Florida Power & Light
FPL representatives Charlotte Miller, FPL External Affairs Manager, and Josh Whitaker provided explanations for the power outages experienced in the community following Hurricane Milton. Causes included salt spray not disbursed due to lack of rain, and wind loosening electrical connections as well as falling vegetation.
FPL representatives plan to come back for a workshop in January.
Action Items
Resolution 2024-22 – Budget amendment
Finance Director Kevin Greenville explained the Village performs budget amendments throughout each fiscal year as new appropriations, transfers, or increased revenue occur.
To ensure there are no excess expenditures, Village staff completed a year-end budget reconciliation and found an amendment was needed in one fund, the building fee fund. This is being done within sixty days of the fiscal year end per Florida Statute Chapter 166.241.
Council adopted this resolution.
Estero River North Branch Regional Pond Project
Estero River
One of the Villages’ primary areas of concern for flood mitigation projects is an area affected by both the Estero River North Branch and South Branch, located along Corkscrew Road and Three Oaks Parkway.
The river’s upstream capacity is higher than downstream, causing stormwater to accumulate between Three Oaks Parkway and I-75. As a result, the portion of the river located downstream of the Three Oaks Parkway crossing still receives excessive stormwater flow, impacting residents within the area.
A proposed “regional pond” site was evaluated to determine the benefits and impacts to the area. Through this analysis, a new “regional pond” and associated stormwater infrastructure improvements was defined.
Council approved a task order with JR Evans Engineering, P.A. for a cost not to exceed $471,100 for permitting and engineering study services for this project.
Hurricane Milton funding agreement
The Hurricane Milton Funding Agreement is a federally funded subaward and grant agreement between the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and the Village of Estero. FDEM is acting as a pass-through entity for the federal grant awards.
This agreement will allow the Village to be prepared to receive significant federal funding in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
Council authorized Village Manager Steve Sarkozy to execute this agreement.
Second Reading & Public Hearing
Ordinance 2024-08 – Plaza del Sol
Plaza del Sol
This is a zoning amendment for a 7-acre tract located within the 38-acre Plaza Del Sol which is on the northeast Corner of Three Oaks Parkway and Corkscrew Road. Estero Storage LLC was requesting to amend the zoning for a mixed-use development consisting of 110,000 square feet. of self-storage, a 120-room five story hotel, and 18,000 square feet of commercial use.
Council voted to approve this ordinance.
Workshop
Sports Campus
Michael Comparato, Vieste, Carlos Perez, PLA Principal Perez Planning + Design, LLC, and Cristobal Betancourt, PLA, AICP/Weston and Sampson presented an overview of the evolving Sports Campus Master Plan following the second public information meeting conducted on November 19.
Since Estero is multigenerational, initial plans include multi-use paths, benches, playground with splashpad, baseball and softball fields, concession stand, pavilion and multi-use practice fields for soccer, lacrosse and more.
The presenters will return to Council with further refinement of the plan on December 4. They will be presenting to the Planning, Zoning & Design Board in January and plan to present again to Council on January 22.
Don Eslick & 10th Anniversary
Council live streamed a presentation of a framed image of a memorial plaque honoring “Mr. Estero” Don Eslick to his wife Suzie during a 10th anniversary reception. The actual bronze plaque will hang in the Village Hall.
Mayor McLain and Councilmembers spoke of the many valuable contributions Don Eslick made throughout his time in Estero. Council also acknowledged those who were actively involved in the incorporation effort as well as Estero’s first councilmembers.
Others in attendance paying tribute to Don Eslick, the incorporation team and initial councilmembers included: First mayor Nick Batos, fourth mayor Katy Errington, incorporation team member Bob Lienesch, Engage Estero president Jim Gilmartin, Estero Forever Foundation president John Quinn and Estero Life Magazine publisher Gary Israel.
The incorporation team included ECCL Chairman Emeritus Don Eslick, Chairman Nick Batos, Directors Howard Levitan, Phil Douglas, Bob Lienesch, Jim Boesch, Roger Strelow, Marilyn Edwards, Incorporation Committee Chair John Goodrich and Jack Lienesch.
The first Council was comprised of Nick Batos, Don Brown, Jim Boesch, Katy Errington, Howard Levitan, Bill Ribble, and Jim Wilson. On March 17, 2015, the first Council meeting was held where Nick Batos was selected to serve as the Village’s first mayor.
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 4, 2024.