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BCC Minutes 04/01/2014 W (Landscape Programs & Beach Renourishment) BCC WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES April 1 , 2014 April 1, 2014 MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP MEETING Naples, Florida, April 1, 2014 LET IT BE REMEMBERED the Board of County Commissioners in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 1:00 P.M. in a WORKSHOP SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex, Naples, Florida with the Following members present: CHAIRMAN: Tom Henning Tim Nance Donna Fiala Fred Coyle Georgia Hiller ALSO PRESENT: Leo Ochs, County Manager Jeff Klatzkow, County Attorney Tim Durham, Executive Manager, Corporate Business Operations Nick Casalanguida, Administrator, Growth Management Division Gary McAlpin, Manager, Coastal Zone Management Pam Lulich, Manager, Landscape Operations Mark Isackson, Director, Corporate Financial and Management Services Troy Miller, Manager, Television Operations 1 COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners I I♦ 'rr �� r m �)1 , WORKSHOP AGENDA Board of County Commission Chambers Collier County Government Center 3299 Tamiami Trail East, 3rd Floor Naples FL 34112 April 1, 2014 1:00 P.M. Commissioner Tom Henning, District 3 - BCC Chair Commissioner Tim Nance, District 5 - BCC Vice-Chair; TDC Chair Commissioner Donna Fiala, District 1 - CRAB Chair Commissioner Georgia Hiller, District 2 Commissioner Fred W. Coyle, District 4 - CRAB Vice-Chair 1. Pledge of Allegiance 2. Future Landscape Program Options 3. Future Beach Renourishment and Inlet Management Strategies 4. Public Comment 5. Adjourn Notice: All persons wishing to speak must turn in a speaker slip. Each speaker will receive no more than three(3) minutes. 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. April 1, 2014 Any persons in need of the verbatim record of the meeting may request a copy of the video recording from the Collier County Communications and Customer Relations Department or view online. 1. Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Henning called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. Future Beach and Inlet Management Studies Gary McAlpin presented the Slideshow"Beach Renourishment Workshop 4/1/14" which provided an overview of the recent major beach renourishment project and future considerations for maintaining county beaches. He provided an overview of the project noting: • Approximately 345k tons of sand was placed on County beaches at a total cost of$8.8M. • The existing permit that allows the County to renourish beaches expires early 2015. • Staff is working on a new permit application anticipated to be issued mid-summer 2015. • Staff will be seeking an extension for the existing permit to bridge the gap between the existing permit's expiration and a new one being issued. • Staff is analyzing the project in an effort to seek avenues to improve the quality of renourishment projects that includes investigating the feasibility of increasing the diameter of sand placed on the beach. Brett Moore, Humiston and Moore provided an overview of dredging techniques and the use of erosion control structures noting: • There are two types of dredging operations; "Hopper" and "Hydraulic." • Engaging dredging contractors is difficult at this point in time because County projects are generally "small scale" in nature and often don't attract competitive bids. • There may an opportunity to reduce dredging costs by "Piggybacking" on larger regional projects when dredging is undertaken through the US Army Corps of Engineers, however it is not permitted under Federal law. • County beaches are now in a maintenance phase where small scale projects will be required to maintain beaches to a 100-foot width template unless a major storm occurs. • County inlets are managed separately from beaches through management plans. • These plans require annual monitoring so any issues that may arise can be addressed. • Any sand removed during inlet dredging must be placed in the "system." Following their discussion the Board: 1. Requested that staff develop a map depicting a 100 foot renourishment template to help educate the public on the concept of a "100 foot beach width"design. 2. Recommended the County consider utilizing the "Legislative Agenda"to address the prohibition of"piggybacking"on USACE projects. Mr. McAlpin provided an overview of funding mechanisms for maintaining beaches including Federal and State cost sharing grants, tourist tax revenue, MSTU's, special taxing districts, etc. Discussion occurred noting the driving force in the adoption of the county's tourist tax was use of those funds to maintain beaches and if a major shift in policy is proposed, it may be prudent that voters provide input. 