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BCC Minutes 02/05/2004 TH (District 5)February 5, 2004 TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWNHALL MEETING DISTRICT #5 Naples, Florida, February 5, 2003 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the District #5 TOWNHALL Meeting in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 7:00 PM at the Immokalee Middle School, Immokalee, Florida, with the following members present: CHAIRMAN: Commissioner Donna Fiala Commissioner James Coletta Commissioner Tom Henning Commissioner Fred Coyle Commissioner Frank Halas ALSO PRESENT: Jim Mudd, County Manager Leo Ochs, Assistant County Manager Jim DeLony, Public Utilities Norman Feder, Transportation Administrator Joe Schmitt, Development & Environmental Services Len Golden Price, Administrative Services David Weigel, County Attorney Michelle Arnold, Code Enforcement Marla Ramsey, Parks & Recreation Bob Tipton, Traffic Operations John Velet, Transportation/Road Maintenance Dave Tortant, Road Supervisor Diane Flagg, Director of Alternative Transportation Debbie White, Greg Strakaluse, Transportation Don Scott, Transportation Jody Walters, Director of Animal Services Tammy Nemachek, Director/Economic Dev. Council Jeremy Giles, Economical Dev. Council Board of County Commissioners District 5 Town Hall Meeting Thursday, February 5, 2004 7:00 PM Immokalee Middle School 401 North 9th Street, Immokalee HOSTED BY Jim Coletta Commissioner, District 5 1. Introduction and Pledge of Allegiance 2. Transportation · SR29 Highway · Lake Trafford Road · Lights at Intersections of New Market · Sidewalks and Pathways · Private Roads in Immokalee that are deficient and unable to be repaired through normal MSTU process due to lack of economic taxable base (Citizen Discussion) 3. Immokalee Business · Unlicensed businesses operating out of vans (Code Enforcement) · Economic Development- accomplishments (Economic Development Council) 4. County Government · Report on substandard housing and code violations (Code Enforcement) · Animal Control (Domestic Animal Services) 5. Parks and Sporting Facilities · Airport Park and Expansion (Parks and Recreation) 6. Question and Answer Period February 5, 2004 0 Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Invocation was given by Father Ettore, Guadalupe Catholic Church. Commissioner Fiala introduced Commissioner Coletta who in turn introduced the Commissioners, staff members and different organizations. Transportation (Norman Feder) SR 29 Highway - Working with State focusing on other major roadways (Strategic Intermodal System). Being looked at for inclusion on the future list trying to get funding as a bypass for I75. · Lake Trafford Road - major development and updating the Metropolitan Planning Organization Plan. Developing five year work program. · Lights at Intersection of New Market - Bob Tipton gave a report on the signals. Looked at 6 locations for signals and 5 were on State Roadway system. New Market and Charlotte study in October did not meet the WalTants for signal, but looking at the data later found it now did meet the requirements. Will build a traffic signal and will be built as an intersection improvement and will have turn lanes installed on New Market. Construction in fall of 2004. · Sidewalks and Pathways - Norman Feder - Major changes in the Land Development Code and changes to the sidewalks and pathways. Looking at all developments for a more effective sidewalk and pathways program. Improvements on Doke and 8th. MSTU funding and paying for improvements. Working on getting easements from the property owners to allow work for a roadway in the area. Then will go to the Board of County Commissioners. · Private Roads Immokalee that are deficient and unable to be repaired through normal MSTU process due to lack of economic taxable base (Citizen Discussion) Leo Rodgers - President of Immokalee Civic Association - working with residents gaining access to residences and obtaining the proper easements. Leo is also with the fire department and mentioned they have trouble with residential access due to the road conditions/may have to walk into the properties. It is definitely a health and safety issue with 8th Avenue and Doke. Diane Fiagg - also mentioned the easements and safety issues. There is not enough lime rock for access of emergency vehicles for passable lanes. Cost estimates for lime rock itself is $20-30,000. Diane reported there are 3 pathway projects being finished. Start on Charlotte to Immokalee Drive. Because of right-of-ways the sidewalks had to be brought closer to the road than wanted. They are looking for alternatives to be put in between the roadway and sidewalks. The Immokalee MSTU was credited for the beautification landscaping along the roadsides and in the medians. They have many projects at this time of which one is extending sidewalks a block from 29 south and working with Transportation and FDOT further south of Immokalee road. February 5, 2004 0 Diane stated they also have a Pathways Advisory Committee which is a sub-committee of the MPO and has 3 vacancies at this time. The Committee looks throughout the communities in Collier County and makes decisions on bike lane projects and the