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FEMA grants the Village additional time to address floodplain compliance  The Village of Estero was notified July 19 that FEMA will maintain Estero’s Community Rating System (CRS) rating of 6 until at least April 1, 2025. This means residents with policies issued under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will maintain the discount rate of 20% on their insurance premiums for the time being. FEMA has acknowledged that the hard work done by the Village has resulted in some improvements to meet minimum floodplain management standards but has requested that further information be provided by November 18, 2024, to address [...]

Lee County Solid Waste temporarily adjusts pickup times Residents of unincorporated Lee County in Pine Island, Matlacha, North Fort Myers, Fort Myers Shores, Alva, Lehigh Acres, south Fort Myers and the Village of Estero are asked to set their trash, recycling and yard waste to the curb by 5 a.m. beginning this week. This is one hour earlier than the typical set-out time of 6 a.m. The temporary change is to help Waste Pro drivers avoid excessive heat during summertime’s late afternoons. This does not impact the day of the week residents have their materials collected; that remains the same.  To [...]

Residents will be able to dispose of household chemical waste safely and responsibly from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17.  Items will not be accepted either before or after that time period. Chemical waste categories include items that are ignitable, corrosive, explosive and/or reactive and toxic, such as leftover paints, cleaners, herbicides, pesticides, automotive fluids and pool chemicals.  Never dispose of these items in dumpsters, compactors or at curbside with household garbage or down a storm drain or in the soil.  See Lee County Solid Waste link for household chemical waste categories. Items which are not household [...]

Jacob Winge & Jeffery P. Wait Each year, the Estero Historical Society celebrates the 4th of July by providing segments of history connected with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Councilmember Jim Ward welcomed the crowd and led the Pledge of Allegiance following the raising of a large American flag by Estero Fire Rescue. Local historian Jacob Winge read the Declaration of Independence.  Winge was joined by historical enactor Jeffery P. Wait, also dressed in authentic 18th-century period costume. Following the ceremony, watermelon was served picnic-style for all attendees to enjoy. The event was held on the grounds of [...]

Council will start the meeting at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday addressing the proposed millage rate for FY 2024-2025 and approval of the first budget amendment for FY 2024/2025. The Village’s emergency response plan and contracts for on-call disaster debris monitoring and recovery services will be reviewed as part of the Village’s disaster preparedness program. Council will then discuss Hurricane Ian recovery and resiliency planning program grant management support to be provided by Haggerty Consulting, Inc. Construction manager at risk contracts will be reviewed for Estero’s utility extension projects (conversion from septic to sewer) and Corkscrew Road path, landscaping and lighting project. [...]

The following information is provided by Cougar Contracting, Inc.: Corkscrew Road Widening Project – Phase I Construction Project:    The project widens Corkscrew Road to six lanes from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Fire House Lane, and to four lanes from Fire House Lane to Bella Terra Boulevard.  The project includes adding on-road bike lanes, some sidewalk, installing new drainage, and constructing a wildlife crossing approximately 1000 feet west of the entrance to Cypress Shadows Boulevard.  This crossing will coincide with a regional flow-way that crosses Corkscrew Road at that location. The Village of Estero will be installing shared use paths, lighting, and [...]

The following information is provided by Cougar Contracting, Inc.:  Corkscrew Road Widening Project – Phase I Construction Project: Corkscrew Road is now in its final configuration from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Bella Terra Boulevard.  Motorists should expect isolated flagging operations with periodic lane closures as the contractor works through the final project punch list.  Motorists should also expect construction vehicles entering and leaving the roadway. Crews continue installing signage, sod, and fencing throughout the project. The work activities above are scheduled to occur, however unforeseen underground conditions and weather may affect this schedule. Corkscrew Road Widening Project – Phase [...]

The meeting will start at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, with a proclamation congratulating the Florida Everblades for being the first team to win three consecutive Kelly Cup championships in a row. Action items include approval of an Estero on the River Phase 1 & 2 Construction Manager at Risk contract with Manhattan Construction, the engagement of Horizon Solutions Group, Inc. to implement Tyler Munis financial system project management, and the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year ending on September 30, 2023. Council will be asked to approve resolutions pertaining to (1) the Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement and (2) adopting the [...]

  The following information is provided by Cougar Contracting, Inc.: Corkscrew Road Widening Project – Phase I Construction Project:    Corkscrew Road is now in its final configuration from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Bella Terra Boulevard.  Motorists should expect isolated flagging operations with periodic lane closures as the contractor works through the final project punch list.  Motorists should also expect construction vehicles entering and leaving the roadway. Crews continue installing signage, sod, and fencing throughout the project.  Estimated completion of the full project is summer 2024. Project cost is approximately $23 M. The contractor is Cougar Contracting, LLC. For [...]

The Village of Estero’s response to the FEMA Hurricane Ian compliance issue is now available for residents to access on the Village website here. The website includes information regarding the 62 residences affected by the hurricane.  There also is a narrative which describes the Village’s approach to protecting the floodplain and compliance with the minimum standards for flood insurance, including  maps of locations where permits were issued. Village Manager Steve Sarkozy will provide a detailed presentation regarding the Village’s response to FEMA during the June 19 Council meeting.  Residents are invited to attend or watch the meeting via the website [...]