Agenda 12/08/2015 Item #16D2412/8/2015 16.D.24.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to consider a request by the Collier County ATV Ad Hoc Committee to extend its
sunset date to December 12, 2016, so it may pursue several potential ATV park sites, and consider
changes to the "Tickets to Ride" Program to allow All Terrain Vehicles, Recreational Off
Highways Vehicles, and Off Highway Motorcycles to participate.
OBJECTIVE: To provide opportunities for All Terrain Vehicle enthusiasts to ride their
vehicles at ATV riding locations in Southwest Florida using funds from the South Florida Water
Management District settlement agreement.
CONSIDERATIONS: In 2011, Collier County and the South Florida Water Management
District entered into a Settlement Agreement wherein the District paid Collier County $3 million
to dispose of litigation arising out of a 2003 Agreement between the parties in which the District
was to convey 640 acres to Collier County for recreational ATV use. Since that settlement, the
Collier County Growth Management Department and later, the Collier County Parks and
Recreation Division have been tasked with searching for land appropriate and suitable for an
ATV Park site.
On June 12, 2012, the Board of County Commissioners, through Resolution No. 2012 -110,
established the Collier County ATV Park Ad Hoc Committee (Committee) to assist in
identifying lands suitable for an ATV Park.
Since that time, the Committee reviewed and recommended to the Board of County
Commissioners a program entitled "Tickets to Ride" that allows for ATV enthusiasts to acquire
admission to Lazy Springs Park and Croom Motorcycle Area at Withlacoochee State Park. This
pilot program is using interest funds in the amount of $10,000 to provide Collier County
residents with a place to ride as efforts continue to find a permanent site. With the beginnings of
the pilot program, there is the recognition that the definition of ATV is too restrictive and the
Committee is recommending that the definition be expanded to Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) to
include:
All Terrain Vehicles (ATV)
Recreational Off Highway Vehicles (ROV)
Off Highway Motorcycles (OHM)
All other elements of the program would remain the same. The Committee will review the
progress of this pilot program and report results to the Board once the $10,000 in admissions has
expired.
In addition, the Committee has reviewed several potential ATV sites in Collier County including:
A collaborative agreement with the Immokalee Airport to establish a trail system on
lands owned by the Airport in conjunction with the camping and drag racing activities
that are at this facility. Currently the site has approximately 550 acres of land in and
around the airport that could be developed to allow for ATV use. The Committee would
like to pursue this option with the Airport Management and develop a business plan that
would be discussed with the Federal Aviation Authority who ultimately has oversight
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12/8/2015 16.D.24.
regarding this type of activities. Should a business plan be developed and receive FAA
approval, a proposal would be brought back to the Board for consideration. The
Committee is requesting approval from the Board to pursue this activity.
• Continuing to discuss options associated with the Seminole Tribe of Florida on lands that
they own near the Hendry County Correctional Facility. Discussions with key
representatives of the Tribe indicate that they own 600 acres of land that is not currently
assessable; however, has the potential for a future site with the County's cooperation.
Staff would explore further discussions with the Tribe to determine feasibility of
developing the site for ATV use.
Directing staff to explore working with the State of Florida, Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services on amending the management plan to allow for ATV use at
Picayune Forest. Currently, the Picayune Forest does not allow ATV use with its
boundaries. Other State Forests do allow for ATV use and Picayune was identified as
part of the Everglades Restoration project where ATV enthusiasts rode years ago. While
the current land management plan of Picayune Forest does not allow for ATV use, the
Parks and Recreation Division would like to work with the State Forest to review and
make recommendations regarding changes to the plan to allow for ATV use. The
Picayune State Forest management plan is scheduled to be updated in 2018.
The Committee is schedule to sunset on December 12, 2015. Given, the review of these three
potential ATV /OHV sites, the Committee is requesting that the Board extend its sunset date for
an additional 12 months. This will allow the Committee the opportunity to fully investigate the
three sites referenced above and conclude their review of the "Tickets to Ride" program.
FISCAL IMPACT: Currently, there is $2,988,810.52 remaining from the settlement fund, with
interest accruing on the principal. This interest is being kept within the same cost center and
used as revenue for the program.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact related to this
action.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: A Resolution of the Board of County Commissioner is
necessary to extend the Committee's sunset date. The County Attorney drafted the proposed
Resolution, reviewed this item, and approved it as to form and legality. Majority support is
required for approval. - JAK
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners:
1. Approved the attached Resolution extending the Committee's sunset date to December 12,
2016.