2 April 1, 2014 It was requested staff provide the Board information on the way other jurisdictions in Florida fund beach renourishment projects. Speakers Bob Krasowski commended staff on the recent major renourishment project and would like assurance that construction activity required on future projects will occur outside of turtle nesting season. He expressed concern on shifting funding of beach improvements to the general fund/public taxpayers given revenue garnered from the tourist tax was intended to be used to maintain beaches. Marcia Cravens favors smaller, more frequent "beach erosion hot spot" maintenance projects as the County moves forward. She expressed concern regarding the use of sand dredged from inlets being used for beach maintenance as the material tends to be composed of finer particles and is less suitable for placement on beaches. She submitted a document"Historical Record from Collier County Coastal Zone Management Plan— 1991, page 248—253, April 1, 2014 BCC Workshop" to the Board for information purposes. Bob Naegele commended the County on the fiscal constraint used to complete the major beach renourishment project and recommended criteria be established to define and identify a consistent "100 foot beach width"template. Discussion occurred on the current renourishment template and public perception of the definition. The Board requested staff to investigate potentially developing a renourishment template that would incorporate a 100 ft. "usable beach"width. Commissioner Coyle left the meeting. Break: 2:50 p.m. Reconvened: 3:00 p.m. 3. Future Landscape Program Options Pam Lulich presented the Slideshow"Collier County Landscape Beautification Master Plan Landscape Workshop" which outlined existing conditions and goals as well as future options for landscaping County roadway medians. The report identifies projects in roadway medians that have been "deferred," and the costs of maintaining existing median improvements. The following was noted under Board discussion: • It may be beneficial to develop a policy that would prioritize areas that need landscaping or ongoing maintenance based on location, including maintaining "tourist" corridors at a higher level of standard. • Currently the majority of deferred area is in the urban area(District 1 thru 4 = 32 miles vs. District 5 = 21 miles), however the county should be aware that given future growth projections, rural areas (District 5) may become "urban" in a relatively short time frame. A mechanism may need to be in put in place to ensure work required during the transition is properly identified and planned. • In order to effectively utilize funds made available for landscaping, it may be beneficial to develop a base level of landscape provided by the County with an option for a District or an MSTU to enhance and maintain a higher level of standard. 3 April 1, 2014 • Consideration should be given to maintaining adequate standards of landscaping throughout the County for economic value, not just on the tourism economy, but the entire regional economy though increased property values and related indirect economic benefits to county residents. • The "Collier County Landscape Beautification Master Plan" was adopted in 2003 and is still in effect. The plan identifies design standards, including a"Base Level of Landscaping" and "Installation Standards (Type B and C 1). Commissioner Nance introduced the document"Landscape Design Changes to Reduce Inputs, Maintenance, Costs" dated 4/14. He expressed concern on the use of"high input" designs (those requiring greater amounts of fertilizer and irrigation) as they could negatively impact water quality in area estuaries. The document included recommendations such as "low input" landscape design and use of hardier, drought tolerant species, eliminating high maintenance plants (St. Augustine Grass) and designs that use size and effect of plants at maturity, not initial installation. He noted low input design and maintaining aesthetically pleasing products are not mutually exclusive endeavors. Speakers Bob Krasowski supports the concept of low input, self-sustaining landscape design. He recommended the County consider increasing the Tourist Tax rate '/z percent to fund landscaping and beach renourishment. Amber Crooks, Conservancy of Southwest Florida supports the concept of low input designs including the use of native plants, ground cover and low maintenance turf. Barb Boggan expressed concern on the quality of landscape used in medians on Immokalee Road and recommends consideration be given to establishing a developer road usage tax to fund improvements. MaryJo Ansalone expressed concern on the lack of landscaped medians on Immokalee Road. Marcia Cravens supports low input designs that reduce requirements for irrigation water and fertilizer. She expressed concern on the use of spray irrigation because it can be misdirected and distribute water directly onto roadways causing unnecessary runoff and pollution. The Board discussed this issue with staff and it was noted impact fees may not be used to fund improvements, however a franchise fee could be considered. At this point no consensus was reached regarding the most optimal way to proceed on preferred design criteria and funding mechanisms. Commissioner Nance recommended: 1. Staff prioritize a list of all County programs/projects that are currently "underfunded"and need to be addressed. The Board could evaluate the list during the FY15 budget process and possibly use the information to assist in developing any policies required to address median landscape. 2. Staff provide examples of jurisdictions that use low input design for informational purposes. 4. Public Comment None 4 April 1, 2014 ***** There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 4:33 p.m. COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Chairman, Tom Hen ng Attest: Dwight E. Brock, Clerk L1 . cc. Attest as to Chairman s =' signature only These minutes approved by the Board on -14�1%` 2-1-1 --101L-(-- as presented kV or as amended . 5