BCC Minutes 03/23/2005 TH (District 1)
March 23,2005
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER
COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
TOWNHALL MEETING-DISTRICT #1
Naples, Florida, March 23, 2005
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County District #1
Townhall Meeting in and for the County of Collier, having conducted
business herein, met on this date at 7:00 PM in at the East Naples
Community Park, East Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
CHAIRMAN: Commissioner Fred Coyle
Commissioner Donna Fiala
Commissioner James Coletta
Commissioner Tom Henning
Commissioner Frank Halas (Excused)
ALSO PRESENT: Jim Mudd, County Manager
Leo Ochs, Deputy County Manager
Norman Feder, Transportation Administrator
Joe Schmitt, DES
David Weigel, County Attorney
Len Golden Price, Administrative Services
Roy Anderson, Director of Engineering/Public Utilities
Marla Ramsey, Public Services Administrator
Diane Flagg, Alternative Transportation Modes
Don Scott, Transportation
Bob Tipton, Transportation Operations
Murdo Smith, Parks & Recreation
Margie Hapke, Public Info Coordinator/Public Utilities
Marilyn Matthes, Library Director
Ron Jamro, Museum Director
Janet Powers, Code Enforcement
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e1' County
Board of County Commissioners
District 1 Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
East Naples Community Park
3500 Thomasson Drive, Naples
HOSTED BY
Donna Fiala
Commissioner, District 1
Introduction and Pledge of Allegiance
1. Roads Update/Level of Service/Traffic Signal Timing
2. Greenways and Median Landscaping
3. Hurricane Preparedness
4. Water and Wastewater Plants
5. PUD Update
6. Code Enforcement
7. Parks, Libraries and Museums
Question and Answers
March 23,2005
The Townhall Meeting was hosted by Commissioner Donna Fiala and started at
7:00 PM with:
INTRODUCTIONS AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
1. Roads Update/Level of Service/Traffic Signal Timing - Norm Feder
Slide Presentation on the 5 years Work Program was given - some highlights:
· Rattlesnake Hammock - Collier Boulevard to Polly Avenue - 6 lanes
o Gave features and schedules
o Public Meeting ApriV05 to finish Summer/07
· County Barn - Davis Boulevard to Rattlesnake Hammock Road- 4 lanes
o Delayed 1 year due to Lely Storm Water project - Ricardo Va1era-
reported Corp. of Engineers are satisfied with all the concerns and will
issue permit to break ground this year. Took 14 years for permit.
o 60% plans 5/05 - start '06 & finish late '07
· Collier Blvd. - Davis to 41 - 6 lanes
o 60% Design 7/05 - finish 6/08
· Santa Barbara Blvd. - Davis to Rattlesnake - 4 lanes (can accommodate 6 lanes
in the future.
o Design fall '05 - design summer '06 - start '07 - finish fall '08
· Other Projects:
o Santa Barbara Boulevard & Radio Road
o Golden Gate Project
o 1-75 1nterchange/Overpass- under constructions
o Good1ette-Frank Road
o Pine Ridge Road to Vanderbilt Beach Road
o Vanderbilt Beach Road to Immokalee
o Logan Road to Bonita Beach Road
Level of Service - Don Scott - Director of Transportation Planning (Slide
Presentation)
· LOS - A through F is the grading levels
o A-B - free flowing
o C-D - friction - not as easy to change lanes.
o E-F - Can't change lanes & slower speed
· Covered Roadway variables - used in calculation on LOS
· Signal Variables - 1'2 mile spacing - cycle length
· Traffic Variables - there are many - peak hours (high percentages)
· Checkbook Concurrency - Total Volume and Capacity
Traffic SÌ1mal Timin/! - Bob Tipton -Traffic Operations (Slide Presentation)
· Phase I - 2000 started building traffic signal system - designed and funded by
FLDOT
· 55 intersections connected to central site computer - communicate with fiber
optic cables - 23 miles
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March 23,2005
· Phase II - 36 miles of conduit & installing 26 monitoring cameras bringing live
videos to the traffic operations center. Monitoring for traffic not moving etc. - an
alarm will be heard and will be able to check the cameras to see what the problem
is. Whatever it may be, they can make provisions for it.