greenway projects. Commissioner Coletta discussed the local Task Force and asks that it be supported and has attendance at their meetings. Immokalee Business · Unlicensed business operating out of vans (Code Enforcement) - Michelle Arnold - she reported they are setting up vans and selling food from them without a permit through the health department or the County. It is illegal to do so. They have set up an internal task force and managed to reduce the violations in the areas. Bennie Starling reported the Sheriffs department was contacted and arc working together and have helped do their part. · Economic Development- accomplishments (Economic Development Council) - Tammy Nemachek - Several things done in past year. - Recruiting companies/Incentives in place - Has a staff and office in Immokalee - Marketing campaign - Safir Aircraft looking at lmmokalee - discussion followed Future needs are ability to negotiate incentives with companies confidentially. The other is Roads - critical to be able to get products in and out of Immokalee. · Master Plan - Done 10 years ago - Fred Thomas - He discussed the possibility of different companies and the growth of Immokalee. - Transportation needs to be addressed and prepared for. - Holding public meetings 1 st and 3rd Wednesdays every month - 8:30 -10:30 AM at the One Stop Center. Polish Aircraft Manufacturer possibilities also. · Executive Director of Immokalee Chamber- Bennie Starling - There was a handout on the possibility of the County purchasing property at comer of Main and First Street. - Would like to see a consideration for a triple water fountain in the center and a Community Park with a Bandshell. Property can be purchased for approx. $5-600,000. County Government - Joe Schmitt · Report on substandard housing and code violations (Code Enforcement) - Introduced John David Maas - Senior Planner for Immokalee on impact fees, building permits etc. Last 2 years report. February 5, 2004 Permitting Mobile Home Parks - some referred to Code Enforcement Establishing base line for State and Federal Programs - Discussed the sub-standard housing - Discussed the Code Enforcement with 653 cases addressing minimum housing violations. Have 3 code officers in Immokalee. 3 year Impact fee deferral program was discussed. (Single family homes) · Animal Control (Domestic Animal Services) - Jody Walters - Has 2 full-time officers working in Immokalee in past year. - Has a full-time kennel technician in Shelter in Immokalee. - Rabies clinic coming to Immokalee on February 28th. Parks and Sporting Facilities · Airport Park and Expansion (Parks and Recreation) - Maria Ramsey - Met with Civic Associations and Alliance along with community residents on their needs and wants for parks. Area for concerts is very small. - Through a matching grant from the State has done renourishment at the Park. Would like to add 10 acres adjacent to the existing park and provide a Bandshell through another grant. - Grand Opening of additional 5,000 square feet to the Library on February 12th at 1:00. Everyone was invited. - Discussed the soccer fields and concerns of students playing football in a good location. They are not always allowed on the school grounds. Do not have an Interlocal agreement for access to the football fields at this time. Will try to work on Middle School area. - Need working agreement with the School System. - There was discussion for improvements to the girl's softball field; they are asking about the bathroom facilities, no drinking water, inconvenience with the lights etc. Would like to see those considered. The School Board will need to be contacted. 7. Question and Answer Period SPEAKERS Paul Midney - the County Health Department did a study on traffic fatalities in Immokalee. It covered a three year period. Hispanics in the County are 2 ½ times as likely to be in a fatal crash or severe accident. Residents in Immokalee are also 2 ½ times. He stated they need more help with sidewalks and it would be justified. February 5, 2004 Bob Soter - Division Director - Southwest Florida Work Force Dev. Board - thanked everyone with their assistance of the Satire Aircraft Project. Working with staff and Commissioners for new industry and training. Officer Zamora - Hendry Correctional Institution - wants to hire up to 200 in less than 6 months. Not many in Immokalee are aware there is a major State Facility less than 15 miles away. He covered the incentives and advantages of participating in the program for Criminal Justice Academy. He covered their hiring package. _Closine statements and Comments by Commissioners · Everyone was thanked for attending and participating in the Community. · Everyone is happy they are bringing Industry to Immokalee. · The Commissioners complimented Commissioner Coletta for the support and enthusiasm he shows in all the work he is doing in the Immokalee area. · Talked about a vision, goals and wanting better neighborhoods for their children. There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 8:50 PM. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS DOI'~NA FIALA, CHAIR~ ATTEST: DWIGHT E. BROCK, CLERK ~,,~ ,-~ ~,~.~.~1 'T~ .; ~" These minutes approved by the Board on~~~2~ ~, as presented or as co~ected - 5