April 25, 2002
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE
The first meeting of the Lee County Smart Growth Advisory Committee
was opened by Mr. Wayne Daltry at 6 p.m. in the Conference Room of the
Public Works Building. Mr. Daltry introduced himself, noting that he
has committed to the two years necessary to bring a set of
recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. Such
recommendations will help the County’s programs achieve what we think
the results of smart growth should be. Mr. Daltry requested that the
committee introduce themselves; introductions were made as follows:
Ms. Carol Hudler, President and Publisher of the News-Press; served on
the original Smart Growth Task Force
Mr. Brian Griffin, President of the Lee County Council of Civic
Associations
Mr. Arnold Rosenthal
Mr. Jack Eickenberg
Mr. Marty Harrity, Sanibel Councilman
Mr. Don Stillwell, Lee County Administrator
Mr. John Witt, Eighth Grade Science Teacher, Diplomat Middle School
Dr. Ed Houck, Administrator, CEO, Bonita Community Health Center
Ms. Jane Kuckle, Chairman, Lee County School Board
Mr. Bill Hammond, Ph.D, Florida Gulf Coast University; former
Co-Chairman of the Smart Growth Task Force
Mr. Tim Kenny, Teacher
Mr. Bob Janes, Lee County Commissioner
Ms. Ellen Lindblad, Executive Director CREW Land and Water Trust; a
member of the Smart Growth Task Force
Mr. Lee Ford, a member of the Smart Growth Task Force
Mr. Rob Fowler, Chairman of the Fowler Company
Mr. Steve Maxwell
Absent from the meeting (both due to prior engagements):
Mr. Dennis Gilkey – representing Mr. Gilkey was Ms. Debra Forester
Preston
Ms. Kate English
2. HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY GROWTH AND GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
Mr. Daltry gave a brief history of the development of growth in Lee
County since the 1950’s. He noted that although there have been four
cities created since 1950, the number of people have clearly
outstripped the government structures that were in place when all the
growth was initially approved.
3. MISSION OF THE COMMITTEE
Mr. Daltry suggested an administrative mission and a “results”
mission. For a “results” mission, this committee will come up with a
strategy by which government spends money on the areas where people
should be and perhaps on the land where people shouldn’t be. For a
process/administrative mission, we will examine the government
structure of Lee County and make sure that it assists the private
enterprise system, which produces most of the new value. After
examining the government structure, we will make recommendations as to
what needs to be changed. We have been given two years to do this job
to prepare for the following upcoming events:
Updating of the Comprehensive Plan
Conservation 20/20 will be discussed for referendum
Updates to the Transportation Plan
Southwest Florida Feasibility Study/Everglades restoration for Water
Resources by 2050
This committee must think smart on County finances, land issues and
social and economic issues which drive growth. While waiting for the
next presentation to be set up, Mr. Daltry called for discussion on
the mission of this committee for the next two years:
Bill Hammond – expressed the desire that some of the things thought
out by the original Task Force could be implemented
Brian Griffin – suggested the committee establish what is the smart
growth national movement and to encourage infrastructure development
Steve Maxwell – expressed the need to be aware of County funds already
committed to specific areas of the County; these areas can’t be
ignored or overlapped
Tim Kenny – expressed the need to look nationally at what is
happening; the committee needs to look 40/50 years ahead
4. THE SMART GROWTH TASK FORCE (predecessor to this Committee)
Ms. Janet Watermeier, Economic Development Director, using Power
Point, gave a brief overview of the work done by the Smart Growth Task
Force and their five working groups. Their Vision – to shape the
future growth of Lee County, through a pro-active, inclusive community
effort that continuously improves the quality of life by reaching a
harmonious balance between economic development, environmental
sustainability and community livability; to provide a legacy for
future generations. The five working groups consisted of:
Environmental Quality
Transportation
Land Use
Water Supplies
Community Character
The focus of each group was to identify the opportunities and threats
in each of these areas; define problems; review existing data and
studies; to recommend additional studies if necessary; and to generate
ideas and solutions. Ms. Watermeier reviewed the work of each working
group; much of the presentation is included in the back-up materials
provided. During discussion Mr. Daltry described urban sprawl and
responded to inquiry regarding sub-committees
5. NEXT STEPS OF THE COMMITTEE
The contents of the Blue Book (back-up information) was reviewed by
Mr. Daltry. At the next meeting a Chairman and Vice-Chairman will be
selected and a sub-committee structure will be discussed.
An in-depth discussion ensued wherein the committee focused on its
need to be educated on the problems by experts; building on what the
Task Force developed and looking at alternatives; and the fact that
the committee’s opportunity for success is great. The committee agreed
when Mr. Daltry suggested getting a briefing on a particular topic at
each meeting, not to exceed thirty minutes. There are five topics:
Community Character, Transportation, Water Resources and Supply,
Environmental and Land Use. The First meeting, on the Lee Plan, will
feature Mr. Paul O’Connor, Community Development Planning Director.
6. INITIAL BRIEFING BY COUNTY ATTORNEY
Responding to a question regarding the use of e-mail, County Attorney
James G. Yaeger advised that, “all communications between the Board
needs to be in a public meeting; correspondence should not go back and
forth that dictates a response. There are some cases that say you can
send correspondence that states position, but if the intent of that is
to get correspondence back and forth, even though that document is a
public record, that’s a communication that’s outside the public
meeting.” Regarding e-mail on an Open Bulletin Board, Attorney Yaeger
further stated, “it is the interactive communication back and forth
that needs to be done in a meeting”. Chat Rooms were also discouraged.
Mr. Daltry suggested posting a person’s approval or disapproval on a
Public Bulletin Board. Attorney Yaeger agreed to look into that. When
available, the Web Site will include read ahead materials; until that
time the materials will be mailed to the committee. Mr. Hammond,
relating his own experience, advised that if someone files a challenge
(a public records search) and you have been using your personal home
computer to work on the business of this committee, your home computer
hard drive can be taken and reviewed.
7. NEXT MEETING AGENDA
Following a short break, the meeting resumed with Mr. Daltry advising
that the next meeting will include:
1. the selection of a Chairman and Vice-Chairman
2. there will be a briefing on the Sunshine Law
3. a briefing on the Comprehensive Plan with an open session of
questions and answers
4. further conclusions and recommendations on how the committee will
continue to operate
Mr. Daltry requested all members turn in their calendar sheets showing
when they will be available to attend meetings.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Daltry called for public input and the following person came
forward:
Mr. Ralph Hemingway, Lehigh Acres - Fire Commissioner and a member of
the Advisory Board of Florida Water regarding local communication. He
pointed out the problems in Lehigh Acres.
9. OTHER BUSINESS AND ADJOURN
The need to get out into the community and discuss Smart Growth was
discussed. Mr. Daltry will set the most accommodating date for the
next meeting and will also set the Agenda. After announcing that the
Blue Books should be retained for future correspondence from his
office, the meeting was adjourned at 8 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Shirley E. Rost
