BCC Minutes 05/08/2003 TH (District 3)May 8, 2003
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TOWNHALL MEETING-
DISTRICT 3
Naples, Florida, May 8, 2003
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Board of County Commissioners in and for the
County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 7:00 PM at the
Golden Gate Community Center, Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
CHAIRMAN:
Commissioner Tom Henning
Commissioner Frank Halas
Commissioner James Coletta
Commissioner Donna Fiala
Commissioner Fred Coyle
ALSO PRESENT:
Jim Mudd, County Manager
Leo Oches, Asst. County Manager
John Dunnuck, Public Services Administrator
Norm Feder, Transportation Administrator
Jim DeLony, Public Utilities
Joe Schmitt, Development & Environmental Services
Heidi Ashton, Assistant County Attorney
Marjory Student, Assistant County Attorney
George Yilmaz, Director Solid Waste
Glenn Heath, Planning Services
Don Scott, Transportation
Diane Flagg, Transportation
Michelle Arnold, Code Enforcement
Skip McMichael
Keith Larsen,
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Board of County Commissioners
District 3 Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, May 8, 2003
7:00 PM
Golden Gate Community Center
4701 Golden Gate Parkway
HOSTED BY
Tom Henning, Chairman
Commissioner, District 3
Invocation - Pastor Mike Kendrick, Cypress Wood Presbyterian Church
Introduction and Pledge of Allegiance
Transportation - Norman Feder, Administrator, Transportation
a. Four laning Radio Road
b. Four landing Green Boulevard
c. Sunshine Boulevard-Green Boulevard Intersection
Improvements
d. Golden Gate Parkway-Collier Boulevard Intersection
Improvements
e. Collier Boulevard Six Laning, North of Golden Gate
Boulevard
f. Golden Gate Main Canal Vehicular Bridge
Code Enforcement
Long Range Planning
a. Golden Gate Parkway New Downtown Center
Parks and Recreation Update
Landfill - George Yilmaz, Director, Solid Waste
a. Short Term, Immediate, and Long Range Projections
Budget Shortfalls - Mike Smykowski, Director, Budget Department
Community Development
a. Land Uses of the Past
b. Changes Board has made for the Future'
10. Question and Answer Pedod
May 8, 2003
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TOWNHALL MEETING DISTRICT #3
Invocation was given by County Manager Jim Mudd.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Commissioner Henning introduced the other
Commissioners and staff present.
TRANSPORTATION- Norman Feder, Administrator, Transportation
No 6 laning North of Golden Gate Parkway
Addressing issues of noise abatement
Golden Gate to Green - pavement issues & drainage problems - 4 lanes
with a widened right-of-way and wider median & keep access open.
- Green to Pine Ridge - 4 lanes - intersection design
- Restrict through lanes at intersections of Green and Pine Ridge consistent
with 2 lanes.
- 6 lanes from Golden Gate to Davis - 4 lanes to Pine Ridge
a. Four Laning Radio Road - from Santa Barbara to Davis - Construction
2005
b. Four laning Green Blvd. - 5 year work program - design next year fight-
of-way 2005-06, construction 2007
e. Sunshine Blvd-Green Blvd Intersection Improvements - design
underway - construction next fiscal year.
d. Golden Gate Parkway-Collier Blvd Intersection Improvements -
design underway for construction next year.
e. Collier Blvd. Six Laning, North of Golden Gate Blvd. - under design
now, construction 2005
£ Golden Gate Main Canal Vehicular Bridge - work with School Board
with access etc. Not proceed until a community desire and pursuing
further.
SPEAKERS
David Repicky - he discussed Golden Gate Parkway with the lack of right
hand turn lanes backing up traffic. Santa Barbara with 3 left hand turn lanes
no cut lanes - catching red lights - would like to see improvements. No
sidewalks on north side of Parkway - would like to see improvement there
also.
Don Schummer - He addressed the Santa Barbara Blvd. - not in favor of
widening. Not in favor of buying the fight-of-way - felt it was not necessary
spending money for the project. He stated Transportation is trying to keep a
bottle neck on Santa Barbara. He talked about the time frame it took to put in
particular roadways. He discussed the different turn lanes and the signals and
signage.
May 8, 2003
Mr. Provenzano - he talked about cleaning up Golden Gate City and the
Estates between the Golden Gate Canal and Santa Barbara. Problem now
with the 6 lane footprint is the commercial between Parkway and Green Blvd.
