Public Comment on non-agenda items: A resident of The Brooks spoke in opposition to a proposed apartment complex at the Winn-Dixie site at Coconut Road and Three Oaks Parkway. A resident of Pelican Sound commented via Ecomment card about the importance of homeowners changing from septic to sewer in order to protect the Estero River.
Action Items
Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021
Village Manager Steve Sarkozy stated there will be cuts in revenue due to COVID-19 and the budget will have to be adjusted in the future due to changes in the Village’s revenue structure. The positive news is that the Village has unspent funds in reserves which could be used for operating expenses or Capital Improvement Program expenses.
Council did not vote on this item; they will schedule one-on-one meetings with Sarkozy to review the proposed budget prior to the public hearings scheduled for 5:30 p.m. September 9 and September 23, 2020. (Presentation)
Resolution No. 2020-13 – proposed millage rate
Council approved this resolution which provides the required information to initiate ad valorem taxes for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. The proposed millage rate is 0.7726 mills ($0.7726 per $1,000 of assessed property value) which is currently the lowest tax rate in Southwest Florida. The budget public hearings will be on September 9 and 23 at 5:30 p.m. (Resolution)
Resolution No. 2020-12 – Qualifying Official
This resolution pertains to the naming the Lee County Supervisor of Elections as the Village of Estero’s Qualifying Official.
Following the retirement of the Village Clerk on June 12, 2020, many responsibilities have been divided amongst staff. However, the task of Qualifying Official is complex, requiring specialized training, and carries substantial penalties for error. This resolution provides for the Village to contract with the Lee County Supervisor of Elections office for these services for a maximum cost of $20,000 charge per election cycle, which occurs every other year, based on incurred expenses by the Supervisor. (Resolution)
Transportation impact fee credit agreement – US41 Pelican Colony traffic signal
The Village has negotiated with WCI/Lennar (developer of Pelican Landing) to have them pay for the design, permitting, and construction of a traffic signal at US41 and Pelican Colony. In exchange, the Village of Estero will provide WCI/Lennar transportation impact fee credits equal to the cost WCI/Lennar expended for the design, permitting and construction of the traffic signal. Negotiations with WCI/Lennar will be ongoing regarding this item. The installation of this traffic signal is expected to greatly improve safety and traffic flow on US 41, Pelican Colony Blvd. and Coconut Road. (Summary)
Corkscrew Road/Puente Lane traffic signal interlocal agreement
Over the past year, the Village has tried to work with Lee County, Plaza Del Sol, Estero Town Commons (Lowes Plaza) and Estero Crossing to get a traffic signal at Corkscrew Road and Puente Lane constructed. While the Village has no direct involvement in the financing or construction of the traffic signal, Village Staff recommended the Village pay Lee County for the construction of the traffic signal in an effort to prevent any further delay. The Village will then pursue payment from each of the three developments. The Village will pay Lee County $772,350 for the cost of construction of the signal and turn lanes (less potentially $180,652.67 from Estero Crossing). (Summary)
Public Comment: A representative for Stock Development supported this action as Estero Crossing cannot initiate construction on their development until this light is installed. Through an Ecomment card, the ECCL supported this action as well.
Solid waste agreement for municipal solid waste disposal, solid waste system assessment and supplemental services
The Village contracts for solid waste services with Lee County. Those services provided to the Village include: trash pick-up and transport, recycling, hazardous waste disposal, disaster response, and trash disposal.
The major change in this agreement and the major impact on cost is the requirement that the Village provide its own disaster services. The Village has previously “piggy-backed” on the County, contracting for local disaster services with the same set of contractors engaged by Lee County. Moving forward, the Village will need to budget for disaster services instead of relying on Lee County.
The Village has an established reserve account that can be used for disaster recovery expenses which may need to be supplemented at some point to further protect the Village should another natural disaster strike. (Summary)
Public Comment: A resident spoke against this agreement.
First Reading of Ordinances
Ordinance 2020-06 – Special Assessments
This ordinance provides a mechanism to finance municipal services and public infrastructure. Eligible projects for special assessments include streets; sidewalks; street lighting; water service; sewage service; stormwater; and other essential facilities and municipal services. An assessment will need to be created by resolution; this ordinance approves the process.
Council voted to move this ordinance, with the addition of adding the Planning and Zoning Board as the equalizing board, to a second reading on September 9, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. (Ordinance)
Second Reading of Ordinances
Ordinance No. 2020-05 – Official Village seal
Council passed this ordinance adopting the official Village seal. The Village will replace signs, letterhead, business cards, names tags and any other materials that use the Village logo with this new logo. Changing the Village logo is expected to cost less than $20,000. (Ordinance)
Second Public Hearing
Resolution No. 2020-14 – Capital Improvement Program
Council approved this resolution which provides a proposed CIP budget and approves funding for the fiscal year 2020-21 capital projects. The CIP is a plan for projects but, due to COVID-19, there may be delays to some of them. (Proposed Capital Improvement Program)
Public Comment: Through Ecomment cards, a representative of the ECCL supported this resolution and a Pelican Sound resident asked that stormwater improvements be increased to benefit the Estero River.
Public Comment on non-agenda items: A resident congratulated Council on their actions pertaining to the installation of the traffic lights.
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, September 9, 2020.