Agenda 06/14/2011 Item #10G
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6/14/2011 Item 10.G.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to approve the Conservation Collier Program Public Amenity Work Plan
OBJECTIVE: To ensure sufficient funds will be available to maintain all Conservation Collier
Preserves in perpetuity, while still providing appropriate public access.
CONSIDERATIONS: Conservation Collier's land management funds are finite. Interest revenue
generated from principal within the Conservation Collier Land Management Fund must fund
Conservation Collier's operating budget after tax revenue for the program ceases in FY13.
Reducing the principal within the Land Management Fund through construction of public
amenities will affect future Conservation Collier annual operating budgets.
In order to ensure sufficient management funds in perpetuity, on January 25, 2011, Agenda Item
lOB, the Board of County Commissioners (Board) suspended all Conservation Collier
acquisitions and directed the County Manager, or his designee, to prepare a Public Amenity
Master Plan for all Conservation Collier preserves. The attached Conservation Collier Program
Public Amenity Work Plan represents the Board requested Master Plan drafted by Conservation
Collier staff, based upon recommendations by the CCLAAC. The Work Plan is intended to be a
tool that will guide the construction of all future public access amenities within Conservation
Collier Preserves. On May 9,2011, the CCLAAC unanimously recommended the Work Plan for
Board approval.
FISCAL IMPACT: Construction of all Work Plan proposed public amenities will cost an
estimated $3,360,700. Funds will be budgeted within the Conservation Collier Land
Management Fund 174. Data gathered on management costs, coupled with revenue forecasts
and future interest rate projections indicate that sufficient funds will be available to maintain all
Conservation Collier Preserves in perpetuity after the construction of all Work Plan proposed
amenities. Additionally, staffwill continue to seek grant funding to assist in reducing costs.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This Executive Summary has been reviewed by the County
Attorney's Office and has been found legally sufficient. A majority vote is required to approve
this item. - STW
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated with
this item.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners approves the Conservation Collier
Program Public Amenity Work Plan.
Prepared By: Melissa Hennig, Principal Environmental Specialist, Facilities Management
Department
Attachments: 1. Conservation Collier Program Public Amenity Work Plan
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6/14/2011 Item 10.G.
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number:
Item Summary:
Amenity Work Plan
Meeting Date:
10.G.
Recommendation to approve the Conservation Collier Program Public
6/14/2011
Prepared By
Name: HennigMeIissa
Title: Environmental Specialist, Principal,Facilities Management
5/24/2011 4:47:58 PM
Submitted by
Title: Environmental Specialist, Principal,Facilities Management
Name: HennigMelissa
5/24/2011 4:47:59 PM
Approved By
Name: SmithKristen
Title: Administrative Secretary,Risk Management
Date: 5/31/2011 9:47:23 AM
Name: CampSkip
Title: Director - Facilities Management,FaciJities Manage
Date: 5/31/2011 10:00:47 AM
Name: PriceLen
Title: Administrator - Administrative Services,
Date: 6/1/2011 11:42:10 AM
Name: WiIliamsSteven
Title: Assistant County Attorney,County Attorney
Date: 6/1 /20 11 1 :59:56 PM
Name: KJatzkowJeff
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Title: County Attorney,
Date: 6/1/2011 3:39:58 PM
Name: StanleyTherese
Title: ManagementlBudget Analyst, Senior,Office of Management & Budget
Date: 6/5/2011 7:29:27 PM
Name: OchsLeo
Title: County Manager
Date: 6/6/2011 10:42:31 AM
Packet Page -603-
6/14/2011 Item 10.G.
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6/14/2011 Item 10.G.
Conservation Collier ProQram Public Amenity Work Plan - May 2011
Introduction:
The Conservation Collier Program is responsible for implementing the mandate of the
electorate of Collier County as provided by public referendum votes in November, 2002,
and again in November, 2006 confirming that mandate, to levy a 0.25 mill ad valorem
property tax for a period not to exceed 10 years for acquisition, protection, restoration,
and management of environmentally sensitive lands in Collier County for the benefit of
present and future generations. A nine (9) member citizen's advisory committee named
the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (CCLAAC) was
appointed in early 2003 to make recommendations to the Board of County
Commissioners on land purchases and program policies. Members are appointed for 3
year terms. The CCLAAC currently has 8 active members.
Conservation Collier has been implementing its mandate for 8 years. During this time
period 4,046 acres have been acquired in 19 different locations for a cost of
approximately $104.2 million. A total of $47,332,251 has been bonded for use in
property acquisition, via bonds in 2004 and 2008. Two approved multi-parcel projects,
Winchester Head and North Golden Gate Estates Unit 53, have been ongoing but are
currently suspended.
