A) Approve an out-of-cycle Beach and Shoreline funding request to replace elevated boardwalks along the Davis Simpson Trail and replacement of the paddle craft landing (PCL) and pavilion. 

B) Approve Budget Transfer in the amount of $1.1 million from Tourist Development Tax Reserves to the Matanzas Pass Boardwalk Expansion Project and amend FY 18/19 budget accordingly. 

Matanzas Pass Preserve is one of the most unique places on Estero Island. Being one of the few undeveloped and protected areas left on the island, the preserve is home to a diversity of native plants and animals. The unspoiled park has a museum and gift shop, interpretive stations along the trails, trailside benches, paddle craft landing area and a pavilion which provides a panoramic view of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. 

The Matanzas Pass Preserve has approximately 1.25 miles of trails that wind through the canopies of mangroves and hammocks. The bayside park offers visitors opportunities to observe wildlife and native plants. The boardwalk is in need of replacement to allow continued ADA public to the underdeveloped, protected area of Estero Island. 

Approving the out of cycle funding request will allow the bidding process to start during the summer of 2019.  Construction is anticipated to begin in September 2019 and be completed in approximately six months.

Due to the remote location of the preserve, materials must be transported using small equipment and or carried in manually by workers resulting in an increase in costs for boardwalk replacement. Replacing the boardwalk allows continued ADA public access to 1.25 miles of trails within the natural mangrove canopies and hammocks. 

On March 15, 2019 the Tourist Development Council recommended additional funding in the amount of $1.1 million, which includes replacement costs of elevated boardwalks along the Davis Simpson Trail and replacement of paddle craft landing and pavilion.