· Installing Scoot system - "Split Cycle Offset Optimization Technique" used
in many places - collecting data constantly with a computer to derive the best
signal timing plan for that instant and time. This is being installed on 16
intersections - one is from Goodlette Frank Road to Logan Road due to the heavy
traffic and a few roads not under construction and already 6 lanes and will not go
any further.
2. Greenways and Median Landscaping - Diane Flagg (Slide Presentation)
· Showed examples of "Rails to Trails"
· Group - Southwest Florida Land Trust came up with the idea for the Greenway -
off North Road behind Naples Airport.
· Showed the Landscape Beautification Master Plan - 10 years for roadways - for
major arterials
· Showed Medians - Fountains - Trees
· Schedule for Master Plan - Implementation Plan given of many of the medians
· Explained the Lely MSTU - "Municipal Service Taxing Unit" (Have 7 in the
County at this time - The Glades are interested in doing their medians)
Jeff Klatzkow - Assistant County Attorney
· Ironwood Golf Course - in the process of being foreclosed. Lenders received
judgment for foreclosure, and not moved for auction as they are negotiating with
potential buyers. Hoping it will be resolved in a couple of weeks and the course
will be cleaned up and open next season.
3. Hurricane Preparedness - Jim von Rinteln - Emergency Management (Slide
Presentation)
· Showed several slides of last seasons hurricanes
· Showed storm surge map -District #1 is closest to the ocean and should be
prepared to evacuate
· Need a plan and being prepared is important
· Hurricane Charley was shown and told how lucky Collier County was
· Pictures of the difference in the building codes from the past and future
· This season predictions are: 11 named storms, 7 being Hurricanes with 2 being
major ones.
· Disaster Preparedness
o Stay or leave
o Don't take the announcements of evacuation lightly, safety first
o Complacency can kill
4. Water and Wastewater Plants - Roy Anderson - Public Utility Div. (Slide
Presentation)
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March 23,2005
· Mission of the Dept. - provide efficient, effective, responsible, reliable and high
quality utility services that exceed the customer's expectations.
· Gave priorities of which is foremost to stay in compliance.
· Gave the essential services - clean, safe drinking water and others.
· Customers - 48,200 potable water accounts - 49,700 waste water customers -
1,600 reclaimed water accounts (Golf courses and Assoc.)
· Covered the existing water facilities - (treatment plants, etc.)
· Wastewater Facilities and those planned for expansion and those that are at
capacity
· Showed water facilities & those planned for expansion
5. PUD Update - Joe Schmitt - (Slide Presentation)
· Gave an update on growth in District #1 - showed PUD map of the area
· Covered different Planned Unit Developments
· Covered the 951 - 1-75 Interchange area - Forest Glen (phantom dwelling units)
Lely - 10,000 units authorized -
· Many have blamed this Board for creating this - they were not created by this
Board - all the units were approved before they came into power or office. The
only two were Treviso Bay (Wentworth Estates) and Lands End that negotiated
changes. Another one is Copper Cove has been approved as a motorcoach park
but now residential.
· Staff is trying to manage the existing zonings and is tying to pull density away
from them.
Densitv and Densitv Bonus was explained:
· Base Density - 4 units per acre (Urban area)
· Coastal High hazard area - 3 units per acre.
· For a rezone - could come in for a density bonus - discussed mixed use,
affordable housing and commercial.
· Promoting infill
· Road access
· Transfer of Development rights and density Blending discussed
· Controlling the growth by density bonus'
6. Code Enforcement - Janet Powers - Code Enforcement Operations Manager
· The Board approved a long awaited Ordinance
o Deals with minimum housing, rental registration, property maintenance
etc.
o Have registered 6,500 rental units and many more to go
o She covered the minimum housing and commercial properties
o They have job po stings for investigators which will help
She discussed the Town Center in which they are dealing with the abandonment.
