2022 Florida Legislative Priorities For The City of Naples - Sept 9 2021

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2022 State of Florida Legislative Priorities

Preface
The primary interest of the City of Naples is to meet the needs of the public through high-quality efficient
governmental services.
The issues and comments reflected in the 2022 Legislative Program for Naples are intended to protect,
promote, and benefit programs important to providing services to the citizens of Naples. The City of
Naples is appreciative of all the support and efforts that will be provided on our behalf and pledge to
give our best effort to stand with the Governor’s Office and the Legislature.
Priorities for the 2022 Legislative Session

Naples submits the following Legislative Priorities and Policy Proposals for consideration by the
Governor, Cabinet Members, Members of the Florida Legislature, the Leadership within State Agencies
and, other local, state, and federal interests that might be supportive of Florida’s communities.
Provide Support for Key Infrastructure –Water Quality, Wastewater and Stormwater Projects.
Naples recommends the following:

• Continued support of partnership opportunities and grants through the South Florida Water
Management District and Florida Department of Environmental Protection to complete local
water projects.
• Provide for additional funds for the projects already permitted and designed to improve the
Caloosahatchee Waterway and corresponding watersheds that impact Naples Bay and the Gulf
of Mexico.
• Support full funding of the Florida Forever Program.
Increase Local Involvement in State Actions Relating to Local Communities –
Naples requests that state agencies provide “Meaningful Local Involvement” when establishing rules or
developing agency actions that impact the local community or its neighboring communities.
Meaningful local involvement includes:

• Notifying local officials of agency actions prior to implementation, including a comment period.
• Providing opportunity for local input from the initiation of a project, program or
policy/rule/ordinance change.
• Provide for a “full cost disclosure” and a complete analysis of impacts for such changes.
• Provisions for local government to express support or opposition to proposed actions prior to
the items being heard by the appropriate policy making body.
Preserve Special Project Infrastructure Funding: Maintain and protect funding to address local
government infrastructure projects addressing Water, Wastewater and Stormwater improvements.
www.naplesgov.com
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GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND FISCAL POLICY PROPOSALS
Cost Shifts and Increasing Costs

• Oppose the shifting of program costs to the local level.
• Oppose legislation that shifts administrative or un-funded responsibilities to local governments.
Affordable Housing
• Maintain and protect the existing state housing trust funds for affordable housing programs,
specifically preserve the Sadowski Trust Fund to be used solely for building affordable housing.
Liability Issues
• Maintain Sovereign Immunity Limits and the current process for resolving claims.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICY PROPOSALS
Water Projects
Preserve funding for Sewer and Water Line Hookups and Storm Water Projects including Innovative
Water Supply Initiatives and other local infrastructure project needs.
Consider increasing the flexibility of the program to increase State partnerships with local governments
to ease the burden of septic to sewer system conversions.
Septic-to-Sewer Grant Program

Summary: Aging septic tank systems and their leaching of effluent are a threat to waterways, the
habitats they sustain, and our drinking water quality. Even when conducted in phases, sanitary sewer
construction and connection projects are expensive whether it be a densely populated area or a small
and/or rural community with fiscal limitations. Residents often incur costly assessments to cover
transition to a sanitary sewer system. The Clean Waterways Act of 2020 created a septic-to-sewer
grant program - subject to appropriation by the Legislature - that requires a 50% local match that may
be waived by DEP only for rural areas of opportunity. An annually funded, low-or-no local match septic-
to-sewer conversion grant program is needed to expeditiously connect residents to sanitary sewer
systems and facilitate proper abandonment of the septic tank.
Action: Increase funding for septic-to-sewer grant program and applicable to planning, design,
construction, and connection costs associated with conversion.
Water Quality and Quantity Management

Summary: Local water, wastewater, and stormwater system water quality improvement projects
support the protection of our drinking water supply as well as our natural environment and fragile
ecosystem. Counties/communities under 500,000 in population often have budgetary constraints that
prevent them from covering the total costs for many needed improvements to aging water, wastewater,
and stormwater system infrastructure.
Action: Support water quality and quantity management programs, including tiered, population-driven
funding opportunities for water and public utility infrastructure (including fire hydrant systems), funding
and incentives for stormwater system rehabilitation and measurable water quality enhancement,
funding for technical and scientific studies to support water quality improvements, and continued funding
of opportunities that reduce resident cost in moving from well water to potable water systems.
www.naplesgov.com
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Coastal and Marine Impacts

