MINUTES
Emergency Meeting of the CRA/EZDA
February 23, 2009
A. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order by Fred N. Thomas, Jr. at 11:30 A.M.
B. Roll Call and Advisory Board/EZDA Members Present:
CRA/EZDA Board Members Present: Fred N. Thomas, Richard Heers (by phone), Floyd Crews, Richard Rice, Kitchell Snow, Eva Deyo, Robert Halman, and Michael Facundo.
CRA/EZDA Board Members Absent/Excused:
Ana Salazar, Bernardo Barnhart, Julio Estremera, Captain Tom Davis James Wall, and Edward “Ski” Olesky.
Action: A quorum was announced as being present.
Others Present: Rose Farmer, Kevin Connely (by telephone from Austin, Texas), Dr. Denise Handapangoda, Judy Hushan and Eliza Davis.
Staff: Penny Phillippi, Bradley Muckel and Christie Betancourt.
C. Old Business.
Additions were made to the CRA regular meeting minutes of January 26, 2009.
Action: Dick Rice made a motion to approve and adopt the amended minutes (as shown in underlined legislative format). Eva Deyo seconded the motion and the motion passed by unanimous vote.
D. New Business.
1. Conference call with staff from Travis County, Austin Texas.
Ms. Farmer described their 13 year old HCP that serves to expedite their regulatory process through the Texas Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Lower Colorado River Authority and other county, state and federal agencies. The salient features of the HCP that serve to expedite and streamline requirements are: (1) it is a county-wide HCP; (2) a comprehensive set of maps were developed in 1996 and accepted by all agencies as part of the HCP; and (3) the county does the work of the environmental consultant. Detailed aspects of the Travis County HCP can be viewed at www.co.travis.tx.us
Staff was instructed to work with Judy Hushan to arrange for an HCP workshop that will include the large land owners in and around Immokalee. Judy Hushan was asked to the letters from the regulatory agencies and she state that she will provide those letters to the Executive Director.
2. Seminole Indian Class III Gaming Compact with State of Florida.
Fred Thomas explained the difference between Class II and Class III gaming. He discussed the referendums in Broward and Dade Counties referencing Class II and Class III gaming a stated the referendum passed in Broward and failed in Dade. The primary issue is that the Seminole Tribe is seeking exclusivity to gaming in the entire state. To assure exclusivity, they are offering 5% of their receipts to the state, to be distributed to counties with a Seminole Casino.
Action: Dick Rice made a motion to recommend a petition to the County and the State that 25% of the proceeds in question be allocated to the County’s General Fund and 75% of the funds be allocated to the Collier County State Enterprise Zone. Rick Heers seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote.
E. Citizen Comments.
F. Next Meeting Date. March 18, 2009 at 8:30 A.M.
G. Adjournment. This meeting was adjourned at 12:01 P.M.
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