the
presence of a university. We are an integrator. We are a facilitator.
We are a provider of a variety of different types of resources. We are
a trusted neutral party that certainly lives within the Sunshine, very,
very bright Sunshine.
We are a catalyst. We are a workforce developer. We are a
powerful regional economic development site selection recruiting tool.
And if Mr. Broome was still here, I think he would mention that the
presence of FGCU had a lot to do with Hertz selecting Southwest
Florida.
We are an anchor for the region. And, of course, even with a
slow start, we are "Dunk City."
The FGCU Ihub is not an incubator building. It is a facility for
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December 10-11, 2013
research and for education. We have a substantial commitment to that
facility. There was P3 that led to the development with John Bocky
(phonetic) and Bocky Galvano Development, a gift in the value of the
land of over $6 million.
That first draw from the legislature two years ago, of$4.5
million, a gift to an endowment to establish the Bocky chair of
renewable energy, which was filled with a true world class researcher
and teacher. So we are well into $15 million plus in terms of our Ihub
Building.
I keep looking at that clock, which perennially tells me I have
one minute and six seconds left. I hope I can just spend another
couple of moments here.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Please do.
DR. TOLL: We are now looking for the substantial construction
Phase 2 funding for the Ihub Building. This is just slightly north of
$7.5 million. We've been working very closely with the governor's
office to see that that, as our top LBR, is funded this year.
I have received a limited amount of information thus far. I
appreciate Dr. Goodman's conversations and speaking with Dudley
Goodlette regarding the Collier Global Business Accelerator. But in
terms of what I do know about our facility and what I'm learning about
yours is that these two facilities can certainly serve as complementary
components of a Southwest Florida Regional Economic Development
Plan.
As you know, we are your statewide environmental university.
We are your renewable energy university. And our facility, our ihub,
is going to focus on renewable energy and sustainable technologies
related to energy and energy storage. Those reflect our core strengths
in what we bring to the region in terms of disciplinary expertise.
But each of these two facilities can certainly create a nexus that
leads to their own independent economic development, and that's
based on the intellectual capital that these two facilities will bring, the
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December 10-11, 2013
expanding markets that these two facilities will support, the research
and development that will need to take place for these two facilities to
be successful, and certainly the job creation that we're all looking
forward to as we see our region begin to grow out of this very, very
devastating recessional period over the last five or six years.
So I believe that both facilities have their own synergies. We at
FGCU believe that they will be in a noncompete environment and
truly be there in a cooperative environment for what's good for
Collier, what's good for the region, what's good for all the people that
are served by Florida Gulf Coast University.
And, Commissioner Hiller, I want to thank you for the passion
that you've brought to this conversation, your leadership comments at
the workshop about a month ago, and your pledge to have your county
commission behind the ready effort which you have now brought to
fruition this morning.
Thank you very much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. Thank you very much.
MR. MILLER: Your next public speaker is Maegan Evans.
She'll be followed by Bob Krasowski.
MS. EVANS: Good morning, Chairwoman and Commissioners.
I appreciate your allowing me to speak today.
I wanted to say that I am a strong proponent of the accelerator
feasibility white paper that is being proposed.
My firm, Falls River Group, has been -- was established in
Naples 16 years ago. We are an investment banking firm. We
specialize in mergers and acquisitions. Kerry Dustin is our chairman.
One of the reasons that I am such a proponent of this is that we
are contacted annually by anywhere from 50 to 100 startups that say,
we would like to have your advice, your counsel, your help
financially, your help intellectually in establishing ourselves either in
Collier County or somewhere else in the world.
We happen to have a global footprint through our international
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merger and acquisition partners, and we are doing a number of
cross-border deals internationally at this point in time, including in
France. And my associate, Bob McCashin, will speak to 10D and his
support of that initiative.
I did want to add one thing, that Falls River Group is the business
advisor for World Lister. This was mentioned this morning to the
commissioners as a company that was founded, incubated here in
Collier County, in Naples. I met with Ms. Hiller in regard to this
company and this initiative, and it's going to go -- be a huge, huge
success for Collier County.
World Lister is this mobile application for eCommerce. And of
all the places in the world these young men could have come to start
this company, they chose Collier County because of the quality of life.
So I thank you very much, and we're looking forward to working
with the commissioners in the coming days and the coming years to
make this really one of the most -- it is one of the most remarkable
places in the country, and we look forward to making our contribution
in helping these young companies get a toehold.
Thank you very much.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your final public speaker on Item 10C is Bob
Krasowski.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Hello, again. Bob Krasowski.
I'm very much supportive and enthusiastic about having this type
of facility and program in Collier County, so I'm not totally against
everything.
But something that turned me off was inviting businesses from
France and China. The last thing we need here in Collier County, in
Florida, in America, is Chinese businesses. They own everything
already, just about, and we've surrendered our national interests to this
globalization marketplace thing. We're not protecting our own
culture.
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December 10-11, 2013
And I have nothing against Chinese, but --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: What Chinese company are you
talking about?
MR. KRASOWSKI: That it was referred to in the presentation
that we'd be inviting Chinese people to the incubator, Chinese
companies and French companies, and we don't need either one of
them.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I don't know anything about the
Chinese companies.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Oh, really. Didn't you mention Chinese
companies?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I like French people.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I like French people.
MR. KRASOWSKI: There's nothing wrong with French people.
It's that I don't want French government and business coming here to
-- you know, we have -- there are -- yes or no? That's all.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Hold the time. Stop the time. I
want to make sure that Bob has all his time. But do you mind?
Would you comment, because except --
MR. GOODMAN: Well, actually, the accelerator would be open
to any country.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Yeah. Did you mention Chinese?
MR. GOODMAN: I think I mentioned China.
MR. KRASOWSKI: China, yeah. Well, I'm not specifying the
Chinese, but China business interests here in Collier County; don't
need it. If you --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: You were --
MR. KRASOWSKI: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Were you just throwing that out as
an example, Marshall?
MR. OCHS: Yes.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So it could be India?
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December 10-11, 2013
MR. GOODMAN: Yes. It could be Germany, it could be India,
it could be any -- this is a public/private partnership. The accelerator
is open to any country that wants --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So the bottom line is is that this not
just for domestic startup firms, but it's for international?
MR. GOODMAN: National and international companies.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: International, all right. So let's make
sure that's clarified on the record.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Yeah, okay. Well, that was just something
he said that caught my attention.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, no. I appreciate that. It's
good that you caught it, and I'm glad we clarified it. Can you start his
time.
MR. KRASOWSKI: And, of course, his comments, and his
paper were great, you know, although I'd like to see this effort be
focused on the resources of Collier County, like what businesses
would work here, we could grow here. If we've come to the end of the
line with things we can do, ideas we can generate here, then we could
move onto maybe considering other things.
But for the beginning, spending taxpayer money or being
involved, the government, we should encourage local effort.
And then I see here the parties identified as being involved, local
businesses additional -- Florida Gulf Coast University, Enterprise
Florida, where are the -- once again, where is the people's input? You
know, the government has just taken off-- taken off with business and
all these different projects, and you don't have the benefit.
And if it's an incubator, the good ideas, at least in America over
history, have come from the middle class who strive to become
something, to accomplish something, and we're drifting away from
that. You've got a bunch of people up at the top, and they all have
great ideas and they want to bring more people in from the top to --
you know, so I'm encouraging you to make sure that all sorts of people
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December 10-11, 2013
are included.
Another thing, like computers and computer technology was
identified, and I see that we shouldn't go for computer manufacturing
because it has a lot of toxic byproducts. But research and
development and the other health and tech and tourism, hospitality,
excellent ideas for a start.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. Thanks for those good
comments, Bob.
Leo, did you want to make any closing remarks on this, or would
you like us to go ahead and --
MR. OCHS: No, ma'am, just to, you know, reiterate that, from
staffs perspective, we're not asking the board to commit any dollars at
this time.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Right.
MR. OCHS: We would like the opportunity, if the board would
allow us, to move forward with Dr. Goodman's assistance as he laid
out in his presentation, to bring back a detailed business plan and pro
forma for this kickstart accelerator that would work not only with
private sector partners but, as Dr. Toll said, reaching out to the
university institutions and educational institutions in the area to bring
back a detailed proposal on this concept of a kickstart accelerator to
take advantage of some of the offers we've had from the private
sectors for in-kind contributions and direct cash contributions towards
this effort. That would be my request of the board as a next step in this
particular item.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Possibly grants?
MR. OCHS: Oh, well, obviously we're working at the state and
federal levels for grant opportunities.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Sounds great.
So with that, do we have a motion? Commissioner Henning, did
you want to speak, or did you want to --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah, I did, and we have a
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December 10-11, 2013
motion by Commissioner Nance.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Right.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: And seconded by me.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We just need to make sure that that
motion is properly phrased to be consistent with what the county
manager would like.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: And that's my understanding,
what the recommendations are is what the county manager said;
however -- and I know you're coming back. If we're talking about a
hard asset hub incubator, I would like to know the vacancy rate and --
well, if we're going to build something new, okay, I would like to -- I
don't want to compete against commercial development, commercial
existing.
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir; yep, understood.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And one of the things to understand
is that we're not going to house these companies for any length of
time. The intent is that, you know, once a company is identified as
having a potential for success -- and these are more established. This
is not like the incubation phase. This is actually accelerating them
into the market.
The intent is to house these companies, for example, for a year,
and then in the meantime that company will go into the commercial
market to your point of what's available and will find their space but in
-- what we will do is -- you know, there will be a team that will assist
them so that when they make that transition from incubation into the
market, that, you know, they don't get lost in the process.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: No, I understand the whole
concept; however, that isn't what we were doing with the so-called
incubator at the Immokalee airport.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And I am so glad you brought that
up because --
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December 10-11, 2013
COMMISSIONER HENNING: That's a different topic.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I know, but I -- can I ask you a
favor? Can you bring that back and put that on the agenda? Because
that incubator was not properly handled as an incubator, and that is
something that should be revisited.
So if you could bring that back, that is a very important
discussion, Commissioner Henning.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. I just wanted to hear
that. Yes, I like it.
All right. We have a motion and a second.
Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no further discussion --
does everyone understand that the direction is to give the county
manager direction to work with Mr. Goodman on developing the plan
and --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: You want me to restate the
motion?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I would like to make a motion to
accept the Collier County accelerator feasibility white paper and direct
staff to come back with some options for the board to include the
development of the accelerator, to include an operational plan,
opportunities, and options for funding, opportunities and options for
space and staffing and options for proceeding to make ourselves
eligible for state funding and grants. And to bring back some
opportunities for the board to review and approve.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There a second on that?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Second.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I think you already --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Coyle seconded.
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December 10-11, 2013
Yeah, that's fine.
We've got a motion and a second.
All in favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
MR. OCHS: Thank you, Commissioners.
Item #7
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS NOT ON THE
CURRENT OR FUTURE AGENDA
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: With that we'll move to public
comment.
MR. MILLER: Madam Chairwoman, I have one registered
speaker for public comment today. Bob Krasowski wants to speak
about beach renourishment permit violations.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Go ahead, Bob.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Hello, Commissioners, again. Bob
Krasowski, for the record.
You mentioned earlier, when I first got here, that I believe the
beach nourishment project's ending today? Wasn't that --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Leo --
MR. KRASOWSKI: Was that correct or this week?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- would you like to comment on
the timing?
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December 10-11, 2013
MR. OCHS: Yes. The final truck will be depositing sand today.
Of course, the exception to that is the Pelican Bay Beach breach that
was held up through an administrative hearing. But the balance of the
beach project will be finished today with some punch list items
through the balance of this week.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Well, congratulations on that. And I was --
I got here just a little too late to hear what your comments were.
But before we have a parade and say everything was wonderful,
there were a couple of issues, okay, and that was on Vanderbilt Beach.
It started at the -- in the middle of October, and there were a couple of
nests left there.
And as I showed you before, the -- videos that my wife and I had
taken of every day until that nest hatched, and there were violations of
the permit, okay; whereas, the trucks went too close to the nest, and
the beach was not restored every evening to its natural state as is
specified in the permit.
So I just don't want to rain on anybody's parade, but there's good
and bad to everything. And so this is one component of this. Thank
goodness you couldn't stop -- it couldn't start in the middle of
September and you were delayed till the middle of October because of
various hearings or whatever and -- because there would have been
more nests there.
So I just want to point that out. It will be registered with the state
and all the regulatory authorities that this occurred, and they'll
determine what has to be done with it, and it hopefully will have an
influence in the future -- future projects where we can say that we
can't experience reasonable assurance that turtles will be protected
when a permit's issued, because you don't follow the permit.
Thank you for -- well, not thank you, because I like to thank the
veterans of the country who provide all of this for us. But I appreciate
-- yeah, you. I appreciate your attention to my comments. Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
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December 10-11, 2013
Item #10D
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVE AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN COLLIER COUNTY AND RETIS
DESIGNATING COLLIER COUNTY EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO
HOST THE RETIS FACE 6 EXECUTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM
IN THE SPRING OF 2014, APPROVE PROVIDING FUNDING IN
THE AMOUNT OF UP TO $10,000 FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
IN FACILITATING THE EVENT, AND APPROVE THAT THE
COUNTY'S OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILL
HOUSE AND PROVIDE SUPPORT STAFF TO THE FRENCH
GOVERNMENT'S NON-PROFIT STAFF DURING THE
PROGRAM PERIOD. THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY
HAS MATCHED THE COUNTY'S COMMITMENTS BY
OFFERING INCUBATOR AND ACCELERATOR SPACE TO AID
FRENCH COMPANIES AS THEY LOOK TO ESTABLISH
THEMSELVES HERE. THIS IS A PUBLIC-PRIVATE
INITIATIVE NOT ONLY INVOLVING LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AND LOCAL BUSINESSES, BUT ADDITIONALLY
INVOLVING FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY AND
ENTERPRISE FLORIDA. THE VIEW TO THE LONG TERM IS
THAT RETIS WILL ESTABLISH A FORMAL PRESENCE IN
COLLIER COUNTY, TREATING COLLIER AS ITS BASE OF
OPERATION AS IT BRINGS FRENCH BUSINESSES TO THE
REGION — APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Madam Chair, that takes us to Item 10D on your
agenda this morning. It's -- or this afternoon, excuse me. It's a
recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners approve an
agreement between Collier County -- excuse me -- Collier County and
RETIS designating Collier County exclusive rights to host the RETIS
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December 10-11, 2013
FACE 6 executive training program in the spring of 2014 and approve
providing funding in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for financial
support in facilitating the event, and approve the Office the Economic
Development's ability to house and provide staff support to the French
government's nonprofit staff during the program period.
Mr. Register will lead the presentation.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. Before Bruce gets
started, I just want to mention that this has presented itself as a
tremendous opportunity. The governor is aware of this initiative and
is supportive. Enterprise Florida is aware of this initiative and has
been supportive.
We have worked -- the members of the regional initiative are
aware of this initiative and are supportive, and the local chamber is not
only aware but was directly involved in the recruitment of this
business initiative, this incubator of over a thousand French companies
that are interested in doing business in South Florida.
And before I let Bruce get started with all the details, I do want to
share with you just the kind of people in the local community that
were actively involved in recruiting this group.
One gentleman worthy of note that was instrumental in bringing
about this success is -- his last name is Gamier, J.P. Garnier. And I
just want to read his bio to you to let you know what kind of people
we have here in Collier County, the kind of people that are reaching
out to new businesses to make our community that much more
prosperous and successful.
J.P. Garnier got a PhD in Pharmacology in 1972 from the
University of Louis Pasteur in France. He went to Stanford Graduate
School, where he got a Masters.
His professional career, well, needless to say it's quite
impressive. Between 1998 and 2008, he was the CEO of
GlaxoSmithKline, the second largest pharmaceutical company in the
world. In fact, he was the one who brought about the merger between
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Glaxo and SmithKline.
He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Actelion, which is
the largest European Biotechnology Company. He is an operating
partner in Advent International, which is a Healthcare Private Equity
Firm. He is a Board Member of United Technologies, of Renault and
Suherni, and he is on the Board of Trustees of Paul Newman
Foundation and the Max Planck Institute.
Among his awards, you've got the Officiel Legion d'honneur,
which is the French Knighthood, the Knight Commander of the British
Empire, and the Marco Polo Award.
And his interests are investing in high-tech startup -- so he would
be the type of venture capitalist we would be looking to who would be
investing in these companies that are going to be starting up here in
Collier County.
And his hobbies -- and this is what I really like -- is -- well, I like
the last part the most. I mean, the first two I could live without --
tennis, golf and, most importantly, living in Naples.
That is the profile of the people involved in this initiative. And
we're very fortunate to have gentlemen like him working on the
ground floor to make this project a reality.
Bruce?
MR. REGISTER: Thank you, Commissioner. Bruce Register,
Director of your Office of Business and Economic Development.
I'm here today for 10D. I think the County Manager has
prescribed a very accurate depiction of what the recommendation will
entail, but I'd like to strongly emphasize that we -- staff is
recommending that this agreement be considered favorably for several
reasons; first and foremost is this agreement will initiate an
introduction to a soft landing for international investment here in
Collier County/Southwest Florida, the entire state of Florida for that
matter.
It will also provide Collier County and the Southwest Florida
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region -- again, the state of Florida as well -- an opportunity to
demonstrate how these French companies can be successful here in
our community with our technical assistance to make that integration
into our economy easier and more productive for them.
For example, we'll be assisting these kinds of companies with
seminars and orientation around immigration issues, tax and
accounting, labor customs, business plan adaptation to the United
States markets, and the flow of goods that will result from that, as well
as the investment on both sides of these two continents, will have the
net result of creating jobs, improving our economy, and strengthening
Collier County, Southwest Florida, and the State of Florida.
So it's with that basis that we would provide a recommendation
that you would approve this agreement that primarily provides up to
$10,000 of support for the lodging and transportation for up to 10
companies from France that will be coming to our shores on an
international business development mission.
If you have any questions, I'd be delighted to address them.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And I want to make sure -- Bruce,
just for the record, to make clear, it's $10,000 total, not $10,000 for 10
companies. It's just $10,000 total.
MR. REGISTER: Correct.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And the other point that you made,
Leo, is that the French Government Staff that will be coming over
would be --
MR. OCHS: Right.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- housed in Bruce's office. He
would be working in conjunction with them, with the other part of the
project, which is housing the businesses as they incubate before they
move into the accelerator, being done by the private sector, which is
the next presenter, and that will be David Diamond, who will step up
to the podium after you and explain where those companies will go
while the government officials are working under your umbrella.
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MR. REYNOLDS: Yes. David?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: David, would you like to present at
this point?
MR. DIAMOND: Sure. Good morning.
Good morning again. I'm Dave Diamond, and thank you for
allowing me to speak to you again.
At this point, on 10D, I'm speaking to you as co-founder of
VentureX. And I have some slides I want to show. I learn visually, so
I thought maybe it would help you to see some slides. They're just
going to play in the background as I speak.
They're images of VentureX and of the group that came from
France and when they were here as well as the way we're laid out. So
if I can get that started. Let's see. I think that will just play.
At VentureX we've had the pleasure of being one of the hosts for
the delegation from France on three occasions this year, in April and
July and in September.
We initially were introduced to them through the Chamber of
Commerce. Our first meeting in April was an introductory meeting
where they took a tour of VentureX. And later in July they returned,
and we hosted them, and they had a contest for young entrepreneurs,
and the winner of that contest received a trip to -- for one week to go
to France and work inside one of their incubators.
And then in September we hosted one of their kickoff events,
which was an eight-hour event of speakers and workshops and forums
that included several Southwest Florida Leaders from the Chamber,
from area university/colleges, and county government.
I also was, recently this past July, in Toulon, France, to visit one
of RETIS' incubators. Toulon is in the south of France, the Polka
Region. The French like to call it their Silicone Valley.
And I toured their facilities, and I met several of their start-up
companies and was impressed by their innovation and their
determination to succeed.
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And their space was designed very similar to what ours was here
at VentureX and some others across the United States that I've seen.
At VentureX we are excited that the French group, RETIS, is
choosing to pursue Southwest Florida, and we are committed to
providing them with office space, event space, mentorship, and
assisting with making connections during their next phase of
establishing a presence here when they're here in the spring of 2014.
Briefly, just about what VentureX is. We're located in Mercato.
We're not an accelerator program. We're a private membership office
space for innovative businesses. Imagine being able to have your
office in a collaborative-type office space like you would see at
Google or Facebook or Apple.
We have over 70 companies that work there. We have
companies that are attorneys, architects, healthcare technology firms,
education technologies, social media marketing companies, and also a
few nonprofits. The Naples International Film Festival has their
offices there.
It's a very open and collaborative office. We also host and
sponsor weekly events for entrepreneurs. Like yesterday, last night,
some of the slides you're seeing there is Florida Gulf Coast University
had their Eagle Business Awards. That's a business plan competition.
We sponsored them -- for four years now we've sponsored them. And
last year they were state collegiate champions. We also host tech
meet-up groups, demo days, pitch nights, and product launch events.
We'd like to create an environment to help entrepreneurs succeed
and accelerate by offering them innovative office space, collaboration,
introductions and events.
We are very excited to be just one part of the private side of this
public/private initiative.
Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Leo, is there anything you would like to add?
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MR. OCHS: No, ma'am. I don't know if we have any registered
speakers, though, Madam Chair.
MR. MILLER: We do. And also, I think Dudley Goodlette
wanted to speak. He had to leave, and Cotrenia Hood is here to speak
in his stead.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, wonderful. Cotrenia?
MS. HOOD: Good afternoon, Madam Chair and the
Commission.
I am Cotrenia Hood, the vice president of Business Development
for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and the Partnership for
Collier's Future Economy.
And I stand before you today on behalf of our leadership and our
organization to say that the chamber will do what it does best, and that
is support international business throughout Collier County. And we
support this initiative from the beginning and will continue to do so
going forward.
Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And what's really important is that
the chamber is actually going to be part of this initiative in that when
the companies come over, once they're housed in VentureX and the
government employees start working from within the county, the
chamber will be working with Bruce Register to help these companies
make the right decision to establish themselves here and basically tie
them into the community with the professionals that can allow them to
establish themselves in the southwest region, be it in Collier County or
Lee or any of the other counties that are part of Southwest Florida.
And the intent is that if for some reason the company isn't best
suited to this area but might be suited to somewhere else in the state,
we're establishing a relationship with Enterprise Florida where we will
have a dedicated employee to this venture where we will refer that
business up to the state who will look for a home for that company
within Florida, and then we hope to, as a result, establish reciprocity
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with that other county that companies that don't work in, for example,
let's say, Miami-Dade or Duval, would then -- you know, they would
send their businesses down here.
So we start -- we start cross-selling throughout the state. And we
hope that this will be the starting point for that type of process to take
place.
MS. HOOD: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: You also have two registered public speakers,
Madam Chair. Your first speaker is Bob McCashin. He will be
followed by Bob Krasowski.
MR. McCASHIN: Thank you, Madam Chairman,
Commissioners, for allowing me to speak today.
My wife and I moved to Collier County in Naples about 11 years
ago, and we live here year round, so I kind of feel like I'm part of the
community now. I'm here to support the initiative we're talking about.
I spent 30 years with the EDS, a company founded by Ross
Perot, and part of that time I lived in France and Europe, and I ran a
lot of the business in Europe and all over South and Central America.
There were a lot of bright and young and innovative
entrepreneurs in France. I had 3,000 of them working for me. When I
got there, they weren't so happy with me, but after a while they
warmed up to me a little bit.
But there are some very bright people there, and I think this is a
great initiative. When you look at all the issues that the government
of France is having today with their taxation, there's lots of companies
and people that want to move out of France and want to move their
money and their business and their ideas to other places, and having
Collier County be a welcoming place for them is a great idea, great
opportunity, and I want to help that.
The other point is one of the young entrepreneurs that worked for
me in France was a young guy by the name of Hubert Joly. Today he
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is the new CEO of Best Buy. So a lot of that technology and talent is
coming this way already.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's very cool. Could I ask you a
favor, could you please give your contact information to our county
manager so that we can get you involved with this whole project.
MR. McCASHIN: Be happy to.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And what's also important to
remember, it's not just those companies coming here, but we have a lot
of businesses here in Southwest Florida that have an interest in
international expansion and, as David pointed out, there was a woman
who won an award. She has a local company, and what she designed
was unbelievable. It was so high tech, I can't even describe it, it was
so complicated and sophisticated.
And so she is actually over there right now looking to see how
she can sell her product abroad, which is very important for our local
economy because, obviously, selling abroad brings new wealth in
which, again, you know, brings about prosperity. So thank you.
MR. McCASHIN: Be happy to, thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next public speaker and final speaker on
this item is Bob Krasowski.
MR. KRASOWSKI: What a day. Hello, Commissioners. Once
again, Bob Krasowski.
I hate to be an isolationist and don't mean to be an isolationist,
but it just kind of troubles me -- and let me first say that this VentureX
operation seems just wonderful. I've been by there a couple times, and
the whole concept is great and I think they're doing wonderful things.
As far as us spending $10,000 -- and we've been going 10,000,
100,000, 200,000, down the list -- $10,000 to support this, I think it's
-- this is pretty much a political gift to the governor who wants this to
happen here, and I don't think it's appropriate.
Once again, we have to keep the government back off, away, not
not involved but not involved in the sense we're spending money on
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these things.
You know, of course, I'm swimming upstream. I'm not, you
know, in the herd here but, really, it's time to focus on America. Let
them go out and find some creative, talented kids from Arkansas or
Illinois or wherever and have them come down here and work with
them.
This international stuff is not doing us any good. Sure, the
people want to escape -- the people with money want to escape France
like the people with money want to escape from California, or we
bring jobs down from New Jersey. But what about the Americans in
New Jersey that were living off of those jobs. Just because we can
undercut their pay, undercut their standard of living and bring them
down here, it's not that great of a thing. So just think about that, you
know, everybody that's involved in this.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah. I support the initiative. It is
interesting. We'll have to see where it takes us.
But in order to establish lasting business relationships, it's
important that there not be any misunderstanding about what we're
going to do.
And there is a little bit of confusion here in my mind, and if you
could just clarify it for me, we could get on with this.
But the program duration seems to be defined as a minimum
period of six months prior to and a minimum of six months preceding
the spring executive training program.
Now, I have the feeling that it's really not going to last that long.
And the reason I'm asking the question is that we're obligating
ourselves to provide housing in your office and staff support for the
entire program duration.
So tell me what the program operation really is.
MR. REGISTER: Commissioner, the reason we included those
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specifications about time in the contract is, as your officer, it is my
duty to protect this organization in terms of the exclusivity of what the
agreement we entered into, and that was put in there singularly for the
purpose of making certain that plans that they may have that are
outside of what their function for Collier County or intentions were for
Collier County would not interfere with this relationship that we were
establishing.
And that is the only reason we put six months prior that there
would be a prohibition of marketing, any other United States initiative
from the RETIS Group and six months after, and that was to preserve
our exclusivity.
The program consists of probably a three to four day seminar and
visit from these innovative companies from France for us to orient
them and for us to display and provide them an opportunity to
understand and learn about our community, learn about Florida, learn
about how it is that they could, perhaps, pursue their initiative to
invest and continue to focus on an objective of starting a business in
the United States.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. That didn't really get to my
question.
MR. REGISTER: Would you clarify then?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Maybe we could just define
program duration a little more clearly.
MR. REGISTER: Three to five days is what the actual
programmatic events will be occurring.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. Could you specify that,
then, when it comes to providing housing and providing support staff
for the French government's non-profit staff during the program
period?
MR. REGISTER: The focus on that staff support, I envision, to
consist of a few weeks prior to the event and perhaps a few weeks
after that while they're establishing the extensive amount of
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programmatic work dealing in the legwork and preliminary work that
will have to be done for a seminar and program consisting of that
magnitude.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I just want to make sure that they
understand what our intention is, because if they expect six months of
staff support and housing in your office, and we are not prepared to
provide it, we're not going to develop a good business relationship.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: And what we have here now is
confusing. It's even confusing when you explain it to me. So all I'm
saying is, we've defined the $10,000 cap. That's a maximum exposure
for cash contributions, but we haven't really defined a cap or a limit
for the housing in our offices and for the staff support.
There is not even any definition concerning what staff support
means. But I just want to make sure that when this is approved, that
the county staff has the means and capability to meet the expectations
of our partners. And if I were signing this contract, I wouldn't know
what that was.
MR. OCHS: Commissioner, there's been extensive discussions
between the French delegation and Mr. Register. And I apologize for
not having that level of specificity in your documents, but I think
there's a clear understanding on their part as well as ours about this --
the amount of time they'd actually be in our facility versus the several
days that they're actually here in the country. And it's not a year.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: But it's not in the agreement.
MR. OCHS: It's not a year commitment.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: It's not in the agreement.
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: It would be wise to put that in the
agreement.
MR. OCHS: And we will reach out to them and try to make that
revision so that both parties understand.
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COMMISSIONER COYLE: All right.
MR. OCHS: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Bruce, would you like to just give
us a little bit of a timeline of when these companies are going to be
coming over?
MR. REGISTER: The anticipated dates are the end of March,
beginning of April.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. REGISTER: We haven't narrowly focused that time
precisely at this point.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Thank you.
Is there a motion on the floor?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Not yet.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Do you plan on participating in
this yourself?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: In what capacity? Other than, you
know, to be the link between the county and the initiative, like at the
board level with Bruce being at the county level.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I have been involved. You know,
I've been attending the meetings and talking to the French and in
French.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, the reason I bring that up
is you know French.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I do.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: The language.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I do, I do.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: And I think that would be well
represented by the board if you participate in the welcoming --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, thank you.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: -- and tell them some of the
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attributes that we have in here, including the environment. You might
want to consult with Bob on some of those things, since we really
don't understand that.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Bob, I'll take you with me
anywhere. No. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: That -- with the great
community we have.
And I'm going to make a motion that we approve this item and
have the delegation of Commissioner Hiller as representing the Board
of Commissioners in this endeavor.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. I very much appreciate
it. That's very kind of you, and thanks for that vote of confidence.
And it would be my honor to work with the French and be the liaison
and work with Bruce and our staff.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: We should probably send along an
interpreter for her with her French accent.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: You know, let me tell you
something. You just want me to whisper sweet nothings in French in
your ear. I know that's where you're going. Okay. I'm sorry.
Thank you.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: That's my motion.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Is there a second?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes. I'll second that.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thanks. All right.
So we have a motion and a second.
Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no further discussion,
all in favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
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December 10-11, 2013
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
MR. OCHS: Thank you, Commissioners.
Item #10F
RESOLUTION 2013-291 : THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS ADOPTS A RESOLUTION WHICH WILL
SET FORTH A ROTATION OF THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND VARIOUS OTHER BOARDS
— ADOPTED W/THE REMOVAL OF PARAGRAPH #2 PER
COUNTY ATTORNEY KLATZKOW
MR. OCHS: That takes us next on your list of time-certain
hearing items to Item 10F on today's agenda. This is a
recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners adopts the
attached resolution which would set forth a rotation of the chair of the
Board of County Commissioners and various other boards. And this
item was placed on the agenda by Commissioner Hiller.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Move to approve.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Let me just begin quickly by saying, I feel that we are a board of
equals. I don't believe any commissioner on this board is more
important than any other commissioner.
And I really do feel that it's very important that every district
who has, you know, selected their leader, their commissioner, has the
opportunity to have their commissioner as the chair.
But not only that, I feel it's also extremely important that all
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members of the board have opportunities of being chairs of the various
boards that we have in the county, like the Tourist Development
Council, like, you know, the CRAs. Commissioner Fiala has been
very involved with the CRAB; Commissioner Henning has been very
involved with TDC.
And the third component to this executive summary is the
creation of a new chairmanship, again, all part of this numerical
rotation, which is the chair of Community and Economic
Development, and that position is really the liaison to the community
development projects and the economic development projects because
we need a liaison to the chamber, we need a liaison on the regional
alliance, you know, we need -- we need a point person. And, again,
that position would rotate.
And it's really my hope that as the board rotates through these
chairmanships numerically that each commissioner brings to the seat
that they're in their views on policy, their -- you know, their thoughts
about advancing certain projects over other projects, really for the
benefit of the county as a whole.
And I think it will give every commissioner the opportunity to
really shine on behalf of their local constituents as well as for the
benefit as a whole.
And, Commissioner Fiala, for example, has been involved in the
CRAs and has done so much, but it would really be nice to see her,
you know, in that leadership position putting forth, you know, the
agenda items with all her great ideas, you know, leading the charge on
the CRAs next year, as an example.
So that was my thought. I wanted to eliminate the politics. I
didn't want anything to be a function of vote.
When I was first elected -- you know, when you get elected to
the board, you are supposed to, A, know the county's business. And
unlike other boards where you don't know what's going on because
you're not part of the meetings, with county government everything is
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public. So you can follow -- if you're running for office, you can
follow what's going on. You should know all the issues. You should
know all the backup information. It's readily available online.
And when you're elected as a commissioner, you are expected to
know how to run a board meeting. This is not -- this is not a training
ground for, you know, board chairmanship, and you should know the
Robert's Rules of Order, you need to know how to run a meeting.
And, for example, we have two candidates that are running for
Commissioner Coyle's seat. Both have sat on boards, both have been
chair of boards. So even if we have new people coming on board, they
should be prepared.
Now, if they don't want to, you could, for example, allow the
vice-chair and the chair to alternate seats till the other person is more
comfortable. But the point is to eliminate the politics. They shouldn't
be elected positions. Every district should have their commissioner as
chair, every district should have their commissioner in one of the other
chairmanships that is available to be a part of and to lead.
And so that is why I brought forward this executive summary.
Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Commissioner Fiala can go first.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay, fine. Thank you.
First of all, I don't believe that we should really be telling future
boards how to elect their people and not elect their people. I think that
should be strictly up to them.
Second of all, when I looked through here -- by the way, I haven't
been a chairman in four years anyway, and I guess I would not be a
chairman for another four years, so that means my district wouldn't
have somebody on this chairmanship for eight years. So you were
talking about fair, but I don't know if that is or not.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, we can change the order.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, it doesn't make any
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difference, but -- and then also in District 4, next year is
Commissioner Coyle's last year. He's going to have somebody else, as
you mentioned, run, but that poor person will get into office in
November and supposed to take over the chairmanship in January.
And as much as you say that they should know, I want to tell you
I worked with government for -- solidly with government for at least
nine years before I was elected. I got onto this board, and it was a
whole new world. I didn't know the players for all of the different
departments. I'd never met them. There was different lingo than I'd
ever used because I was involved in certain aspects.
I think it's a tremendous -- a tremendous handicap to just hand
that -- just like with you when you first took over and I said, that's not
even fair to you to -- first, one month in and then you have to take
over as chairman? I didn't think that was --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I would have had no problem.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, maybe you wouldn't have --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No, none whatsoever.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- but you might be very
exceptional.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: It's taken three years.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: You're kind of brilliant. I'm just a
plain old normal person. So it would be different for me, and I'm
assuming other people are pretty plain and normal except -- you know,
but anyway, so --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Except for Commissioner Coyle.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I believe that this is -- I don't think
it's fair at all, as a matter of fact. And no matter how fair you want it
to be, I think we should not be dictating to other boards how they
should elect their officers.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I think there are some glitches here.
I understand the intent, and I agree with the intent to rotate the
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positions.
But there is a really, really steep learning curve here. And no
matter how much we think we are smart enough to handle it
immediately coming aboard, I certainly am not, and I would not have
wanted to become the chairman two months after I was elected.
It would be a disservice, in my opinion, to have a newly elected
commissioner to take over that position under those circumstances,
because I don't believe that most people who come into this position
for the first time really do understand the things about government that
we need to understand, and you can learn a lot by observing
somebody else in the chair for at least a year.
But the second issue is that the way it's laid out, I will be the
Vice-Chairman for next year and a member of the Value Adjustment
Board. I'll be gone before November, or by November. Value
Adjustment Board doesn't really start meeting until about that time.
So what you need is someone who can go through the orientation
processes for the Value Adjustment Board, but yet I'll be going
through the orientation process and then I'll leave, and you'll have to
find someone else to go through the orientation process and attend the
meeting.
So there are some complications here, but I understand the intent,
and I support that. But I think it is better for the board to be able to
apply their judgment to these things and select the best people at the
time to be in these positions.
And the set of skills will change from time to time on this board.
And it just seems to me that the people who remain on the board are
best qualified to assess who they need for leading the Board of County
Commissioners.
And so that's all I've got to say about it.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes. I want to begin by saying
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December 10-11, 2013
that I think one of the most important things on this recommendation
is the creation of the new community and economic development
liaison position, which I think Commissioner Hiller should rightfully
occupy.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I certainly also support
Commissioner Henning as our chair for the new year as well as I do
support Commissioner Fiala as chairman of the Community
Redevelopment Agency, the CRA, because I know she has a passion
about that.
What my point is is this: I believe that we have an excellent
working group right now, and I think it's quite likely that we're going
to continue to have it into the next year, that we're going to have a
very skilled group.
But what's important to me, I think -- and I understand that -- the
intent of Commissioner Hiller, and I do support the fact that chair
should rotate, but I also think that commissioners should be able to
engage the items for which they have passion and particular skill sets,
and I think we need to maintain the flexibility to do that.
Commissioner Hiller has, in her chairmanship, been very, very
active on the area of community economic development, and she
basically has served as the liaison during that time just by the fact that
she's assumed that responsibility.
She was our lead person on the RETIS issue and on the other
Southwest Florida Soccer Foundation that's going to be brought up
later this afternoon.
I think it would be very detrimental to both those programs -- had
she been the liaison this year, she would, of course, be automatically
rotating off of that next year, and I don't think that would be right. I
think it would -- I think everybody on the board would feel like that
was kind of leaving things in a lurch when she obviously has a passion
for it, and she's skilled at it and so on and so forth.
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December 10-11, 2013
So I certainly support, you know, the commissioners that I've
named being in those positions, but I really don't support adopting this
rigid mechanism of getting there. I think that creating something
that's inflexible because we're trying to reach back is -- I don't think
it's necessary at this point.
I feel very comfortable with my peers here, and I certainly am
delighted with this new liaison position that Commissioner Hiller is
proposing.
I'm going to say that we may well need another one. I'm going to
say we need a liaison for business and industry that's kind of a
companion to the TDC, and we should have another board member
that occupies that position. I think that's critical, and I think that's a
gap that we've had.
So I think there are many other chairmanships. I really -- I
support elements of this agenda item and others I don't. I don't want to
see us to get inflexible. I want us to see the majority --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Would you --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I want to see us to be able to get
our people in the positions where they're the highest and best use, they
have the most enthusiasm, and they have the most skills, and I believe
we can do that in a civilized way without a structure.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, let me ask this: Would you be
willing to accept flexibility for all the other positions, but allow just
rotation for the chairmanship, so one, two, three, four, five as opposed
to an election of the key chairmanship?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Commissioner Hiller, I do agree
with Commissioner Fiala and Coyle, and I'll tell you why. I would
have been absolutely unable to do justice to my district if I would have
been made the chairperson the first day. It's impossible. I see how
much you have had to work on it, and you are very experienced with it
because you had a couple years' head start and maybe experience that
others don't have.
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December 10-11, 2013
I would hate to bring somebody in from District 4 or, you know,
maybe Commissioner Coyle's going to run again. I don't know. In
that case, no problem. But I would hate to have somebody move into
District 4 and have to be the chairman and go through all the
orientations with county staff and the different things that I have
enjoyed and felt like I needed to spend time to do that, so --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Let me ask a question.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: So I'm going to say there's no
reason to do that. I think we need to make it happen for these other
districts without a structure.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Go ahead, Commissioner Henning.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah. I think there's a little bit
of confusion based upon what the executive summary says and the
resolution. It said -- well, after 2014, thereafter the chair of these
boards will rotate in sequence based upon -- so that -- as an example.
It's not a given. It's an example -- commencing with the board the first
meeting in January 2015. So I think that's where the confusion is.
