BCC Minutes 07/25/2023July 25, 2023
Page 1
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Naples, Florida, July 25, 2023
LET IT BE REMEMBERED that the Board of County
Commissioners, in and for the County of Collier, and also acting as
the Board of Zoning Appeals and as the governing board(s) of such
special districts as have been created according to law and having
conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 a.m., in
REGULAR SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex,
East Naples, Florida, with the following Board members present:
Chairman: Rick LoCastro
Chris Hall
Dan Kowal
William L. McDaniel, Jr.
Burt L. Saunders (Absent)
ALSO PRESENT:
Amy Patterson, County Manager
Daniel Rodriguez, Deputy County Manager
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
Crystal K. Kinzel, Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Troy Miller, Communications & Customer Relations
Robert Eble, Communications & Customer Relations
Page 1
July 25, 2023
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Community Redevelopment Agency Board (CRAB)
Airport Authority
AGENDA
Board of County Commission Chambers
Collier County Government Center
3299 Tamiami Trail East, 3rd Floor
Naples, FL 34112
July 25, 2023
9:00 AM
Commissioner Rick LoCastro, District 1; – Chair
Commissioner Chris Hall, District 2; – Vice Chair
Commissioner Burt Saunders, District 3
Commissioner Dan Kowal, District 4; – CRAB Co-Chair
Commissioner William L. McDaniel, Jr., District 5; – CRAB Co-Chair
NOTICE: ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
MUST REGISTER PRIOR TO PRESENTATION OF THE AGENDA ITEM
TO BE ADDRESSED. ALL REGISTERED SPEAKERS WILL RECEIVE
UP TO THREE MINUTES UNLESS THE TIME IS ADJUSTED BY THE
CHAIRMAN. ADDITIONAL MINUTES MAY BE CEDED TO AN IN-
PERSON SPEAKER BY OTHER REGISTERED SPEAKERS WHO MUST
BE PRESENT AT THE TIME THE SPEAKER IS HEARD. NO PUBLIC
SPEAKERS WILL BE HEARD FOR PROCLAMATIONS,
PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC PETITIONS. SPEAKERS ON
PRESENTATIONS ARE LIMITED TO 10 MINUTES, UNLESS
EXTENDED BY THE CHAIRMAN. ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK
ON A CONSENT ITEM MUST REGISTER PRIOR TO THE BOARD’S
APPROVAL OF THE DAY’S CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH IS HEARD AT
THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING FOLLOWING THE PLEDGE OF
Page 2
July 25, 2023
ALLEGIANCE.
ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON PUBLIC PETITION
MUST SUBMIT THE REQUEST IN WRITING TO THE COUNTY
MANAGER AT LEAST 13 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE
MEETING. THE REQUEST SHALL PROVIDE DETAILED
INFORMATION AS TO THE NATURE OF THE PETITION. THE
PUBLIC PETITION MAY NOT INVOLVE A MATTER ON A FUTURE
BOARD AGENDA AND MUST CONCERN A MATTER IN WHICH THE
BOARD CAN TAKE ACTION. PUBLIC PETITIONS ARE LIMITED TO
A SINGLE PRESENTER, WITH A MAXIMUM TIME OF TEN MINUTES,
UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE CHAIRMAN. SHOULD THE PETITION
BE GRANTED, THE ITEM WILL BE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA
FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON GENERAL TOPICS
NOT ON THIS AGENDA OR A FUTURE AGENDA MUST REGISTER TO
SPEAK PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE
AGENDA BEING CALLED BY THE CHAIRMAN. SPEAKERS WILL BE
LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES, AND NO ADDITIONAL MINUTES
MAY BE CEDED TO THE SPEAKER. AT THE CHAIRMAN’S
DISCRETION, THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC SPEAKERS MAY BE
LIMITED TO 5 FOR THAT MEETING.
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS
BOARD WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDING PERTAINING
THERETO, AND THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A
VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH
RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH
THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.
COLLIER COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. 2003-53 AS AMENDED BY
ORDINANCE 2004-05 AND 2007-24, REQUIRES THAT ALL LOBBYISTS
SHALL, BEFORE ENGAGING IN ANY LOBBYING ACTIVITIES
(INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ADDRESSING THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS), REGISTER WITH THE CLERK TO THE
BOARD AT THE BOARD MINUTES AND RECORDS DEPARTMENT.
IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS ANY
ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS
Page 3
July 25, 2023
PROCEEDING, YOU ARE ENTITLED, AT NO COST TO YOU, THE
PROVISION OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE
COLLIER COUNTY FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DIVISION LOCATED
AT 3335 EAST TAMIAMI TRAIL, SUITE 1, NAPLES, FLORIDA, 34112-
5356, (239) 252-8380; ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES FOR THE
HEARING IMPAIRED ARE AVAILABLE IN THE FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT DIVISION.
LUNCH RECESS SCHEDULED FOR 12:00 NOON TO 1:00 P.M.
1. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A. Invocation by Reverend Gleb McFatter, St. Demetrius Orthodox
Church.
2. AGENDA AND MINUTES
A. Approval of today's regular, consent and summary agenda as amended
(Ex Parte Disclosure provided by Commission members for consent
agenda.)
B. June 27, 2023, Board Meeting Minutes
3. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
A. EMPLOYEE
1) 20 YEAR ATTENDEES
a) Patricia MacNicol, Utilities Finance Operations
2) 25 YEAR ATTENDEES
a) Robert Von Holle, Wastewater
3) 30 YEAR ATTENDEES
4) 35 YEAR ATTENDEES
a) Tania Delgado, Transportation Engineering
Page 4
July 25, 2023
B. ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
C. RETIREES
D. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
4. PROCLAMATIONS
5. PRESENTATIONS
A. Recommendation to hear a presentation from Robert Lucius, Ph.D.,
Executive Director of the CREW Land & Water Trust. (Sponsored by
Commissioner McDaniel)
6. PUBLIC PETITIONS
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS NOT ON THE
CURRENT OR FUTURE AGENDA
8. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
9. ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS
10. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
A. Recommendation to waive the reconsideration requirements for Item
11E, from the April 25, 2023, meeting of the Board of County
Commissioners, and consider approving an Agreement for Sale and
Purchase with WISC Investment Company, LLC, for 0.39 acres under
the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Program, at a cost not to
exceed $432,600, based on the commitment by the City of Marco
Island to fund $10,000 of the acquisition. (Sponsored by
Commissioner LoCastro) (All Districts)
11. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT
A. This item to be heard at 9:30 AM. Recommendation to approve a
Mediated Settlement Agreement with Manhattan Construction
(Florida), Inc., concerning Agreement No. 17-7108, as amended,
Page 5
July 25, 2023
pertaining to the construction of the Paradise Coast Sports Park,
and to authorize the Chairman to sign the attached Mediated
Settlement Agreement. (Ed Finn, Deputy County Manager)
(District 3, District 5)
B. Recommendation to hear a presentation regarding FY 2024 budget
development compliance. (Christopher Johnson, Director - Corporate
Financial and Management Services) (All Districts)
12. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
13. OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
14. AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND/OR COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
A. AIRPORT
B. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
15. STAFF AND COMMISSION GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS
A. Public comments on general topics not on the current or future agenda
by individuals not already heard during previous public comments in
this meeting.
B. Staff Project Updates
C. Staff and Commission General Communications
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. CONSENT AGENDA - All matters listed under this item are considered
to be routine and action will be taken by one motion without separate
discussion of each item. If discussion is desired by a member of the
Board, that item(s) will be removed from the Consent Agenda and
considered separately.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
Page 6
July 25, 2023
1) Recommendation to direct staff to advertise an Ordinance
adding a non-voting member of the Affordable Housing
Advisory Committee (AHAC) to the Development Services
Advisory Committee (DSAC). (All Districts)
2) Recommendation to approve final acceptance and accept the
conveyance of the potable water and sewer utility facilities for
Esplanade at Hacienda Lakes Phase 3, PL20190000415, and
authorize the County Manager, or designee, to release the Final
Obligation Bond in the total amount of $4,000 to the Project
Engineer or the Developer’s designated agent. (District 1)
3) Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the potable
water utility facilities for Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt
Building 900 (Phase 2B), PL20230008573. (District 2)
4) Recommendation to approve final acceptance of the potable
water and sewer utility facilities and accept the conveyance of
the potable water and sewer facilities for Terreno at Valencia
Golf and Country Club Phase 1B-1 and 1B-2, PL20230005122.
(District 5)
5) Recommendation to authorize the Clerk of Courts to
release a Performance Bond in the amount of $205,800 which
was posted as a development guaranty for an Early Work
Authorization (EWA) for work associated with Esplanade by
the Islands – Phase 3, PL20220007192. (District 1)
6) Recommendation to authorize the Clerk of Courts to release a
Performance Bond in the amount of $25,000 which was posted
as a guarantee for Excavation Permit Number PL20220004553
for work associated with Naples Grande Country Club 18-Hole
Golf Course – Lake #4 Modifications. (District 4)
7) Recommendation to approve an Agreement for the Purchase of
two (2) parcels totaling 6.95 acres from Silvia M. Arias, under
the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Program, at a cost
not to exceed $118,600. (District 5)
8) Recommendation to approve an Agreement for Purchase with
Page 7
July 25, 2023
1) Maurice J. Vaz and Alinda Vaz; 2) Andrea Repola Braffman
and Mary Hayes-Macaluso; and 3) Richard Franklin Berman,
Trustee of The Richard Franklin Berman Revocable Trust of
2012, under the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition
Program, at a cost not to exceed $131,542. (District 5)
9) Recommendation for the Board of County Commissioners to
authorize a Budget Amendment in the amount of $91,437.50
within the Conservation Collier Maintenance Fund (1062) for
the Railhead Scrub Preserve gopher tortoise habitat
enhancement project. (All Districts)
B. TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
1) Recommendation to approve a one-time acquisition of
proprietary software and upgraded components for the Activu
Video Wall situated in the Collier County Traffic Management
Center in the amount of $78,830.01 from Activu Corporation,
as an exemption from the competitive process, and to authorize
staff to open a standard Board approved purchase order in that
amount. (Project #60172) (All Districts)
2) Recommendation to authorize the after-the-fact payment in the
amount of $10,355.50 to Vulcan, Inc., for replacement of
Emergency location identification R-Monument markers which
were damaged or lost during Hurricane Ian and make a finding
that this expenditure promotes tourism (Fund 1105, Project No.
50280) (All Districts)
3) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to
execute Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 20CO1 with the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of
Beaches and Coastal Systems Beach Management Funding
Assistance Program and make a finding that this item promotes
tourism. (All Districts)
4) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to
execute the submittal of the Local Government Funding
Request (LGFR) Beach Project Applications to the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for Fiscal
Page 8
July 25, 2023
Year 2024/2025. (All Districts)
5) Recommendation to ratify administratively approved Change
Order No. 1 adding 105 days for inspection services Task 1-2
and 72 days for inspection services Task 3-5 under Agreement
No. 21-7880, “CEI Services for Golden Gate Parkway over
Santa Barbara Canal Bridge Replacement,” with Hardesty &
Hanover Construction Services, LLC, and authorize the
Chairman to sign the attached Change Order. (Project Number
66066.16). (District 3)
6) Recommendation to approve administratively approved Change
Order No. 1 under Agreement No. 21-7900, “Design Services
for Stormwater Improvements for the BCG & CC/CCN Areas,”
with Hole Montes, Inc., authorize the Chairman to sign the
attached Change Order, and approve the after-the-fact payment
of invoices totaling $13,015. (District 2, District 4)
7) Recommendation to award Work Order for a Request for
Quotation (“RFQ”) under Agreement No. 20-7800, “Goodland
Drive Culvert Replacement,” to Quality Enterprises USA, Inc.,
in the amount of $842,418.35, authorize the Chairman to sign
the attached Work Order, and authorize the necessary Budget
Amendments. (Project Number 50238) (District 1)
C. PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
1) Recommendation to approve a Second Amendment to
Agreement No. 18-7424, “Hazardous Materials Management,”
with US Ecology Tampa, Inc., to exercise the final renewal
term, incorporate a revised fee schedule, and authorize the
Chairman to sign the attached amendment. (All Districts)
2) Recommendation to approve the First Amendment to
Agreement No. 22-8000, “Quicklime Supply for Collier
County,” with Lhoist North America of Alabama, LLC,
(“Lhoist”) to increase the fee schedule prices (Exhibit B of
Agreement). (District 3)
3) Recommendation to authorize a Budget Amendment in the
Page 9
July 25, 2023
amount of $881,250 to maintain compliance and continue
funding daily operations within the Water/Sewer Operating
budget (Fund 4008) (All Districts)
D. PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT
1) Recommendation to approve and authorize a Budget
Amendment to recognize interest earned, in the amount of
$1,093.91, for the period of October 2022 through December
2022 on advanced library funding received from the Florida
Department of State to support library services for the use of
Collier County residents. (Public Service Match Fund 1840)
(All Districts)
2) Recommendation to authorize a Budget Amendment in the
amount of $56,694.47 needed within the Community & Human
Services Client Assistance Medicaid Billing to provide for
Collier County’s increased Medicaid Cost Share Billing
required obligation due for July, August, and September 2023
to the Department of Revenue, pursuant to F.S. section
409.915 (0001). (All Districts)
3) Recommendation to approve an after-the-fact contract
Amendment between the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest
Florida, Inc., and Collier County Services for Seniors to
decrease the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program
FY22 contract amount by $81,823.89. Approve the FY23 funds
award amount of $100,000, change the contract end date to
June 30, 2024, allow for revisions to the Budget Summary, and
authorize the supporting Budget Amendment for $100,000.
(Human Services Grant Fund 1837) (All Districts)
4) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to
sign the First Amendment to the subrecipient agreement
between Collier County and Housing Development Corporation
of SW Florida, Inc., d/b/a HELP to amend the quarterly
performance outcomes. (Housing Grant Fund 1835)
(All Districts)
5) Recommendation for the Board of County Commissioners to
Page 10
July 25, 2023
approve Amendment Eight to the State and Local Fiscal
Recovery Fund Plan, approve a reallocation of funds among
projects and revise Key Performance Indicators, and authorize
the County Manager or designee to submit the annual
performance plan and to execute any sub-award agreements and
payment requests necessary to distribute reimbursement for
expenses to eligible parties (All Districts)
6) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to
sign the third Amendment between Collier County and Collier
Health Services, Inc., d/b/a Healthcare Network for the
administration of the Community Development Block Grant -
CV program with an increase of funding in the amount of
$125,625 to support staff salaries of Community Health
Workers. (Grant Fund 1835) (All Districts)
7) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to
sign a Landlord Payment Agreement between Collier
County and Wild Pines Owner LLC, Wild Pines TIC II
Owner LLC and Wild Pines TIC III Owner LLC, allowing the
Community and Human Services Division (CHS) to administer
the Rapid Re-Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program
through the Emergency Solutions and Rapid Unsheltered
Survivor Housing Grants Program (ESG and ESG RUSH).
(Housing Grant Fund 1835 and Housing Match Fund 1836)
(All Districts)
E. CORPORATE BUSINESS OPERATIONS
F. COUNTY MANAGER OPERATIONS
1) Recommendation to ratify the administratively approved
Change Order No. 9, adding ninety (90) days under Agreement
No. 18-7469, “CEI for Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park”
project, with WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc., and
authorize the Chairman to sign the attached change order.
(Project No. 80039.1.3) (This Item a Companion to #16F2)
(District 5)
2) Recommendation to ratify administratively approved Change
Page 11
July 25, 2023
Order No. 9, providing for a 90-day extension under Agreement
No. 16-6622, “Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park,” with Q.
Grady Minor & Associates, P.A., and authorize the Chairman to
sign the attached change order. (Project No. 80039) (This Item
a companion to #16F1) (District 5)
3) Recommendation to extend the Immokalee Impact Fee
Installment Payment Pilot Program, which provides for
installment payments of impact fees for new construction
located within the Immokalee Community Redevelopment
Area, for five years and modify the payment terms to determine
if such changes improve program participation. (District 5)
4) Recommendation to direct the County Attorney to advertise
and bring back for a public hearing an amendment to the
"Regulation of Outdoor Burning and Incendiary Devices
during Drought Conditions Ordinance" (Ord. 2009-23, as
amended) in order to authorize the Chair or, in his or her
absence, the Vice-Chair to revoke an existing Burn Ban by
Resolution, to be brought to the Board at its next regular
meeting. (All Districts)
5) Recommendation to adopt a Resolution and to approve a
License Agreement for Construction Storage for Haskins, Inc.,
for the Palm River Public Utilities Renewal project, areas 1 &
2, to utilize County-owned property. (District 2)
6) Recommendation to authorize the after-the-fact payment of
Work/Purchase Order No. 4500223154 to Earth Tech
Environmental, LLC, in the amount of $6,642.50 in
connection with a protected species survey and environmental
permitting services provided under Contract No. 18-7432-EV,
which were necessary in connection with the ongoing project at
the former Golden Gate Golf Course, and to ratify/approve and
accept staff’s January 30, 2023, email to Earth Tech to serve as
the official Notice to Proceed initiating services for the
performance of services in the not to exceed quoted amount of
$23,520.00 under that Work/Purchase Order. (District 3)
7) Recommendation to adopt a Resolution approving amendments
Page 12
July 25, 2023
(appropriating grants, donations, contributions, or insurance
proceeds) to the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Adopted Budget. (The
Budget Amendments in the attached Resolution have been
reviewed and approved by the Board of County Commissioners
via separate Executive Summaries.) (All Districts)
G. AIRPORT AUTHORITY
H. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
I. MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
1) Miscellaneous Correspondence July 25, 2023 (All Districts)
J. OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
1) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to
sign an Agreement authorizing the Collier County Sheriff’s
Office to have Traffic Control Jurisdiction over Private Roads
within the Ranch at Orange Blossom subdivision.
(All Districts)
2) To record in the minutes of the Board of County
Commissioners, the check number (or other payment method),
amount, payee, and purpose for which the referenced
disbursements were drawn for the periods between June 29,
2023, and July 12, 2023, pursuant to Florida Statute 136.06.
(All Districts)
3) Request that the Board approve and determine valid public
purpose for invoices payable and purchasing card transactions
as of July 19, 2023. (All Districts)
K. COUNTY ATTORNEY
1) Recommendation to appoint two members to the Black Affairs
Advisory Board. (All Districts)
2) Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to
execute a Settlement Agreement which will dismiss with
Page 13
July 25, 2023
prejudice at no further cost to either party all claims brought by
the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Inc. against Collier
County concerning the Board’s approval of the Rivergrass
Village SRA. (District 5)
3) Recommendation that the Board 1) accept a Quit Claim Deed
from Pelican Marsh Community Development District
(PMCDD) assuming ownership and maintenance of two bridges
carrying Goodlette Frank Road over the Pelican Marsh
community; 2) grant an easement to PMCDD and authorize the
Chairman to execute the easement instrument, allowing
continued access and maintenance underneath the Goodlette-
Frank Road bridge along Pelican Marsh Blvd.; and 3) approve
and authorize the Chairman to sign a Collier County Landscape
Maintenance Agreement between Collier County and PMCDD,
for landscape and irrigation improvements within Goodlette
Frank right-of-way at Pelican Marsh. (District 2)
L. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
1) Recommendation to award Invitation to Bid (“ITB”) No. 23-
8084, “Immokalee Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU)
Landscape Maintenance” to A&M Property Maintenance LLC,
as the primary vendor, and Superior Landscaping & Lawn
Service Inc., as the secondary vendor, and authorize the
Chairman to sign the attached agreements. (District 5)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. SUMMARY AGENDA - This section is for advertised public hearings
and must meet the following criteria: 1) A recommendation for
approval from staff; 2) Unanimous recommendation for approval by
the Collier County Planning Commission or other authorizing agencies
of all members present and voting; 3) No written or oral objections to
the item received by staff, the Collier County Planning Commission,
other authorizing agencies or the Board, prior to the commencement of
the BCC meeting on which the items are scheduled to be heard; and 4)
No individuals are registered to speak in opposition to the item. For
those items which are quasi-judicial in nature, all participants must be
sworn in.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 14
July 25, 2023
A. Recommendation to adopt an Ordinance allowing for publication of
certain statutorily required legal advertisements, publications, and
notices on the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s public notice website in
lieu of newspaper publication. (All Districts)
B. Recommendation to adopt a resolution approving amendments
(appropriating carry forward, transfers, and supplemental revenue) to
the FY22-23 Adopted Budget. (The budget amendments in the
attached Resolution have been reviewed and approved by the Board of
County Commissioners via separate Executive Summaries.)
