Agenda 03/13/2012 Item #11D3/13/2012 Item 11.D.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to approve the Collier County 2012 Federal Legislative Agenda and
policy priorities.
OBJECTIVE: For the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) to review and approve the
projects and policy priorities recommended by Collier County's federal lobbyist, The Ferguson
Group, for the Collier County 2012 Federal Legislative Agenda. The Collier County
Congressional Delegation includes Senators Marco Rubio (R) and Bill Nelson (D), Congressmen
David Rivera (R) District 25, and Connie Mack (R) District 14.
CONSIDERATION: Collier County legislative staff and representatives from the Board's
federal lobbyist, The Ferguson Group, met with each Commissioner to discuss project priorities
and issues of interest that have formed the basis of the recommended 2012 Federal Legislative
Agenda. Once adopted, identified projects and grants prospects will be presented to the
Congressional Delegation in a series of meetings and regular follow -up communications. Our
federal lobbyist will continue to closely monitor the federal legislative appropriations and grants
processes and strongly advocate for actions that will advance the Board's adopted agenda.
County staff will work closely with Ferguson Group staff and provide progress reports as
warranted.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this executive summary.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated
with this executive summary.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: There are no legal considerations associated with this
executive summary. This item requires majority support for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners reviews and approves the
Collier County 2012 Federal Legislative Agenda.
Prepared by Debbie Wight, Legislative Affairs Coordinator
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 11.D.
3/13/2012 Item 11.D.
Item Summary: Recommendation to approve the Collier County 2012 Federal Legislative
Agenda and policy priorities. (Debbie Wight, Legislative Affairs Coordinator)
Meeting Date: 3/13/2012
Prepared By
Name: CurranJanet
Title: Supervisor - Operations,Communication & Customer Relations
2/22/2012 3:19:57 PM
Submitted by
Title: Legislative Affairs Coordinator,
Name: WightDebbie
2/22/2012 3:19:59 PM
Approved By
Name: TorreJohn
Title: Director - Commun. & Customer Relations,Communication & Customer Relations
Date: 2/27/2012 4:02:45 PM
Name: WightDebbie
Title: Legislative Affairs Coordinator,
Date: 3/5/2012 3:43:07 PM
Name: TeachScott
Title: Deputy County Attorney,County Attorney
Date: 3/5/2012 3:53:21 PM
Name: FinnEd
Title: Senior Budget Analyst, OMB
Date: 3/5/2012 4:17:33 PM
Name: KlatzkowJeff
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Title: County Attorney
Date: 3/5/2012 4:34:19 PM
Name: OchsLeo
Title: County Manager
Date: 3/5/2012 5:19:46 PM
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3/13/2012 Item 11. D.
3/13/2012 Item 11. D.
Coffer County
2012 Federal Legislative Agenda
Working in coordination with our Congressional Delegation and federal agencies, the County intends to seek
opportunities to advance the following local project and policy initiatives.
Surface Transportation
The County is committed to ensuring access to safe and reliable public transit and transportation infrastructure. As the County works
to fund these improvements, we also seek to partner with the federal government.
• 1 -75 Interchanges at Collier Boulevard and Everglades Boulevard
• Expansion of US 41, East of 951
• Improvement to CAT's Radio Road Station and new transit routes
• Golden Gates Estates Mobility Needs including improvements to connectivity through the addition of bridges and study
solutions for tying -in transit to land use
• Intersection of US 41/951
• Immokalee Road Expansion
• Pedestrian walkway improvements in Golden Gate community to improve walkability to six local schools and other
community resources
• Correct Florida's historical inequity in transportation funding, as Florida currently ranks third worst in the US based upon the
rate of return for federal highway funding, getting back only 92C on every dollar sent to Washington, DC
• Support legislative initiatives that would increase local government access to government- backed low interest loans and
private capital for priorities including transportation
Potential Grant Opportunities: DOT TIGER IV, FHWA Transit SGR, Transportation and Community Systems Preservation, and others
Water and Coastal Infrastructure
As the County's thriving community grows, more and more pressure is placed on the fragile ecosystem that makes the County such a
desirable place to live and to visit As such, the County is committed to continuing its stewardship of a healthy ecosystem within a
growing, urban environment. The following water resource projects will advance the needs of the County and the region.
• Seek to initiate a Reconnaissance study for Collier County beaches to determine a federal interest in on -going renourishment
of County beaches.
• Continue to make the delegation aware of the County's federal funding needs for Vanderbilt Lagoon and Naples Bay
Restoration.
• Work with County partners to continue to establish water interconnect plans with Marco Island and the City of Naples.
• Expected population growth in the Orange Tree Public Works service area will necessitate eventual construction of new
water treatment and waste facilities.
• The Immokalee stormwater master plan is completed and the first of 8 phases /components is shovel ready and funded.