So if we can bifurcate 2014 from 2015, change the resolution to
address 2014, then we can address 2015 later on down the road.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's fine. And the key for me --
you know, the issue of the first year, you know, I see as a red herring
because we can always accommodate. If there's someone who doesn't
want to do it because they're new onboard, that's fine. I mean, I felt
comfortable doing it. There are others who might not feel
comfortable. I respect, you know, the position of anyone coming new
into the seat to make that decision for themselves.
The concern was, for example, Commissioner Coyle was chair
three years in a row, and it was -- you know, at that time he had
majority support of two other commissioners. One commissioner is
gone now, leaving, you know, the other commissioners -- you and I,
actually, Commissioner Henning -- in a position where, you know, it
was impossible to allow for change to occur.
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December 10-11, 2013
And so, you know, your district, my district -- my district did not
see the seat -- my district was supposed to fall into the chairmanship
the year I was elected, and my seat didn't see it the next year either
because, you know, that majority elected Commissioner Coyle for
Year 3.
And so the intent of the rotation was to eliminate that type of
majority control over the seat of the chairmanship of the board.
Because, again, we are supposed to be a board of equals.
Accommodating -- and I like your idea. I think your idea,
Commissioner Nance, is great about the rotation of the others. I mean,
I'd be willing to go along and try it for this year and see, you know,
how it works. If, you know, next year, you know, you want to do
something different, then that's fine.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, my only point is this. At any
time any future board can get three members and take this resolution
and throw it out and elect --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Always. Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: -- anybody they want to for chair.
And they can elect the same person chair in perpetuity until that
majority leaves.
So I don't -- I really respect the fact that you've laid out these
positions like you have, because I think it has great utility, and your
new one is spot on.
But I just don't think -- you know, I think -- with professional
courtesy, I don't think there's any problem here.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah. And I agree. For as long as
there's professional courtesy and it isn't politics, then I totally agree
with you. And assuming that's the case --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: And when you don't, you lose it
anyway. So what have you got? Really, what do you have here?
What do you have here that can't be undone tomorrow?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We can find a new commissioner.
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December 10-11, 2013
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, you know, that always
happens, you know.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yep. All right. I like what
Commissioner Henning has proposed.
Commissioner Henning, do you want to restate your position?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, move to approve with the
amendment of amending the resolution to remove the reference of any
positions in 2015 and just stay with what's being proposed for 2014.
MR. KLATZKOW: So I'll take out Paragraph 2 of the
resolution, sir.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yep.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Say that again, Jeff.
MR. KLATZKOW: I will be removing Paragraph 2 of the
resolution, which is Page 457.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: But I think all of those things were
going to be in place anyway for next year. I mean, you're going to be
chairman. We all knew that, and I don't see anything --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We did?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I didn't.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, actually, I thought he was
going to be chairman last year, and he had mentioned a couple times,
well, when I'm chairman, and he thought he was going to -- I did, too,
but it was he that motioned for you to be chairman. I nearly fell off
my chair.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Did you really?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah, because we were going to
nominate him, and so I was really surprised at that. But that was fine.
If that's what he wanted, fine with me. You remember that very
clearly. You were -- yeah.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, the reason is I didn't have
an aide at that time. I did not have an aide.
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December 10-11, 2013
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Oh, I see.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: And the job as chairman takes a
lot of work, and you need a lot of assistance.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And you're right about that. But see
-- and you know, I mean, I thought we would be going in that rotation.
And then, to me, as long as we're talking right here, right now, I can't
see any reason why -- you know, I think all five of us agree that you're
next up to bat. I don't even know -- so is there really a reason -- and
we're all agreeing that you started off with this Community Economic
Development.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Community and Economic
Development or both. I mean, it's Community Development and
Economic. Just --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Thank you. Just for clarification.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Clarification.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Anyway. And next year -- now say,
for instance, you're wildly successful and you've been communicating
with other countries -- and you can speak so many languages -- and
maybe we feel that you would be best to stay in that position, why
should we rotate you out? You know, to me, those are -- these are
things -- you have to think about each position.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: You make a good point.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And say, for instance, we created an
ag position, well, heck, I don't think I'd be very good in an ag position,
but I certainly think Commissioner Nance would be. I mean, you
know, we have to be thinking about these individually, and I think
we're all smart enough to carry on and do our -- and do the business at
hand rather than be programmed to have to accept whatever.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, I have no problem. You
know, I think, you know, if we want to accept the positions -- thank
you so much. If we want to accept the position as presented and defer
this idea to next year and see happens and see whether it makes sense
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December 10-11, 2013
to have an election or a rotation, we can deal with it next year. If the
board is satisfied with the slate of the commissioners in the positions
that have been proposed, we can go ahead and just do that.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: For example, I would really like to
know what Commissioner Coyle would like -- this is his last year of
service, or so he tells us, and I would like to know what interests, sir,
you have and what you would actually enjoy doing next year, if
anything.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I enjoy doing anything the board
would like for me to do.
But let me make sure that we correct one perception. I am not
aware of any time in the past 15 years when a newly elected
commissioner was made the chairperson.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: No.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I certainly was not. I served -- it
was in my fourth year before I got a turn. And, generally, I think it
has been that the new person falls at the end of the line. That's the
way it was before. And that gave the new person an adequate
opportunity to learn about the process and become better informed,
and in that process I think you serve the board better and you serve the
constituents better.
So I think going with Commissioner Henning's recommendation
is fine, and I'll serve in whatever capacity the board --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Who's going to second the
motion?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Second.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: All right.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Okay.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: All in favor?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We have a public speaker.
MR. MILLER: Madam Chair, we do have one registered public
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December 10-11, 2013
speaker, Bob Krasowski.
MR. KRASOWSKI: How'd you guess?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Why don't we give Bob 30 minutes
at the beginning of the meeting every meeting, and then we'll --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It really would be easier.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: -- save his time and our time.
MR. KRASOWSKI: See, that's contrary to what I'm addressing
at this time --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay.
MR. KRASOWSKI: -- and that is the need to manage and
handle things as they come along, so I'm kind of agreeing with you. I
think the young upstarts should take advice from the senior
commissioners.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: You're destroying my reputation,
Bob.
MR. KRASOWSKI: I'm sorry. Just don't say anything. You
don't have to say "agree." But I'm agreeing with you, so --
This is a political body, so there's going to be politics involved,
so you don't have to do that. But what concerns me about this
conversation is this control issue. It's really wild that, you know,
somebody wants to pick what position is going to be this year, next
year, and then rotating and this.
And that's obvious that it accommodates their desire to be in the
slot that they'll be in, and that kind of worries me because then you
could -- when you're one thing, you could set yourself up for the next
year. You know what you're going to be two years from now -- from
then. So just leave it like it is, you know, and the politics will work
out.
If there's some professional courtesy and consideration, let that
occur. If somebody's being left out, and -- like poor Commissioner
Fiala didn't have a chairmanship for four years. If somebody's going
to be left out, then you have to kind of work it out amongst
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December 10-11, 2013
yourselves, you know.
And I guess that's pretty much it, you know. It's like -- so I don't
have to get too excited because you seem to be going in that direction.
But let me ask, do I understand correctly what you're thinking of
doing is identifying those roles for everybody that are identified in the
executive summary for this year, coming year, and then after that it's
kind of open to whatever -- so you're going to kind of pretty much stay
with it but accepting what roles -- yeah. Well, that sounds good.
Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes. I think we also want to
include in this a discussion of who's going to serve on the Southwest
Florida Regional Planning Council, because I think this is a
particularly important time for that body. And I've found it actually
very enjoyable and good.
So I would think that, perhaps, the liaison to Community and
Economic Development would want to be one of the seats. Perhaps
you would consider that. I would certainly enjoy continuing to serve,
although Commissioner Henning is on that now, and I would like to
hear what he has to say about that.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I think it's -- it's an appointment;
it's not an annual appointment.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Okay.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: But if you want it, you can --
you can go on it.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I can do it?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. That's really nice.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: As long as you drive.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I think it's a good fit for that liaison
position.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Would you like to do that?
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December 10-11, 2013
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I would love to.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I'll resign then.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I'll put it on the agenda.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's very nice of you. Thank you
very much. I appreciate that.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Do we have just one person on
Regional Planning Council or --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: We have two now.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aren't you on there now?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, ma'am.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And, see, I think you should
continue.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I would very much like to continue
if the board would allow that. I would really like to do that.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah. I think that that's great. I
think you'd fit right into that role.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I found it a tremendous utility here
recently, actually.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So I don't think we should change.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: And the other thing is, I will -- I
will -- if there is any consensus on the board here, I would also like to
propose another one, and I'll bring an agenda item forward -- to have
the liaison to business and industry, which I think is going to be
necessary, because I think this liaison and community economic
development is a huge, huge bite. And I think another person that's
working with business and industry, other than the TDC -- you know,
those businesses outside of the TDC, I think they deserve some
attention, and it will be a very good nexus for us to come back if we're
going to engage our private businesses. So if there's any thought that
that has any merit, I will bring that back to the board for review.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Why not?
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December 10-11, 2013
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I think the vice-chair should do that.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Who's the vice-chair? I don't even
know.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Coyle.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Okay.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: You might have a good point there.
Look at the businesses he has not only created --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: There you go.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- but, yeah, you know, that might
be a really good position for you.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: You think so?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, I do.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I think that --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I'm with Tim Nance on this.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: -- Commissioner Nance has really
good ideas.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: He did, and he said you should do it
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: He's a good choice, too.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: -- about expanding --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, let's talk about that at the
next.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: -- taking on the agribusiness --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Go ahead and put together an
executive summary on that and bring that back.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Let's vote on the current motion
and do this.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Repeat the motion, would you?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: All right. What's the motion,
Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Oh, it's been such a long time
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December 10-11, 2013
ago. Let's see. It was to adopt the upcoming year recommendations
as outlined by the chair.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Paragraph 1 .
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Paragraph 1, eliminate
Paragraph 2 or 3 or whatever.
MR. KLATZKOW: Paragraph 2 would be eliminated. Now,
your ordinance requires you to make these appointments in January.
We'll bring this on as a perfunctory item, but this will help us at least
in naming all the documents correctly.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Right. So in January you'll just --
MR. KLATZKOW: And there will be other items as well, I hear,
as to other appointments.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Right.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Like Regional Planning Council,
you mean?
MR. KLATZKOW: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Okay. Do I have a second?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We have a motion and second. Any
further discussion?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I think Commissioner Coyle
actually seconded it, didn't you, Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yes, I did.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Okay. Commissioner Coyle,
second.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Commissioner Coyle seconded.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We have a motion and a second.
Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no further discussion,
all in favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
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December 10-11, 2013
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
MR. OCHS: Madam Chair, that takes us to Item IOG, which is
the last in the series of time-certain items. And this is the
chairwoman's annual report highlighting significant board
accomplishments in Calendar Year 2013.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: May I ask after that -- we've got a
bunch of people back here --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, I saw that.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- to speak.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yep, and this is only going to take
10 minutes. I actually timed it.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. Start the clock.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Don't you dare. Do not do that.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I do not believe that,
Commissioner Coyle, actually.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Turn the buzzer up really loud.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Maybe we should listen to them
first.
MR. MILLER: I operate at the discretion of the chairwoman.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I think that's a good idea. I agree
with you.
Let's go ahead -- I think the commission will really appreciate,
you know, maybe making some comments to add to what I'm saying.
Leo, we've got a whole bunch of people sitting in the back. Each
and every one of them is paying Tony Pires right now as he sits there
doing nothing.
So I just want you to know that I do not believe in enriching
attorneys like that. It is, like, fundamentally unfair.
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December 10-11, 2013
So in the interest of, you know, fair play, can we hear this item so
these people can go home?
MR. OCHS: Absolutely, absolutely.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Motion to approve.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Second.
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, let me read it.
Item #9B
RESOLUTION 2013-292 & ORDINANCE 2013-70: THE BOARD
OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (1) ADOPTS THE ATTACHED
RESOLUTION WHICH WOULD AUTHORIZE THE USE OF THE
UNIFORM METHOD OF COLLECTING NON-AD VALOREM
SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE LA PENINSULA
COMMUNITY TO FUND THE COSTS OF PROVIDING
SEAWALL IMPROVEMENTS AND OTHER WATERWAY
IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE LA PENINSULA COMMUNITY,
AND (2) TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE LA
PENINSULA SEAWALL MUNICIPAL SERVICE BENEFIT UNIT
— RESOLUTION ADOPTED; ORDINANCE ADOPTED
W/CHANGES
MR. OCHS: It's Item 9B on your agenda, and it's a
recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners, number
one, adopt the attached resolution which would authorize the use of
the uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem special assessments
within the La Peninsula Community to fund the cost of providing
seawall improvements and other waterway improvements for the La
Peninsula Community and, number two, to adopt an ordinance to
establish the La Peninsula Seawall Municipal Service Benefit Unit.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And you already made a motion,
Commissioner Coyle?
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December 10-11, 2013
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Made a motion to approve.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Then I'll second it.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, wait a minute, wait a
minute, wait a minute. Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Are we going to have a discussion on this item?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's up to you.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: We can. Whatever you want.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's your choice.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Are we on 9 --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes. We're on 9B right now.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: How many speakers do we have for
this?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Let me get to my notes, because
I thought we were going --
MR. MILLER: I have one registered speaker, and that is Mr.
Pires.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. This MSTBU was the
understanding that it was going to be seawall repair in an HOA
community. Now I see on there other waterway improvements.
There's no definition in "other waterway improvements." And I know
that the community has worked with the County Attorney's Office to
help draft this.
What is "other waterway improvements"? That needs to be
identified within the documents.
MR. KLATZKOW: It was left a little open just in case there
needed to be something else done in order to fix the seawall, so it was
purposely a little vague.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. Such as docks, correct?
MR. KLATZKOW: No. That's --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: The docks are connected to the
seawall. But a dock is an other waterway structures. Are we talking
about dredging?
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December 10-11, 2013
MR. KLATZKOW: We might be talking about dredging, yes,
along the wall, if need be.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, could you narrow -- more
narrowly define -- you know, in any other activities related to
supporting that seawall, could you -- you know, that -- instead of other
waterway improvements, say "and such improvements as needed."
MR. KLATZKOW: And other improvements necessary to repair
the seawall.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Necessary, you know, ancillary to
the seawall, and then you have it all connected. So if you need to
dredge to support the seawall, you can do that. If you need to repair a
dock to support the seawall. As long as there's a nexus between, you
know, the funding and the seawall.
MR. KLATZKOW: Yeah, that's fine.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Why don't we have Tony come up
and speak for the community.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's a good idea.
MR. PIRES: If I may, real briefly.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Sure.
MR. PIRES: Tony Pires, representing the petitioner in this case.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Excuse me. Go 'Noles.
MR. PIRES: Go 'Noles.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Just saying.
MR. PIRES: And I didn't wear that tie today in the Christmas
spirit.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Understood.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: You don't even have a Christmas tie
on.
MR. PIRES: I know. I couldn't find my dancing, drinking
moose ties, which I usually wear this time of year. I think my wife hid
it.
I think those clarifications are -- that's what was intended,
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December 10-11, 2013
because there might need to be riprap placed. We don't know for sure.
There might be some additional repairs in the waterway itself to
support the seawall, and that's what we're focused on. And so to the
extent that you want to tie all those in ancillary, associated with,
related to the repair, replacement, and reconstruction of the seawall --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: This is a multi-million-dollar
improvement. It's going to take several years.
MR. PIRES: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Would you say it would take
several years before collecting enough money to do the repairs, or are
you looking for an advancement?
MR. PIRES: The approach is -- not an advancement, but a
financing that would be repaid solely through assessments on the
benefit of properties within the La Peninsula MSBU. So that would
be the funding source, the financing source, as indicated. And we met
with the finance committee to talk about various ideas. And that way
we could have the project accomplished, depending upon what
ultimately comes before this board and the decision that you-all make
based upon engineers reports and recommendations from an advisory
committee that, hopefully, this could all be accomplished within a
two-year time frame for the construction and the financing over a
period of time.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Sounds great.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. During that period of
time, it's saying that the county will own these facilities that are being
improved, and an easement is going to have to be given; is that
correct, Mr. Klatzkow?
MR. KLATZKOW: We think that that might be necessary, yes.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. Would that be an access
easement?
MR. KLATZKOW: It will be the minimum easement necessary
to get the financing.
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COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, then it would be a public
access?
MR. KLATZKOW: There might be, but the idea is that you're
not going to get the financing unless the financing institution is of the
belief that it passes all legal tests. That may include some sort of
public ownership for the seawall. I don't know what that will be.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: That's because of Florida
Statutes.
MR. KLATZKOW: That's because at the end of the day, public
money must be spent for a public purpose.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Public purpose.
MR. KLATZKOW: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: And that's what it says in the
Florida Statutes. So does the public get a right to use that for fishing?
MR. KLATZKOW: I don't know.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: You know, traverse there,
because that's always been great fishing right there. It has been. You
know, for the last 40 years I've known people that fished over there.
So we have to make accommodations for the public to utilize that. So
that's my comment.
Now, I don't know what the rush is on this ordinance, why we
have to -- I understand the need to pass a resolution, but I think we're
rushing this ordinance for some unknown reason, and it doesn't have
to be done, because it's a creation of an advisory board. What the
request is, is a funding vehicle, okay, and that's the resolution.
We still -- and it spells it out in the executive summary to hire
Nabors Giblin to get through the financing mechanism; however, this
ordinance is premature, and it doesn't have to be done at this time. It
needs to be flushed out. We need to know what the ansilated (sic)
waterway improvements are, okay.
We need to know -- we really need to know an easement so the
public can gain access to that. You know, I would love to pick up
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some of my friends there when I go camping. It's the closest place
where I go camping out there. So, you know, we need to provide --
the community needs to tell us where the parking's going to be for the
public to use it.
And, furthermore, Jeff, have you had communications with
Nabors Giblin on this item?
MR. KLATZKOW: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Have they ever seen such a
request for funding of private property --
MR. KLATZKOW: No.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: -- of an MSTU? Is this --
MR. KLATZKOW: No. We're having to work through some
legal issues to get there.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: This will be a first -- I mean,
they do a lot of funding mechanisms for special projects, CDDs and
MSTU and MSTBUs, and this will be a first.
MR. KLATZKOW: This will be a first for them, yes.
MR. PIRES: If I may, Madam Chairman, just some of the
comments, questions Commissioner Henning has raised. I guess, from
the standpoint of the adoption of the ordinance, that creates the MSBU
to start the vehicle moving forward, have the advisory committee
appointed, to then begin the process of exploring and addressing all
the different issues that you have raised.
And it's from the standpoint of the payment of the funds for the
engineering services and Nabors Giblin, the association, my client, has
agreed in having a formal board meeting next week to advance fund
that to the MSBU, so that's revenue neutral to the county in the
county's General Fund.
With regards to the facts in the county -- it might be necessary to
have a limited easement for seawall purposes. In my opinion, I don't
think the public can go and fish in all of your water management
facilities. I don't think the public has a right to access all of your
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drainage easements that have been dedicated or conveyed to Collier
County or lake maintenance easements that have been dedicated and
conveyed to Collier County.
By virtue of it being -- the entity having an interest in the real
estate to perform its governmental function doesn't necessarily mean
the public, as a whole, has a right to access those facilities. And those
are the issues --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, see, this is why this is
premature.
MR. PIRES: In my opinion, those are the issues that will be
fleshed out as we go through this whole process, or else we'll never
get to that stage. And I think it's an important step to address those
issues.
At the end of the day, if the recommendations come to this board,
a particular type of report and the board doesn't accept it, well, then,
the board doesn't accept it, but we'll never know that answer until we
get those reports.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, see, this is premature to --
adopting this without -- I mean, Nabors Giblin, we've always worked
with them on bonding issues. They know it.
And, quite frankly, I mentioned it at the last meeting, I've
mentioned it through emails to the citizens over there. Please provide
public access so I can park my boat over there, because the Florida
Statutes is very clear on this, is whenever you use public money such
as this -- because they refused to create a CDD or an HOA to do the
repairs like every other HOA has done on the roofs, their air
conditionings, their lake maintenance and so on and so forth,
somehow that is not an option for them. They want to use public
dollars.
These are public dollars. Once you start collecting them through
an MSTU, MSTBU, that becomes a public facility, and I want public
access to it.
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So the answer (sic) needs to be answered by Nabors Giblin, not
the attorney representing the community, because that's what he's
getting paid for, with all due respect.
MR. PIRES: And I recall that at the finance committee meeting,
that Nabors Giblin said, and Chapter 170, Florida Statutes, provides
the authority for municipalities to engage and impose special
assessments for seawall construction and repair.
And Nabors Giblin, at the finance committee meeting, did not
indicate any difficulty with this concept.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: It's right in our executive
summary.
MR. KLATZKOW: Your core issue's going to be the financing,
all right.
If under this structure no one can get financing, we're going to
need a different structure. But at this point in time, this is the structure
that the community wants. We're going to be looking for financing
under this structure.
The entity willing to give the financing and maybe having certain
requirements, such as changing the ordinance; I don't know. At that
point in time --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, the ordinance needs to be
changed anyways. It needs --
MR. KLATZKOW: Down the road, it's not unlikely that the
ordinance will need to be changed. But your real key here -- you have
two keys here. One's the resolution so we can get this going with the
tax folks, and the other key is not the ordinance so much as the
financing, and that's really where the work's going to have to be done
with Mr. Isackson's group and Nabors Giblin.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So Commissioner Fiala, and then
Commissioner Coyle.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, thank you.
And I think they've paved the way. This is the next step.
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They've been meeting for a whole year. It's not like they're rushing
into anything. They've been meeting for a whole year trying to get this
moving forward. They know what they want to do. They know what
steps they have to take in order to get to the next step. They've met
with financing. I think they've even met with the Clerk of Courts,
haven't they?
MR. PIRES: No, just with the finance committee.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Just the finance committee, Crystal.
MR. PIRES: Correct.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And this is the next step, and I don't
know why we would want to delay it.
And I just want to add that this is going to -- you know, things
like this, when we make it cumbersome and difficult for businesses to
move forward, that always sends messages to the other businesses
that, you know, we don't even want to work with them, especially, if
they've been trying and trying, like these people have for over a year,
and we still hold them up.
You know -- and like these guys have said, now they next need
to meet with Nabors Giblin and then they have to move forward and
see about the financing, but they can't move forward until we have this
in place, and I do not see why there's any type of a holdup.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah. I think it's clear to the
residents and to the members of the board that a resolution -- passing
the resolution has nothing to do with the financing issue and is not
binding on us.
So I see no reason why we wouldn't go ahead and pass the
resolution and create the MSBU now. If it gets to the financing issue,
and the only way that you can get financing is for the county to
assume control of it, then we can have that debate at that point in time.
It could be that you will find another way to solve this problem
by that point in time, but unless you can start with the MSBU and start
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accumulating some money over time, you're not ever going to get
ready to do anything, and that's the problem.
We can give you the authority to create the MSBU. We can
approve the resolution without even getting involved in the issue of
who it belongs to at this point in time.
So I see no reason we can't take the first step.
MR. PIRES: Thank you. Appreciate that.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes. I also don't see any reason
why we can't take the first step.
I would not routinely support Collier County Government getting
engaged in circumstances like this on a routine basis; however, that
having been said, just the personal knowledge I have about the
severity of this situation and what these -- the magnitude of the
problem that these residents are facing, that water that they face is
some of the most severe marine condition in Florida that I know of
south of Boca Grande Pass. It is going to be a huge challenge.
And I'm fearful that if they don't find a mechanism to go forward,
that we're, one day, in the not too distant future, likely to see part of
that peninsula fall into Marco Pass and create a very, very
uncomfortable and horrible circumstance that none of us are going to
want to be looking at.
So I have applauded them on trying to find a way to do it, and I
believe we should assist them at least taking this first step and see
what -- give them a chance to move forward.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah.
Commissioner Nance, with all due respect, I disagree with you. I
know those waters. I don't see a harm on that changing. You know,
even a hurricane, that waterway is so wide and so deep, I just, you
know, respectfully disagree with your analysis.
The issue is we're setting precedence, not only in Collier County
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but the whole state of Florida. This has never been done for an HOA
in the whole state of Florida; however, I will support the majority but
still keep on raising the issue that the only thing that needs to be done
today is a resolution, not the ordinance. It needs to be cleaned up.
You need to hear from your bond counsel on details. Since this
is the first time, you need to hear from your bond counsel on what the
exposure is to the county and what the responsibility is to the county.
And, quite frankly, I'm going to still be pushing for public access.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: But, you know, from -- Tony, I
think we have to be absolutely sure that in no way -- I mean, these are
all very good people. You're a great lawyer. We get that.
But it is absolutely imperative that, you know, we have the
assurance that, you know, this MSTU is a governmental entity. It
does become Collier County Government. And if this financing were
to take place, and given that it isn't the county's asset, how does that
work? And who is really -- who is incurring the debt?
MR. KLATZKOW: We have to come back to you on that. We
don't have the financing in place yet. I cannot answer that question.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, here's the thing: The MSTU,
as it's created, can't be acted upon by private citizens. So even though
the MSTU is created and you have an advisory board, there's nothing
that the MSTU can do without the board's approval.
MR. KLATZKOW: You are the governing body.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Right, I know. That's what I'm
saying. We are one; that's said more properly.
MR. PIRES: Yeah.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So, to your point, we're in control.
We're in control of what this MSTU does.
So if we pass this ordinance and decide not to take action, like, to
finance or we decide to take action to create public access because it's
deemed a public asset for whatever reason because we're financing it,
or however it turns out, or we decide not to, you know, consider it
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available for public access, even if it is a public asset, and then the
question is, is it or is it not a public asset?
We're in control. So passing the ordinance doesn't do anything to
advance anything, because until we vote again on what action this
MSTU will take, we are not going to take any action. We're not
voting on an action. We're just voting on the creation of the MSTU
and defining what this MSTU can do.
And if it turns out that what this MSTU is proposing to do is not
legal then, obviously, we won't be taking any action on the item.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, the ordinance --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Is that correct?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: The ordinance is setting out the
advisory board.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Right. But the advisory board has
no clout to do anything. The advisory board -- no, it can't. The
advisory board is not in a position to take action without board
approval. The advisory board cannot commit to financing. The
advisory board cannot --
MR. PIRES: That's correct.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- make expenditures. It is only the
Board of County Commissioners that can do that.
MR. PIRES: And there's a request to establish that mechanism to
begin that process by establishing the MSBU and then calling for
people to apply to be on the advisory committee to then have those
committee meetings to discuss all the various issues.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: To do all of the research necessary,
and then bring that information back to us to --
MR. PIRES: Correct. Including the engineer's report, which
would outline recommended courses of conduct. And all of that will
come back to the Board of County Commissioners for the ultimate
decision making.
And Nabors Giblin drafted the ordinance, and the only -- except
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for the language that I suggested on the advisory committee. The rest
of it was drafted by your bond counsel.
And, again, they had no hesitancy -- my recollection of the
finance committee meeting, Nabors Giblin and your financial advisor,
your FA, had no difficulty with this concept. The only question was
whether or not it would be tax exempt or taxable, whatever the
financing was, and what type of interests the county would need to
have for the purposes, you know, in narrowing it down, of being able
to finance it.
And those have not been fleshed out. But we need to -- in our
opinion, need to take those steps, or we'll never get past go.
And this is beginning the process to come back to you. And
depending upon what those reports are, you make the ultimate
decision based upon the recommendations of the consultants and the
advisory committee, and that's what we'd request, you take these first
two steps.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: You guys do what you want.
This has got stink on it.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: What did the CEO of Publix say?
"Start."
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Provide some limitation, sir, so we
can delineate something that meets your comfort level.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: What I suggested was adopt the
resolution. Don't adopt the ordinance until we can flesh out things like
specificity, what are other water improvements, what is bond counsel,
what is the -- what is the liability and the county's -- are they going to
own this? Are we going to provide public access? You know, all
those things.
MR. PIRES: Madam Chairman, if I may, in all due respect, I
don't even think we get there unless we have the ordinance to then
engage the services of the engineer and engage the services of Nabors
Giblin to be paid for by the community's advanced funding so there's
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no impact to the -- and then we come back to the board with a
recommendation.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: That's the construction of it.
MR. PIRES: No, it's all of it. It's the --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: The engineer --
MR. PIRES: It's for the record engineer's report, which will also
be an assessment methodology, and Nabors Giblin to provide legal
advice to be paid for by the MSBU, which is paid for by the property
owners, and we would advance fund those monies to the MSBU to be
a net revenue neutral to the board and to the county.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: The resolution is the funding
mechanism. The ordinance is to set out mainly what the MSTU or the
advisory board is.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Nance?
MR. PIRES: Madam Chairman, in all due respects, the monies
from the assessments will not be coming in until the tax bill in
November, so there won't be any money until November or December
of 2014.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: This needs to be adopted this
meeting or, otherwise, there won't be any -- any kind of assessment.
MR. KLATZKOW: The resolution should be adopted this
meeting, yes.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah.
MR. PIRES: But I'm saying the revenues won't come in until
November/December 2014.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Mr. Pires, could not the HOA
serve that function rather than a committee in advance of this
decision?
MR. PIRES: My opinion is no, the advisory committee to the
board, because the engineer's report would be one commissioned by
an engineering firm retained by the board going through the CCNA
process, which it needs to go through.
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CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Is it going to go through the county?
MR. PIRES: Yes. All that would be through the county.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Leo, you're doing the bidding on the
engineering?
MR. PIRES: Yes, all of it would be the county, and the
arrangement with Nabors Giblin will be between the county and
Nabors Giblin.
MR. OCHS: Ma'am, I don't know.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I'll tell you, I would -- you know, I'd
love to see this approved, but I'm seeing Leo --
MR. OCHS: Let me, if I could, Commissioners, call Mr.
Isackson to the podium just for a moment, because he's dealt with this
through the finance committee, and maybe he can shed a little more
light on the specific issue without belaboring this.
Mark?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And let me just comment for the
benefit of the public. This is, you know, an issue of first impression
for us, so it is something that needs more time just to make sure we're
doing everything correctly and, importantly, legally.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Well, could I just emphasize
something? If you create the advisory committee, the advisory
committee has to come back to us.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Right. And that's what I've been
saying, Commissioner Coyle.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: In order to do anything they want
to do --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Right. That's exactly right.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: -- they have to present to us a
budget, they have to get permission to get an engineer to study the
process, give an estimated cost, and then they bring that back to us,
and then we can decide if we like it. So we get --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Exactly. And the point is, is if the
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determination is made that it's not legally doable, we just dissolve the
MSTU.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah, there's no harm done.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: But you have to move forward now
in order to do that, right.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: But let's hear what Mark has -- and,
Leo, in deference to you, because you have not had the time to
evaluate how this was -- how this will move forward through our
purchasing system, if, in talking to Tony and to Jeff you make a
determination that you can't do it or it's not legal, then you just come
back to the board and say it can't be done and why. So you're not
obligated to perform if you can't, obviously.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: We're past our break time.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes, we are. Actually, the court
reporter is at --
MR. OCHS: 2:50, scheduled.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- 2:50. What we're going to do is
we're going to take a break at 2:50. I hope we'll end this discussion by
2:50, and then we'll come back and move on from there.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Sure, we will.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I promise. You are being so hard on
me.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: We will. That's what I'm saying.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Okay. She really -- she means it.
Thank you.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I really do mean it.
MR. ISACKSON: Commissioners, for the record, Mark
Isackson, your Director of Corporate Finance.
The finance committee did meet on this. It's certainly not a
customary type of approach that we're normally used to doing here in
the county. Normally we're used to doing MSTUs, taxing units.
The benefit unit is certainly something that can be done. And as
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Mr. Pires pointed out, the fact that revenues would not start coming
into the fund until November of'f 14, during some discussions we did
talk about the fact that the La Peninsula group would advance monies
into a fund that would be created for purposes of this particular
project.
Financing on this is an item that will be of interest. It probably
will be a bank loan. It's not going to be a bond. It will be most likely
taxable, not tax exempt. And the bidding for that would occur as part
of the normal process.
I think what we talked about at the finance committee meeting
were the stages that were required from the financing perspective.
The resolution has to be approved in order for this thing to start the
ball rolling. In order to allow -- to be on the tax bill under the line as
an assessment and for collections to begin and those collections to be
received in November, beginning of November of next year.
There was some debate about the ordinance, about what was
going to be in the ordinance and things of that nature. It was a request
of the counsel for the condominium association for it to be brought
forward at this meeting.
Jeff and I enlisted the support of Nabors Giblin to prepare the
ordinance. I'm not sure the ordinance is exactly necessary to be done
at this particular meeting, but that would be the board's call.
I think that depending on the financing, there may be tweaks, as
Jeff indicated, to the ordinance going forward in regard to whether or
not there actually has to be a public easement or not at this point.
I think the financing may be the dictating part of whether or not
there would actually be a necessity for a public easement at this point
in time. That's what I know.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Do we have any other public
speakers?
MR. MILLER: No, ma'am, just Mr. Pires.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's great. I mean, I'm glad
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you're speaking on behalf of everyone. That's the system working,
because that's what we envisioned, that a large group knowing -- and
we know -- we recognize -- for the record, let everybody know that
there are, like, a whole bunch of La Peninsula people in the room
supporting this proposal.
And I just think it's really nice that, Tony, you could stand up and
speak on behalf of everybody and, you know, be the focus on this
discussion.
MR. PIRES: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It shows that having a spokesperson
does work very effectively. So thank you.
Do we have a motion and a second?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: We did, and we do.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Do we? Okay. Okay. We have a
motion and a second. Do we have any further discussion?
MR. KLATZKOW: Yeah, just for clarification. I'm just going to
take out the language "and any other waterway improvements," and I
think we'll be fine.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, yeah.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Is that a part of the motion?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Who are the motion --
MR. KLATZKOW: I'm looking for clarification just to take that
out.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Who is the motion maker on this?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Me.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Was it you? Commissioner Coyle,
will you amend your motion accordingly?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah, I have no problem with it.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Fiala, you seconded;
would that be all right?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. And tell me, once again, take
out what?
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MR. KLATZKOW: I'm taking out the --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Other waterway improvements.
MR. KLATZKOW: On Section 3, "and other waterway
improvements."
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And, Tony, will that work for this
community?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: It will temporary.
MR. PIRES: Bear with me, if I could -- thank you -- while I look
at the ordinance.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Sure. We just want to make sure
that it's what they're asking.
MR. PIRES: I'm comfortable with that.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay. Good.
MR. PIRES: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Good. Yes, you do have my
second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So we have a motion and a second.
No further discussion.
All in favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any opposed?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries 4-1, with
Commissioner Henning dissenting.
MR. PIRES: Thank you very kindly. Thank you very much.
And Merry Christmas.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Merry Christmas.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And, again, just to emphasize, while
we're approving the ordinance and the creation of the advisory board,
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we're not approving any action on the part of the MSTU. We're not --
we're not approving any financing, we're not approving any
expenditures. We're really, at this point, only approving the creation
of the advisory board to come back and give us the information.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: While you're doing
clarifications, it was said, you know, this is not business friendly and
so and so forth. This is not a business. It's a homeowners' association
where there's residents. I don't know if there's any home occupations
in there, but clearly it's not economic development.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I just want to say we're starting the
process for them to move forward. That's all it is.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Okay. I think we're done with that
discussion. Commissioner Nance, do you feel compelled --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yeah. I'd just like to say one thing.
And the only reason I am supporting this going forward -- and I
understand Commissioner Henning's reservations. The only reason
I'm supporting this is I've got a sneaking idea that down the road, not
too far down the road with climate change and the storms we have and
so on and so forth, that we may actually be in the very uncomfortable
position of having to do more of this, and I really want to get the bugs
out of, perhaps, one; at least make a pass at it and see if it's doable
because --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: He is right.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: -- I'm not sure that we won't have
very serious crises to manage in the future.
And I look forward to -- you know, I hope that La Peninsula will
reach out to Commissioner Henning and address his concerns directly,
if possible, to make sure that we get a good start on something that
could be important later.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: A boat slip, is that what you're
saying? You're saying a boat slip?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: A boot slip. Commissioner
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December 10-11, 2013
Henning likes to fish.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And you're right about that tidal,
rather, the water rising.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: That's a problem.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: If we take a look over at the dome
houses, right, that used to be on land.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: You actually sounded Canadian
there, they way you said "right."
All right. We're going to take a break.
MR. OCHS: I'm sorry.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No, we're taking a break. No more.
We're taking a break. Our court reporter really needs a break. And
we're actually going to take a little bit of a longer break. I'm going to
make it 15 minutes, because she really has been working extremely
hard.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: She needs therapy.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And she needs --
MR. OCHS: Just a point of clarification. You have a 3:00 p.m.
time-certain and a 3:30 p.m.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: The 3:00 p.m. is the --
MR. OCHS: The 3:00 p.m. is the report from your ATV --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's fine.
MR. OCHS: -- Ad Hoc Committee, and 3:30 is your soccer
federation.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: All right. Do you think the ATV
people would be unhappy if we started at 3:05? Because I think our
court reporter really needs that 15.
MR. OCHS: You're the chair, ma'am. You make the rules.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Then, you know what -- all right. I
like it.
Well, for as long as I still do, then I'm saying 15 minutes.
MR. OCHS: Thank you.
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CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: All right. So we'll be back at 3:05.
We'll start the time-certain then. I don't mind if we defer, you know,
this presentation to --
MR. OCHS: Later.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- later. I mean, we can even do it
tomorrow. I don't have a problem with it. We could do it right before
the end of the meeting tomorrow. I'm equally fine with that.
MR. OCHS: Your pleasure, Madam Chair. Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: You're welcome.
(A brief recess was had.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We're back in session.
MR. OCHS: Yes.
Item #11G
RECOMMENDATION FOR THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS TO CONSIDER THE ALL TERRAIN
VEHICLE (ATV) PARK AD HOC COMMITTEE'S
RECOMMENDATIONS WITH REGARD TO SETTLEMENT
FUNDS — MOTION FOR THE $2,965,127.58 SETTLEMENT
BALANCE TO BE PLACED IN AN INTEREST BEARING
ACCOUNT, TO NOT SUNSET THE AD-HOC COMMITTEE BUT
USE IT ON AN "AS-NEEDED BASIS" AND COMMISSIONER
NANCE CONTACT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO EXPLORE
ANY INTEREST IN A POSSIBLE PARTNERSHIP — APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Madam Chair, this takes us to your 3 p.m.
time-certain item this afternoon. It's Item 11G on your agenda. It's a
recommendation for the Board of County Commissioners to consider
the All-Terrain Vehicle Park Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation
with regard to settlement funds, and Mr. Casalanguida will begin the
report.
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December 10-11, 2013
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Thank you, sir.
Good afternoon. I have two of the ATV members here. The
chairperson is not here. If I could just recognize Mr. Westgate and
Mr. Close as part of the committee. Also Mr. Williams and public
services; real property helped me with this as well.
So a little history real quick, Commissioners. September 2011
and March of 2012 we had public meetings for the ATV settlement
funds. We reached out to the community to get some feedback.
In June of 2012, the board approved the committee and ad hoc
committee to review different options and help solicit folks to
participate with the project in the county.
We looked at over 200 parcels of land, 73 property owners, and
both the committee and county staff came to the realization that there
was nothing within Collier County at that time to go forward with the
project.
We came back to you in February of 2013, provided you a board
report and asked permission to seek other opportunities outside the
county. So we looked adjacent to Collier County as well, too.
We sent out a request for information or interest. We received
five of those back. The committee deliberated and reviewed those.
And now, just about a month ago, they had a follow-up meeting and
would like to bring some items forward to the board for consideration.
A couple things they discussed was, one, the money that's there
right now remaining, about $2,965,000, they'd like to request the
board to put that in a segregated fund and collect interest.
It is now in its own project account, but the interest goes into the
General Fund. So they're asking that the board put that money aside.
Second, based on the request for information, they'd like to put
out a proposal to some of these vendors that are outside the county,
what I would call an RFQ/RFP, put together a selection committee,
rank them, and then go into negotiations, take that money to come into
some sort of agreement with those folks.