(All Districts)
18. ADJOURN
INQUIRIES CONCERNING CHANGES TO THE BOARD’S AGENDA
SHOULD BE MADE TO THE COUNTY MANAGER’S OFFICE AT 252-
8383.
July 25, 2023
Page 2
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Good morning, everybody.
MS. PATTERSON: Chair, you have a live mic.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Good morning. The first
order of business is going to be we're going to volunteer
Commissioner Saunders for everything. Do I have a second?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. I've got a motion and
second. All in favor?
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. He is now the primary for
every committee that exists in Collier County, okay? It's official.
County Attorney, any problems with that?
MR. KLATZKOW: No. That's a valid vote.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. County Manager?
MS. PATTERSON: No.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: You know what? You've got to
be here, right? You know, you've got to be present to win. That's
how it works. No, we -- Commissioner Saunders is obviously
excused.
Before we start the meeting, one thing I'll just remind
everyone -- because I missed a meeting due to a family emergency.
We've all reviewed the agenda, but I'll just remind all commissioners,
if there's anything that comes to discussion today that changes or
shifts and you feel having Commissioner Saunders here or his
testimony or his vote is something that you feel would be required or
anything at all, anybody can say anything at any time. And we all
know that. But just as a reminder for everyone, we're not flying one
July 25, 2023
Page 3
commissioner short or whatnot. It happens at times. I think at any
time we're all going to be absent.
But at any time anybody can say anything, and we can always
have something continued, you know, to the next agenda which is,
you know, part of our process. But I think, much like the order of
the business for the summer, where we're going to just -- we've got a
lot of bills to pay and keep things moving. We're going to do that.
So without further ado, we'll start with the invocation and have a
good friend of mine whose church I've attended many times, and then
we're going to recognize another one of our superstars here, unsung
heroes, Aimee Trochessett, who works right here in our front office.
She's going to lead us in the Pledge.
Item #1A
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY REVEREND
GLEB MCFATTER, ST. DEMETRIUS ORTHODOX CHURCH -
INVOCATION GIVEN
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Oh, nice. Outstanding.
REVEREND McFATTER: Heavenly Father, we come to you
today asking for your guidance, wisdom, and support as we begin this
meeting. Help us to engage in meaningful discussion. Allow us to
grow closer as a group and nurture the bonds of community. Fill
with us your grace, Lord God, as we make decisions that might affect
the residents and visitors in this county and continue to remind us that
all we do here today, all that we accomplish is for the pursuit of truth
for the greater glory of you and for the service of humanity.
We ask these things in your name. Amen.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Amen.
July 25, 2023
Page 4
Aimee.
(The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.)
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Excellent. Thank you, both.
Okay. County Manager, let's roll.
Item #2A
APPROVAL OF TODAY'S REGULAR, CONSENT AND
SUMMARY AGENDA AS AMENDED (EX PARTE
DISCLOSURE PROVIDED BY COMMISSION MEMBERS FOR
CONSENT AGENDA.) - MOTION TO APPROVE BY
COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL; SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER HALL - APPROVED AND/OR ADOPTED
W/CHANGES – (COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS ABSENT)
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, first, the change sheet.
First, we have a change to our change sheet. Today is actually
July 25th, 2023, not July 11th.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yeah.
MS. PATTERSON: I know. Well, that's okay. I didn't
even -- I wondered. I was still stuck on a July 11th.
First item is to continue Item 16D4 to the August 8th, 2023,
BCC meeting. This is a recommendation to approve and authorize
the Chairman to sign the first amendment to the subrecipient
agreement between Collier County and Housing Development
Corporation of Southwest Florida, Inc., doing business as HELP to
amend the quarterly performance outcomes. This item is being
moved at Commissioner McDaniel's request.
I have a clarification for Item 10A. This item is being brought
to the agenda due to new information provided by the City of Marco
July 25, 2023
Page 5
Island related to the purchase of the subject property.
We have one time-certain item, that is 11A, to be heard at
9:30 a.m. It's a mediated settlement agreement with Manhattan
Construction (Florida), Inc., pertaining to the construction of the
Paradise Coast Sports Complex.
And just a reminder, court reporter breaks are set for 10:30 and
2:50.
With that, County Attorney.
MR. KLATZKOW: Nothing, thank you.
MS. PATTERSON: We also will be having Tom shadowing
Troy today, just so -- if you see him sitting over there. That's
just -- just FYI.
Commissioners, to you for any changes to the agenda or any ex
parte on summary or consent.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Commissioner Kowal, do
you have any ex parte on summary or consent agenda?
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I have no changes and no ex
parte on either.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Commissioner Hall,
changes, ex parte?
COMMISSIONER HALL: No changes, no ex parte.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Commissioner McDaniel?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Same.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. And I have the same, no
changes, no ex parte.
MS. PATTERSON: Very good.
So that moves us to 2A. It's approval of today's regular,
consent, and summary agenda as amended.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I'll make a motion.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Second.
July 25, 2023
Page 6
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Second.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. I've got a motion from
Commissioner McDaniel. I've got a second from Commissioner
Hall. All in favor?
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: It passes unanimously.
SEE REVERSE SIDE
Proposed Agenda Changes
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
July 11 25, 2023
Continue Item 16D4 to the August 8, 2023, BCC Meeting: Recommendation to approve and authorize the
Chairman to sign the First Amendment to the subrecipient agreement between Collier County and Housing
Development Corporation of SW Florida, Inc., d/b/a HELP to amend the quarterly performance outcomes.
(Housing Grant Fund 1835) (All Districts) (25884) (Commissioner McDaniel’s Request)
Item 10A Clarification: This item is being brought to the agenda due to new information provided by the City of
Marco Island related to the purchase of the subject property.
Notes: 35 Year Employee Tania Delgado will not be present to receive her Award & Recognition this morning.
TIME CERTAIN ITEMS:
Item 11A to be heard at 9:30 AM: Mediated Settlement Agreement with Manhattan Construction (Florida),
Inc., pertaining to the construction of the Paradise Coast Sports Park.
10/4/2023 11:28 AM
July 25, 2023
Page 7
Item #2B
REGULAR BCC MEETING MINUTES FROM JUNE 27, 2023 –
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL;
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KOWAL – APPROVED – 4/0
(COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS ABSENT)
MS. PATTERSON: Item 2B is approval of the minutes from
June 27th, 2023.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Make a motion for approval.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Second.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. I've got a motion from
Commissioner McDaniel and a second from Commissioner Kowal.
All in favor?
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: It passes unanimously.
MS. PATTERSON: That brings us to our awards and
recognitions.
Item #3A1
AWARD AND RECOGNITION - 20 YEAR ATTENDEES -
PATRICIA MACNICOL, UTILITIES FINANCE OPERATIONS -
PRESENTED
July 25, 2023
Page 8
Item 3A1a, 20 years, is Patricia MacNicol, Utilities Finance
Operations. Congratulations.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Hey. She's like, already?
Already? Yes, yes. This is the moment.
(Applause.)
MS. PATTERSON: Congratulations.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Do you want to say
anything?
(Applause.)
MS. MacNICOL: No. Just enjoyed my years.
Item#3A2
AWARD AND RECOGNITION - 25 YEAR ATTENDEES -
ROBERT VON HOLLE, WASTEWATER – PRESENTED
MS. PATTERSON: Item 3A2a, 25 years, Robert VonHolle,
Wastewater.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Hey.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Here he comes.
(Applause.)
MS. PATTERSON: Congratulations.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Thanks for your service.
Item #3A4
AWARD AND RECOGNITION - 35 YEAR ATTENDEES – TANIA
DELGADO, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING – AWARD
WILL BE RECEIVED LATER
July 25, 2023
Page 9
MS. PATTERSON: Our 35-year attendee will not be here
today. She'll receive her award at the breakfast.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay. I can sit down.
Item #5A
PRESENTATION TO HEAR FROM ROBERT LUCIUS, PH.D.,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CREW LAND & WATER
TRUST. (SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER MCDANIEL) -
PRESENTED & DISCUSSED
MS. PATTERSON: Well, Commissioners, that brings us to
Item 5, presentations. We got here really quickly. Item 5A is a
recommendation to hear a presentation from Robert Lucius, Ph.D.,
executive director of the CREW Land & Water Trust. This item is
brought to the agenda by Commissioner McDaniel.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Hello, sir.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And thank you, Robert. I
really appreciate you being here today.
There's a lot of things that go on in Collier County but not
everybody knows about them. And one of the best kept secrets is
the CREW, Corkscrew Regional Eco Watershed. I served on that
board of trustees and the executive board now for what, two or three
years, since Commissioner Fiala went on her way.
And I asked Bob to come and give a presentation today to -- just
to edify the community about the wonders of the wilderness that we
have in Eastern Collier County.
MR. LUCIUS: I appreciate that. Thank you, Commissioner
McDaniel.
I love this opportunity because, as you know, I am constantly
July 25, 2023
Page 10
complaining that folks don't know who CREW is, CREW Land &
Water Trust, and often get us confused with some of the other
conservation-like organizations in our community. So this is a great
opportunity.
And I hope -- just a brief introduction -- and I get an opportunity
to get the commissioners out there in the trails at some future date.
Maybe when it's a little bitter cooler.
So, again, I'm with the CREW Land & Water Trust. And for
those of you that don't know what the CREW Land & Water Trust is,
it's important to maybe step back and take a big-picture look at this
big, green swath that we see straddling both Lee and Collier
Counties.
About 35 years ago, when the idea first started to germinate
about preserving this land, it was a much smaller area that was
envisioned. In fact, it was 25,000 acres. Currently, it sits at 70,249
thousand [sic] acres. About 60,000 of those acres are under some
form of conservation regime. Might be state-owned, might be
county-owned, might be private conservation easements.
The important thing to take away from this is that when you
look at that green space, you often -- you know, you might think,
well, this is a great place to go hiking or biking, or maybe some folks
look at it and think, wow, this would be a great place to develop.
What most folks don't look at this -- when they're looking at
Google Earth or Google Maps, what they don't necessarily think is,
wow, those are some great ecosystem services. And, in fact, one of
the reasons that -- in fact, the principal reasons why this area has been
set aside for so many years and continues to be added to through
work of Conservation Collier and Lee County's Conservation 20/20
and other partner organizations is that this area provides a lot of
services that are essential not only to our quality of life here in
July 25, 2023
Page 11
Southwest Florida, but to our economic vitality in this region.
Whether it's biodiversity conservation -- and there are dozens
and dozens of endangered and threatened species that make their
homes here, whether it's microclimate regulation, which is, of course,
extremely important right now as it gets hotter in our area, whether
it's water storage or water-quality regulation or aquifer recharge, all
these things are vital to our neighbors, to our communities, to our
businesses, and our efforts over the last 30-plus years to conserve and
preserve this area have been focused on ensuring that we have this
watershed that will be preserved for future generations to ensure that
we have a sustainable ecosystem services for future generations.
So about -- as I said, back in 1989, a little over three decades
ago, a group of stakeholders got together and, of course, some of
those stakeholders were your predecessors here on the County
Commission, the County Commission up in Lee County as well, state
stakeholders, local stakeholders, even some federal stakeholders got
together and decided that something had to be done in light of some
of the issues around droughts and flooding that were occurring in
some of our coastal communities to preserve this land.
Initially, the mission of CREW Land & Water Trust was for
land acquisition. It was to bring land within this CREW watershed,
what is now 70,000 acres, into some sort of conservation regime and
then to establish appropriate land management plans in order to
protect that land for future generations.
Over the course of the last three decades, that mission has
expanded somewhat to include public use, and now we have a very
large public-use mission as well as a watershed education mission,
which I'll talk about subsequently.
We are very, very closely partnered with the South Florida
Water Management District as well as the Florida Fish and Wildlife
July 25, 2023
Page 12
commission. Those are our two principal partners, and we actually
work out of the CREW field station off Corkscrew Road up north,
and we work very closely to ensure that the land management plans
for -- not just the CREW management area, which is the state-owned
land, but for the CREW project at large are executed appropriately.
And we also work with our Fish and Wildlife commission colleagues
to ensure that research and initiatives are carried out as well as their
appropriate public-use opportunities, particularly around hunting and
fishing.
But we also have partners here in Collier County as well. And
so I do want to draw attention to our land acquisition partnership.
We work very closely and have for many years with Collier County's
Conservation Collier program. Back in 2007, we contributed
300,000 towards Conservation Collier's acquisition of the 367-acre
Starnes property, which subsequently became Caracara Prairie
Preserve. In fact, the only way to access Caracara Prairie Preserve is
through one of our trail systems, CREW Cypress Dome Trails.
We have continued over the years to contribute small-dollar
commitments to the acquisition of additional properties for
Conservation Collier properties, such as the Pepper Ranch Preserve,
and we have some additional commitments in the pipeline right now
pending approval of -- in acquisition Cycle 11A and 11B.
So over the years, we have -- largely because of the generosity
of our members who have contributed funds to continue to bring land
into acquisition, we continue to work with our partners both in Lee
and Collier County to ensure that -- now we're about 60,000 of those
70,000 acres, but we're continuing to bring small bits and pieces,
little parcels into acquisition to ensure that they're protected for the
use of future generations.
It's a very, very small organization. Commissioner McDaniel
July 25, 2023
Page 13
has sat on our board of trustees for several years. We have about 30
members that crosscut across a number of different stakeholder
organizations. Again, local, state, non-profit. Corkscrew Swamp
Sanctuary is on our board; Conservancy of Southwest Florida is on
our Board. We have educators. We have developers. We have
land acquisition planners. We have all sorts of people that come
together in order to develop plans and appropriate vision that brings
all the stakeholders together because, again, this is a big piece of land
that we all depend upon in many, many different ways.
It's a small staff. I have three full-time staff, including myself
as the executive director. I have an education coordinator and a
volunteer coordinator and then two part-time staff as well. We bring
in two to three environmental education interns every year, typically
from FGCU or FSW. We have 60-plus volunteers contributing
about 4,600 volunteer hours every year. We're hoping to bust that
this year.
And then we have a fairly large membership base as well;
currently about 375, though, I expect that to hit 400 by the end of this
year.
As I said, we have a lot of volunteers, and they do a lot of
different work for us. Because we have such a small staff, we are
very dependent upon our volunteers and have been for many, many
years. They do all sorts of things from trail maintenance to
education programs to outreach programs, going out and being
ambassadors in our community. So if anybody's interested in
volunteering, we would certainly love to have you. There is a role
for you.
One of the key things that we do in our partnership with the
South Florida Water Management District is provide that trail upkeep
and maintenance. We've got about 40-plus miles of trails that need
July 25, 2023
Page 14
to be maintained every year across four different trail systems. We
upkeep our kiosk with all of our information and trail maps. We
monitor and maintain the primitive campsites that are free for use for
our residents. We conduct the minor infrastructure repair. There's
lot of different things that need to get done behind the scenes every
day to ensure that these trails are safe and available 365 days a year
from sunup to sundown. Completely free for all of our Collier
County and Lee County residents.
And, again, it's a big project. It's a lot to take on. It's 40-plus
miles of trails. Our first trail system opened in 1994 at CREW
Marsh Trails off of Corkscrew Road up in -- up in the northeastern
part of the county. We've added CREW Cypress Dome Trails in
2009; Bird Rookery Swamp in 2011; Flint Pen Strand was our most
current trail system. It opened in 2018, and we are continuing to add
additional trails, marked and unmarked, at our trail system as well.
Now, that's 13 different trail systems, 35 miles of biking trails,
nine miles of equestrian trails. We've got picnic pavilions at three of
those trail systems and observation decks, elevated boardwalks,
primitive campsites. There's a lot to enjoy for folks who want to get
out there and get outside, but maybe they don't want to necessarily
have to pay for that, right? They just want to show up, park their
car, go out and have a great time outside with their feet on the earth,
and CREW trail systems provides all those for lots and lots of people
every year. In fact, we get about 60,000 visitors every year to our
trail system.
Bird Rookery Swamp, which is right down here off Immokalee
Road, off Shady Hollow road, gets about two-thirds of our visitation
every year.
So we offer 80-plus scheduled guided hikes for visitors every
year, and these include wet walks. We just launched our schedule of
July 25, 2023
Page 15
wet walks. So if you're interested doing a wet walk, we'd love to
take you out on one of those experiences where you get your -- you
get feet -- well, your knees, maybe your hips, a little wet out there,
crawl around out in the swamps looking for flora and fauna.
We also have self-guided trail tours available for anybody who
wants to go out there and take it on their own. We have, by request,
guided hikes. So this is one of the things that I think maybe
differentiates us from a lot of different organizations. If your group,
your community association, your club, your business, you want to
come out and you want to do a team hike, just give us a call. We'll
take you out. We won't charge you for that. That's not what we're
about. We're about getting you out there and learning about the
watershed and everything that it does for our communities and
businesses. So if you want to come out, we will take you out and
take you on a hike at no charge.
And, again, we have two primitive campsites. We're adding,
hopefully, a third this upcoming fiscal year at CREW Flint Pen
Strand, and we do have scheduled hiking -- hunting opportunities and
fishing year-round at the four trail systems.
One of the big things that we do -- of course, it would be -- if
you looked at our programs, it would be very easy to think that we
are an organization that focuses largely on biodiversity conservation,
and we do focus on that. It is important to talk about plants and
animals and particularly the endangered and threatened varieties that
we have, but what we really focus on is water because water is key to
life. And it's not just, of course, the drinking water that we have.
It's water-quality regulation. It's the water that ends up into our
estuaries and bays. It is flood regulation, right? It is preventing too
much water from entering our communities, particularly after large
rain events like Hurricane Ian.
July 25, 2023
Page 16
And so our programs always come back around to water and the
importance of water in our community and what the watershed does
for our community. So our environmental education programs
always focus on water, and our keystone programs are our walk
through a watershed program and our soil rocks programs, which we
offer free of charge to the Collier County public school district.
So every year we got about 600 students that come through for
walk through a watershed where the third graders learn about what a
watershed is and what it does and how to protect it and the services it
provides to our communities. And then the second graders come
through in the spring. And, again, about almost -- almost 500
students will come through, and they'll learn about the various soil
compositions and, again, how that impacts the flow of water, both
surface and groundwater.
And then we have lots of other K through 12 programs that
come in and sort of fill in the gaps around them, and those might be
homeschool programs, they might be charter schools, they might be
private schools, or they just might be associations of students that
want to come out and do some specialized project.
And, again, we offer all these programs at no charge. If any
homeschool program, any charter school, any public school, any
private school want to come out and spend some time out at CREW,
we will welcome out there, put together a program for them, and it
won't cost them a thing.
We also have university education programs. We have 54
university programs in fiscal year '22, 847 students. We've already
had 36 classes this year, 780 -- about 780 students to date this year
through June. We expect, of course, to have several more in the next
few months. We have service learning/community service
opportunities for students. As I said, we offer education internships
July 25, 2023
Page 17
since 1999. We're offering a communications internship this year,
and, of course, for students, membership is always free to CREW.