Continue to support and increase funding for research and program initiatives that will ascertain the
causes and provide for remedies relating to Red Tide, algae blooms, forms of water pollution and other
related environmental degradation occurring in Florida’s coastal waters.
Initiate comprehensive programs to offset the economic impacts that Red Tide, hurricane damage, and
coastal water quality problems have on all elements of Florida’s marine and tourism industries.
Growth Management
Ensure that growth management proposals are not one size fits all, overly burdensome and do not limit
local control.
Florida Forever Program

Fully fund the program and encourage conservation of lands to enhance open space.
TRANSPORTATION AND ROAD POLICY PROPOSALS
State Road Capital Improvements

US 41/Tamiami Trail right-of-way design to be fully vetted with the Naples community prior to any design
amendments to number of travel lanes.
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS TO MONITOR
Community Redevelopment Agencies

Any legislation that restricts home rule authority to create, operate, or sunset county CRAs. Legislation
was passed during the 2019 session that implemented limited reforms and enhanced ethical training
and accountability. Onerous provisions such as requiring a county-wide vote to create a CRA were
removed from the bill during consideration.
Fuel Station Generators

Any proposed legislation or regulatory efforts that strengthen the emergency generator requirement for
commercial fuel stations near the interstate and inland multi-pump stations.
Home Rule
Any proposed legislation that seeks to preempt or undermine local governmental authority, impose state
preemption, creates unfunded mandates, or adversely impacts local funding streams.
Lake Okeechobee and Everglades Restoration

Any proposed legislation or administrative action that impacts water storage, treatment, and reservoir
conveyance; Everglades restoration and preservation via the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration
Plan (CERP).
Licensing & Permitting

Any proposed legislation or administrative action that impacts county licensing and permitting and may
impact cost and/or time in obtaining.
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Any proposed legislation that might provide more local discretion in dispensary location.
www.naplesgov.com
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Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Any proposed legislation, appropriation, grant, or program that could enhance Collier County’s mental
health and substance abuse programs, including the expansion of authority of county court judges to
refer defendants for treatment.
Millage Rates
Any proposed legislation that undermines local government discretion in establishing millage rates.
Offshore Drilling
Any proposed legislation or future Executive action regarding the moratorium on offshore oil and gas
drilling within 125 miles of Florida’s Gulf Coast. On September 8, 2020, President Trump signed an
Executive Memorandum effectively extending the moratorium until June 30, 2032. The Memorandum
also expanded protected areas to include the Atlantic coast of Florida, and the coasts of Georgia and
South Carolina. During the 2019 session, the Florida Legislature passed resolutions calling for an
indefinite extension to the moratorium.
School Resource Officer / Guardian Program Funding

Any proposed legislation or administrative action regarding funding of the School Resource Officer
(SRO) and/or Guardian Program.
Short Term Rentals

Oppose any proposed legislation that preempts or otherwise restricts local laws, ordinances, or
regulation regarding vacation rental frequency or duration.
GRANTS / APPROPRIATIONS PROJECTS
Gulf of Mexico Beach Stormwater Outfall Pipe Removal & Water Quality Project - Phase I:
Total cost for Phase - $17.5M. Request $5M
In 2012, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) required the City to develop a plan
to remove stormwater outfall pipes from the recreational shoreline of Naples’ beaches to allow beach
renourishment work to be permitted. After significant planning and design, the City plans to begin
construction to remove stormwater and outfall pipes from shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico in 2022. The
project, as already permitted, will improve water quality through a series of water quality components,
such as debris screens, grassed swales and underground baffle chambers, and then pump the clean
stormwater via a new pump station 1,000-feet offshore of the Gulf of Mexico shoreline, where the
untreated stormwater currently discharged. This project will significantly improve stormwater quality,
shoreline habitat, such as protected sea turtles and bird species, reduce flooding and beach erosion,
and elevate the City’s resiliency and sustainability by protecting the upland community from a 25-year,
3-day storm event, rather than the current 5-year, 1-hour storm event.
Application Pending at FDEP ($5Million). If not funded, seek appropriations request.
Contact: Gregg Strakaluse, P.E., Director - Streets & Stormwater Department
West Goodlette Phase II – Naples Bay Red Tide Septic to Sewer – Request $500,000
This project is to install a sanitary sewer system that will eliminate 930 failing septic tanks within the
City of Naples utility services area. The failing septic tanks allow nutrients to contaminate stormwater
runoff to surface waters of the State. The project is currently under design. The design will include the
replacement of the water distribution that has reach the end of its life expectancy. The estimated
construction cost of the sanitary sewer system is $14 million, and the water system replacement is
estimated to be $5 million. This project is scheduled to bid in late 2022.
Department of Environmental Protection, Appropriations Request
Contact: Bob Middleton, Utilities Director
www.naplesgov.com
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City of Naples Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Plan – Request $387,255