It will reduce property values. He talked about flooding, buffers, 100 foot
right-of-ways, and costs in which he stated will be a waste of approx. $10M.
Mr. Feder talked about the drainage issues. The section south of Green has
drainage problems, doesn't meet the permit requirements in the previous 4
laning and needs to be addressed. Reconstruct section and will do it within a
6 lane basic cost section between Golden Gate and Green - but only build 4
lanes, do the wide median and not structure it to 6 lanes as required by the
BCC.
Kaydee Tuft - there is a concern of increased traffic at the intersection of
Coronado and Golden Gate Parkway. No lights and would like to know the
status. She would also like to know the new sidewalk schedule for their
community.
Mr. Feder responded the Golden Gate and Coronado signalization is
underway and being followed up with some drainage improvements and set
up as a signal for emergency responses for the fire station initially. End of
June is the time frame. Sunshine Blvd. will also be signalized.
The sidewalks are being taken up with the Pathways Advisory Committee.
They are identifying different areas for sidewalks. They are lacking funding.
Diane Flagg and the Commissioners are working on changes to the Land
Development Code Amendments and more funding.
CODE ENFORCEMENT- Michelle Arnold
Commissioner Henning talked about the formation of the Golden Gate Code
Enforcement in the mid 90's with Peter Liliethal, Chairman. It has been very
successful and taken to a new level being set up as a Task Force.
Michelle gave out certificates for all their efforts to the volunteer group and a
group picture was taken with the Commissioners.
Michelle gave a slide presentation on Volunteer Efforts and developing
Community Partnerships. She discussed violations, staff follow-up,
statistics, investigators and patrol efficiency, increase volunteerism, and
assisting with Code Enforcement. She stressed being proactive and the
changes they are making.
SPEAKERS
Elaine Kunvcky - her development was cited for exotic removal and
removed the exotics with a maintenance program in place. Her question is
May 8, 2003
concerning the adjacent undeveloped property not being cited for exotics. The
reseeding of the exotics on their property is impacting her development and
will end up costing them money. She wonders what the Counties stand is
when an adjacent property has not been cited.
Michelle stated unless they receive a complaint from an adjacent property
owner they do not address until the property is developed. If something is
overhanging, it can be addressed. Michelle asked her to see her after the
meeting.
Janet Puig - she has lived in the Golden Gate City area for 14 years and has
seen it deteriorate rapidly. She would like to see more enforcement and gave
examples of violations. It takes months before an inspector responds to
complaints. She would like to be harmonious with her neighbors, and they
know they are in violation, been notified, but doesn't seem as if Code
Enforcement does anything. Her concerns were about parking and many
families living in one household.
Michelle responded it is a multifamily issue and the Code still allows for quite
a few individuals to reside in a single family home. It is a difficult Code to
enforce, as they need entry consent. They do need the information from the
neighbors to address the issues.
One of the volunteers (Bill) stated he has seen the area go from a decent area
to live, to garbage. When he sees a violation, it is written up and turned in.
There is a lot of Garbage in the area of 46th Terrace and 18th Place. By the
time the paperwork gets to Code Enforcement and an Inspector gets out
checking the problem, Waste Management has already been there.
It is mostly rental property and he feels they should go after the landlords.
Peter Lilienthal - Chairman Code Enforcement Volunteer Committee for
Golden Gate City- he stated Michelle addressed many of the concerns in her
presentation and being proactive. He knows she has a high turnover of staff
and needs support from Human Resources. He discussed the deterioration of
properties, parking violations, litter, along with other violations. Making
Code Enforcement more effective is needed. They need more volunteers. He
gave several suggestions on how Code Enforcement can be more effective.
Their group meets every 4th Tues. at 6:30 PM at the Community Center.
LONG RANGE PLANNING:
A. Golden Gate Parkway New Downtown Center - Glenn Heath - Principal
Planner of Comprehensive Planning Services - Manager o the Golden Gate
Area Master Plan Restudy - revising the Counties Comprehensive Plan dealing
with Golden Gate City and Golden Gate Estates. He works with the Golden
Gate Area Master Plan Restudy Committee - a slide presentation was given on the
Master Plan Downtown Center. He showed the Sub-Districts in the Golden Gate
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May 8, 2003
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Master Plan. They are proposing a new sub-district of which he showed on a
map. They want to incorporate concepts called neo-traditional planning. He
displayed peaked rooftops, wider windows, balconies, awning, and medians with
lush landscaping, wider sidewalks and pedestrian crossways. (Attached)
These are all proposals and need to be taken to the re-study committee, Planning
Commission and then the Board of County Commissioners. He discussed
possibly creating a CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) for funding. They
could also do a zoning and planning overlay - which is a floating sub-district that
sets particular standards for an area.