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They've come to the understanding and they recognize that there
is nothing right now available to do that, but there is one park in
Sarasota County that's moving forward.
So they deliberated back and forth, I would say, for about an hour
on doing that. We're here in front of you getting guidance, because I
think the board has also -- would like to have had us do something
more local, and right now there is currently nothing local at this time.
So with that, maybe take some questions and give some guidance
to me and the community.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, I know they'll be waiting
for Commissioner Nance's comments on this issue, too, as long as it
doesn't have a discussion on sea rise.
Recently we became aware of Hendry County Correctional
Facility as being put up by the state as a surplus. Has there been any
communication there whatsoever with that?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: There was an initial communication
with the state that said they were not going to put it up, but we've been
recently made aware of that as well, too.
Right now there's a gentleman that's working, I believe, with
Bruce Register, economic development, that's looking at putting in an
ATV training center there, which might complement this project as
well. But we have not gone back to the Hendry County Facility as a
second look.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah. See, and that's really
close to -- well, not too far from the Estates, not -- just right outside of
Immokalee. I think there might be some opportunities there; however,
long-distance travel, I really have to contemplate about the benefit to
the majority of the residents, you know, seeking that type of a
recreation. I still would like to see something as local as possible, but
let's not rule out anything.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Very good.
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CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I am really, really sorry that this
has taken so long and we still haven't resolved this thing. But I don't
understand how you can use money to go invest in a park or a parcel
of land outside of Collier County and call it a valid public purpose for
the residents of Collier County.
How do you get the guarantees that it would always be available
for the people of Collier County? Will it be privately run? How can
you be sure that it will always be there?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Wouldn't we own it?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Huh?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Would we not own it? I mean, if--
COMMISSIONER COYLE: No.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: No, ma'am.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Who would own it?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: And I can answer your question,
Commissioner, if you'd like.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah, go ahead.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: What we envision is if we did
something, like we did talk to some of the park people, that if the
county was to invest in their park, there would have to be some sort of
assurety, whether it be a bond or a letter of credit that we could attach
and protect our capital.
They understood that, and said they were -- several said they
were amicable to considering that as part of a negotiation with the
county.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: But --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I don't understand.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: -- how do you deal with that? Let's
suppose you have that kind of an arrangement and you've got 100
people from Collier County who use it regularly. And that's
wonderful. I'd be willing to make that investment to provide that
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facility. But then it dwindles to maybe two or three, and pretty soon
maybe nobody from Collier County is using it. Maybe they found
some other place to go. We've invested in something that is no longer
benefitting the people of Collier County.
I don't know how you get over the legal hurdle of doing that,
quite frankly, but that's for the lawyers to work out. But I was just
troubled by that aspect of taking the funds and giving it to someone --
working out an arrangement with someone who has an RV park or is
going to build an RV park outside of Collier County.
So I just wanted to raise that concern. If we can solve it,
wonderful, but I have a feeling there are some really serious legal
impediments to doing that.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes. I want to start out by
thanking the members of the committee for their diligence and the
work and make my personal apologies to you.
You know, this has been something that's been of interest to
people in the Estates as long as I've lived here, and it's really a shame.
I've known people who have had their kids grow up, be looking for a
place to ride, grow up and leave here, and I've had families that have
sold all their RV -- you know, their ATVs and stuff because there's
just no place to ride. So I am really upset about that, and I'm not
willing to give up on the circumstance.
I have pointedly -- you know, I came by and visited you guys on
a couple of different occasions, but I've wanted to be very respectful
of your individual deliberation and not let -- and not let my personal
views on it enter into it, because I think you were able to do your best
work, and I commend you -- I commend you for doing that.
At this point, you know, I'm sensing the frustration. You know,
the people I talk to in the community are just as frustrated, you know,
as you are. And I think that we have one remaining good option --
and I think, actually, time is on our side -- and that is the circumstance
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that this board, and most of the board members probably, with the
exception of Commissioner Hiller, can remember when this came
before the board.
But in 2010 we actually entered into a negotiation with
Metro-Dade County --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Ah, yes.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: -- to utilize a portion of the 25
sections that they own in Collier County. Now, that is way the heck
out there. It's out by 11-mile bend, but it's on the -- it's on the property
that was originally contemplated for the jetport. And since then,
Miami Port Authority, who owns those 25 sections, has declared that
they want to keep some aviation uses there, but they've also declared
that they want to make it recreational properties.
And they've discussed primitive camping, horseback riding,
hunting. You know, it's a vast piece of property. It's 25 square miles.
South of the east/west runway there is 1,800 acres that's
fascinated people that have been interested in an ATV park in this part
of the state for a long, long time. This board passed and approved to
go forward, and the Miami-Dade County approved to go forward in
2010, and we were derailed by the Department of Community Affairs.
Well, for those of you that aren't fans of the Department of
Community Affairs, the good news is is the governor did away with it.
And I believe, because of the pressure on the parks and the
pressure on the Big Cypress National Preserve for traditional use, that
if we don't want to destroy our parks with overuse but we still want to
make them accessible, that the time is right to look at those 25
sections, together with Metro-Dade County, one more time before we
give up on it, because it is an area that's got trails on it. It's a woodland
setting. It could be developed jointly between the two counties into
something that would -- it wouldn't be as big as Croom, but it would
be something on the scale of Croom, something where kids could ride
safely.
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It's in the spectrum of a woodlands ATV park as opposed to a
mudhole. You know, there's all sorts of spectrums of how people like
to use off-road vehicles.
But my suggestion is that we go ahead as per the
recommendation of the committee and put our short $3 million in a
segregated fund to protect it. I fully endorse that. But I would like the
committee's endorsement to go ahead, before we do anything and
before we come up with a proposal just to burn through this money on
services that are provided to our -- you know, to our people that want
to recreate, that we make another pass at this.
I think we have some good connections with that group and that,
you know, together with them -- you know, that's a huge partner to
have. We've got 330,000 people. They've got millions and millions of
people. They could certainly afford to provide some of the ongoing
operations as part of that 25 sections.
And they have indicated that they would be willing to talk about
it. So with the committee's endorsement, I would like to take those
steps and go forth and look at it with -- if there's enough nods on this
board, if you think that's worthy to go ahead.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I mean, it was passed once. I'd like
to make another pass at it before we finally throw up our hands, if
that's okay with anybody else.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah. I even talked to Nick about it
in my office. I thought -- but I didn't realize you were going to bring
it up. That's great.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: It's really a great piece of property.
I mean, I've looked at it, but I wanted to hold back until we exhausted
all efforts. And I know that's not -- I know that's not suiting your
timeline, and I know we're having birthdays fighting over this and
being unsuccessful, but I really would like, with your help, to go
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ahead and make a pass at that. That's my proposal.
MR. WESTGATE: It has been researched.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Just come on up if you want to speak.
You've got to come up here. Identify yourself, and then you can --
MR. WESTGATE: Greg Westgate --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, sir.
MR. WESTGATE: -- member of the ATV committee. That
piece of property has been looked at by the committee members at
various times of the year. Maybe we're looking at a different parcel
than you're looking at, but it seemed to be more suited for airboats and
swamp buggies, and only certain times of the year it was dry enough
to camp. And anytime that I went out there it was so -- it was so
heavily mosquito infested, it was just -- it just -- it was hard to even
get out of your car.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, remember that Metro-Dade
County can't do much with that property without the permission of
this board. They really can't do anything to develop it without a
conditional use on that, because it is in Collier County, and that's
actually restrained them from developing that park program. And I
expect that they're going to come forward. Their parks and rec
department has been talking about this for a long, long time.
They've got this pent up demand in Metro-Dade County too.
They don't know what to do either. And they own this great piece of
property. It just happens to be in Collier County. So, I mean, we
really need to be partners with them.
And, you know, I don't have those answers for you, sir. I know
we approved to go forward and take a pass at it before, but we got
derailed up in Tallahassee, so things just ground to a stop, and
nothing's really been done since. But there's a lot of people that have
mentioned it to me in passing in the last -- you know, since I've been
elected, that they would really like to talk with us again, so --
MR. WESTGATE: Okay. And as well, you know, with respect
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to the research and development of information that we've come up
with in this, you know, year and a half s time, I think you should also
look at what's being proposed by the outside vendors in what actually
they have to offer.
And, Commissioner Coyle, you not being an active ATV rider --
I'm just speculating -- but you may be speculating as well that not too
many people are actively pursuing, you know, ATV activity in Collier
County.
With all due respect, you're mistaken. I ride every weekend. I
ride with groups of people in different areas. We all travel two,
two-and-a-half hours, sometimes three hours away to ride, and it's
heavily pursued.
And the amount of activity that's been lost and the amount of
interest that has been lost has not necessarily been forgotten about by
enthusiasts like myself and my son and generations prior to that enjoy
this activity.
There's a lot -- if you took a poll, there's a lot more interested
people than you would expect.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Let me stop you. I think you
misunderstood my comment. I didn't say there were not many people
interested in Collier County. I posed a legal question that if we
negotiated a financial agreement with an outside, out-of-county
organization to service the demand in Collier County and then there
arose another opportunity that siphoned off that demand, a more
convenient place, a better place, and people started going there, then
what happens to our investment in the first place?
So it was a purely legal issue relating to an investment. It was
not intended to indicate that there is not interest in Collier County,
okay.
And, yes, I ride ATVs. Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: He just doesn't look like it.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I dress differently.
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CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: He wears a suit when he rides an
ATV.
MR. WESTGATE: Yeah, but he works so hard, I just figured
that he's always working.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That he didn't have the time? I
know. I would have thought the same thing. I'm totally on your
wavelength. I'm with you.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Commissioner Coyle actually turns
into Daniel Boone on the weekend.
MR. WESTGATE: I like that. I'm seeing that a little bit with the
smile now. He looks a little bit more --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: He's got a wonderful ranch in
Oregon that's wild and wooly, and he enjoys it very much. So he is
actually probably one of the woodsmen on this board, but all kidding
aside.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I hunt with a pocketknife.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Do you really? Oh, boy.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: For the benefit of the board and
other people in the room that aren't aware of what's going on right
now, traditional use -- and that is off-road vehicles and access to the
Big Cypress Preserve is very contentious right now because, of
course, there are always forces that want to reduce that traditional use.
And, in fact, the Big Cypress National Preserve was originally
contemplated to be addition lands to the Everglades National Park,
and they were not because of two reasons, two very important reasons.
Number one is that we had traditional use, and people that really
wanted to go outside and recreate, be out in the forest and so on and so
fort and, secondly, because of mineral rights. That's another thing
that's before this board pretty actively right now.
So, you know, we -- I reject the idea that there's no place that
people can go out and recreate off-road because everything has to be
pristine condition. Because there are places out there that are
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available, and we can make it happen. And it's just -- there's been a
lot of roadblocks thrown up in there. But I mean, very active right
now. I am very much in favor of finding those places that are
reasonable for traditional use, for outside use.
And although I'm an environmental advocate, I believe that, you
know, if people aren't allowed to get out and experience the woods
and the forests, that in the end they won't protect them, because they
won't love them like they do now.
So I'm in favor of it. And I would like to go out one more time
and look at this piece and find out, really, what Dade County is
willing to do, what we can do with the property, if there's any hope
before we expend it for vendors, with the cooperation of the
committee.
MR. WESTGATE: Sure. Just one more thing is -- again, I don't
want -- I want to reiterate on the importance of reviewing what the
individual landowners and park providers that would like to, you
know, join in with Collier County and providing this managed
self-contained, privately owned, and not have to be managed or
staffed by any county members, and the only money or funding that
would be would be a secondary upfront cost for the improvements,
which would be bonded.
We talked about all this in our meetings, and it was pretty
extensive. And we had some great speakers and landowners that had
well thought-out and organized proposals that were -- that would
sustain the park's viability.
So, you know, let's not disregard the work that's been done up to
this point with the other proposals that we received.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: No, sir. I recommend that the
committee not be disbanded at this time, that the committee be put on
an on-call basis for an interim period of time, maybe meet on a
semiannual or quarterly basis just for informational purposes, that we
not sunset the committee right now, that we go on ahead and look --
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you know, give staff and myself some time to reach out to Dade
County and come back and figure out what we can and can't do, and
that will give us probably our last assessment other than -- you know,
we could go out and continue to talk to some other people.
But I think we kind of know what our constraints are right now.
We know that there's not a piece of property within Collier County
that lends itself easily to construction with the money that we have.
So we really need -- we need a partner.
MR. WESTGATE: Yeah, we do; we do.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: We need a partner. Now, a private
partner, of course, is more problematic than another public partner,
because it's easy for government to work with government.
MR. WESTGATE: Right.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Not so easy when we commingle
public money and private money. You've always got watchdogs that
are concerned; you know, what are you doing with the public's money
supplementing or financing a private entity.
So that is problematical. Not that it can't be done. I'm sure it can
be done. But, I mean, you've seen some of the issues today and how
narrow, you know, our ability to manage that is, but --
MR. OCHS: Chair?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: If I may say, we have a 3:30
time-certain, and all these people are waiting. So, you know, these are
discussions that you can have privately to try to figure out where to
go. Let's go ahead and make a decision as to how we would like to
proceed.
Commissioner Fiala, do you want to make a motion?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, first, I just want to quickly
say, as you're going out, would you check with these people? He was
saying that the land that they think we're talking about is, what,
wetlands most of the time or something and full of mosquitoes? Or
what did you say?
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MR. WESTGATE: Where is that?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: At the airport.
MR. OCHS: The jetport.
MR. WESTGATE: The jetport had --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes.
MR. WESTGATE: -- we have discovered, when going out there
and viewing the property, it was more suited for airboats and hunting
off season, dry season and, you know, swamp buggy use more so than
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So I don't know if you're talking
about the same pieces of property.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Like I said, let's evaluate that
privately. Sit down -- this is not the forum to have the debate over,
you know, the -- whether they're airboats or, you know, hunting or
whatever. Let's -- you know, Commissioner Nance, do you want to
make a proposal?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I'm going to make a motion. I'm
going to make a motion that we take our ATV project monies and put
it in an interest-bearing account as proposed by the committee, which
is the $2,965,127.58, and that we do not sunset the committee but
rather put them on -- just on an on-call as-needed basis for a period of
time, and that the Board of County Commissioners allow me to reach
out to Metro-Dade County and come back with some information
from our peers in Dade County and see if there's a project that we
could possibly put together.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: And could I make a friendly
amendment to that?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I think it would be good if we let
the committee and our staff continue discussions with park operators
or prospective park operators closer to Collier County.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: That's fine.
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December 10-11, 2013
COMMISSIONER COYLE: And let them do that at the same
time we're evaluating the jetport.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Sure. That's fine if you'd like to do
MR. WESTGATE: I was going to ask that we not disregard the
second part of the agenda, which was to reach out and get letters of
proposals or letters of interest --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, the only problem I'm going
to tell you on that is most of the RFPs are very short in duration of
time. They're usually 120 days or less. And I'm not sure we're going
to be able to accomplish our other goal before those would run out
again. I mean, you can go talk to people.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: I wouldn't want to advertise something
you're not ready to act on right away. I think we can continue to talk
to them. I've heard two ideas that still could be viable.
The Hendry County facility is becoming a little more interesting,
not maybe the size we want, but that's just come recently up in the last
month that they're interested.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Okay.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: So we'll look at those two, keep the
committee together.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Let's keep the committee together
then.
MR. WESTGATE: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So is that a second from you?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yes, that's a second from me.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Please ensure that the property that
you're looking at before you deal with Miami-Dade is something that
they're interested in and can use, because if they can't, there's no point
to talk to them.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, remember, and truth in fact,
we have 25 sections out there. I'm not so sure that they --
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December 10-11, 2013
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, again, I don't care. All I care
is that you communicate with them and make sure that whatever
sections you're looking at make sense, because if it doesn't, there's no
point in getting involved with Miami-Dade.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I understand, ma'am. And
remember that Metro-Dade County wants the same thing. So if it's not
good for us, it's not good for them either.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Right. But just -- they want to be
involved in that ahead of the discussions.
MR. WESTGATE: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: All right. We have a motion and a
second.
Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no further discussion,
all in favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
MR. WESTGATE: Thank you for all your time.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, sir. Thank you for all your
time.
Item #1 OE
THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
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DIRECT STAFF TO WORK WITH THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
SOCCER FOUNDATION ("SWFSF") AS IT SEEKS TO
DEVELOP A STATE OF THE ART SOCCER FACILITY IN
COLLIER COUNTY. COLLIER COUNTY, AS A COMMUNITY
IS COMMITTED TO HEALTHY LIVING AND SPORTS
EXCELLENCE. IN ITS QUEST TO ACHIEVE BOTH
OBJECTIVES, COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT
RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF GROWING SPORTS
FACILITIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SPORTS
PARKS. THE POSITIVE CONSEQUENCE OF INVESTING IN
SPORTS FACILITIES IS NOT LIMITED TO THE PROMOTION
OF HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS, BUT ALSO IS A
MAJOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DRIVER FOR THE
COUNTY AS PROMOTED THROUGH THE COUNTY'S SPORTS
MARKETING DEPARTMENT. SWFSF INTENDS TO MAKE A
MAJOR INVESTMENT IN COLLIER COUNTY IN THE FORM
OF A SOCCER COMPLEX THAT WILL INCLUDE OUTDOOR
FIELDS, AN INDOOR STADIUM AND AN OUTDOOR
STADIUM. THE INTENT IS THAT COLLIER COUNTY
GOVERNMENT WILL JOINT VENTURE WITH SWFSF IN THIS
PROJECT, SINCE THE COUNTY'S PARKS BUDGET IS
LIMITED. BY JOINT VENTURING WITH THE PRIVATE
SECTOR, THE COUNTY WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
BE A PART OF A COMPLEX IT WOULD OTHERWISE NOT BE
ABLE TO BUILD ON ITS OWN. THE COUNTY'S
PARTICIPATION WOULD BE LIMITED TO PROVIDING A
RENT ABATED COUNTY SITE FOR THE FACILITY AND
SUPPORT SWFSF EFFORTS TO OBTAIN AN INDUSTRIAL
REVENUE BOND. ALL OTHER COSTS OF CONSTRUCTION
AND OPERATIONS WILL BE BORNE BY SWFSF. SINCE THIS
PROJECT IS CONSIDERED AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT AS WELL AS A PARKS PROJECT, IT IS UNIQUE IN
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NATURE. THE HOPE IS THAT THIS WILL BE THE FIRST OF
SUCH SPORTS DRIVEN PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
WHICH IN THE FUTURE COULD POSSIBLY INCLUDE VELO,
BASEBALL/SOFTBALL, SWIMMING, BASKETBALL,
LACROSSE ETC. — MOTION TO APPROVE AND FOR STAFF
TO RETURN TO THE BOARD WITH OPTIONS — APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, that takes you to your 3:30 p.m.
time-certain hearing this afternoon. It's Item 10E on your agenda. And
this is a recommendation that the Collier County Board of County
Commissioners direct staff to work with the Southwest Florida Soccer
Foundation as it seeks to develop a state-of-the-art soccer facility in
Collier County.
And Commissioner Hiller has placed this item on the agenda, and
I'll turn the floor to her.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I have. Thank you so much.
First of all, before we get started, I'd like to make sure that
everyone who is going to speak to this agenda has got a speaker slip
and has signed in with the county attorney.
I saw Kevin Erndl walk in. Hi. Are you planning on speaking?
MR. ERNDL: No.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Why not? Come on. Go get a slip.
Come on, Kevin. Come on. Come on. You can't possibly not speak
to this. This is your opportunity to bring -- all right. What can I say?
And the second thing I'd like to say is that in the audience we
have so many wonderful soccer players that have taken time out of
their very busy lives, and I would think it really would be wonderful if
-- Leo, is our photographer around?
MR. OCHS: Sure.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Could you bring her? Because there
are so many kids in the audience who have taken time to come here to
support this initiative, I think we should get all the soccer players up
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here and get a photograph, because I don't think any of them have ever
been in chambers before, and they, I think, will fondly remember this
when they're adult soccer players, as this being the first soccer
initiative that they lobbied. So if we could get the photographer up
here.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Didn't Mom ever tell you not to
play ball inside?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah. Well, I have to tell you
something really funny. You know, I am like the -- I was actually
speaking to Nick, and I can't remember who else, but we were talking
about my history as a soccer mom, and I am anything but a soccer
mom. I mean, very seriously.
Both my kids are very athletic, and when my son or my daughter
want to play sports, I basically say, find a ride, okay. And when they
went to school, their sign-out list with, you know, parents at that
school was probably -- included about 50 parents. In fact, I believe
Mr. White has assumed that role right now and is helping me out.
So, yeah, so having failed as a true soccer mom in the true sense
of the word, in the spirit of the word, I figured I could make it up by
maybe just helping move a stadium along and providing a stadium
instead.
So with that, what I'd like to do is make a very brief presentation
and then turn it over to the Southwest Florida Soccer Foundation to
explain what is being proposed here.
It was very clear to me, going back several years, that Collier
County was hungry for state-of-the-art athletic facilities, and it was
also very clear to me that as a county we didn't have the funding to
build the projects that this community properly deserves.
So being very actively involved with the sports community in
Collier County, with the swimmers, with the cyclists, with the soccer
players, with baseball players, I was trying to look for a way for us to
be able to get these facilities built without tax dollars, without raising
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tax, without going into further debt.
And I found an example which I thought could work, and that is
the children's museum. Collier County very much wanted a children's
museum but didn't have the funding to build that project.
So what we did is we actually partnered with the Golisano
Children's Museum, and we provided the land. And as you know, the
land is up by the north county, the regional park. And we provided a
ground lease, and that ground lease was provided at no cost to the
museum under the condition that they raised all the funding, they built
the building, and then they operated it.
And it has been a resounding success, and now, as part of the
north regional -- I'm sorry, the North Collier Regional Park Complex,
we have this incredible children's museum that is so popular. I mean,
they actually have lines that wrap around the building when school is
out.
And that's the same thing that I thought we could do with sports
complexes in Collier County. And so I've reached out to the
community, and over the course of this last year, we've had so many
meetings with the athletes and the investors in the county.
And the first project that actually became the beginning of the
new reality is the soccer project. And we have a gentleman here today
who's the leader of the Southwest Florida Soccer Foundation, Jeff
Butzke.
And when we were sitting at the table with a whole group of
soccer players and baseball players and coaches, Jeff stood up and
said, I can get this done under the parameters that you're describing,
Commissioner Hiller. And those parameters are that we -- if this
partnership would work out as the county -- would identify a site of
existing owned county property, that we would provide that site on a
rent abatement basis, as we did with the children's museum, to the
foundation and that the foundation, at its expense, would build the
facility and would operate the facility with the condition that the
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community -- because it is oriented towards the community, that the
children of the community, that the residents of Collier County, would
be able to use the facility at the same rates that they would at any
other Collier County park. So it wouldn't be a more expensive
proposition for the soccer players out there.
And Jeff said, yeah. I mean, I can get that done. So he's going to
tell you how he can get that done and where we are today.
And what I'm going to ask the board is to please allow staff to
work with Jeff and his group to try to identify sites that could
potentially work and could potentially work for an expanded project
beyond just soccer.
We've had interest expressed by the cyclists to participate in this.
It would be awesome if we found a site that was, you know, big
enough, that maybe we could surround with a crick (phonetic) course
or something like that, maybe a velodrome. Maybe I'm asking for too
much.
The swimmers in Collier County, we have, like, an incredible
group that's actually training athletes to compete in the Olympics.
Kevin Erndl, who's sitting in the audience right now, heads up a group
called T2, and he's expressed an interest in seeing a truly
Olympic-grade pool being built here, a stadium pool, which could
potentially be adjacent to the soccer complex.
We have the baseball and softball people who are looking to find
somebody who will advance their cause.
And, by the way, let me give you my phone number. For any
potential baseball investors out there, my aide is Karen Hayes,
784-4682. That's 784-4682. If there's anybody that would like to
support baseball and softball in the community, please call her. Let us
know. And maybe you can participate in this project as well.
So we would not be raising taxes. We would not be leveraging
county funds. This would be done privately with the county, as I said,
providing the land. And that's not giving the land away. We would
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still retain title.
And the last thing is, one of the things Jeff was talking about in
terms of raising the capital, what the county can do is support an
industrial revenue bond, and that doesn't mean that it's our credit or
our financial obligation. It's merely that, in order to get an industrial
revenue bond, which would be Southwest Florida Soccer Foundation's
obligation, they do have to get board approval.
And, Jeff, can you confirm that, please?
MR. KLATZKOW: Yeah. There's no county backstop.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: All right. And so, again, this
doesn't hurt our taxpayers; it does everything but. It's going to
empower the county and make us a sports destination.
And with that, Jeff, would you like to step forward and put your
presentation forward --
MR. BUTZKE: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- to the board.?
MR. BUTZKE: Madam Chairwoman, County Commissioners,
Mr. Ochs, and fellow residents of Collier County, my name is Jeff
Butzke, and I am the President of the Southwest Florida Soccer
Foundation.
Today I stand before you representing the hopes, dreams, and
aspirations of thousands of Collier young people.
Thanks to the considerations of this board, we are closer than
ever to beginning a journey that will ultimately result in a
state-of-the-art multi-sports complex that will be an example of how
government and the private sector can work together for the benefit of
the community.
You have already led the way with your public/private
partnership that built the Galisano Children's Museum. This is another
example, another opportunity for Collier County to lead.
At this time I would like to turn your attention to a short
presentation that we have prepared for you.
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Jack? You've got to put the music on.
MR. WERT: He's got sound.
MR. MILLER: Oh, I'm sorry, sir. I'll have to adjust that.
MR. WERT: I think he's got --
MR. MILLER: I'm trying.
MR. BUTZKE: Without the sound, it's --
MR. WERT: It's nothing.
(A video was played.)
(Applause.)
MR. BUTZKE: When we began this journey in 2012 by
purchasing the franchise that is now known as the Southwest Florida
Adrenaline, our vision was to ultimately bring a professional soccer
team to Collier County.
As the first sports franchise in Collier history, we felt that if the
community wanted to have a professional team, we would make it
happen.
Our plan begins with the Southwest Florida Adrenaline. And
when fans attend our games, part of their dollars that are spent at
Barron Collier High School and online at our website are helping to
make this dream come true.
And when we build our outdoor fields, those that play on those
fields will realize that part of those fees that we charge for field usage
will go to help build the indoor facility. And when people come and
use the indoor sports facility, some of those fees will be used to build
the outdoor stadium. Each previous step helps fund the next step.
The Southwest Florida Soccer Foundation is committed to
making this happen. The more community participation, the sooner
we can make this a reality but, ultimately, we want to have a shovel in
ground beginning in 2015 and hopefully playing on our new field by
2016 with construction of the indoor facility beginning soon
thereafter.
As time progresses -- progressed, rather, and we began to write
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our plan, we realized that there were other sports that could join with
us to make this complex a special place that would have national
recognition. Whether it's playing soccer, basketball, volleyball,
football, or any of the other sports, we want to build a complex that
will provide young people with the opportunity to realize their dreams.
It might be getting a college scholarship, becoming a professional
athlete, or taking things that they learn in our programs to become a
better person but, ultimately, this is all about the kids.
As you'll hear in a few moments from individuals that represent
many different sports here in Southwest Florida, there is great demand
for a multi-sports complex here in Collier County. These
representatives will speak to how this complex will affect our young
people that participate in these sports.
With your support to move this public/private partnership
forward between Collier County and the Southwest Florida Soccer
Foundation, this will happen.
Thank you very much.
Dominick, do you have -- where's Dominick? Do you have just
sort of a rendering of what this might look like?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: May I just --
MR. BUTZKE: Dominick Amico is one of-- has prepared some
drawings of what this might -- the concept might look like if we were
going to have 60 acres, which is about what we would need to build
the three phases, which would be Phase 1, which, as it was mentioned,
was the outdoor fields with the stone parking lot, Phase 2 would be
indoor facility, and Phase 3 would be the outdoor stadium.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Thank you. The --
Commissioner, if we make this a reality, it will take pressure off our
existing facilities.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's a very good point.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: You know, our children will
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have another place to play.
So if you accomplish that, that's great; however, if you
accomplish what you stated, that all residents be able to utilize this at
the same cost, then I'll have Commissioner Coyle present you with a
plaque of appreciation.
So I'm going to make a motion to approve at this time.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, he is so bad to you,
Commissioner Coyle. He is so bad.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: That's the worst kind of
punishment.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That is just too funny. Well, I give
you credit for a tremendous sense of humor.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: My motion stands.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No, your motion is good.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: This is great.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Just the momentum of this
organization, you know, having local kids, children play on that.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's so amazing.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: There's such a tremendous need
for ballfields in Collier County, that it -- everybody will benefit. All
the kids will benefit, and adults.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Without a doubt. And this is about
the community. This isn't about, you know, what, for example, Lee
County has done with -- although what they have done is really great
with, you know, spring training for professional teams. That is not
what this is about. It's a very different concept.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: No, I get it.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And it would be wonderful. And I'm
really, really hoping that baseball and softball can come to the table,
because we definitely need additional baseball and softball fields.
And I even have worked on a site development concept for, you
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know, what we could do for those sports as well. But let's let
Dominick present the --
MR. BUTZKE: We need a technical expert to figure out how we
get that right side eliminated so Dominick -- can you use it?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I never could figure that out
either.
MR. BUTZKE: Do we have a six-year-old in here that can do
this?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Probably.
MR. AMICO: Hi, Dominick Amico with Agnoli, Barber, and
Brundage.
We were asked to create a concept plan, a land plan, a space
planning tool, if you will. What you're looking at is a 60-acre
prototypical site somewhere.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Could you speak into the mike,
please. Thank you.
MR. AMICO: What we're looking at is a 60-acre prototypical
site. Length is basically two times the width, so it isn't any specific
piece.
What we've got laid out is eight regulation soccer fields with a
concession/operation building in between the pairs of the sets of four
fields. We have the training building, which is 147,000 square feet
with the uses in it that we foresee the indoor sports facility.
We have a stadium down in the lower left-hand corner next to the
parking, per code, water management facilities, which are required
these days, and we've included a one-mile cycle trail around the
perimeter of the soccer fields.
Figuring there was going to be a berm there anyway for water
management purposes, it doesn't take a lot to make the berm a little bit
wider and put either asphalt or concrete on top of it.
So this is how a prototypical soccer/football slash whatever you
would do on grass type of sport field complex could lay out on a
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particular piece of property.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Could lacrosse play on these fields
as well?
MR. AMICO: Yeah. These are regulation soccer fields.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, that's great. So lacrosse would
MR. AMICO: So a soccer field is the largest of the ones you're
going to find, so you would stripe it in.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I see. Okay. That's great. That's
really great. And, of course, you know, whatever you develop, Jeff, if
you could keep in mind to develop it to the highest standard. Like, to
give you an example, Benderson built the rowing facility up in
Sarasota, and they built it to Olympic standards, and now the Olympic
trials for national -- you know, for rowing will be held up at the
Benderson Facility.
So, you know, if we can maintain the standard to the highest
level, it gives us the opportunity to do so much more than if we
compromise.
Go ahead, Commissioner Nance.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: It's my understanding they're
actually going to have the world rowing championships at that facility
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yep.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: -- in 2017.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yep, that's exactly correct.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: So that's amazing.
You know, I fully support concepts like this. Certainly, this could
be a nucleus for expanded sports -- you know, outside sports of other
sorts that we have the potential to do in Collier County.
You know, we've talked about putting these sorts of facilities out
in the eastern areas of the county for a long, long time just because
there's a need to have them -- you know, to have room to expand, to
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have room away from residential areas because of the conflicts that
they create allows you to fully utilize the facilities even at night, if you
need to do that, to have extended hours to maximize your facility.
So I'm very supportive.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And I would hope that staff, when
you look -- you know, obviously you're going to look at all the
districts -- I'm sorry, all the --
MR. AMICO: Inventory.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, all the inventory throughout
the county. One thing, if you could keep in mind, you know, part of
this is definitely sports, but part of this is also economic development.
And the economic development aspect of this, besides promoting
sports tourism -- and we now have a marketing department that will
emphasize sports tourism -- is that hopefully a complex like this, as it
-- as sports tourism grows to this end, will attract hotels and
restaurants that will look to build new businesses.
Like, for example, I could see Hawthorne or Staybridge or the
Courtyard Marriott wanting to be next to a complex like this to
accommodate traveling teams coming to play with our local teams, for
example. You know, Applebee's or TGIF or McDonald's or Burger
King so families can go eat after the game.
So it isn't intended just to be a stand-alone field. But if it could
be in an area that allows for that type of economic growth, then we
actually will have a double whammy.
MR. AMICO: We think when this is done, we'll be having -- we
will create over a hundred jobs for the local community, so --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, hopefully you'll create more,
because that might be just what the complex will create. But when
you look at the economic impact in terms of the ancillary businesses
that might develop around this project, the number of jobs actually
created, I think, will exceed the 100 employees that, you know, the
facility itself would support.
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MR. AMICO: Thank you very much. I think there's some other
individuals that want to speak.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes. How many public speakers do
we have?
MR. MILLER: We have 10 registered public speakers, Madam
Chairwoman.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: All right.
MR. MILLER: Your first public speaker is Bob Krasowski.
He'll be followed by Luis Orellana.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Hello, Commissioners, Bob Krasowski
again. This is a great idea. You know, just as a general member of
the public that comes up here and speaks to various issues, I think this
is great. But it's where you put it.
I've heard that there was an intent or interest in putting this in
environmentally sensitive habitat. I wouldn't support that. But I don't
think soccer players or the soccer community wants to be placed in
any kind of controversial position with the environment.
I can think of a couple of places. I'm sure they're going to
scrutinize every place where this could occur. The peripheral
activities that you mentioned are excellent.
I would think, though, the business part of it, make sure you
protect the county's interests in the future. If the stadium ever needs to
be sold or is sold or whatever, we have to make sure that our interest is
protected.
I like what the gentleman said about feeding, starting small and
building on that. And I would suggest that we might even want to
look, to some extent, at a tourist bed tax addition that -- I see you
shaking your head no. I don't understand why, politically.
Like -- because they're the ones who are going to really benefit
from this. We will, too, in the community and -- to whatever extent
that we start bringing in national/international. I mean, the sky is the
limit with this thing.
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So good luck to everybody with it, but make sure our interest, as
a community, is protected, that we're invested in this from the
beginning, and definitely look at the tourist industry to see -- because
that sports office of-- that's part of the Tourist Development Council
and Jack Wert's operation, and so it would be nice to have them look
at this, too, because they're already connected internationally with
everything.
So once this is there, they can fill it up.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And that's a great suggestion. We
already have Jack involved. He's already attended our meetings, and
that's an excellent suggestion and already been put in place. So thank
you for your --
MR. KRASOWSKI: Look -- and one other thing. May I request
that when you take a picture with the kids, you put on your hats.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: What a great --
MR. KRASOWSKI: Okay. Will you do that? Because I'm sure
they'd love it, and -- for the kids.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's cute. I like that. That's a very
happy, positive suggestion, Bob. Thank you for saying that. All right
boys and girls --
MR. KRASOWSKI: Joy to all of you for the happy holiday
season.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- or boys and one girl.
Thank you, Bob.
MR. MILLER: Your next public speaker is Luis. I'm sorry, I'm
having trouble reading this, sir. And he'll be followed by Jeff Butzke.
MR. BUTZKE: I already spoke.
MR. MILLER: Oh, I'm sorry. He'll be followed by Clark Hill.
MR. ORELLANA: Hello, good afternoon. My name is Luis
Orellana. I'm the president of Naples Futsal. We are lead, the running
in Collier County since 2009 in Golden Gate Community Center.
We started with four teams over there in 2009. Now we have
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around 60 teams over there, 60. And we cannot expand no more
because we don't have more place to go, because it's only -- in the
community center is only one facility, one field, and we have different
sports. We have volleyball, basketball, different sports playing over
there. So they cannot give us more hours to play over there.
So the project of Mr. Butzke will be great because we can go
expand to that facility and keep growing more.
We have -- like I say, we have a lot of interest. We have teams
coming from different -- from different parts of the -- not only from
Collier County. We have teams coming from Lee County, from
different parts.
So I give congratulations to the soccer project, and I will say we
can approve. It would be great for Collier County.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's great. Thank you.
MR. ORELLANA: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Clark Hill. He'll be
followed by Tom White.
MR. HILL: Madam Chairman, Commissioners, first of all, thank
you for your presentation this morning declaring that Shula's Steak
House was the Business of the Month. We appreciate that very much.
Thank you.
Yes, I'd like to speak in support of the soccer facility. I'm with
the Hilton Naples and Shula's Steak House, and I'm also on the Tourist
Development Council. I have been employed in Lee County. In fact,
I was in Lee County 10 years before moving here, and I know what
sports can do for the economy.
I also know that there's a need for additional fields in our
community, and I'm happy to see that the soccer -- ability to play
soccer is expanding. So congratulations for that.
This is a big economic benefit or could be an economic benefit,
depending on where it's located, and I think we're looking at some
great locations for the facility.
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It will not necessarily add infrastructure needs to what we have
existing, especially in hotel rooms right away, because we do have 30
percent vacancy rates.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, dear.
MR. HILL: So this will help fill those vacancy rates.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's great.
MR. HILL: So anyway, I see it as a win for the community and a
win for tourism, and I think it's a great idea.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. HILL: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Tom White. He'll be
followed by John Dina.
MR. WHITE: Yeah. Hi, Madam Commissioner,
Commissioners, thank you for having -- Madam Chairman,
Commissioners, thank you for having me here.
My name is Tom White. I'm speaking on behalf as the managing
person of the Hawthorne Suites, the hotel on Pine Ridge Road that
employs 25 Collier residents, or Collier citizens.
I'm also speaking as a board member of the Collier County Hotel
Lodging Association and as the immediate past president of the Sports
Council of Collier County, which represents 32 attractions,
restaurants, and hotels in Collier County that supports sports growth in
Collier County.
I wanted to let you know that I also support Georgia Hiller's
recommendation that Collier County Board of County Commissioners
direct staff to work with Southwest Florida Soccer Foundation as it
seeks to develop a state-of-the-art soccer facility in Collier County.
I also am the managing partner of a hotel in Sarasota. I've seen
tremendous growth in Sarasota from the sports market. In Collier
County in 2011, I believe we had about $5 million in economic impact
in Collier County. In Sarasota, they had about 34 million.
In 2012, Sarasota had approximately $6 million economic impact
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-- or I'm sorry. Naples had approximately $6 million economic
impact. In Sarasota, there was about $40 million economic impact
related to sports.
I've seen where they built the Benderson Facility, where they
built the world-class facility at IMG. There's 12 weekends we're sold
every weekend up there with all rowing events. There's tremendous
amount of sporting events going on throughout the county. It's a great
stimulator for the restaurants, the gas stations, the dry cleaners,
everything. It just helps the whole economy out.
I, too, with Clark, wanted to remind you that there is still vacancy
in some of the hotels in the summer periods when we like to attract
tourism. I think one of the things that I hear from a lot of the sporting
promotors up in Sarasota, they like the fact of the proximity of the
fields being close together.
I know some of the sports -- one of the reasons we lost lacrosse is
because we were going to have to splinter the group to too many
fields. So I think if the direction could be looked at as trying to keep it
close to maybe the Livingston park now or something that keeps the
activity together, I think that would be a good idea. Utilize the
facilities we have.
So I think it's a great economic for a good clean, green movement
into Collier County. I think it's a good lifestyle for Collier County,
and I just want to let you know that I support, wholeheartedly, your
recommendation.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. HILL: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: The point you make about
clustering the fields is a very good one. And whether -- you know, if
we develop a super soccer complex in one location, maybe we could,
if we had more land, have more fields and, alternatively, create, for
example, a super baseball complex for the very reason that you say,
that when the competing teams come, they don't want to be splintered.
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They all want to be in the same place.
And it's also very difficult to have two sports, you know, on top
of each other. If you've got, you know, the soccer kids all in the
middle of tournaments and you've got the baseball kids all practicing,
and you've got, you know, spectators for soccer and just families for
baseball, it creates all this conflict with parking, and it just -- it really
doesn't work as well as when you segregate the uses and, as you say,
properly cluster.