Planning grants are needed to get the rest of the plan shovel ready.
• Oppose the U.S. EPA's Numeric Nutrient Criteria Rule which requires unreasonable treatment costs to meet non scientific
water body nutrient levels.
• Support legislative initiatives that would increase local government access to government- backed low interest loans and
private capital for priorities including transportation and water infrastructure.
Potential Grant Opportunities: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Water and Wastewater Disposal Loans and Grants, EPA /Florida
DEP 319(h) Program
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3/13/2012 Item 11. D.
Health and Human Services
In 2010 and 2011 Collier County was ranked the healthiest county in the State of Florida in a study conducted by the University ofA*
Wisconsin and the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. To build upon this success, the County seeks to partner with the federal,s
government for implementation of the following projects:
• Expand upon successful local initiatives in the area of teen pregnancy prevention
• Development of a nurse practitioners/ home visiting model to encourage ER diversion, in particular in the areas of diabetes,
asthma, and hypertension.
Potential Grant Opportunities: CMS Health Innovations, Health and Rehabilitative Services Administration, and others
Recreation and Cultural Resources
The County's recreation and cultural facilities contribute to the health of the community's residents, enhance the integrity and
quality of the natural environment, and attract visitors to the community, thereby contributing to local tourism and
economic development. Federal support will further these efforts:
• Construction of additional amenities and access at Eagle Lakes Park and Big Corkscrew Park
• "Greening of Parks" sustainability initiative
• Freedom Memorial and Park Construction
• Establishment of dedicated federal funding streams for local parks and recreation facilities through legislative authorization
Potential Grant Opportunities: National Endowment for the Arts, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Recreational Trails Program,
and others
Energy and Sustainability
Collier County strives to be stewards of our resources and has taken many steps to become more conscientious in the areas of energy
use reduction, water conservation, and resource recovery. As the County works to fund these improvements, we also seek to partner
with the federal government on the following:
• Reclamation of additional landfills in environmentally sensitive areas
• Resource Recovery Park to attract private businesses that seek to do waste reuse work
• Compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion for waste collection vehicles
• Passage of legislation that would allow property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for their
homes and commercial buildings.
• Building support and an ongoing source of funding for the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Block Grants
Potential Grant Opportunities: Department of Energy Programs, EPA Brownfields, and US Economic Development Administration
Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness and Recovery
Through preparedness and response, the County is committed to the safety of its residents. The County would like additional support
in its efforts to:
• Purchase special support vehicles, breathing apparatus, and a Med Flight helicopter
• Secure increases in funding for FEMA's Emergency Management Performance Grants
• Ensure clarity regarding the eligibility for reimbursement of local government expenditures for removal of storm debris from
private property, including roadways in private or gated communities.
• Secure Approval of the County's 2nd Appeal of FEMA's determination on Project Worksheets 566 and 673 for over
$9,000,000 in coastal damages sustained from Tropical Storm Gabrielle
• Gain approval of FEMA Closeout Time Extension Requests for PW 1146 and PW 561
Potential Grant Opportunities: FEMA FIRE and SAFER Grants, State Homeland Security Grant Program and DoJ Byrne /JAG Program,
and others
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3/13/2012 Item 11.Q.
Economic Development
Business and industry thrive in Collier County, due to the excellent support facilities and infrastructure available to new and
expanding companies. With additional financial support, the County could accelerate and offer additional support to the following
endeavors:
The Immokalee Business Development Center, including a facility to provide leased space to nascent businesses
Infrastructure for a Cultural Facility and residential development within the Bayshore CRA
Hangars and facilities to support traffic generated by improved airfield infrastructure at Marco Island Airport
Potential Grant Opportunities: US Economic Development Administration, HHS Community Economic Development Program,
National Endowment for the Arts; HUD Programs, Safe Routes to Schools Program and Others
Aviation Infrastructure
The Collier County Airport Authority was created to oversee the development and management of three publicly owned general
aviation airports. Since its inception, the Airport Authority has transformed these airports into vibrant public use airports providing a
diverse range of services. Several pending projects will further advance the air transportation needs of present and future residents
and businesses of, and visitors to Collier County.
Design and rehabilitation of runways at Marco Island and Immokalee Airports
Taxiway extension at the Everglades City Airport
Upgrades to Security at Immokalee Regional Airport
Potential Grant Opportunities: Federal Aviation Administration, DoJ JAG /Byrne program, and others
Local Government Administration
The County is committed to the prevention of undue burdens being placed on local government, and requests support for the
funding, programs and people that are on the frontline of community and constituent service.
• Prevent passage of legislation that would exempt online tourism bookers from paying appropriate sales taxes to state and
local governments.
• Support legislation to provide units of general local government with funding to save and create local jobs through the
retention, restoration, or expansion of services needed by local communities
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