Hello,
I continue to individually meet with our state, county, and local elected officials and members of Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) as well as attend the Collier County Board of Commissioners, the City of Naples Council and CCPS Board meetings.
The majority of the primary public policy issues and initiative pertained to workforce housing and land use and zoning, education, the economy, coastal storm risk management, healthcare, and Naples Airport.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have questions.
Be well,
~d
Donna Jannine
Director, Government Relations
Greater Naples Chamber
O: 239.298.7929 l M: 631.334.1019
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Housing for Middle-Income Earners |
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State: On March 29, 2023, Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 102 into law. The Live Local Act earmarked $711million to several programs designed to increase affordable housing for middle-income earners so they can live in the communities where they work.
- Increase the density allowed within the County’s Activity Centers (intersection of major roads) from 16 units an acre to 25 units an acre, when providing for affordable housing, to achieve the 25 units an acer the project will have to serve multiple income restrictive levels.
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Allow for commercially zoned properties that are not within the County’s Activity Centers to transition to residential use (16 units an acre) without a public hearing, when showing the residential use generates less traffic than the allowed commercial use, add providing for affordable housing within all the units. The BCC approved this initiative, but removed properties zoned Commercial-4 or Commercial-5 from eligibility for the conversion process.
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Allow higher density along transit (bus) routes, up to 25 units an acre when providing for affordable housing. The design requirements state that the project must have a transit stop at its entrance and 50% of all the units in the development are within a ¼ mile of that stop and to reach the 25 units per acre the project will have to serve multiple income restrictive levels.
- Allow high employment centers to add up to 25 units an acre, when providing affordable housing. These are locations such as corporate headquarters (Arthrex Corporate Campus at Immokalee and Goodlett-Frank) and other job creation centers. To achieve the 25 units an acre the project will have to serve multiple income restrictive levels.
Collier County continues to address the Workforce Housing need with two new developments currently moving forward:
- A planned community at the County-owned Golden Gate Golf Course will contain 252 affordable family rental units and an additional 120 affordable senior housing units.
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The Haven Planned Unit Development (PUD), located on North Airport Rd., proposes 336 rental apartments, of which 76 (22.8%) will be affordable.
On April 6, 2023, the Collier County Planning Commission issued a recommendation of approval to the Board of County Commissioners for the Haven PUD. The Board of County Commissioners will next hear and decide on the issue on May 23, 2023.
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State: On March 27, 2023, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 1 which eliminated prior financial eligibility restrictions and enrollment cap. The historic legislation allows any student who is eligible to enroll in K-12 to participate in available school choice options.
Dr. Ricciardelli has worked in education for more than 28 years and is serving as interim superintendent from December 13, 2022.
Mr. Van Zant Jr. has worked in education for close to 18 years. His last tenure was as superintendent for Clay County Schools from 2012 to 2016.
The new superintendent will be voted on at a special CCPS board meeting to be held at 5pm on May 3, at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Administrative Center. The meeting is open to the public. |
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State: The House Workforce Education bill, HB 7051 and SB 240 have been amended throughout the committee process as each chamber negotiates their priorities within the bill.
Major similarities include:
- Incentives for businesses to offer apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships;
- Increased collaboration among local workforce boards, businesses, and educational providers to address industry specific needs;
- Expansion of work-based learning opportunities for middle and high school students;
- Increased funding opportunities for students pursuing workforce education; and
- A streamlined process to recoup workers’ comp costs for students in work-based programs.
SB 240 contains an appropriation of $102 million to fund incentives for businesses to participate in work-based education programs and support operational costs for workforce programs contained within the bill.
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State: House Bill (HB) 837, Civil Remedies, designed to decrease frivolous lawsuits and prevent predatory practices of trial attorneys was signed by Governor DeSantis on March 24, 2023, making it the most comprehensive reform to prevent predatory practices of trial attorneys.
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Coastal Storm Risk Management |
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County: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently re-initiated the Collier County Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study. The purpose of the study is to identify coastal storm flood risks and manage the risk of coastal storm surge flooding to residents, businesses etc., to improve human safety and coastal.
In his recent e-letter, Commissioner LoCastro reiterates:
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This is merely a "study" NOT A PLAN. It's NOT directive to us to do anything… but we do want the benefit of their analysis report…(which) helps educate or remind us of where our most vulnerable areas are... and will offer us a wide range of possibilities for us to consider and discuss with our citizens. Anything the County thinks has merit would then be discussed in multiple public forums with citizens over a long period of time… and would need to be funded by the County -- not the Corps. |
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The USACE recently held two public meetings. Deadline for written comments and questions is May 8, 2023, and may be submitted to Collier County Manager Amy Patterson by email or snail mail at Amy Patterson
County Manager's Office
3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 202
Naples, FL 34112
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County: Collier County Board of Commissioners recently passed the Collier County Health Freedom Bill of Rights ordinance. According to BCC Chair Rick LoCastro, “…the Resolution and Ordinance passed ensuring previously directed controversial Covid mandates are handled differently in the future giving citizens much more CHOICE -- which I support.”
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Naples Airport Authority Finalizes Noise Study: As a part of its continued commitment to the community and to being a good neighbor, the Naples Airport Authority (NAA) Board of Commissioners has adopted the final measures to be included in its Part 150 Noise Study. The measures, which were developed with the input of the community will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for review and approval. The NAA is proud to have reached this significant milestone and will continue to work on innovative initiatives such as engaging a global airspace flight procedure design firm and the installation of noise and operations monitors, to enhance its ongoing noise abatement programs.
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Greater Naples Chamber Congratulates Board Member Kristen Coury |
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Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo appointed Kristen Coury, CEO and producing artistic director of Naples’ Gulfshore Playhouse, to the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
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Important Guidance on What to Do and Not to Do When Contacting Your Elected Officials
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The Chamber strongly supports everyone's right to share their opinion and concern regarding any public policy issue. At a recent public meeting, Collier County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Rick LoCastro provided noteworthy advice regarding best practices for residents and business owners to consider using when contacting elected officials. Please take a moment to listen to the message by following this link and begin at time stamp 1:26:09.
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