So that's a very good point, something to think about, Leo, in the
design.
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
MR. HILL: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is John Dina. I think I'm
getting that right. He'll be followed by Shaliece Hall and Wendy
Pasquale.
MR. DINA: Good afternoon, Commissioners. I'm with the
Optimist Club in Naples. I'm sure you've probably heard of it. We
have different types of sports. The one major one is soccer.
Just going back a little bit, I moved to Naples about 23 years ago
and, obviously, back then we had a different clientele in Naples than
we do now. We have a lot more families in the area than what we
used to back then.
Twelve years ago I got involved with the Optimists, and back
then we had 4- or 500 players. We're up to about 1,150 now; that's
because we cannot take any more. Our home field is the Vineyards.
We have to share that with lacrosse, we have to share it with softball
or baseball. So we only have it a few nights -- four nights, or
three-and-a-half nights. The rest is split with somebody else.
I think the better issue we need to look at here is when you
provide sports to these kids, obviously you're doing a lot of good for
them because they're not getting involved in other problems. And it
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doesn't have to be soccer. Any kind of sports.
So doing something like this is going to open up to other sports,
whether it's basketball, tennis, cycling, rowing, whatever the case may
be that requires fields, it's going to have more kids involved.
We actually turn away every season close to about 100 plus
players. I have no room for them. I mean, we have 98 teams right
now. And if I say, okay, I want to take everybody, I can be up at least
10, 20 more teams every season. And this is for season. I mean, I
would like for you guys, if you have a chance, to make it one Saturday
to our fields. We have approximately, between players and their
parents and grandparents, close to about 3,000 plus --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's amazing.
MR. DINA: -- every weekend. Every Saturday you go by from
morning to night, you have over 3,000 people in the fields. I mean,
that's wonderful. Brings families together, the kids together, and I
think this is what community is about.
Another subject somebody touched on about lacrosse. Last year,
I believe lacrosse had a tournament down in Collier County, and they
had to split between North Collier and Vineyards. We were there
because we managed that concession for them; we volunteered to do
it.
And, sadly, I hear at the end of the tournament they will not be
coming back to Collier County. They're going to go back, I believe,
to Orlando where they have more fields in the same location.
Well, that doesn't only -- it hurts in many different aspects;
hotels, restaurants, people coming into Naples. So, obviously, we
need to look not just necessarily what's good for -- excuse me for
saying it -- the older folks in Collier County, but now we have a lot
more of younger folks in Collier County. Families are moving here all
the time. We've got to provide them with a place to be.
Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. And I just want to
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mention that the first person I spoke to about this concept on the
soccer side was John, and John was the catalyst for bringing
everybody together, so thank you, John.
MR. DNA: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next public speakers are Shaliece Hall and
Wendy Pasquale, and they'll be followed by KP.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Pezeshkan.
MR. MILLER: Pezeshkan.
MS. HALL: Yes, hi. I'm Shaliece Hall. I'm one of the directors
of Florida Heat Wave Volleyball.
And, first of all, we're super supportive of this project for many
reasons. If I can just broadly speak about our summertime climate and
how we have so many local families that have to sit out in the heat and
sweat, sweat, sweat, including parents, and how that indoor need is
actually quite great.
To give you an idea of the sort of numbers we service or events
we attend, there's two huge volleyball tournaments in the country that
are fairly local. One is in Orlando and one is in Atlanta. In Orlando
in the summertime in July, which is held at the Orlando convention
center, they host one thousand nine hundred and, roughly, 75 teams in
one week.
At a typical indoor volleyball tournament, they can have between
30 and 110 volleyball courts in one location, which is just a basketball
court split in half, essentially. And volleyball is the fastest growing
girl sport, and I think even beach, in America.
So there's a huge population. We have quite a number of travel
teams. There's many organizations like us. And to have a facility that
is relatively large and central to service also Tampa and Fort
Lauderdale folks, when you're talking about the traveling sports
community, puts us on par a lot more with Orlando.
And while we don't have Disney World, we have the ocean, and
we have a lot more we can offer. And I feel, and I know our
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organization feels, that this project can very much reflect a lot of the
values of Collier County and what we're hoping to do.
I know there's tremendous support from various sports in having
a multi-purpose space. Yes, it's under the umbrella of soccer but
services so many people, I think, is going to pay dividends in many,
many, many years to come.
I also feel that not only does it service our children, because
when our children are in school during the school year, we'll have
many folks that are a little more experienced and seasoned in life and
retired who would also like to participate and have a facility to go to
to do some indoor golf, to do indoor soccer themselves.
So this is kind of a multi-generational project that I think would
really benefit so many people.
MS. PASQUALE: Hi. Good afternoon. Wendy Pasquale.
I see especially the tension on the schools at this point.
Volleyball we're trying to squeeze after basketball, and a lot of times it
gets so late at night, it's hard for these kids to get, you know,
homework and get to their sport that they love, and then get to bed at a
reasonable hour.
And I think a facility like this would alleviate a lot of the
overflux at the schools of everybody trying to push in one gymnasium,
and I think would help get our kids to bed a little bit earlier. And the
family setting, I'm a young mom, so that's important to me.
And also, it is multi-generational. I know that in volleyball
there's even a division for 70 and under (sic), so a lot of adults want to
come play as well.
Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next public speaker is KP Pezechan (sic).
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Pezeshkan.
MR. MILLER: Pezeshkan, excuse me, sir.
MR. PEZESHKAN: You really butchered my name.
MR. MILLER: I know. It's past four.
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MR. PEZESHKAN: Madam Chair, Commissioners, thank you.
You know, I don't know how many other people are going after me.
The only reason I ask is --
MR. MILLER: Two.
MR. PEZESHKAN: -- I think it's -- okay. So I won't hold my
breath with this one. But it's so nice when everybody is on the same
page and on board.
Now, I've lived here for 34 years. John -- I've coached with John
at Optimist. I was actually an Optimist player in Naples. I've been
here a long time. My kids are very passionate about soccer. They've
been kicking a ball -- I think every child, the minute they walk, they
don't pick up a bat, they don't pick up a baseball or a football and
throw a spiral. They kick a little round ball. It all starts there.
You know, the outcome of a -- I just wrote a couple things down.
The outcome of a game is never predetermined. Hard work,
understanding the obstacles, and having a plan; it's just like what we're
doing right here today, and giving it 100 percent. And we're not going
to know if it's going to be successful, but you can only try.
Now, we bought a ball today, and I wrote the words that Marshall
Goodman said this morning. Some of you weren't here today. He said
the toughest part about getting anything done is starting.
So I'd like to pass this ball around and have you-all sign it
representing today and starting the process --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: As --
MR. PEZESHKAN: -- not knowing where it's going to end.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, well, we know -- put up that
saying. Where's that saying, the T.S. Eliot saying? I like the way
you're thinking, KP.
MR. PEZESHKAN: You know, and I know this is more than
soccer, but soccer is a sport that's been around for 3,000 years.
Officially it started in England in the mid 1800s.
But, you know, World Cup is a big deal in soccer, and some
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statistics I looked up, half of the world watched it in 2010. In the
United States, over 50 percent of the population who had televisions
tuned into World Cup. That's a lot of people. It's a huge sport. Sports
is huge in America, but it's all about the kids.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yep.
MR. PEZESHKAN: Where are they? These shy children.
You know, more than that, you know, sports is a part of our
nation, but let's make it a bigger part of Collier County.
And I commend you all in the audience and up here, the
commissioners, in starting this process. And if there's anything we can
do to help, just give us a shout.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next public speaker is Trent Carter. He'll
be followed by Patrick Ruff.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: KP, before you sit down, can you
bring that ball up here.
MR. PEZESHKAN: I will.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And do you have a special pen?
Like, what's the deal with the pens here? Do we need, like --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: We should have one coming in
from the back side.
MR. PEZESHKAN: Not to advertise, but I have a Manhattan
Construction pen.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: You want a Sharpie, right?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Who is that?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That is so cool. Well, after we vote,
everybody who votes in favor will get to sign it.
MR. CARTER: Commissioners, thank you for your time. I'm
the lacrosse guy in the room, so -- the only lacrosse guy in the room.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's great.
MR. CARTER: And to let you know, yes, soccer, lacrosse can
commingle on the same field. We fit perfectly just inside.
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I'm currently head lacrosse coach at Barron Collier. I also run
Madlax Lacrosse travel team.
Currently we have about 135 players. Our seasons are fall and
summer. And basically every season that I call the county parks, it's
the same response. Soccer's got it locked down, football. They need
to rest. And what is lacrosse? So it is a battle for us to find fields all
the time.
And so, obviously, we are in huge support of this, and it would
give us, you know, more opportunity. Right now, currently, we have
to practice on Sundays because we can't get any of the local fields.
So, you know, I think our numbers would increase with more
flexibility that we would be able to have with a facility such as this, so
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No, that's fantastic. And it's really
great that you're here. I'm so glad that you stepped up to the podium.
And one of the things that's very important, because it is a
public/private initiative -- and Jeff is actually putting in a million
dollars of his own money to start it up. Once, you know, this project
does move forward, he's going to be making an investment.
You know, if you can bring contributors to the table who would
be interested in participating, you ought to talk to Jeff and see how
you can partner. Because I know that he's open to taking people under
his umbrella in a partnership capacity. And the more the merrier.
MR. CARTER: Right.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Because this is one of those things
where, you know, bringing everyone who's committed to, you know,
sports and competitiveness and athleticism under, you know, one roof
in an incredible complex would be phenomenal.
MR. CARTER: It all makes sense.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It does. So it would be wonderful.
MR. CARTER: Currently there are about 800 lacrosse players
now in Collier County alone. And the increase is about 10 percent
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annually. But we are restricted, like all the other sports, in growing
because of the lack of facilities for us to have practice.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Absolutely.
MR. CARTER: Thank you for your time.
MR. MILLER: Your final registered speaker on this item is
Patrick Ruff.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Hey, Patrick. We put in that
one-mile course just for you, because I know that's what you
requested. Wasn't that your Facebook post one day? No, he doesn't
Facebook about government stuff. I'm just kidding.
MR. RUFF: That's fine. Thank you for allowing us to be here.
And, yes, I'm Patrick Ruff. I'm with Naples Pathways Coalition.
Our primary mission in the county is to advocate for bike paths
and for sidewalks for cyclists and pedestrian activity.
As the sports communities are growing in our area and our
cycling and our running and pedestrian sports are growing, there's
certainly a need for facilities like this, training facilities like this.
Our primary mission would be to see interconnectivity between
all of the county assets and parks and obviously providing safe access
for cyclists and for pedestrians to this facility all in the same fashion
that we have in the last 10 years between us and the county.
Having said that, we are here to lend our support to this project as
well, giving the possibility for close criterion-type (sic) track, training
facilities for cycling, and potentially an indoor velodrome. It's very
exciting. It certainly brings Collier County more to the forefront
regionally and nationally if we were able to have something like that.
Our infrastructure already is inviting to an awful lot of folks for
this activity. And we do have a lot of work to keep up with that
demand. Within our county, we're going to keep doing that, but I think
this would be a nice magnet project to bring the focus to what we do
have here.
And I do appreciate this insight, all the work that the commission
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does and the staff does with advocates like us, because it's been a nice
working relationship.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's awesome.
MR. RUFF: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you so much. And thanks
for all you do, Patrick. We appreciate you.
MR. RUFF: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. That's our last speaker.
So with that, Commissioner Nance, go ahead.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes. What sites are under
consideration for this project?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Can I suggest that that -- I don't
think it's appropriate to discuss that at this point. It's not on the
agenda. What we're doing right now is directing staff to explore all
possible sites throughout the county. And considering how many
other players are coming to the table, they have to evaluate whether 60
acres is enough, or maybe it should be 120 acres, or maybe it should
be multiple sites for multiple projects, because we might have other
investors who are looking to step up to expand this project.
So it's premature to talk about any location. And I think we have
to give staff the opportunity to work with Mr. Butzke and the various
groups that will fall under his umbrella to determine what sites should
be considered. And I think that the whole county has to be looked at.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Are there private sites under
consideration?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No, because we're not looking to
spend public funds. We're looking at existing sites that we own that
we may have been considering for development.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: So you're telling me that no sites
have been considered up to now?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No. I'm saying they've looked at a
whole bunch of sites, but they're not committed to any site. And they
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have to evaluate, because they don't have the details of the project to
be able to narrowly pinpoint a site in light of all the interest that has
come forward after, you know, Jeff made his proposal.
There are a lot of sports that have now thought, wow, this is
really great. We would like to participate under this umbrella.
So what was, you know, maybe thought of as a possibility before
may not be -- may not be the solution now.
So this is not the time to talk about specific sites but it's, rather,
the time to endorse staff working with the Southwest Florida Soccer
Foundation to explore all possible alternatives throughout the county
and then come back to the board with that information in a -- you
know, in a professional fashion with more specifics.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Okay.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any other discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no further discussion,
do I have a motion?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah. You have a motion. It
wasn't seconded. Do you want me to --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Okay. Yeah, could you restate the
motion.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Motion to approve to direct staff
to work with --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And then bring back, you know, a
proposal, bring back sites, you know, with a proposal as to how it will
be done from the standpoint of, you know, a rental agreement. And,
you know, if they do decide to go with the industrial revenue bond
route, you know, the feasibility of that.
And one thing to consider also -- because this is an economic
development project, and they are going to be, you know, sharing
financial information for different reasons, that that is -- that is -- it's
not private, but it's exempt from public records until after -- I guess, is
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it for one year?
Where -- is Bruce here? Bruce, what's the rule? For one year.
It's exempt for one year.
So any information -- it's not permanently exempt. It's only
exempt for a one-year period. But if you're concerned about
confidentiality in that one-year period, then you are protected because
it is an economic development initiative. After that one-year period,
all that information becomes public, so if you --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: That's not a part of the
discussion.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No. I just want to make sure he
understands that for purposes of dealing with staff when they work
together.
It's just to make sure you understand, because, you know, when
you work with staff, everything that you do with staff-- because
you're a private entity, though, when you work with staff, everything
becomes public, because it's a public/private partnership.
I just want them to understand, you have to follow our rules.
Okay. Thanks for the motion.
Is there a second? I'll second.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: All right. Commissioner Fiala
seconded.
We have a motion and a second. There being no further
discussion, all in favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any opposed?
(No response.)
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CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
(Applause.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Coyle, you sign.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Do you have a pen?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yep. And can we have the kids up
here and the photographer. Actually, everybody who's involved in the
soccer group, come on up and --
MR. PEZESHKAN: Do you want a receipt for that ball?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I want you to pay me for my
signature.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I want -- here's your pen back. I
mean, it could be perceived as a bribe.
Here, you take that back to your daddy.
All right. Let's all stand up. Put your hat on.
Thanks for coming, kids. You did a great job.
(Applause.)
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Next year can you get a man's
size instead of boy's size?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: This is, like, supposed to be one size
fits all. I didn't know. Put that hat back on. Wait, I'm going to take a
picture of you. You're so cute. Hang on. I have to take a picture.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: That's okay. We've got
tomorrow. Nope, we'll be here tomorrow. Hang on.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Guys, you sign.
That is so cool. Can I wear this if I listen to an AUIR, or will I
not be able to concentrate?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Can I tell you a cute story real
quickly?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So my sons were four and six, and
they were playing soccer. They used to play soccer over by
Poinciana.
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COMMISSIONER COYLE: That's not on the agenda.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I know, but we're waiting.
And so -- and it had been after a big rain the day before. And
little -- their little tiny legs were so small in their little soccer suits.
And they were running around and around and around. And all of the
sudden the four-year-olds -- the whole team turned around, and the
parents are yelling, the ball, the ball, and the kids just are turning
around. Here they were chasing a frog. They saw a frog on the field,
so they forgot the soccer ball and just chased the frog. It was so cute.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Extremely cute. I like that a lot.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: We're burning daylight.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We are.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: We're coming back tomorrow.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Really?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. Yes, we are.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Not necessarily.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, we are.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Donna, can you put your district on
there?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Sure.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Because everyone else is. And tell
-- if you could have Commissioner Coyle to do --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Sure. Do I just put District 1?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, you can see what the other
guys did. They put District 3 commissioner, District 3 --
Commissioner Coyle needs to do it. You can see Commission District
5.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I represent the entire county.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: You are so funny. That's true, you
do.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: That's right.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's true.
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MR. OCHS: Madam Chair, may we proceed?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's hard to concentrate, but yes.
MR. OCHS: I know. Now, did you decide, Madam Chair, to
defer the presentation --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes.
MR. OCHS: -- of 10G?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We're going to do it tomorrow,
yeah, because I want to give -- I mean, we have staff here, so I want to
give them the opportunity to get done.
MR. OCHS: Thank you.
Item #10H
RESOLUTION 2013-293: APPOINTMENT OF ONE ALTERNATE
MEMBER TO THE COLLIER COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT
BOARD - APPOINTING LISA CHAPMAN BUSHNELL —
ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Let's go ahead and finish with the last item under
Board of County Commissioners, which is Item 10H. It's appointment
of one alternate member to the Collier County Code Enforcement.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And the only one on here is Lisa
Chapman Bushnell as an alternate member. So I make a motion to
approve.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no discussion, all in
favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
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December 10-11, 2013
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
Item #9A
ORDINANCE 2013-71 : REVIEW AND APPROVE THE 2013
COMBINED ANNUAL UPDATE AND INVENTORY REPORT
(AUIR) ON PUBLIC FACILITIES AND CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS ELEMENT (CIE) AMENDMENT AS
PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTER 6.02.02 OF THE COLLIER
COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AND SECTION
163.3177(3)(B), FLORIDA STATUTES — ADOPTED
W/CHANGES
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, we move to Item 9A on your
agenda.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Motion to approve.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: What is this?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Hang on.
MR. OCHS: This is the recommendation to review and approve
the 2013 combined Annual Update and Inventory Report on facilities
and capital improvements.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Ladies and gentlemen, I have
provided you with a small item that I would like to make a minor
change to the AUIR/CIE, and that is to remove right-of-way funding
for the Vanderbilt Beach Road extension from the 2030 AUIR/CIE,
and the five-year work program, and transfer the budgeted funding to
the financially feasible and scheduled projects associated with Golden
Gate Boulevard.
I'm doing this because the Vanderbilt Beach Road extension is
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identified in our long-range transportation plan but is currently not
financially feasible until some undetermined time beyond the year
2035.
Its needs ranking 33. It has associated estimated cost of$65.6
million that is currently unfunded and has over $650 million of
unfunded priorities ahead of it.
My main reason for doing that is to try to get as much funding for
the needs of expanding Golden Gate Boulevard and also allowing
citizens to more easily market their residential properties if needed or
desired by removing this from the active right-of-way acquisition list.
And I would point out to the board that the project, I recommend
it remain on the LRTP needs plan and funding and active staff
management resume at the time the project becomes financially
feasible.
So I would like to make that friendly amendment, Commissioner
Coyle, to your motion to approve.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I believe that was right here in our
packet, too, actually.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah, I've got it. What I don't have
is a recommendation from staff concerning the impact of that change.
Are you recommending it?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Commissioner, yes. We're fine with
it, if I could keep it that simple. Taking that right-of-way out of the
CIE won't affect it in any way.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay. That's all I need to know.
Yes, it would be fine. Okay. So we've got a motion to approve, and
we have a second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Leo, do you have something
you want to say about EMS facilities --
MR. OCHS: Well --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: -- or was I informed wrong?
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MR. OCHS: That is an area that we're working on addressing.
In your AUIR you see that you have a facility planned, new facility
for 2015, and in the five-year planning horizon we have a deficit of
approximately 2.3 units.
We are working with other independent fire districts and the City
of Naples Fire Department right now to develop some alternative
plans that would allow us to improve our response times in the few
zones that are currently below our response-time standard and perhaps
do that in a way, Commissioner, with reallocating existing assets as
opposed to having to immediately look to build or add additional
units.
And we're going to bring a complete explanation of that when
we're ready, probably right after the first of the year.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Oh, okay. I'm sorry. I thought --
somebody told me it was going to be during this presentation. That's
fine.
MR. OCHS: Is that okay?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah, thanks.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Leo, do we have the evidence room
included in the AUIR?
MR. OCHS: No, ma'am, we don't.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: The what, please?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We need a new forensics center.
We don't have enough space for our evidence. That really ought to be
included. We have to incorporate that in there.
MR. OCHS: Yeah. It was not submitted by the sheriffs office as
part of their AUIR submittal, I don't believe, Mike.
MR. BOSI: No. The only advancement -- and Mike Bosi,
Planning Services Director.
The only advancements we had on the law enforcement side was
to move into Year 3 of the Orangetree replacement facility.
The last we had discussed with facilities management in the
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Sheriffs Office was the center in Immokalee was providing some
additional evidence storage.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: What about the substation? Where
is the substation?
MR. BOSI: The substation has been -- oh, I'm sorry.
MR. OCHS: No, go ahead, Mike.
MR. BOSI: The substation has been advanced to Year 3. Hank
Jones -- Skip Camp and Hank Jones from Facilities Management are
now in the beginning process of the due diligence required to bring
that facility online within Year 3.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That has to get done. I think we
really need that.
We need the substation, we need the forensic center. That
forensic center should be part of this AUIR. Whatever you're doing
now, you can bring that back with an amendment to include that, can't
you?
MR. BOSI: We most certainly can, or we can put that on the
radar as a specificity that's going to be identified within the AUIR
that's going to be brought before this board next year.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I think you need to do it now. I
mean, I think you need to -- I mean, the horizon to build it out -- they
are -- they do not have enough space; within less than five years,
they're out. And how long will it take us to get the funding, do the
planning, and build it in light of the horizon that we have of running
out of space to store evidence?
MR. OCHS: Well, Commissioners, if I might suggest, you're
going to get in, in February, to your budget policy setting for the 2015
budget, then to be followed, obviously, by budget presentations in
May and June.
Certainly I would expect the sheriff to include that in the capital
improvement budgeting for his agency if he believes that's a priority
to begin right away in 2015.
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I'd suggest, perhaps, we ask the sheriff to identify his priorities
and discuss those needs directly with the board at that time, and then
we can incorporate it, then, in the fall into the next year's AUIR, if the
board wants to advance this.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: But we can amend the AUIR during
the course of the year.
MR. OCHS.. Sure.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We're not -- I mean, we don't have
to wait till next year to do it. If the sheriff identifies the need -- and
from everything I have heard, it seems to be a need that is coming up
faster than we anticipated. It -- we should leave ourselves open to
amending the AUIR as soon as we hear from the sheriff.
If he decides it's not a need, then, you know, that's perfectly fine.
We're not going to advance anything he doesn't want. On the other
hand, you know, if we run out of storage space for evidence, you
know, we're going to be in a very difficult situation to come up with
the funding to find space --
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- or build space, really.
MR. OCHS: As you recall last year, there was a request brought
forward late in the budget process to finish off the special operations
center, and the board had us go ahead and incorporate that into the
budget process.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And that was a very small dollar
amount. And, in fact, it didn't cost us anything out of our budget
because the turnback money from the sheriff went to fund that
improvement. So that was -- you know, that was basically a net
position.
But the evidence -- I mean, the evidence facility is concerning. I
had the opportunity to see the facility up in Lee County, and it is a
state-of-the-art facility, and we're nowhere close to it. I mean, we're
really in trouble.
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COMMISSIONER HENNING: And Lee County's millage rate
is higher than ours.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: But their property values are lower.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Pardon me?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Their property values are lower.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah. I mean, I pay taxes in
Lee County. I know what they are compared to Collier.
We have a debt that I thought the majority of the board was
going to take care of. I'm hearing more and more things that we want
to add. We have facilities that we have delayed repair on. We have
vehicles that we have delayed replacing. Those items are costing us
more and more by that delay. And the reason why we did that is to
keep the millage low, okay.
So if the constitutional officers has something they need, bring it
on. Let's prioritize our budget like we always do.
But I'm not going to be -- I would hope that the board wouldn't
be an advocate to spend more, borrow more, raise impact fees to pay
for it. I mean, there's a cause and effect by doing more facilities.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Without a doubt. The only issue is
-- Commissioner Henning, I agree with you. Everything you've said
from a, you know, philosophical standpoint is absolutely correct.
The only issue here is that in terms of spending in the hierarchy,
public safety is number one. Number two --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: No -- okay. But what we spend,
according to one of the organizations that oversees -- and I have the
slide. Collier County is number one spending in public safety, number
one.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And our quality of life reflects that.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And it makes it a very valuable
community.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: So how much is enough?
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CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, it's not -- but, again, this is not
a want. This is -- there's a difference. And I don't -- this is not a
discretionary spend.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. The last agenda -- maybe
it was this agenda -- we had an emergency spending to replace a roof
at the EMS facility because it wasn't programmed in, and the thing is
falling apart.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I'm telling you, there are so
many needs out there that we have deferred as far as maintenance of
our buildings, including our constitutionals; we need to get at that.
I'm just saying, before we -- before we jump at anything, we need
to prioritize what are we going to do -- we're going to spend our
existing monies on. If we've reduced fees, what are we going to
replace it with and if we're going to replace it. If not, what kind of
services are we going to lower? If we're going to spend more, are we
going to borrow more, have more debt, or raise taxes?
So let's look at all that. When we do something like that, it's
very, very important.
I'm committed to lowering our debt. I know, talking to staff,
taking time to sit down and really understanding what has been
deferred, we have a problem. We have a serious, serious problem.
I'm sorry I got off the issue, but --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's okay. You're making very good
points.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: You know, obviously, I see
more and more items that we want to spend and, yeah, it's everybody's
priority. So, you know, it's whatever the majority's -- priority of the
board is.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It seems to me that the board has
been very conservative in its spending in the recent past. They haven't
been spending or adding a bunch of projects. Again, I agree with you,
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these projects have to be prioritized.
There's a difference between projects that are needs versus
projects that are wants, and there is a hierarchy of spending that, you
know, we have to respect in the public's interest.
So the bottom line is, I think, Leo, you should go to the sheriff,
talk to him about this evidence room. I mean, if-- you know, it -- I've
been told that they're out of space within five years.
So, you know, how you plan on handling it is, you know,
between -- you know, I would say Chief Smith and Leo can chat, I can
talk to the Sheriff, and we can find out what's going on, but what I
don't want to see happen is exactly what you described, Commissioner
Henning, and that is that, you know, we're doing emergency funding
at the 11th hour because the roof is caving in.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: We did, we did.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And that's terrible. I mean, that is
absolutely terrible, and that is not good management.
And so, you know, we need staff to be proactive and recognize,
and that's why you're doing the asset management inventory that has
started with utilities. It's one of the things that we accomplished as a
start this year. We have to, you're absolutely right, prioritize the
needs.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: All I'm saying is the money
wasn't there.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, I get it.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: It is not there. You know,
there's -- staff is -- makes Leo very much aware of what needs to be
done; however, we give them direction, don't raise taxes, and you're
only going to get so much, so you need to tell us what the -- how
you're going to allocate it, and he does that.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yep.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: The problem is is the list gets
bigger and bigger and bigger.
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So, again, I apologize for getting off the topic.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No, you did great. You made very
good points. And the points are, I think, well taken by everybody.
But, again, there is a need, there is a shortage. One way or
another it needs to be addressed. The Sheriff needs to come forward
and let us know.
MR. OCHS: I will reach out to the sheriff.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Why don't you reach out to Greg
Smith and let me reach out to the sheriff.
MR. OCHS: That's fine.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Because Greg Smith is the right
person to look at the facilities, and I'll just talk to the sheriff in terms
of what his needs are.
MR. BOSI: And, Madam Chair, in preparation of the AUIR,
Chief Smith and I and the rest of the AUIR team were in regular
conversations with the needs.
And just one last portion, just to add -- and I know that everyone
at the dais is absolutely understanding of this, but this is part of the
whole discussion that we've heard today of, you know, economic
development and maintaining the levels of service that we've set as a
community, and we've done a very good job.
But there are -- there are needs looming on the horizon as we
start to kick up the growth rate. And the levels of service that we have,
it's a math problem.
Basically, as you add more people, you have to add -- you have
to add those infrastructures and services that are commensurate with
the levels of service that you have.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No question, except for the fact that
we have -- you know, we built more than we needed at the time when
we determined we had a shortage because of a concern that we would
fall short again, and we thought growth was going to be faster. So
there has to be -- I mean, there has to be careful study with respect to
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that.
MR. BOSI: And I think what it was related to is we improved
our capital improvements commensurate with the number of dwelling
units that were on the ground, those numbers of dwelling units that
were on the ground could not be absorbed by the demand that the
market was exerted upon this market for the last couple of years.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Can you speak into the mike; we
can't hear you. Can you speak into the mike; we can't hear you.
MR. BOSI: I think we programmed our capital improvement
based upon our levels of service based upon the dwelling units that
were being requested. And what happened was, over the five-year
period, we didn't satisfy those demands.
As we've caught up, we've realized -- we've delayed any
improvements because we didn't -- we were -- we were overbuilt
based upon the absorption rate.
But over the next couple of years, we find that line starting to
come a little bit closer, so we will start to have to program.
And as you see in the AUIR, the programs -- the five-year
program, really, it's been pretty -- it's been very, very slim. But you're
seeing your Category A and your Category B facilities starting to
migrate more towards Year 4 -- 5 and 4 and 3, and that means that's
where the actual -- the due and the revenue starts to be identified, and
we'll continue to make sure that those -- that those ranges are
something that's in line with the board's policies.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Sure, thank you.
Any other discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no further discussion,
all in favor of accepting the AUIR as presented in the CIE.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
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COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: As amended, right?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, as amended.
MR. BOSI: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: How late are we going to go?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: 5:30.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah. We're not going beyond 5:30
today.
Leo, next item?
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
Item #11A
THE SELECTION AND CONTRACT WITH AVIAREPS FOR
TOURISM REPRESENTATION SERVICES IN BRAZIL,
AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN A COUNTY ATTORNEY
APPROVED CONTRACT, AND MAKE A FINDING THAT THIS
EXPENDITURE PROMOTES TOURISM — APPROVED
MR. OCHS: That moves us to County Manager's Report, Item
11A. This item was continued from your November 12, 2013, Board
Meeting. It's a recommendation to approve the selection and contract
with AVIAREPS for Tourism Representation Services in Brazil,
authorize the chair to sign a county attorney approved contract, and
make a finding that this expenditure promotes tourism.
Mr. Wert, your Tourism Director, will present.
MR. WERT: Thank you, County Manager.
Good afternoon, Commissioners. This item before you is to
hopefully have you approve the selection of a representation firm in
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Brazil to represent the tourism interests here in Collier County.
The cost of this on an annual basis would be $49,500 payable in
monthly installments. This is a service fee that includes all of the
services that they will be providing to us in terms of their time, in
terms of their travel, in terms of their representation at trade shows, or
out-of-pocket expenses. This is what they have figured it would cost
them, and that is our cost.
This -- first of all, I guess the question is, why Brazil? And it
really is that Brazil represents one of the fastest growing markets of--
feeder markets to Florida anywhere in the world. It has been huge.
The expenditures from Brazilian visitation is one of the highest among
all the Latin American travelers that we see coming to Florida and to
the U.S.
Obviously, they come into Orlando, they come into Miami, and it
truly has been a challenge for any other destinations in Florida to pull
those folks out of Miami. They're very familiar with the area. They
come four, five, six times a year. They buy big, small, large items.
They take refrigerators back with them. It is really amazing how
much they shop, and that truly is one of the big things that they enjoy.
We are not well known to the Brazilians, and so we think that we
have an opportunity to pull some of those folks out of Miami and
Orlando by having representation there.
We've been doing representation in international markets for a
number of years. In fact, if you look back to 2004, we actually started
some part-time representation in both the UK and in Europe, primarily
in Germany.
We started small. We started part time on a project basis, and we
grew as the number of visitors grew. As the number of hotels who
bought into the program increased, we saw more revenue.
In 2008/9, that's when we had some influx of dollars because of
the economic crisis, and we took that representation full time in both
Germany and in the UK, and it has paid off dramatically.
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You see at the bottom of this slide, the growth in Central Europe
in the last 10 years has been over 200 percent. UK and Ireland, not
quite as much because they're still kind of in a recession, have been
for a while. Scandinavia and France are just off the chart. They are
really growing like crazy.
And I put this slide in here because it just graphically shows
what's happened over the last 10 years.
This is a direct result of the fact that these representatives are
creating personal relationships with the travel industry in those
countries. They speak the language in the case of Germany. We think
we have the same opportunity in Brazil to do that.
This is very much a relationship business. We have to build
those relationships. And I know some of those people, but it's
difficult. And I don't speak Portuguese. I think we need that
assistance. So this is an opportunity to do exactly that.
Just from the standpoint of the inquiries that we get for
information, you can see that Brazil is starting to move up in the chart,
and part of the reason for that is back in 2010 we met with some
Brazilian journalists at International Powwow, which is a large
international show here in the U.S. They showed some interest.
That's often the first thing that people will look at. If journalists are
interested, that means they're hearing from people that they want to
know more about Florida. They want to know about other places
other than Miami and Orlando.
So we actually participated, then, in 2011 in a sales mission
down to Brazil. Debbie DiBenedetto, our sales and marketing
manager, went down. She visited the travel industry folks in five
different cities in Brazil. She heard then, we'd like to know more
about more places to go in Florida. We know Miami. What else is
there? So we thought that there was a real opportunity.
We've also -- one of the first things I thought about doing was,
let's talk to Miami and see if we could do a joint venture with them to
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share the wealth, if you will. Miami, my friend Bill Talbert in Miami
at the CVB there was not real interested in losing much of that
business.
So I looked a little further, and I talked to the Palm Beach CVB
folks. They have the same problem we do; they're far enough away
from Miami that they're having trouble pulling people out of Miami.
We have the same problem.
And so we thought, well, maybe we could, perhaps, go together.
We've been talking all day about partnerships and working together.
This is a way that we thought might work very effectively.
So we, jointly with the Palm Beach group, put together an RFP
process to identify companies in Brazil who offer representation
services. We found 29 companies that do exactly that.
We reached out to those companies. We provided a scope of
services that we were looking for. We had nine companies from that
list of 29 that sent an actual proposal to us. And I've got them sitting
on my desk, and it's about that thick (indicating).
We looked at all those. We went through the process, just as we
do any RFP process, to identify the top firms. Who was the most cost
effective, number one, but also who offered the best services that we
possibly could.
And we identified the top four. We actually did a direct
face-to-face meeting with the Palm Beach folks. We all agreed that
this AVIAREPS was the number one firm. We felt, for a number of
reasons -- and I'll show you on the next slide -- they were the most
responsive; their presentation was the best. They have excellent
market knowledge, and these folks are very knowledgeable in the
international market. They also have representation offices in
Germany and in the UK as well. So we know them well. We know
the principals.
One of the things that really impressed us -- and, Chairman
Hiller, we've talked for a long time about the importance of direct air
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service. Right now all that air service goes into Miami and Orlando.
These principals in AVIAREPS are former airline executives.
They have some excellent contacts. We think that that could be to our
advantage in the future.
They were the lowest cost of all the firms that did bid on us, on
the proposal. We had a face-to-face meeting with them; them in
Brazil, us up here in Florida via Skype so we could see them, talk to
them, and we verified their credentials. We verified the fact that the
four firms could all do the job, but AVIAREPS was by far the best,
and they agreed to the amount of money that was within our budget.
We had budgeted $50,000 for this. That is in our approved budget for
this year. That's exactly what we were looking for.
So our recommendation is that you accept the -- our staff
recommendation that we select AVIAREPS for representation services
in Brazil, authorize the chairman to sign a county attorney approved
contract, and make the finding that this expenditure promotes tourism.
And I can answer questions.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Jack, would you go back to that
prior slide. Just a very minor --
MR. WERT: Yes.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: -- little point before you start
spreading this around.
Be sure when you do this that you spell Sao Paulo properly. It's
misspelled here.
MR. WERT: I see that. I apologize. I see that. It was late.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: They take exception to that.
MR. WERT: Yes. Oh, they -- you're absolutely right.
Any other questions, Commissioners?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Crystal, do you want to comment?
MS. KINZEL: Yes, Commissioner Hiller. We brought this up
previously in regards to the purchasing policy. And I just want to go
on the record. I've spoken with both Jack and Leo regarding a process
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moving forward.
Our concern with this, obviously, isn't price or whatever, but it is
the process. When Jack says, we, we, we, it was localized to the
tourism department. I understand it's subsequently been vetted
through purchasing.
And moving forward, we just wanted to raise to the board, as we
did in the purchasing policy process, that that increases your risk for
fraud and other issues when everything is self-contained with the same
unit doing all of the vetting, bidding, proposing, selection, payment
approval. When that's centralized in one unit, as with tourism or Jack's
department, that creates a risk element for control.
And so they've committed, I think that they'll agree, moving
forward we're going to work with purchasing to make sure that we
have a control point within the process to ensure those risks are
minimized.
MR. WERT: And we are in agreement with that.
MS. KINZEL: And we did want to put that on the record as our
concern.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So just from your standpoint, are
you okay with how this was let? Just yes or no.
MS. KINZEL: No, no. It should have gone through purchasing,
and it should have gone through an appropriate process. I don't think
there's anything illegal about it, but it is not common practice or
process that we would like to see in a controlled environment.
But, you know, as I said, they've committed moving forward to
work through these, and we've also indicated to Jack that we will be
looking at additional documentation since these are out of the country
and a little bit different in the scope of what we process for payment.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Leo, it has been identified to the
TDC that this was outside the purchasing policy. Is this going to be
the norm going forward?
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MR. OCHS: Well, no, sir. Absolutely not.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. As far as managing this
particular agreement or contract, is it going to go through the normal
process for payment?
MR. OCHS: Yes.
MR. WERT: Oh, yes.
MR. OCHS: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. That's all.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I'm just curious. How many tourists
from Brazil do you expect to attract? What's your target number?
MR. WERT: It's really hard to tell. It's going to take a while to
-- we're basically starting from ground zero, because we don't get too
many. I would anticipate that the first year, I think we can probably
get in the area of between 40 and 50,000 visitors to come to our area.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: From Brazil?
MR. WERT: Yeah.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's a lot.
MR. WERT: I think that's possible that we can get -- because we
can work with tour operators, and they'll bring groups, and they'll
bring busloads of people on shopping visits and so forth. And
obviously the whole idea is that you spend multiple days here.
The other thing that's interesting about the Brazilians, and really
South Americans in general -- and, Commissioner Nance, you know
this, too, from your experience down in South America. Once they get
a good feeling about something, they tell everybody. They tell all of
their friends. And I think the word of mouth is really going to help us
a lot.
So we aren't anticipating spending media dollars down there.
That's not the point. We're going to be meeting -- this is face-to-face
selling. That's what this is all about.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Okay. It's a direct sell to the agents.
MR. WERT: Yes, it absolutely is.
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CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, that's great. It would be really
great if you could come back and report to us this time next year --
MR. WERT: I will.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- and let us know, you know, if
there was the return that you anticipated, because that's a large
number.
MR. WERT: It is, but it is also a very large country.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, no doubt. But, I mean,
expecting, you know, 50,000 tourists on a $50,000 investment is --
MR. WERT: Yeah, we'll see.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- hopefully a very positive --
MR. WERT: Maybe two years, but --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No, no, no, no, no. You said a year.
Come back next year. Same time -- what do they say, same bat time,
same bat channel?
MR. WERT: Got it.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Okay. No, that sounds very cool. I
think it would be very good.
Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes. I'm quite certain you're going
to find that relationships from Brazil are very personal and very -- you
have to have a very close relationship with people before you're going
to get very far.
I think that you would probably find an outreach to Chile would
be very effective for Collier County. Chile's very conservative, very
European, and very much also a relationship market.
I wouldn't be surprised if you had a very hard time dealing with
businesses in Brazil on the traditional RFPs that we use in this
country.
