Public Comment: Jack Meeker asked that Council oppose the proposed toll road from Polk County to Collier County.
Action Item
Resolution No. 2019-21 – Community Development Fee Schedule
Council adopted this resolution establishing a fee under the Community Development Fee Schedule, to allow for electronic recording of documents as a convenience for customers, effective September 1, 2019. Some Community Development-related documents must be recorded in the official records of Lee County’s Clerk’s office which is located in downtown Fort Myers. Documents such as “Notice of Commencement” for building permits could be quickly recorded electronically, saving a customer the drive to Fort Myers. (Resolution)
SECOND READINGS/ PUBLIC HEARINGS OF ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 2019-28 – capital improvements element update
Council adopted this ordinance which addresses a state requirement approving updates to the capital improvements element to update the capital improvements schedule for Fiscal Year 2019/2020 and adopt the most recent Lee County School District Capital Improvement Plan. (Ordinance)
Ordinances amending and repealing inapplicable Lee County-only regulations
Council determined that it is in the best interests of the Village and its residents to revise certain provisions of the Lee County Code to specifically apply to the Village. Council voted to adopt Ordinances No. 2019-14 through 2019-20 which were repealed as inapplicable Lee County regulations or amended as ordinances of the Village of Estero. (Ordinances: 2019-14, 2019-15, 2019-16, 2019-17, 2019-18, 2019-19, 2019-20)
Council Communications
Councilmember Jim Wilson complimented Lee County for purchasing an 80-acre parcel at 18940 Green Meadow Road in South Fort Myers. This purchase brings the County one step closer to extending Alico Road to State Road 82. Councilmember Nick Batos stated that the fourth annual Estero High School Culinary fundraiser at Shadow Wood Golf & Country Club will be held on Monday, December 16. Vice-Mayor Katy Errington stated she had attended the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s meeting and was pleased to learn the work on the 1500-foot long I-75 exit ramp is scheduled to start October 16 and that FDOT plans to incorporate some beautiful landscape when finished with the interchange improvements. Mayor Bill Ribble met with representatives of the Census Bureau, which will be sending out postcards to homeowners in March to complete the Census. Ribble plans to speak before the ECCL and ask the representatives take on this project as the results of the 2020 Census will help determine the state’s representation in Congress, as well as how certain grants and funds are spent for schools, hospitals, roads, and more.
Workshop
Commercial PACE Program
Council was given a presentation on the property assessed clean energy (PACE) program. It was explained that PACE is an innovative mechanism for financing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements on private property and commercial property. The presenters were emphasizing the value of the commercial PACE program which would allow a property owner to finance the up-front cost of energy or other eligible improvements on a commercial property and then pay the costs back over time through a voluntary assessment. They stated these improvements, whether done at construction or as a retrofit, reduce energy costs, increase the tax base, the property value, the life of the building and helps retain employment. (Presentation)
Public Comment: A representative for Coconut Point Mall supported this program stating they need to replace the air conditioning units within the mall which would cost $2.5 million. This program would enable them to do all the units at one time.
No voting occurs during workshops.
US-41 Beautification Grants Update
Public Works Director David Willems gave an update on the US-41 beautification grants which will provide up to $100,000 worth of plantings at each of two locations: the northern boundary of Estero, near Walmart, and southern boundary of Estero, just north of Coconut Road.
The plan calls for either silver bismarck palms or hibiscus trees to be placed in the center medians at both locations along with a variety of landscaping.
There will be high shrubs and trees added to buffer the sidewalks along the entire corridor. (Presentation)
Additional details will be 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 be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 16, 2019.