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BOOK - 2004R - B.O.C.C.-----------------------------------
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MARCH 08, 2004
A
Workshop Meeting
of the
sitting as the Board Management
and Planning Committee was held this date with the following Commissioners present:
COMMISSIONER COY WAS ABSENT FOR THE ENTIRE MEETING.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 1:31 p.m.
At this time, Chairman Albion announced that Commissioner Coy had a prior speaking engagement and would not be
present for the meeting.
1.
UPDATE OF PROCESS FOR POSSIBLE KORESHAN BOULEVARD NAME CHANGE
The Board has requested a status update of the process for possibly changing the name of
Koreshan Boulevard in Estero to Estero Parkway.
Assistant to the County Manager Holly Schwartz stated that, although the County has a detailed internal policy
regarding road name changing, Public Safety E-911 Manager Matt Rechkemmer received a letter from the seventh
property owner agreeing to the name change; and mentioned that the item would be Blue Sheeted for Board review in
two weeks. Referring to a memo from Mr. Rechkemmer, Commissioner Judah remarked that the threshold has been
met and is the road is eligible for the name change. In reply to Commissioner Judah’s comment, Ms. Schwartz
confirmed that staff is in the position to recommend support of the name change; and clarified that the item would be
scheduled for a regular meeting not a public hearing.
The Board has requested information about how other government jurisdictions in the region
and around the State handle Presidents’ Day for holiday purposes.
Assistant to County Manager Pete Winton referred to a survey in the backup material containing information from 16
cities and counties including the number of holidays provided to their employees; mentioned that the range for those
other entities was 10-13, and if another holiday was added the County would have 13 holidays and would still be
within the high range. Commissioner Judah clarified that Commissioner Coy was not envisioning taking away an
existing holiday; mentioned that the only option was to add another holiday; and opined on the public’s interest in
funding an extra holiday. Mr. Winton reiterated that for 5 out of 7 years the County has had 12 holidays, depending
on what days Christmas and New Years’ fell on. Commissioner Albion mentioned that the Board originally made a
conscientious decision to switch the holiday from President’s Day for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the reason was
not to have an additional paid holiday as it was not in the public’s best interest. Commissioner St. Cerny suggested
that this be a no action item to provide Commissioner Coy the opportunity to reschedule the item for a Management
and Planning (M&P) meeting for future discussion. Chairman Albion suggested that Mr. Winton meet with
Commissioner Coy to see what the best course is to have the discussion.
Provide the Board with an overview of ways to address the high number of traffic crash related
Department of Transportation (DOT) Traffic Engineer John Davis reviewed the information provided in the backup
material; stated that there has been a decline in the number of crash rates, which is a measure in the total number of
crash rates per million vehicle miles of travel or crash rate per capita basis; and remarked that, of the 10,000 crashes,
2,200 were located on US 41 or I-75. He continued by stating that there were 124 traffic fatalities and 16 occurred on
I-75, which represents 13% of the total figure; mentioned that I-75 has no intersection or traffic signals, that there are
wider lane widths, and that the shoulders are free of obstruction; and opined that this leads to a conclusion that one of
the major contributing factors is the driver. Mr. Davis pointed out that some of the crashes can be contributed to the
high level of congestion; and mentioned that some of the more visible efforts taken over the years are adding turn
lanes, shoulder areas, sidewalks, and streetlighting. He continued by noting that use of the Community Traffic Safety
Team, a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) initiative, comprised of traffic engineers, law enforcement,
traffic education, and emergency response providers to address traffic safety; and remarked on the three E’s of traffic
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safety: Engineering; Education; and Enforcement. After stating that the fourth E of traffic safety is Emergency
response, Mr. Davis explained that it was added because despite the education and enforcement efforts there would be
traffic crashes; noted that the efforts of the team have been numerous in terms of bringing safety funds, participation
of safety fairs and events, promoting the proper use of seatbelts and car seats, and conducting on site inspections in
high crash locations to come up with short term solutions; and apprised that the education component has included
publicity by the
News-Press
there has been a downward trend; and mentioned that a large portion of the fatalities can be attributed to simply not
fastening seatbelts. In reply to Commissioner Albion’s question, Mr. Davis stated that the total number has been
going down on the per capita basis; and noted that the safety messages need to be spread, and sources need to be
located for additional funds to provide the appropriate level of enforcement to enhance the voluntary compliance of
the traffic laws to achieve a safer roadway network. Commissioner Albion suggested adding signage such as the
number of traffic deaths to promote caution and safety while traveling. Mr. Davis stated that, for frequent users, the
signs become oblivious and become part of the street background; and noted that he did not want the signs to detract
from a more important sign such as a merge traffic sign. Commissioner Judah mentioned that people do not notice
signs when using cell phones while driving, and Mr. Davis confirmed that the State has not taken a position on cell
phone use while driving. Commissioner Albion commented on increasing articles in the newspaper to serve as regular
reminders. Commissioner Janes noted that he preferred the education efforts such as reminders rather than installing
signs on the roadways, and mentioned that there should be public announcements on television. Commissioner
Albion stated that the County is counting on the traffic team’s efforts. Commissioner Judah mentioned that, although
the Sheriff’s Office provides the available resources for traffic control on the waterways issue, the State has been
inadequate with funding and personnel; and opined that if the State is concerned with safety then it should provide the
necessary funds for personnel. Commissioner Albion directed staff to update the Board with regular reports, and
continue to work with the media.