So, you know, I'm aware -- correct me if I'm wrong, that you had
-- you had arranged to spend $50,000 on your Brazilian effort this
year, and what you are attempting to do through this selection process
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is determine how much you could get for $50,000. That's a little bit
different than going in with specific requests for specific services and
expecting that to come back and check out and add up to a hundred.
So I don't know if our purchasing policy contemplates that sort of
thing, but I suggest to you that we're going to have to include
something in our manual to deal with things like this, particularly if
you're going to reach out to nations where they don't function that way
MR. WERT: Right.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: -- in order to find some
accommodation and some comfort for the clerk.
MR. WERT: Understood, understood.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. There being no further
discussion, do we have a motion, actually? Do we have a motion?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: No.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: May I have a motion?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I'll make a motion to approve the
selection and the contract of AVIAREPS; is that how you say it --
MR. WERT: That's it.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- tourism representation services in
Brazil.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Do I have a second?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
We have a motion and a second and no further discussion.
All in favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any opposed?
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December 10-11, 2013
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
MR. WERT: Thank you so much, Commissioners.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: At 5: 15 we have a time-certain,
Leo. I don't want you to forget that.
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: What's 5:15?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: 5: 15? Let me tell you whose
birthday it is. And, actually, you know, I was really remiss. I didn't
realize how many December babies we have.
Nick Casalanguida, December 2; Leo Ochs, December 8; Mike
Sheffield, December 1 ; Jamie French, December 9; and Bill Fas --
MR. MILLER: Fassold.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Fas -- how do you pronounce that?
MR. FASSOLD: Fassold.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Fassold, December 27th. That's very
cool.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: And yourself on the 18th.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, but mine doesn't count.
Because, unlike Bill, I do not believe in premature aging. So -- and
anyway, I'm the one throwing the party, right, so --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: We're going to have to examine
this for self-interest purposes.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Self-dealing, there you go. Oh, my
goodness. What's this? Oh, this is all in preparation. Oh, look at that.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Isn't that cute?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Did you bake the cake?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, listen, are you kidding? I'm
lucky if there's food in my fridge. And we have invited all county
staff, and I hope Mike Sheffield sent out that announcement because --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Mr. Camp had made sure there's
no files in the cake?
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December 10-11, 2013
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That is great. Oh, we still have five
minutes, Leo.
MR. OCHS: Yes, we do.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I mean, so --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Where's everybody else?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Wait, wait, wait.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Where are the birthday people?
Where's Jamie French?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's not time-certain yet. We need
everybody here first.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: There he is. Okay.
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, if we could maybe take a couple of
these ones that I think we can move rather quickly.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes.
Item #1 l E
RESOLUTION 2013-294: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
CONDEMNATION OF THOSE PERPETUAL AND TEMPORARY
EASEMENT INTERESTS NECESSARY FOR CONSTRUCTION
OF A REPLACEMENT BRIDGE ON 28TH AVENUE
SOUTHEAST OVER MILLER CANAL. ESTIMATED FISCAL
IMPACT: $32,200 — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: I would like to move to 11E with the board's
indulgence. It's a recommendation to adopt a resolution authorizing
the condemnation of those perpetual and temporary easement interests
necessary for the construction of a replacement bridge on 28th Avenue
Southeast over the Miller Canal. Estimated fiscal impact, $32,200.
Mr. Jay Ahmad, your Transportation Engineering Director,
probably has to get a few things on the record.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes, please.
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December 10-11, 2013
MR. AHMAD: Yes, sir.
Good afternoon. I'm Jay Ahmad, for the record, your Director of
Transportation Engineering.
I have a presentation here. The slide here shows the location of
this project. It's the 28th Street or Avenue replacement bridge and,
essentially, it's in the south area of Golden Gate Estates. I-75 is to the
bottom of the page.
This is -- just to get you acquainted -- Everglades Boulevard runs
north/south, and our bridge on 28th Avenue right here.
A little bit about the project. It's -- today there are three large
culverts, and we're replacing those culverts with a bridge over Miller
Canal.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Isn't this in the packet?
MR. AHMAD: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I've read it.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: What do you have to get on the
record, Jay? We don't --
MR. AHMAD: I have to get on the record this.
MR. OCHS: That's what I was talking about.
MR. AHMAD: If you -- before you act on this, please consider
those five factors on the slide, and they are -- there is a technical
memorandum in your packet that considers those items.
If you're comfortable, please vote to --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Motion to approve.
MR. AHMAD: -- condemn those properties.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I have a motion from Commissioner
Coyle and a second from Commissioner Nance.
Any questions from the board?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No public speakers? No further
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December 10-11, 2013
discussion?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: This is a great project. It's
supported by a grant from South Florida Water Management District
in the amount of$575,000. It's a great project, and we need to do it to
move water down south.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So all in favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
Item #11F
RESOLUTION 2013-295: A RESOLUTION AMENDING
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-353, AS AMENDED AND
SUPPLEMENTED BY RESOLUTION NO. 2011-190, TO
FURTHER SUPPLEMENT AUTHORIZATION OF THE
CONDEMNATION OF LAND AND EASEMENTS NECESSARY
FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ROADWAY, DRAINAGE AND
UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED FOR EXPANSION OF
COLLIER BOULEVARD FROM FOUR LANES TO SIX LANES
FROM GREEN BOULEVARD TO GOLDEN GATE
BOULEVARD, INCLUDING PORTIONS EAST ON WHITE
BOULEVARD AND WEST ON PINE RIDGE ROAD (PROJECT
#68056) ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT: $395,000 — ADOPTED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, if we might then go to 11F, it's a
recommendation to adopt a resolution amending Resolution No.
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December 10-11, 2013
2008-353 as amended, and supplemented by Resolution No. 2011-190
in order to further supplement the authorization of the condemnation
of land and easements necessary for the construction of roadway,
drainage, and utility improvements required for the expansion of
Collier Boulevard from four lanes to six lanes, from Green Boulevard
to Golden Gate Boulevard, including portions east on White
Boulevard and west on Pine Ridge Road.
And Ms. Marlene Messam, your Senior Project Manager, also
will want to be on the record with some very specific items for the
board.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Could you please, Marlene, speak
specifically to what has to be on the record. As Commissioner Coyle
properly pointed out, we do have all this backup material.
MS. MESSAM: Good afternoon. My name is Marlene Messam,
for the record.
And specifically to this item, I do have a presentation, but it's
very similar to the item you just saw.
The five factors that clearly should be reflected in your decision
are the possibility of alternative locations or alignments; the cost of
competing alternatives; public health, safety, and welfare; long-range
transportation planning; and environmental impacts.
Those are the five key factors that must be considered.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. OCHS: And the recommendation is?
MS. MESSAM: And we're recommending that you approve this
resolution.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Move to approve based upon the
factors presented by staff.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I have a motion from Commissioner
Henning and a second by Commissioner Coyle.
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December 10-11, 2013
Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no discussion, all in
favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
MS. MESSAM: Thank you, Commissioners.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We have one minute. Hey, listen.
We live by the clock, right?
MR. OCHS: Well, let's see. What have we got? If we could go
to 11H.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah.
Item #11H
CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. STEPHEN Y.
CARNELL TO THE POSITION OF PUBLIC SERVICES
DIVISION ADMINISTRATOR — APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, that's a -- 11H is a
recommendation to confirm the appointment of Mr. Steve Carnell to
the position of Public Services Division Administrator.
Commissioners, as you know, the County Manager's Ordinance
requires that the board confirm the recommended appointments by the
County Manager to Division Administrator positions.
Mr. Carnell has served the county since 1985, and he's served as
the interim public services administrator for the past 21 months, and
he's done a very great job pulling that organization together, in my
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December 10-11, 2013
opinion.
I wholeheartedly endorse his appointment, and I would ask for
the board's endorsement in confirmation of Mr. Carrell as our Public
Services Administrator.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Motion to approve.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I have a motion and a second.
Do I have any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no discussion, all in
favor?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any opposed?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries 4-1.
MR. OCHS: Thank you, Commissioners.
That takes us to 5: 16, Madam Chair, your time-certain.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh. Well, we're over then. We
have to stop. And this is really the end of today's meeting. And I
know that 5:30 is the time we said the meeting was going to be over,
but I wanted to reserve the last 15 minutes to really recognize our
county manager and staff who have done an exceptional job.
And using a birthday as an excuse to do that is a great way to sort
of kick off the holidays. I did this last year. I was guilty. And I did it
the year before, guilty again.
And so, yeah -- and just so you know, that cake is not bought
with public funds FYI, just for the record, nor are the "Happy
Birthday" balloons. And, yeah, you guys are aging, so they are black,
yeah.
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December 10-11, 2013
So we want to wish you a very Happy Birthday. And staff has
done an outstanding job. And, again, let me just read.
Nick, Happy Birthday.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: If you want to tell us your age, you
can do so. Of course, you don't have to if you don't want to.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Twenty-one.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Leo, we know how old you are,
because I know when you're going to retire, so I have it all mapped
out in my head.
Mike Sheffield, Mike, Happy Birthday. You can come up here,
right. You're all going to come up here and cut the cake. And then
Jamie French. Jamie? Yeah.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: He's hiding behind there.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah. You can't hide, sorry.
MR. FRENCH: Thirty-nine.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: You can run, but you can't hide.
And, Bill, we know where to find you every second Tuesday and
fourth Tuesday of the month every single month. So thank you for all
you do for the county.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Without all these aforementioned
births, we would not be able to function as we do today.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Exactly, exactly. But for them
having been born, it just -- like, these meetings would not be as good
as they are.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: It has enabled us and brought us to
this day, for better or for worse.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Exactly. You got it. For better or
worse.
MR. OCHS: That's very kind of you. Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So could you all stand -- well, first
of all, we need the candles lit and, security, do not have a heart attack.
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December 10-11, 2013
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Do you want a report on speak
time while we're waiting?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: On speaking time? No. No, I do
not. Give me that ball.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: You took up two hours and 45
minutes on speaking time.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Great. I'm so glad. Can you pass
me that ball.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: And the next person was way down
there, Commissioner Nance at 30 minutes; Commissioner Henning
was 22 minutes; I was 20 minutes, and Commissioner Fiala was 15
minutes.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, I have to tell you -- you know
what they say about girls? They have the gift of gab.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Two hours and 45 minutes; that's
more than all the presentations and public comments for the entire
meeting.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: If I crossed out your name, would
you be offended? Would you be offended if I just, like, squiggled
through it and just put my name over it?
(Happy Birthday was sung in unison.)
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Are we adjourned?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, you're adjourned.
***Day 1 Concluded***
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December 10-11, 2013
TRANSCRIPT OF THE CONTINUED MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Naples, Florida
December 11, 2013 (Day 2)
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Commissioners,
in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein,
met on this date at 9:00 a.m. in CONTINUED REGULAR
SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex, East Naples,
Florida, with the following members present:
CHAIRWOMAN: Georgia Hiller
Tom Henning
Tim Nance
Fred Coyle
Donna Fiala
ALSO PRESENT:
Leo E. Ochs, Jr., County Manager
Jeffrey Klatzkow, County Attorney
Crystal Kinzel, Finance Director
Tim Durham, Business Operations Manager
Troy Miller, Communications & Customer Relations Manager
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December 10-11, 2013
MR. OCHS: Madam Chair, you have a live mic.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. Welcome back to day
two of our December board meeting.
We'll start with item —
Item #11C
(12/11/2013) AWARD CONTRACT NO. 13-6138 - LELY AREA
STORMWATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (LASIP), DAVIS
BOULEVARD WEIR AND CANAL IMPROVEMENTS TO D. N.
HIGGINS, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,764,929 PLUS A 10%
CONTINGENCY OF $176,492.90 ON THE PURCHASE ORDER
FOR A TOTAL OF $1,941,421 .90, PROJECT NO. 51101 —
MOTION TO APPROVE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION FOR A
TOTAL OF $1,941,421 .90 APPROVED
MR. OCHS: 11 .C, Commissioner.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- 11 .C.
MR. OCHS: And that is a recommendation to award Contract
No. 13-6138, the Lely Area Stormwater Improvement Project. This is
the Davis Boulevard Weir and Canal Improvement. And this
recommendation is to award the D.N. Higgins, Incorporated in the
amount of$1,764,929, plus a 10 percent contingency of$176,492.90
on the purchase order for a total of$1,941,421 .90. Project No. 51101 .
Mr. Jay Ahmad, your Transportation Engineering Director, will
present.
MR. AHMAD: Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners.
I'm Jay Ahmad, your Director of Transportation Engineering, for the
record.
I have a presentation, if you wish to see it, or I can answer
questions if you have any.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I just have something to ask -- or to
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December 10-11, 2013
say, Jay. You had it all explained very clearly in your paperwork so I
don't think we need to go through that. And I thought it was
commendable that you guys found that this erosion restoration
company did not have the background or the expertise to do that, even
though they were the lowest bidder. And as you said during this thing
also, there could have been some real problems, you know, with
change orders and things like that.
So I make a motion to approve the Davis Boulevard Weir and
Stormwater Improvement Project, and to award the contract to D.N.
Higgins for $1,764,929.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I have a motion and a second.
There being no further discussion, all in favor?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
MR. AHMAD: Thank you.
MS. KINZEL: Excuse me, Commissioners, just if you want to
include the contingency of the 10 percent, that would be the one
million-nine figure, wouldn't it, Jay?
MR. AHMAD: Yes, ma'am.
MS. KINZEL: And they just put on the record the 1 .7 million.
And I think you would like the 1 .9.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Thank you, Crystal. Yeah.
MS. KINZEL: Okay, thanks.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Do I need to adjust that motion to
add the 10 percent?
MS. KINZEL: If that's the Board's desire, but --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Sure.
MS. KINZEL: I think that was Jay's recommendation, so I want
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December 10-11, 2013
to get the right amount on the record so I can pay it.
MR. AHMAD: Thank you, Crystal.
It is in the executive summary. And you're correct.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So we're striking -- we're going to
strike the last vote, I'm going to retake the vote.
Can you state your --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- motion as amended.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay, I'd like to recommend
awarding the contract for the Davis Boulevard Weir and Stormwater
Improvement Project to D.N. Higgins in the amount of$1,764,921
plus a 10 percent contingency on the purchase ordinance.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Good, Crystal?
MS. KINZEL: As recommended by staff.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: As recommended by staff. Thank
you.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We have a motion and a second.
All in favor?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
Motion carries unanimously.
Item #11D
(12/11/2013) AWARDING INVITATION TO BID #13-6161, ASR
WELL 2, IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,630,640 TO DOUGLAS N.
HIGGINS, INC., AND, AUTHORIZE A BUDGET AMENDMENT
IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,030,640 FOR THE LIVINGSTON ROAD
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December 10-11, 2013
IRRIGATION QUALITY WATER AQUIFER STORAGE AND
RECOVERY WELL BELOW USDW PHASE 2, PROJECT #74030
— APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, that takes us to 11 .D. It's a
recommendation to award Invitation to Bid 13-6161, ASR well
number two in the amount of$2,630,640 to Douglas N. Higgins,
Incorporated and authorize a budget amendment in the amount of
$2,030,640 for the Livingston Road Irrigation Quality Water Aquifer
Storage and Recovery Well.
And Mr. Tom Chmelik, your Planning and Project Management
Director in Public Utilities, will present.
MR. CHMELIK: Commissioners, Tom Chmelik, for the record.
I too have a presentation, if you'd like, or I'm here to answer any
questions you may have.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Good morning, Tom.
We had some failures on -- maybe not the same area on
Livingston Road for ASR wells. I believe it was last year we awarded
a contract to --
MR. CHMELIK: Yes, we did.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: How is that? Is that in the same
proximity as this one?
MR. CHMELIK: Yes, it is. It's at the same on Livingston Road.
It's for well number one. And the construction of that project is
actually complete. And we're about to enter cycle testing, and that's a
process that takes three to 12 months to cycle the well and develop the
bubble of supply water that we'll later draw from.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: And I'm assuming that things
are going good with that?
MR. CHMELIK: Yes, the results are very encouraging, and
that's why we're moving forward with well number two at this time.
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December 10-11, 2013
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. Well, it was just an
assumption on my part. I know that you're (sic) don't want to repeat
what we did with the others on the north end of Livingston. I believe
that's what it was.
So I'm going to make a motion to approve.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I have a motion and a second.
Commissioner Nance, you have a comment?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes. I would just like to lend my
complete support to the ASR well program in general. I think it's
probably among the most important long-term infrastructure programs
that we can support at the county and I would really hope that in the
future we can even put more emphasis on this.
And the reason is that we have a continued need for freshwater
resources, and we also have a continued need to divert freshwater
during our peak rainy season to avoid downstream impacts. And
certainly I think we've got some options, particularly in the eastern
part of the county, to intercept some of this water before it gets
downstream and causes impacts that it's much more difficult to
mediate.
So I lend my complete support and hope that as we go forward in
our budget process we put -- we review the opportunities to put even
-- to advance this ASR well program.
MR. OCHS: Commissioner, I appreciate your comments very
much on that. In fact, while we have just a minute, Tom, if you could
take two minutes and just explain the total program for this particular
wellfield.
MR. CHMELIK: Certainly. Thank you for the opportunity.
This site was developed for five wells total. And again, we have
taken the first well, drilled it deeper. That's complete. This is the
second well. And all together that will provide about 375 million
gallons of storage annually. So if you were to replicate that above the
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December 10-11, 2013
ground, that would -- in storage tanks it would cost 180, $200 million
to do that, if you had the real estate.
So it's a great opportunity and a great value here. And in total,
we'll be able to provide about five million gallons a day during periods
of dry season after the water's been accumulated during the wet
season, of course.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, you know, it's just not
commonly understood by the public. People think you can store water
in lakes. Well, you know, at our peak high water season, the only
water that you can store is incrementally above the high water table,
which is a very, very small amount, even on a -- you know, if you take
a lake that's a section of land, a square mile, you're not storing any
amount of water.
So, you know, I have spoken to Dr. Yilmez about this, and I
think there are some other opportunities in the eastern part of the
county where we can look into the development and opportunities for
ASR wells in areas adjacent to other flow ways, water -- surface water
management areas and so on and so forth to even maxi -- you know,
maximize our opportunity.
So thank you for doing what you do. I think it's very forward
thinking and I think we're going to really reap the benefits of this.
Every dollar we spend here are dozens and dozens of benefits and
millions of dollars that we're going to reap over time.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I'd like to make a comment.
When I was first elected, I too recognized the importance of the
ASR wells. And in fact what happened under the previous county
management, the ASR well program effectively was suspended and
there were problems. And one of the things that I did is I sat down
with Dr. George and with staff and with Leo and emphasized the
importance of advancing that program.
And what you're bringing forward today is exactly that
advancement. So I'm delighted to see that you are promoting this
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December 10-11, 2013
program in the fashion that you are and, you know, continue to
emphasize it.
So thank you, Dr. George. We worked very closely on that. And
I appreciate you, you know, leading the initiative and turning it into a
reality.
MR. OCHS: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Just one last thing. It's a good thing
that the recession is over so we don't have to suspend it any longer,
right?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It had nothing to do with that,
actually.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, let me say just for the
audience, would you tell them what an ASR is, please?
MR. CHMELIK: Aquifer storage and recovery well.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Means?
MR. CHMELIK: It's an aquifer underground and we store water
there during the wet season when we have excess water, and then we
recover it during periods of high demand and low rainfall.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: But it isn't freshwater, right? Or is
it?
MR. CHMELIK: It's --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: IQ water?
MR. CHMELIK: It's IQ and it's surface water as we started, so --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Thank you. I just thought people --
it would be nice if they knew what we were talking about.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, absolutely. You make a good
point.
MR. CHMELIK: Very good.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And that's something that should be
done every time you present and use technical terms. I think if staff
could always, you know, give the definition, make the assumption that
nobody knows and that way we're sure everybody knows.
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December 10-11, 2013
COMMISSIONER NANCE: The acronyms are terrible.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah.
(At which time, Commissioner Coyle enters the boardroom.)
COMMISSIONER FIALA: But we all use them, isn't that the
truth?
MR. OCHS: Sure do.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Absolutely.
MR. CHMELIK: Commissioners, thank you very much for your
guidance and support.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Coyle --
MR. OCHS: You don't have a vote yet.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I just want you to know,
Commissioner Coyle, you've been covered.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I've been covered?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, you had cover while you were
gone, so nothing here --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Well, that's good.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Your district.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And he voted right and everything.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, on every issue.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Really?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, without a problem. So I just
want you to know -- how dare you. That's animal cruelty. Stop.
MR. OCHS: All right, so do we have -- I think we have a motion
and a second but I don't think we had a vote here.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Do we have a motion? Who made
the motion?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I did.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Okay, motion by Commissioner
Henning, second by --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Commissioner Fiala.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Fiala.
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December 10-11, 2013
There being no further discussion, all in favor?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
Item #11I
(12/11/2013) THE BOARD TO CONSIDER A MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION OF COLLIER COUNTY (CFCC) TO CLARIFY
CFCC AND COUNTY ROLES REGARDING ACCEPTANCE OF
DONATIONS FROM THE CFCC FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
ARTIFICIAL REEFS — APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, the next item is 11 .I on your
agenda. It was moved from your consent agenda at staffs request. It
was previously 16.A.25. And this is a recommendation for the Board
to consider a Memorandum of Understanding with the Community
Foundation of Collier County to clarify Community Foundation and
county rolls regarding the acceptance of donations from the
Foundation for the construction of artificial reefs.
And Mr. Lorenz is here to make a brief presentation.
MR. LORENZ: Yes, thank you, Leo. Bill Lorenz, Natural
Resources Director.
The objective here is to consider a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Community Foundation of Collier County.
This MOU would essentially provide the authorization for the
Foundation, provide donations to the county's artificial reef program.
In previous executive summaries we've provided to the Board the
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mechanism by which like all donations we would receive we would
recognize the donation, recognize the revenue, place it into a restricted
account, and then in this particular situation for the Artificial Reef
Program, if the donation was $100,000 or more, the Community
Foundation would make a recommendation for the naming of a
particular reef, which then the Board could accept through that
executive summary.
Essentially that's the gist of the Memorandum of Understanding.
And there are representatives here from the Community Foundation
that can speak to it further.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Does any Board member have any comments on this?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: No, I think this is a great project.
And it's another needed project. And so I'd like to make a motion to
approve.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I actually would like to comment.
The structure that's being proposed doesn't work. It doesn't work
legally. There is a -- there's absolutely no problem with the county
being presented with donations. And if the Community Foundation,
acting on behalf of the individuals who are organizing the solicitation
and collection of the donations, wants to take responsibility to manage
those funds and then present those funds to the Board for acceptance
and then the Board accepts it into the general fund and then votes
secondarily as to how the proceeds will be used, that's fine.
We do not need a Memorandum of Understanding. That contract
does pose legal problems and we shouldn't be doing this.
So the project is great. The fact that the Foundation will be
collecting the funds on behalf of the organizers and submitting it to the
county is fine. We simply do not need that Memorandum of
Understanding. So that should not be accepted. And it's as simple as
that. So we go forward without the MOU and we're good.
Commissioner Henning?
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COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah, I met with the County
Attorney and he didn't see any legal problem with it. So I'm really
trying to understand.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, there -- well, County
Attorney, I don't see where you don't see a legal problem with it.
Have you read the agreement? I mean, there are provisions in there
that -- well, let me just --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: He wrote it.
MR. KLATZKOW: Let me just say this.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And I'm not --
MR. KLATZKOW: Let me just say this --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I'm not saying -- I know you've read
the agreement, but you understand my point --
MR. KLATZKOW: Let me just say this --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There are provisions in that
agreement which are really unacceptable.
MR. KLATZKOW: Okay. There's law and there's policy.
Whether you think this is a good policy decision for you to enter into
this is a fair debate. This is not a staff recommendation that we do this
and it is not a County Attorney recommendation that we do this, all
right.
I don't have an issue with entering into this memorandum from a
legal standpoint. I understand that there are policy considerations.
The Clerk has raised some of them. I understand them --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: He's actually raised legal
considerations. But he is not -- it's not his jurisdiction, it's the
Division of Agricultural, Department of--
MR. KLATZKOW: From a policy standpoint, okay, I don't
know that you need this MOU in order for the program to go on. The
people who are pushing this program seem to feel this is important to
them. It's okay by me. I put in a clause there saying that if we're not
happy with it we can on written notice end it.
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CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There is a provision --
MR. KLATZKOW: Having said that, it's pure policy, ma'am.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No, no. And I'll say this: If you --
I've spoken to the Clerk about it as well. And if you look in -- look at
some of the provisions in that MOU. I mean, I don't have it in front of
me, I didn't --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, if I can continue.
I also spoke to the Clerk. He doesn't have an issue with it. And
what he told me, it was policy. So I asked the County Attorney -- or
County Manager to put it back on the agenda. County Manager has
spoken to the Community Foundation, I believe it was Linda?
MR. OCHS: Actually, it was Eileen Keesler, Commissioner,
who's the CEO of the Community Foundation. I asked her why she
felt this was necessary. She said, you know, to paraphrase her, that
this will give some assurance to the donors that this project will move
forward and their money will be used for the intent for which it was
donated. In other words, once they make a donation to the
Community Foundation and they get a tax deduction, it's irrevocable
in terms of the foundation. They don't get their money back if you
don't do this project. They'll have to earmark it for some other
charitable use.
So her statement to me was this is something that they do fairly
routinely with other clients, so it assures -- or tries to give some
assurance to the people that are donating the money for a specific
project that it will in fact be used for that project.
You know, again, I'm with Jeff, this is a policy issue. I don't
have a strong staff position one way or the other. We have a
mechanism that's established to accept donations of private funds into
county dedicated reserve funds. But this seems to be another
mechanism that the Foundation would like to use on behalf of their
donors. That's the explanation I was given, sir.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Let me --
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COMMISSIONER NANCE: I'd like to say --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I would let you speak in a moment,
Commissioner Nance, but I have to interject, because I'm in the
middle of a discussion with Commissioner Henning and the County
Attorney.
When I talk about legality, I talk about I'm addressing some of
the terms, the legality of the terms.
And granted, County Attorney, I understand your angle as to
policy, but some of these terms are unfavorable to us. Like for
example it says expressly the Foundation can modify any restriction or
condition on the distribution of funds for any specified charitable
purpose or to specified organizations if in the sole judgment of the
board, et cetera.
You know, without the necessity of the approval of any
participating trustee, custodian or agent? I mean, that's just an
unacceptable provision. I mean, those -- and you can call that policy,
if you like. I call that a legal term and a legal contract that is
absolutely problematic.
And again, we can get this done. You know, we have a County
Attorney who says not necessary, don't do it. You know, we have a
County Manager who says not necessary, don't do it. We have state
statute that provides how donations are accepted by the county. There
is nothing wrong with us accepting the donations and doing it as
provided by statute and not introducing this Memorandum of
Understanding to get it done. It will only cause problems. That
provision alone is something I find unacceptable.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: But the Clerk finds it acceptable?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Not to my understanding. But
again, he does not -- he is not taking a position on this, because he is --
it is not his jurisdiction. But he's talking from a different angle, not
from the Clerk's angle but from the perspective of how this could be
fraught with legal problems as a consequence of oversight by other
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agencies. So he's not -- you know, he's not taking a position on it
from the -- from the office of the Clerk. But I did speak to him about
it and the problems inherent in this arrangement.
So again, there is no need for this MOU. We can get this done,
we can accept these donations from the Foundation or from other
donors directly. Because there might be donors, there might be
citizens in the community who don't want to go through the
Foundation or through whoever is attempting to fundraise and can,
you know, donate directly here. There might be a citizen out there
who, you know, right now wants to donate 100,000 and get a reef
named. They can stand in your position, Mr. Lorenz, and say
members of the Board, please accept 100,000. What we do is we vote
as a Board to accept it into the general fund and then we make a
designation again by vote as to it being earmarked for that project.
And naming, you know, the reef in honor of the generous donor.
So -- and that's the mechanism. It's very simple. And then the
project goes forward and everybody's happy.
Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, I don't -- I do sincerely
support the creation of 501c3 entities to help with these projects. I
believe had the Freedom Memorial had that early on, I believe that we
would have been much more successful in receiving large tax
deductible donations that, you know, have been a problem for people.
However, I understand the reservations on this. I don't really
have any reservations based on a legal basis that I see because this
501c3 can collect money and distribute it, and they do so strictly by
their bylaws. If their bylaws have all sorts of qualifications, the
donors that write them a check have to agree with those qualifications.
And yes, this Memorandum of Understanding elucidates -- you know,
it outlines some of those. I don't particularly like them either and I
agree that it's not necessary for us to receive the money.
It's problematic to me because the one line in the executive
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summary that gives me pause is, it says that it's a referenced document
for fundraising activity. And what it does is I believe it creates a
perception with the donors that somehow the county has responsibility
and oversight over this when in fact we don't enjoy that and are not
looking for that.
So I don't think this is necessary. I fully support it. I wouldn't
mind putting out a letter saying that we would love to name reefs after
generous donors, but it falls short of me being able to support this
memorandum.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I agree. And I think Commissioner
Nance, your comments are right on point. I applaud you for the
remarks you just made.
Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, I think we're also making it
extremely difficult for our general citizens who would like to help the
county in some way or another but who prefer not to donate to us
directly because it's so cumbersome, they would prefer to donate to
the Community Foundation and then have them in one name, if they
will, just in the Community Foundation name, donate to the county.
These donations to the county, by the way -- and there are some,
like for instance, the Winter Wine Festival, will not donate anything to
the county. I had them in my office and they said just that, we do not
donate to the county.
Now, if we want to accept donations to help us, whether it be
playground equipment or books for the library or maybe a --
something to add to our museums and they want to do it through the
Community Foundation, we ought to be happy that we're receiving
that, because it saves the taxpayers many, many dollars. And if there
must be a mechanism -- you know, conversations like this are going to
put a black eye on the county for receiving donations. And if we don't
get them, then we either don't ever have them or we pay for it out of
taxpayer dollars.
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And if the Clerk is okay with this, if the County Manager is okay
with this, if the County Attorney is okay with this, and if our people
were okay with this, I have a problem understanding what's wrong
here.
I think that from what I can see here, everybody has gone
through -- jumped through every hoop that they've been asked to jump
through, they've met every requirement they were supposed to and
now they're saying no, we don't want your donation. Well, is that
really what we want to say? We'd better be coming up with a policy
pretty soon about accepting donations from places like the Community
Foundation.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Fiala, there is
nothing that stops the Community Foundation from donating to the
county. This Memorandum of Understanding is not necessary to
achieve that. No one is saying that donors can't donate to the
Community Foundation and the Community Foundation can't donate
to us. That is not the issue at all.
The issue is pure and simple, that this Memorandum of
Understanding is both unnecessary and includes provisions that are
not favorable to the county.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Excuse me then. What would you
say needs to be done in order for us to accept?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We don't need --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And if we don't have a
Memorandum of Understanding, which they were told they had to do,
if we don't have a Memorandum of Understanding, do we just accept
it without anything? Are we saying, and I'm trying to figure out what
you're really saying here, are we saying okay, if the Community
Foundation wants to donate to the reef we'll accept it with no
paperwork or background information whatsoever?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We don't -- any donation -- if the
Community Foundation wants to donate to the Board of County Corn
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-- not to the Board but to the county, they can. Just like any citizen
can. Very simply, very directly. It's not complicated.
If anybody -- like let's say someone wants to donate to the
Holocaust Museum and the Holocaust Museum in turn at the request
of the donor is going to provide that money to the county as a
donation for, say, an exhibit on the Second World War in one of our
museums, not a problem. We don't need a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Holocaust Museum for us to accept that
donation.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So in other words -- now let me just
make sure I understand what you just said.
So in other words, if we tear this thing up --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: They can just donate it to us.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- will the Community Foundation
still be covered with whatever they need to have done?
MR. KLATZKOW: Yes. My opinion, okay. It was their
opinion that the fundraising efforts, this would be beneficial for them.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And that's what we're --
MR. KLATZKOW: So there's a legal mechanism that they don't
need this. But from a donation mechanism, they find that it's helpful.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I see.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: But it's -- now they're doing exactly
what Commissioner Nance is suggesting they're doing, and that's a
problem. That this is being used to lead people to believe that it's the
county soliciting the funds. And now if something goes wrong with
the solicitation, then we will be as the county held responsible for
potentially engaging in illegal solicitation activity, if that were to
happen. Like if they have someone who improperly solicits.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, if they give the donation to
Community Foundation, they write the donation to Community
Foundation, the Community Foundation gives them the tax credits for
their donations and they only deal with the Community Foundation,
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how would they think we're soliciting for anything?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Madam Chair, can I make a
comment?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes, absolutely, Commissioner
Nance.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Commissioner Fiala, let's take an
example. Right now we're talking about the Community Foundation
and we're very comfortable with that, because Ms. Flagg is involved
with it and we know her and we know everything's genuine.
Let's assume that an organization that we don't know anything
about is formed and they ask for this same memorandum. And we
don't know who they are really, but they say our intention is to donate
money to the county. And then people write them a check, because --
and this Memorandum of Understanding from the county encourages
people to do so and then they rip the money off. And then they're bad
people in there and they misspend the money --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Exactly.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: -- and they take it all for
administration costs or they end up not giving it to the community at
all.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Who, the Community Foundation?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: No, no, no. A third entity. Let's
say it's Tim Nance's charity. And Tim Nance's charity goes out and
collects money and then all -- you don't know Tim Nance and you run
out there and Tim Nance collects all this money and I say, oh, I have
this Memorandum from the county, like everybody else, and I go and I
collect the money and then I go, well, I collected $100,000, but I'm
taking a $99,000 administrative fee out of it and I'm giving $100 to the
county.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay, then what --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: And then people go, now wait a
minute, I thought the county had something to do with this. I gave
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money to Tim Nance's charity under good faith, why is the county not
supervising Tim Nance's charity? Well, we really don't supervise any
of these charities.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We don't have any oversight.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: We don't have any oversight. And
I'm afraid that this memorandum leads people to believe that we do.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It most certainly does.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: What is the conclusion then?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: You just don't need this. You don't
need the Memorandum.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: It's not necessarily for the charities.
They think it's going to be helpful because it lets them suggest that
the county is involved where we're really not.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Exactly. We are --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I'm afraid that if we do this for the
Community Foundation, then others are going to expect the same
treatment and we are setting ourselves up for the public getting
disappointed.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So Jeff Klatzkow, if-- you know, I
have a real problem with this. But if that's the case and we wouldn't
get the votes, because obviously I think differently than them, what
can we do to protect the agency, whatever agency it is, to -- now, it
won't be Winter Wine Festival because they can't donate to any
county or any county facility. But if some agency wants to collect,
say the Salvation Army wants to give something to the county, what
can we do to protect them and their funders -- their donors?
Because as it is, like when the Community Foundation donates
this money, I don't think they got it from one person, they probably
got it from 50 people and they put it all in one pot. What can we do to
protect them and their donors to want to continue to contribute to other
important projects within the county?
MR. KLATZKOW: There is nothing that stops anyone from
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contributing anything to the county. And you see these executive
summaries. They come to you for acceptance. Anywhere from $20
for trees for hundreds of thousands of dollars. We bring all of them to
you so you can see this. So there's transparency out there to give the
public some idea what's going on.
For your reef program, for example, we've set up a special
account through the Clerk's Office. Anyone can donate money to the
county; it would come to you on executive summary. At that point in
time the Board could say, for example, you know, $100,000 had been
given by John Smith for this particular reef, we will name this is the
John Smith Reef and it will get done by that mechanism.
As far as having a relationship with charities to do this, that's a
policy decision with the Board. We're not in the oversight business.
The Clerk doesn't do this and we don't do this. So if a charity is doing
bad things and using our name improperly, there's nothing we can do
about that. Which is why I put in a provision here we can terminate at
any point in time. Because if we got feedback that people felt that
they were being taken advantage of, we would just end it then and
there.
But, you know, you have to know who you're dealing with. You
may have trust in this particular entity. I don't know. Just like you
have trust in the United Way, which is why we have that relationship
with the United Way. And it becomes pure policy decision. Do you
want to give this charity a little extra special treatment than we give
other charities in this county? That's really what it comes down to.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, is there then a policy --
because this organization is a major funding organization and a
recipient from many donors for different projects. Their record is
clean and we've -- you know, we don't deal with them much because
they donate to other things. But is there a policy that we can create
specifically for this organization so that we -- we can move forward
and they can then receive funds for other major projects like displays
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over at the museum, for instance?
MR. KLATZKOW: The relationship they want with you is in
the MOU.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Oh, I see.
MR. KLATZKOW: That's the relationship they want with you.
This was drafted really by them, not by us. I reviewed it, but this is
the relationship they want to help in their efforts to solicit money.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And that's the problem, that this is
for them to use to help them solicit money using our name, and it's just
fraught with problems.
Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Look, this is a very simple process.
And none of the objections that have been raised in my opinion are
serious objections.
We know one thing: The Community Foundation of Collier
County is an excellent fundraiser. They have access to lots of people
who raise funds.
We are not good fundraisers. If somebody comes to us and wants
to make a contribution, yeah, we've got a mechanism to do it, but we
are not good fundraisers.
It is far better to have these funds raised by the Community
Foundation of Collier County because we know who they are. And
the objections that are being raised are in my opinion insignificant.
They -- as a contributor to Foundation of Collier County, you would
want to be assured that the money was going for the purpose for which
you gave it. This Memorandum of Understanding gives those donors
the kind of assurance that they need.
And I think these are just phony roadblocks to giving the
Community Foundation an opportunity to do service for our
community. It does no harm to us whatsoever. We are going to be
building the artificial reefs with the money we get from the
Community Foundation of Collier County. We should be grateful to
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them rather than throwing artificial roadblocks in their path.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There are no artificial roadblocks.
They have the ability to donate, as all the other agencies have the
ability to donate directly to us.
The restrictions on the donations that they receive from the
donors make it clear that they have direction to donate to the county
for the reef program. It is very simple. This MOU is not necessary
and it will cause problems.
So it's actually very simple. There are no roadblocks. In fact,
you eliminate the roadblock by getting rid of the MOU and then just
have a straight donation and you're done.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Motion to approve.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: And second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: We have a motion and a second.
Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no further discussion,
all in favor?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any opposed?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Aye.
Motion carries 3-2, with Commissioner Nance and Hiller
dissenting.
Item #11B
(12/11/2013) AWARD ITB #13-6185 TO GATES
CONSTRUCTION, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,248,975.72
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE "EAGLE LAKES
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COMMUNITY CENTER"; AUTHORIZE THE NECESSARY
BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $825,000 AND
AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRWOMAN TO EXECUTE THE
CONTRACT — APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, that takes us to your 9:30 a.m. time
certain hearing this morning. It's Item 11 .B on your agenda. It's a
recommendation to award Invitation to Bid No. 13-6185 to Gates
Construction, Incorporated in the amount of$2,248,975.72 for the
construction of the Eagle Lakes Community Center, authorize the
necessary budget amendment in the amount of$825,000, and
authorize the Chairwoman to execute the attached contract.
Mr. Williams, your Parks and Recreation Director, will present.
MR. WILLIAMS: Madam Chair, Commissioners, Barry
Williams, Parks and Recreation Director.
I do have a Power Point for you, and I know you all enjoy those,
but I'm also prepared to answer questions that you might have.
I did need to put a couple things on the record, if I might, though.
One is the name of the construction company. It actually is Gates
Butz Institutional Construction Company, which is a mouthful. And
our apology for not putting that in the executive summary.
The other thing is just the impact fee, the budget amendment.
There are two impact fees that we're drawing from from reserves to
fund this project. One is a 368 impact fee fund. That's kind of an old
community park based impact fee fund that we're depleting after we
spend these dollars. And then the other is a 346, the one you're most
familiar with, with the $667,000 coming from that. And the 340 -- or
157,200 from the 368.
So with that being on the record, certainly I can go through my
Power Point with you, or if you have questions, I'd be happy to answer
them.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I think we have a couple of
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speakers.
MR. MILLER: Yes, we do. We have three public speakers on
this item. Would you like to hear them, Madam Chairwoman?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes, please.