PARKS & RECREATION- Joe Delit - gave an update on two projects.
Golden Gate Community Center Annex - 7 acres of land north of the building
they are constructing an amphitheater, a pro shop, bmx tract, skate park, meeting
rooms, and a plaza area. Laying foundation now and proceeding with finalization
later this year. It will have outdoor recreation for children, concerts, free play
area in open space, water management, landscaping and irrigation.
The other project is the North Naples Regional Park. Has 212 acres and currently
under construction. It is located between Immokalee and Vanderbilt Beach Road.
They are also proposing a Regional Park with 8 soccer fields, 5 soft ball fields,
water play area, several pools, gymnasium, fitness center, community center,
concession stands, pathways, boardwalks and 50 acres of woodlands. The access
will be off Livingston Road with full access across from Pelican Marsh. A couple
of years before construction, but in permitting stage now.
LANDFILL- George Yilmaz, Director, Solid Waste
A. Short term, Immediate and long range Projections
Mr. Yilmaz gave a progress report on the above action plans. On Short term
they have accomplished landfill site improvements. A slide presentation was
given:
- controlling offsite emissions
Control measures implemented
- 3 gas collection wells installed
- Clean cover soil being used for purpose of additional control measures
- Monitoring plant being implemented with volunteers in community
- Chart was shown of the waste in the landfill by categories
- Municipal solid waste
- Commercial Municipal solid waste
- Yard waste
- Sludge & C&D
He identified the waste that is being diverted out of the Landfill and
discussed the composting of agricultural use.
- Talked about the re-use and recycling.
- Plan being implemented and executed by the Board of County
Commissioners and what has been achieved in less than 21/2 years.
- Long term - challenging
Gave goals that are underway.
May 8, 2003
Waste is sold to farmers
SPEAKERS
Kaydee Tuff- asked about disposing of animals in the landfill creating a
smell.
Mr. Yilmaz responded the animal is being cremated and remaining animals
that are picked up on the roads have a separate area in the landfill for those
animals so they are buried separate from garbage.
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BUDGET SHORTFALLS- Jim Mudd - County Manager
- Budget is conservative
Economic downturn
Gas and sales tax above projections
- Tourist tax weaker (war & sluggish economy)
- Building permits & impact fees - down from prior years (shift to smaller scale
homes)
Tallahassee trying to balance budget
Concerns in Collier County- don't want State to balance budget on County's
Shortfall in State
Board has told staff to hold mil rate the same as this years.
SPEAKERS
Janet Vasey - she talked about pay raises being 4% and programmed for FY'04 is
4.55%. Made up for cost of living, merit pay and pay plan maintenance. The Cost of
Living increases that most people got this year were 1.4%. Social Security and
Federal Pensions. School pay increases will be very small. She is against that large
of an increase and would like them to reconsider their calculations to be more
realistic.
Mr. Mudd responded there was a study done in 1999 and the result was that the
County Employees are 72% below market rate and they will try to correct it. The
COLA for southern Florida is 2.8% increase from December 2002. Merit - working
on a system that will be for an award for one year only. He will do a Pay Scale
Maintenance - many below the market rate - has a plan to remedy.
9. Community Development - due to time restraint this item was omitted.
SPEAKERS
Meean Davis - Longshore Lake - Traffic relief on Immokalee Road with a traffic
Light. She discussed not being able to make a left hand turn.
She discussed the proposed Logan Blvd. extension from Immokalee to Bonita Beach
Road. Will run between Longshore, Old Cypress and Quail Creek Estates and
have a negative effect. A narrow area.
May 8, 2003
North/South 951 should be expedited.
- Residents meeting with staff looking for directions would be welcomed.
Mr. Feder and Commissioner Henning will meet with the residents to address the
concerns.
Mary Lou Hull - needs a clarification of the through traffic lanes on Santa Barbara,
Golden Gate Parkway, Green Blvd and Pine Ridge.