But wait, there's more, right? Because it's not just about the
kids. We've got to get the adults out there. We want to get folks
like you out there to enjoy everything that's available in CREW. So
we offer a number of different types of programs. We offer
specialty topic treks. So, for example, in the last year or so, and in
the upcoming year, we've offered programs like CREW wetland
ecology, carnivorous botany, we have seasonal birding programs,
we've had programs that have gone through in the wake of wildfires
to explore how the land regenerates itself after fire. We have these
high-level Strolling Science Seminars that include things like
wetlands and water quality, nature's theater, soil ecology, biodiversity
monitoring, and then we have special events that are a little bit more
fun, a little bit more lighthearted. We have full moon hikes. We
have sunrise and sunset hikes where you get to go out there and see
that land in a little bit different way than you might otherwise get to
see it.
And we recently have had some stargazing over the Corkscrew
Marsh opportunities where you get to go out at night and battle the
bugs, but you get to see an amazing sky over that 5,000-acre marsh at
Corkscrew Swamp.
And then, finally, we have in-town lectures, which is something
we've launched this summer. We've had two so far. We're having a
third coming up in the next couple weeks where folks who may not
want to go out and -- you know, it's a little hot out there, a little
buggy, but maybe they want to sit in a different sort of environment
and learn a little bit about CREW. There's opportunities for these
in-town lectures that we've offered, and they've proven to be very,
very popular, but they're also a very, very low cost. We want to
July 25, 2023
Page 18
make these programs as affordable as possible to everyone.
And we've launched some new initiatives this year that we're
really proud about. The Strolling Science Seminar has been around
since 2013. It's always been geared toward adults and, quite frankly,
it's always been geared toward older adults, retirees and seasonal
visitors. We wanted to do something a little bit different and make
those programs more geared toward younger kids, 8 through 13, and
so we launched the Strolling Science Seminars for Kids program this
year. These programs are $5. They're $5 to get a three-hour
program with a subject-matter expert that's going to come out and
talk to your kids, hands-on science experiments about hydrology,
entomology, herpetology, mycology, all these wonderful things.
Learning about birding, which is a great skill set to improve your
cognitive functioning and your ability to focus, which a lot of kids
need these days.
We've also, in the past, had this program called Nature's Peace
where we bring out early Alzheimer's patients and sight-challenged
patients to come out and spend time at that 1,400-foot boardwalk at
Bird Rookery Swamp where they get to experience nature, and we
found that to be very beneficial, and this has been an award-winning
program in the past. I am hoping to be able to expand this program
this year to the Wounded Warrior Foundation here in Collier County
and open that up to at-risk and other local volunteer -- veterans
populations as well.
And then we are building toward, next summer, to launch a
youth watershed academy, which will be a top-tier summer academy
to teach kids about all the things that the watershed does. Opening
up vistas for them, potential job opportunities, ambitions to get into
STEM around hydrology, hydrogeology, all those sorts of things that
we need expertise in if we're going to maintain our water capabilities
July 25, 2023
Page 19
here in Southwest Florida.
So that brings me to my final slide. And I've rushed through
this, and I apologize for that, but I just want to give you a broad
overview because I want you to come out and spend some time out at
CREW, and I hope I can lure you out here in the near future.
But I do want to point out that our most popular trail system is
the CREW Bird Rookery Swamp trail system, which is off Shady
Hollow road off Immokalee. As I said, it gets about two-thirds of
our visitor traffic every year. And, again, we get about 60- to 65,000
people a year every year at our CREW trail systems. Bird Rookery
Swamp gets about 66 percent of that traffic.
It opened in 2011. It's got 12 miles of a hiking loop on an old
tram system. It's got a 1,400-foot boardwalk. It's a wonderful
place, but it is -- it is inadequate right now for the demand for
that -- for that amenity.
We have a parking lot that's got 25-car capacity. We routinely
get upwards of 60, perhaps 70 cars on a weekend during season.
There is no shade there. All of our other trail systems have a
shade picnic pavilion. There is none there. And there are no
restroom facilities there other than port-o-johns. And so I'd like to
challenge the Commission to think about -- because, again, this land
where the parking lot sits -- and, in fact, that entire shell path that
leads up to the north there, that is on county land. The trail system
itself is South Florida Water Management District land, but the
parking lot and that shell path are county land, and we could use your
help to expand that parking lot, add that picnic pavilion, provide
some shade for those visitors, and maybe upgrade our restroom
facility as well, because I think this is one of the best-kept
secrets -- except it's not really a secret if you look at the visitor
numbers -- in Collier County, and it certainly is a tourist draw and
July 25, 2023
Page 20
deserves the love and respect of all of us.
So if you don't have any questions, I look forward to seeing you
out on the trails. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: I do have a question.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: First of all, I want to thank
you for coming here. I mean, I have to believe that there are a lot of
people that don't even know that CREW exists, and for us, as
commissioners and leaders in the community, it's important that we
carry the message. And 40 miles of trails to go stomp the swamps is
imperative.
It's different from the sanctuary where you're up on a boardwalk
and there's a plaque and all those sort of things. This is -- this is a
shell path or dirt, as the case may be -- shell paths and such, and it's a
wonderful experience.
So if you haven't yet, please come visit the CREW; join the
CREW. It's an amazing adventure for you and your family to -- for
folks to actually experience in a semi-civilized manner, relatively
speaking, the wilds of our community.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yeah, I was going to just make a
couple comments, Bob.
First, like Commissioner McDaniel's saying, maybe a lot of
people don't know about it, but then you also you have some bullets
up there that show hundreds do, right? So the word's getting out.
Anything we can do at the County -- you know, I mean, I'll just
direct this to Ms. Patterson -- to help advertise what you do. You
know, we advertise what Rookery Bay does all the time, what the
Botanical Garden does all the time, you know, and things like that.
So, you know, maybe -- and then we all have newsletters of some
sort. We all do town hall meetings. So, you know, this was a good
reminder.
July 25, 2023
Page 21
I've heard of your organization but not in this depth, with this
depth. One of the questions I have is trail maintenance, do you guys
do that on autopilot and you go where needed, or the Southwest
Florida Water Management District, you know, calls you up and
goes, hey, here's four trails where we need 50 volunteers. How is
that coordinated?
MR. LUCIUS: Yeah, generally -- I mean, we work in the same
office as the field station so generally we take the lead on the vast
majority of trail stewardship.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay.
MR. LUCIUS: So if there are certain things that rise to the
level of it's well beyond our capabilities -- so, for example, major
mowing contracts --
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Right.
MR. LUCIUS: -- or herbicide applications, then the District
takes care of that. But other than that, it falls upon us to conduct the
appropriate level of trail surveys to identify the needs and then --
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: So you know where the needs are
because --
MR. LUCIUS: We know where the needs are.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: -- you have daily oversight.
Nice job on the last slide for slipping in the need for, you
know -- hey, you know, that's how to do it, you know. Lead us
down the primrose path and then take a left turn.
Lastly, I would just say -- and I'll take a line from Jaws. So
pythons are in the water, right? People waist-deep go into the water.
Pythons are in the water.
Okay. Let me know when the bus -- air-conditioned bus is
going to go down the trail so I can kind of -- that what would -- I'd be
very -- I think I could get all I need from that tour. I'm just kidding.
July 25, 2023
Page 22
Really, really great shout-out to your volunteers. You've got
some impressive numbers up there, so, you know, it's a whole lot of
people maybe doing things that not everybody knows about, but
they're obviously doing a lot. So this was very informative.
So, Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Great presentation, and you had me
at carnivorous botany.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: I don't know that I want to see that.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And I have to say this, the
group that serves on the trustees, as was mentioned, is a -- it's a
widespread organization with many, many interests that are involved
in the maintenance and upkeep for this watershed for our community,
and it's imperative, as Bob mentioned, for water quality, water
quantity, flood control, so ons and so forth. So I highly -- they're all
public meetings. I highly recommend, if you haven't, come to the
trustee's meeting. They're extremely informative. And certainly
please, please come and visit.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Thank you, sir.
MR. LUCIUS: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Thank you, Bob.
Item #11A
A MEDIATED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH
MANHATTAN CONSTRUCTION (FLORIDA), INC.,
CONCERNING AGREEMENT NO. 17-7108, AS AMENDED,
PERTAINING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PARADISE
COAST SPORTS PARK, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN
TO SIGN THE ATTACHED MEDIATED SETTLEMENT
July 25, 2023
Page 23
AGREEMENT - MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER
MCDANIEL; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HALL -
APPROVED (COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS ABSENT)
MS. PATTERSON: That brings us to our 9:30 time-certain.
This is Item 11A. This is a recommendation to approve a mediated
settlement agreement with Manhattan Construction (Florida), Inc.,
concerning Agreement No. 17-7108, as amended, pertaining to the
construction of the Paradise Coast Sports Park and to authorize the
Chairman to sign the attached mediated settlement agreement.
Mr. Ed Finn, your Deputy County Manager, will begin this
presentation or take questions.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Mr. Miller, do you have
something?
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: No, I have something for
him.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Go ahead, sir.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Just -- I got a note that the
sound's not --
MR. MILLER: It's been taken care of it. It was back at the
beginning of the meeting when I was running around like crazy.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: So it wasn't Tom's fault?
MR. MILLER: No, no.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: The other thing you'll hear me
doing is when we have a motion and a second, I'm going to say who
it is, you know, because we have people sort of behind the scenes that
are, you know, writing all this stuff down and we move sometimes a
little quickly up here, and they're not sure who it was. So that will
just be a little clarification, you know, that I'll make sure I do from
now on.
July 25, 2023
Page 24
But having said that, Mr. Finn, it's all yours.
MR. FINN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Patterson, good
morning. Good morning, Chairman and Commissioners.
Staff is seeking Board approval today of a mediated settlement
agreement with Manhattan Construction concerning Agreement
No. 17-7108 pertaining to the construction of the Paradise Coast
Sports Complex.
Simply said, staff recommends approval of the attached
mediated settlement -- and I just have a small add-on from the
floor -- and the approval of any administrative or budget actions that
may be necessary to carry out the will of the Board.
With that, I'll take any questions or otherwise respond.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: I think we all got a very, you
know, extensive deep dive yesterday and over the, you know, past
week. So this isn't something that's lost on us. I mean, I'll just
make a comment, which is similar to what I made in my office
yesterday. I understand the need to sort of sometimes -- you know,
large construction projects start off great, and they don't go well, and
then you've got to cut your losses and make a settlement so we can
move forward.
I often get beat up at times when I look back at ancient history in
Collier County and say, would have, could have, should have, and
sometimes people just say, just look ahead. The responsibility's on
you. It doesn't matter what the people before you did. And I
couldn't disagree more because I think you always have to look at
history and make sure you don't repeat poor history so that you can
do things better in the future and learn from mistakes or, you know,
things that maybe came up and bit us.
You know, this is an example of probably not, you know, the
best contract we've ever had or the best negotiation, the best result.
July 25, 2023
Page 25
But in the end these things, you know, they do happen. It's sort of
the cost of doing business, but it's unfortunate.
But I know from the deep dive that I had, and we all had, with
the County Attorney, County Manager -- I mean, I don't have any
specific questions myself. I would just say I hope this is an anomaly
and, you know, we don't have too many more of these sort of, quote,
settlements coming up before us for any of these big projects
because, in the end, this is taxpayer dollars that could have gone
elsewhere.
But I'm -- it's satisfactory in my mind. I think the term I used in
my office yesterday is, after getting a deep dive from you, Mr. Finn, I
hate this a lot less, but I don't love it. But I realize it's a necessary
evil when we have something like this happen. And, you know, to
preserve tax dollars, it's -- this is a strong recommendation from the
whole staff rather than dragging out a big legal, you know, fight that
in the end would probably cost us way more money and time.
So I don't know -- I've got all the commissioners lit up that are
going to make comments but, you know, those are mine.
Commissioner McDaniel and then Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And I just would like to say
as well, I agree with you. What it does to me is it screams the
systematic adjustments that we need to be focused on going forward
so that there's better management, better oversight.
You adeptly said this is taxpayer money. This park was
built -- this facility was built for our community. I was one of the
commissioners very much in favor of swapping away from the
Atlanta Braves ball stadium, specifically, and building a facility for
the youth and for the residents of Collier County. It ballooned into
something significantly larger than what was actually perceived from
an expense standpoint. And you can throw all kinds of darts at why,
July 25, 2023
Page 26
when, where, and how; nonetheless to coin your phrase, Mr. Chair, I
don't hate it as much as what I used to. So I would like to -- I would
like to make a motion to go ahead and approve this settlement.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. I've still got a couple
commissioners that want to -- Commissioner Kowal, and then we do
have some public comment and then we'll take action on the motion.
Commissioner Kowal.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: I was going to make a motion
myself just to --
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Sorry about that. I didn't
mean to jump.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: You beat me to it.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Second it.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. We have public comment,
Mr. Miller.
MR. MILLER: Mr. Chairman, we have one registered speaker,
Daniel Zegarac.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Go ahead, sir.
MR. ZEGARAC: Good morning. My name's Daniel Zegarac.
I live in Collier County.
Three of you did not vote for the sports complex; only one of
you did, and the absent commissioner voted for it also, I believe. I
sit here and I want to think that you're learning from these bad
contracts and, you know, lack of supervision and people following
through on what they say they're going to do. Rarely does a project
of this type make any money. It loses money around the country,
okay. I don't know if you've talked to Great Wolf. They might
want to buy you up. I really don't know.
The other three of you knew about the sports complex when you
ran for the office. You knew you were marrying it, okay. So, you
July 25, 2023
Page 27
know, instead of approving whoopses every six months or, you
know, listening to people that blame contractors, you know, with
hurricanes, I think you need a plan. I think you need -- you know, at
a real business senior management meeting of expenses, people come
up with a plan, and I'll look forward to seeing that in the future
instead of, well, there were 300 people there at the Friday-night
event. It was great, you know.
I don't know if your Economic Development people are giving
you any advice or if you even talk to each other about it. I've been
to -- I've been to economic meetings within the county that you guys
don't go to, you know. I just -- I don't get it. I really, really, really
don't get it.
So I just want to look forward to you guys doing a better job and
the staff doing a better job as well so -- or we can sit here and just
wait till we run out of money, and woe is us, with stormwater and
otherwise, and the otherwise. And the gulf can get dirtier.
So that's all I have. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Appreciate it.
You know, the one thing I'll add to that is -- I don't disagree with
anything you said. We also need to learn from contractors who don't
do a great job. You know, one of the things that has disappointed
me at times is we sit in here and settle with a contractor, and then it
comes to my attention that, you know, a year later the contractor just
wanted to bid for something else. You know, people always sort of
joke that I'm always talking about my prior military time. Well,
that's 99 percent of my life. So if I was a doctor, I'd be talking
about, you know, my time as a physician.
But, you know, in the military when somebody lays a sidewalk
and three weeks later it cracks, you know, for the next five miles, that
contract -- that sidewalk contractor never gets another bid from the
July 25, 2023
Page 28
Department of Defense. I mean, they're put on a blacklist instantly,
if it's done right.
You know, we have some contractors here, some that have a lot
of seniority here in the community, have made a lot money off the
County but, to me, you know, if they drop the ball or -- you know,
there's enough blame to go around, you know. I just hope that we do
a good job making sure that we make these contracts competitive.
And there's plenty of people out there that want the business that
maybe we wouldn't end up in court with.
So I'm not saying that's the case here, but, you know, there's a
lot of blame to go around on this one. And, you know, you're right,
but whether we voted for it or not, you know, I can't unbuild it, so I
want it to be totally successful, and I want to move forward.
But I agree with you wholeheartedly, I want to make sure we
learn from these, you know, anomalies. But as you said, sometimes
it seems like every six months we're amending a contract, or a
contractor's taken us to court. And I know that at times that is part
of doing business. I mean, there's very successful companies that
settle and have this happen. I mean, I'm sure Microsoft, Arthrex,
and NCH ends up in court at times. So we're not alone here. But
on the flip side, we need to be doing it better, faster, and cheaper than
others because we're using taxpayer dollars. And I don't think
anybody up here disagrees with that.
Commissioner McDaniel, sir.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. And, you know, when
I made the motion for approval, I talked about the systemic
adjustments that are requisite. And I hope that as we go forward that
we do utilize these as learning experiences, as painful, necessarily, as
it is. On a 10,000-foot view, the settlement, it's all part of the
agenda, but, you know, our staff can recognize 10 and a half million
July 25, 2023
Page 29
of legitimate expenses, and the difference between this settlement and
that is about a million, and that's significantly less than the litigation
expense.
I also -- there was a time -- and this is for the County Manager
as much as anything. I mean, I welcome you, Dan, to come to the
TDC meetings, the Tourist Development Council meetings. We get
a rather in-depth report from the management company that oversees
that facility with population estimates and revenue estimates.
I actually literally, at the last meeting, found our senior staff
midstream -- and Ed and I have had multiple conversations. One of
my degrees in school was accounting, and I hate midstream
adjustments to the budget. And our senior staff adjusted, in
midstream, their projections for the revenue and population and so on
and so forth, and I asked that they stop doing that.
It's difficult to measure -- their rationale for that adjustment was
we didn't want to seem braggart. We're doing so well. Let's talk
about how well we're actually doing and whether it's real or not, as
the case may be.
So to not belabor the point any longer, it's -- this entire
adventure screams with regard to the systematic adjustments that are
requisite. We've had multiple circumstances come forward, and I
think we will. I think -- I truly believe that this board will, in fact,
grab onto the requisite of the oversight that is necessary to ensure that
we are expending the taxpayers' money in an efficient manner.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Dan, thanks for your comments. I
think everyone up here will concur that we want to do it better. And
we did inherit this. It's not something -- but, you know, we can
move on from it. And I think you'll see discussions coming in the
near future that -- how we can improve our processes in the County
July 25, 2023
Page 30
the way we do business.
And with that, I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: We used to have a saying in the
Department of Defense, on time and on budget or better. And if you
didn't meet that criteria -- and there were no anomalies -- a lot of
people got fired. So I realize that this is a little different, but it's still
government. It's still taxpayer dollars, so I think that needs to
continue to be, you know, our benchmark. And when we -- when
we exceed that in a negative way, there's got to be consequences.
And, you know, I think we're all -- we're all pledged up here to not
just rubber stamp amendments to contracts and then move on.
So having said that, I got a -- I have a motion from
Commissioner McDaniel; I have a second from Commissioner Hall.
All in favor?
COMMISSIONER HALL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: It passes unanimously.
MR. FINN: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: We go to -- is public comment
next?
Item #7
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS NOT ON THE
CURRENT OR FUTURE AGENDA
July 25, 2023
Page 31
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir. Item 7, public comments on
general topics not on the current or future agenda.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: What do we have, Mr. Miller?
MR. MILLER: Mr. Chairman, we have six registered speakers
for this item. Your first speaker is Robert Thurston. He will be
followed by Jackie Keay.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay.
MR. THURSTON: Okay. Hello. My name is Robert
Thurston. I have a brief quote from writer Upton Sinclair who once
said, "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his
salary depends on his not understanding it."
Hello. My name is Robert Thurston. My topic today is about
something called the targeted individual program. You can Google
it or look it up if you have questions. Again, it's targeted individual
or the targeted individual program.
A little background on me, I was born in the United States, and
I'm a college English professor by trade, having taught in 11 different
countries around the world. I've lived in Naples, Florida, since 1971
and in my current home here since 1989.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I'm going to
speak very generally about our topic today and provide this link. I
had actually brought a sign that would have made it easier to see, but
I was not allowed to bring it in. The link is
thorsnorsehammer@gmail.com. I apologize for the unprofessional
sounding name of the link. It's the only one that I have, and it is
what it is, but it's a very important link that contains several
documents that details the civil rights violations that I have been
going through here in Naples for the past 13 years.
Here's some directions on how to access those files. Put this
email address in your browser, your search engine, and click enter.
July 25, 2023
Page 32
This will open up the page. On that page, there will be two names.
