Left to right: Vice-Mayor Bill Ribble, Councilmember Howard Levitan, Jessica Walsh, Councilmember Jon McLain, Cody Hutcheson, Councilmember Jim Wilson, Mayor Jim Boesch, and Councilmembers Nick Batos and Katy Errington.
Some of the 45 Estero High School students recognized for outstanding performance in the November 2017 Cambridge examination series.
Estero High School students recently recognized by the Cambridge Assessment International Education were congratulated and presented proclamations by Mayor Jim Boesch, Vice-Mayor Bill Ribble and Council at the beginning of this meeting.
Cody Hutcheson, a junior, received the organization’s top grade in the United States for AS Sociology as well as Scholar Level with Merit, and senior Jessica Walsh was recognized at Scholar Level with Distinction. An additional 43 Estero High School students were recognized for their outstanding performance in the 2017 Cambridge examination series. Here is the list of all of the students.
Every AICE/Cambridge exam that a student passes gives the student 3-4 college credits. In addition, most of these students have earned or will have earned their AICE/Cambridge Diploma which guarantees them the highest level Bright Futures Award given by the State of Florida, which gives them full tuition and a $300 stipend for books.
Ordinance No. 2018-02
There was a first reading of this ordinance regarding proposed zoning amendments and a deviation for building height within the 3.5 acre Tracts C and D in the Shoppes of Coconut Trace. The applicant is requesting an amendment to the zoning on these two vacant lots in order to construct a freestanding emergency department for Naples Community Hospital. This property is located at 22951 and 22961 Lyden Drive, west of US 41 and across from Coconut Point Mall.
Public testimony will be taken on this ordinance at the second reading on March 21, 2018. (Ordinance)
Action Items
Resolution No. 2018-05
Council approved this resolution, adopting the Premium Only Plan Cafeteria Plan. This provides a plan to employees that allows insurance premiums to be withheld from salary on a pre-tax basis. This plan will save both the Village and employees payroll taxes including social security, Medicare and federal income taxes.
Agreement for Election Services
Council approved this agreement for election services with Tommy Doyle, Supervisor of Elections of Lee County, Florida.
The next municipal election will occur on March 5, 2019. This agreement provides for the Supervisor of Elections to conduct elections for the Village. (Agreement)
Workshop
Proposed Memorandum of Understanding with the School District of Lee County
Council conducted a workshop regarding a proposed agreement with the District to develop a joint educational advocacy task force. The group would be comprised of liaisons from the Village and the District, principles of the each school and one staff member from the Village and the District. The group would meet at least quarterly for the purpose of collaboratively identifying, prioritizing, planning and implementing mutually shared/beneficial opportunities.
Lee County District 3 School Board member Chris Patricca pointed out that the MOU would ensure that this relationship will exist beyond the tenure of the current members of both Council and the District and will assist in getting the community involved in this important endeavor. (Proposed Memorandum of Understanding)
Additional details are available in the minutes of this meeting. Residents may also view the archived meeting by going to the Village website http://estero-fl.gov/council/watch-meetings-online/.
The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2018.