Board direction on creation of state promulgated speed zones.
OPTIONS:
1. Creation of County speed zones through committee process.
2. Creation of local zones approved by the State.
3. County speed zones may also be set outside of the formal committee process through
local ordinance creation with input from affected parties.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is providing information for Board direction.
Senior Environmental Planner Stephen Boutelle stated that, since the last Board discussion, the US Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) has announced that they are going to implement emergency rule-making in the County, and
reinstate the speed zones in the identical configuration that the State had them in; and noted that there are mixed
signals as the USFWS staff is not sure whether this should be the long-term solution. He pointed out that the speed
zones being declared unconstitutional caused several issues: the Manatee Protection Plan (MPP) relied on those speed
zones and the likelihood that it was going to be acceptable to the State was compromised; and the areas where the
zones had been thrown out the dock permitting stopped; and mentioned that those issues were corrected with the
implementation of the federal zones. After expressing concern with the USFWS controlling the vast speed zones in
the County, Mr. Boutelle stated that, during their implementation in the Caloosahatchee River, there were numerous
logistical and administrative problems on boating safety issues and boater education though some problems were
mitigated by the fact that the zones had been in place for so long; opined that staff is unsure of whether or not local
action should be taken; and stated that, if the County decides to move forward, the logical step would be to get
through the process before the federal zones approach their 120 days were they have to either remove or make the
zones permanent. He reiterated that staff needs direction on whether the Board wants to consider a local option. After
opining that local involvement would be a better position for the community, Commissioner Judah inquired whether
the recently proposed committee structure would benefit during the formal process to help with the discussion
between the USFWS regarding the placement of permanent speed zones; the merits of the locations of some of the
speed zones with the possibility of the speed thresholds that have been set; and either shifting the speed zones or
eliminating some speed zones in some areas. COMMISSIONER ST. CERNY LEFT THE MEETING DURING THE
ABOVE DISCUSSION. Mr. Boutelle stated that the committee would provide structured input from different
stakeholder groups in the community; opined that there would probably be various viewpoints and a consensus
position would probably not come from that format; and noted that it is a matter of whether the Board prefers for staff
to meet with stakeholders individually or create a mechanism to form a consensus. In reply to Commissioner Judah’s
question regarding staff’s preference as to the best way to communicate with the federal government on the possibility
of permanent zones, Mr. Boutelle stated that there is a good working relationship with their staff level employees and
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the stakeholder groups; mentioned that staff has met with most of them and obtained the different opinions; and noted
that there will have to be a negotiated option. Commissioner Janes expressed concern with the County rushing into
the enforcement provision. Commissioner Albion commented on the past events and actions involving the Save the
Manatee Club; and recommended a request to the federal government to allow the County 30 days to come up with a
solution, to give the County the flexibility to hire a firm based on connection with federal agencies of significant
tenure to gain access to work towards reason. Brief discussion was held among the Commissioners regarding the fact
that the Federal Government is not stepping up and taking the leadership position that they have to take as an agency;
and that when the state speed zones were nullified by the court it jeopardized the manatee management plan.
Commissioner Judah expressed hope that, in the ultimate direction of the federal government toward permanent speed
zones, the County can dialogue and provide local base knowledge and resource information that would result in
adjustments. Chairman Albion recommended the 30-day time frame to come up with a solution, and requested that an
update on this issue be scheduled for the next Management and Planning meeting. Commissioner Janes commented
on a progress report.
BOARD COMMENTS/DISCUSSION
BASEBALL GAME - Commissioner Albion commended the individual Board members for their
BABCOCK RANCH - Commissioner Janes announced that there will be a meeting on March 23
involving Federal and State agencies, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), and the sellers
representatives, to discuss putting a deal together for the purchase of the entire ranch; and noted that the sellers
representatives have agreed to provide a tour of the ranch for those persons coming into town.
NEWS-PRESS
ARTICLE - Commissioner Albion pointed out that, on page 11 of the
News-Press
sports section on Sunday, the Boston Red Sox took out a full-paged ad thanking County staff, mentioning by name the
individual staff members that were involved in the improvement and clean-up of the stadium; and hoped everyone
involved would give an appropriate thank you to the Red Sox for their generous action.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 2:19 p.m.