7. Parks, Libraries and Museums - Murdo Smith (Slide Presentation)
Covered the Current Projected projects:
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March 23,2005
o Skate Park
o East Naples Community Park - Expansion of the Community Center - 3,000 sq.
ft. - $880,000 - large portion was from a grant from HUD.
o New Soccer Field
o Eagles Lakes Community Park - in design and permitting
o Bayview Park - lots for boat trailers (possible shuttle to Keewaydin Island)
o Collier Blvd. Boating Park - adding parking spaces - $955,000 - complete fall
'06
o Goodland Boating Park - BCC approved conditional use - 75 boat spaces
o Mar-Good Resort - Goodland - closing on property in next few weeks - grant
from FL Community Trust for approx. $2M
o North Naples Regional Park - Livingston & Immoka1ee Road - 212 acres, site
cleared, 100 acres of Preserve/Wetlands, water park w/slides - soccer and softball
fields.
o Vanderbilt Parking Garage - 342 spaces - $7.6M approved - construction July
'05/Comp1etion 2/06
o 2/18/05 Department received accreditation from National Commission of
Accreditation of Park & Recreation Agencies in Washington DC.
Libraries - Marilvn Matthes - (Slide Presentation)
. East Naples branch - gave statistics - 6,600 sq. feet. (small)
. Proposed South Regional Library - 30,000 sq. feet on Lely Cultural
Parkway - 20 acres - possibly share with other government services - will
have ample parking.
· Showed first draft - working on site plan - 160 parking spaces
· Cost and Timeline given - $8.5M - applying for State Library
Construction Grant - if everything goes well, plan to finish 2008.
(Rest will come from impact fees)
Museums - Ron Jamro (Slide Presentation)
· Created museum - 1978
· Showed other museums
· Roberts Ranch - turn of the century cattle ranch in Immokalee (unique) Still
undergoing restoration
· New Exhibits - being upgraded - more dramatic and appealing to the public
· Showed different exhibits
· The Naples Depot newest building - 1927 first passenger train arrived in Naples -
Will move in April 1 st.
SPEAKERS
(Those speakinf! in support of Habitat for Humanitv and Affordable Housinf!)
Bob Hammond - East Naples - Not enough staff time spent on Affordable Housing.
Robert Gurnitz - Marco Island - San Marino Development
Dr. Sam Durso - Marco Island - Executive Director/Habitat for Humanity
Yolanda Herrera - Victoria Falls HOA - East Naples - a proud Habitat Homeowner
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March 23,2005
Ted Beisler - Growth that is good growth in the County, smart growth, infrastructure in
proper place, and supports affordable housing.
Larry Mitchell- 2 year resident - formed coalition - represents 28,000 residents, up-
zoning affordable housing in San Marino, density bonus - doesn't support it unless 951
can handle it. Additional traffic with Library, Hospital, Wal-Mart, Loews etc.
Ted DeGroot - asked why there is no Habitat for Humanity in Twin Eagles or Pelican
Bay. Also supported the light at DiVosta.
Hal Ousley - Lely Resort Board of Supervisors - asked if Ava Maria is a PUD and
have low cost housing.
Mr. Schmitt responded it is a DRI and will go before the BCC in July. Commissioner
Coletta stated 20% will go towards affordable housing and donating 28 acres in
Immokalee for Habitat for Humanity.
Commissioner Henning talked about an upcoming Affordable Housing Workshop
planned for May; Habitat in Golden Gate, development (San Marino) on 951 ifit goes
below level-of-service can't support it and reviewing all projects equally.
Commissioner Coletta and Commissioner Fiala had a dialogue concerning the
Affordable Housing, jobs, middle income people and the density bonus', Invited
everyone to attend the May workshop meeting.
(Those speakin/Z in support of a traffic IÌftht at Grand Lelv Drive and 951)
Robert Fisher - Chairman Lely Community District Board - getting a traffic light at
Grand Le1y Drive and 951.