MR. MILLER: Your first speaker is Tamie Stewart. She'll be
followed by Cindy Love-Abounader. I'm sorry. Please come up here.
Ms. Stewart?
MS. STEWART: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is
Tamie Stewart and I have the privilege of serving as principal at
Parkside Elementary School. And I'm here to speak on behalf of our
school community, as well as some of the other principals in the area
that are part of that East Naples feeder pattern.
And we just want to reiterate the importance of this proposed
community center to our school communities and to our families.
As Parkside, there's a couple statistics I want to share with you,
because I think it speaks very well to why it is important to our school
community.
At Parkside, 98 percent of our families are economically
disadvantaged. That's the highest of all the schools in Collier County
and the Naples area, as well as some of our Immokalee schools.
And in addition, 90 percent of our students come from
non-English speaking homes. That is the highest in Collier County,
including Immokalee. And the reason I reference that statistic is
because not only do our parents not often have the financial means to
find non-school hour activities for our kids, but they also have the
language barrier, which makes it difficult for them to navigate, you
know, after school sports activities or some of those opportunities that
many other kids across our county do have. So again, we are just --
we're realizing the importance of opportunities for those non-school
houred activities.
We have a walker and a car rider school. So everybody's in close
proximity to the school and fairly close proximity to Eagle Lakes
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Park, so transportation not really being a barrier for them to participate
in any opportunities or programming that would be available through.
that.
And again, our students often go home with no adult presence,
and they're either sometimes in the house not able to go outside,
watching TV or maybe they're outside and again with no adult
guidance and very few opportunities for other activities.
We're very fortunate the YMCA does support us with a reduced
fees program for about 50 of our children, and we started some
enrichment STEM academies at our school. But again, it's just a
smattering of students and a couple hours a week.
So -- and our kids, what we have discovered, they absolutely
yearn for the activities in these non-school hours. And we've seen that
through like our Saturdays For Success Academy which are eight
Saturdays leading up to FCAT. The kids want to be there. And that's
an academic-based program, and you don't find that at every school
that they're dying to get to school on Saturday mornings. But our kids
do appreciate those opportunities and they're there early.
And again, with our enrichment opportunities, and the things
we're able to provide at -- but it's pretty minimal. And so we're just
looking at this community center as an awesome opportunity for our
families.
I left a SAC committee meeting this morning and told them
where I was going. And again, we do have a little bit of language
barrier sometimes, but they all gave me the thumbs up. They were so
thrilled at this opportunity to our families.
And so we just want to share our support, as an East Naples
feeder pattern school district, that this would be very meaningful for
our children and families.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Cindy Love-Abounader.
She'll be followed by Ann Marie Foley.
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My apologies on the last name.
MS. LOVE-ABOUNADER: That's why I usually drop it.
Good morning, Commissioners. I am Cindy Love-Abounader,
CEO of the Greater Marco Family YMCA, also serving on the
executive board of the Florida Alliance of YMCAs and a committee
member of the State Task Force of Pioneering Healthy Communities
Initiative.
Commissioner Fiala and I have been discussing the needs of our
families in the school zones of Parkside and Manatee for the past
several years.
The one thing is certain: These families in this community
deserve the same opportunities to play, learn and grow in a family
friendly environment as any other segment in our county. Enhancing
this park will help this endeavor.
A little information on your Marco Y: We've been serving
children and families in this area for 15 years. We know that there are
many needs.
About six years ago, seeing the opportunity to make an impact in
a much larger way, we reached out and received support from The
United Way; Naples Children Education Foundation, The Wine
Festival folks; the Florida Department of Ed.; Collier County School
District; Wal-Mart Foundation; Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs; and many
citizens to bring to these families educational enriched programs and
healthy choices during out-of-school hours that are extremely
affordable to the families and for many with no charge. This has only
been possible with the collaborative efforts of those mentioned above.
Commissioner Fiala and I spoke about working together with
many of our programs, summer camp and after school, to serve more
children and ensuring that there's always a place to house these
programs, thus the need to enhance this park.
There is no shelter at this park. When the summer rains are there,
because we've had groups there, there's not a place to seek shelter, and
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December 10-11, 2013
especially for a large group. The Y can support, manage, cooperate,
coordinate any programs you see fit for us. YMCAs are far-reaching
with programs from A to Z, like athletics to advocacy, dance classes
to disease prevention, volleyball to volunteerism. We believe in
working and bringing people together to strengthen our community. I
absolutely believe that is essentially to utilize the combination of
resources to maximize the benefits for all.
We are for access to high quality early learning programs,
especially for children from low income homes. To my knowledge
this is an unmet need, and I believe might be housed in this new
facility.
We are for access to high quality out-of-school time programs for
school-aged children which give youth a place, mentoring
opportunities, academic support and daily activity play. In a nutshell,
something better to do during those critical times when high risk
behavior is likely to occur.
We are currently serving over 200 children in after school
programs in the East Naples area. We have access to summer
enrichment education activities, programs that help combat the
learning laws that many youth, especially low income and minority
youth experience during the summer months when school's out.
Learning for many takes a vacation. We advocate programs that
will enable us to close the achievement gap and create a rich learning
environment for all children. Currently we are serving over 600 plus
children in East Naples located in these schools in the summer.
We also are for supporting many healthy living activities to -- I
have too little time to mention all those.
Park enhancements will give families a place to spend quality
time together. Working together as a community we accomplish
many things and all these things above and much more.
I, The Y, endorse programs and initiatives that improve a
person's health in their spirit, mind and body for all. Thank you for
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your time.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your last public speaker on this item is Ann
Marie Foley.
MS. FOLEY: Good morning. I'm your last full-time employee
at Eagle Lakes Community Park in a professional capacity as opposed
to maintenance of the physical plant, and I was thrilled to be a Collier
County employee and took early retirement at the time because my
mother was dying with Alzheimer's and it afforded me an opportunity.
So I'm a happy camper as a former parks and recreation employee of
Collier County government.
And I was -- as I said, my last position was at Eagle Lakes
Community Park. And I just want to assure you how much that park
will be used by the people that are there.
A lot of times folks drive by on 41 during the daytime and it
looks like there's nothing going on. To the contrary, there are birders
in the back and a number of other activities that would take place if
we had facilities there.
I urge to you drive by at night when it's not at all uncommon to
see anywhere from five to 800 people there enjoying the various
soccer programs that are done in the evening hours and on the
weekends.
My husband and I often enjoy Sunday mornings watching, if you
will, Cuban baseball in the park every single Sunday most of the year.
So there's a tremendous amount of need, there's a tremendous
amount of interest on the part of the residents who live close to the
park, who would be here this morning I'm sure if they weren't all out
working one and two jobs to be able to afford to live here in Naples.
So I just want to encourage you. I was looking forward to that
Power Point presentation myself. But maybe later we can get
together.
In any case, I urge you as an East Naples resident, please, please,
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this park needs what you're going to do desperately, and it will be
used. Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. Did you want to see a couple
pictures of the community center that they're proposing?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, I would. I think it's great.
MR. WILLIAMS: Commissioners, I have a floor plan for you
here that I'll show you. This is an 11,000 square foot community
center. It involves a typical configuration for us in our community
centers.
We do have one addition. The VPK, the voluntary pre-K, is
something that is consistent throughout our community centers and we
offer that service.
Just to tell you a little bit about our community center activity,
typically we see people use our community centers in the mornings.
It's the older population that will use it for a variety of activities, clubs,
recreational pursuits, exercise.
And then in the evenings, as Ann Marie mentions, we have a
different -- it kind of shifts more into the families. We have the kids
after school programs and then we have youth sports programs that
come out of the evening hours. So it's kind of a mixed, it's a
multi-generational center. A lot of different types of activities
involved in these centers.
And again, this is a floor plan of what we anticipate.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That future swimming pool site,
what is that about?
MR. WILLIAMS: Yes, ma'am, we've designed the site. And I'll
go back to this slide here. Just to orient you to where the community
center will be built, we're looking to build it right here in this area,
right on the front of 41 .
We are making provisions. There is -- as part of the master plan,
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the parks and remembering master plan, this is one of your two parks
that are viewed as a priority. Eagle Lakes Community Center building
out, that park, including the community center with the pool, and then
Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park. So --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Can you go back to --
MR. WILLIAMS: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- focus on the discussion for this
project? Again, let's focus on the pool. What kind of pool and where
on the site are you considering that?
MR. WILLIAMS: We're making available on the site for future
expansion for a pool if funds allow.
A pool similar to -- if you're familiar with Golden Gate
Community Park, that's kind of the orientation that we're looking at.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So you're not looking at an Olympic
type training pool or anything like that, you're looking at a fun pool?
MR. WILLIAMS: Well, we are talking --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: A lap pool?
MR. WILLIAMS: There have been some conversations with
Lely High School for the potential of them using the pool for their
swim meets and such. Olympic size, it may be too aggressive for the
site in terms of--
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah. Well, that's what I was
wondering. That's why I want to know. Because I don't know what
the dimensions of the site are and, you know, where you would place
this pool. But I'd like to have some more information on that.
MR. WILLIAMS: Absolutely.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes. Barry, is the -- you've got the
I'll call it the southeast part of the quadrangle there where it says
entrance courtyard. Is that also available for expansion, or does that
land have to be consumed for some other purpose?
MR. WILLIAMS: It's -- we're going to have landscaping at the
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entrance. There won't be a lot of room here for active use, it will be
more for the entrance of the center.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Okay.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, I'd like to make a motion to
approve.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I'll second it.
We have a motion and a second. There being no further
discussion, all in favor?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries -- well, any
opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Thank you to all of you who came
out to support this.
Item #12A
(12/11/13) THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AUTHORIZES THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO ENTER INTO A
RETAINER AGREEMENT WITH NABORS GIBLIN &
NICKERSON TO REPRESENT COLLIER COUNTY IN A $1 .9
MILLION OVERPAYMENT TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT
OF JUVENILE JUSTICE — APPROVED
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, that takes us to your add-on item
under your County Attorney's report. This is Item 12.A. It is a
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recommendation that the Board authorize the County Attorney to
enter into a retainer agreement with Nabors, Giblin and Nickerson to
represent Collier County in a $1 .9 million overpayment to the Florida
Department of Juvenile Justice.
And you did all receive the executive summary and the backup to
this item previously.
MR. KLATZKOW: For the last couple of years the Florida
Association of Counties has been involved in litigations with the State
of Florida, more particularly the State Department of Juvenile Justice,
as far as overpayments by the counties to the state.
The last reconciliation by the state shows that they owe the
counties approximately, what is it, $45 million. Our share of that is
under $2 million. That's good news for us.
The bad news is that there's no appropriation for it. So the DJJ
acknowledges the debt but says they have no ability to pay us or the
other counties.
Your Florida Association of Counties have been lobbying the
state trying to get a legislative solution to this. Just in case there's not
a legislative solution to this, to protect the county's rights of$2
million, I'm asking you to allow me to get into agreement with
Nabors, Giblin to represent the county's interest. There will be large
number of other counties --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion to approve.
MR. KLATZKOW: -- joining us.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Absolutely. I mean, there's no
question about it.
And thank you for coming up with that step to protect us. I
appreciate you for that, Jeff.
Is there any discussion on this?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There being no discussion, all in
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December 10-11, 2013
favor?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Any opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously.
Item #15A
(12/11/2013) CURRENT BCC WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, next item is Item 15.A. It's the
current Board workshop schedule. And I wanted to attempt to get
some feedback from the Board this morning, if I could, on staff--
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I would like to make a suggestion. I
think the workshops have benefit, but I think they're too frequent.
And I think what ought to happen is the workshops really should be
scheduled to once a quarter, and really have a very focused
consolidated agenda that relates to, you know, what we're dealing with
in that quarter to allow for that discussion on those quarter's issues.
And you know what those issues are, Leo. So, you know, as
you're looking into each quarter, you can identify topics and, you
know, bring them to our attention and, you know, we obviously will
have ideas as well. But where you see that we really need the
opportunity to discuss or hear a presentation, then that forum is
created and then obviously in the course of the workshops, you know,
if it turns out there are additional topics that we want to address, you
know, we always can choose to schedule additional workshops. But I
think for organizational purposes, I think once a quarter with a clear
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focus is the way to go.
MR. OCHS: That's fine with me, ma'am. These workshops were
really initiated by the Board members, not by staff.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Right. Oh, absolutely. And there's
no question about it. And I think they're a great idea, because it does
allow us to speak. Because we can't speak, you know, outside of the
Sunshine, so it's a really great mechanism to promote dialogue, you
know, without the pressure of an impending vote, and allow us to
develop our ideas openly and, you know, in a positive fashion.
So it's a great mechanism to get things done, but I think they're a
little too frequent.
Commissioner Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, I'd kind of like keeping it
the way it is. I mean, I adjusted my schedule of--
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's not a question of time. I just
think it's productivity.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, it is for me. It is -- I mean,
I raised that when we did it and I, you know, legally can adjust my
schedule for the visitation of my son and I did that. So -- based upon
what the Board did. So personally I'd like to keep it the way it is.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Nance?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, I've actually received a lot of
positive comments about the workshops. I think the last couple of
workshops that we had were some of the better ones because I think
we got some -- we had some fairly complicated topics that we got
started well.
But my personal impression is that we're with our economic
development gaining so much momentum with so much energy that I
saw in the room yesterday, I believe that these workshops are going to
have a great deal of utility for public meetings related to whatever the
interested and hot topics are of the day.
I hope that we keep that first Tuesday blocked out of everybody's
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schedule for that purpose. That doesn't mean that I believe that we
have to schedule something for every one of those dates. But I think
certainly having them available will have a great deal of utility. I
believe as Commissioner Hiller goes forward in her liaison work, I
think there's going to be a greater need, not a lesser need, for public
meeting time.
The one criticism I will say that I did receive is that there's not a
lot of public notice that we're getting out there somehow. I don't think
we've made it our business to really notice this meeting and
particularly have any sort of an agenda that solicits a great deal of
outside input.
So my suggestion would be to try to enhance these opportunities
when we call for them with a better notice system to put it on our
website and make sure that key stakeholders that we know are
involved in whatever topic it may be get informed that, you know,
they have an opportunity to come forward.
I'm getting good feedback about it. You know, I'm anxious to
see what the other commissioners have to say.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Mine is simple. I agree with both
you and Commissioner Henning.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, that's fine. I mean, from my
standpoint I look at what you have on this agenda and I have, you
know, four items. I don't see why those four items couldn't be in one
day. I mean, there is lot -- you know, we don't need four hours or five
hours to discuss the megahertz system. Actually, we probably need
five months to discuss beach renourishment, but that's a different
issue. But, you know, the eligible activities for entitlement grants and,
you know, the -- I mean --
MR. OCHS: Commissioners, I'm just trying to react to some of
the things that you've brought up --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I like the idea of reserving -- yeah,
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December 10-11, 2013
no, no, I like the idea of reserving that first Tuesday that if something
comes up that we want to talk about it, we do it. But I don't see the
need to meet for the sake of meeting. You know, I mean, it's like it
doesn't make any sense.
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: If we reserve it, it's one thing but, I
mean, these things could very well be consolidated.
MR. OCHS: That's fine. If you want to try to do these all in
February or March, it makes no difference to me. And in fact these
were just thought starters. I need some feedback from the Board.
If you remember, when you decided to do these, the statement
from the dais was that the staff doesn't have to worry about a lot of
preparation because the Board's going to come up with the topics --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Exactly.
MR. OCHS: -- and this is an opportunity for you to talk in each
other --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Exactly.
MR. OCHS: -- in a less formal setting. So we're trying to react to
what you want, but we're not quite sure if what we've been doing is
meeting your needs either from a timing standpoint or from a content
standpoint. And whatever feedback you can give us, you know, we
would obviously then tailor the workshops to make them work.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, excuse me, ma'am but, you
know -- and I don't mean this to be critical, but yourself and Mr. Ochs
have really set this agenda. We haven't had a lot of conversation on
the Board over what other topics other commissioners might have
come up with or even the timing, you know, how much time that's
allocate. So -- and that's not a criticism.
So I agree with you, you know, if we can put an hour for each of
three or four items, I'm certainly -- I'm happy with that.
MR. OCHS: Sure. My direction to the staff is whatever topic
ends up on those agendas, our presentation from a staff standpoint
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won't exceed 10 minutes.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Right.
MR. OCHS: And however long the Board needs to take on a
topic is obviously up to you.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I just think we need to get a little
more active as a Board.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Coyle wants to
speak, but I want to make one comment in response to your remark.
No, the reason the workshop schedule evolved as it did wasn't
because of mine and Mr. Ochs's selection of topics. What would
happen is we would have discussions here on the Board and the
discussions as, you know, Commissioner Henning would many times
point out would get too involved, too detailed, maybe address issues
that were not on the agenda and then the Board would say oh, you
know, this is a great topic for a workshop discussion, let's put it in the
workshop forum rather than the Board forum. And so how the topics
evolved on this workshop schedule were as a function of that.
What I'm saying is that it is a great idea to reserve those first
Mondays, but I'm just saying there shouldn't be the feeling that it has
to be filled if there isn't a need to have the dialogue that we have
during those meetings, you know, if there's no hot topic that we have
to exchange ideas about.
So my point again is, you know, to the extent you can
consolidate, if we have, you know, two meetings in that first quarter
rather than three, you know, that's smart, because staff isn't tied up
addressing stuff we don't need to spend so many days over. And that's
all my point is.
Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah, I didn't interpret
Commissioner Hiller's remarks to be the abandonment of the schedule.
It appeared to me that you keep the schedule, keep the time available,
and then try to manage the topics more efficiently.
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December 10-11, 2013
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Exactly. Thank you, Commissioner
Coyle.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: So I think that's a good program.
But there are a lot of things -- well, let's deal with just these here.
There's some things that require a lot of input by staff. Like I can't
imagine why we're waiting until March the 4th to talk about strategies
related to beach renourishment and inlet maintenance. It's a critical
issue but it depends a lot upon what you and the staff have been able
to determine about opportunities for cutting the red tape and delays
with the permitting agencies.
We don't have that information. You have to give it to us. And I
would prefer to see that item come earlier in the quarter than later,
unless there are some impediments from the staffs standpoint to do
that. But I think that's something that requires urgent attention.
The review of the county's strategic plan, you're going to present
that to us anyway. We generally look at that, we read it and then we
give you suggestions whenever you present it.
MR. OCHS: Yeah, that's usually every other year, 15-minute
item. That's why we could bundle that or even do it on a Board
agenda.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah.
MR. OCHS: These were just ideas so that I could plan
something that works for your schedule going into the new year.
And there's no pride of ownership on these topics, sir. In fact,
some of these I've sent you informational memorandum on and that
may be sufficient. But I didn't want to take anything for granted.
This entitlement grant eligibility, for example, I sent you a fairly
detailed memo on that in the fall and hadn't heard much back, so I
wasn't sure whether you were satisfied with that information or you
wanted to talk more about it. So --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Well, let me tell you that --
MR. OCHS: -- we can mix and match or eliminate these as you
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December 10-11, 2013
prefer.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: -- I'm really anxious to get some
information concerning our progress on streamlining and improving
the permitting processes for beach renourishment and inlet
management. So whenever the staff is prepared to bring us new
information and new opportunities, I think it would be wonderful.
It might be better to bring that at a time of a Board meeting,
however, because it would have very much greater visibility for the
public because they're interested in that.
But I would support Commissioner Hiller's idea that look, you
reserve the times. Leave the times the way they are. And if you have
something that's really pressing or interesting that has to be done, then
schedule it. But other than that, leave it the way it is.
As a matter of fact, I don't know that you need to even try to
schedule these things three months in advance. You've got the time
available, you've reserved that. So you could schedule it within a
week or so to give it a little time for advertisement.
But the last time, beach renourishment, is the only item I would
be interested in participating in, quite frankly.
MR. OCHS: Thank you.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Henning? I'm sorry.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah, I'm trying to look up
something.
I saw last night that one of the senators, I believe, is looking to
create less spending, reduce the debt. But one of those was beach
renourishment, beach renourishment funding, to cut that down
substantially. I don't know if we'll have an opportune time on this
workshop to request that they -- in that they reduce the regulations in
that.
So -- but one thing about the strategic planning, it's very
important that the Board members understand the deficit and capital
replacement in what has been delayed out there.
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Would that be an appropriate time to plug that in on that
particular item?
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir. There is a section in your strategic
planning having to do with asset management and capital
improvements, so that would be an opportune time to talk about that,
if you'd like.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: And I think we have a
consensus, you know, is to keep the workshops to that first Tuesday of
the month, and if it's not needed then we just won't have it.
MR. OCHS: Okay.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So, for example, the discussion on
the megahertz system could be consolidated into the January 7th
meeting, if you would want to do that.
MR. OCHS: Or -- excuse me, Commissioners, it may be more
useful, given the holiday season, that maybe we forego the January
workshop and move those items into February.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I think that makes more sense.
MR. OCHS: I don't know what travel plans are, if everyone's
going to be back that --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's true.
MR. OCHS: -- first Tuesday in January anyhow.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: No, I think February 4th does make
more sense.
MR. OCHS: So perhaps we could look to have a few of these
things in February.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That makes more sense.
MR. OCHS: And then just schedule them as the Board says on
an as-needed basis. And I can coordinate that either with the Chair or
with the full Board during communication, whatever you'd prefer.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's what happens. I mean, it
should be an evolution over -- of what comes out of our discussions,
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or if you think we need to have an open discussion because we need to
be educated. And the intent is not to create more work for you, but
rather if you see that there's a need for us to have dialogue, to make a
suggestion. Or, as I said, what we've been doing which is that it's a
natural evolution from, you know, Board discussion up here.
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So we're going to agree that January
7th we're not going to have a workshop, and that you can come back
to us at the January meeting, the first meeting in January, and work
with Commissioner Henning, who will be the new chair, and propose
the schedule for February and March, or February or March.
MR. OCHS: Will do.
And it may not be these four topics, but it will be the timely
issues --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Right. And any member of the
Board can suggest other topics. And if the Board collectively agrees
there's a need to discuss it, you know, that list that you propose will be
supplemented.
MR. OCHS: Very good.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Could I make one final comment?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes, Commissioner Coyle,
absolutely.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Concerning Commissioner
Henning's remark concerning the Senator who's trying to reduce
funding for beach renourishment, I don't know who this is, but it might
be a good idea if we send him a letter and told him that reducing beach
renourishment funds does not save money, it merely shifts the costs to
local governments and puts our beaches in danger and impacts our
tourist revenues. The only way we save money on beach
renourishment is to get an effective permitting process that allows us
to do this in the most efficient and least costly method possible.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I agree with you, Commissioner
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Coyle, 110 percent.
Leo, could you have staff draft that letter and let's get it out right
now?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah, it's Rand Paul, so --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Okay.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Well, there's a whole lot of topics I
think we ought to put in that letter for him.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Who is that?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Rand Paul.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah, I think he's the only one
that has the cohunes to throw things out there, so --
MR. OCHS: This is federal funding, not state funding.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Well, it doesn't make much
difference, it's going to hurt beaches.
MR. OCHS: Yes, yes.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: None of these costs are going
down --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Have Commissioner Henning --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: No, they won't go down. And
that's his only problem, he doesn't dwell in reality.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: You can write the letter.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Pardon me?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: You can write the letter.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Next year?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah. But, I mean, it should get out
right now.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Oh, I can't do that, I'm not
Chair.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: All right. Send it out in January,
Leo, but under Commissioner Henning's name, please, since he
properly highlighted it. That's great.
Good point, Commissioner Henning.
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MR. OCHS: That's all I have on that item, Madam Chair. Thank
you for the feedback.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Great.
Item #10G
(12/11/2013) CHAIRWOMAN'S ANNUAL REPORT
HIGHLIGHTING SIGNIFICANT BOARD ACCOMPLISHMENTS
IN CALENDAR YEAR 2013 — PRESENTED
MR. OCHS: The last item on the agenda this morning is Item
10.G. It's the Chairwoman's annual report highlighting significant
Board accomplishments in calendar year 2013.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you, Leo.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Start the clock.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes, yes, go ahead and do that.
It has really been a pleasure serving as Chair this year. And one
of the things that was evident to me from sitting on this Board in prior
years, that at the end of the year no one really knew what this board
had accomplished, what our staff had accomplished and, you know,
how much the community had helped to make all of this possible. So
every year as you know the President of the United States addresses
the nation and gives the State of the Union Address, and I thought
really that we as a county should have a tradition and that is whoever
is chair at the end of the year should put together a report that
summarizes all the great things that happened and lets everybody in
the community know just how great Collier County is and what a
good government Collier County has.
And so to that end I prepared a report. I asked the commissioners
for their input. And in fact there are so many great things that
happened that I couldn't consolidate it in one single presentation, and
so I've got a supplemental list of good things that will be added to this
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report. And that even doesn't include all the good things that
happened. And the only way that the community can really know
about all the great stuff is to go to our public records and read the
minutes, which would make a very good book in this year.
So with that, I'm going to begin by reading to you what I see as
the highlights of this year's accomplishments.
I am pleased to report that Collier County is sound and stable.
Our county's finances are strong, our economy is growing. We have
better defined the role of this government in the context of personal
freedom. We have increased public safety by taking practical steps to
remove elicit drugs, reduce theft and help our first responders. We
have made this county moral transparent and honest than it has ever
been by reforming ethics policies, clarifying legal responsibilities and
conforming to state law.
In a number of areas large and small we have made Collier
County a better place to live and conduct business by reviewing
county operations and taking decisive action. Importantly this has
been achieved through a collaboration between the Board of County
Commissioners, county staff and the public acting as a unified team.
The Board, with insight gained through public input, has set
policies for the community's benefit that the county staff has
successfully implemented. The guiding policy has been to provide the
community with the highest level of service at the lowest possible cost
to the taxpayers, the essence of fiscal conservatism. This policy has
led the county to a level of unsurpassed success.
Our fiscal situation is strong and likely among the best in the
state. As we emerge from the Great Recession, Collier County has not
increased property tax rates while maintaining outstanding
governmental services for our residents and visitors; notwithstanding a
reduction of more than 20 percent in general fund revenues from
almost 400 million in fiscal year 2008 to 310 million in fiscal year
2013.
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In 2013 taxable value countywide increased 3.8 percent,
representing the second consecutive adjustment since 2007. The
increase is welcomed use and continues to reverse a trend. We saw
Collier County lose over 21 billion in taxable value, almost 27 percent
of its tax base, since the 2007 tax year.
Based upon state estimates, it is anticipated that Collier County
will experience tax base increases through tax year 2017.
The county continued to responsibly pay down its current debt
obligation and with no plans to issue new debt, approximately 50
percent of existing debt will be retired within the next eight years.
The county's debt was at its highest in 2008 at $804 million.
Outstanding debt has been reduced to just under 600 million in fiscal
year 2013, a decrease of 25 percent. The retaining debt has been
refinanced to take advantage of lower interest rates. Annual general
government debt service has been reduced by 50 percent as a result.
Collier County continues to keep a stable investment quality
credit rating from all three major rating agencies. Moody's Investment
Service noted that county's long-term financial position is expected to
remain healthy, despite recessionary tax base pressure, given
conservative budgeting and fiscal discipline. Fitch's Ratings
commented on the county's sound financial management by
indicating: The county has responded to considerable revenue
deterioration with conservative budgeting, aggressive expenditure
reductions and limited use of reserves.
The Board of County Commissioners is committed to fiscal
conservatism.
Our economy is strong and growing. In 2013 Collier County was
ranked number one in Florida for job growth. On April 4th, 2014
(sic), Florida Governor Rick Scott recognized Collier County for
having the fastest annual job growth rate in the entire State of Florida.
The Board took proactive and aggressive action to promote
economic development and job growth throughout the county.
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Impact fees were again reduced.
The Land Development Code was amended to streamline
building regulations and expedite the review process.
An automated building plan review and permitting system was
installed that allows for faster, more convenient and efficient reviews.
Reduced standard -- the Board reduced standard building permit
fees by five percent.
The Office of the Hearing Examiner was created to expedite
reviews of minor zoning and land use applications.
A partnership with the Chamber of Commerce to promote the
county as a business destination was formed.
The county joined the Southwest Florida Regional Economic
Alliance and made a commitment to support and grow regionalism.
The Board created the Community and Economic Development
Chairmanship position, committing to economic development
leadership at the Board level.
The Board has reduced government overreach.
Examples include but are not limited to: The elimination of red
light cameras and the professional treatment of airport tenants.
With respect to the red light cameras, there were no demonstrable
public safety benefits derived from this initiative, given the
sophisticated and well-managed engineered traffic signaling system
we have. The contract with the vendor was consequently terminated.
And as to the airport tenants, fair treatment of all airport tenants
is now the norm, not the exception. Companies that provide critical
aviation services to Southwest Florida are treated with the respect they
deserve.
The Board has increased its commitment to public safety.
The Board of County Commissioners passed the Collier County
Illicit Synthetic Drugs Ordinance to assist the Sheriffs Office in its
efforts to control the increasing use of illicit synthetic drugs.
The Board of County Commissioners, working with the Sheriffs
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Office, developed a monitoring and disclosure program to make it
easier to catch thieves who steal components using privately owned
and government infrastructure assets.
Emergency vehicle preemption devices were approved for
phased-in installation. Traffic signals in busy intersections are now
preempted so as to assist emergency responders through those
intersections.
The Board recognized the need for the build-out of the Sheriffs
special operations center and the new forensics storage and lab facility
and accordingly began planning to fund and construct these projects.
As an example of working together with the community in crisis,
in the wake of the fire that badly damaged the Greater Naples YMCA,
the Board worked closely with officials from the YMCA to develop an
immediate plan for the continuity of YMCA programs and services.
We provided county office space so YMCA staff could continue
administrative functions and we expedited permitting as they rebuilt.
Collier government is honest, open and transparent.
The Board clarified and strengthened the Collier County Ethics
Ordinance, making the ordinance consistent with state statutes,
making it clear and unequivocal that kickbacks and bribes are illegal
in Collier County. The county now can rely on state precedent and
advisory opinions for guidance as to what constitutes unethical
conduct.
The County Attorney is officially designated as the county's
ethics officer, available to provide ethics opinions as needed.
Additionally, the newly elected County Attorney's Ordinance
will ensure that the County Attorney will represent the county in all
legal matters and that the Board of County Commissioners' actions
conform to the law.
The Board now embraces the critical function of the Clerk of
Courts as the independently elected watchdog over county funds. We
are better utilizing county audits in Board decisions, preventing bad
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actors from receiving grant funds and tightening purchasing
procedures through the passage of a purchasing ordinance.
The administration of public records has been consolidated and
streamlined so as to promote increased transparency and
responsiveness to the public.
Government operations have significantly improved. The county
has experienced restructuring at all levels, from the Office of the
Board of County Commissioners, which was redesigned in terms of
both management and space, to the restructuring of divisions and the
streamlining of advisory boards.
Every action has been evaluated from the perspective of its return
to the public. Steps that have no return have been eliminated.
Examples include: Outsourcing of marina operations to securing
consultants from residential and commercial real estate and property
management firms to assist the county with the purchase, sale and
management of the county's real estate holdings; viewing job bankers
as a means to manage fluctuating service demand levels; and the
creation of a Victims Advocacy Coalition, a grant management team
and process team for victim advocacy organizations, in order to
increase the amount of grant funding available to further their critical
services which taxpayers would otherwise have to pay for.
There are so many additional achievements that are worthy of
mention, like the fact that dogs are now permitted to be walked in
Collier parks. Thank you, Leo.
Clam Pass and Wiggins Pass were successfully dredged and the
beaches were renourished in record time at a savings of over $20
million, to name a few happy items.
These and many other successful 2013 projects are listed in the
summary attachment, as I mentioned earlier, that I've prepared for
your review.
In short, taxpayer dollars have been protected, conditions for
economic growth and prosperity have been created, public safety has
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been a consistent priority, and our operations have been improved
everywhere they could be.
Sniff. It has been such a pleasure working with you guys.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Can I add one thing?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I mean, you guys have been out of
this world. I mean, I want to thank each and every one of you,
because collectively this has really been a great year and you have
been a great Board.
And I want to thank staff, I want to thank Leo and I want to thank
Jeff. It's been a pleasure.
MR. OCHS: Thank you, Madam Chair.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Can I add one thing?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yes, absolutely.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: You know, because of your
persistence and concerns about beaches and directing staff to go out
there for not only a dredge and fill but a haul, and obviously saving
tourist tax dollars that could be used for other things. So thank you.
That was your incentive to get that comparable.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you. But again, we act as a
Board. You know, I'm one of five votes, and while each one of us,
you know --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Oh, stop it, it was your idea.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, but collectively we made it
happen. But thank you very much. I do appreciate that.
And I wanted to go ahead and present some information for the
public. This general fund total budget, I mean, it's just so impressive
to see, you know, how much we've accomplished. When our budget
was 400 million in 2008 and 310 in fiscal year 2013, we did not cut
our level of service. In fact, we've increased our services, and we've
improved the quality of our services with a budget that was effectively
reduced 25 percent over the course of these last five years, which is
really exceptional.
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And again, looking at the debt, the trend is just as it should be.
We were at 800 million in 2008 and we're now at 600 million. It's
commendable.
And finally, the trend follows with the annual debt service.
Correspondingly we started at 70 million and we're down to 40 million
a year in annual debt service.
So these graphs are exactly what the community wants to see
from this Board. And this Board has really done an outstanding job
in, you know, moving the county in the right direction. So we are
very fortunate to be in Collier County today as compared to the state.
The last thing I want to share with you, and this is even more
happy news, and this was in the Naples Daily News today, and that is
that once again -- this is with respect to the forecast for job growth for
2013 through 2016. Naples -- and the reference is to the Naples area --
is leading the state with -- in terms of the forecast for job growth. And
I think this is a fantastic headline from the Naples Daily News that we
should all be very proud of.
So again, members of the Board, thank you. Staff, thank you.
Leo, Jeff, thank you.
MR. OCHS: Thank you, ma'am.
Item #15
(12/11/2013) STAFF AND COMMISSIONER GENERAL
COMMUNICATION
MR. OCHS: We have one final item and that's staff and
commission general communications. Nothing from me, Madam
Chair, Commissioners, except to wish you all a very happy holiday
and a happy new year. I'm sure we'll see you before then, but this will
be our last official meeting before the Christmas and New Year break.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Absolutely.
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Let's go ahead and go to Commissioners' comments. We'll start
with Commissioner Nance, since his light is on.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yes, I just actually wanted to add a
few comments to your remarks, Commissioner Hiller, and I want to
commend you for bringing your vision for Collier County forward
during your chairmanship. I think you brought a lot of important ideas
and lent your perspective very aggressively to this Board. And I
actually appreciate that. I think you brought a lot of good issues to the
Board for a good spirited conversation.
(Christmas toy on dais was activated.)
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Which end?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Push the one that has a little dot on
it. It will stop.
First time I ever saw you blush.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I didn't do that.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I resemble that remark,
Commissioner Coyle.
Anyway, in all seriousness, I hope you will share your remarks
with all of us so we can actually share them with our constituents.
And, you know, I know that we spend an awful lot of time doing
things, and important things that are administrative. And of course
spending money is both in many cases the most challenging and also
the most rewarding of this. Because each of us has a constituency that
we're trying to represent, and of course we all realize that those are
greatly, greatly different in what's important to them and what the
needs are.
But what I'd like to say is, and one of the things that I think we've
accomplished as a Board this year that I feel best about is that I do
think that we have, at the end of this year, not only have we started to
address some of the long-term challenges that we have honestly and
openly and started to go to work on those, and I think -- you know, I'm
always in favor of positive news but -- you know, I don't want to be a
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buzz kill guy, but I never want to overlook our challenges, because I
don't want them to sneak up on us. I hate surprises and I hate having
to share bad news with the citizens in Collier County.
But at the end of the day I believe that we are today, as opposed
to a year ago, to everyone's credit here, I think we're a kinder gentler
government in the ways that we touch our citizens as a governmental
entity.
And I don't mean just in the decisions that we make, but in the
way we reach out to them. And I think we have a much better
collegial working relationship now at the end of the year, and I thank
each one of my fellow Commissioners for their efforts in that regard.
You can press it again, Commissioner Coyle.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Commissioner Henning, your
remarks?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah, I agree, I think it's much
more collegial and respective, and I think it's due to your leadership.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Two things: One of the things I
noticed, going home one day. Stopped at a stoplight and the light
turned green. All of a sudden a white light came on that said no turn.
And the reason for that is because there was a pedestrian crossing the
street. And I thought what a great way to protect our pedestrians.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That is great.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah. And, you know, I'm fully
supportive of that. I think it's a wonderful idea.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And these are the kind of things
that, you know, the community doesn't know about, the little things
that we have in place for their protection, you know, or to improve
their quality of life. So I'm so glad you highlighted that.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah. And over the past recent
years, you know, my driving habits have changed. You know,
looking right, looking left, looking right before making that turn is
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because of pedestrians out there. And more and more people are
walking particular certain neighborhoods, including Golden Gate.
The other thing I have is on the agenda it was withdrawn, it was
about the Immokalee Airport. There was a contract on there to lease
an old sod farm. And staff has been working on this since 2003.
Couldn't find a tenant, okay. My aide, Camden Smith, and I went out
there, hearing some of the concerns about the Immokalee Airport. We
-- our mission was to try to find revenues to cut down the deficit every
year. I reached out to the community to try to find a sod farmer. One
was identified. Camden contacted that person. The bid went back
out.
The problem with the bid was it's a misunderstanding on the
revenues. I couldn't believe that they were willing to pay over
$100,000 a year to lease that acreage. So that is going to come back.
However, another benefit of that, the staff out there maintains,
mows those 200 acres every quarter, okay. If that is leased out, it
would free up some staff time and --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's a great idea.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: -- and also be less equipment
and stuff like that.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's a double cost savings. It's not a
double cost savings, but you're saving cost on the one hand and then
you're generating revenue on the other. So the net impact on the
county is double, not just the revenues.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Correct.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So that's the right kind of thinking.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I'd like to comment on that, just to
Commissioner Henning. Because I'll tell you the concerns that I
shared with the County Manager on the project, Commissioner
Henning. Since we're talking about it now, I want to say that at this
time.
The concerns that I had and things that need to be addressed on
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that sod farm, and everybody needs to understand going forward, are
twofold:
Number one, the sod farm extends the entire distance of one of
the runways. And one of the things that was mentioned to me by users
the airport is in the past when that was done, and it has been done in
the past, that there was a tremendous problem with blowing sand and
dust that will have to be mitigated when that's done.
The second thing is everybody needs to understand what happens
when you're in the sod farming business. When you're in the sod
farming business, each time you cut sod you're removing soil from the
area.
And I went through and did a calculation that with the yearly
proposal that when the volume that was being predicted, there was
going to be removal of 14,000 cubic yards of dirt from that site. If
you start to add that up over time and examine the expense that you're
going to have to have to put that dirt back in, you're likely to find that
you're not making any money.
With the numbers that were proposed, the number of square feet,
I did a rough calculation, and I showed that you would have -- you
would generate enough money to be able to pay $6.47 for each yard to
replace it, spread it and grade it. And I don't think you can buy the
soil, grade it and spread it for $6.47.
So we really need to take that into calculation. Whether you're
making money or not you're certainly going to be cash positive for the
year. But in the long haul you don't want to be creating a wetlands or
lowering your land there.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's a very significant issue. Is
that something --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: It is a significant issue.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Has staff looked into that?
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, the scope of work from the
sod farmers said soil replenishment was one of their responsibilities in
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the scope of work. And my question was, does that include putting
the dirt back? And I suggest to you --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It should.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: -- if you know the cost of the sod
business and the minimum margins there, probably not.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Well, then we just need to make
sure that it does.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: And that's why --
MR. OCHS: It's one of the items we're going to clarify.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- Commissioner Henning and I are
100 percent in alignment about the cost of operations there and
wanting to generate revenue. But I just thought since I do have some
expertise on that it was my responsibility to bring that forward.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah. Well, the contract, we
didn't approve it, so that's something that should be addressed.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's a very important point.
