First reading and public budget hearings
Resolution No. 2022-23
Council approved this resolution adopting the tentative millage rate and tentative levying of ad valorem taxes for fiscal year 2022-2023 of 0.7700 mills ($0.7700 per $1,000 of assessed property value). This is the same as last year and is the lowest tax rate in southwest Florida.
The second and final public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 21.
Public Comment: A resident expressed concerns about any possibility of the raising of real estate taxes.
Resolution No. 2022-24
Council approved this resolution adopting the tentative budget for the fiscal year 2022-2023 as follows:
Expenditures
General Fund $ 7,659,890
Special Revenue 1,342,000
Capital Projects 33,452,430
Driving Range Fund 54,300
Total All Funds $42,508,620
Action Items
Resolution 2022-25 – Estero on the River FDEP funding
Council approved this resolution so that the Village may apply for $750,000 in state appropriations in the fiscal year 2022-2023 State of Florida budget for the construction of trails, a bridge over the Estero River, parking lot and trail head on the Estero on the River property. The funds will be administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
The Estero on the River property is located along the northeast corner of US 41 and Corkscrew Road.
Imperial Parkway monument sign contract
Council approved a contract with P&T Lawn and Tractor Service, Inc. to install a Village of Estero monument sign in the median on Imperial Parkway at the Village’s southern boundary, approximately 645 ft. south of Salerno Bay Road, for a cost of $58,941.50 plus $5,890 for contingency. The contractor has 30 calendar days from the notice to proceed to start construction and 45 calendar days from the start of construction to complete the project.
Seminole Gulf Railway license agreement
Council approved this agreement and the payment of $131,400 in fees to secure the license agreement with Seminole Gulf Railway.
The railway previously had a license agreement with Lee County to allow the County to maintain the ditch located between Estero Parkway and Broadway Ave, East. Seminole Gulf would not allow the County’s agreement to be assigned or transferred to the Village, so a new agreement was required for the Village to gain authority to maintain the ditch.
The Village has submitted applications to Seminole Gulf to maintain the entire ditch from Estero Parkway to the Estero River. The railway is still reviewing the application for the section south of Broadway Ave. East. This license agreement is for the ditch located between Estero Parkway and Broadway Ave. E.
Public Comment: A resident from The Cascades thanked Council for accomplishing this task.
RFB-2022-03 Gravity Sewer Testing for Estero Bay Village, Sunny Grove, and Cypress Bend
Council approved the award of a gravity sewer testing for Estero Bay Village, Sunny Grove, and Cypress Bend – RFB 2022-03 to National Water Main Cleaning Company for $85,885 plus a contingency of $8,500. The Village is currently permitting infrastructure to extend central sewer to these communities.
The utility service will be provided by Lee County Utilities once construction is complete. They are requiring this sewer testing to determine the condition of the existing gravity sewer infrastructure within each community. The testing will determine if groundwater or stormwater is leaking into the existing sewer system. If excessive leaking is detected, pipe repairs could be required.
The contract requires the contractor to start construction 30 calendar days after Notice to Proceed. The project is to be completed 45-days after the start of construction.
Master Interlocal Agreement regarding distribution formula for allocation of revenue from local option fuel taxes
Council approved the first amendment to this Master Interlocal Agreement regarding the distribution formula for allocation of revenue from local option fuel tax among Lee County, City of Bonita Springs, City of Cape Coral, City of Fort Myers, City of Sanibel, Town of Fort Myers Beach and the Village of Estero.
Current distribution levels of local option fuel taxes will continue through December 31, 2022, with new proposed levels effective January 1, 2023, as provided by the Florida Department of Revenue procedures. The Village will be receiving a slight increase in revenue from this new agreement.
Workshops
Corkscrew Road project update
Jeff Nagle, Johnson Engineering, provided an update on the proposed Corkscrew Road landscaping concept along the 2.85 miles from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Bella Terra Blvd. He described some of the constraints that exist along the corridor, including the existence of underground utilities, as well and the available opportunities, such as some areas of wide medians. They plan to use a variety of Florida native and Florida friendly plant materials including ornamental trees, palm trees, shrubs and grasses.
No voting occurs during workshops.
Sandy Lane Bike/Ped update
The Village of Estero’s consultant David Dowling with Atkins presented several bicycle and pedestrian alternatives for Sandy Lane. After summarizing each alternative, Dowling recommended creating a 12-foot shared pathway, building a 16-foot wide boardwalk/pathway bridge over the Estero River and adding a three-way stop at Sandy Lane and Broadway Avenue East.
Additional information will be coming regarding lighting and landscaping along this roadway.
Public Comment: A resident from this neighborhood suggested that these improvements be done at the same time as the septic to sewer project.
No voting occurs during workshops.
Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website.
The next Council meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 21, 2022.