2006 Copyright Tom Henning
All rights reserved
All rights reserved
Collier County Commissioner, District 3
Collier County Government
Communication & Customer Relations Department
Contact: Sandra Arnold-Lawson, Information Coordinator
3301 East Tamiami Trail
(239) 774-8308
Naples, FL 34112
Jan. 13, 2004
Communication & Customer Relations Department
Contact: Sandra Arnold-Lawson, Information Coordinator
3301 East Tamiami Trail
(239) 774-8308
Naples, FL 34112
Jan. 13, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2003, A Year in Review
2003, A Year in Review
Outgoing Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Chairman for 2003, Tom Henning, District 3, extended his appreciation this morning for having the opportunity to lead the BCC during the past year. The Board also today elected Commissioner Donna Fiala, District 1, as the 2004 Chairman and Commissioner Fred Coyle, District 4, as the 2004 Vice Chairman.
In reviewing Board accomplishments during 2003, Commissioner Henning released the following statement:
It has been a true pleasure serving as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners for the past year. Being Chairman is an honor, not to be taken lightly. It is an additional challenge within an already challenging position; one that I welcomed to my routine, faced with dedication, and performed to the best of my ability. Thank you to my fellow Board members for your support over the past year; together we have made a positive difference in the community we call home.
As Commissioners, we strive to make Collier the best living/working/tourism county that Southwest Florida has to offer. This year, the Board took major steps to implement initiatives that provide all of those fine elements, and then some. We heard from the community on many important issues and we listened!
The Board, together with the voting members of Collier County, through a referendum, created the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Committee in late 2002. The committee is responsible for the acquisition, protection, restoration and management of environmentally sensitive lands throughout Collier County. Following an ambitious schedule in 2003, the committee in 2004, with approval from the Board, will purchase their first parcels of land. You will see more and more parcels, varying in size, popping up throughout the county. The parcels will be used and known as "green space," land that will not be built upon and will remain in its original state, for the enjoyment purposes of the public.
In addition, the Board adopted the Rural Fringe and Eastern Lands Amendments as well as implemented Land Development Regulations into the Land Development Code. In short, these are rules that move potential growth away from natural areas and preserve the land.
The Board also entered into a three-party agreement with the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and South Florida Water Management District (SWFMD) regarding the Southern blocks of Golden Gates Estates. The FDEP, as new owners of the Southern blocks, in conjunction with SFWMD, will re-hydrate the area in an attempt to return it to its natural "everglades" state. In return, Collier County received monetary compensation and a contract that will ensure our canals will be maintained by SFWMD for the next 20 years. Another crucial environmental achievement!
The Beach and Boat Access Master Plan adopted in 2003 brings to light a major issue in Collier County. Through numerous discussions and workshops, the Board has adopted the initiative to spend $2 million a year on acquiring beach access points throughout Collier County, which will benefit citizens and visitors alike. What's the point of living in a coastal community if you can't get to the beach?
In respect to the Emergency Management Department, we welcomed Mr. Dan Summers as Director, who comes to us highly qualified from North Carolina. During 2003 the Board has implemented, with the help of matching grants where applicable:
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding came through with more than $1 million for the funding of beach repair to Vanderbilt Beach and the immediate vicinity due to damage by Tropical Storm Gabrielle. We count our blessings every day that that storm was the only one of significant impact on Southwest Florida. Let's pray for another year of minimal damage storms!
The Transportation Division is busy as ever implementing the concurrency management system, a system that provides for real time "checkbook balancing" of available capacity vs. existing traffic and prior development approvals.
Regarding the Livingston Road Expansion project, Phase IV from Immokalee Road to the Lee County line was completed and opened in October 2003. Phase III from Pine Ridge Road to Immokalee Road is expected to be completed by the end of this year (2004). When completed, Livingston Road will be the third north-south corridor connecting Lee and Collier counties, a greatly anticipated corridor!
In a major attempt to keep the aesthetics of Collier County up to par, the Board approved a Landscape Beautification Master Plan. This plan provides a level of landscape beautification for medians, retention ponds, and interchanges. It is also applied to arterial and collector roadways. Not only was the plan approved, funding for FY2004 and FY2005 has already been secured to implement this plan immediately!