Click on those links and read about my ordeal, totaling about 120
pages. Read about my civil rights, how they were violated here in
Naples if you care to; I hope you will.
I've already sent these documents to many reporters, law
enforcement types, politicians, and attorneys. This link today is for
the people of Naples watching today on TV. This is a cautionary
tale. What happened to me can happen to you.
Recently, in 2023, the federal courts in Houston, Texas, heard
Case 4:23-cv-01013 versus Merrick Garland, et al. You can look
this case up on a federal government website called Pacer, P-a-c-e-r,
Pacer, that gives the relevant details about federally filed court cases.
This particular case brought something called the targeted
individual program to national attention and gave a voice to the
thousands of people who have been complaining about what basically
amounts to U.S. government-sponsored torture. The 2023 federal
targeted individual court case in Houston gave hope to thousands of
people across the USA that our government might finally step in and
do the right thing, that being stopping conducting the program and
enacting legislation that addresses stopping the targeted individual
program.
But I feel I'm here today as a whistleblower against government
corruption. I want to inform the Naples community about a
dangerous U.S. led governmental program that secretly targets often
law-abiding American citizens.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Just sum up, sir. Go ahead.
MR. THURSTON: Okay. I actually had quite a bit more.
But just to sum up -- I keep coming back to these last closing points:
Is this really happening? Is the targeted individual program really
real? The answer to that is yes. I've seen it for years firsthand.
July 25, 2023
Page 33
Number two, are American people being harmed physically and
mentally, who are not committing crimes, by the targeted individual
program? The answer to that is yes.
Three, are these real civil rights violations? The answer to that
is yes.
And, four, does the Naples Community understand what is
going on here with the targeted individual program? The answer to
that is no.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: If you want to leave any of your
comments with Terri, our reporter, she can give us copies or she can
put it in the record.
I just have a short question for you. Is what you're talking
about at the county, state, or federal level? Because, I mean, we
only have so much jurisdiction here, and I'm getting the vibe off of
you that it's something that's above our level. Is it -- I mean, just
give me a short answer. You're already out of time. But I just want
clarification.
MR. THURSTON: Well, I've lived in Naples and other
countries. I've taught in other countries. I've been here about five
of the last 10 years, so this is happening here in Naples, but it's also
happened as I've traveled in other places. They follow you.
Overseas I have had people that are harassing me from this program.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Thank you.
MR. THURSTON: Thank you very much.
MR. MILLER: Mr. Chair, your next speaker is Jackie Keay.
She'll be followed by Thereasa Miller.
MS. KEAY: Good morning. My name is Jackie Keay. I'm a
veteran, veteran advocate, as well as someone who's very passionate
about supporting veterans in our community. I have had an
opportunity as the director for our veteran outreach team to spend
July 25, 2023
Page 34
more time with veterans, especially those falling through the cracks
and realizing that there are many gaps in services. I'm in contact
with a veteran who is having a situation, and I would like to present
that here as well as ask for help to deal with this.
The Parker House Property Management. It is an apartment
complex in Cape Coral, and this veteran has been exposed to black
mold poisoning, and I have the photos of the mold from the
apartment.
When I contacted them to ask for, you know, help in this
situation and advocate for the veteran couple, the first thing they said
was there was no presence of black mold and this couple was lying.
This gentleman, he is a Marine veteran. He was actually
hospitalized because of the black mold poisoning, and they were
formerly homeless. And because of the black mold poisoning and
not being able to get an alternative housing situation, they ended up
homeless again.
And right now he is needing surgery. He's in the VA system,
but because he has nowhere to live, they cannot perform the surgery,
and he's disabled because of that, too, as well.
So I would need help with this. I've been told that other people
are living in dwellings in this apartment also dealing with black mold
poisoning. So if there's a way to either contact this apartment
complex, get, you know, the Health Department involved and have
them do a proper screening for black mold, that would be
appreciated.
One of the things I want to say, here is a brochure. I don't
know if you can see this well, and I will turn it to the background
here, but it shows a bridge. An important part of what I'm doing in
the community is building a bridge between the veterans and the
community. One of the things we must understand is, instinctively,
July 25, 2023
Page 35
veterans are not only feeling disconnected, not trusting people in the
community, but they need a safe way of connecting to that
community, and that's one of the systems that I'm developing as well
as community partnership.
I have my counterpart with me, Thereasa Miller. She's from
Indiana, and she runs the -- our transitional facility, and that's one of
the issues that I see that we -- or one of the gaps in services that I see
in Collier County. Veterans who are facing crises are often Baker
Acted, which causes more trauma, as well as they are put in jail.
One of the things that I ask any organization and to you, too, as
well, any organization that wants to work with veterans, please, VA
offers various trainings, especially when related to -- I'm going to go
over my time -- but especially when related to PTSD and mental
health crises.
One of the things we have to understand is a lot of veterans are
dealing with PTSD. They're in fight or flight mode, and we need
proper training so when you encounter them, you know how to
address them, how to treat them with kindness and respect.
So thank you all very much, and any help from staff or the
Commission --
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Ms. Keay, I've got a question for
you.
MS. KEAY: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: So if this couple's in Lee County,
when you addressed the Lee County commissioners, what did they
have to say?
MS. KEAY: Well, I haven't done that yet, but they're in the
system here in Collier County because they're trying to get housing in
Collier or Lee County, but they're in the system here in Collier
County.
July 25, 2023
Page 36
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Some they've left Cape Coral;
they're no longer in Cape Coral?
MS. KEAY: They're still in Cape Coral. They're trying to
get -- it's a very complicated situation. They're trying to get their
money back from the apartment complex which said they would not
give them the money back because they broke the lease. They did
not break the lease, because non-profit paid for the lease until the end
of July, which was the end of their lease period. So now -- I spoke
to them yesterday. They are somewhat willing to go pay, but I
would have to write a letter requesting that.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: So, Mr. Rodriguez, is it possible
that our Collier County Veteran Services Office could reach out to
whatever the Lee County Veterans Services Office counterpart is?
Because, I mean, you know, we don't want to step into another
jurisdiction and do their homework for them, but, you know, we've
got a great veteran services office here, especially that -- I'll give
kudos to you. You really pumped up in the last year, and very
impressive. That was just my only thought sitting here as a veteran
and thinking, you know, trying to get the right people involved. And
I'm not sure it's one of us jumping into this, but, you know, I -- there's
a lot of merit here of a serious problem. Would that be something
that we could explore?
MR. RODRIGUEZ: Yes, we can, and we do, as you've stated.
And thank you for the compliments for the veteran group.
We have a very good robust program here, and they look at all
veterans equally, so -- and we do have the bandwidth that we can
support.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Because I've reached out to that
office for veterans that weren't Collier County at all and actually
weren't going to be. It was somebody in St. Petersburg, actually,
July 25, 2023
Page 37
Pinellas County, and the superstars we have in our office here
actually reached out to Bay Pines Veterans Hospital this last year and
solved the problem in, like, 30 seconds, which was very impressive.
So let's see if we can maybe at least, you know, see if there's
something that we can do.
MR. RODRIGUEZ: We certainly can.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Appreciate it.
Thank you.
MS. KEAY: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Thereasa Miller. She'll
be followed by Kate Tardif.
MS. MILLER: Hi. Good morning. I've not had to do this
ever before, so bear with me here.
I'm Thereasa --
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: I've never done this either. You
know, I feel like I'm doing a pretty good job, you know.
MS. MILLER: Absolutely fantastic.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: You're the only one that feels
that way.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: I do, I know. Don't ruin it for me.
Don't ruin it. You take your time. Go ahead, ma'am.
MS. MILLER: I gotcha. I think you're doing great.
I am from Indiana. I am with The Journey Home. I have been
with them for about seven years working with all veterans and
homeless and at risk of being homeless where our facility actually
assists them in getting them into housing, affordable housing, and
then breaking down those barriers and helping them after they get
into their own house. We do a lot of outreach.
And we came down here to Florida with the same intention of
outreaching, making sure that they're connected to the community,
July 25, 2023
Page 38
gaining partnership, and making sure that they have that purpose.
You know, one of the things with our veterans are that the trust
isn't there and the resources, they don't tend to go looking for them or
they're far-fetched. You know, you've got one over here, then
they're over here. There's -- you know. And The Journey Home is
here mostly to pull those resources together so they're basically in
one place.
You know, Jackie does a fantastic job at doing that, and instead
of sending this veteran to three or four different places, it's all right
here. She can help that with the VSOs, trustee, any others.
So I'm here just to let you know that we're here, that we want to
help, we want to be a partner in this. We want you to take us as a
partner in this and support us. And we have -- in Indiana we have
served -- I looked this up this morning because I can never remember
numbers very well. We have served over 450 veterans. Out of
those 450, 323 are unique. So some of the guys have come back into
the house when they've gotten out of treatment or whatever, and
they'll come back to the house.
But we have served -- those 350 veterans that have served
uniquely have been successful, and it's all because of my team back
home and individuals like Jackie here who have that passion to help
and continue to build that community bridge.
So I'm asking you guys to support Jackie in what she does and
The Journey Home because I think it's vital to our veterans. We are
very passionate, and we love our veterans very much. So that's it.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Thank you.
MS. MILLER: Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Kate Tardif. She'll be
followed by Douglas Fee.
MS. TARDIF: Let's see. There are two things to which I'll
July 25, 2023
Page 39
comment beginning with something that I don't think you guys hear
an awful lot, especially in these meetings, and I genuinely mean this
when I say thank you and I appreciate this board for all the work and
dedication and intelligence that you bring to all of the issues that
you're considering. It's a tough job, but I've been impressed by your
individual and collective professionalism. Thank you.
I do believe you're guided by honorable principles and I
especially appreciated Chris Hall, Rick LoCastro, and William
McDaniel for responding to emails that I sent after the last hearing.
It was a pleasure to have a laugh with Mr. Hall and Mr. LoCastro. I
do believe you when you, all caps, comment, "Always here for you."
I believe that.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: I wasn't screaming at you. I do all
caps because I'm Italian. That just means passion. It means
passion.
MS. TARDIF: One of the reasons that I wanted to comment
today has to do with a comment a friend made to me a couple days
ago that shocked me because she normally doesn't get this passionate.
But she lost her permit to carry for reasons dating back many years,
two or three -- between two and three decades, and she
uncharacteristically described her enthusiasm for an issue that's
coming up soon because she believes she's going to get to carry again
even though she cannot get a permit now, and the reason she believes
that is because she thinks law enforcement is going to have the right
to interpret state and federal laws on the street, and she thinks that
that's going to finally give her back something she enjoyed many
moons ago.
And so I'm very, very concerned about that, and I want to put
that before you as a possible consequence should that issue pass.
Thank you very much.
July 25, 2023
Page 40
MR. MILLER: Your next speaker is Douglas Fee. He'll be
followed by Chris Carpenter.
MR. FEE: Good morning, Commissioners. For the record, my
name is Doug Fee. I appreciate the time you have given me today to
speak.
I came here about a month ago, and I had requested or asked for
some kind of an agenda item on Veterans Memorial. In front of you
on the screen is a map of Collier County appraiser, and in the center
of the map is a 60-acre high school that's being built. It's going to
open next month.
You have half of the road built, Veterans Memorial, over to the
high school. And the reason why I came a month ago was to ask for
some update on what I called Phase 2. Phase 2 is to go from the
high school over to 41. Now, this road is a network road approved
many years ago on your network map. But in 2009 the school
district announced that they were going to put this high school,
brand-new high school, and now it's 2023. It's opening next month.
But as I said a month ago, I've been told that the road -- the
other part of the road will not open till 2028. That is nine years.
This road is called Veterans Memorial. The government helps out
veterans. This is in honor of them.
So please try to speed up this road. This is a very important
road for a lot of reasons. You have a school there. The students
who are bussed will have to go 20 miles round trip one way or
16 miles the other way. You're going to have emergency
management, fire stations. They will not be able to use this
one-and-a-quarter-mile section.
So, basically, I'd like to request some kind of an agenda item so
there's an update on it and to let the citizens know what can be done
to speed up this road. I was told in an email that none of the
July 25, 2023
Page 41
commissioners from when I spoke the last time asked for it to be put
on the agenda. And so I'm asking -- requesting again.
The other thing that I can do is I've been told there's a 10-minute
presentation. I'd prefer not to do that as a citizen. This is an
important roadway. It's in the middle of Immokalee Road and
Bonita Beach Road, and it is worthy of some time in front of the
Board so that we can have an update. And there is a lot of big issues
here. Should this roadway be expanded? Should it go over I-75?
Should it go to Logan? Should it go over to Vanderbilt Drive?
Anyways, those are my comments. Thank you very much.
MR. MILLER: Mr. Chair, your last speaker under public
comment is Chris Carpenter.
MS. CARPENTER: Okay. Good morning, Commissioners.
I'm Chris Carpenter.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Good morning.
MS. CARPENTER: This is in regard to the planned sidewalk
on the east side of Vanderbilt Drive. I sent you-all an email last
night, and I know that some of you got it. Thank you for your
response.
At the June 2022 Collier County MPO Board meeting,
Councilman Paul Perry asked me what Naples Park residents and
property owners thought of the proposed sidewalk for the east side of
Vanderbilt Drive, and I told him I didn't know, but I'd find out for
him.
After some unexpected delays, I started a survey. Normally I
would do this just by knocking on doors, but the heat got to be too
much for me, so I did the survey mostly by U.S. Mail.
An advantage of doing it by U.S. Mail, in addition to keeping
me cooler, is that there's a paper trail. There's all of those U.S.
Postal Service postmarks, so I thought that that might offer some
July 25, 2023
Page 42
reassurance to anyone who needs reassurance that this survey is real.
There are 69 homes on the east side of Vanderbilt Drive from
Vanderbilt Beach Road to 109th Avenue North. That's where the
sidewalk is planned.
Let's just cut to the results, okay. Target, already mentioned
that. So far, I have received 23 responses representing 22
households. That's a 32 percent response rate. There are 16
opposed to this sidewalk and six in favor of this sidewalk, and that's
73 percent opposed, 27 in favor.
There are still 47 outstanding surveys. Four of them were
returned by the post office as undeliverable. So the results of this
could change but it's -- I don't think that it's likely.
Oh, I need to wrap this up, don't I? Okay.
Just two quick points. You might wonder why I'm doing this.
I mean, who am I? I'm trying to give my neighbors a voice, and I
don't think it's right when the County does something without
consulting the residents.
I ask that you put this issue on your next Board agenda for
discussion in light of this new information. You may decide to
shelve the project, you may not, but at least please talk about it.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: You know, ma'am, what I would
just tell you, for something that specific, you want to work directly
with the commissioner whose district that's in. I'm going to assume
it's District 2. So you won't get comment from any of us, because if
it was a sidewalk in my district, I wouldn't want Commissioner
McDaniel commenting to you on what he's going to do about the
sidewalk.
So you're doing all the right things, but Commissioner Chris
Hall -- I'm getting a head nod from him -- that's who you want to talk
July 25, 2023
Page 43
to. We would have less knowledge because it's not our particular
district. But we have concern, you know. I mean, if you have
concern, we share it, but we look to Commissioner Hall to, you
know, take the lead in his district to talk to his constituents, and if he
wants to put something on the agenda, he'd be the one to sponsor it.
Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: And the MPO. You were at
the MPO last year. That's the other place to come and express your
concerns first before it comes to this board, just so you know.
MS. CARPENTER: Okay. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Thank you, ma'am.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Thank you.
MS. CARPENTER: I'll email you. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Usually I've got people beating me
up that they want sidewalks, right? No, I know that this is different.
What else do we have, Mr. Miller? Anything --
MR. MILLER: That was all public comment, sir.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Can we -- are we going to
roll into 10A?
Item #10A
WAIVE THE RECONSIDERATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
ITEM#11E, FROM THE APRIL 25, 2023, MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, AND CONSIDER
APPROVING AN AGREEMENT FOR SALE AND PURCHASE
WITH WISC INVESTMENT COMPANY, LLC, FOR 0.39 ACRES
UNDER THE CONSERVATION COLLIER LAND ACQUISITION
PROGRAM, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $432,600, BASED
July 25, 2023
Page 44
ON THE COMMITMENT BY THE CITY OF MARCO ISLAND
TO FUND $10,000 OF THE ACQUISITION. (SPONSORED BY
COMMISSIONER LOCASTRO) (ALL DISTRICTS) - MOTION
TO APPROVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATIONS USING ONLY
CONSERVATION COLLIER FUNDS BY COMMISSIONER
LOCASTRO; - MOTION FAILED DUE TO LACK OF A SECOND
(COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS ABSENT)
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir. Item 10A is a recommendation
to waive the reconsideration requirements for Item 11E from the
April 25th, 2023, meeting of the Board of County Commissioners
and consider approving an agreement for sale and purchase with
WISC Investment Company, LLC, for .39 acres under the
Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Program at a cost not to
exceed $432,600 based on the commitment by the City of Marco
Island to fund $10,000 of the acquisition.
This item is brought to the agenda by Commissioner LoCastro.
I do have a statement to be read into the record by
Commissioner Saunders. It was sent as a one-way to the
commissioners. But for item -- this item, 10A, Commissioner
Saunders asked that the record reflect that, one, he supports the
purchase of the subject property and, two, he supports the acquisition
by Collier County without the $10,000 from Marco Island.
Secondly, you-all received a one-way communication yesterday
with the agreement and the rider, should we reach that point. We do
have those for the record.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: I just to want to set the table before
Ms. Cook speaks.
I'm not bringing this back because we voted on it and it didn't
pass. There's very specific stipulations that cause you to have to
July 25, 2023
Page 45
wait a certain amount of time and all of that, and so even
though -- and when I talked with Mr. Klatzkow yesterday,
technically, we would sit here and say, oh, I'm asking for a waiver to
bring it back sooner where the reality -- and, actually, the correction
was made in the agenda changes -- there's new information that has
come to light on funds that are available to purchase this highly
environmentally sensitive lot. So that's -- when that came to light to
me, that, to me, made this a whole brand-new thing even though it's
the same lot that we voted against purchasing previously, but now
with new information from Marco wanting to, you know, continue to
keep this on our radar and even augment the revenue -- or the funds
that are available to buy the lot, I think that sort of shined a new light
on it. So that's why I went through the proper channels to see if,
under a new presentation -- because there's new information.
And so regardless of how we look at it, it's not that I'm trying to
break any rules and bring something back that initially didn't get
passed, but there is some new information and some new funds
available that we could take into consideration.
But, Ms. Cook, why don't you give us the latest on this
particular lot.
And I will also add, I think all of us have said before, we really
want to put a lot of attention on these Conservation Collier lots and
either buy them, don't buy them, cross them off the list, move on, buy
them, cross them off the list, great, but not have this revolving list of
we're waiting for appraisals and what happened and then, you know,
the appraisal took too long and the person sold out. Whether you
believe in the Conservation Collier project or not, over 70 percent of
the citizens did when they voted for it. So our job is to spend that
$25 million wisely on lots that have a significant environmental
preservation goal, and this is certainly one in my district, and we all
July 25, 2023
Page 46
have lots in various districts.
So, Ms. Cook, the floor is yours.
MS. COOK: Thank you. Jaime Cook, your director of
Development Review at Growth Management.
Since you last heard this part -- since you last heard this item,
Conservation Collier has actually moved over to Growth
Management and is under my purview, which is why you're hearing
from me today.
Just as a reminder, the WISC parcel is located on Marco Island.
It's approximately 0.39 acres. It's on Southern Marco Island.
And this is a close-up aerial of the shot. You can see that there
is vegetation, but it is partially cleared and does contain habitat for
gopher tortoises and potentially burrowing owls.
In January 2022, you -- the Board had approved this parcel as
part of the Cycle 10 Active Acquisition List, and you directed staff to
move forward with obtaining appraisals. In July 2022, that appraisal
was obtained, and a purchase agreement was prepared for the
December Board meeting. At that Board meeting, you had elected
to continue the item due to some concerns, and an updated appraisal
was obtained in February of 2023.
