Public Comment on non-agenda items: A resident spoke about how there should be access from Estero into the Larry Kiker Preserve. A resident from The Vines thanked Councilmember Lori Fayhee for visiting their community to see where the Bonita Estero Rail Trail is being proposed to go through their property.
Mayor Jon McLain (center) presented a proclamation to (left) Flotilla 91 Commander Gregory Masonick and Flotilla 91 Staff Officer/Public Affairs Daniel Eaton
The meeting started with a proclamation designating May 20-26 as National Boat Safety Week. The goal is for all residents to learn and practice safe boating, and, in particular, to wear lifejackets.
Corkscrew Road wetland mitigation credits
Council approved the agreement for the sale of mitigation bank credits with Corkscrew Mitigation, LLC for 0.83 credits at a cost of $157,700.
In 2020, the Village of Estero entered an Interlocal agreement with Lee County regarding work along Corkscrew Road. The agreement called for Lee County to pay the Village $3,046,199.72, and the Village will install paths, landscaping, and streetlights along Corkscrew Road.
A portion of the proposed path along Wildcat Run and The Preserve is expected to impact approximately 1.13 acres of wetlands on the south side of Corkscrew Road. The impacts are proposed to allow the path to be built further away from the roadway. As part of the SFWMD permit, mitigation is required to offset the wetland impacts.
It has been determined that 0.83 mitigation credits are required to offset the project’s proposed wetland impacts. These credits are proposed to be obtained from the Corkscrew Regional Mitigation Bank, which is located along Corkscrew Road, east of the Place and north of Verdana Village.
Ordinance 2023-05 – Updating Capital Improvements elements
Council approved the second reading of this ordinance updating the capital improvements elements which includes the Capital Improvement Program approved for Fiscal Year 2022/2023.
Workshops
Introduction to Public Trust Advisors
The Village has an opportunity to increase its investment returns. Finance Director Kevin Greenville has recommended engaging Public Trust Advisors for investment advisory services. What separates Public Trust Advisors from other options is their ability to provide active management of investments with a fee of 8 basis points or 0.08% of the assets under management.
Funds will be invested in a manner which will provide the highest investment return with the maximum security while meeting the anticipated daily cash flow requirements of the Village.
Public Trust Advisors Rodrigo Bettini and Rene O’Day gave this presentation.
No voting occurs during workshops.
Capital Improvement Plan
Public Works Director David Willems presented a first draft of the Village’s Fiscal Year 2023-2024 5-year Capital Improvement Plan, which includes roadway, landscape, parks & rec and utility expansion.
During his presentation, Willems noted that the eagles have fledged, so the removal of exotics from the Estero on the River property is underway.
No voting occurs during workshops.
American Rescue Plan Act – The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF)
SLFRF delivers funds to state, local and Tribunal governments to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Village elected the standard allowance of $10 million.
Finance Director Kevin Greenville recommended the following expenditures in fiscal year 2022 be funded using the standard allowance: River Oaks property $447,378.40, 9000 Williams Road $4,262,598.20.
Staff recommended focusing on utility and storm water projects for the funds in excess of the standard allowance.
No voting occurs during workshops.
Council Communications
Councilmember Rafael Lopez reminded residents of the Collier-Lee Honor Flight which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 20. The group’s mission is to transport local veterans to Washington, DC, to visit memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifice. Residents are invited to go to the American Airlines Terminal 5 at RSW airport at 8 p.m. to welcome these 80 brave heroes home.
Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website here.
The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 7, 2023.