The City of Naples is seeking funding to create a Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Plan to help mitigate
the existing and exacerbated future hazards and impacts posed by sea level rise, coastal storms,
precipitation, and extreme heat. This builds upon the Vulnerability Assessment completed in June
2020. Due to the new state requirements that now must be included in local Vulnerability Assessments
for inclusion in the statewide plan, funds are also being requested to do supplemental analyses to
update the plan.
Resilient Florida, Department of Environmental Protection
Contact: Katie Laakkonen, Interim Natural Resources Manager
Stormwater Basin Improvements: Request $1M per year for 10 years

A $75 million project over the next 10-years that designs, permits and constructs upgrades to
stormwater pipes, installs valves that prevent sea water from back-flowing to streets, and sites
stormwater pump stations.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection – (If not funded, seek appropriations request)
Stormwater Lake Restoration Improvements: Request $3M

A $30 million project over the next 10-years to dredge and/or treat lakes to remove accumulated
pollution and install best management practices within and around lakes (such as littoral shelves,
aeration, filter marshes, etc.). Lakes are considered one of the most important components of the
stormwater treatment train.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection – (If not funded, seek appropriations request)
Stormwater Swale Restoration Project: Request $2M

A $20 million project over 10-years to restore roadside swales that have been filled in from years of
growth and infill. Swales are considered one of the most important stormwater conveyance and
treatment methods in the country.
Appropriations request
Oyster Reef Creation: Request $275,000

A $275,000 project that would create an oyster reef at an already permitted site within Naples Bay.
Oyster reefs provide shoreline protection from storms and improve water quality.
Appropriations request
www.naplesgov.com
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NAPLES CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information regarding the items within the Naples 2022 Legislative Priorities
please find the available contacts below:
Mayor Teresa Heitmann

239-213-1000 phone
EMAIL [email protected]
Mr. Dana Souza, Interim City Manager

239-213-1030 phone
Ms. Monique Barnhart, Communications and Public Relations Manager

239-213-1001 phone
Website: https://www.naplesgov.com
www.naplesgov.com

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2022 State of Florida Legislative Priorities

Priorities for the 2022 Legislative Session

Naples recommends the following:

Increase Local Involvement in State Actions Relating to Local Communities –

Meaningful local involvement includes:

GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND FISCAL POLICY PROPOSALS

Cost Shifts and Increasing Costs

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICY PROPOSALS

Septic-to-Sewer Grant Program

Water Quality and Quantity Management

Coastal and Marine Impacts

Florida Forever Program

TRANSPORTATION AND ROAD POLICY PROPOSALS

State Road Capital Improvements

LEGISLATIVE MATTERS TO MONITOR

Community Redevelopment Agencies

Fuel Station Generators

Lake Okeechobee and Everglades Restoration

Licensing & Permitting

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

School Resource Officer / Guardian Program Funding

Short Term Rentals

GRANTS / APPROPRIATIONS PROJECTS

City of Naples Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Plan – Request $387,255

Stormwater Basin Improvements: Request $1M per year for 10 years

Stormwater Lake Restoration Improvements: Request $3M

Stormwater Swale Restoration Project: Request $2M

Oyster Reef Creation: Request $275,000

NAPLES CONTACT INFORMATION

Mayor Teresa Heitmann

Mr. Dana Souza, Interim City Manager

Ms. Monique Barnhart, Communications and Public Relations Manager

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