Just for clarification, both appraisals did account for the gopher
tortoises on the property, but the difference between the two
appraisals is the earlier one was valued at 419,000, the updated one
was valued at 429,000, and the owner did not want to sell for less
than the 429-.
At your April Board meeting, you did hear this item, and you
voted 3-2 to deny the acquisition of the property. Some of the
concerns that you had mentioned were some of the environmental
considerations questioning whether the gopher tortoises had been
taken into account as well as if there were previous listings on the
July 25, 2023
Page 47
property. I was able, in a five-minute search of Zillow -- it was
actually listed for sale in 2016 for about a year for 485-, but the
listing was removed in February of 2017, and it has not been listed
since then.
So the new information that we're bringing forward to you today
is that at the May 8th, 2023, City of Marco Island City Council
meeting, City Councilman Rich Blonna had discussed this parcel
with the Council, and they had agreed to pay the $10,000 difference
between the two appraisals in order for Conservation Collier to
acquire this property. Both Councilman Blonna and City Manager
Mike McNees are here if you would like to discuss with them.
But staff would recommend that if you are electing to move
forward with the acquisition of this parcel, the total cost would be not
to exceed $433,000 just to account for any minor differences in
closing costs.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay.
MS. COOK: Any questions for me?
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: I would like to hear from
Councilman Blonna and from Mr. McNees, if he so desires.
I mean, the reason -- and the offer of $10,000, basically, at least
in my -- as the County Commissioner for this part of my district,
reemphasized the importance that Marco puts on this lot for its
environmental sensitivity, and so it allowed us to sort of take another
look at it.
I share Commissioner Saunders' view that although we
appreciate the writing of the check -- and the program's not set up
that way. The program is set up that Conservation Collier buys these
lots. And so I don't want it to -- I don't want to give the impression
that, you know, we sat up here and, you know, the delta was 10,000,
and we weren't smart enough or thought this lot was important
July 25, 2023
Page 48
enough to kick in the extra 10,000 but you guys had a bake sale and
brought us a $10,000 check. I say that sort of tongue-in-cheek. But
it's the Marco Island citizens' money, and I feel like we're sort of
double-taxing them. They're already paying into Conservation
Collier.
So, you know, we owe it to them that if -- you know, the
importance I see with you coming here today and saying we'll make
up the 10,000 isn't so much the money, but it's the importance you're
reminding us of the environmental value.
And I will say that the Clerk of Courts has done a great job
sending us information on real estate and lots and value, but where
we agree to disagree is this isn't buying real estate. This is investing
in an environmentally sensitive piece of property, which is different
than just buying empty lots to build a house. That's not what we're
trying to do.
So the value of this lot varies depending on its environmental
value, in my mind. So I understand comparing lots but sometimes,
as we said yesterday, when we maybe agreed to disagree in my
office, to me it's not always apples to apples. You know, a smaller
lot loaded with bald eagles would be more valuable to me than a
gigantic lot with two lizards on it, you know. And so -- you know, I
say that to sort of make a point.
I live on Marco. I work very closely with Councilman Blonna
and, you know, you've got Brad Cornell in the audience. This is a
very fragile piece of property that is already loaded with
environmentally sensitive wildlife.
And as I said at the meeting when this got voted down,
regardless of the owner holding out for an extra 10,000 or whatnot,
we may love that or hate it. In my mind, that's immaterial because if
they're greedy or they just want the fully appraised value or whatever
July 25, 2023
Page 49
it is, our job is to support the Conservation Collier, you know,
project -- Program and make sure that the money is maximized for
the lots that have the most environmental value, and I know this one
is pretty high on the list. We made it high on the list.
So regardless of what the owner is sort of doing or not
doing -- but the lesson here is real estate changes quickly, so if
something gets, you know, appraised at 419- and then we sit here and
continue it and talk about it and kick it -- kick the can, the appraised
values change very quickly, especially in Collier County.
But, you know, having said that, I would like to hear from, you
know, Councilman Blonna. And less about the money but more
about you've done such a deep dive, sir, with -- explain to us why this
lot is something we should make sure that we really take a close look
at, and if we're not going to buy it, realize that we are going to lose it
immediately forever to some sort of construction and why -- the
people that you're here representing, why you think that would be a
mistake or a tragedy or not. So if you could give us sort of the short
version and just reeducate us on the value of this lot environmentally.
Appreciate it.
COUNCILMAN BLONNA: Hard act to follow.
First of all, I'd like to thank the commissioners for your efforts
to make Collier County a sanctuary county for the Constitution and
the laws of the land. Thank you for that.
Second, I'd like to thank Commissioner LoCastro for your
efforts to bring this item back to this commission for further
consideration.
I'm here today to not only to speak in favor of the acquisition of
the WISC property but also to ask you to trust the recommendations
of the Conservation Collier Land Acquisitions Committee. I've been
working with them now for two-and-a-half years since getting elected
July 25, 2023
Page 50
to the Marco Island City Council, and the level of rigor that they
apply when deciding upon whether to buy a property or to not buy a
property is beyond being impressive.
In order to even be considered for acquisition, let alone making
the A list, which this lot did, a parcel has to score high on the
following criteria. First, it has to score high on ecological value,
which means there has to be unique plant and wildlife communities
and water resources on the lot. This lot meets that criteria.
There has to be high human value to the property, which means
that there has to be opportunities for passive and active recreation,
there has to be accessibility, and there also has to be cultural,
historical, and archeological significance to the lot. This lot has all
three of those.
And as far as restoration and management, there has to be
minimal remediation needed to the lot, and there has to be ease of
management, which also this lot meets.
And then, lastly, vulnerability. You know, is the lot subject to
development and, for sure, it will be built upon if we don't preserve
it.
Now, in the past two-and-a-half years working with the folks at
Audubon of Western Everglades, we identified 25 parcels of land on
Marco Island that we said had high value and were worth preserving,
but because of the high standards set by the Conservation Collier
Acquisitions Committee, only eight of those made the A list, okay,
and that's the highest ranking. So in other words, we had originally
identified 25, and your folks pared it down using their high standards
to just eight, and the WISC lot is one of those eight.
Now, believe me when I say that I was disappointed several
times over the last two years when I went to the CCLAC meetings
and argued for our other parcels. So it's a very rigorous progress.
July 25, 2023
Page 51
To make the A list, that property has to be special and worth
preserving, and the WISC property is such a parcel.
Now, I want to talk a little bit about the land, and that's why I
have this map that I copied from the Conservation Collier website.
This property sits at the end. It's actually the northern end of a
one-mile stretch of land that we recently completed an
eight-foot-wide multiuse path, and this path follows the contour of
this ridge of highlands that extends all the way down to the Otter
Mound, which is the first preserve of Conservation Collier. So this
is a one-mile trail that goes from the northern to the southern end of
this ridge.
Now, these highlands were first settled by the Calusa Indians
followed by our earliest settlers on Marco. And guess who their
neighbors were on this land for the thousand years that it's been
settled? They're the gopher tortoises, an endangered species that
calls this highlands home.
Now, the uniqueness, rather, of this upland habitat is recognized
by every major environmental group in the County and in the state.
They all agree that this is a special place. It's unique to all of
Florida, and it's what saved the Marco Island gopher tortoises from
being flooded out during Hurricane Ian.
So when I came to the City Manager and explained to him that
this prize property was at risk for being lost over a mere $10,000, he
agreed to meet with our finance director and just find a way that the
City of Marco Island could step in, make up the difference in price,
and join forces with you-all to preserve this parcel of land.
The City Council unanimously agreed with this, and I'm here
today to ask you to vote yes on this partnership to preserve the WISC
parcel but also to honor the work of your Conservation Collier
acquisition staff.
July 25, 2023
Page 52
And this lot -- I just wanted to point to a couple of things. It
shows the one-mile stretch. I don't know -- how do I actually point
with this?
MR. MILLER: Just touch.
MS. PATTERSON: On the visualizer, if you just point.
COUNCILMAN BLONNA: Right here. So this is the WISC
property. Can you hear me?
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yeah.
COUNCILMAN BLONNA: Okay. The northern end of this
one-mile stretch is the WISC property. At the bottom is Otter
Mound. And the reason I mention this property in the middle -- I
can't point and talk -- 1830 Watson, that's actually the corner of
Watson Road and Inlet, and it's one of the highest properties on the
island, and it's actually the most beautiful place on Marco Island to
build a house.
Well, that was one of the first properties I identified as worth
saving, and it's owned by a trust. And I can't go into the details
because the man that owns the trust wants to keep it private, but it
took me about three weeks of searching to finally go through a maze
of trusts to find out who actually owned this property. And we went
through Audubon. One of the people in Audubon knew this
gentleman who's a billionaire who actually has started three
international environmental and wildlife foundations by himself.
And he said, I don't want to put this up for acquisition by
Conservation Collier, but my trust will guarantee that this property
will be preserved in perpetuity. And I know you-all are interested in
that and you want us to try and go beyond just using public money
for this.
So not only do we have this wonderful WISC property and Otter
Mound, but sitting smack dab in the middle, right on this multiuse
July 25, 2023
Page 53
path that we just built is this property, which is just chock-full of
gopher tortoises, burrowing owls, and other habitat.
So it's going to be kind of a major tourist attraction, and I'd love
to promote it as such. It's -- you can park a car at Otter Mound and
walk this mile one way and walk it back on some of the most
beautiful property on Marco Island. You can bicycle it. It's safe.
You'll be off the main road. So it's a really special place.
And I thank you for the extra time. If you have any questions
for me while I'm here, I'd be glad to answer them.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Mr. Miller, do we have other
public comment?
MR. MILLER: Yes, we do, sir. Would you like them now?
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yes.
COUNCILMAN BLONNA: Thanks so much.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Thank you, sir.
MR. MILLER: Your first speaker is Brad Cornell, and he'll be
followed by Daniel Zegarac.
MR. CORNELL: Good morning, Commissioners. I'm Brad
Cornell, and I'm here on behalf of Audubon Western Everglades and
Audubon Florida. Appreciate the opportunity to address you on this.
The Conservation Collier Program is something that Audubon
has supported for 20 years. It's a fundamental piece of policy that
Collier County has control over. This is a locally mandated, locally
controlled program to identify what we, Collier County citizens, want
to protect. So that's unique. It's not federal. It's not state. It's
ours. So just saying that to start off.
You know, Councilor Blonna has basically given you the full
story of this. I just want to give a couple of details. There are some
28 threatened gopher tortoises that are estimated to be on this parcel
because it has about 56 burrows. Our biologist, Brittany Piersma,
July 25, 2023
Page 54
has surveyed this parcel with support from the City of Marco Island,
who asked us to survey all the gopher tortoise habitat on the island.
There are probably, you know, well over a thousand gopher tortoises,
maybe approaching 2,000. She's not done with that survey. It's
obviously a very significant place.
The elevation, as Councilor Blonna pointed out, was the gopher
tortoises' population's salvation from Ian, because while we lost
gopher tortoises, like at Delnor-Wiggins State Park and Hideaway,
we did not lose them -- 1,300 of them, as far as we know, were saved
from inundation and drowning by the elevation, and that elevation
comes from, you know, ancient indigenous people and our modern
human communities that are there.
So this is -- to protect these gopher tortoises, this highland, that
archaeological value and other charismatic species of wildlife,
including burrowing owls, bald eagles, and shorebirds and seabirds,
that's one of the most fundamental purposes of the Conservation
Collier Program, and it's why over three-quarters of Collier County
voters asked you in 2020 to restart buying conservation land.
So with that said, Audubon strongly urges you to approve the
purchase of this parcel. It's -- while it's small, it really describes one
of the most -- biggest accomplishments that we can all achieve
together. Thank you.
MR. MILLER: Your final registered speaker on this item is
Daniel Zegarac.
MR. ZEGARAC: Good morning, Commissioners, again.
If we don't purchase this lot, is somebody going to build on it
right away? Is there another interested party in this lot? I haven't
heard any of that.
I heard of appraisals being in the 200,000 range, and I've heard
of appraisals being in the $419,000 range. Why are we involved in
July 25, 2023
Page 55
this? Why is Collier County going to dictate what this lot is worth?
I think you're -- you're overreached, you know.
I have lots of respect for Conservation Collier. I think there's
definitely a place for Conservation Collier but, again, they need to be
managed by people. When they need to get back in their lane, you
know, they should probably get there.
And, again, I think it -- there's definitely a place for
Conservation Collier, no question about it. And most of what they
buy is probably fantastic, and I appreciate it.
It's amazing that this -- you know, this purchase -- you know, it's
less than a half a million, so it's not really that much. You know, if
we had to remove the turtles or the tortoises, you know, the price
would grow. But, you know, this comes today when buried in the
bowels of today's consent agenda is a recommendation to reduce our
Collier County EMS public sector workforce by a million dollars.
Really? We're going to do that? We're going to get rid of a million
dollars' worth of EMS workforce, because our population's going up?
The seniors don't need that? Again, I'm sure none of you read it. If
you had, you might be concerned about it.
And you know what? I understand you're going to come to me
and say, well, it's a grant -- a grant was taking care of that. We
can't -- we can't replace that grant with another source of funds? I
don't want to hear the grant story. That's why we got rid of, you
know, a million dollars in EMS personnel.
So figure it out, guys. That's why you're up here.
COMMISSIONER HALL: We have figured it out.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: I'll make some comments on that.
First of all, I appreciate your comments, sir, as always, but here's why
it's not apples to apples. Your comments are apples to chairs.
I can't take the --
July 25, 2023
Page 56
MR. ZEGARAC: I don't agree with you.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Let me finish, okay. You had the
podium. Please sit down.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: One second.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: No, wait. No, no. No, no. I'm
talking.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: We're not here to debate.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: I know, but I'm choosing to do
that.
MR. ZEGARAC: My physical situation --
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Sir, your comments -- your public
comments are complete.
MR. ZEGARAC: I'm not going to sit down and listen to you
take shots.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Okay. Thank you. We're
done here.
Next?
MR. MILLER: That was the final speaker on that item, sir.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Thank you, sir. Appreciate your
comments.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Can I please have a question?
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: No, sir. Next on the agenda. Do
we have any public comments?
MR. MILLER: We have no comments on this item, sir.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay.
MS. PATTERSON: Did you want to hear from City Manager
McNees?
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yeah, if he's here. Thank you, sir.
MR. McNEES: Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Commissioners.
I just want to answer the gentleman's question. I think I would
July 25, 2023
Page 57
say it this way: The only thing that's more threatened on Marco
Island than a gopher tortoise is a parcel of undeveloped land.
They're disappearing very, very quickly.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Sir, sir, sir.
MR. McNEES: Whether or not there is development pressure
on this land, yes, there is, absolutely. The lots that have sat vacant
for 40 years are being snapped up. They're going away very quickly.
And so there is a legitimate urgency to this, and we very much
appreciate your consideration.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Thank you, sir.
Okay. Commissioner McDaniel, sir, the floor is yours.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. I have a question for
staff, please, if you can. And I just would like you to reiterate the
archaeological value with regard to this piece of property.
MS. COOK: I don't know that off the top of my head, sir.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay. Well, because as has
been mentioned regularly, I mean, a lot of these higher elevation
properties are not natural. And is this piece of property developable
because of its archaeological value? That's my question.
MS. COOK: I'd be happy to take a minute to look it up if you
would like to pause this for a minute, or if you have any other
questions.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: That's my only question.
Well, for now, for you.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Mr. Blonna, do you have anything
to add? Because I know you've done a lot of homework on this
particular parcel.
COUNCILMAN BLONNA: I know the other parcels that are
currently under review that are further down on Inlet have been
actually surveyed, and digs have started. This particular lot I don't
July 25, 2023
Page 58
have that information.
I was under the assumption that the entire ridge was settled by
the Calusa and settled by the earliest white settlors on Marco Island
and that under all of these lands are remnants. But, again, this one,
how far down, what's down there, I can't speak to that.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: I mean, one thing I will say is a lot
of research is done to put something on the A list. So, you know, I
have to trust that's something that is made a priority. Saving
$433,000 on this project, if we decided not to buy it, we can't send
that to Chief Tabatha Butcher to fund EMS, so that's where your
comments don't actually hold water.
MR. ZEGARAC: Don't take shots at me, LoCastro.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Sir, I'm correcting the record,
okay?
MR. ZEGARAC: You're weak. You're weak.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Sir? Sir, you're done, okay. You
had your comments, so let's please respect mine. We can --
MR. ZEGARAC: You have the microphone.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Sir -- and you had it.
MR. ZEGARAC: Don't talk to me in that tone.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Sir, if I need to have somebody
dismiss you, I'll do that. You had your comment, and now I have
my comment. I respected your comments, and now respect my
rebuttal, okay.
MR. ZEGARAC: You don't respect them when you make
comments like that.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Sir? Sir, please be professional in
here.
MR. ZEGARAC: You did not respect my comments.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Be professional in here or else --
July 25, 2023
Page 59
MR. ZEGARAC: I am professional.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Okay. So what I will say
is, when something's on the A list, a bunch -- a lot of exploratory
research and things have been done, so it's not on the A list
arbitrarily.
What I would ask is, if Ms. Cook wants to take some time, we
can take a look back at this. But there's a reason it's on the A list.
You know, you've got subject-matter experts here.
We actually don't sit here and debate if a lot is under contract for
building and then we chase it. If you understand how the
Conservation Collier Program works, that over 70 percent of the
people voted for, it gives us the $25 million budget to buy
environmentally sensitive lots just like this one. And these come to
us with recommendations, and we agree or disagree.
So, you know, I'm asking my colleagues to support the purchase
of this one. And much like Commissioner Saunders said, not
to -- not to utilize the 10,000 from the Marco City Council, although
we appreciate it. That reminds us how valuable they feel the lot is
that it connects a one-mile stretch of environmentally sensitive land.
And your offer of $10,000 is what brought this back to the table,
that -- you know, for our reconsideration.
So I have no qualms about the program. I understand how
Conservation Collier works, and it's not an arbitrary fund that can be
moved to the library, EMS, you know, the Sheriff's Office, or
anywhere else. It's for these exact specific things, and to identify the
most fragile and environmentally valuable lots, and that's what the A
list is for, and this one's, you know, one of the highest ones on the A
list, and we've got the people who are from Marco that know the lots.
We're not going to buy 28 different lots, but the handful that we do
buy I hope all look like this. That's what the money's for.
July 25, 2023
Page 60
So, you know, that's my particular stance on it. But if my
colleagues want to wait until, you know, Ms. Cook maybe gets a
deeper dive or circles back with our colleagues.
But all that, I feel, has been done, and that's why this is being
brought to us as an A list lot that we are being asked to consider to
utilize the pot of money that already exists that the voters voted that
they wanted to have to buy lots that are environmentally sensitive.
That money can't be used for anything else. We can't shuttle it
to any other needs, so that's not apples to apples. And so either use
it for this or we use it for, you know, some of the other lots on the
list, so...
COUNCILMAN BLONNA: Could I just make a quick
response to that?
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yes, sir.
COUNCILMAN BLONNA: Because that was my whole point
in developing my little talk about trusting in the Conservation Collier
Acquisitions Committee's work. You know, I did a summary of the
general things that they look for, but, you know, they have a very
detailed -- you know, they assign a numerical score to each of those
items that I mentioned and rate all of the lots. And the fact that
several of the lots we wanted to preserve never made it to the A list
and this one did, most of the A-List properties they cut across the
entire county, and I support all of the A-List properties, not only
those on Marco.
But the fact is that's why you hired these folks, and the level of
detail they put into evaluating these properties is impressive. I
mean, you know, starting with initial screening and then going out
and putting their boots on and walking the properties and really,
really doing a deep dive.
