This month in Collier County government news: coronavirus strikes Collier County; One Naples high-rise again draws ire; new Naples mayor, city councilors take office. For these stories and more news for Collier County voters, read on…
Like Florida Government News for March, this county and city news review is also disjointed.
In this post, I’ll begin with an update on our local government’s actions related to the coronavirus since my March 25 post “Florida, Collier County Governments Respond to COVID-19.” While some of it has been superseded by recent events (see The Latest, below), it’s important to know what our elected officials did or didn’t do before the Governor acted.
Then I’ll back up and cover the non-coronavirus-related local government actions in March, as well as news about our state and congressional representatives, and close with some “opportunities to learn.”
COVID-19
The Latest
- Florida governor issues coronavirus stay-at-home order after heavy criticism. Washington Post, 4/1/20
And in a move that preempts local government actions that are tougher than what he ordered:
- Ron DeSantis quietly signed second executive order targeting local coronavirus restrictions. Tampa Bay Times, 4/2/20
Then there’s this, following a week when the state’s unemployment office received 1.5 million calls:
- Head of Florida’s broken unemployment system says, ‘I apologize,’ vows to fix it. Miami Herald, 4/2/20
Since My Last Update
- RSW expected to start passenger screenings for passengers arriving from tri-state area starting Thursday morning. News-Press, 3/25/20
- Naples PD may issue fines, notices to appear in court if beach closure non-compliance continues. Naples Daily News, 3/25/20
- ‘People need running water:’ Collier, Lee, Naples utilities suspend water shutoffs amid coronavirus spread. Naples Daily News, 3/26/20
- Collier physicians pressure DeSantis to take ‘decisive action,’ order shelter in place. Naples Daily News, 3/26/20
- Keewaydin Island and other state-owned land closed to boaters; violators could face fines. Naples Daily News, 3/27/20
- Collier County rejects stay at home order to slow coronavirus spread. Naples Daily News, 3/27/20
- You can still enjoy nature — from 6 feet away — in local parks and hiking trails. Naples Daily News, 3/27/20
- CCPS: eLearns teacher-led instruction starts today! Resources for parents available. Superintendent’s Update – March 30, 2020
- Lee, Collier schools to remain closed through May 1. News-Press, 3/30/20
- Coronavirus-related closures extended for Naples, Collier governments. Naples Daily News, 3/31/20
- South Florida Water Management District temporarily closing public access to some district lands to protect public safety. SFWMD.gov via Sen. Kathleen Passidomo e-newsletter, 4/1/20
- ‘Hugely irresponsible’: Oakes’ Facebook post in Collier commissioner’s COVID-19 newsletter draws criticism. Naples Daily News, 4/2/20
- Editorial: Naples city council should postpone workshops, keep agendas light. Naples Daily News, 4/2/20
Where to Go for Objective Information
- Collier County COVID-19 Updates
- Collier County Public Schools COVID-19 Updates
- City of Naples COVID-19 Updates
- State Government Updates from Sen. Kathleen Passidomo
- Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Dashboard
- Florida Department of Health
Growth & Development
- Not in my backyard: One Naples project near beach draws ire at neighborhood meeting Naples Daily News, 3/4/20
- New signal on the horizon for Immokalee Road. Naples Daily News, 3/9/20; approved at 3/10/20 BCC meeting
- Will new toll roads bring economic prosperity? It’s too soon to tell, but sides are drawn. Naples Daily News, 2/26/20 (print edition 3/22/20)
- Growth Management Department uses technology to be prepared in case of crisis and to better serve customers. Collier County GMD newsletter, 4Q19
The Environment
- Collier County takes steps that could lead to purchase of environmentally sensitive ranch land. Naples Daily News, 3/10/20
Health, Safety & Quality of Life
- Collier starts South Beach renourishment project to add 80,000 cubic yards of sand. Marco Eagle, 3/6/20
- Naples domestic violence shelter impacted by statewide funding swindle. abc-7.com, 3/6/20
- Collier Drug Court nationally recognized as a Mentor Drug Court, one of just eight in the nation. David Lawrence Center Facebook Page, 3/19/20
City of Naples
- Naples amends tree protection ordinance due to 2019 state law. Naples Daily News, 3/4/20
- Wounded Warriors of Collier County veteran housing plan moves to Naples City Council. Naples Daily News, 3/13/20
- Naples leaders ponder city’s future after challengers sweep mayor, city council elections. Naples Daily News, 3/18/20
- Heitmann calls for unity in Naples during first city council meeting as mayor. Naples Daily News, 4/1/20
City of Marco Island
- Marco Island to evaluate cost of taking over all sidewalk repairs. Marco Eagle, 3/4/20
- Hundreds attend flood risk open house in Marco Island. Marco Eagle, 3/4/20
Collier County Sheriff
- Junior Deputies programs are working for Collier County youth. Florida Weekly, 3/19/20
- Amid routine changes, Collier County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to lock vehicles. Naples Daily News, 3/31/20
Our State Legislators
Parts of Collier County are represented in the Florida House of Representatives by Rep. Byron Donalds (District 80), Rep. Bob Rommel (District 106), and Rep. Ana Maria Rodriguez (District 105). All of Collier County is represented in the Florida Senate by Sen. Kathleen Passidomo. Find your Florida Senate and House representatives here.
- Brent Batten: As Legislature ends 2020 session, the race is on for seats in 2021. Naples Daily News, 3/14/20
- Rep. Donalds: teacher certification process needs revamp; last year’s changes to teacher licensing rules not enough. WPTV.com, 3/19/20
- Donalds and Rommel oppose county stay-at-home order at County Commission meeting. fox4now.com, 3/27/20
Our Congressmen
Parts of Collier County are represented in the Florida House of Representatives by Mario Diaz-Balart (District 25) and Francis Rooney (District 19). Find your Congressman here.
- Mario Diaz-Balart: U.S. needs to bring back medical supplies production. Florida Daily, 3/18/29
- Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart says coronavirus ‘hit me like a ton of bricks’. New York Post, 3/22/20
- Opinion: The electoral college is the bedrock of federalism. By Rep. Francis Rooney via The Daily Caller, 3/5/20
Opportunities to Learn
Collier County’s award-winning Comprehensive Annual Financial Report provides both a great overview and more detail than you can imagine about the County’s finances. Read the latest, published March 10, 2020, at:
- Collier County 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. collierclerk.com, 3/10/20
The mission of the Naples Community Redevelopment Agency is “to guide private and public initiatives in the Redevelopment Area to facilitate economic development, improve physical characteristics, and encourage investment….” Read its just-released 2018-19 annual report submitted by CRA Chair Ellen Siegel at:
- City of Naples Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Annual Report for FY 2018-2019. naplesgov.com, 4/2/20
That’s it for March’s Collier County government news. Have a great April and stay safe!
Local news reported in this post is by Jake Allen, Brent Batten, Brittany Carloni, Liz Freeman, Harriet Howard Heithaus, Laura Layden, Omar Rodríguez Ortiz, Patrick Riley (USA TODAY Network – Florida: Naples Daily New, News-Press, Marco Eagle)