The Public Utilities Division, along with the Board's approval, acquired 200+ acres of land for a Northeast Regional Operations Center that will include water and wastewater facilities as well as a recycling center. In addition, another 5 acres of land in Naples Production Park, including two industrial/office buildings, were secured for the Public Utilities In-Ground Services and Customer Service Operations Center, which is expected to open in late 2004.
The Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan and Strategy was approved this year, including projects related to commercial source separated organic waste and biosolids processing, grease trap waste processing, municipal solid waste processing and gasification, and landfill gas-to-energy initiatives.
The Community Development and Environmental Services Division has been directed to tighten the reins on Planned Unit Developments (PUDs). In 2003 the Board shortened the sunsetting provision; this year we are implementing a policy, through workshops, that clarifies the monitoring process for CDES staff to ensure developers build to their approved capacity and in a timely manner.
The Board approved amendments to the sign code in the LDC this year, which includes the infamous moving barber poles. In addition, the "OPEN/CLOSED" neon signs have been determined acceptable. The Board felt it was necessary to approve the neon signs for the convenience of the customer and the survival of the businesses. Giving special attention to the "mom and pop" businesses, the Board approved special regulations allowing signage at small businesses with inadequate frontage. We have to take care of our local businesspersons. What would our community be without them?
The Board has entered into an agreement with the Children's Museum of Naples, Inc., for the development of a children's museum at the proposed North Naples Regional Park. The mission of the Children's Museum of Naples is to provide an exciting, inspiring environment where children and their families play, learn and dream together. The anticipated opening date for both the Regional Park and the Children's Museum is 2005.
Diversity - we are faced with it every day in our community: at home, at work, at play. To ensure non-prejudicial behavior by our citizens, the BCC adopted a resolution opposing discrimination against all citizens of Collier County. We must all learn to accept one another and treat everyone equally regardless of the color of our skin or the origin of our families. Promote diversity!
Internally, the Board has taken steps to ensure that the citizens of Collier County get exactly what they want and deserve from the employees of Collier County Government. Firstly, the Change Order (BCC agenda items) process has been reviewed and fine-tuned. Each change order now has a review process for the scope of work to include if the design engineer and/or contractor is in error in their responsibilities/determinations. Previously, too many minor change orders were approved without the Board's consent. Now all change orders must go in front of the Board for review/approval.
Secondly, the Board directed the Productivity Committee to work with the County Manager's Office to do performance audits on County Departments. This was implemented to identify and eliminate: under-staffing, over-staffing, and exorbitant overtime costs. It is also meant to improve employee morale, working conditions, and productivity. Everyone wants the County Government staff to be a fine-tuned working machine; together we can make this happen.
Thirdly, several changes were made to the Employees and Commissioners Ethics Ordinance, which has been under immense scrutiny in the past. One implementation is that employees who leave County Government to work for companies who petition the Board are not allowed to come before the BCC for a period of two years; this is to ensure that private companies are not luring our employees away simply for their wealth of knowledge on specific projects or the LDC. All employees were notified of the Ethics Ordinance changes through a mass mailing and incorporated into the new Employee Handbook, distributed in late 2003.
And last, but not least, we also welcome Ms. Len Golden-Price as Administrator of Administrative Services. This year the Systems Application Project (SAP) financial system was integrated into the County's computer system. The goal of the SAP system is to support a fully integrated automated financial management system that meets or exceeds technical and business standards/objectives. The system is anticipated to eliminate redundant copies and paper documents, improve workflow, and increase security, to name a few. So far, feedback from employees who use the SAP system on a regular basis is positive.
On a final note, I want to thank the citizens of Collier County, their Commissioners (Fred, Donna, Frank and Jim) and all the County staff for making my time as Chairman of this board a very productive and rewarding experience.
In reviewing Board accomplishments during 2003, Commissioner Henning released the following statement:
It has been a true pleasure serving as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners for the past year. Being Chairman is an honor, not to be taken lightly. It is an additional challenge within an already challenging position; one that I welcomed to my routine, faced with dedication, and performed to the best of my ability. Thank you to my fellow Board members for your support over the past year; together we have made a positive difference in the community we call home.