So all I'm saying is respect their work. Like you said, Rick, the
July 25, 2023
Page 61
money is allotted. It can't be spent anywhere else. We made the A
list. Go -- you know, go with what they're recommending. Thank
you.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Now we've got all the
commissioners lit up, so I'm going to start with Commissioner Kowal
and then Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Thank you, Chairman.
You can stay there, too, and you can stay there. I'm really
curious to hear back also from staff in reference to that.
And I just want to put on the record that I don't feel comfortable
taking the $10,000 from Marco Island Council. I feel that the
citizens of Marco have already been taxed the .25 mills that we
collect from them every year towards this program, and the program
does work. It's an important program, and I believe in it.
But I don't feel -- you know, it's not my district, but personally
how I feel about it is I don't believe they should be taxed twice for
something that everybody has the privilege to have the County run
this program for them as other citizens of Collier County and the
citizens in the City of Naples and Everglades and the other places.
So I just don't feel comfortable with that.
I mean, if it does come down to the point where we do purchase
this, I think we'll purchase it through the system we already have in
place and the way it works and it has been working for several,
several years. And we purchase a lot of problems. I've got a whole
list sitting on my desk.
And the other thing, I've got a question. I'd like to pull up that
picture again, if you can, of the actual lot that was in our staff
presentation. It was like the Google Map. Quick question. I know
we saw that it was listed back in 2016, pulled off in 2017, for
$485,000. So there was attempts of this LLC or family trust,
July 25, 2023
Page 62
whoever owns this property. I just want to make it clear
that -- because a lot of things are being clouded in a lot of
conversation up here. We tried to buy this lot the last time it came
up. We gave an offer of $419,000. It was unaccepted. And, you
know, at that point, we moved on.
MS. COOK: Correct.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: You know, we can't break
somebody's arm. We can't force somebody to accept the money we
give them. We felt it was that important to buy it, so I don't want
people to understand [sic] that this is not important. We don't -- we
understand the importance of it, but you also have to understand we
all made a decision up here to be shepherds and arbitrators of the
taxpayers' dollars that participate in this program, and we all decided
that we were going to negotiate prices as we move forward, and that
was a price we felt was fair at the time. And it's not like we weren't
going to spend $419,000 on this lot at that meeting. They chose not
to accept it, okay. For whatever reason they felt $10,000 was the
price, an additional 10,000.
The other thing is, what would happen to these animals on this
lot if they did sell it to a private investor and a home was built there?
MS. COOK: If private development were to occur on the site,
they would need to go through the state Florida Wildlife
Conservation Commission to obtain permits to relocate any of the
gopher tortoises on the site and/or any burrowing owls before
construction could commence.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: So that would be on the
developer or whoever purchased the property?
MS. COOK: Correct. Right now gopher tortoise relocation is
about 7,000 per tortoise. So with 28, I think you're looking at close
to $200,000 just to relocate the tortoises.
July 25, 2023
Page 63
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: So they basically relocated them
to somewhere that that would be a standard of everybody that
oversees these tortoises or a piece of property they could call home
for the rest of their lives?
MS. COOK: Correct. And, typically, it's in Hendry County is
where they're relocated to.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Okay. So I know a lot of things
have been said up here. I'm looking at this lot, and I'm trying to see
the connectivity where -- this walking path through this
neighborhood to link all lots. And if we did purchase it, would
people have the right to visit this lot to see what's on this lot?
MS. COOK: It is a County-owned parcel, so while there may
not be access, walking trails, or parking, yes, it's a County lot, so
people could go to it.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: So people could just drive in this
neighborhood and park their cars in front of homes and hang out on
the lot?
MS. COOK: They could.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Okay. All right. Well, I'm
going to wait. I want to hear back from what your research is on that
archaeological position. Thank you.
MS. COOK: If you-all want to take a break, at your break, I'm
happy to --
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yeah. After the break, we'll come
back.
Commissioner Hall, and then I've got Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER HALL: You know, the $10,000 from
Marco does not move the needle for me.
I voted to deny this purchase the last time. And I see it as a sole
benefit for the seller; like the County is an exit strategy. I get -- I get
July 25, 2023
Page 64
the tortoises. I get the burrowing owls. I get the A List. I get all
of the work that's gone into it.
But I maintain -- I still maintain that the property is conservation
because it's not marketable. Yeah, you could say, well, Chris,
somebody could come along and purchase that lot for 429,000, even
485-, whatever they wanted to sell it for, and a billionaire, the
$200,000 is not going to touch their -- you know, they'll relocate, and
they'll still build a home. I get that.
I guess as a former real estate investor, my risk tolerance is
higher than most. I would risk that the property is not going to sell
because it's not marketable.
The billionaire that's there, they could deed the property to the
County or a billionaire could come along and purchase the property
and move the tortoises. So it's six of one, half a dozen of the other.
Taxpayers, I guess, you know, voted to get taxed to buy property
like this, and so I don't have the heartburn that I had before. It stuck
in my craw that the seller wouldn't negotiate or, you know, kind of
wanted to just to stick it to the County or stick it to this program as an
exit strategy, and that still sticks in my craw, but it's not in my
district. It's Commissioner LoCastro's.
So I haven't decided which way I'm going, but those are
my -- those are my comments. I mean, that's my true feelings on it.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Well, you know, I'd be happy
to go ahead and take a break and see if there's any new information
with regard to the archaeological value.
I have a suspicion that there isn't a prohibition with regard to the
development -- you could look at the picture. There's houses all
around it.
What's going to be on the lot next door, to the -- to the left of
July 25, 2023
Page 65
this picture? I don't know whether it's north, south, or what, but
there's a vacant lot right there on the corner as well.
So, I'd like to -- I'd like to -- I know that there is -- you know, it's
been mentioned multiple times about the archaeological value of
these properties down through there on the ridge, but I'd like to
hear -- I'd like to hear a little more specificity on that before I pull the
trigger.
MS. COOK: Okay.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. We'll take a break till
11:00.
(A brief recess was had from 10:46 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)
MS. PATTERSON: Chair, you have a live mic.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: All right. Ms. Cook, any --
Ma'am, we're starting. No, we're starting.
Ms. Cook.
MS. COOK: Again --
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Anything additional to share with
us?
MS. COOK: I have a fantastic team working with me.
Conservation Collier staff was able to actually pull this and send it to
me really quick.
It is a map of the known archaeological sites on Marco Island,
and the WISC parcel is not near any of those sites.
But just as a point for all of your consideration, it wouldn't
be -- have been required even if a single-family home were to be
developed unless during the construction process a contractor were to
find something, and then they would have to stop.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Mr. Blonna.
COUNCILMAN BLONNA: Could I just make a point of
information real quickly?
July 25, 2023
Page 66
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yes, sir.
COUNCILMAN BLONNA: Yes. I just wanted to address
something that Commissioner Hall said. I think I added a level of
confusion by bringing up the Watson lot. That is the lot that's owned
by the billionaire trust. This WISC property is not. It's -- the trust
that owns this WISC property, the owners are very modest
individuals, and they're counting on this sale, actually, to help with
their retirement. So I don't want to get those two owners confused.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Thank you for that.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Anybody else have
anything to add? I don't have anybody lit up here.
I mean, I've done a much deeper dive into this just because
it's -- and I'm not sitting here pushing it because it's in my district.
I'm really here supporting Conservation Collier, which is a program
that we are charged with managing. More than 70 percent of the
citizens believed in it, and that's why they voted on it, and the money
is for this or for nothing.
And so I know that we've purchased lots that were a lot less
environmentally fragile than this lot, but I think every lot has to stand
on its own. We don't purchase lots that are under contract for a build
and then try to get in there and stop, you know, the condo or the
house from being built. That's actually not how the project works.
We're trying to -- this is -- is a preventative step to preserve this
lot so it doesn't -- we don't get into some sort of bidding war with a
contractor who wants to build something.
But, you know, I'm not sitting here as an environmental expert,
but I trust the staff. I've done a lot of -- gotten a lot of feedback from
the staff, the people who actually run this project, and realize that this
money can't be shuffled around to, you know, buy library books.
It's -- this is what the program's for.
July 25, 2023
Page 67
Councilman Blonna and Mr. McNees have done an awful lot of
work. And I agree with Commissioner Saunders who wrote -- you
know, he's not here to vote, but he at least expressed his interest.
Commissioner Kowal, you know, seconded that, you know, that this
is the program that -- as it is. So either we buy it for the price that is
being recommended to us for the staff -- from the staff or we don't.
I do appreciate the City of Marco coming forward and basically
reminding us that they think this lot is so valuable that they didn't
want to see it lost for a $10,000, you know, difference, and whether
that's, you know, for lack of a better term, the greed of the property
owner or what have you. In my opinion, I'm actually not burning as
many brain cells on that. I'm looking for the lot what it's worth, its
environmental value, and the mission of the Conservation Collier
Program, which we actually all do understand, and we actually have
read everything, if anybody's curious at the homework that we've
done.
So having said that, if there's nothing else, you know, to add, I
mean, I'd like my colleagues to support the purchase of this lot.
Obviously, we all have all our individual votes, but my
recommendation would be to make a motion to purchase this lot for
no more than what the staff is recommending, which would be
$433,000 or less, with the plus or minus, and using strictly
100 percent Conservation Collier environmental protection dollars
which are set aside for purchases such as this. So I'll make that
motion. Do I have a second?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. So I made a motion, and I
don't have a second, so I guess I'll say all in favor?
Aye.
Opposed?
July 25, 2023
Page 68
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. I don't know. I haven't
heard anything.
MR. KLATZKOW: Your motion failed for lack of a second.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Got it. Okay. So the
motion fails. The lot is not purchased, okay.
Did I miss anything?
MR. KLATZKOW: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay, great. Next?
Item #11B
A PRESENTATION REGARDING FY 2024 BUDGET
DEVELOPMENT COMPLIANCE. (CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON,
DIRECTOR - CORPORATE FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT
SERVICES) (ALL DISTRICTS) – PRESENTED
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to
Item 11B. This is a recommendation to hear a presentation
regarding the FY 2024 budget development compliance.
Mr. Chris Johnson, your director of Corporate Finance and
Management Services, is here to present. And just a reminder, this
is the first of several conversations that we'll be having leading up to
the September budget hearings. You had a specific question about
compliance, and that is what we're here to talk about today.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Thank you.
MR. JOHNSON: Good morning, Commissioners.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: All right, sir.
MR. JOHNSON: Sorry. I'm just trying to pop this up on the
screen here.
July 25, 2023
Page 69
Thank you, Troy.
Thank you, Ms. Patterson. Good morning, Mr. Chairman,
Commissioners.
For the record, Christopher Johnson, your director of Corporate,
Financial, and Management Services.
As Ms. Patterson stated, we're here today as requested to further
discuss the FY 2024 development compliance.
Today's discussion will include a quick recap of budget policy,
an overview of the budget compliance calculation, a look at the
rolled-up department budget compliance within the General Fund and
Unincorporated Area General Fund and, finally, an example of
departmental compliance.
So we'll get started here with a little history on your budget
policy. On March 14th, 2023, Item 11E, the Board approved the FY
'24 budget policy. This policy was inclusive of a component
increase of 4.25 percent to operations at the department level for
divisions and programs supported by the General or Unincorporated
General Fund.
What this means is department operations for FY '24 which rely
on those funds were restricted to a four-and-a-quarter percent
increase for their current program services and their operating
transfers.
Moving on, here we're going to discuss the budget compliance
calculation. As stated before, the budget compliance applies to
divisions and programs supported by the General Fund and the
Unincorporated General Fund. In order to calculate compliance, we
first need to determine the adjusted compliance base. This base
starts with last year's net costs to the General Fund or Unincorporated
General Fund plus any transfer from those funds and add any
additional adjustments. These adjustments can include, but are not
July 25, 2023
Page 70
limited to, Board-related adjustments, state mandate adjustments,
revenue adjustments, and organizational change adjustments.
As we move to the department fund and program budget
compliance roll-up, we'll outline the specific adjustments that we
made for the FY '24 calculations.
Once we determine the adjusted compliance base, we can
calculate the target compliance base increase by multiplying the
adjusted compliance base by your compliance of 4.25 percent.
Next, we need to determine the FY '24 or current year amount,
which includes the net cost to either the General Fund or
Unincorporated General Fund and the related transfers for this year
less any expanded requests that we may have.
With the FY '24 amount, we can then calculate the variance by
subtracting the adjusted compliance base and, finally, we can subtract
the target compliant amount to determine the compliance. In this
case, a positive number would indicate that we are over compliance.
A negative number would indicate that we are under compliance.
Did you get all that? We'll show it in a -- you'll see it here as
we go -- as we go on to the next slide.
All right. Next, we'll look at the budget compliance by fund.
What you see here on this slide is the budget compliance roll-up by
the department for the General Fund. Overall target compliance is
calculated in the right-hand corner along with the overall variance.
And as you can see, this fund is materially compliant, though slightly
over the target of the 7.5 million by about seven one-hundredths of a
percent, or $120,000.
If we look into these departments, kind of individually, you can
see the courts department was under compliance, actually almost
5 percent under compliance. This is largely due to a reduction of a
transfer resulting from additional expected carryforward in FY '24.
July 25, 2023
Page 71
Under Growth Management, you can see the compliance -- they
were under compliance as well at 4.21 percent. The adjustment you
see in the second column there for Growth Management is related to
the creation of the community planning and resiliency program along
with the enhancement of the housing program, which were
moved -- which was moved to GMD, which required multiple FTE
transfers.
So those programs, basically, had no basis in the FY '23 budget.
That's why you see an adjustment there within Growth Management.
Moving on to public services, they were also slightly under
compliance at 4.21 percent. The adjustment for PSD is broken down
into two separate components. One being a $675,000 adjustment for
unanticipated increases to the state Medicaid payments, which
represents an increase this year of over 20 percent. Typically, those
increases were in the 1 to 2 percent range, just for your knowledge.
The second component is the inclusion of the $2 million of
museum TDT revenue in the base calculation. This allows for a 4.25
percent increase for the museums. Without -- with the TDT cap at
$2 million, we can't increase what we put into there -- into the
museums from the TDT; therefore, the General Fund is essentially
picking up the slack on that with the compliance.
Moving on to Public Utilities, this -- this department represents
the Facilities Management budget, which is in General Fund 001, and
they were compliant with no adjustments to the compliant base.
Transportation Management Services, they came in slightly
under compliance at 4.16 percent. You can see the adjustment to the
compliance base there. It was due to a -- the sunset of a contract
with the Water Management District. We were receiving a revenue
for many years in the amount of a million dollars, and it sunsets at the
end of this year.
July 25, 2023
Page 72
On to the office of the County Manager, this office was under
compliance by 3.22 percent. The adjustment here is for the
additional funding required to fund the Board-approved contract for
the -- with Greater Naples for the Ochopee Fire District.
And, finally, when we look at the BCC, County Attorney, and
admin section, you can see that this section is over compliance by
9.68 percent. The adjustment in this section represents a
year-over-year increase required for the TIF payment to the City of
Naples. The main driver in the overage here is property insurance,
which increased 66 percent for us this year. This was not included
as an adjustment, as it was not an anticipated expense. Obviously,
we knew it was going to go up. We didn't know by how much.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: That was significantly more than
years past? I mean, I'm not asking for -- but, I mean, that's a big
jump.
MR. JOHNSON: Correct, correct.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: What do we equate to that? I
know it's going to be the obvious things, but just for the record.
MR. JOHNSON: I'm not the risk guy, but I can -- I'm going to
guess it was the hurricane.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Hurricane.
MR. JOHNSON: Hurricane Ian.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Wow.
MR. JOHNSON: And just so you know, that increase year over
year was $1.2 million for the General Fund alone, so -- and it may be
insurers as well.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yeah.
MR. JOHNSON: We all know what's going on there.
With that, does anyone have any questions here on this General
Fund compliance slide at all? I can move on to the Unincorporated
July 25, 2023
Page 73
General Fund.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Just as a quick -- just as a --
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yes, sir. No, go ahead, sir.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Just the -- give me the
definition of the net cost.
MR. JOHNSON: Certainly. It would be -- to make it simple,
it's your expenses minus your departmental generated revenues, if
you will, or other funding sources. So it's what the General Fund
actually pays for you, the net cost to the General Fund. So we have
expenses of 100,000. We make 50,000 in our own revenue. Our
net cost to the General Fund is $50,000.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
MR. JOHNSON: Does that make sense? And when
we -- when you go through the budget book, if you page through it,
on every department summary section, you'll actually see that called
out on the book in each program or divisional section.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Okay.
MR. JOHNSON: All right. Moving on to the Unincorporated
General Fund. The overall target compliance is again calculated in
the right-hand corner here. Along with the overall variance, you'll
see the fund is slightly over target of 1.8 million by seven-tenths of a
percent or $275,000. Again, this is attributable to the property
insurance for the properties within Fund 111.
If we kind of just go through these, I can -- I'll go through the
adjustments for you as well. Growth Management was on target at
4.25 percent. Adjustments to the compliance base included expenses
for inner department charges that were historically being handled as
transfers between funds; therefore, they were not included in
compliance in the past. This change in policy will result in a
one-time increase to the compliance base. Basically, what we're
July 25, 2023
Page 74
doing here is we're trying to put all the costs associated with the cost
centers into the cost centers where they belong.
This -- this adjustment here for Growth Management was offset
by the transfer of an employee over to the resiliency department in
001; therefore, the net adjustment, if you will, is the $406,000.
Public services, under 111, is compliant at the 4.25 percent.
There were no adjustments made there. Transportation as well,
compliant at the 4.25 percent with no adjustments.
The office of the County Manager was under target at
.45 percent. The adjustment here that you see is also related to the
Board-approved contract for the Ochopee Fire District with Greater
Naples.
And, finally, the BCC, County Attorney, and admin section is
over compliance at 16.59 percent. Again, as I stated earlier, this is
attributable to the unanticipated property insurance increases.
Any questions on this slide at all?
(No response.)
MR. JOHNSON: Good to go.
All right. Well, the next slide we'll see here is a department
budget compliance by division program. There's just an example
here. We're going to show you -- just kind of sum up how we get to
that number that was on the other page. And the example we're
going to use here is PSD, Public Services Department, in Fund 0017.
So in the second-to-last column here, you'll see the over/under
compliance calculation, and at the end you'll see the -- you'll see the
percent adjustment. It's important to note when you're looking at
this, this chart only reflects the cost to the General Fund. So any
other funding sources utilized for these areas are not represented on
this slide.
For example, when you look at the reduction in community
July 25, 2023
Page 75
mental health and LIP, it is a result of available grant funding being
utilized for these programs. This reduction required General Fund
dollars, has allowed for increases in the above areas of DAS, Parks,
Libraries by reducing the dollars that were utilized for the community
health as well as public services admin.
Any questions on this slide at all?
(No response.)
MR. JOHNSON: As you can see, there's ups and downs.
Overall, the compliance within the department was at the
4.21 percent.
All right. Just a heads-up for the Board, for the Board's
awareness. As you can see, a few of these areas, like Domestic
Animal Services and Parks, have those increases. They have been
historically underfunded in the past. To address this this year,
obviously, as we talked about, those increases were made moving
into '24. We do have, coming forward next meeting, I believe, a few
budget amendments this year to kind of rightsize what we're doing
there to make sure we're able to provide the level of service requested
through the end of the year.
And with that, I'll take any questions.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Chris, overall, are we in -- are we
hitting the target, or are you saying we're going to be a smidge over?
MR. JOHNSON: We're a smidge over, not materially over.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: It's a hundred thousand or so.
MR. JOHNSON: Hundred thousand in the General Fund, and
you're looking at a General Fund compliance budget of about 183
million. So it's a smidge, but not substantial.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Any other questions?
(No response.)
July 25, 2023
Page 76
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Thank you.
MR. JOHNSON: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: County Manager, what's next?
MS. PATTERSON: Commissioners, that brings us to Item 15,
staff and commission general communications.