Per the Conservation Collier Ordinance (2007-65, Section 2), the main objective of
Conservation Collier is to acquire, preserve, restore, and maintain vital and significant
threatened natural lands, forest, upland and wetland communities located in Collier
County, for the benefit of present and future generations. However, one ancillary
purpose of the Program is "to have the acquired sites available, with minimal risk to the
environmental integrity of the site, to educate Collier County's school-age population
and the general public about the uniqueness and importance of Collier County's
subtropical ecosystems and natural communities" (Collier County Ordinance 2007-65,
Section 4.10.). The following document is intended to be a tool that will guide the
construction of all future public access amenities within Conservation Collier Preserves.
After reviewing the public access land management activities that remain to be
implemented for each preserve, the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory
Committee (CCLAAC) categorized each preserve based upon its existing and proposed
public access amenities. The "Conservation Collier Preserve Public Amenity Matrix"
(Exhibit A) identifies all public amenities - existing and proposed - at all 19 Conservation
Collier Preserves, and categorizes each preserve into 1 of 5 categories. Additionally,
the CCLAAC created a "Conservation Collier Public Amenity Priority List" (Exhibit B).
This list represents not only the public amenities recommended at each preserve, but
also the priority in which these public amenities should be constructed.
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6/14/2011 Item 10.G.
With t~e exception Gordon River Greenway Preserve and Pepper Ranch Preserve, .
which ~re anticipated to receive a high volume of public visitation, the improvements
proposrd at each preserve represent the minimum amenities necessary to provide safe
and economically feasible public access.
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BaCkQfound:
As ma~dated by Collier County Ordinance 2007-65, 15% of ad valorem taxes received
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throug~ the Conservation Collier Program have been placed into a "Land Management
Fund" ;:1nnually since FY 2003. This 15% transfer will continue annually until collection
of ad valorem taxes for the Program sunsets in FY 2013. The "Land Management
Fund" lis separate and distinct from the Conservation Collier "Land Acquisition Fund"
and is i intended to generate enough interest annually so that only the interest will be
used to fund recurring annual management activities at all Conservation Collier
preserVes in perpetuity.
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In Jun~ 2009, data gathered on management costs, coupled with revenue forecasts and
future ~nterest rate projections, suggested that there would be insufficient funds in the
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"Land [Management Fund" to complete all Board approved land management activities
and p6tential public access improvements. CCLAAC budget workshops were held to
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discus~ long term maintenance funding for Conservation Collier preserves during the .
July 1~, 2009 and September 14, 2009, CCLAAC meetings. As a result of these
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works~ops, on May 25,2010, Agenda Item 16E2, the Board of County Commissioners
author/zed a transfer of up to an additional $10.3 million, above the ordinance mandated
15% df ad valorem taxes, from the "Land Acquisition Fund" to the "Land Management
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Fund" !during FY2011 - FY2013 to ensure land management funding in perpetuity.
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In Noyember 2010, the Collier County Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
recommended that projected future interest rates be revised downward. These
revisiqns severely impacted the projected "Land Management Fund" balance. Because
of thi~ situation and in order to ensure sufficient management funds in perpetuity, on
JanuarY 25, 2011, Agenda Item 10B, the Board: directed the County Manager, or his
desigl'1lee, to prepare a Public Amenity Master Plan for all Conservation Collier
preserves, suspended all Conservation Collier acquisitions until a Master Plan is
approVed by the Board, and approved the Conservation Collier Cycle 8 Active
Acqui~ition List for purchase when funds are available. This Public Amenity Work Plan
repre~ents the Board requested Master Plan drafted by Conservation Collier staff based
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upon recommendations by the CCLAAC.
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conserjvation Collier Public Amenity Work Plan - May 2011
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6/14/2011 Item 10.G.
. Preserve Cate~ories:
Conservation Collier Ordinance 2007-65 defines natural resource-based recreation as,
"all forms of uses which are consistent with the goals of this program and are
compatible with the specific parcel. Such uses shall include but not be limited to hiking,
nature photography, bird watching, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, hunting and fishing."
To date, the Conservation Collier Program manages 19 separate preserves throughout
the County, eight of which are officially open to the public. See Exhibit A. Recreational
opportunities offered at these open preserves are compatible and appropriate to their
location, hydrology and plant communities. Additionally, the natural resource-based
recreational opportunities coincide with the approved Land Management Plans of these
preserves. The "Conservation Collier Preserve Public Amenity Matrix" (Exhibit A)
identifies all public amenities, existing and proposed, at all 19 Conservation Collier
Preserves, and categorizes each preserve into 1 of 5 categories. Category descriptions
are provided below. Regardless of category, preserves may be closed to the general
public when deemed appropriate by staff (i.e., conducting a prescribed burn, after storm
events, debris removal, levels of unusually high water, days when hunting is permitted,
etc.).