As Commissioners, we strive to make Collier the best living/working/tourism county that Southwest Florida has to offer. This year, the Board took major steps to implement initiatives that provide all of those fine elements, and then some. We heard from the community on many important issues and we listened!
The Board, together with the voting members of Collier County, through a referendum, created the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Committee in late 2002. The committee is responsible for the acquisition, protection, restoration and management of environmentally sensitive lands throughout Collier County. Following an ambitious schedule in 2003, the committee in 2004, with approval from the Board, will purchase their first parcels of land. You will see more and more parcels, varying in size, popping up throughout the county. The parcels will be used and known as "green space," land that will not be built upon and will remain in its original state, for the enjoyment purposes of the public.
In addition, the Board adopted the Rural Fringe and Eastern Lands Amendments as well as implemented Land Development Regulations into the Land Development Code. In short, these are rules that move potential growth away from natural areas and preserve the land.
The Board also entered into a three-party agreement with the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and South Florida Water Management District (SWFMD) regarding the Southern blocks of Golden Gates Estates. The FDEP, as new owners of the Southern blocks, in conjunction with SFWMD, will re-hydrate the area in an attempt to return it to its natural "everglades" state. In return, Collier County received monetary compensation and a contract that will ensure our canals will be maintained by SFWMD for the next 20 years. Another crucial environmental achievement!
The Beach and Boat Access Master Plan adopted in 2003 brings to light a major issue in Collier County. Through numerous discussions and workshops, the Board has adopted the initiative to spend $2 million a year on acquiring beach access points throughout Collier County, which will benefit citizens and visitors alike. What's the point of living in a coastal community if you can't get to the beach?
In respect to the Emergency Management Department, we welcomed Mr. Dan Summers as Director, who comes to us highly qualified from North Carolina. During 2003 the Board has implemented, with the help of matching grants where applicable:
- Window protection and structural retro-fit for a number of school buildings to be used as hurricane evacuation shelters
- Window protection and structural retro-fit for a number of fire stations and other public safety facilities
- Design contract for the proposed new Emergency Services Center building
- The activation of the Emergency Operations Center during the September 2003 flooding
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding came through with more than $1 million for the funding of beach repair to Vanderbilt Beach and the immediate vicinity due to damage by Tropical Storm Gabrielle. We count our blessings every day that that storm was the only one of significant impact on Southwest Florida. Let's pray for another year of minimal damage storms!
The Transportation Division is busy as ever implementing the concurrency management system, a system that provides for real time "checkbook balancing" of available capacity vs. existing traffic and prior development approvals.
Regarding the Livingston Road Expansion project, Phase IV from Immokalee Road to the Lee County line was completed and opened in October 2003. Phase III from Pine Ridge Road to Immokalee Road is expected to be completed by the end of this year (2004). When completed, Livingston Road will be the third north-south corridor connecting Lee and Collier counties, a greatly anticipated corridor!
In a major attempt to keep the aesthetics of Collier County up to par, the Board approved a Landscape Beautification Master Plan. This plan provides a level of landscape beautification for medians, retention ponds, and interchanges. It is also applied to arterial and collector roadways. Not only was the plan approved, funding for FY2004 and FY2005 has already been secured to implement this plan immediately!
The Public Utilities Division, along with the Board's approval, acquired 200+ acres of land for a Northeast Regional Operations Center that will include water and wastewater facilities as well as a recycling center. In addition, another 5 acres of land in Naples Production Park, including two industrial/office buildings, were secured for the Public Utilities In-Ground Services and Customer Service Operations Center, which is expected to open in late 2004.
The Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan and Strategy was approved this year, including projects related to commercial source separated organic waste and biosolids processing, grease trap waste processing, municipal solid waste processing and gasification, and landfill gas-to-energy initiatives.
The Community Development and Environmental Services Division has been directed to tighten the reins on Planned Unit Developments (PUDs). In 2003 the Board shortened the sunsetting provision; this year we are implementing a policy, through workshops, that clarifies the monitoring process for CDES staff to ensure developers build to their approved capacity and in a timely manner.