Because, you know, again, those are issues that should be clearly --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: I've worked with people over time
that have declined the option to put sod on their land just for that.
Because the next thing you know, if you lower it two or three years,
the next thing you know, you have Roseate Spoonbills or something
feeding out there, and the next thing you know, you've established
wetlands, and we all know where that goes.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah, and it doesn't -- sod is not
going to grow in the wetlands, so that does have to be spelled out
within the contract.
And my last thing is Merry Christmas to all. And happy New --
save happy New Year.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: In fact, I wore this dress for new
year. It's a white tie instead of a black tie.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Somehow I missed that.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: You did? I got this for my New
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December 10-11, 2013
Year's dress. Well, end of the year dress. The symbol --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Let's take a picture with you.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: With your hat on.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: With my hat on.
Commissioner Coyle?
(Christmas toy on dais was activated.)
COMMISSIONER COYLE: That's all I've got today.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: We commented earlier that that
gentleman may have had your proxy, Commissioner Coyle.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: It's a good idea. I'll remember that
at future meetings.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That monkey made all the right
decisions.
Commissioner Fiala?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, I have three items that I
wanted to discuss. One of them is, at our landscaping workshop,
which I thought was very good, but we didn't set up some -- a
framework for how we want to move forward with that agenda -- or
with that subject. And I thought maybe we should ask the County
Manager to put together an agenda item for us so we can discuss what
we plan on doing now and in the future to enhance and improve that.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And what we actually did -- what
we actually did at that workshop is we asked staff to come back with
alternatives for how we wanted to proceed with that. So staff should
be coming back.
And then the only question is to Commissioner Fiala's point, do
you want to bring those alternatives back to another workshop before
you bring it to the Board? And I think it would make sense, because it
is something that we all collectively agree is very important to Collier
County. And you know, whether it's a uniform standard for the whole
county or a base standard that's uniform for the county with, you
know, supplemental plantings, you know --
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COMMISSIONER FIALA: What the issue is, like for instance,
if we want to look like Livingston. Livingston Road is gorgeous. And
it would be nice for us to have that as a standard.
But secondly, we also have to put together a schedule for the
backlog that we've acquired because we haven't been able to
landscape any of the roads. We need to get that in place. I know
everybody will want to have the roads in their particular district
finished.
We also have to discuss, yeah, as I said before, what type of
landscaping, because I think there's some disagreement on this Board
as to what we want, and maybe we want a rural character for the rural
area and a more Livingston Road character for the other parts of the
county, so that might be something else.
But I think we need to have it as a subject. Whether it be at a
workshop again or not, I don't care. But I think we need to get this
thing on the road and start moving forward with it.
MR. OCHS: And staff is working on those alternatives, ma'am.
I also think that it's probably best to bring it back one more time
in a workshop setting and then back to the Board --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I think that makes sense.
MR. OCHS: -- for final action. I'll look to do that either in
February or March.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, let's do it in February, if you
wouldn't mind? I think that that would be good. Because it's going to
take us a while to get this ball rolling anyway. So if we can at least
begin, then we'd have to get it back on the agenda and so forth. So at
least if we have some conclusions as to where we wanted to go then
we can move it forward. Thank you very much.
MR. OCHS: You're welcome.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay, that's the first item I had, and
I appreciate that.
The second item: At the meeting in November I had to leave and
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I wasn't here to be able to talk about the subject. It was Item 12.A
about -- regarding attendance at functions and having us vote on it.
And I just wanted to make sure that nobody minds, I'm going to
still put it on there. I know somebody said it cost $100 to put on a $10
item. I would love to have proof of that, by the way. And I don't want
to cost anybody any money, but I'm still under the impression that it's
a good idea to put it on there. I think the people not only should
know, you know, what it's costing but they should also know where
you're going and what you're doing and what your involvement is. So
that's -- as long as it's a choice --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It most certainly is.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- then I would like to make that
choice. And I'm just telling --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: But, you know, Commissioner
Fiala, it is a choice. And in your spirit of transparency, really what
you might want to do, because the bulk of your expenses are not going
to the events, because the cost for the events are very small and it's
part of our public service to attend when we're requested to attend or
invited to attend.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: How many times do you pay for out
of your own pocket? I mean, I go to things all the time --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Me too.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- just paying for it out of my own
pocket.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Me too. But the expense that really
should be highlighted that isn't being highlighted, if you want to go
that route and you want to be transparent -- and of course again it's
your choice. And this, by the way, has always been a choice, okay,
and that is your travel and your food expenses when you do travel.
Because the travel expenses, even though there's a stated rate, it's not
the question of the stated rate, the issue is, you know, how much
you're asking for reimbursement, for example, when you charge the
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county mileage or when you travel. And it's, you know, totally
legitimate and totally justified. But if you want to go that route, you
really should disclose all of that. I mean, it's just a suggestion but it's
your choice.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: It doesn't make any difference.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: It's your choice. Because it's all
public record. And that's what the public needs to understand.
And what I'm going to do is I'm going to prepare a summary
report at the end of the year that just lists, you know, all the events I
went to. I mean, I personally don't take any money for mileage. I
never charge when I travel for any county business, like going
between offices or anything like that. You know, sometimes we have
to go somewhere, you know, travel out of town and we do ask for
reimbursement. I think all of that should be disclosed.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah, that's fine --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And I'm going to do an annual
report, which I just think is just a more efficient way of letting
everybody know. I mean, you can do it every month, I just choose to
do it once a year.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay, that's fine.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And, you know, some other
commissioners don't want to do it and that's okay --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Let me just say, by the way --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: -- because it's public.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- speaking of traveling --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And there's nothing negative with
that either.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: -- we use the company car to travel.
Deb White and I together, bless her heart, we travel together up to
Daytona Beach. And I left here a lot later than I was hoping to, and so
we're traveling along and we got as far as Tampa, but it was 9:00
already, 9:30, something like that, and we didn't know what the road
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ahead was going to be because we were going on some kind of a road,
I can't even remember the road number, 91 or something like that.
But anyway, so we stopped for the evening and canceled our
other reservation. We get up in the morning and we traveled through
a really tough area that had bars on the windows and so forth. And I
was so glad that we had taken the safe course and left early that
morning. And then somebody -- just as we were coming out of the
area somebody's beeping their horn and waving and waving and
waving. And I rolled down the window and he said, you better pull
over, your car's on fire.
And so we -- our attempts to leave early in the morning didn't get
us very far, because we had to take it in and we were stuck there for
about three hours.
But I wanted to say that we also made it safely, because that
same thing would have happened but in the dark and in a
neighborhood we didn't know. So, you know, God was blessing us
that day.
So that just got off on travel, so when you talked about travel.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: But I just want to comment. One --
again, I want to make it very clear that with respect to those expenses,
whether someone chooses -- whether a commissioner chooses to
report it monthly or annually or quarterly or just, you know, keep their
own log and, you know, respond to requests from the public, it is all
public record. And it is there for everybody to see whenever they
want to see it. And that's important that everybody knows that.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes, I understand that.
And lastly, I wanted to talk about 92A. That is the road off 92.
92 is the back entrance to Marco Island. It's also the entrance to
Goodland. And when you turn off 92, you turn onto 92A, which goes
down into Goodland. And I don't know if any of you remember --
well, staff I'm sure does remember that. We -- it was a big discussion
years back about 92A, the road to Goodland. Goodland is mostly in
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December 10-11, 2013
the county, but there's -- the first street inside Goodland is divided
down the middle. Half of it is in the City of Marco Island, that's the --
is that called Calusa Boat --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Calusa Marine.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Marine?
And then the other side of the street, the same street, is in the
county. But what's happening with that road is it's flooding and each
year the flooding is getting worse and worse and making it more
difficult for the people to get in and out of Goodland.
Now, at the time the subject came up many years ago when Bill
Moss was still in office about that road and we were happy to keep
that road in our possession, but it seems that Marco wanted to take
over the road and so we acquiesced. But -- and we said but you need
to fix this road because it's going bad every year and it's getting worse
every year, and we'll give you a million dollars to use as you please,
but we ask that you maintain that road and rebuild it.
Well, nothing has happened, really. They filled some potholes.
But the road has gotten worse and worse. And so we've asked Marco
to take care of it, but apparently they haven't been able to do that up
until this time. But the flooding is topping the road and it's washing
away underneath. There are some problems with The Conservancy
and the mangroves in the area. And so there's a lot of talk about
putting some kind of culverts there.
Well, whatever it is, being that we haven't been able to work
closely with the City of Marco yet, I'm asking that we initiate a plan to
improve Goodland, the Goodland Road area, and I'm asking that we
direct the County Attorney and the County Manager to review the
situation and bring back a letter for our Chairwoman or whomever is
in office at the time, Chairman, if it isn't the first meeting of January --
well, you'll only be what, 15 minutes -- to the Chairman to execute
requesting action on this item and a response within 90 days from
Marco back to the Board.
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December 10-11, 2013
So I was wondering if you would all agree to that.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: You want to bring that forward as
an agenda item where everybody can talk about it, or you just -- I
mean, in principle I support it, certainly. You know, if you want to
just have staff work something up, that's fine. I mean, I can support
that. Have him look into it, see what's possible.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay. So Leo then maybe you can
bring this back as an agenda item in January with a proposed letter and
let us discuss it and you can possibly work with the City of Marco a
little bit to let them know it's coming in case there's any negatives that
we need to understand as well.
MR. OCHS: Yes, ma'am.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Would that be okay Board
members?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, I think that's good.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Madam Chair, I just have one other
thing I'd like to mention --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, go ahead.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: -- to the Board as a whole.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I didn't say, as I end this, Merry
Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, to your families, Merry
Christmas to everyone out there. And make it a joyous, loving
Christmas. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Thank you, ma'am.
Finally, I have one thing I omitted, and I apologize to the Board.
Commissioner Hiller, in her discussions on assignments and
working with the different committees that the Board is going to
engage in the coming year, has proposed a new liaisonship (sic),
which of course the Board approved for her to serve on Community
and Economic Development. And I was hoping to also have a kind of
a companion item regarding business -- a liaison for business and
industry, other than the tourist development industry, because they
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already have the TDC, and I thought that it was appropriate if our
other focal industries had some sort of mechanism to feed back to the
Board.
So I was hoping that Commissioner Hiller was going to really
flesh out her vision for that, for the position that she had proposed, and
I could do likewise and have something that was, you know, in a good
organized fashion.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Can I make a suggestion? Because
there's a difference between like a chairmanship and like the liaison
that you're describing. What I would recommend -- I mean, and why
don't we -- one of the things I think would be a really good idea is if,
like for example you're so strong in the agricultural industry, that we
designate you as the representative of the Board to agribusiness and be
the agribusiness liaison, if you will. Rather than -- because one of the
issues is, is you don't want a duplication of functions and since this
new position will be the liaison to the Chamber and the Chamber
really represents the business community, I would prefer to see you
designated as the -- and I'll have to think of the appropriate title, but I
think you should be the official link to the agribusiness, to the agro
industry of Collier County. And that includes everything agro,
whether it's directly farming or --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Including my district as well,
because we have farms there.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: In the county as a whole.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, that's why I wanted to have
this discussion, because I really feel like some of these other focal
industries that we have are underrepresented. And I don't just mean on
economic development, I mean --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I understand.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: -- that we're not feeding back to
this Board --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Right. But that's why I'm saying,
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why don't -- the biggest industry where we have, you know, the
opportunity -- I think we should start with the agricultural industry.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, that's certainly one of them.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That's huge.
And I would start with suggesting that you be -- but let's think of
the -- let me work on that and --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: That's what I'm asking. Let's try to
figure out how it's going to be organized. Because I can see that we
don't want to have overlap. And that's my point in making this request
of you. Because, you know, you've got -- there's all sorts of regional
things --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And my concern --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: -- and the Office of Business and
Economic Development and all sorts of overlap here, so we need to
divide it.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: But I think what's so important is
the point you make and that is like, for example, tourism is well
represented, but the agriculture industry is not represented at all. And
it's been a very big one.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: In my view the building industry
does not have a good link to this Board. I'm sorry, they just don't.
You can say they do you through the Chamber but, I mean, they're one
of our legs of the three-legged stool. I truly believe if we would have
had a better working relationship with that industry here, that some of
these regulatory hurdles and thing that now we're trying to overcome
would have not occurred in the first place. So I want to reach out to
them and the -- you know, the health industry, if we're going to have
that as a focal group. Let's just figure out how this interacts.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I do think you're making some very
good points, but I do see just too much overlap between the two
positions.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, let's figure out how it should
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December 10-11, 2013
be organized.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, that's fine. Let me go ahead
and work on that and I'll bring that back as a solution.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Yeah, you take the lead on it. I'm
just trying to tag on what I identify as really a great idea.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Totally agree. But we'll come up
with a structure that makes sense.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: And I will serve at the pleasure of
the Board whatever you decide.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: So -- no, I think that's a very good
point. And I'll work on that.
To begin, I have to answer your question, Commissioner Nance,
about this presentation that I made as our end of the year address and
the supplemental really fantastic list of accomplishments that the
Board and staff achieved for the benefit of the county.
I am going to put this on our county's website with that
supplemental list so everybody can get it.
And it talks about like so many members of the Board gave me,
you know, tremendous input. Commissioner Fiala talked for example
about the Marco taxiway improvement and other projects. That's on
that list.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: South Beach.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Yeah, Commissioner Henning,
yeah, talked about for example the consolidation of operations. Like
for example the airports under the County Manager, the improved
efficiencies and effectiveness that he led the initiative on which has
been very successful.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Do you have a list from everybody?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I do. The staff has it. And they're
just -- actually I gave them -- what I did is I drafted everything, gave it
to Leo, it met with his approval, gave it to Jeff, met with his approval.
And then what I asked Leo to do is to give it to the staff members to
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December 10-11, 2013
make sure that what's on that list hasn't in any way, you know,
changed or -- like for example I had a completion date on one project
which was like a month off, and I wanted to make sure it was
absolutely accurate. So staff is finalizing their review.
And again, it is not a comprehensive list. It's not everything.
Because we have so much, it's just unbelievable. It's the highlights.
It's what I thought is representative of all the wonderful stuff.
And I wish I could have, you know, taken all of our meetings,
summarized every single one and the list would have been, you know,
like seven chains to the moon because there was so much that we
accomplished as a team this year.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Well, I'm going to make a motion
that we accept your presentation with all the additions of the other
Board members and that we compile that and make that part of the
public record.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: That sounds great, thank you. I
appreciate that.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Did you second it?
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Oh, okay, I'll second it. Or you
second it.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: You second it.
All in favor?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Aye.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Motion carries unanimously. Well,
does it?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: It does.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Just to make sure.
So that's number one. So yes, the intent is to make all this public,
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December 10-11, 2013
because the public needs to hear how good their government is and
how hard their government is working for them. And that involves
everyone. That's, you know, our County Manager, our County
Attorney, their staffs, we as a Board. I mean, it is truly a tremendous
team and it's a happy team, so --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Never have we done this before.
And we go into some of these election cycles and we get beaten up
terribly because nobody's done anything, whereas we have
accomplished so much. But we've never -- this is a fault of the Board
of not only us but of the staff as well. We never beat our own drum,
we never pat ourselves on our own back and so we get a lot of
criticism from others and we just sit there and take it. So I think it's
about time we did something like this.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: Thank you, Commissioner Fiala.
And not only is it criticism, but it's unfair criticism. Because it's
founded on incomplete facts, incorrect facts, and perpetuated
perception based on opinion rather than reality.
And what we have here are facts. I mean, this is it. This is what
we did, this is what we collectively voted on as a Board, this is what
staff very successfully implemented. And the people should be proud.
They made the right choices and we really have a great government.
So that's number one.
Number two, I want to talk to you a little bit exactly about this.
So one day Commissioner Fiala said to me, wow, Commissioner
Hiller, you're like wearing big girl lipstick. I mean, we can actually
see your lips and they're bright red. And I laughed because I never
wear this kind of lipstick except on special days, if you will. And it's
very rare that I do. And I always wear the same lipstick every day.
And I'm sure Commissioner Fiala wonders why I never change my
lipstick. And this is girl talk, okay, or we'll call it girl code, one of the
topics under girl code. It's very important.
(At which time, Commissioner Henning exits the boardroom.)
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December 10-11, 2013
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: There's a new concept in business
called basically philanthropic capitalism. And the lipstick I wear is
made by Mac. And 100 percent of the proceeds goes to AIDS
research. I've been wearing it for years and I will never buy any other
lipstick except this one for like Christmas, Thanksgiving.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: It looks good. You had it on
yesterday.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: I just wanted to share that with you.
And that's basically all I have to say. It's been a great year and I
really want to thank the Board members and Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: Merry Christmas to everybody.
MR. OCHS: Merry Christmas.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: And happy holidays to everybody
else who doesn't --
COMMISSIONER NANCE: As fascinating as this discussion
has become, I'm going to make a motion that we adjourn.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: You don't want to talk about more
lipstick? I'm really moved by, you know, philanthropic capitalism. I
like it.
So anyway, yes, so Christmas presents under the tree, lipstick,
lipstick.
COMMISSIONER NANCE: My only other male ally is gone,
so I'm --
CHAIRWOMAN HILLER: This meeting is adjourned.
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December 10-11, 2013
**** Commissioner Fiala moved, seconded by Commissioner Nance
and carried unanimously that the following items under the Consent
and Summary Agendas be approved and/or adopted on December 10,
2013 ****
Item #16A1
RESOLUTION 2013-269: FINAL APPROVAL OF PRIVATE
ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE
FINAL PLAT OF REGAL ACRES (APPLICATION AR-13297)
WITH ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS BEING
PRIVATELY MAINTAINED AND AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF
THE MAINTENANCE SECURITY AND ACCEPTANCE OF
PLAT DEDICATIONS — WITH ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE
IMPROVEMENTS MAINTAINED BY THE HOMEOWNER'S
ASSOCIATION
Item #16A2
RECORD THE FINAL PLAT OF ESPLANADE AT HACIENDA
LAKES PHASE ONE, (PL20130002273) APPROVAL OF THE
STANDARD FORM CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT AND APPROVAL OF THE AMOUNT OF THE
PERFORMANCE SECURITY — FOR THE PROJECT NEAR THE
COLLIER BOULEVARD/RATTLESNAKE HAMMOCK ROAD
INTERSECTION
Item #16A3
RECORD THE FINAL PLAT OF LIPARI-PONZIANE, TRACT
FD-2 REPLAT (PL20130001949), A RE-SUBDIVISION OF
LANDS IN THE TRAVISO BAY/WENTWORTH ESTATES PUD
Page 303
December 10-11, 2013
— THE DEVELOPER MUST RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF
ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES PRIOR TO BEING ISSUED A
FINAL APPROVAL LETTER OR THE PLAT RECORDATION
Item #16A4
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT'S RELEASE OF A LETTER
OF CREDIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $350,896, POSTED AS A
DEVELOPMENT GUARANTY FOR WORK ASSOCIATED
WITH TREVISO BAY EXCAVATION PERMIT NO. 59.917,
59.917-1, AR-6463 &AR-13732 — POSTED DECEMBER, 2005
FOR WORK ASSOCIATED WITH LAKE EXCAVATION
Item #16A5
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT'S RELEASE OF
PERFORMANCE BOND NUMBER 929541565 ISSUED BY
CONTINENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY ON BEHALF OF
LENNAR HOMES, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,641 .75,
POSTED AS A GUARANTY FOR WORK ASSOCIATED WITH
AQUA DI TREVISO AT TREVISO BAY, EXCAVATION
PERMIT NO. 60.069 (PL20110001276) — POSTED APRIL, 2011
FOR WORK ASSOCIATED WITH LAKE EXCAVATIONS
Item #16A6
RECORD THE FINAL PLAT OF CREEKSIDE COMMERCE
PARK EAST, (APPLICATION AR-8411) APPROVAL OF THE
STANDARD FORM CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT AND APPROVAL OF THE AMOUNT OF THE
PERFORMANCE SECURITY — W/STIPULATIONS
Page 304
December 10-11, 2013
Item #16A7
RECORD THE FINAL PLAT OF TUSCANY POINTE, (PETITION
PPL-PL20130001473) APPROVAL OF THE STANDARD FORM
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT AND
APPROVAL OF THE AMOUNT OF THE PERFORMANCE
SECURITY— THE DEVELOPER MUST RECEIVE A
CERTIFICATE OF ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES PRIOR TO
BEING ISSUED THE FINAL APPROVAL LETTER OR PLAT
RECORDATION
Item #16A8
A PARTIAL RELEASE OF LIEN IN THE ACCRUED AMOUNT
OF $79,430.86 FOR THE PAYMENT OF $530.86, IN THE CODE
ENFORCEMENT ACTION ENTITLED BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS VS. ELIAS NICOT FOR 2.27 ACRE PARCEL
NUMBER 38552520000 ON 37TH AVENUE NW (NO PHYSICAL
ADDRESS) COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA — BECAUSE OF
UNABATED CODE VIOLATIONS AT 670 20TH STREET NE
A LIEN WAS PLACED ON ALL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE
RESPONDENT; THIS PARTIAL REQUEST IS ONLY FOR A
LIEN ON VACANT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY WITH NO
CODE VIOLATIONS AND UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
Item #16A9
RELEASE OF LIEN IN THE ACCRUED AMOUNT OF $102,000
FOR PAYMENT OF $2,800 IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
ACTION ENTITLED BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
VS. RONALD TALERICO, CODE ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL
MAGISTRATE CASE NUMBER CEROW20110014889,
Page 305
December 10-11, 2013
RELATING TO PROPERTY AT 262 KIRTLAND DRIVE,
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA — FOR FINES RELATED TO A
DRAINAGE S WALE IN THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY THAT
WAS FILLED WITHOUT OBTAINING PERMITS AND
INSPECTIONS THAT WAS BROUGHT INTO COMPLIANCE BY
THE PROPERTY'S NEW OWNERS IN SEPTEMBER, 2013
Item #16A10
RELEASE OF LIEN IN THE ACCRUED AMOUNT OF $5,827.96
FOR PAYMENT OF $1,527.96 IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
ACTION ENTITLED BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
VS. CRYSTAL PEPPER, CODE ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL
MAGISTRATE CASE NUMBER CEPM20090011813, RELATING
TO PROPERTY AT 3850 RECREATIONAL LANE, COLLIER
COUNTY, FLORIDA — FOR UNPAID FINES REGARDING
VIOLATIONS ON A POOL WITH GREEN WATER-ALGAE
THAT WAS BROUGHT INTO COMPLIANCE WITH A
CERTIFICATE OF TITLE RECORDED JULY, 2013 THAT
CONVEYED PROPERTY TO NEW OWNER GSR MORTGAGE
LOAN TRUST
Item #16A11
RELEASE OF LIEN IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,912.38 FOR
PAYMENT OF $562.38, IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
ACTION ENTITLED BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
VS. TERESA LEE HANEY, CODE ENFORCEMENT CASE
NUMBER CEAU20120004466, RELATING TO PROPERTY AT
857 105TH AVENUE N., COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA — A
REQUEST DUE TO FINANCIAL HARDSHIP FOR FINES
SURROUNDING A FENCE IN DISREPAIR BROUGHT INTO
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December 10-11, 2013
COMPLIANCE BY THE ORIGINAL PROPERTY OWNER IN
MAY, 2013 BY HAVING THE FENCE DEMOLISHED
Item #16Al2
RELEASE OF LIEN IN THE ACCRUED AMOUNT OF $16,174.79
FOR PAYMENT OF $1,874.79 IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
ACTION ENTITLED BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
VS. CHAD C. DIXON, CODE ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL
MAGISTRATE CASE NUMBER CEPM20120016145, RELATING
TO PROPERTY AT 2313 KINGS LAKE BLVD., COLLIER
COUNTY, FLORIDA — FINES FOR AN UNMAINTAINED POOL
WITH GREEN WATER-ALGAE BROUGHT INTO
COMPLIANCE IN MAY, 2013 WITH A CERTIFICATE OF TITLE
RECORDED AUGUST 16, 2013 CONVEYING THE PROPERTY
TO CURRENT OWNER, FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE
ASSOCIATION
Item #16A13
TERMINATING CONTRACT #12-5857R FOR "NUISANCE
ABATEMENT SERVICES" AWARDED TO FA REMODELING
AND REPAIRS, INC. (PRIMARY) AND OLIVA ENTERPRISES,
INC. (SECONDARY) AND AWARDING ALL SERVICES TO
NEAL'S LAWN AND LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE, INC.
AND AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRWOMAN TO EXECUTE THE
COUNTY ATTORNEY APPROVED AMENDMENT — DUE TO
BILLING DISCREPENCIES THAT INCLUDED ADDITIONAL
FEES NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ESTABLISHED
CONTRACT FEE SCHEDULE, FAILURE TO RESPOND TO
WORK REQUESTS AND THE INABILITY OF STAFF AND
VENDORS TO REACH RESOLUTION ON THE ISSUES
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December 10-11, 2013
Item #16A14
THE 2014 SCHEDULE FOR SUBMITTALS TO AMEND THE
COLLIER COUNTY GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN (GMP) —
AS DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16A15
AN AGREEMENT PROVIDING EXXONMOBIL OIL CORP.
ACCESS TO PERFORM ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS
AND REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES (FISCAL IMPACT: $44.00) —
FOR PROPERTY PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY EXXON TO
SEARCH FOR ANY POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF SOIL OR
GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION ON THE PROPERTY,
ACQUIRED BY THE COUNTY FOR US-41/COLLIER BLVD
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT #60116
Item #16A16
AN EASEMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A
DRAINAGE, ACCESS AND MAINTENANCE EASEMENT
REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STORM WATER
IMPROVEMENTS KNOWN AS THE "CREWS ROAD, COPE
LANE AND SANDY LANE/WING SOUTH INTERCONNECT"
SEGMENT OF LELY AREA STORMWATER IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 51101 . (ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT: $1,027) —
A 9,015 SQUARE FOOT PARCEL JUST WEST OF SANTA
BARBARA BOULEVARD OWNED BY FALLING WATERS
MASTER ASSOCIATION, INC.
Item #16A17
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December 10-11, 2013
BUDGET AMENDMENT RECOGNIZING CARRY FORWARD
FOR PROJECTS IN THE TRANSPORTATION SUPPORTED GAS
TAX FUND (313) IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,500 — COLLECTED
AS PAYMENT-IN-LIEU THAT'S REQUIRED TO BE TRACKED
AND SPENT ON PROJECTS/STUDIES IDENTIFIED FOR
MITIGATION OR REQUIRED PUD MONITORING
Item #16A18
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF WATER AND SEWER UTILITY
FACILITIES FOR VERONA POINTE, AR-10279, AND
AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE,
TO RELEASE A FINAL OBLIGATION BOND IN THE AMOUNT
OF $4,000 TO THE PROJECT ENGINEER OR DEVELOPER'S
DESIGNATED AGENT— STAFF CONDUCTED A FINAL
INSPECTION AND FOUND THE FACILITIES ACCEPTABLE
Item #16A19
FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE WATER UTILITY FACILITY
FOR MARGOOD HARBOR PARK, PL20110002508 — STAFF'S
FINAL INSPECTION FOUND THE FACILITIES ACCEPTABLE
Item #16A20
PAYMENT OF PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED INACCURATE
FY 12 INVOICES TO BETTER ROADS, INC., IN THE AMOUNT
OF $37,929.53, FOR ITS APPLICATION OF SIDEWALK
OVERLAY ON PELICAN BAY BLVD. UNDER COUNTY
ANNUAL RESURFACING CONTRACT #09-5328 — AS
DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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December 10-11, 2013
Item #16A21
AN EASEMENT AGREEMENT REQUIRED FOR THE "CREWS
ROAD, COPE LANE AND SANDY LANE/WING SOUTH
INTERCONNECT" SEGMENT LELY AREA STORMWATER
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT #51101 (ESTIMATED FISCAL
IMPACT: $6,900) — A 5,877 SQUARE FOOT PARCEL LOCATED
ON POLLY AVENUE OWNED BY MR. MARK TROEDEL
Item #16A22
AWARDING A PURCHASE ORDER UNDER ANNUAL
ROADWAY CONTRACT #12-5864 TO QUALITY ENTERPRISES
USA, INC., FOR MEDIAN SAFETY MODIFICATIONS ON
COLLIER BOULEVARD AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE FOREST
GLEN GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB IN THE AMOUNT OF
$127,272.85 — PER A JUNE 2013 COST SHARE AGREEMENT
THE FOREST GLEN HOA HAS PAID THEIR PORTION OF THE
CONSTRUCTION COSTS
Item #16A23
INVOKING AN EXEMPTION IN THE COUNTY PURCHASING
POLICY (SECTION VII, PARAGRAPH H), TO WAIVE
COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND INCREASE AN EXISTING
PURCHASE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000 TO COVER
REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL RESEARCH FEES AND EXPERT
WITNESS TESTIMONY COSTS ANTICIPATED IN SUPPORT
OF EMINENT DOMAIN LITIGATION FOR US-41/COLLIER
BOULEVARD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
#60116 (FISCAL IMPACT: $15,000) — A PURCHASE ORDER
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December 10-11, 2013
WITH EQUABLE REAL ESTATE SOLUTIONS, LLC FOR THE
JANUARY, 2014 EXPECTED JURY TRIAL
Item #16A24
INVOKING AN EXEMPTION IN THE COUNTY PURCHASING
POLICY (SECTION VII, PARAGRAPH H), WAIVING
COMPETITION REQUIRED BY THE CONSULTANTS'
COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION ACT "CCNA" AND
INCREASING AN EXISTING PURCHASE ORDER IN THE
AMOUNT OF $20,000 TO COVER ENGINEERING FEES AND
EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY COSTS ANTICIPATED IN
SUPPORT OF EMINENT DOMAIN LITIGATION FOR US-41/
COLLIER BOULEVARD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT #60116 (FISCAL IMPACT: $20,000) — A PURCHASE
ORDER WITH JOSEPH ROLES AND ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR A
JURY TRIAL EXPECTED IN JANUARY, 2014
Item #16A25 — Moved to Item #11I (Per Agenda Change Sheet)
Item #16A26 — Added (Per Agenda Change Sheet)
RELEASE OF LIEN IN THE AMOUNT OF $31,330.86 FOR
PAYMENT OF $23, 976.96, IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
ACTION ENTITLED BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
V. J.P. MORGAN CHASE BANK, CODE ENFORCEMENT
BOARD CASE NO. CESD20130000542, RELATING TO
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 321 7TH STREEET NW, COLLIER
COUNTY, FLORIDA — BROUGHT INTO COMPLIANCE
OCTOBER 25, 2013 WAIVING THE PRIOR OWNER'S FEES
IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,353.90 AT THE REQUEST OF THE
NEW PROPERTY OWNERS
Page 311
December 10-11, 2013
Item #16B1
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BCC), AS
THE COLLIER COUNTY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY (CRA), AUTHORIZE A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR
A DISASTER RECOVERY INITIATIVE (DRI) SUBGRANT IN
THE AMOUNT OF $517,300 TO FUND DRAINAGE SYSTEM
IMPROVEMENTS AND SIDEWALKS ALONG COLORADO
AVENUE WITHIN THE IMMOKALEE COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AREA — TO RECOGNIZE DRI GRANT
AWARD #10DB-D4-09-21-01-K09 SUBMITTED PER BOARD
APPROVAL AGENDA ITEM #16D3 ON APRIL 23, 2013
Item #16B2
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ACTING IN ITS
CAPACITY AS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
(CRA), TO APPROVE THE IMMOKALEE CRA'S AMENDED
PROPOSED EXIT STRATEGY FOR THE IMMOKALEE
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (IBDC) AND
AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR FUTURE CRA BOARD
CONSIDERATION — AS DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Item #16B3
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ACTING IN ITS
CAPACITY AS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
(CRA), TO APPROVE A GRANT BUDGET AMENDMENT IN
THE AMOUNT OF $150,000, AND FORMALLY ACCEPT AN
Page 312
December 10-11, 2013
AMENDMENT TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT (CDBG) SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT #B-10-UC-12-
0016 BETWEEN COLLIER COUNTY BCC AND THE COLLIER
COUNTY IMMOKALEE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY (CRA) AND APPROVE AN UNDERLYING
SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT — AMENDMENT #3 TO THE
2012 SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT RECOGNIZING GRANT
REVENUE BEING USED TO CONSTRUCT THE FIRST STREET
PLAZA IN DOWNTOWN IMMOKALEE REVISING THE
PROJECT'S TOTAL BUDGET TO $960,000
Item #16B4
CRA RESOLUTION 2013-270: THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) AMENDS
RESOLUTION 2001-98 MODIFYING THE CRA'S BYLAWS BY
CHANGING THE ANNUAL CRA MEETING FROM MARCH TO
JANUARY EVERY YEAR
Item #16B5
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ACTING AS
COLLIER COUNTY'S COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY (CRA), APPROVES CHANGE ORDER 2 TO
CONTRACT #12-5896 BETWEEN THE CRA AND DAVID
CORBAN ARCHITECTS, PLLC FOR DESIGN SERVICES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIRST STREET ZOCALO PROJECT
IN IMMOKALEE TO EXTEND THE PROJECT'S COMPLETION
DATE AND HAS NO FISCAL IMPACT - EXTENDING THE
COMPLETION DATE OF JANUARY 7, 2014 TO MAY 31, 2014
Page 313
December 10-11, 2013
Item #16B6
AWARD INVITATION TO BID (ITB) #13-6067, IMMOKALEE'S
FIRST STREET PUBLIC PLAZA PROJECT #33192 (A/K/A
"ZOCALO" OR "PLACITA") TO SURETY CONSTRUCTION,
INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $576,256, APPROVE ALL
NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND AUTHORIZE
THE CHAIRWOMAN TO SIGN THE CONTRACT — AS
DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16C1
RESOLUTION 2013-271 : SATISFACTIONS OF LIEN FOR 1993,
1994, 1995, AND 1996 SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND
DISPOSAL SERVICES SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS WHERE
COLLIER COUNTY HAS RECEIVED PAYMENT FOR FULL
SATISFACTION OF LIENS. (FISCAL IMPACT: $68.50 TO
RECORD THE SATISFACTIONS OF LIEN) — FOR PAYMENTS
ON ACCOUNT NO. 2192, 1821, 2053, 2053 AND 18885
Item #16C2
AWARD INVITATION TO BID #13-6179, NCRWTP SULFURIC
ACID INJECTION IMPROVEMENTS FOR BLOWDOWN
WATER DISPOSAL TO MITCHELL & STARK CONSTRUCTION
COMPANY, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $673,000, PROJECT
NO. 70104 — A PROJECT INVOLVING INJECTING SULFURIC
ACID INTO THE WASTE STREAM (BLOWDOWN) LOWERING
PH LEVELS SO IT CAN BE BLENDED WITH CONCENTRATED
WASTE FOR DISPOSAL VIA DEEP INJECTION WELL
Item #16C3
Page 314
December 10-11, 2013
UTILIZING LEE COUNTY'S COMPETITIVELY SOLICITED
AWARD NO. #B-130513, ELECTRIC MOTOR REPAIR &
REPLACEMENT SERVICES WITH JOHN MADER
ENTERPRISES, INC., (D/B/A MADER ELECTRIC MOTORS)
FOR MAINTENANCE & REPAIR OF PUMPS AND MOTORS IN
PUBLIC UTILITIES AND ALL OTHER COUNTY OPERATING
DEPARTMENTS — AN AGREEMENT THRU SEPTEMBER 24,
2014 WITH FOUR ONE (1) YEAR RENEWAL OPTIONS
BUDGETED IN FY14 FOR $975,000
Item #16C4
RESOLUTION 2013-272: REMOVING UNCOLLECTIBLE
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND RESPECTIVE BALANCES
FROM FINANCIAL RECORDS OF COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC
UTILITIES DIVISION IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,117.56
Item #16C5
A WORK ORDER UNDER CONTRACT #08-5011-107, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $377,369, TO DOUGLAS N. HIGGINS, INC., FOR
SOUTH COUNTY REGIONAL WATER TREATMENT PLANT
ODOR CONTROL BLOWDOWN DISPOSAL PROJECT #70104
Item #16D1
FIVE (5) SATISFACTIONS OF MORTGAGE IN THE AMOUNT
OF $52,652.50 FOR OWNER OCCUPIED DWELLING UNITS
THAT HAVE SATISFIED TERMS OF THEIR AFFORDABILITY
PERIOD OR FOR DEATH OF AN OWNER — FOR PROPERTY
AT 707 PALM RIDGE DRIVE, 502 BREEZEWOOD DRIVE AND
Page 315
December 10-11, 2013
412 S. 3RD STREET IN IMMOKALEE AND IN NAPLES AT 840
BRIARWOOD BOULEVARD AND 4132 20TH AVENUE SW
Item #16D2
ONE (1) MORTGAGE SATISFACTION FOR A STATE
HOUSING INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP (SHIP) LOAN IN THE
AMOUNT OF $3,920 — FOR PROPERTY AT 3660 6TH AVENUE
SE, NAPLES
Item #16D3
TWO MEMORANDUMS OF AGREEMENT WITH FLORIDA
FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION (FWC)
IN ORDER TO ALLOW FWC TO CONDUCT YOUTH HUNTS
FOR COLLIER COUNTY RESIDENTS AT PEPPER RANCH
PRESERVE IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2014 — PLANNED
FOR THE WEEKENDS OF JANUARY 10 & FEBRUARY 21, 2014
Item #16D4
A COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS (COA) FOR
COLLIER AREA TRANSIT — AN ANALYSIS DONE BY CDM
SMITH, INC., VETTED THROUGH THE MPO AND PUBLIC
TRANSIT AD-HOC COMMITTEE, TO IDENTIFY CAT'S
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES AND RECOMMEND WAYS
TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND SERVICE EFFICIENCY
Item #16D5
INVITATION TO BID (ITB) #13-6186, CONSTRUCTION OF
VANDERBILT BEACH RESTROOM FACILITIES TO COMPASS
Page 316
December 10-11, 2013
CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $931,926 AND
AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRWOMAN TO EXECUTE THE
CONTRACT — INCLUDES A 868 SF RESTROOM, SHOWER
AND FOOT WASH FACILITIES, ADDITIONAL BOARDWALKS
CONNECTING THE NEW FACILITY WITH ADJACENT
SIDEWALKS AND AN EXISTING FACILITY WITH EXISTING
AND PROPOSED LANDSCAPING
Item #16D6
ACCEPTING A STATE HOUSING INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM (SHIP) MORTGAGE AND PROMISSORY NOTE IN
THE AMOUNT OF $41,937.21 WITH A FIFTEEN (15) YEAR
LOAN TERM EFFECTIVE 10/5/2009 A ONE-TIME EXCEPTION
TO THE 2007-2010 LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN
(LHAP) TO ALLOW AN ALTERNATE PAYMENT TERM — AS
DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16D7
AFTER-THE-FACT AMENDMENT #4 TO AN OLDER
AMERICANS ACT TITLE III B CONTRACT, TRANSFERRING
FUNDS FROM TRANSPORTATION TO CASE MANAGEMENT
AND IN-HOME SERVICES AND TO APPROVE A NECESSARY
BUDGET AMENDMENT (NET FISCAL IMPACT: $31,200) —
AMENDS AGREEMENT OAA 203.13.004 FOR THE PROGRAM
FUNDED THROUGH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ELDER
AFFAIRS AND ADMINISTERED BY SENIOR CHOICES OF
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Item #16D8
Page 317
December 10-11, 2013
TWO STATE HOUSING INITIATIVE PROGRAM (SHIP)
SATISFACTIONS OF MORTGAGE IN THE AMOUNT OF
$77,000 AND $5,500 — TO OBTAIN CLEAR TITLE TO
PROPERTY AT 402 3RD STREET SOUTH IN IMMOKALEE,
DEEDED TO COLLIER COUNTY IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE
Item #16D9
A CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN THE AREA AGENCY
ON AGING FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, INC. D/B/A SENIOR
CHOICES OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND COLLIER COUNTY
TO EXTEND THE GRANT PERIOD THRU FEBRUARY 28, 2014,
AND AUTHORIZE NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS TO
REFLECT ESTIMATED FUNDING FOR CALENDAR YEAR
2014 OLDER AMERICANS ACT PROGRAMS (NET FISCAL
IMPACT: $778,737) — AGREEMENT OAA 203.13.005
AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO EXTEND THE AGREEMENT
THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2014 OR UNTIL A NEW
AGREEMENT IS EXECUTED
Item #16D10
FOUR (4) DISASTER RECOVERY GRANT SIGNATURE
AUTHORITY FORMS FOR SUBMITTAL TO THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT
THE SIGNATURES OF CURRENT STAFF — GRANTING
AUTHORITY TO BENDISA MARCU, EDMOND KUSHI, LISA
OIEN AND LORI FISHER WITH THE HOUSING, HUMAN AND
VETERAN SERVICES FOR GRANT #07DB-3 V-09-21-01-Z01,
#08DB-D3-09-21-01-A03, #10DB-D4-09-21-01-K09 AND
#12DB-P5-09-21-01-K39
Page 318
December 10-11, 2013
Item #16D11
RESOLUTION 2013-273: APPROVING THE FY 2012-2013
CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE & EVALUATION
REPORT (CAPER) FOR U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) FOR THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG), THE HOME
INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP (HOME) AND EMERGENCY
SOLUTIONS GRANT (ESG) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013 AS
REQUIRED; APPROVE THE CAPER RESOLUTION; AND
AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO CERTIFY THE CAPER FOR
SUBMISSION TO HUD
Item #16D12
ACKNOWLEDGING TERMINATION LETTERS FROM
DISASTER RECOVERY INITIATIVE AND DISASTER
RECOVERY ENHANCEMENT GRANT SUBRECIPIENTS:
COLLIER COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY (CCHA) AND
IMMOKALEE HOUSING AND FAMILY SERVICES (IHFS) FOR
PROJECTS IN THE AMOUNTS OF $1,359,966.72 (2 PROJECTS)
AND $90,000, RESPECTIVELY. REPROGRAMMING GRANT
FUNDS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD AT A FUTURE
MEETING — FOR PROJECTS IN IMMOKALEE AT FARM
WORKER VILLAGE AND AT THE CARL KUEHNER
COMMUNITY CENTER BECAUSE THE SUBRECIPIENTS ARE
UNABLE TO SECURE FUNDING
Item #16D13
BUDGET AMENDMENT RECOGNIZING $33,900 IN PROGRAM
INCOME REVENUE GENERATED BY AFFORDABLE RENTAL
Page 319
December 10-11, 2013
PROPERTIES ACQUIRED UNDER THE NEIGHBORHOOD
STABILIZATION PROGRAM (NSP1) — FOR NSP PROPERTY AT
5318, 5322, 5330, 5334 AND 5340 GILCHRIST STREET, NAPLES
Item #16D14
A BUDGET AMENDMENT RECOGNIZING $245,250.26 IN
PROGRAM INCOME REVENUE GENERATED WHEN
CONVEYING PROPERTIES ACQUIRED UNDER THE
NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM (NSP1) — FOR
NSP PROPERTY AT 2820 47TH AVE NE, 3402 SEMINOLE AVE,
3502 CALOOSA STREET AND 4735 6TH AVE SE
Item #16D15
MULTIPLE SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENTS TO VARIOUS
YEARS OF ANNUAL ACTION PLANS, AMENDING PROJECT
SCOPES AND FUNDING OF VARIOUS PROJECTS UTILIZING
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT
(HUD) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
(CDBG) AND HOME PARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT (HOME)
FUNDS AND APPROVE FOUR (4) SUBRECIPIENT
AGREEMENTS FUNDED WITH HUD CDBG FUNDS — AS
DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16D16
CHAIRWOMAN TO SIGN THE FY 2013-2014 STATE AID TO
LIBRARIES GRANT AGREEMENT (FISCAL IMPACT: $219,000)
— WITH FUNDING USED FOR OPERATING PURPOSES,
PERSONNEL, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
Page 320
December 10-11, 2013
Item #16D17
COUNTY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO ENTER INTO A
FACILITY RENTAL AGREEMENT WITH NAPLES MODEL
YACHT CLUB, INC. FOR USE OF THE NORTH COLLIER
REGIONAL PARK (NCRP) POND DURING DESIGNATED
DATES AND TIMES — THE NON-PROFIT CLUB WITH OVER
65 MEMBERS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1982 FOR REMOTE
CONTROL BOAT ENTHUSIASTS WILL USE THE FACILITY
APPROXIMATELY 250 DAYS YEARLY ON MONDAYS,
TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS AND SATURDAYS
FOR A TERM OF ONE (1) YEAR AND $500 FEE
Item #16D18
A DEVELOPER COMMITMENT AGREEMENT WITH FIFTH
THIRD BANK AND CONVEYING AN EASEMENT TO FIFTH
THIRD BANK ON COUNTY PROPERTY, PROJECT NO. 80065.1
AND AUTHORIZED A $20,250 BUDGET AMENDMENT — PART
OF THE GOODLETTE-FRANK/FLEISCHMANN ROAD NAPLES
ZOO ENTRANCE AND GORDON RIVER GREENWAY PARK
PROJECTS TO ACCESS ROADWAY OVER COUNTY
PROPERTY
Item #16D19
AWARD INVITATION TO BID (ITB) #13-6157, SENIOR FOOD
PROGRAM TO ILS GROUP, LLC, D/B/A CLASSIC CATERERS
AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRWOMAN TO EXECUTE A
COUNTY ATTORNEY APPROVED CONTRACT — TO
PREVENT ANY LAPSE IN SERVICES THE COUNTY WILL
TRANSITION FROM CURRENT CONTRACT #12-5799 WITH
Page 321
December 10-11, 2013
GA FOODS TO THE NEW CONTRACT WITH CLASSIC
CATERERS THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2014
Item #16D20
AFTER-THE-FACT APPROVAL TO SUBMIT A HOLIDAY
WISHES GRANT APPLICATION TO PETCO'S FOUNDATION
FOR AN ANIMAL WELFARE GRANT IN AN AMOUNT OF UP
TO $100,000 — FUNDS WILL BE USED TO EXPAND
PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND UPGRADE THE DOMESTIC
ANIMAL SERVICES FACILITY
Item #16D21
RECOGNIZING CARRYFORWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF
$156,201 .04 IN HOUSING GRANT FUND 121 AND APPROVE
THE NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS — TO ACCOUNT
FOR UNAPPROPRIATED PROGRAM INCOME AND REVENUE
Item #16D22
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) AGREEMENT BETWEEN COLLIER
COUNTY AND THE IMMOKALEE COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) TO UPDATE BUDGET
LINE ITEMS AND EXTEND THE PROJECT COMPLETION
DATE. (FISCAL IMPACT: $0) — GRANT #B-12-UC-12-0016
EXTENDING A COMPLETION DATE OF DECEMBER 10, 2013
TO FEBRUARY 28, 2014, DECREASING SALARY BY $1,925
AND INCREASING BENEFITS BY $1,925
Item #16D23
Page 322
December 10-11, 2013
GRANTING A DEED OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT TO
SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR
THE OAKES NEIGHBORHOOD PARK —TO COMPLY WITH
SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT PERMIT
NO. 11-02737-P, THE COUNTY MUST PLACE THE 3.2 ± ACRE
PORTION OF ON-SITE WETLANDS IN THE 5.22 ACRE PARK
UNDER A CONSERVATION EASEMENT AND IMPLEMENT A
MITIGATION PROGRAM
Item #16D24
COLLIER COUNTY UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
DEPARTMENT'S REQUEST FOR FUNDING FROM THE
COLLIER COUNTY 4-H ASSOCIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF
$82,000; APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF REQUESTED FUNDS;
AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING WITH THE COLLIER COUNTY 4-H
ASSOCIATION; AND AUTHORIZE THE NECESSARY BUDGET
AMENDMENT — TO CONTINUE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2014 THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, 2014 WITH AN OPTION OF THREE (3)
ADDITIONAL 1-YEAR RENEWALS
Item #16D25
AMENDING A HOME CARE FOR THE ELDERLY (HCE)
AGREEMENT BETWEEN COLLIER COUNTY AND THE AREA
AGENCY ON AGING FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, INC. D/B/A
SENIOR CHOICES OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA TO INCREASE
FUNDING BY TRANSFERRING FUNDS BETWEEN BUDGET
Page 323
December 10-11, 2013
LINES FOR YEAR TWO (2013-2014) (FISCAL IMPACT: $6,254)
— AMENDMENT NO. 7 TO CONTRACT #HCE 203.12.007
Item #16E1
AWARD BID #13-6111, ANNUAL CONTRACT FOR PAINTING
CONTRACTORS, TO COVER ALL, INC., D/B/A RON'S JONS
PORTA POTTY RENTAL; FLORIDA SERVICE PAINTING, INC.,
D/B/A SERVICE PAINTING OF FLORIDA; AND FA
REMODELING AND REPAIRS, INC. — A 2-YEAR AGREEMENT
WITH TWO (2) ADDITIONAL 1-YEAR RENEWAL PERIODS
FOR PAINTING SERVICES AVERAGING $80,000 ANNUALLY
Item #16E2
PURCHASE OF GROUP HEALTH REINSURANCE COVERAGE
FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2014 IN THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT
OF $776,056 TO SUNLIFE INSURANCE COMPANY — TO
PROTECT THE COUNTY'S GROUP HEALTH FUND FROM
CATASTROPHIC LOSSES
Item #16E3
COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT'S EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
PLAN DOCUMENT, FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN DOCUMENT
AND HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT
DOCUMENT EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014 — AS DETAILED
IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16E4
Page 324
December 10-11, 2013
A NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF
$45,842 FOR BUILDING REPAIRS RELATED TO THE EMS #3
HELICOPTER OPERATIONS HANGER — FOR INDOOR AIR
QUALITY AND STRUCTURAL ISSUES THAT WILL BE
COMPLETED BY WRIGHT CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC.,
UNDER CONTRACT #10-5510 "ANNUAL CONTRACT FOR
GENERAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES"
Item #16E5
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN COLLIER
COUNTY AND EDISON STATE COLLEGE IN SUPPORT OF
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES RELATED TO
NATURAL AND MANMADE HAZARDS EMERGENCY
RESPONSE — AN AGREEMENT PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS
WITH TWO 1-YEAR RENEWAL OPTIONS
Item #16E6
AWARDING BID #13-6057, ON-CALL MECHANICAL
CONTRACTOR SERVICES, TO JOHNSON CONTROLS, INC.