Item #15A
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS NOT ON THE
CURRENT OR FUTURE AGENDA BY INDIVIDUALS NOT
ALREADY HEARD DURING PREVIOUS PUBLIC COMMENTS
IN THIS MEETING.
Item 15A, public comments on general topics not on the current
or future agenda by individuals not already heard during previous
public comments in this meeting.
MR. MILLER: We have no one.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay.
Item #15B
STAFF PROJECT UPDATES - ROCK CRUSHING UPDATE –
150,00 CUBIC YARDS TO DATE, THEY ARE LOOKING AT END
OF AUGUST FOR PROJECT COMPLETION
MS. PATTERSON: Item 15B, staff project updates. While
we have nothing on here officially, I understand that you may want
an update on the rock crushing just as we stand.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Sure.
MS. PATTERSON: All right.
July 25, 2023
Page 77
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: No, I actually asked Ms. Cook
yesterday, I just thought, you know -- I don't want anybody sending
us emails after these meetings saying, why didn't you talk about rock
crushing? And Ms. Cook and her staff have actually done a lot of
work monitoring several different locations that have become a bit of
an eyesore or that we've worked really hard to aggressively move in a
positive direction, so I asked her to give us sort of the short version.
Were you able to get hold of the contractor yesterday? I mean,
that was one of the homework assignments I know you were trying.
MS. COOK: I was.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay.
MS. COOK: Jaime Cook, your director of Development
Review.
He was going out to the site himself to do a visit to check. I
haven't heard back from him yet, so --
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. So tell us what you know.
I mean, you shared a lot in my office. But for the Board here, you
know, we haven't forgotten about the lot, and we continue to make
progress.
MS. COOK: Neither have I.
As of Friday, they had completed about -- crushing about
150,000 cubic yards of material. They are still working very
diligently. They've had a couple issues with mechanical
breakdowns. But with this new equipment that they were able to
bring in, I think March, April, they're actually able to do the repairs
on site now, so it's been a lot quicker.
The last three months they've been averaging over 20,000 cubic
yards a month. So they are still working very diligently. They're
still trying to figure out a time frame for when they will actually
finish, but they're hoping to be done with everything by the end of
July 25, 2023
Page 78
August.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay.
MS. COOK: So staff has continued to visit the site daily, check
to make sure that they're working, the water truck is still operating, so
we have not had any concerns from the staff.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: So the two things you and I spoke
about yesterday, just to, you know, cut to the chase about
where -- things we really want to accelerate when you hear back from
the property owner is, number one, the spreading of the piles. You
said --
MS. COOK: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: -- those are -- that's getting close.
And then you did say they've discovered some things that were
sort of buried a little bit deeper.
And then I said, okay, that happens, but then my response back
to them -- and I hope you deliver that message -- is if they've
discovered a little bit more material that they didn't anticipate, then
are they bringing in more machinery, more people? Are they going
to, you know, make a recommendation to us to maybe work longer
hours and not just go, oh, we found more stuff. It's going to take
longer.
You know, we want to make sure that that lot has the maximum
amount of workers, equipment, repair people, hoses, water, all those
things so that, you know, we're marching towards finality.
And so when I heard that yesterday that's -- you know, I'll feel
encouraged if they say, yeah, we discovered some things we didn't
know. That's not adding four weeks to the project. We're working
hard to, you know, bring in that special piece of equipment from
Switzerland, you know, like it seemed like had to happen. So keep
us posted.
July 25, 2023
Page 79
MS. COOK: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: You know, the way you were
sending us -- you know, you've sent us regular emails. I mean, you
know, appreciate the update here. There's a couple things hanging
loose but, you know, we're getting closer.
I went out there last week, and although I'd like to see those
piles leveled, I realize they can't level them onto areas where they're
still working. So I was hopeful that they were getting closer to that.
But I think, you know, they're paddling in the right direction.
I've had zero complaints from people from Firano, and that's not
to say they're not unhappy, but they've been very patient. And I
think they see, you know, activity out there. We're not sitting on our
hands. And so, you know, anything that you can tell us in the future
that you hear from the property owner would be appreciated.
Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Just one comment, and it's a
caution about leveling of the piles that are, in fact, there. Those
actually work as sight and sound barriers for the work that's being
accomplished inside. And every time I go by that site, every time
I'm coming here, I see them moving closer and closer to Davis
Boulevard, and those piles that are there do act as sight and sound
barriers --
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: -- which help keep the
residents that are in proximity from being impacted by the work that's
being accomplished.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay.
MS. COOK: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Thank you.
Do we have any other staff updates?
July 25, 2023
Page 80
MS. PATTERSON: No, sir, not on this agenda.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. What's next?
Item #15C
STAFF AND COMMISSION GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS
MS. PATTERSON: That brings us to 15C. This is staff and
commission general communications.
We do have a couple of items. First, to clarify the comments
about the defunding of EMS, that actually is not the intent of that
item. The item in reference was the items on the consent agenda
relative to the art federal funds. Every year we go through a process
dealing with over $74 million in funds that were provided by the
federal government and the various uses.
So those funds, from time to time, are reallocated. There's been
money that was allocated to EMS to buy ambulances, to offset
staffing costs. This is simply just a shifting of -- an internal funding
shift of that money. It is not a defunding of EMS. Their budgets
remain intact. In fact, if you'll recall that we -- this board gave EMS
24 positions last year to try to bolster the staffing situation over there
with the intent that we'll continue to provide staffing to rightsize that
organization as well as funding equipment, whatever is needed, in
EMS.
We're simply waiting for those positions to be filled, and we can
see how the system reacts to the infusion of those people to then be
able to make the next ask. So that item was not any -- any defunding
of EMS in any way.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: So the 433,000 that we saved by
not buying that lot on Marco, you're sending that to Chief Butcher
July 25, 2023
Page 81
immediately to fund EMS or to buy more library books?
MS. PATTERSON: No, sir. Again, that's back in our buckets.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: You know, it's a correction of the
record, you know. I mean, it's -- you know, I hope that, you know,
citizens who are -- who have concern and passion but also, you know,
just as they demand we do our homework and, you know, they
remind us that they think we haven't read anything, the reality is, the
responsibility works on both sides.
So, I mean, I say that, you know, sarcastically but to really
correct the record that dollars don't work that way.
So I appreciate, you know, that clarification, and I think we all
understood it up here, but we're just trying to move along.
MS. PATTERSON: For the viewing public, there's nothing
more important to this board than public safety. So any suggestion
that we are not putting our full effort behind public safety, I believe
we need to make that clarification.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: And, you know, I will say
something that's probably premature, but our County Manager's
really behind the scenes doing a lot of work with our fire leadership
to take a look at all fire stations.
You know, one of the things that's been on my short list is I've
got a couple of fire stations that took major hits during Hurricane
Irma and Ian. They're significantly undersized, significantly
underwhelming. I wouldn't want to bring the Governor through a
couple of our fire stations. On the flip side, due to the heroics of
first responders that we have in Collier County, you know, you can
give them a pup tent and a camping stove, and they'll put 50 people in
that tent, and they'll fight fires all day along, you know. So they
always make it work. But I really appreciate how aggressively, you
know, you've tackled that issue.
July 25, 2023
Page 82
And then, you know, we look forward that when you have
something that you think is presentation ready for us to educate us
on -- you know, that we're not going to be kicking the can anymore
on these fire stations and together, you know, we know that the fire
leadership is a complicated group in Collier County, but I appreciate
all the efforts and your leadership pulling that group together and,
you know, we look forward to your guidance to us as to, you know,
where we're going to make a significant impact or where we're going
to start, regardless of whose district it is, you know, where the
priorities are and how we're going to help improve safety in that area.
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: So thank you.
MS. PATTERSON: Thank you. We look forward to reporting
back soon.
Second is Citizens -- I just need to put this notice on for the
public again, is Citizens Property Insurance Corporation will be
holding office hours on Tuesday, August 15th, from 10:00 a.m. to
1:00 p.m. in President Passidomo's office on the second floor of the
building that we're in. This is Building F down here on the main
campus on the corner of Airport and 41.
The meetings will be by appointment only. Constituents can
schedule an appointment by contacting President Passidomo's office
at (239)417-6205. We'll also put this out on our various information
platforms. But just with the evolving situation with property
insurance, we want to make sure that we're getting this information
out. For people that are having difficulties, there will be this
availability. And I'll announce this next meeting as well just to be
sure it's getting out there.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay.
MS. PATTERSON: With that, I have nothing else.
July 25, 2023
Page 83
County Attorney?
MR. KLATZKOW: Nothing, thank you.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. Troy, do you have
anything you wanted to add?
MR. MILLER: I'm good.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. I'll start with
Commissioner Kowal. Do you have anything to add, sir?
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Yes, Chairman.
I'd just like to say, I know I keep revisiting this Conservation
Collier thing, but I just want to make sure that people out there
understand that, you know, I think the system works. I think it's a
great program.
And, you know, what we did back in, I want to say, January,
probably the first meeting in January, or maybe it was in December,
you know, we voted 5-0 as a Board up here to move forward and
make offers on these properties and not just blanketly give appraised
values because we want to make sure we have more money in the
pot. And we have other properties that are just as valuable to the
ecosystem or the animals, you know, the endangered creatures on the
lots, that we have more money to purchase more property.
And, you know, we've been moving forward. And just -- I've
got a short list in front of me. There's five parcels right here on this
list. All five of them, we offered less than what the appraised value
was, and everybody accepted it.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yep.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: So it's not uncommon that we're
doing this now, and it's working.
And I don't want people to take this the wrong way, but I
don't -- I don't appreciate Marco City Council, in a way, kind of
undermining our authority in what we all decided to do at the initial
July 25, 2023
Page 84
meeting 5-0, to offer, you know, a legitimate price for these
properties that we feel is fair and to make the program work, you
know, because it just -- it almost gives them an idea that, well,
somebody can just come in behind us and say, all right, we'll make up
the difference. These guys don't know what they're doing, you
know. And I kind of took it personal.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yep.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: You know, so I just want to
make sure everybody knows that, and that -- you know, and I was
unsure who was representing the property owner here today. I mean,
was it Marco Island?
Even if we voted to give the $432,000, you know, from the
program, Conservation Collier, were they willing to -- who was going
to accept it, or where was it going to go? I mean, I don't even know
if they would have even accepted the offer that we were -- that
possibly we could have reached today. You know, they could
have --
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: No, they had already negotiated
that, so Conservation Collier would have presented it, but they -- you
know, they came here saying we have an offer that's been accepted,
but you have to approve it. So that's what would have happened.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: Who did that communication?
Was it the City of Marco that went to them and said, hey, we're going
to give an additional $10,000 --
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: No.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: -- let's revisit this?
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: No.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: So that's what my confusion in
this whole process was. And I want it just to be clean moving
forward.
July 25, 2023
Page 85
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Absolutely.
COMMISSIONER KOWAL: And, you know, in what we
believe in as a body up here, and it showed with our 5-0 vote back
then. So I just want to clear the record on that.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Yes, sir. Thank you.
Commissioner Hall.
COMMISSIONER HALL: Yes. I just wanted just to clarify
something that went on the consent agenda to the public. We
approved some reallocation of some COVID funds that we weren't
going to use, and there was about 4.4 million of that that was going
towards affordable housing.
So I asked, what is that specifically being used for in affordable
housing?
And the answer was, we are going to reduce impact fees for the
Golden Gate Golf Course affordable housing project and also for the
Harmony project down on Santa Barbara. And those are going to
be -- those funds from the federal government will be used for Collier
County to reduce the impact fees so that we can give incentive to the
developers to get these units built where people can afford to live in
them. Just wanted to clarify that for you.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: No comment.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. I've got a few things.
First of all, I really want to thank my colleagues on the
Conservation Collier discussion. My goal wasn't to ramrod
something through, but some new information came to light. I
couldn't agree with Commissioner Kowal more or Commissioner
Saunders' comment that we want to stay true to the Conservation
Collier project.
So, you know, I had a real problem. I don't think there was a
July 25, 2023
Page 86
negative intent by the City of Marco. They felt very passionate that
this piece of property did link some other properties. But I agree
with you wholeheartedly that the Conservation Collier project needs
to sit on its own, and outside entities, that's a bad precedent to set.
And so, you know, what I appreciate from all of you isn't so
much -- I'm not here thinking sour grapes with the vote. I'm more
impressed with the discussion, the ability to take another reattack at
something. And we have so many properties that are coming to us,
and they all stand on their own. There's going to be some properties
that come and we think we're getting a steal because they accepted it,
you know, below price, but it may or may not be as environmentally
valuable, but we'll take those one at a time, I mean -- and so I think
we are doing our due diligence.
You know, I was one of the people that really did say, if you
remember, hey, I think we should run this like a business and
negotiate a bit more, right? I mean, if somebody owns a house next
to a piece of property, maybe they're the ones that are going to get the
best deal. If they don't want to accept it, you know, then so be it.
But thank you, you know, so much, and I think, you know, folks that
maybe are disappointed that we didn't buy that piece of property
certainly can't be disappointed in the process.
A couple of things I just wrote down here that are just more of
reminders to the group, although, Ms. Patterson and I spoke about it
yesterday, none of us have forgotten about the unfunded list, so we've
got a lot of hot things, but work's being done by our staff on that.
We had a good conversation about the sports complex that at
some point -- and as Commissioner McDaniel said, he's got some
good information that he hears at the TDC. So it's just a matter of
sort of combining all of that, either hearing from Commissioner
McDaniel or, you know -- I never want anybody to feel like we're
July 25, 2023
Page 87
stifling them from the podium. Whether it's the AHAC, you know,
leadership or it's our sports complex people, there's ways to funnel
information in here.
But, you know, there's been a lot of activity, a lot of big events
at the sports complex. I just want to make sure that we separate
rumor from fact so that when we have town hall meetings and
sometimes somebody raises their hand and says, oh, you had a big
football thing out there, but I heard it cost the taxpayers $50 million,
you know, to fund that or whatever. You know, we want to make
sure that we go on the record saying, well, that actually wasn't the
case or it was.
But I feel we're headed in a -- in a good direction out in the
sports complex. I'd just like to put a little meat on the bone as to
how good of a direction.
The marina contracts, you know, that's another one. I just want
to make sure that one's on a -- has a sense of urgency. You know,
we're sort of getting that one back on track, but it shouldn't take
months.
And then, you know, I don't want to sound super controversial
here, but there was an editorial written in the local Marco newspaper
this past week about the Eagle Lake Park and all the things the
County hasn't done and all the -- all the -- you know, there were some
accusations made against our hardworking County staff that there
were some projects that were all, you know, ready to go, ribbons
ready to be cut, and then at the end, you know, we canceled
everything.
And so there was quite a few things mentioned in that editorial
that really concerned me because I know how hard our Parks staff is
working, and there were quite a few things in that editorial that
actually were flat untrue. Maybe the author thought they were true,
July 25, 2023
Page 88
but the reality is they weren't.
So Ms. Patterson and our Parks and Recreation staff are -- we're
going to answer that mail, you know, because just like you saw here
when somebody throws out something, at least me, particularly, I feel
like we don't just say, yes, sir, and then, you know, if we have
comment -- and we have quite a bit of comment. There's been a lot
of good done out at that park, and a lot of the things that were stated
in the editorial that we haven't done on purpose actually were totally
untrue.
So we'll look for your, you know, correction to that, and then we
will respond back to that person, and also, you know, I want to make
sure that I respond back to my constituents who probably read that
editorial and took it as fact when, actually, it was -- it couldn't be
further from the truth.
Commissioner McDaniel.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: Yes. Thank you, Chair. I
did want to -- you know, you brought up two points I wanted to
make.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Sir.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: I apologize. I had made -- I
had made a statement that I would be more diligent and bring it
forward what's going on at Paradise Coast and have it at our
meetings. We will have a report at our next meeting, I promise. I
neglected to do that for this particular meeting.
I did share that there was some new information that came at the
TDC meeting. But I didn't bring that forward today, so that one's on
me.
The other is on the unfunded request list that was close to
10-and-a-half-million dollars; eight and a half of that were
septic-to-sewer conversion. And I'd like to have some very
July 25, 2023
Page 89
in-depth -- when that comes forward -- not today -- but I'd like to
have some very in-depth conversations with regard to that. We are
obliged to pay for the capital expenses associated with the
septic-to-sewer conversion for another utility. And no -- my
understanding is that that other utility is the City of Naples.
And so -- but, typically, when we're doing our own water and
sewer conversions, there's an appropriation at least of a portion.
And Amy's sitting down there wanting to interrupt me so --
MS. PATTERSON: Nope.
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: But I just want to make sure
that we have an in-depth discussion because typically we have, at
least in the recent past, been appropriating a portion of the revenue
stream associated with the ongoing operations to a capital fund for
ultimate replacement of those assets, because they are our assets.
And in this particular case, I don't think -- I don't believe that that
appropriation is, in fact, in place.
And so I'd like to have that discussion when we do talk about the
unfunded -- the UFR, as we call it, the unfunded request list.
MS. PATTERSON: If I may, the project we're talking about is
a joint project between the City of Naples and Collier County, but the
only portion that we're looking at -- or are financially responsible for
is the stormwater portion of that project. So it's actually a
three-part -- this is the second phase of an ongoing project in three
parts: Water and wastewater, which is handled by the City of
Naples, and stormwater, which is Collier County.
It's actually a really interesting situation, because they are
unincorporated Collier County residents who happen to be served by
the City utility. So it's a little bit tricky. We are responsible for
their stormwater, and the project absolutely has to go together,
because --
July 25, 2023
Page 90
COMMISSIONER McDANIEL: There's no argument about
the validity of the project being a stretch. I had forgotten that our
portion of it was for -- predominantly for stormwater, so...
MS. PATTERSON: We have planned to talk about the UFR on
the next board meeting specifically because there's a meeting this
week relative to that project that's going to give us updated time
frames as well as hopefully some updated costs so that we can bring
you the best information on that project, and then we can talk about
all the ins and outs of it.
How the assessment will be handled, because whether it's the
city utility, they're still county residents, and that assessment for the
utility portion of that project will be the subject of some conversation
going forward.
Now, they have received some money from the State of Florida
to offset, but we'll be talking about a funding strategy for that as well.
So expect that exciting conversation forthcoming on the UFR.
CHAIRMAN LoCASTRO: Okay. I had just a couple small
closing comments, but I wanted to give anybody else a chance to say
anything.
So two quick things. I want to give a positive shout-out to
Mosquito Control. I've had some issues in my district, and I just
want to say they've been so responsive, so professional, and, you
know, quick to spray where they needed to spray, quick to respond to
citizens and explain why they could or couldn't, but the customer
service out of Mosquito Control, at least for the needs that I had in
my district, have been stellar.
And second, I want to -- and I know that I'm going to give a
shout-out to one particular person, but he represents a much larger
group who have worked hard, and that's Mr. John Mullins. We've
had so many centennial events all over Collier County from opening
July 25, 2023
Page 91
time capsules -- and correct me if I'm wrong. I heard they opened up
a time capsule and Leo Ochs was in it. I don't know. That was a
little weird.
But, no, I just say that, John, you know, your -- the work that
your staff and you have done behind the scenes -- and, you know, we
can throw a shout-out to the Clerk of Courts, you know. She led a
great event, and there's been things all over the county. They haven't
been, like, overdone where they're sort of running out of steam.
They've really been timed really well. They've gotten really, really
great, you know, publicity and branding, marketing, what you will.
And I say that because I remember before we even sort of turned
the corner, I think, on January -- maybe it was last full -- you were
updating all of us and showing us sort of a sneak peak of the symbols
and the banners and all that you, and to see it all, like, actually
hanging from light posts, whether you're in Everglades City or here
or wherever, seeing these events -- and I know there's many more
things, you know, to come.
So, you know, great work. It is a huge milestone for our
county, and I'm really proud of the way that we're celebrating it.
