Action Items
Special Magistrate services agreement
Estero’s Village Code provides for certain quasi-judicial matters to be heard before a Special Magistrate, in particular code enforcement. Council approved this agreement with Patrick Neale, Esq. who has significant experience in real estate, land use, and related areas of the law, and has experience serving as a quasi-judicial magistrate for Collier County.
Neale will serve as the Village’s Special Magistrate along with the Village’s Special Magistrate Robert Pritt.
Estero Forever Foundation management agreement – Happehatchee Center
The Village owns a largely undeveloped property consisting of subtropical forest, located at the addresses 8661, 8701, 8751, 8761, 8791, and 8801 Corkscrew Road, which includes the historical Happehatchee Center. This property has unique historical significance and unique operational requirements.
This agreement between the Village and the Estero Forever Foundation will provide continued management, oversight and maintenance, as well as incremental programming improvements to allow the public to gain better use of the Center.
Estero Forever will be utilizing their many volunteers who successfully managed the Gulf Coast Driving Range.
Council approved this agreement.
Interlocal property sale agreement with Lee County
Part of the mission for the Village of Estero is the development of a Parks and Open Space Plan.
This agreement provides for the purchase of approximately 25.5 acres of park land from Lee County for $700,000, plus the guarantee that facilities and the operation of those facilities currently provided by the County will then be provided by the Village.
Council approved this land purchase which is the last element to be included in the Estero Sports Entertainment Park which, combined, is a total of 99.56 acres. This additional land is capable of being developed to accommodate the active sports and recreational needs of the community.
Public Comment: A resident spoke in favor of this purchase and thanked Council for their efforts to create the Sports Park.
The Brooks CDD interlocal agreement – Three Oaks Parkway
The Brooks Community Development District (CDD) owns and maintains the sidewalks along Three Oaks Parkway. Due to the age of the sidewalks, maintenance has become more frequent and expensive so they are going to replace them with concrete sidewalks.
Attractive landscaped streets are part of Estero’s branding. The Village will pay to provide improvements to this area, where possible, by moving portions of the path away from the road. The Brooks CDD will continue to maintain the sidewalks.
Council approved this interlocal agreement, with the cost to be less than $380,000 unless additional funds are approved by Council.
Corkscrew Road contract addendum
Council approved a contract addendum in the amount of $21,468,380.20 with Wright Construction for the construction of the Corkscrew Road improvements.
This project includes the construction of a 10-ft wide pathway on both sides of the road, landscaping, and decorative street lighting. Council has the ability, at a future date, to consider excluding the landscaping and irrigation along the sides of the roadway for budgetary reasons.
The project is located along Corkscrew Road from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to the eastern side of Bella Terra (the Village’s eastern most boundary). The project is scheduled to be completed within 628 days of the project’s notice to proceed.
Public Comment: 1 eComment was placed into the record.
Estero on the River contract addendum
Council approved a contract addendum in the amount of $7,865,614 with Manhattan Construction for the construction of the Estero on the River Phase 1 improvements. A contingency fund amount of $590,000 was also approved. The Village received a Florida Department of Environmental Projection (FDEP) grant of $750,000 for this project.
The Phase 1 improvements include: entry road, parking lot, restroom building, utilities, pedestrian bridge over the Estero River and walking paths. Changing the walking paths from paved to mulch will save the Village $500,000.
The project is scheduled for substantial completion within 328 days of notice to proceed.
Williams Road drainage ditch acquisition
Council approved a contract in the amount of $97,500 for Florida Acquisition & Appraisal Inc. to provide acquisition services for the Williams Road ditch. A $9,750 contingency fund was also approved.
The existing roadside ditch that runs along the north side of Williams Road between River Ranch Road and Three Oaks Parkway is located on private property.
Transferring the property to Village ownership and/or easements would allow the Village to maintain the ditch uniformly, leading to better drainage in the area and avoiding flooding issues. Village control of the ditch property could also make maintenance of the adjacent sidewalk easier and provide some design flexibility for any future improvements along Wiliams Road.
Block Lane easement acquisition
Council passed this to a future date. Staff will meet with the homeowner of two single family units to discuss sidewalk improvements.
Public Comment: 1 eComment card was placed into the record; 3 residents spoke.
Second Reading & Public Hearings
Ordinance 2024-09 – Comprehensive Plan amendment – Water Supply Facilities Work Plan
The State requires local governments to prepare and adopt a Water Supply Facilities Work Plan within 18 months after the applicable water management district updates its Regional Water Supply Plan.
The South Florida Water Management District approved its “2022 Lower West Coast Water Supply Plan Update” on December 19, 2022. The Village must now adopt an amendment to its Comprehensive Plan.
Council approved this ordinance.
Ordinance 2024-12 – Village property security & trespass policies
With the adoption of this ordinance, the Village will enact specific rules related to the safety and security of its staff, building areas and lands, while also ensuring the constitutional rights of citizens are protected.
Council approved this ordinance.
Workshops
Capital Improvement Plan priorities discussion
Public Works Director David Willems presented the upcoming Capital Improvement projects to confirm the Village’s priorities: the Estero Sports Park, utility expansion project, Corkscrew Road improvements and Estero on the River improvements.
FEMA update
Community Development Director Mary Gibbs presented an update regarding efforts in response to FEMA’s, July 19, 2024, letter about a potential CRS retrograde and potential Flood Insurance probation.
Gibbs noted that staff has held productive meetings with FEMA and the Village has complied with what FEMA has asked for.
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, November 20, 2024.