. Cateaorv 1 - Primary Use Preserve
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Easily accessible and enough space to construct parking on or near the parcel
and other amenities such as restrooms may be available on or near the preserve.
ADA accessibility (parking and trails) will be provided.
May have a daily staff presence (as appropriate) and staff is available to conduct
interpretive tours of the preserve by request.
Occasional field trips and/or educational programs may be provided.
Natural resource-based recreational opportunities offered will correspond with
the preserve's approved Land Management Plan.
Marked trails and interpretive materials will be available on-site.
Capital improvements, such as boardwalks, canoe/kayak, launches, overlooks,
picnic benches, and bike racks will be provided for visitors where feasible.
Will be open to the public during daytime hours, unless special arrangements are
made.
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Conservation Collier Public Amenity Work Plan - May 2011
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6/14/2011 Item 10.G.
CateGa'rv 2 - Intermediate Use Preserve
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I[-Ias space to provide limited parking on or near the parcel without degrading the
~ydrology and plant communities and may be conducive to providing a primitive
~rail system. In such cases, an unimproved trailhead may be provided.
Additional natural resource-based recreational opportunities may be offered
yvhere feasible and will correspond with the preserve's approved Land
fv1anagement Plan.
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~estrooms may be provided on or near the site where feasible.
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Will not have a daily staff presence but staff will be available to conduct
,nterpretive tours of the preserve by request.
!Interpretive signs, brochures, picnic tables and bike racks may be present.
! Will be open to the public during daytime hours, unless special arrangements
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lare made.
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CateG~rv 3 - NeiGhborhood (Limited Use) Preserve
. !Intended to be a "neighborhood" preserve. There is no space available for
!parking for either ecological, access, or safety reasons. Members of the public
iwho would like to visit may have to walk or bike a distance from public parking
iareas.
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iNo restroom facilities will be available.
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I Primitive trails will be provided.
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!Interpretive signs, brochures, picnic tables and bike racks may be present.
iAdditional natural resource-based recreational opportunities may be offered
i where feasible and will correspond with the preserve's approved Land
i Management Plan.
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! Staff will be present for periodic site inspections and at other times as necessary
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i Staff will be available to conduct interpretive tours of the preserve by request.
! Will be open to the public during daytime hours.
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Consertvation Collier Public Amenity Work Plan - May 2011
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6/14/2011 Item 10.G.
. Cateaorv 4 - Seasonal Use Preserve
· Parking may be available for the public on or near the site.
· Seasonal (usually winter months), marked, primitive trails will be available during
appropriate times of the year.
· Restroom facilities may be available.
· Interpretive signs, brochures, bike racks may be present.
· Additional natural resource-based recreational opportunities may be offered
where feasible and will correspond with the preserve's approved Land
Management Plan.
· Staff will be present for periodic site inspections and at other times as necessary
for the proper management of the preserve.
· Staff will be available to conduct interpretive tours of the preserve by request.
· Will be open to the public seasonally and only during daytime hours. The public
is advised to check with Conservation Collier staff or on the Conservation Collier
website for up-to-date information.
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Cateaorv 5 - Resource Protection/Restoration Use Preserve
· Provide no public access. Public access may not be feasible due to the lack of
physical and legal access or where the land stewardship activities could create
unsafe conditions for the public.
· No restrooms or marked trails will be offered.
· Staff will be present for periodic site inspections and at other times as necessary
for the proper management of the preserve.
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Conservation Collier Public Amenity Work Plan - May 2011
Packet Page -608-
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6/14/2011 Item 10.G.
. Preserve Public Amenity Priorities
Assuming current proposed revenue, interest, inflation, and management costs are
accurate; approximately $6.93 million is estimated to be available within the "Land
Acquisition Fund" in FY 2014 for a potential sweep into the "Land Management Fund" to
ensure all land management activities in perpetuity. See Table 1.
Because ad valorem tax revenue, interest rates, inflation rates, and management costs
are ever changing variables, a Conservation Collier Public Amenity Priority List was
created (Exhibit B). This list will guide staff to complete the preserve amenities in the
order of Board directed priority. It is possible that revenue and expense variables may
change in future years, causing a short-fall in the "Land Management Fund" and
resulting in fewer public amenities being constructed on Conservation Collier Preserves.
The Public Amenity Priority List will ensure that public amenities with the highest
importance are completed first in the event that some public amenities cannot be
constructed.
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Once the Gordon River Greenway and Pepper Ranch construction costs are known,
proposed ad valorem tax revenue, interest rates, and inflation rates will be analyzed
again. If a large potential "Land Acquisition Fund" surplus is projected for FY 2014, the
CCLAAC will make a recommendation to either acquire land from the Board approved
Active Acquisition List or transfer the surplus to the "Land Management Fund" to ensure
land management activities in perpetuity.