I'll say again, I'm really proud of how the County pivoted with
the fireworks, you know. That's also part of our big celebration.
So, you know, there is a lot of good going on, and it's being led
by, you know, a lot of folks that maybe we don't see at these
meetings but that work really hard, and we see the results of their
efforts. So, you know, one of the things I always say is, you know,
their hardworking efforts don't go unnoticed and are certainly
appreciated by all of us and the citizens as well.
So thanks, John, and please relay that to, you know, the staff that
I know has worked so hard behind the scenes to make these events
possible. Thank you very much.
July 25, 2023
Page 92
Okay. Having said that, I guess we're adjourned for the day.
*****
****Commissioner McDaniel moved, seconded by Commissioner
Hall and carried that the following items under the consent and
summary agendas be approved and/or adopted****
Item #16A1
DIRECTED STAFF TO ADVERTISE AN ORDINANCE ADDING
A NON-VOTING MEMBER OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AHAC) TO THE DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DSAC).
Item #16A2
APPROVED FINAL ACCEPTANCE AND ACCEPT THE
CONVEYANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER AND SEWER
UTILITY FACILITIES FOR ESPLANADE AT HACIENDA
LAKES PHASE 3, PL20190000415, AND AUTHORIZE THE
COUNTY MANAGER, OR DESIGNEE, TO RELEASE THE
FINAL OBLIGATION BOND IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF
$4,000 TO THE PROJECT ENGINEER OR THE DEVELOPER’S
DESIGNATED AGENT.
Item #16A3
APPROVED FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER
UTILITY FACILITIES FOR GALLERIA SHOPPES AT
July 25, 2023
Page 93
VANDERBILT BUILDING 900 (PHASE 2B), PL20230008573.
Item #16A4
APPROVED FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER
AND SEWER UTILITY FACILITIES AND ACCEPT THE
CONVEYANCE OF THE POTABLE WATER AND SEWER
FACILITIES FOR TERRENO AT VALENCIA GOLF AND
COUNTRY CLUB PHASE 1B-1 AND 1B-2, PL20230005122.
Item #16A5
AUTHORIZED THE CLERK OF COURTS TO RELEASE A
PERFORMANCE BOND IN THE AMOUNT OF $205,800 WHICH
WAS POSTED AS A DEVELOPMENT GUARANTY FOR AN
EARLY WORK AUTHORIZATION (EWA) FOR WORK
ASSOCIATED WITH ESPLANADE BY THE ISLANDS – PHASE
3, PL20220007192.
Item #16A6
AUTHORIZED THE CLERK OF COURTS TO RELEASE A
PERFORMANCE BOND IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 WHICH
WAS POSTED AS A GUARANTEE FOR EXCAVATION
PERMIT NUMBER PL20220004553 FOR WORK ASSOCIATED
WITH NAPLES GRANDE COUNTRY CLUB 18-HOLE GOLF
COURSE - LAKE #4 MODIFICATIONS.
Item #16A7
July 25, 2023
Page 94
APPROVED AN AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO
(2) PARCELS TOTALING 6.95 ACRES FROM SILVIA M.
ARIAS, UNDER THE CONSERVATION COLLIER LAND
ACQUISITION PROGRAM, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED
$118,600.
Item #16A8
APPROVED AN AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE WITH 1)
MAURICE J. VAZ AND ALINDA VAZ; 2) ANDREA REPOLA
BRAFFMAN AND MARY HAYES-MACALUSO; AND 3)
RICHARD FRANKLIN BERMAN, TRUSTEE OF THE RICHARD
FRANKLIN BERMAN REVOCABLE TRUST OF 2012, UNDER
THE CONSERVATION COLLIER LAND ACQUISITION
PROGRAM, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $131,542.
Item #16A9
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AUTHORIZED A
BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $91,437.50
WITHIN THE CONSERVATION COLLIER MAINTENANCE
FUND (1062) FOR THE RAILHEAD SCRUB PRESERVE
GOPHER TORTOISE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT PROJECT.
Item #16B1
APPROVED A ONE-TIME ACQUISITION OF PROPRIETARY
SOFTWARE AND UPGRADED COMPONENTS FOR THE
ACTIVU VIDEO WALL SITUATED IN THE COLLIER COUNTY
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF
July 25, 2023
Page 95
$78,830.01 FROM ACTIVU CORPORATION, AS AN
EXEMPTION FROM THE COMPETITIVE PROCESS, AND TO
AUTHORIZE STAFF TO OPEN A STANDARD BOARD
APPROVED PURCHASE ORDER IN THAT AMOUNT. PROJECT
60172).
Item #16B2
AUTHORIZED THE AFTER-THE-FACT PAYMENT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $10,355.50 TO VULCAN, INC., FOR
REPLACEMENT OF EMERGENCY LOCATION
IDENTIFICATION R-MONUMENT MARKERS WHICH WERE
DAMAGED OR LOST DURING HURRICANE IAN AND MAKE
A FINDING THAT THIS EXPENDITURE PROMOTES TOURISM
(FUND 1105, PROJECT NO. 50280).
Item #16B3
APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED THE CHAIRMAN TO
EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT NO. 20CO1
WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION BUREAU OF BEACHES AND COASTAL
SYSTEMS BEACH MANAGEMENT FUNDING ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM AND MAKE A FINDING THAT THIS ITEM
PROMOTES TOURISM.
Item #16B4
APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED THE CHAIRMAN TO
EXECUTE THE SUBMITTAL OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
July 25, 2023
Page 96
FUNDING REQUEST (LGFR) BEACH PROJECT
APPLICATIONS TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (FDEP) FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2024/2025.
Item #16B5
RATIFY ADMINISTRATIVELY APPROVED CHANGE ORDER
NO. 1 ADDING 105 DAYS FOR INSPECTION SERVICES TASK
1-2 AND 72 DAYS FOR INSPECTION SERVICES TASK 3-5
UNDER AGREEMENT NO. 21-7880, “CEI SERVICES FOR
GOLDEN GATE PARKWAY OVER SANTA BARBARA CANAL
BRIDGE REPLACEMENT,” WITH HARDESTY & HANOVER
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, LLC, AND AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE ATTACHED CHANGE ORDER.
(PROJECT NUMBER 66066.16)
Item #16B6
APPROVED ADMINISTRATIVELY APPROVED CHANGE
ORDER NO. 1 UNDER AGREEMENT NO. 21-7900, “DESIGN
SERVICES FOR STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE
BCG & CC/CCN AREAS,” WITH HOLE MONTES, INC.,
AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE ATTACHED
CHANGE ORDER, AND APPROVE THE AFTER-THE-FACT
PAYMENT OF INVOICES TOTALING $13,015.
Item #16B7
AWARDED WORK ORDER FOR A REQUEST FOR
July 25, 2023
Page 97
QUOTATION (“RFQ”) UNDER AGREEMENT NO. 20-7800,
“GOODLAND DRIVE CULVERT REPLACEMENT,” TO
QUALITY ENTERPRISES USA, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF
$842,418.35, AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE
ATTACHED WORK ORDER, AND AUTHORIZE THE
NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS. (PROJECT NUMBER
50238)
Item #16C1
APPROVED A SECOND AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT NO.
18-7424, “HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT,” WITH
US ECOLOGY TAMPA, INC., TO EXERCISE THE FINAL
RENEWAL TERM, INCORPORATE A REVISED FEE
SCHEDULE, AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN
THE ATTACHED AMENDMENT.
Item #16C2
APPROVED THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT NO.
22-8000, “QUICKLIME SUPPLY FOR COLLIER COUNTY,”
WITH LHOIST NORTH AMERICA OF ALABAMA, LLC,
(“LHOIST”) TO INCREASE THE FEE SCHEDULE PRICES
(EXHIBIT B OF AGREEMENT).
Item #16C3
AUTHORIZED A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE AMOUNT
OF $881,250 TO MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE AND CONTINUE
FUNDING DAILY OPERATIONS WITHIN THE
July 25, 2023
Page 98
WATER/SEWER OPERATING BUDGET (FUND 4008).
Item #16D1
APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO
RECOGNIZE INTEREST EARNED, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$1,093.91, FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 2022 THROUGH
DECEMBER 2022 ON ADVANCED LIBRARY FUNDING
RECEIVED FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE
TO SUPPORT LIBRARY SERVICES FOR THE USE OF
COLLIER COUNTY RESIDENTS. (PUBLIC SERVICE MATCH
FUND 1840)
Item #16D2
AUTHORIZED A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE AMOUNT
OF $56,694.47 NEEDED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY & HUMAN
SERVICES CLIENT ASSISTANCE MEDICAID BILLING TO
PROVIDE FOR COLLIER COUNTY’S INCREASED MEDICAID
COST SHARE BILLING REQUIRED OBLIGATION DUE FOR
JULY, AUGUST, AND SEPTEMBER 2023 TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, PURSUANT TO F.S. SECTION
409.915 (0001)
Item #16D3
APPROVED AN AFTER-THE-FACT CONTRACT AMENDMENT
BETWEEN THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING FOR
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, INC., AND COLLIER COUNTY
SERVICES FOR SENIORS TO DECREASE THE EMERGENCY
July 25, 2023
Page 99
HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FY22 CONTRACT
AMOUNT BY $81,823.89. APPROVE THE FY23 FUNDS
AWARD AMOUNT OF $100,000, CHANGE THE CONTRACT
END DATE TO JUNE 30, 2024, ALLOW FOR REVISIONS TO
THE BUDGET SUMMARY AND AUTHORIZE THE
SUPPORTING BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR $100,000.
(HUMAN SERVICES GRANT FUND 1837)
Item #16D4 – Continued to the August 8, 2023, BCC Meeting
(Per Agenda Change Sheet)
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED
THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN COLLIER COUNTY
AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF SW
FLORIDA, INC., D/B/A HELP TO AMEND THE QUARTERLY
PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES. (HOUSING GRANT FUND 1835)
Item #16D5
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED
AMENDMENT EIGHT TO THE STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL
RECOVERY FUND PLAN, APPROVE A REALLOCATION OF
FUNDS AMONG PROJECTS AND REVISE KEY
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, AND AUTHORIZE THE
COUNTY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO SUBMIT THE
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN AND TO EXECUTE ANY
SUB-AWARD AGREEMENTS AND PAYMENT REQUESTS
NECESSARY TO DISTRIBUTE REIMBURSEMENT FOR
EXPENSES TO ELIGIBLE PARTIES.
July 25, 2023
Page 100
Item #16D6
APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN
THE THIRD AMENDMENT BETWEEN COLLIER COUNTY
AND COLLIER HEALTH SERVICES, INC., D/B/A
HEALTHCARE NETWORK FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF
THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT - CV
PROGRAM WITH AN INCREASE OF FUNDING IN THE
AMOUNT OF $125,625 TO SUPPORT STAFF SALARIES OF
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS. (GRANT FUND 1835)
Item #16D7
APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN A
LANDLORD PAYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN COLLIER
COUNTY AND WILD PINES OWNER LLC, WILD PINES TIC II
OWNER LLC AND WILD PINES TIC III OWNER LLC,
ALLOWING THE COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES
DIVISION (CHS) TO ADMINISTER THE RAPID RE-HOUSING
AND HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM THROUGH
THE EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS AND RAPID UNSHELTERED
SURVIVOR HOUSING GRANTS PROGRAM (ESG AND ESG
RUSH). (HOUSING GRANT FUND 1835 AND HOUSING
MATCH FUND 1836)
Item #16F1
RATIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVELY APPROVED CHANGE
ORDER NO. 9, ADDING NINETY (90) DAYS UNDER
July 25, 2023
Page 101
AGREEMENT NO. 18-7469, “CEI FOR BIG CORKSCREW
ISLAND REGIONAL PARK” PROJECT, WITH WSP USA
ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE INC., AND
AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE ATTACHED
CHANGE ORDER. (PROJECT NO. 80039.1.3) (THIS ITEM A
COMPANION TO 16F2)
Item #16F2
RATIFY ADMINISTRATIVELY APPROVED CHANGE ORDER
NO. 9, PROVIDING FOR A 90 DAY EXTENSION UNDER
AGREEMENT NO. 16-6622, “BIG CORKSCREW ISLAND
REGIONAL PARK,” WITH Q. GRADY MINOR & ASSOCIATES,
P.A., AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE
ATTACHED CHANGE ORDER. (PROJECT NO. 80039) (THIS
ITEM A COMPANION TO 16F1)
Item #16F3
EXTENDED THE IMMOKALEE IMPACT FEE INSTALLMENT
PAYMENT PILOT PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES FOR
INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS OF IMPACT FEES FOR NEW
CONSTRUCTION LOCATED WITHIN THE IMMOKALEE
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA, FOR FIVE YEARS
AND MODIFY THE PAYMENT TERMS TO DETERMINE IF
SUCH CHANGES IMPROVE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION.
Item #16F4
DIRECTED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO ADVERTISE AND
July 25, 2023
Page 102
BRING BACK FOR A PUBLIC HEARING AN AMENDMENT
TO THE "REGULATION OF OUTDOOR BURNING AND
INCENDIARY DEVICES DURING DROUGHT CONDITIONS
ORDINANCE" (ORD. 2009-23, AS AMENDED) IN ORDER TO
AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR OR, IN HIS OR HER ABSENCE, THE
VICE-CHAIR TO REVOKE AN EXISTING BURN BAN BY
RESOLUTION, TO BE BROUGHT TO THE BOARD AT ITS
NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
Item #16F5
RESOLUTION 2023-137: RESOLUTION AND TO APPROVE A
LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION STORAGE FOR
HASKINS, INC., FOR THE PALM RIVER PUBLIC UTILITIES
RENEWAL PROJECT, AREAS 1 & 2, TO UTILIZE COUNTY-
OWNED PROPERTY.
Item #16F6
AUTHORIZED THE AFTER-THE-FACT PAYMENT OF
WORK/PURCHASE ORDER NO. 4500223154 TO EARTH TECH
ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC, IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,642.50 IN
CONNECTION WITH A PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING SERVICES PROVIDED
UNDER CONTRACT NO. 18-7432-EV, WHICH WERE
NECESSARY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ONGOING
PROJECT AT THE FORMER GOLDEN GATE GOLF COURSE,
AND TO RATIFY/APPROVE AND ACCEPT STAFF’S
JANUARY 30, 2023, EMAIL TO EARTH TECH TO SERVE AS
THE OFFICIAL NOTICE TO PROCEED INITIATING SERVICES
July 25, 2023
Page 103
FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES IN THE NOT TO
EXCEED QUOTED AMOUNT OF $23,520.00 UNDER THAT
WORK/PURCHASE ORDER.
Item #16F7
RESOLUTION 2023-138: RESOLUTION APPROVING
AMENDMENTS (APPROPRIATING GRANTS, DONATIONS,
CONTRIBUTIONS, OR INSURANCE PROCEEDS) TO THE
FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 ADOPTED BUDGET. (THE BUDGET
AMENDMENTS IN THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION HAVE
BEEN REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VIA SEPARATE EXECUTIVE
SUMMARIES.)
Item #16I1
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
July 25, 2023
1. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS TO FILE FOR RECORD WITH ACTION AS
DIRECTED:
A. DISTRICTS:
1) Naples Heritage Community Development District:
04/04/2023 Signed Minutes & Agency Mailing
06/20/2023 Agency Memo
2) Ave Maria Stewardship Community District:
06/12/2023 Signed Agency Mailing & Proposed Budget for FY 2023/2024
October 1, 2023-September 30, 2024
B. OTHER:
1) North Collier Fire Control & Rescue District:
09/30/2022 FY 21/22 Annual Audit Report
2) Florida Department of Transportation:
06/04/2023 Affidavit
3) Big Cypress Stewardship District:
06/28/2023 Proposed FY 2024 Budget
July 25, 2023
Page 104
Item #16J1
APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN
AN AGREEMENT AUTHORIZING THE COLLIER COUNTY
SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO HAVE TRAFFIC CONTROL
JURISDICTION OVER PRIVATE ROADS WITHIN THE RANCH
AT ORANGE BLOSSOM SUBDIVISION.
Item #16J2
RECORDED IN THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS, THE CHECK NUMBER (OR OTHER
PAYMENT METHOD), AMOUNT, PAYEE, AND PURPOSE FOR
WHICH THE REFERENCED DISBURSEMENTS WERE DRAWN
FOR THE PERIODS BETWEEN JUNE 29, 2023, AND JULY 12,
2023, PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE 136.06.
Item #16J3
APPROVED AND DETERMINED VALID PUBLIC PURPOSE
FOR INVOICES PAYABLE AND PURCHASING CARD
TRANSACTIONS AS OF JULY 19, 2023.
Item #16K1
RESOLUTION 2023-139: APPOINTTED TWO MEMBERS TO
THE BLACK AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD.
Item #16K2
July 25, 2023
Page 105
APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED THE CHAIRMAN TO
EXECUTE A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WHICH WILL
DISMISS WITH PREJUDICE AT NO FURTHER COST TO
EITHER PARTY ALL CLAIMS BROUGHT BY THE
CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, INC. AGAINST
COLLIER COUNTY CONCERNING THE BOARD’S APPROVAL
OF THE RIVERGRASS VILLAGE SRA.
Item #16K3
THE BOARD 1) ACCEPT A QUIT CLAIM DEED FROM
PELICAN MARSH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
(PMCDD) ASSUMING OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE OF
TWO BRIDGES CARRYING GOODLETTE FRANK ROAD
OVER THE PELICAN MARSH COMMUNITY; 2) GRANT AN
EASEMENT TO PMCDD AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN
TO EXECUTE THE EASEMENT INSTRUMENT, ALLOWING
CONTINUED ACCESS AND MAINTENANCE UNDERNEATH
THE GOODLETTE-FRANK ROAD BRIDGE ALONG PELICAN
MARSH BLVD.; AND 3) APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE
CHAIRMAN TO SIGN A COLLIER COUNTY LANDSCAPE
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN COLLIER COUNTY
AND PMCDD, FOR LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION
IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN GOODLETTE FRANK RIGHT-OF-
WAY AT PELICAN MARSH.
Item #16L1
AWARD INVITATION TO BID (“ITB”) NO. 23-8084,
“IMMOKALEE MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNIT (MSTU)
July 25, 2023
Page 106
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE” TO A&M PROPERTY
MAINTENANCE LLC, AS THE PRIMARY VENDOR, AND
SUPERIOR LANDSCAPING & LAWN SERVICE INC., AS THE
SECONDARY VENDOR AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN
TO SIGN THE ATTACHED AGREEMENTS.
Item #17A
ORDINANCE 2023-37: ORDINANCE ALLOWING FOR
PUBLICATION OF CERTAIN STATUTORILY REQUIRED
LEGAL ADVERTISEMENTS, PUBLICATIONS, AND NOTICES
ON THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT’S PUBLIC NOTICE
WEBSITE IN LIEU OF NEWSPAPER PUBLICATION.
Item #17B
RESOLUTION 2023-140: RESOLUTION APPROVING
AMENDMENTS (APPROPRIATING CARRY FORWARD,
TRANSFERS, AND SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE) TO THE
FY22-23 ADOPTED BUDGET. (THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS
IN THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION HAVE BEEN REVIEWED
AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS VIA SEPARATE EXECUTIVE
SUMMARIES.)
*****
July 25, 2023
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 11:40 a.m.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX
OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF
SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS CONTROL
RICK LoCASTRO, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST
CRYSTAL r N NZEL, CLERK
41,
LW. 14
4 Attest as toy, 4 (..c
signature Sru
These minutes appro d by the Board on c6 221 ;on , as
presented or as corrected
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF FORT MYERS
COURT REPORTING BY TERRI L. LEWIS, REGISTERED
PROFESSIONAL COURT REPORTER, FPR-C, AND NOTARY
PUBLIC.
Page 107