District 1 Councilmember Ribble honored with Florida League of Cities 2022 Home Rule Award
The Florida League of Cities has recognized District 1 Councilmember Joanne Ribble with a 2022 Home Rule Hero Award. This is the second year in a row that Ribble has earned this prestigious award for her work and advocacy efforts during the legislative session. Councilmember Ribble worked tirelessly throughout this session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities and advance the League’s legislative agenda. The League presents this award to a deserving group of municipal leaders for the dedication and impact of these local officials on behalf of their residents and businesses [Read More.]
Additional “green space” being added to the Village as a result of Council actions on March 16, 2022
Estero on the River property The 30-acre Estero on the River property south of the river will soon be rezoned to better match its intended use. It currently is zoned “mixed use” and the Happehatchee property is zoned “agriculture”, so Council voted today to approve the initiation of a rezoning and Comprehensive Plan amendment to permanently preserve this property for parks and community facilities. This new zoning is specific for publicly owned property and allows for active and passive recreation, preserved lands and civic uses only. Community Development Director Mary Gibbs will initiate the process which involves state review and [Read More.]
Purchase of “River Oaks” and Gulf Coast Driving Range property among topics for Council of March 16, 2022
The meeting will start with the initiation of a rezoning and Comprehensive Plan amendment for the Estero on the River property south of the river. Council will then vote on the purchase of the “River Oaks” property, the 10-acre vacant land at the east end of Broadway Ave., and an amendment to the Peoples Gas System Inc. They will then hold workshops on the proposed early retirement of the 2019 debt for the purchase of the Estero on the River property, the potential purchase of the Gulf Coast Driving Range located at 9000 Williams Road, and conduct a discussion on [Read More.]
Estero on the River property and Greater Estero Virtual Information Center among topics on the agenda for Council on March 2, 2022
Council will start their meeting at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, with a presentation to the Lee County Sheriff’s CRU Department. They will then address a request from the Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce for financial support for their Strategic Plans for Future Growth and Impact. Council will conduct 3 workshops, starting with reviewing the options to rezone the Estero on the River property to better match the intended use as well as an update on the status of the proposed trails and perimeter fence. This will be followed by addressing conflict of Interest rules pertaining to the Planning, Zoning and Design [Read More.]
Animal control, River Oaks property and Public Works Update presented to Council on February 16, 2022
Council started their meeting recognizing Julie Yellig, who serves as the ECCL/Adopt-a-Highway Coordinator. She has helped organize Estero volunteers join together in an effort to help keep our roadways free of litter. Over 3.8 tons of litter have been collected since the program began. Yellig also provides assistance for volunteers for the local Adopt-a-Road program which is supported by the Village of Estero and Keep Lee County Beautiful. They then approved an FY 2021-2022 interlocal agreement between Estero and Lee County for stray animal control services in the amount of $41, 972. Since incorporation, the Village has relied on several [Read More.]
River Oaks and Public Works Update on the agenda for Council on February 16, 2022
Council will start their meeting at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, recognizing Julie Yellig, who serves as the ECCL/Adopt-a-Highway Coordinator. They will then address an FY 2021-2022 interlocal agreement between Estero and Lee County for Stray Animal Control Services. Workshop items include a 10-acre vacant parcel at the east end of Broadway Avenue known as River Oaks, a Public Works Update and an appointment to the Lee County Tourist Development Council. The full agenda is available here. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers, Village Hall, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, near the entrance to the Estero Park. Residents may view the meeting [Read More.]
Bike/ped improvements, utilities extension and virtual information center addressed by Council on February 2, 2022
Public Comment on non-agenda items: The Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) COO asked that Councilmembers consider being a judge for the high school and middle school essay contest. The winning students receive a scholarship sponsored by the ECCL, Estero Historical Society and Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce. A candidate for the Lee County School Board introduced herself and provided her background information. A resident expressed concerns regarding the formerly proposed school on Three Oaks Parkway. The editor of Estero Life Magazine pointed out that the most recent issue of the magazine’s “Village Connection” page provides an introduction to the [Read More.]
Broadway Avenue utilities extension and Broadway East & Sandy Lane bike/ped improvements on the agenda for Council on February 2, 2022
Broadway East & Sandy Lane Council will start their meeting at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, reviewing a resolution supporting the establishment and alignment of U.S. Bicycle Route 15 which will travel through the Village. They will then address the ranking of firms to provide consulting services for the Sandy Lane and Broadway East Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements Project, and the ranking of consultants to provide design and permitting services for Broadway East and West extension of utilities. Council will also conduct a workshop on the Greater Estero Virtual Information Center, an information database about all things in and about greater Estero. The full [Read More.]
Estero developments, U.S. Bike Route 15 and maintenance projects among topics reviewed by Council on January 19, 2022
Council started their meeting recognizing Estero vocalist Lindsey Graham for making a positive difference in the community. Ms. Graham is known for her outstanding performances at the Village’s Veteran’s Day events, among her many accomplishments. As a “thank you”, she responded by leading the Council and residents in the chamber in singing “God Bless America”. Presentation Scott Dudley, Florida League of Cities, gave a presentation on Local Voices United. This bipartisan group is focused on “home rule” and local decision making. Their guiding principle is “the federal government should only do that which state governments cannot do, and state governments [Read More.]
Estero development projects and US Bike Route 15 among topics for Council on January 19, 2022
Council will start their meeting at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday. Action items include a lien mitigation request, maintenance of the bridge on Sandy Lane and box culverts on Via Coconut Point, and adoption of Ordinance 2022-01 approving the updated schedule for the Capital Improvement Program for FY 2021/2022. Council will then conduct workshops to review the Planning, Zoning & Design Board’s annual report, an update on development projects in the Village and the proposed U.S. Bike Route 15 alignment through the Village. The full agenda is available here. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers, Village Hall, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, [Read More.]