Action Items
Land Development Code update contract
Council approved the ranking of consultants for the RFQ 2017-01 Village of Estero Land Development Code update. Staff will negotiate a contract with Canin Associates to provide professional consulting services to update the Village’s transitional Land Development Code. As part of this process, staff will negotiate with the Number 3 ranked firm, Johnson Engineering, as a sub-contractor to bring increased local knowledge and expertise to the project.
The contract will be brought before Council for approval at a future date. There is $250,000 currently budgeted over two fiscal years, starting in 2017-2018. (Summary Sheet)
Railroad crossings agreement
Council approved agreements with Seminole Gulf Railway for five railroad crossing rights pertaining to Broadway Avenue, Coconut Road, Estero Parkway, Via Coconut Point and Williams Road, as well as a general agreement for terms and conditions.
Each crossing agreement will cost $3,600, totaling $18,000 for FY 17-18. Lee County previously held these rights prior to the Village assuming maintenance of the roads bisected by the railroad. (Summary Sheet and agreement)
Village Hall 2nd floor remodel
Council approved a contract with OneSource Construction Company & Builders, Inc. for the labor, materials, and required ancillaries to provide a turnkey remodel of the 2nd floor of the Estero Village Hall.
Plans call for a larger visitor’s entry, additional office space, a conference room to accommodate up to 20 people, and storage space. The new offices will match the existing offices including the paint colors, furniture and IT.
Total estimated cost of this project, including furniture, security, IT, etc., is expected to be $220,000, with $50,000 being reimbursed by the landlord. (Presentation)
Resolution 2017-34
Council approved this Resolution approving a budget amendment which provides 2017-2018 funding for the remodel of the 2nd floor of the Village Hall. (Resolution)
Legal services with Smolker, Bartlett, Loeb, Hinds & Sheppard, P.A.
Council approved a contract with this firm for litigation services relating to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code update. This firm has successfully worked with Lee County, Bonita Springs and other municipalities consulting on complex land use issues and will be “on call” for the Village.
In Florida, municipalities have strict state statutory limitations on the application of public land use regulations relating to private property rights. This is a specialized area of the law that may represent significant legal and financial exposure to the Village. Funding already exists in the FY 2017-2018 budget for these legal services. (Summary Sheet and agreement)
Village Manager’s Report
Village Manager Steve Sarkozy recognized Finance Director Lisa Griggs Roberson as being responsible for the Village receiving the Government Finance Officers Association’s 2016 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This is the second year in a row the Village has been honored by this organization and represents the highest standards for financial oversight.
FGCU Presentations – Entrepreneurship Program
Dr. Sandra Kauanui, Director of Florida Gulf Coast University’s Institute for Entrepreneurship, stated that their unique curriculum offers one of three interdisciplinary entrepreneurship degrees in state schools nationwide. They work with FGCU students, high school students and Junior Achievement. They currently have 35 – 40 residents actively involved in their mentorship program but would like more. They will be providing a tour of their facility on Wednesday, December 13 at 1 p.m. (Presentation)
Jakub Adamowicz and Michael Kunchal are cofounders of ROOMDIG, a student App which matches college students looking for a room and/or roommate. They currently have 600 active users. They are working with The Reef, University Village and Coastal Village and both college residences, but are planning to expand to Florida State University and students and residences close to that university. (Presentation)
Noam Mitchell explained his work developing BitcoinATM and developing a target market. He plans to be able to place the ATMs in chain stores across the state. (Presentation)
Comprehensive Plan Workshop
Laura DeJohn, Johnson Engineering reviewed the major objectives of the future land use element which include community character, specific use considerations, bonus density, commercial site location standards and historic and archaeological resources. (Presentation)
Ben Smith, LaRue Planning and Management Services, reviewed the major objectives of the transportation element which include complete streets (safe, convenient routes for vehicles, bicycles and walkers), interconnectivity (providing direct access between compatible uses) and transportation options (bike and pedestrian paths). (Presentation)
Additional details are available in the minutes of this meeting. Residents may also view the archived meeting by going to the Village website http://estero-fl.gov/council/watch-meetings-online/.
The next Council meeting will held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 3, 2018.