Action Items
Infrastructure grant applications
Council approved a contract with Hagerty Consulting, Inc., to assist the Village in preparing and submitting infrastructure grant applications. The contract amount is $203,782, with a contingency of $20,000.
Lee County received HUD funds to support long-term hurricane recovery for the area, and Hagerty Consulting, Inc., would work with Village staff to get grant applications submitted to Lee County before the end of May.
The expected projects are.
- Broadway Ave West drainage, roadway, and safety improvements
- Village of Estero Utility Extension Projects(UEP) (Estero Bay Village, See See Street, Sandy Lane, & The Groves)
- Estero River Heights & Charing Cross UEP
- Sherrill & Luettich UEP
- Estero River North Branch drainage improvements
Chris-Tel Construction piggyback contract
Over the past several years the Village has been working on the planning, design, and permitting of several infrastructure projects. Many of these projects are ready or will be ready to start construction in the coming months. The Village is “government light” and requires assistance with smaller projects to help speed up the process from beginning to end.
The Village does not currently have contracts with firms to provide Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) services. In 2022. Lee County awarded CMAR Annual Services Contracts to several qualified construction firms. The Village can use any of these firms for the services outlined in the County’s agreement through what is known as a piggyback agreement.
Council approved a piggyback agreement with Chris-Tel Construction for CMAR services to manage and build smaller projects that are expected to cost less than $4 million for construction.
Manhattan Construction piggyback contract
As stated above, the Village does not currently have contracts with firms to provide Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) services. Lee County awarded CMAR Annual Services Contracts to several qualified construction firms. The Village can use any of these firms for the services outlined in the County’s agreement through what is known as a piggyback agreement.
Council approved a piggyback agreement with Manhattan Construction for CMAR services to manage and build smaller projects that are expected to cost less than $4 million for construction.
Second readings and public hearings
Finance Director Kevin Greenville gave a presentation on Village financial responsibility and management standards. These ordinances formalize the Village’s policies and procedures.
Ordinance 2024-01 – Financial Responsibility
The Management and Financial Policy Statements, adopted through ordinance by the Village Council, provide guidelines to staff in managing the organization and planning finances. Some policy statements are driven by requirements of State law or Village Charter, while others are formally documented through policies and procedures.
Council adopted this ordinance.
Ordinance 2024-02 – Procurement
Village Attorney Robert Eschenfelder reviewed the Village’s procurement code and drafted Ordinance 2024-02, recommending revisions to the current code. Council adopted this ordinance.
Ordinance 2024-04 – Investment
To improve the investment return of excess funds, the Village engaged Public Trust Advisors for investment advisory services in June of 2023. As part of their analysis, Public Trust Advisors recommended adopting a comprehensive set of written investment policies. This will allow the Village to take a more robust and long-term view of its investment strategy.
Council adopted this ordinance.
Workshop
Legislative update
The workshop discussed our current appropriation and our previous success, and how these funds will be used in the community. Ron Book and Rana Brown from Ron Book & Associates and Lena Juarez and Robert Miller from JEJ & Associates presented an end of 2024 season report.
This Fiscal Year 2024-2025, the Village received a total of $8,400,000 in appropriations. The breakdown is $2,500,000 for the River Oaks Preserve, $4,600,000 for the septic to sewer project and $1,300,000 for the Broadway Avenue West transportation and water projects.
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, April 3, 2024.