The meeting started with a special announcement by Councilmember Nick Batos stating he has submitted his letter of resignation from the Village Council in order to run for the Lee County Commission District 3 position, effective November 17, 2020. He stated: “It has been my pleasure to have been involved in advocating for quality of life issues for our community for the last 15 years, and especially to have led the incorporation effort of Estero in 2014. I am truly honored to have served as the first mayor of Estero and to continue to serve our special city today.” (Remarks & Letter)
Councilmember Batos then presented a proclamation to Lee Health President & Chief Executive Officer Dr. Larry Antonucci recognizing and applauding the extraordinary Lee Health System’s “Unsung Heroes” and encouraging all citizens to show their support for our health care heroes. (Proclamation)
City of Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane gave a short talk about the challenges of coming up with better ways to regulate the water levels in Lake Okeechobee to make sure everyone has access to good water quality; this will require groups and communities to mobilize to meet this challenge.
He also stated that local mayors are working together to share and communicate “best practices” for reopening restaurants, retail and services. (The Village will be sharing some of these practices on the website.)
Consent Agenda
Council approved the Consent Agenda which included the following items:
Resolution No. 2020-04
This resolution pertains to the 452 street lights along US 41 which are owned by FDOT but maintained by the Village. The Village will be paid $122,080.68 to operate and maintain the street lights for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. This is a reimbursement for the costs the Village incurs operating and maintaining the street lights. (Resolution)
Resolution No. 2020-05
On December 20, 2019, the Village accepted the deed to the Happehatchee Center property which has a submerged lands lease from the State of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection. The change in ownership requires a modification to the lease. This resolution involves a one-time lease transfer fee of $657, an annual lease fee of $531 and a lease processing fee of $657 every five years to process the lease transfer and subsequent renewals. (Resolution)
FPL right-of-way consent agreement – Coconut Road
This agreement with Florida Power and Light is to extend the existing sidewalk and improve drainage on Coconut Road just west of Walden Center Drive. The extended sidewalk will provide pedestrian access to Coconut Shores through their back entrance and the drainage improvements will eliminate maintenance issues that currently exist on the south side of Coconut Road. (Summary Sheet)
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program
Village Manager Steve Sarkozy will sign a letter of support for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. Through this program, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will distribute funds to Cape Coral and Fort Myers Police Departments, Lee County Port Authority and Lee County Human and Veteran Services. Funding will be used to purchase license plate readers for agency operations, police segways, as well as pay a portion of shelter operations. (Letter)
Action Items
Corkscrew Road interlocal agreement – Lee County and Village of Estero
Council approved this agreement which pertains to the widening of Corkscrew Road from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Bella Terra. As part of the widening project, Lee County is proposing to construct sidewalks, street lights and landscaping matching existing Lee County standards.
This agreement allows the Village to design, permit and construct the sidewalks, street lights and landscaping matching the Village’s standards. Lee County will pay the Village the construction costs the County would have incurred had they performed this work to their standards totaling $3,046,199.72. The costs to the Village have been estimated at approximately $11,259,900. After payment from Lee County, the net cost to the Village is expected to be approximately $7,238,900. (Summary Sheet)
Public eComment: Lou Frattarelli, Chair of the ECCL Transportation Council, stated the Council approves of this agreement.
Corkscrew Road design and permitting and Resolution No. 2020-07
Council approved this resolution which pertains to the widening of Corkscrew Road from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Bella Terra. Village Staff had proposed to contract with Johnson Engineering, Inc. to provide enhancements to the sidewalks, street lights or landscaping via a “piggyback” of Lee County Bid No. CN180576ANB which has gone through a competitive bid process. This includes a 10-foot multi use path on both sides of the road and a 4-foot bike lane. (Summary Sheet)
Public eComment: Lou Frattarelli, Chair of the ECCL Transportation Council, stated the Council approves of this contract.
