Florida League of Cities Executive Director Rachel Keesling presented the League’s 2020 Legislative Appreciation Award to State Senator Kathleen Passidomo along with Mayor Bill Ribble
Special guest Sen. Passidomo gave a short update on the legislative session stating they were successful in balancing the budget, including monies for water issues and monies in the reserves to be used to address COVID-19 issues. The legislature is not in session now so they cannot pass any laws, such as the wearing of masks. In this state of emergency, the governor is responsible for running the state. In November, plans call for creating a “911” crisis planning committee to review everything that occurred during this pandemic to come up with best practices for the future. She stated that residents should contact her office if they need help regarding non-payment of unemployment payments.
Public Comment on non-agenda items: One resident stated the Village should annex Kiker Preserve/Edison Farms to protect this important property. Four residents submitted Ecomment cards addressing everything from parking issues near parks, a bicyclist and pedestrian crossover US 41 at Corkscrew and Coconut Roads, and two others in favor of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
The meeting started with approval of the Consent Agenda including Resolution No. 2020-10 adopting the Village’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The Plan includes six bicycle and pedestrian goals related to safety, infrastructure, commuting rates, SUN Trail, education, and encouragement. It also includes a variety of recommended specific infrastructure projects to accomplish some of the goals and improve walking and biking in Estero. (Plan)
Action Items
CN 2020-01 Miscellaneous Professional Services
The Village uses the Miscellaneous Professional Services contract to obtain professional services for a variety of projects. This includes operation and maintenance-type projects as well as Capital Improvement projects. Approval of this item allows the Village to respond quickly when needed. Council approved the recommended pool of vendors and authorized the negotiation of contracts and compensation on an as-needed basis. (Summary)
Water Quality Monitoring Assistance contract with Johnson Engineering
The Village’s Stormwater Master Plan recommends adding water quality, water flow and water elevation monitoring locations around the Village to supplement the existing locations from the State, County, and Community Development Districts.The goal is to protect our potable water supply and the wetlands. Council approved this contract for $62,400. This includes $56,735 for the proposed contract and a 10% contingency of $5,665. (Summary)
Public Comment: A resident commented that the monitoring should include the source of heavy metals coming into the waterways.
Resolution 2020-11 – Coconut Road improvement study
Council approved this resolution which is a budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 to include the Coconut Road improvements study and supplemental task agreement with Johnson Engineering. This will be will be added to the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 CIP budget with a budgeted amount of $126,800. Johnson Engineering will analyze the recommended three roundabouts along West Coconut Road and road widening from Coconut Shores to US 41 to determine construction feasibility, permitting requirements, right-of-way needs, and approximate costs for budget level planning purposes. (Summary)
Public Comment: A representative of the Estero Council of Community Leaders submitted an Ecomment card recommending Council approve this study.
Ordinance 2020-05 – official Village seal
Council passed this ordinance adopting the official seal on to a second reading on July 22, 2020. The Village will incur costs to replace signs, letterhead, business cards, names tags and any other materials that use the Village logo. Changing the Village logo is expected to cost less than $20,000. (Logo options)
Public Hearing
Proposed Capital Improvement Program
Council addressed the first public hearing for the Capital Improvement Program which included project changes from the prior draft as follows:
- Estero Parkway total project cost did not change but unspent amounts were carried forward from prior year.
- Corkscrew Road widening project added the Lee County portion of the project.
Council voted to move the proposed River Oaks Preserve acquisition to the 2021-2022 CIP and moved this to a second public hearing on July 22, 2020.
Public Comment on non-agenda items: A resident spoke about the safety issue of people turning out of Pelican Colony Boulevard onto US 41 and suggested the Village put up a barricade preventing drivers from making this turn.
Village Managers Report: Village Manager Steve Sarkozy recommended appointing a Councilmember to work with Bonita Springs City Council regarding costs associated with the Coconut Road improvements since the improvements will benefit many Bonita Springs residents. Council agreed to have District 1 Councilmember/Mayor Bill Ribble serve in this capacity.
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, July 22, 2020.