Village Manager Steve Sarkozy, Sanibel City Clerk Scotty Lynn Kelly, Village Clerk Carol Sacco, and Mayor Jon McLain
The meeting started with recognition of Village Clerk Carol Sacco who recently completed the requirements prescribed by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks for Certification. Village Manager Steve Sarkozy stated Sacco has demonstrated the highest level of professional service. Her certificate and pin were presented by Florida Association of City Clerks SW District Director and Sanibel City Clerk Scotty Lynn Kell, MMC, CGSP.
Public comment on non-agenda items: A Club Director with the Rotary Club of Estero thanked all for the turnout and efforts made to make Light up Estero a success. The President of the Estero Forever Foundation (EFF) stated the EFF’s Board voted that he not attend the workshop following today’s meeting.
Second readings and public hearings
Ordinance 2023-09 – Land Development Code amendment re day care centers
Council approved this ordinance amending the Land Development Code to revise standards for the outdoor play area for child day care centers to the State requirements, including changing the fence requirement to be four foot tall.
Public comment: 1 eComment card was placed into the record and 1 resident spoke in favor the changes.
Ordinance 2023-08 – Land Development Code amendment re parking standards for hotel/motel use
Council approved this ordinance amending the Land Development Code to correct parking standards for hotel/motel use to 1.2 spaces per hotel room. This becomes effective in 2026.
Action Items
Lee County MPO Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) appointment
Council voted to support Mark Novitski’s appointment to represent the Village on the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Citizen Advisory Committee. Novitski has been an active community member and a representative on a number of local boards.
Construction Manager at Risk agreement
Entertainment District
The Village owns approximately 20 acres located at 9000 Williams Road and will be transferring certain parcels within that property to private providers in a “pad-ready” state for them to construct their respective venues.
Construction management services are required for scheduling and coordination in both preconstruction and construction phases, and are generally responsible for the successful, timely, and economical completion of public construction projects.
Council approved a Construction Manager At Risk agreement between the Village and Wright Construction Group, Inc., and authorized Village Manager Steve Sarkozy to execute the agreement and any related documents or amendments, except for the guaranteed maximum price amendment, which will be approved by Council at a later date.
River Oaks Preserve preliminary design contract
The Village of Estero purchased the 10-acre property at the eastern end of Broadway Ave. East in 2022, which is currently being maintained by the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society.
The Village of Estero has requested State funding to improve the preserve. Staff proposed hiring Kimley Horn to prepare a preliminary design for the property including trails, a pedestrian bridge over the Estero River, a garage, restrooms, and extending water, sewer, and reclaimed water to the property.
Council approved award of a supplemental task authorization for a contract with Kimley Horn to provide preliminary design services for the River Oaks Preserve for $97,900, along with a $10,000 contingency for additional services that may be required.
Meetings will be held in the future tor public input on maintaining this as a passive park.
Public comment: 1 eComment card was placed into the record.
Workshops
Village of Estero/Estero Forever Foundation agreement
The Estero Forever Foundation (EFF) was incorporated in July 2019 “to mobilize financial resources by encouraging and facilitating generosity in order to fund projects that develop and improve the community of Estero.” And, in July 2022, the Village authorized the EFF to operate the Village-owned golf driving range located at 9000 Williams Road with the EFF benefitting from funds derived from the driving range operations.
During this workshop, there was much discussion on how both parties can work together to develop a more formal framework of cooperation.
Public comment: 1 resident spoke about the need to find out what monies are in the EFF and then determine how to dispense those monies.
Ben Hill Griffin Parkway project update
Public Works Director David Willems provided an update on the landscaping, irrigation and sidewalk plans for Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. The landscaping on the sides of the road will be mostly ground cover and shrubs due to the fact there are utilities on both sides of the road. The medians will include small trees as Lee County restricts large trees in the median. Plans call for a meandering sidewalk near Grandezza. Staff is working with Lee County regarding Grandezza easements; there has been preliminary discussions with Miromar regarding easements.
Arts Bonita
Loretta Menuez, Operations Director, and Alyona Aleksandra Ushe, Executive Director, gave a presentation on Arts Bonita which was founded in 1960 by 15 members and one teacher. They have grown to have two facilities: the Visual Arts Center is on Old 41 Road and a Performing Arts Center off of Bonita Beach Road.
They host three fine arts and crafts festivals a year, art walks, and provide educational programs. They also anticipate working with the Art League of Estero and Gulfshore Opera.
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, December 13, 2023.