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Conservation Collier Public Amenity Work Plan - May 2011
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6/14/2011 Item 10.G.
Table 1 - Land Acquisition Fund Projected Revenues and Expenses
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1f=Yj'1.~,~:J;3WJitb~:.pehfSeT4es;p.;:iiiHiilreY~~:-: ,;'-:,: " " ~' .
Total Re~enue
BOND
PREPAYMENT
(Thru 9/30/11) (Thru 9/30/12) (Thru 9/30/13)
BUDGET PROPOSED PROPOSED PROPOSED
TAX YR 2010 TAX YR 2010 TAX YR 2011 TAX YR 2012
FY 2011 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013
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$6,824,000 $6,942,600 $469,795 $3,969,593
$6,233,700 $5,883,500 1 $10,131,400 3 $10,131,400 3
$105,800 $61,095 $4,698 $39,696
$91,000 $91,000 $91,000 $91,000
($311,700) ($506,600) ($506,600)
$12,942,800 $12,978,195 $10,696,893 $14,231,689
Revenue
Canyforwa!rd (Beginning Fund Balance)
Re\enue -lA.d Valorem
Revenue L Interest
Re\enue -!Transfers & Contributions
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Re\enue - iResel\e
Expenditure
Expenditure - Personal Sen.4ces & Operations
Expenditures - Capital & Remittances
Expenditure - Transfer to Fund 174
Expenditure - Other Transfers
Expenditure - Resel\es
Expenditu:re - Debt Prepayment
i Estimated Carryforward
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$658,300 $509,400
$2,967,200 $213,000
$6,103,100 $4.193,900 2
$265,300 $265,300
$2,948,900 5250.000
$7,076,800 4
$12,942,800 $12,508,400
SO $469,795
$433,500
$0
6,023,100
$270,700
$509,400
$500,000
$6,023,100
$270,700
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Total Expenditures
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$6,727,300
$7,303,200
$3.969,593
$6,928.500
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Projected Amount for potential sweep from Fund 172 to Fund 174 at sunset of tax le"Y.
1 - A TV (($61,439,779,385*(.100811000)*.95)
2 _ Assumes 15% transfer to Maint. Fund 174. The add't $3,900,000 not transferred due to bond prepayment
3 _ ATV (($59,596,586,003*(.170011000) Assumes ATV for FY12 at 3% down and FY13,ftat.
4 - Estimated. Actual amount to be determined at prepayment.
Projected Millage Rates
FY12 & FY13
Bond 2005 0.0800
Bond 200B 0.0000
Acq Fund 172 0.1700
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conse7ation Collier Public Amenity Work Plan - May 2011
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6/14/2011 Item 10.G.
. Exhibit B - Conservation Collier Public Amenity Priority List
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Estimated
year of
Priority Preserve Ammenities Estimated Cost construction
1 Gordon River Greenway ADA boarwalk, ADA trails, pedestrian $1,642,500
bridge
ADA parking, ADA bathroom with .
2 Pepper Ranch showers, ADA trails, security gates, $712,500
primitive camping, law enforcement FY 2012
3 Caracara Prairie Primitive trails that connect to $20,000
adjacent SFWMD trails
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4 Nancy Payton ADA parking, ADA trails, primitive $37,100
trails
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5 Mcllvane Marsh Signage $800 FY 2013
5 Red Maple Swamp Signage $800
5 Winchester Head Signage $800
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8 Rivers Road . ADA parking: ADA trails, primitive $82,500 FY 2014
trails
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9 Pepper Ranch - LAKE PLAlFORM ADA boardwalk and observation $95,500
platform overlooking Lake Trafford
10 Wet Woods Primitive trails. $10,000
11 Railhead Scrub ADA parking, ADA trails, primitive $128,180 FY 2017
trails
12 Gordon River Greenway Bridge - ADA bridge on City of Naples portion $630,000 FY 2018
CITY OF NAPLES of the Greenway
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Conservation Collier Public Amenity Work Plan - May 2011
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6/14/2011 Item 10.G.
Map 1 Conservation Collier Preserves by Commission District
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C~nservation Collier Preserves by Commission District
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Pepper Ranch
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4
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Freedom Park
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Gordon River
Greenway
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Shell Island
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i Otter Mound
Preserves
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W+E
S
- Roads
.. Conservation Collier Preserve
[3 Commission Districts
- Category 1 Preserve
- Category 2 Preserve
CO"",,"..'" Category 3 Preserve
- Category 4 Preserve
- Category 5 Preserve
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Source. [Parcels - 2010 Property Appraiser Data
G:Cons$rvalion Collier/maps/Acquired PropertyJPreserves by Districtmxd
Create ~y M.Hennig
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conse1ation Collier Public Amenity Work Plan - May 2011
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