Corkscrew Road/Puente Lane traffic signal developer agreement with Stock Development (Estero Crossing)
Council approved this agreement for zoning and development order approvals for the developers of Estero Village (aka Plaza Del Sol), Estero Town Commons (Lowe’s Plaza), and Estero Crossing which agreed to pay for the design and permitting of a traffic signal at Corkscrew Road and Puente Lane.
The Village hired Stantec to design and permit the traffic signal in an effort to speed up the project. The Village of Estero will receive funds in the amount of $38,480.06 from SD Estero Crossings, LLC as a result of this developer agreement. (Summary Sheet)
Public eComment: Comments from Lou Frattarelli and a Corkscrew Crossing resident were read into the record.
Corkscrew Road/Puente Lane traffic signal design
Village Council previously approved Stantec Consultant Services, Inc. for design and permitting services for a traffic signal at Corkscrew Road and Puente Lane. The 90% traffic signal and turn lane improvement plans have been completed.
To accommodate future traffic volumes on Estero Town Commons Place (Lowe’s entrance) an additional turn lane has been recommended. This requires some revisions to the traffic signal and turn lane plans prepared by Stantec to accommodate the future turn lane. This increases the total contract by $10,000 to $174,515. (Summary Sheet)
Public eComment: Lou Frattarelli stated the ECCL Transportation Council approves this change.
Williams Road at Estero High School Turn Lane Improvements
The Village’s CIP includes Williams Road turn lane improvements at the Estero High School student parking lot and bus ramp. Council approved award of Request for Bids to Pavement Maintenance, LLC at a cost of $448,800, with a contingency fund amount of $44,800.
The contractor will construct right and left turn lanes along Williams Road at the entrances to the Estero High School student parking lot and bus ramp. The project also includes modifications to the student parking lot entry to accommodate the proposed Williams Road improvements.
This project will improve the flow of traffic on Williams Road, especially in the morning when students and buses are arriving at school and during special events. (Summary Sheet)
Public eComment: Lou Frattarelli stated the ECCL Transportation Council approves this change.
Trailside Drive and Poinciana Avenue Resurfacing/Rebuild
The Village’s “Estero Infrastructure Inventory” prepared by Florida Gulf Coast University identified Trailside Drive and Poinciana Avenue as roadways in need of resurfacing.
During the project’s design, it was determined the thickness and condition of the existing asphalt and base on Poinciana Ave. was not sufficient to allow typical roadway resurfacing. As a result, Poinciana Ave. has to be rebuilt.
Council approved authorizing the Village Manager to execute a contract with Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, LLC at a total bid cost of $377,679.65, with a contingency fund amount of $37,767. (Summary Sheet)
Community Rating System (CRS)/Flood Insurance Assistance Proposal
The CRS program scores communities on their floodplain management, which determines the level of discount provided to homeowners on their flood insurance premiums. The minimum score is a 10 and the maximum score is a 1. The Village’s current score of 6.
Council tabled this item to be reviewed at a future date.
Computer Replacement Proposal
This proposal calls for the replacement of the 30 desktop and laptop Windows-based computers and 5 Apple computers for Council and Staff, and 2 Audio Visual (AV) Windows-based computers in the Council Chambers given their age and their use of outdated and unsupported software. Most of these computers are operating on the Windows 7 Operating System, which is no longer supported by Microsoft. It is imperative that all computers be moved to Windows 10, and it is most cost effective to do this when purchasing new computers.
Council approved providing Dell laptops for staff and will consider options for Council. (Summary Sheet)
Public Comment on non-agenda items: A resident suggested via eComment that Council consider blacktop multi use paths on all roads in Estero.
Village Manager’s Report: Steve Sarkozy stated that staff has been moving ahead on special projects during this pandemic. The website is now totally ADA compliant; 112 boxes of permits are being scanned and will be on the website; hurricane preparations include the stormwater areas all being maintained and the flow ways are working well; 19 hurricanes are predicted this year and the Village is looking into shelters.
He also announced that Village Clerk Kathy Hall is retiring next week. She has been with the Village since 2015 and Steve acknowledged that she has been a truly valued member of staff.
Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website https://estero-fl.gov/agendas/
The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2020.