The Board approved amendments to the sign code in the LDC this year, which includes the infamous moving barber poles. In addition, the "OPEN/CLOSED" neon signs have been determined acceptable. The Board felt it was necessary to approve the neon signs for the convenience of the customer and the survival of the businesses. Giving special attention to the "mom and pop" businesses, the Board approved special regulations allowing signage at small businesses with inadequate frontage. We have to take care of our local businesspersons. What would our community be without them?
The Board has entered into an agreement with the Children's Museum of Naples, Inc., for the development of a children's museum at the proposed North Naples Regional Park. The mission of the Children's Museum of Naples is to provide an exciting, inspiring environment where children and their families play, learn and dream together. The anticipated opening date for both the Regional Park and the Children's Museum is 2005.
Diversity - we are faced with it every day in our community: at home, at work, at play. To ensure non-prejudicial behavior by our citizens, the BCC adopted a resolution opposing discrimination against all citizens of Collier County. We must all learn to accept one another and treat everyone equally regardless of the color of our skin or the origin of our families. Promote diversity!
Internally, the Board has taken steps to ensure that the citizens of Collier County get exactly what they want and deserve from the employees of Collier County Government. Firstly, the Change Order (BCC agenda items) process has been reviewed and fine-tuned. Each change order now has a review process for the scope of work to include if the design engineer and/or contractor is in error in their responsibilities/determinations. Previously, too many minor change orders were approved without the Board's consent. Now all change orders must go in front of the Board for review/approval.
Secondly, the Board directed the Productivity Committee to work with the County Manager's Office to do performance audits on County Departments. This was implemented to identify and eliminate: under-staffing, over-staffing, and exorbitant overtime costs. It is also meant to improve employee morale, working conditions, and productivity. Everyone wants the County Government staff to be a fine-tuned working machine; together we can make this happen.
Thirdly, several changes were made to the Employees and Commissioners Ethics Ordinance, which has been under immense scrutiny in the past. One implementation is that employees who leave County Government to work for companies who petition the Board are not allowed to come before the BCC for a period of two years; this is to ensure that private companies are not luring our employees away simply for their wealth of knowledge on specific projects or the LDC. All employees were notified of the Ethics Ordinance changes through a mass mailing and incorporated into the new Employee Handbook, distributed in late 2003.
And last, but not least, we also welcome Ms. Len Golden-Price as Administrator of Administrative Services. This year the Systems Application Project (SAP) financial system was integrated into the County's computer system. The goal of the SAP system is to support a fully integrated automated financial management system that meets or exceeds technical and business standards/objectives. The system is anticipated to eliminate redundant copies and paper documents, improve workflow, and increase security, to name a few. So far, feedback from employees who use the SAP system on a regular basis is positive.
On a final note, I want to thank the citizens of Collier County, their Commissioners (Fred, Donna, Frank and Jim) and all the County staff for making my time as Chairman of this board a very productive and rewarding experience.
Collier County Government
Board of County Commissioners
3301 East Tamiami Trail
Naples, FL 34112
(239) 774-8393
August 24, 2006
Board of County Commissioners
3301 East Tamiami Trail
Naples, FL 34112
(239) 774-8393
August 24, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOTICE OF DEMONSTRATION BY COMMISSIONER TOM HENNING, DISTRICT 3
August 24, 2006
Collier County Commissioner Tom Henning, District 3, has announced that he will be holding a demonstration today, Thursday, August 24, 2006. The demonstration will be at 10:30 and will convene in the parking lot of the Administration Building at the Collier County Government Center, 3301 E. Tamiami Trail, Naples.
Commissioner Henning is bringing to light the government's abuse of freedom of speech when supporting political candidates.
For more information, call Sam Tucker, executive aide to the Board of County Commissioners, at 774-8393.
Commissioner Henning is bringing to light the government's abuse of freedom of speech when supporting political candidates.
For more information, call Sam Tucker, executive aide to the Board of County Commissioners, at 774-8393.
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