Public comment on non-agenda items: Tauheedah Mateen /SBA Public Affairs Specialist spoke assuring the community FEMA and the Small Business Administration are still here and continuing relief and recovery efforts in the area.  They are working out of the Disaster Recovery Center located in the Village Hall.

A resident of Bella Terra stated her concerns about traffic safety issues along East Corkscrew Road caused by residents and dump trucks driving too fast and causing accidents.

Hurricane Ian update

Village Manager Steve Sarkozy gave an update on the Village’s efforts to assist residents who have been adversely impacted by the hurricane.  He stated that 1400 Estero homes were severely affected and staff has visited with residents on numerous occasions helping them with their struggles to rebuild.  On December 6, 100 building permits were submitted by one of West Bay’s communities off of East Williams Road.

The Village hired 7 debris-hauling trucks to help clear debris from the community; to date they have collected 250,000 cubic feet of debris in Estero.  They are continuing these efforts through December 12; however, the Village will continue to pick up debris in those areas affected by storm surge after December 12.  The debris is taken to the Coconut Road and US41 site; it is anticipated that the debris from Estero will go to a final disposal site in February.

The Council Chambers have been used as FEMA’s and the SBA’s Disaster Recovery Center since November, providing a convenient site for residents to learn everything they need to know about how to apply for assistance as a result of the hurricane.  They have been assisting, on average, 22 residents daily.

Lee County MPO Rail to Trail Feasibility Study

Lee County MPO staff gave a presentation on the Lee County MPO Rail Trail Feasibility Study which evaluated 7 alternate path alignments that extend from Alico Road (north) to Bonita Beach Road (south).

The 7 types of paths were narrowed to 3 which were evaluated on connectivity, project readiness, service and user experience.  The three types of paths selected are:

  • A rail-to-trail is a multi-use path that is converted to a trail from an inactive rail line. The rails and ties are removed so a path can be built on top of the track bed.
  • A rail with trail alignment is a path parallel to the rail line. The path would be built within the railway right-of-way on one side of the rail line. This allows the rail to continue to be operational.
  • Trail alignment adjacent to road runs parallel to the road within the road’s right-of-way. Also named sidepath, they require ample space between the road and path for people to comfortably and safely use it.

The Seminole Gulf Railway has indicated they would expect payment of over $100 million, when the property has been appraised at $70 million.  The project is expected to take 10 years once funding becomes available.

Public Comment:  7 eComment cards were received before the deadline/3 after the deadline; 5 residents spoke in favor of pursuing the rail-to-trail, 1 resident spoke in favor the rail with trail and an attorney for the Estero Country Club at The Vines stated his clients do not want a trail to traverse through their community and propose the trail end at Estero Parkway.

Action Items

Village initiated rezoning

Earlier this year, the Village purchased two parcels of property on the north side of Williams Road, south and west of the Estero Community Park and Estero High School. The parcel to the east is the site of Golf Coast Driving Range, and the vacant parcel to the west was obtained through a land swap and purchase from a church.

Staff has been evaluating future plans for this property, which may include recreational uses. The property would need to be rezoned to accommodate these uses.  Staff recommended a rezoning to Estero Planned Development, which will provide for the flexibility needed for this site.

Council voted to approve staff initiating this rezoning process.

Williams Road mixed-use development project

Council approved a contract for $140,000 with Vieste LLC to explore the possibility of implementing a mixed-use development project on the Village-owned Williams Road properties.  Vieste will be responsible for executing a marketing process for the Village to seek qualified private sports, recreation, and entertainment providers for the Williams Road mixed-use development project.

Resolution 2022-12 – Community aesthetic feature agreement

Council approved this agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for a Village of Estero monument sign to be located at the Village’s southern boundary south of Pelican Colony Boulevard and US 41.  The signage is expected to be completed by July 2023.

Resolution 2022-32 – I-75/Corkscrew Road landscape maintenance agreement

Council adopted this resolution approving a landscape maintenance and installation agreement between the State of Florida Department of Transportation and the Village of Estero for maintenance of landscaping for specialized landscaping and irrigation within the interchange at SR 96 (I-75) and Corkscrew Road.

The Village of Estero will incur landscape maintenance costs starting in 2025, after the installation contractor’s maintenance period is complete. Costs are expected to be approximately $216,000 per year.

Reclaimed water feasibility study

The Village of Estero and its residents have experienced challenges regarding the availability and quality of groundwater for both irrigation and potable water. As development continues within the Southwest Florida region these challenges will likely worsen over the next several years. Planning for and transition of groundwater sources will be important in addressing future water needs.

Expanding the use of reclaimed water for both Village of Estero roadway projects and resident irrigation would reduce some of the pressure on the limited groundwater resources.

Council approved award of a contract with Weston & Sampson to prepare a reclaimed water feasibly study for the Village of Estero for $70,500, with a contingency fund of $7,100.

Water monitoring contract

Council approved a contract with Johnson Engineering to provide water monitoring services for the Village for $91,776 with a contingency fund of $8,224.  They will be monitoring the water quality, flow and water level through the Village.

Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website.

The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 4, 2023.