Ken Drum - Discussed the hospital and medical center on 951 and afraid they will have
the road capacity "gobbled up" by up-zoning. Need more retail in East Naples.
Supported the light at Grand Lely Drive and 951 - need one right away.
Pauline Riemer - Verona Walk - Wants a traffic light.
Mary Delapp - Saratoga - in favor of the light at Lely & 951. She asked and
questioned when and what type of studies are being done.
Mr. Tipton gave the information she was asking for on the dates and times in March that
the studies were done. This is public information.
Ted Dwyer - Verona Walk - supports the light and want to consider safety.
Mr. Feder responded in order to have a signal it needs to meet warrants. Does not have
the traffic volume, but will continue to evaluate. Will put up a signal when it is
warranted, not before as it creates accidents and safety problems. The signal at
Vanderbilt Beach Road is temporary for safety because of the trucks hauling fill.
Bob Tipton responded counts were collected on March 3, 2005. The signal has to meet 8
hours of warrants and found it met 4 hours. They do not warrant signals on a number of
homes, it is a number of traffic. Until they do meet the warrants, they are not allowed to
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March 23,2005
install a traffic signal. One of three things needs to be met to warrant a signal i) amount
of traffic on a side street - 103 vehicles per hour, 2) if large amount of delay, study was
done and 3) the number of crashes - requires 5 preventable by a traffic signal. Last year
there were 2.
Donald Beitler - Riviera Colony - Intersection US 411Lakewood & Avalon. 2 lanes
with no median. Dangerous intersection. Needs to be widened.
Jack Huppee - Riviera Colony - Had question on Greenway - Diane Flagg will meet
with him and answer his questions.
Karen LaBanca - Speaking for Bob Murray - President East Naples Civic Åssn.
(Letter attached) - follow zoning.
Diane Taylor-Kersten - Riviera Golf Estates - Asked who is responsible for tearing
down the Mobile Station in Town Center. It is an eyesore.
Mr. Schmitt responded a new Ordinance is now in place for abandoned properties. Also
falls under the Property Maintenance Ordinance according to Janet Powers.
Procedures need to be followed and face EP A regulations.
John DelPreta - Bike & Hike Path - greenway concerns in Riviera Colony about their
security and hope for better communications on what will and will not be done. Would
like to see a security wall along the power line right-of-way.
Write In Question - asked about cutting the grass on the Ironwood golf course. Has
called Code Enforcement and stated they checked with staff legal and was decided not to
cut it. The County may not be paid or cut to the satisfaction of the property owner.
Stated it is a blight and fire possibilities. (Attached)
Jeff Klatzkow - Assistant County Attorney - responded they are hopeful the course
will be sold in a couple of weeks and will be cleaned up. Otherwise they are talking about
money. $5,000 per mow is not what the County wants to get into. They could do it with a
lien against the property and hopefully paid back to the County.
Janet Powers stated it is a violation of the weed Ordinance.
Mr. Schmitt remarked it is up to the BCC to decide and would have to use General Fund
money with a Budget Amendment.
It was decided to wait a couple more weeks to see if the sale is going through and then
look at it again and set up a regime.
Elysee Marshall - asked if anyone considered 6 or 8 satellite libraries in neighborhoods
rather than a mega library that will contribute to the traffic issues. Didn't favor the larger
libraries - would like to see them in neighborhoods and consider the needs of all.
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March 23,2005
Marilyn Matthes responded they formulated a plan for regional libraries instead of 4 or
5 smaller ones. Can staff regional libraries with less staff and operating expenses lower.
People prefer many services from their library and prefer a larger one for all the services
available.
Jean Paul- Pastor - Naples Housing - discussed apartments changing to
condominiums which force many from their homes. Need help from the County.
There being no further business for the good of the County, the Workshop
concluded at 10:02 PM.
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COLLIER COUNTY TOWNHALL MEETING
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Chairman ommissioner Fred~Yle
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