Mr. Feder responded Golden Gate Parkway to Green Blvd - only 2 through lanes in
each direction - 4 lanes - section needs to be rebuilt - drainage issues. Expand to a
wider right--of-way that could potentially be 6 lanes, but only building 4 lanes. The
wider median used to maintain the access points across and additional refuse and storage.
North of Green - 4 lanes.
Intersections will stay with the through lanes being the same.
- Will constrain north of Golden Gate through lanes and constrain the intersections to
meet the desires of the Community.
Mary Lou talked about rezoning the duplexes because of urban blight on the east side of
Santa Barbara - close to Golden Gate Parkway - from multi-housing to commercial.
Commissioner Henning stated the East side is Commercial - was rezoned through
GGMP to be commercial by 2009. Cost for acquisition will be more costly than on the
West side. The right-of-way will come close to some homes, and at that time
consideration should be made to purchase those homes.
Discussion followed on selling the homes and the right-of-way.
Mr. William Snelline - 5425 l0th Ave., SW - Pine Ridge area - talked about Santa
Barbara to Pine Ridge staying 4 lanes. Not a candidate for a 6 lane roadway. Hope it
stays 4 lanes.
Mr. Bill Arthur - discussed the Code Ordinances - Sign Ordinances and paying taxes.
Against the Open Sign Ordinance. People need to know a business is open. Wants the
Board to reconsider the Sign Ordinance. He presented petitions
Commissioner Henning responded that the Sign Ordinance was adopted in 1999 with
implementation on 2-1-03. A lot of thought went into the Ordinance and not enough
votes to change the Land Development Code to allow neon signs.
Commissioner Coyle explained the Planning Commission is going to bring the sign
proposal back to the Commission to reconsider.
Mr. Sam Adams - he addressed general traffic on Immokalee road from Wilson Blvd to
the town of Immokalee. In the early morning and late evening it is an open speed trap.
He has survived two dump truck accidents but need better enforcement. The sheriffs
dept. is out there when there is no traffic. One accident tied up Immokalee road for 8
May 8, 2003
hours and $10,000 property damage with the driver having $25,000 worth of Insurance.
He showed pictures to the Commissioners.
Commissioner Coletta asked Mr. Feder to address the issue of 4 lanes and maybe a
possibility of 6 lanes.
Mr. Feder explained they let the contract go from 951 out to 43rd just past Oil Well last
year and found the US Corp of Engineer permit had some objections from the US Fish &
Wildlife & Environmental Protection Agency. Project had been delayed and now they
have all agreed that they have met the rules and regulations. They expect the Corp.'s
authorization for the 6 lanes. It will go to the Board. Further out - they are working
things out for Federal Funding and will start the study.
Wanda Klopt - she stated they were told Santa Barbara doesn't and would not have
enough trips to warrant 6 laning because residential - but because they are taking enough
property to 6 lane it, are they saying the future yields commercializing the west side of
Santa Barbara, and if not can they put it in writing?
Mr. Feder made it clear they are not 6 laning Santa Barbara north of Golden Gate.
Between Golden Gate and Green Blvd they are purchasing a wider right-of-way, building
only 4 lanes as they have to reconstruct that section and a wide median for refuse to allow
median openings to stay in. People have noted they have trouble making u-tums with
horse trailers etc. The modeling says they need 6 lanes but based on community desires
they are restricting it to 4 lanes.
Mr. Schmitt stated there are no plans to commercialize the west side of Santa Barbara.
Floyd Chapin - Radio Road - he thanked the Commissioners for visiting with the
Communities and Commissioner Henning for helping with particular issues within his
development. He had several concerns as follows:
- Radio Road - intersection of Radio Road and Santa Barbara going east - going east
one block it cuts back into one lane of which is a real concern. There are many
developments on that particular stretch of road with Sapphire Lakes, The Shores, Sable
Lakes, the Plantation and upcoming Twelve Lakes. They need relief in making another
lane or improve the signage - from Santa Barbara east needs attention.
Santa Barbara south of Radio Road approaching Davis Blvd. - intersection design -
from 7:30 to 9:30 AM there is a two block delay turning right. Another lane is needed.
The stop lights are there to move traffic - not stop it. Something should be done to
remedy the problems for the short term and will be appreciated by all those living in the
whole area.
- Davis & 951 - Ed Kant/Transportation stated in the paper the intersections would be
completed by the later part of this year - he asked if that is still on time.