AS PRIMARY VENDOR AND CONDITIONED AIR
CORPORATION OF NAPLES, INC., SECONDARY VENDOR,
FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND CONTRACTOR
SERVICES AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN THE
CONTRACTS — A 1-YEAR CONTRACT WITH THREE 1-YEAR
RENEWAL OPTIONS FOR MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, CAPITAL
REPLACEMENT & CONSTRUCTION ON COUNTY FACILITIES
Item #16E7
Page 325
December 10-11, 2013
RECOGNIZING CARRY FORWARD FROM ACCRUED
INTEREST EARNED BY EMS COUNTY GRANT REVENUE
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,161 .82
Item #16E8
CONTRACT #12-5846, CONTRACTED LABORERS, WITH
BALANCE STAFFING WITHIN BOARD APPROVED
OPERATING BUDGETS — AS DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Item #16E9
ACCEPT REPORTS AND RATIFY STAFF-APPROVED
CHANGE ORDERS AND CHANGES TO WORK ORDERS —
THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 18, 2013 TO NOVEMBER 19, 2013
Item #16E10
AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRWOMAN TO EXECUTE A
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH FLORIDA DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH TO SETTLE AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
CAPTIONED FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH V. COLLIER
COUNTY EMS, CASE NO. 2013-06440, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$1,500 — FOR FAILING TO SUBMIT THE ADVANCED LIFE
SUPPORT PROVIDER APPLICATION ON TIME, AS REQUIRED
BY SECTION 401 .26(5)(A), FLORIDA STATUTES BECAUSE OF
A MISUNDERSTANDING REGARDING THE RENEWAL DATE
WITH PRECAUTIONS ESTABLISHED TO ENSURE THIS WILL
NOT HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE
Item #16E11
Page 326
December 10-11, 2013
THIS ITEM CONTINUED FROM THE NOVEMBER 12, 2013
BCC MEETING. RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE THE
COUNTY MANAGER AND STAFF TO USE FEDERAL GSA
SCHEDULES (I.E. SCHEDULE 70 & 1122 PROGRAM); STATE
OF FLORIDA CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS AND PRICE LISTS;
COMPETITIVELY SOLICITED CONTRACTS BY US
COMMUNITIES, WESTERN STATES CONTRACTING
ALLIANCE, NATIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL
PURCHASING ALLIANCE (NIPA), NATIONAL JOINT POWERS
ALLIANCE (NJPA) PUBLIC PURCHASING CONSORTIUMS;
AND COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS FROM STATE OF
FLORIDA CITIES, COUNTIES, AND OTHER PUBLIC
MUNICIPALITIES (I.E. SHERRIFF'S ASSOCIATION) FOR
THE EFFICIENT PURCHASE OF GOODS AND SERVICES
FOR THE DELIVERY OF PUBLIC SERVICES USING FUNDS
APPROVED IN OPERATING BUDGETS
Item #16F1
RESOLUTION 2013-274: THIS ITEM CONTINUED FROM THE
OCTOBER 22, 2013 BCC MEETING. RECOMMENDATION TO
APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE TOURISM TRAVEL
EXPENSE RESOLUTION 2006-40 RELATED TO COUNTY
PURCHASING CARD LIMITS CONSISTENT WITH COUNTY
PURCHASING POLICY AND MAKE A FINDING THAT THIS
ITEM PROMOTES TOURISM — SUPERSEDING RESOLUTION
2004-370
Item #16F2
Page 327
December 10-11, 2013
REFUNDING AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONTRIBUTION
TO NAPLES NISSAN, TOTALING $23,788.50, DUE TO THE
REMOVAL OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONTRIBUTION
COMMITMENT FROM THE PINE VIEW COMMERCIAL PUD —
FOR A 2008 CONTRIBUTION BY MEETING THE CURRENT
CRITERIA THAT ALLOWS FOR A REFUND
Item #16F3
RESOLUTION 2013-275: APPROVING AMENDMENTS
(APPROPRIATING GRANTS, DONATIONS, CONTRIBUTIONS
OR INSURANCE PROCEEDS) TO FY13/14 ADOPTED BUDGET
Item #16F4
AGREEMENTS WITH HAYNES CORPORATION FOR
ECONOMIC INCENTIVES, CONSISTENT WITH THE
COMPANY'S APPROVED APPLICATION AND AS DIRECTED
BY THE BOARD AT THEIR JUNE 11, 2013 MEETING — AS
DETAILED IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Item #16F5
THE PAYMENT OF IMPACT FEES, PERMIT FEES AND
ASSOCIATED CHARGES IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,041 .16
FROM FUND 107, IMPACT FEE ADMINISTRATION, FOR
BUILDING PERMIT NO. 2006062448 — REGARDING A 2006
EXPIRED PERMIT AND CODE ENFORCEMENT VIOLATION
FEES THAT WERE NOT DISCUSSED WITH NEW OWNERS OF
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AT 5220 40TH STREET, NE
Item #16G1
Page 328
December 10-11, 2013
AA RESOLUTION 2013-276: SUSPENDING HANGAR RENT,
TIE-DOWN, AND OTHER APPLICABLE USE AGREEMENT
FEES AT THE MARCO ISLAND EXECUTIVE AIRPORT
DURING THE TIME THE AIRPORT IS CLOSED FOR
REHABILITATION CONSTRUCTION OF RUNWAY 17/35
Item #16G2
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTING AS THE
GOVERNING BODY OF THE COLLIER COUNTY AIRPORT
AUTHORITY APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY
MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE STANDARD
TIE-DOWN AGREEMENTS FOR EVERGLADES AIRPARK,
IMMOKALEE REGIONAL AIRPORT AND MARCO ISLAND
EXECUTIVE AIRPORT — MODIFYING THE 2011 APPROVED
AGREEMENT TO ENSURE CONSISTENT TREATMENT OF
TENANTS, SUSTAIN OCCUPANCY AND MAINTAIN A
REVENUE STREAM FOR THE FACILITIES IN THE ABSENCE
OF AN AIRPORT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Item #16G3
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTING AS THE
GOVERNING BODY OF THE COLLIER COUNTY AIRPORT
AUTHORITY APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY
MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE STANDARD
T-HANGAR LEASE AGREEMENTS FOR THE EVERGLADES
AIRPARK, IMMOKALEE REGIONAL AIRPORT AND MARCO
ISLAND EXECUTIVE AIRPORT— MODIFYING AN
AGREEMENT APPROVED IN 2011 TO ENSURE CONSISTENT
TREATMENT OF TENANTS, SUSTAIN OCCUPANCY AND
Page 329
December 10-11, 2013
MAINTAIN A REVENUE STREAM FOR THE FACILITIES IN
THE ABSENCE OF AN AIRPORT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Item #16G4 — Withdrawn (Per Agenda Change Sheet)
INVITATION TO BID (ITB) #13-6171, SOD HARVESTING AT
IMMOKALEE AIRPORT FOR A MINIMUM LICENSE FEE OF
TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($20,000) PER YEAR TO
FLORIDA SOD, INC., AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRWOMAN
TO SIGN A SOD HARVESTING LICENSE AGREEMENT
PENDING FAA APPROVAL — A FIVE (5) YEAR CONTRACT
DIVIDED INTO FIVE SEPARATE 1-YEAR PERIODS FOR THE
PURPOSE OF REMITTING A LICENSE FEE AND IN ADDITION
TO THE MINIMUM LICENSE FEE THE LICENSEE WILL PAY
THE COUNTY EIGHT DOLLARS ($8.00) PER NORMAL-SIZED
PALLET OF SOD HARVESTED ANTICIPATED AT
APPROXIMATELY 12,000 PALLETS PER YEAR
Item #16H1
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING NOVEMBER 2013 AS
PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IN COLLIER
COUNTY. THE PROCLAMATION WILL BE MAILED TO THE
PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK. SPONSORED BY
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS — ADOPTED
Item #16H2
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY
OF MARCO MOVIES CINEPLEX PRESENTED BY
COMMISSIONER FIALA DECEMBER 13, 2013; SPONSORED
BY COMMISSIONER FIALA — ADOPTED
Page 330
December 10-11, 2013
Item #16H3
COMMISSIONER FIALA'S REIMBURSEMENT REGARDING
ATTENDANCE AT A FUNCTION SERVING A VALID PUBLIC
PURPOSE. SHE ATTENDED THE MARCO ISLAND AREA
ASSOCIATION INSTALLATION BANQUET ON DECEMBER 3,
2013. A SUM OF $55 TO BE PAID FROM COMMISSIONER
FIALA'S TRAVEL BUDGET — HELD AT THE ISLAND
COUNTRY CLUB, 500 NASSAU ROAD, MARCO ISLAND, FL
Item #16H4
COMMISSIONER FIALA'S REIMBURSEMENT REGARDING
ATTENDANCE AT A FUNCTION SERVING A VALID PUBLIC
PURPOSE. SHE ATTENDED MARCO ISLAND'S CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE CHRISTMAS GALA DECEMBER 8, 2013. A SUM
OF $75 TO BE PAID FROM COMMISSIONER FIALA'S TRAVEL
BUDGET — HELD AT THE BISTRO SOLEIL RESTAURANT,
100 PALM STREET, MARCO ISLAND, FL
Item #16H5
RESOLUTION 2013-277: REAPPOINTING MARK S. WEBER
(TO A TERM EXPIRING NOVEMBER 13, 2017) IN THE
CATEGORY OF MSTU RESIDENT TO THE VANDERBILT
BEACH BEAUTIFICATION MSTU ADVISORY COMMITTEE —
ADOPTED
Item #16H6
Page 331
December 10-11, 2013
RESOLUTION 2013-278: APPOINTING RACHELLE WOOD
(SERVING THE REMAINDER OF A TERM EXPIRING
NOVEMBER 5, 2014 REPRESENTING THE AMERICAN RED
CROSS) TO COLLIER COUNTY CITIZENS CORPS — ADOPTED
Item #16H7
RESOLUTION 2013-279: REAPPOINTING JAMES BOUGHTON
(ARCHITECT CATEGORY), CLAY BROOKER (ATTORNEY
CATEGORY), STAN CHRZANOWSKI (ENGINEER
CATEGORY) AND CHRIS MITCHELL (ENGINEER
CATEGORY) WITH TERMS EXPIRING DECEMBER 14, 2017
TO THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
— ADOPTED
Item #16H8
RESOLUTION 2013-280: APPOINTING RONALD MYERS (FOR
THE REMAINDER OF A TERM EXPIRING JULY 2, 2016) IN
THE CATEGORY OF CITIZEN REPRESENTATIVE TO THE
PUBLIC SAFETY AUTHORITY — ADOPTED
Item #16H9
RESOLUTION 2013-281 : APPOINTING IAN J. BUTLER (TO A
TERM EXPIRING MAY 22, 2017) TO THE COLLIER COUNTY
COASTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE — ADOPTED
Item #16H10
RESOLUTION 2013-282: REAPPOINTING JAMES HUGHES (TO
A TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2015) IN THE CATEGORY
Page 332
December 10-11, 2013
OF TAXING DISTRICT RESIDENT TO THE ISLES OF CAPRI
FIRE CONTROL DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE —
ADOPTED
Item #16H11
RESOLUTION 2013-283: APPOINTING FRANK NAPPO (TO
THE REMAINDER OF A TERM EXPIRING APRIL 4, 2015) IN
THE NONPROFIT/COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION
CATEGORY TO THE IMMOKALEE ENTERPRISE ZONE
DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE —
ADOPTED
Item #16H12
RESOLUTION 2013-284: APPOINTING GLENN D. HARRELL
(TO THE REMAINDER OF A TERM EXPIRING SEPTEMBER
11, 2015) IN THE COMMERCE/LABOR CATEGORY TO THE
HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY — ADOPTED
Item #16H13
RESOLUTION 2013-285: REAPPOINTING MCMURDO SMITH
(TO THE TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2017) IN THE
URBAN AREA CATEGORY TO THE PARKS & RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD — ADOPTED
Item #16H14
RECONSIDERATION REQUEST BY COMMISSIONER HILLER
REGARDING NOVEMBER 12, 2013 ITEM 17C, MOVED TO
ITEM 9D, WHICH READS: RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT
Page 333
December 10-11, 2013
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 74 OF THE COLLIER
COUNTY CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES, WHICH IS
THE COLLIER COUNTY CONSOLIDATED IMPACT FEE
ORDINANCE, PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATIONS DIRECTED
BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RELATEDTO
A CHANGE IN THE TIMING OF PAYMENT OF IMPACT FEES
TO ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, THE
INCLUSION OF WATER AND WASTEWATER IMPACT FEES
AS ELIGIBLE FOR THE "IMPACT FEE PROGRAM FOR
EXISTING COMMERCIAL REDEVELOPMENT" AND
INCLUDING ADDITIONAL MINOR UPDATES OR
CORRECTIONS RELATED TO "ADULT ONLY
COMMUNITIES," OBSOLETE REFUND PROVISIONS,
REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENTS AND THE "FORMER"
GOODLAND WATER DISTRICT
Item #16I 1
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS TO FILE FOR RECORD WITH
ACTION AS DIRECTED
The following miscellaneous correspondence, as presented by the
Board of County Commissioners, is entered into the Board's Record
Page 334
December 10-11, 2013
Item #16J1
DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD OF NOVEMBER 1, 2013
THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2013 AND FOR SUBMISSION INTO
THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE BOARD
Item #16J2
DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD OF NOVEMBER 8, 2013
THROUGH NOVEMBER 14, 2013 AND FOR SUBMISSION
INTO THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE BOARD
Item #16J3
DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD OF NOVEMBER 15, 2013
THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2013 AND FOR SUBMISSION
INTO THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE BOARD
Item #16J4
DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD OF NOVEMBER 22, 2013
THROUGH NOVEMBER 28, 2013 AND FOR SUBMISSION
INTO THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE BOARD
Item #16J5
ACCEPTING A REPORT ON INTEREST FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013, PURSUANT TO
FLORIDA STATUTE 218.78 AND PURCHASING POLICY XII.E
WITH NO INTEREST REQUESTED OR PAID FOR THE YEAR
Item #16J6
Page 335
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
December 10-11, 2013
1. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS TO FILE FOR RECORD WITH ACTION AS DIRECTED:
A. MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE:
1) Notice of Official Interpretation Legal Notice Published 06/15/2013
White Lake PUD INTP-2013-PL-0795; Comparable Use Determination
for a Civic Association, pursuant to Collier County LDC
2) Naples Heritage Community Development District:
Meeting Agenda: 05/07/13
Meeting Minutes: 05/07/13
3) Heritage Greens Community Development District:
Meeting Agenda: 07/15/13; 08/19/2013; 09/16/2013
Meeting Minutes: 07/15/13; 08/19/2013; 09/16/2013
4) Port of the Islands Community Improvement District:
Meeting Agenda: 07/19/13; 08/23/13; 09/20/13; 10/18/13
Meeting Minutes: 07/19/13; 08/23/13; 09/20/13; 10/18/13
5) Verona Walk Community Development District
FY 13/14 Regular Meeting Schedule
6) Ave Maria Stewardship Community District
FY 13/14 Regular Meeting Schedule
7) Quarry Community Development District
FY 13/14 Regular Meeting Schedule
8) North Naples Fire Control and Rescue District
FY13/14 Budget & Adopting Resolutions
Annual Financial Report FY Ending 9/30/12
District Audit FY Ending 9/30/12
Public Facilities Report
Registered Office & Agent Form
FY13/14 Regular Meeting Schedule
9) Golden Gate Fire Control & Rescue District
FY13/14 Final Budget
Description of Outstanding Bonds
FY13/14 Regular Meeting Schedule
District Map
Registered Office & Agent Form
10) Letter from Tax Collector Larry H. Ray to Clerk of Courts, Dwight E. Brock
Letter from Collier County Tax Collector Larry H. Ray to Collier County Clerk of
the Circuit Court, Dwight E. Brock, regarding the FY12/13 Tax Roll Annual Report
and Schedule of Revenue reflecting the allocation of unused fees for the year
December 10-11, 2013
BUDGET AMENDMENT RECOGNIZING FEDERAL HHS VOTE
PROGRAM GRANT AWARD 2009 FUNDS FOR VOTING
ACCESSIBILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN
THE AMOUNT OF $8,636.33 — TO HELP MAKE POLLING
PLACES ACCESSIBLE TO VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES
Item #16J7
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACCEPTS AND
APPROVES CAPITAL ASSET DISPOSITION RECORDS FOR
THE TIME PERIOD JULY 1, 2013 THRU SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 —
ITEMS THAT NO LONGER SERVE A USEFUL FUNCTION OR
HAVE COMMERCIAL VALUE PER FLORIDA LAW
Item #16J8
PROVIDING THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,
ACTING AS COLLIER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY, THE
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT'S OFFICE AUDIT REPORT
2014-1, FAA GRANTS — RUNWAY REHAB PROJECTS ISSUED
ON DECEMBER 4, 2013 — THIS REPORT IS AVAILABLE ON
THE CLERK'S WEBSITE
Item #16K1
RATIFY AND APPROVE A STIPULATED FINAL JUDGMENT
AS TO MCDONALD'S CORPORATION'S INTEREST IN
PARCELS 113FEE AND 113TCE IN THE LAWSUIT STYLED
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA V. NEW PLAN FLORIDA
HOLDINGS, LLC, ET AL., CASE NO. 13-CA-238, AS PART OF
US-41/COLLIER BOULEVARD INTERSECTION
Page 336
December 10-11, 2013
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 60116 (FISCAL IMPACT:
$5,000) — TO AVOID LITIGATION AND FURTHER COSTS FOR
PARCELS IN THE FREEDOM SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER
AT THAT INTERSECTION
Item #16K2
A MEDIATED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND FINAL
JUDGMENT TO BE DRAFTED INCORPORATING THE SAME
TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS THE MEDIATED
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,289,133
FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PARCEL 115FEE IN THE
LAWSUIT STYLED COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA V. NEW PLAN
FLORIDA HOLDINGS, LLC, ET AL., CASE NO. 13-CA-238 (US
41/CR-951 INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT #60116
(FISCAL IMPACT: $339,303) — FOR A 64,261 SQUARE FOOT
PARCEL IN THE FREEDOM SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER
Item #16K3
AN AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES
FOR THE RETENTION AGREEMENT WITH HOPPING GREEN
& SAMS BY AMENDING EXHIBIT "A" — AMENDING THE
SEPTEMBER, 2011 AGREEEMNT TO INCLUDE THE NOT TO
EXCEED AMOUNT OF $100,000 PER NEW ASSIGNMENT
WITHOUT BOARD APPROVAL AND TO ADD PARTNERS
AND ASSOCIATES PREVIOUSLY NOT LISTED
Item #16K4
A MEDIATED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IN THE LAWSUIT
OF DARLING ELIE V COLLIER COUNTY, FILED IN THE
Page 337
December 10-11, 2013
TWENTIETH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR COLLIER
COUNTY, FLORIDA, CASE NO. 07-1463-CA FOR THE SUM OF
$400,000 AND AUTHORIZE THE REQUESTED BUDGET
AMENDMENT FOR THE RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
PURSUANT TO THE SETTLEMENT TERMS — THE RESULT OF
AN OCTOBER 12, 2004 ACCIDENT INVOLVING AN
EMERGENCY VEHICLE
Item #16K5
INVOKING EXEMPTION IN THE COUNTY'S PURCHASING
POLICY (SECTION VII, PARAGRAPH H) WAIVING
COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND INCREASING AN EXISTING
PURCHASE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $125,000 TO COVER
ATTORNEY FEES ANTICIPATED IN SUPPORT OF EMINENT
DOMAIN LITIGATION FOR US-41/COLLIER BOULEVARD
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 60116 AND
APPROVE AN AMENDMENT WITH SMOLKER BARTLETT
SCHLOSSER LOEB AND HINDS, P.A. TO ALLOW FOR THE
REIMBURSEMENT OF LODGING FEES NOT TO EXCEED A
TOTAL OF $5,000 DURING TRIAL (FISCAL IMPACT: $125,000)
— TO COVER LODGING COSTS DURING THE JURY TRIAL
FROM JANUARY 4 THROUGH JANUARY 24, 2014
****Commissioner Nance moved, seconded by Commissioner Fiala
and carried unanimously that the following items under the Summary
Agenda be adopted ****
Item #17A
ORDINANCE 2013-64: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
Page 338
December 10-11, 2013
AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2004-41, AS AMENDED,
COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, WHICH
ESTABLISHED COMPREHENSIVE ZONING REGULATIONS
FOR THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF COLLIER COUNTY,
FLORIDA BY AMENDING THE APPROPRIATE ZONING
ATLAS MAP OR MAPS FOR A PROJECT PREVIOUSLY
KNOWN AS BRADFORD SQUARE MIXED USE PLANNED
UNIT DEVELOPMENT (MPUD) TO A NEW MPUD THAT
WILL CONTINUE TO BE KNOWN AS THE BRADFORD
SQUARE MPUD, TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF EITHER
100,000 SQUARE FEET OF GROSS LEASABLE OFFICE OR
RETAIL WITH UP TO 10 RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS
OR TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF GROUP HOUSING FOR
SENIORS OF UP TO 130 UNITS WITH A FLOOR AREA RATIO
OF 0.50 ON PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE NORTHEAST
CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF VANDERBILT BEACH
ROAD AND LIVINGSTON ROAD IN SECTION 31, TOWNSHIP
48 SOUTH, RANGE 26 EAST, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA,
CONSISTING OF 9.18+/- ACRES; PROVIDING FOR THE
REPEAL OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 07-41, THE FORMER
BRADFORD SQUARE MPUD; AND BY PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE (PUDZ-A-PL20130000266)
Item #17B
ORDINANCE 2013-65: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2004-41, AS AMENDED,
COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, WHICH
ESTABLISHED COMPREHENSIVE ZONING REGULATIONS
FOR THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF COLLIER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, BY AMENDING THE APPROPRIATE ZONING
Page 339
December 10-11, 2013
ATLAS MAP OR MAPS FOR A PROJECT PREVIOUSLY
KNOWN AS THE COCOHATCHEE RIVER TRUST PLANNED
UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) WHICH IS HENCEFORTH TO BE
KNOWN AS THE BAY HOUSE CAMPUS CPUD, TO REMOVE
A SPECIAL TREATMENT OVERLAY AND ALLOW 400 SEATS
OF RESTAURANT/COCKTAIL LOUNGE, A 50 ROOM HOTEL
OR MOTEL AND 4,500 SQUARE FEET GROSS FLOOR AREA
OF ACCESSORY RETAIL USES INCLUDING A CULINARY
SCHOOL, SPECIALTY RETAIL AND RESTAURANT/BREW
HOUSE ON PROPERTY LOCATED IN SECTION 21, TOWNSHIP
48 SOUTH, RANGE 25 EAST, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA,
CONSISTING OF 8.67 +/- ACRES; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL
OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 88-30, THE COCOHATCHEE RIVER
TRUST PUD; AND BY PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
[PUDZ-A-PL201200015 93]
Item #17C
RESOLUTION 2013-286: PETITION VAC-PL20130002148, TO
DISCLAIM, RENOUNCE AND VACATE THE COUNTY AND
THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE 5-FOOT UTILITY EASEMENT
BEING A PART OF LOT 418, RIVIERA GOLF ESTATES UNIT 2,
AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 13, PAGES 108 THROUGH 111,
OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA,
ALSO BEING A PART OF SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 50 SOUTH,
RANGE 26 EAST, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, BEING
MORE SPECIFICALLY SHOWN IN EXHIBIT A
Item #17D
ORDINANCE 2013-66: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
Page 340
December 10-11, 2013
AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2004-41, AS AMENDED,
COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, WHICH
ESTABLISHED COMPREHENSIVE ZONING REGULATIONS
FOR THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF COLLIER COUNTY,
FLORIDA BY AMENDING THE APPROPRIATE ZONING
ATLAS MAP OR MAPS BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF THE HEREIN DESCRIBED REAL
PROPERTY FROM AN AGRICULTURAL (A) ZONING
DISTRICT WITHIN WELLFIELD RISK MANAGEMENT
SPECIAL TREATMENT OVERLAY ZONES W-3 AND W-4
(ST/W-3 AND ST/W-4) TO A RESIDENTIAL PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT (RPUD) ZONING DISTRICT WITHIN
WELLFIELD RISK MANAGEMENT SPECIAL TREATMENT
OVERLAY ZONES W-3 AND W-4 (ST/W-3 AND ST/W-4) FOR
A PROJECT TO BE KNOWN AS THE LANDINGS AT BEAR'S
PAW RPUD TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A MAXIMUM OF
25 RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS AND UP TO 38 BOAT
SLIPS ON PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE GOLDEN GATE
CANAL SOUTH OF BEAR'S PAW IN SECTION 35, TOWNSHIP
49 SOUTH, RANGE 25 EAST, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
CONSISTING OF 10.75± ACRES; AND BY PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE (PETITION RZ-PL20120002095)
Item #17E
ORDINANCE 2013-67: AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 90-105,
AS AMENDED, KNOWN AS COLLIER COUNTY'S
CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD ORDINANCE, IN ORDER
TO APPLY RECENT REVISIONS TO CHAPTER 489, FLORIDA
STATUTES, WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF JANUARY 1, 2014
Item #17F
Page 341
December 10-11, 2013
RESOLUTION 2013-287: APPROVING AMENDMENTS
(APPROPRIATING CARRY FORWARD, TRANSFERS AND
SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE) TO THE FY 2013-14 ADOPTED
BUDGET
Item #17G
ORDINANCE 2013-68: AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 97-82, AS
AMENDED, WHICH CREATED BAYSHORE BEAUTIFICATION
MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNIT, TO ALLOW FOR
ADDITIONAL RIGHT-OF-WAY IMPROVEMENTS
Item #17H
RESOLUTION 2013-288: AMENDING THE COLLIER COUNTY
GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN, ORDINANCE 89-05, AS
AMENDED, SPECIFICALLY AMENDING THE POTABLE
WATER SUBELEMENT OF THE PUBLIC FACILITIES
ELEMENT TO AMEND POLICY 1 .7 TO REFERENCE THE
UPDATED 10-YEAR WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES WORK
PLAN AND FURTHERMORE RECOMMEND TRANSMITTAL
OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY (CPSP-2013-7)
Item #17I
RESOLUTION 2013-289: AMENDING THE COLLIER COUNTY
WATER-SEWER DISTRICT'S UTILITIES STANDARDS
MANUAL
Item #17J
Page 342
December 10-11, 2013
ORDINANCE 2013-69: REPEALING ORDINANCE 87-25, AS
AMENDED, WHICH ORDINANCE ESTABLISHED COLLIER
COUNTY'S PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AND ADOPTED A
PURCHASING POLICY, AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW
ORDINANCE, TO BE KNOWN AS THE COLLIER COUNTY
PURCHASING ORDINANCE, WHICH ORDINANCE SETS
FORTH ITS PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY; PROVIDES FOR
DEFINITIONS; ESTABLISHES AND SETS FORTH DUTIES OF
A PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AND PURCHASING
DIRECTOR; PROVIDES FOR A PURCHASING MANUAL;
PROVIDES FOR SMALL PURCHASES UNDER $3,000, FOR
PURCHASES EXCEEDING $3,000 BUT UNDER $50,000, AND
FOR PURCHASES OVER $50,000; PROVIDES A COMPETITIVE
BID PROCESS, PROCUREMENT OF PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES, COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS AND PROCUREMENT
OF DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACTS; ESTABLISHES POLICIES
FOR SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED MINORITY AND
WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND FOR PREFERENCE
TO LOCAL BUSINESSES; PROVIDES FOR PAYMENT OF
INVOICES AND ADVANCE PAYMENTS FOR GOODS AND
SERVICES; PROVIDES FOR PROCUREMENTS BASED ON
STANDARDIZATION, COOPERATIVE PURCHASING
ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS; SETS
FORTH A PROCEDURE FOR CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
AND FOR BONDS; PROHIBITS UNAUTHORIZED PURCHASES
INCLUDING SUBDIVIDING PURCHASES; SETS FORTH A
PROCEDURE FOR BID PROTESTS AND CONTRACT CLAIMS;
PROVIDES FOR PURCHASES DURING EXIGENT
CIRCUMSTANCES, EMERGENCIES AND BOARD RECESS
PERIODS; PROVIDES FOR INSPECTING AND TESTING;
PROVIDES FOR SURPLUS PROPERTY; PROVIDES FOR A
Page 343
December 10-11, 2013
PURCHASING CARD PROGRAM; PROHIBITS CONFLICT OF
INTERESTS; SETS FORTH A PROCEDURE FOR DEBARMENT
AND SUSPENSION OF VENDORS; AUTHORIZES THE BOARD
TO WAIVE THESE PROVISIONS WHEN APPROPRIATE; AND
LASTLY PROVIDES FOR CONFLICT AND SEVERABILITY,
INCLUSION INTO THE CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES,
AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 11 :00 a.m. on
December 11, 2013
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX
OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF
SP. EC L DISTRICTS UNDER ITS CONTROL
Georgia A. Hind, Chairwoman
TOM HENNING, CHAIRMAN
A T T E S T.:. ,:
DWIGHT E.Br{OCK, CLERK
titut,2)A,
-to CA:rmail's
r refs?
i ' e°rriinutes a pp ro by d the Board on 4 1 `-'
as presented ✓ or as corrected
Transcript prepared on behalf of Gregory Court Reporting, by Terri
Lewis and Cherie' R. Nottingham, CSR.
Page 344