2. Provide direction to staff to pursue the three potential permanent ATV /OHV sites and bring
back recommendations to the Board on each site
3. Amend the definition of the "Tickets to Ride" program to include vehicles identified as
OHV's
Prepared by: Barry Williams, Division Director, Parks and Recreation
Attachment: Extension Resolution
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12/8/2015 16.D.24.
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.16.D.16.D.24.
Item Summary: Consider a request by the Collier County ATV Ad Hoc Committee to
extend its sunset date to December 12, 2016, so it may pursue several potential ATV park sites,
and consider changes to the "Tickets to Ride" Program to allow All Terrain Vehicles,
Recreational Off Highways Vehicles, and Off Highway Motorcycles to participate.
Meeting Date: 12/8/2015
Prepared By
Name: BetancurNatali
Title: Operations Analyst, Parks & Recreation
11/16/2015 9:40:34 AM
Submitted by
Title: Division Director - Parks & Recreation, Parks & Recreation
Name: WilliamsBan°y
11/16/2015 9:40:35 AM
Approved By
Name: BetancurNatali
Title: Operations Analyst, Parks & Recreation
Date: 11/16/2015 1:05:58 PM
Name: WilliamsBarry
Title: Division Director - Parks & Recreation, Parks & Recreation
Date: 11/16/2015 4:45:36 PM
Name: TownsendAmanda
Title: Division Director - Operations Support, Public Services Department
Date: 11/16/2015 4:56:20 PM
Name: CarnellSteve
Title: Department Head - Public Services, Public Services Department
Date: 11/18/2015 4:41:37 PM
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Name: GreeneColleen
Title: Assistant County Attorney, CAO General Services
Date: 11/19/2015 9:26:58 AM
Name: KlatzkowJeff
Title: County Attorney,
Date: 11/19/2015 12:05:43 PM
Name: FirmEd
Title: Management/Budget Analyst, Senior, Office of Management & Budget
Date: 11/19/2015 5:51:22 PM
Name: CasalanguidaNick
Title: Deputy County Manager, County Managers Office
Date: 11/22/2015 11:21:07 AM
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12/8/2015 16.D.24.
12/8/2015 16.D.24.
RESOLUTION NO. 2015 -
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, EXTENDING THE SUNSET DATE OF
THE COLLIER COUNTY ATV PARK AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR AN
ADDITIONAL 12 MONTHS.
WHEREAS, in 2011, Collier County and the South Florida Water Management District
entered into a Settlement Agreement wherein the District paid Collier County $3 million to
dispose of litigation arising out of a 2003 Agreement between the parties in which the District
was to convey 640 acres to Collier County for recreational ATV use; and
WHEREAS, it has been the desire of the Board of County Commissioners (Board) to
utilize these funds to locate and establish an ATV Park; and
WHEREAS, Collier County Ordinance No. 2001 -55, as amended, provides that the
Board may, by resolution, appoint an Ad Hoc or Task Force Committee for a specific project.
The resolution must set forth the duties and responsibilities of the Committee and contain
language that automatically dissolves the Committee upon completion of the project; and
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2012, the Board adopted Resolution No. 2012 -110, which
established the Collier County ATV Park Ad Hoc Committee to assist the Board in identifying
lands suitable for an ATV Park; and
WHEREAS, on June 9, 2015, the Board adopted Resolution No. 2015 -116, which re-
established the Collier County ATV Park Ad Hoc Committee and extended its sunset date; and
WHEREAS, Section Five of Resolution 2015 -116 states that "Unless extended by
Resolution of the Board, this Committee shall automatically sunset without farther action after
six (6) months through and including December 12, 2015. "; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to extend the existence of this Committee for an
additional 12 months
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the Collier County ATV
Park Ad Hoc Committee shall be extended for an additional 12 months from its current sunset
date, and unless farther extended by Resolution of the Board, shall automatically sunset without
finther action on December 12, 2016.
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12/8/2015 16.D.24.
THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion, second and majority vote favoring
same, this day of , 2015.
ATTEST:
DWIGHT E. BROCK, CLERK
I:
, Deputy Clerk
Approved as to form and legality:
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow
County Attorney
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
TIM NANCE, CHAIRMAN
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