Radio Road - through fare for Waste Management - he doesn't feel it is them causing
the problem - have monitored for past 2 months and found it is private vehicles traveling
west bound on Radio Road and throwing their garbage out. Area needs to be policed.
- He had an experience with Planning Services on some permits for commercial property
and had the pleasure to work with Paula Fleishmann, impact analysis on Horseshoe
May 8, 2003
Drive. She is an excellent employee and went out of her way to assist them in anyway
she could.
- Two months ago he had an experience in trying to contact Don Scott or Greg Garcia to
check out a traffic impact for Twelve Lakes. He got Mr. Garcia's voice mail; left a
message and assured his call would be returned. He has never received a call from him.
Second messages were left, and still no call - he did not appreciate a staff member not
returning a constituents message. He hoped they could take care of that particular
problem either with their systems or the staff members.
Commissioner Henning asked if Mr. Chapin had concerns about Twelve Lakes. Mr.
Chapin responded only with the traffic impacts with another 600 units using Radio Road.
Mr. Feder gave Mr. Chapin his telephone number and to contact him if he encounters a
problem in the future. He would like to take a trip with Mr. Chapin concerning the
intersection he referred to on Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara widening is scheduled
for 2005. He would like to look at the signage. Santa Barbara south to Davis - will also
look at the right turn. Davis and 951 - construction to start in July, and finished in 120
days.
Mr. Chapin had a suggestion for the Commissioners concerning the Advisory, MSTU,
Planning Commission and all volunteer Boards. Once they are appointed they never hear
from a Commissioner, other than those that have a Commissioner serve on a particular
Board. Mr. Chapin felt it would be a nice gesture to stop in, say hi and tell them what a
great job they are doing and appreciated.
Mr. Schmitt made a correction that there is a commercial lot on the northwest comer of
Golden Gate and Santa Barbara - vacant - small parcel zoned commercial. No future use
intended at this time.
Grant Grimm - Berkshire Lakes - the decision not to proceed further south, thereby
leaving Radio Road as the terminal point had mixed emotions. He was surprised more
people weren't in attendance to speak on the issue. The traffic situation on Radio has
become horrible. As Mr. Mudd stated the situation is being pushed from the middle to
the ends. As Livingston road is extended to lmmokalee and then Bonita Beach Road the
problem will escalate. He does not have an answer, but wondered if Radio Road is going
to be the terminus for Livingston Road or is there a route to Davis and 417
Mr. Feder reiterated about the workshop on Livingston that the Board made it clear there
was not a viable alternative to continue south on Livingston based on the impacts. It will
be pushed to the East and West and those facilities will have to handle more of the traffic.
They put that to bed so the people can get on with their lives.
Mr. Grimm agreed with Mr. Chapin that something will have to be done to the
intersection of Santa Barbara and Radio Road as the traffic is backing up significantly.
Mr. Feder will look at options on Radio Road for next year's budget.
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May 8, 2003
Mr. Grimm addressed the widening ofi75 to 6 lanes with the possibility of 10 lanes for
13.6 miles from the Lee County line to the old Exit 15. They are thinking of using the
lakes in Berkshire which all connect and go into the canal. They are talking eminent
domain and will need an attorney, which will be costly. Berkshire Lakes is very
concerned about their property and looking for help from the County on the effect it
could have and what they can do to minimize the impact of what the widening would do
to the quality of their community.
He added the Townhall meetings are very useful and helpful.
The Commissioners gave closing comments:
Commissioner Coletta felt it was a great meeting and a good agenda with great
presentations.
Commissioner Coyle commented he is impressed with the degree of involvement that
Commissioner Henning is in the community.
Commissioner Italas thanked everyone for coming.
Commissioner Fiala thought the meeting and agenda was great - and proud of the staff.
She said the audience was also great.
Commissioner Henning said before he became Commissioner, one of his concerns was
the landfill odor problem being number one. Jim Mudd and Mr. Yilmaz worked very
hard on the situation m~d Jim Mudd was the one that solved the problem. H has exceeded
his expectations as County Manager and looks forward to continue working with
everyone.
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was
adjourned by order of the Chair at 9:45 PM.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX
OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF
SPECIAL DISJRICTS U~DER ITS
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May 8, 2003
These minutes approved by the Board on ~-2.r}-07
~ or as corrected
, as presented
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