Mayor Joanne Ribble and Councilmembers presented a proclamation to Estero High School senior Kevin Wilson who is a full-time dual enrollment student who has already achieved remarkable academic success. He earned recognition on the FGCU Dean’s List during his first semester of college coursework, after previously obtaining his AICE Diploma. His current GPA of 4.95 is a testament to his commitment, discipline, and strong work ethic.

Mayor Joanne Ribble and Councilmembers presented a proclamation to Estero resident and Bonita High School student Mason Burks who has been recognized as the Bonita Springs High School Student of the Month for April for being an exceptional student who exemplifies academic excellence, dedication, and well-rounded achievement. He currently holds an outstanding weighted GPA of 5.66 and is ranked second in his graduating class, earning the distinguished honor of Salutatorian.

Proclamation

Mayor Joanne Ribble and Councilmembers presented a proclamation supporting the goals of the Safe Boating Campaign and proclaiming May 16-22 as National Boat Safety Week. Accepting the proclamation on behalf of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary were John Irwin, Vice Commander of Flotilla 96, Michael Corson, W. Tom Sawyer and Robert Babeski.

Public comment on non-agenda items: A resident spoke positively about Estero RiverPark and recommended growth be slowed down.

Action Items

Vulnerability Assessment Project change order

An elevation certificate is an official record used to document a building’s height in relation to expected flood levels.  These certificates also assist the Village in immediately responding to FEMA.

As part of the Village’s Vulnerability Assessment Project, the Village is offering free elevation certificates to Estero residents; however, the number of requests received has exceeded the current budget.

Council approved a change order to its contract with APTIM Environmental & Infrastructure, LLC, increasing the number of elevation certificates from 100 to 216 to accommodate residents located within the special flood hazard area. This change authorizes an additional cost not to exceed $70,000.

Sports Park Phase 1 Field Testing Services

Sports Park Phase 1 construction is actively underway with site grading and lake excavation progressing on schedule.  As the project transitions into utility installation and roadway improvements, expanded field-testing services are required to support ongoing construction activities, maintain schedule, and ensure compliance with project standards.

Council approved a Task Order under its contract with High Spans Engineering, Inc. to provide field testing services for Phase 1 construction of the Village Hub Sports Park in an amount not to exceed $199,821.26.

First reading & public hearing

Ordinance 2026-03 – non-conforming lots

There was a first reading of this ordinance addressing non-conforming lots.  Village staff has identified a provision in the Land Development Code addressing construction on non-conforming lots which creates confusion as to how it is interpreted and recommended this provision be removed from the code.

Council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-03 on the first reading and scheduled a public hearing for May 6, 2026.

Second reading & public hearing

Ordinance 2026-02 – condominium and cooperative milestone inspections

There was a second reading of this ordinance setting certain requirements regarding condo and cooperative milestone inspections and repairs, and to undertake an enforcement role in order to meet state statutes.

Council voted to adopt this ordinance.

Workshops

Legislative Updates

About 5 years ago, the Village engaged state lobbyists JEJ & Associates and Ron Brown & Associates, to advocate on behalf of the Village to improve our success in obtaining State funding of our local projects.

Council had previously presented four project funding requests; one related to transportation and the other three related to water. The graph above shows House and Senate support, or lack of, for these requests to date.

Resolution No. 2026-06 – final non-ad valorem assessment roll for Sunny Grove Park, Inc. package plant to central sewer conversion project

Sunny Grove Park, Inc (SGP) is an established community in Estero that is not connected to the centralized sanitary sewage system.  Instead, it has been treated onsite by what is known as a “package plant” which treats sewage onsite and is privately operated by SGP.

The Village has determined that the SGP package plant is failing and has contributed to discharges which are harmful to the SGP community’s property values, its environment, water quality, and does not comply with state and federal environmental regulations.

Local governments can use a special assessment method to pay for projects. Florida law provides several options for establishing a special assessment. If the Village elects to use the uniform method for collecting a non-ad valorem assessment for the first time, the Council must adopt a resolution at a public hearing prior to January 1 clearly stating its intent to use this collection method.

Resolution 2026-07 – final non-ad valorem assessment roll for Cypress Bend RV Resort package plant to central sewer system project

Cypress Bend RV Resort (Cypress) is an established community in Estero that is not connected to a centralized sanitary sewer system. Instead, wastewater has historically been treated onsite by a privately operated “package plant” maintained by Cypress.

The Village has determined that the Cypress package plant is failing and has contributed to discharges that adversely affect property values within the community, as well as the surrounding environment and water quality, and does not comply with state and federal environmental regulations .

Local governments can use a special assessment method to pay for projects. Florida law provides several options for establishing a special assessment. If the Village elects to use the uniform method for collecting a non-ad valorem assessment for the first time, the Council must adopt a resolution at a public hearing prior to January 1 clearly stating its intent to use this collection method.

No voting occurs during workshops.

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, May 6, 2026.