Councilmember Larry Fiesel, Ed Weil, Councilmember Rafael Lopez, Henry Larosee, Vice-Mayor Joanne Ribble, John Dearing (President Tidewater), Councilmember Lori Fayhee, Donna Dearing, Mayor Jon McLain, Dr. Alan White, Councilmember George Zalucki, Marjo White, Mark Novitski, Ronald Barnett, Councilmember Jim Ward and Terry Flanagan.
The meeting started with Mayor Jon McLain presenting a proclamation recognizing the month of May as Military Appreciation Month, expressing full support and gratitude for our servicemen and women and veterans.
Public Comment on non-agenda items: 1 resident suggested the monthly financial statements be placed separately on the website vs included in the agenda.
Action Items
Resolution 2024-05 – Corkscrew Pines replat
The applicant was requesting to replat an approximately 12-acre tract of property located in Stoneybrook. The replat reconfigures lots and tracts to accommodate the development of a self-storage facility and other commercial uses. The property was rezoned to Commercial Planned Development by Lee County and amended in 2008 to allow for self-storage. There is a development order for the self-storage use on a portion of the site.
Council adopted this resolution.
High 5 Entertainment Public Improvement Agreement
High 5 Entertainment submitted an unsolicited proposal to the Village in December 2022 to build an indoor/outdoor family entertainment center in the Village’s Entertainment District.
High 5 is proposing a two-story 40,000 square foot building, including a mezzanine and outdoor bar seating area. Indoor family entertainment elements include a bowling, arcade and laser tag, and outdoor elements include an 18-hole miniature golf course, 21 pickleball courts and socializing space for elements like bocce and cornhole.
Through this Public Improvement Agreement, High-5 Entertainment has committed to opening in October 2025. This assumes that the Village, through its contract with Wright Construction Group, will deliver a pad-ready site to High-5 Entertainment by October 2024.
The Village will receive an annual priority payment equivalent to 40% of the net income in exchange for the Village’s allocated investment into land, site development, and entertainment-related amenities. The baseline estimated return to the Village is 9 percent. The proceeds received by the Village will be reinvested into the operations and management of the Sports Park property recently leased by the Village from Lee County School District.
Council approved having the Village Manager execute this agreement.
Wright Construction Group
Entertainment District
The “Entertainment District”, the 20-acre site at Williams Road and Via Coconut Point, requires public improvements that will be constructed in 2 phases. The first phase is to be performed by the Wright Construction Group. This work consists of site preparation, clearing, excavation, earthwork, and the development of retention ponds, all necessary to provide a “pad ready” site for vertical construction.
Council approved a guaranteed maximum price contract with Wright Construction Group for $1,779,787.30. Construction will start in June 2024, with a proposed completion date of November 2024.
Ordinance 2024-06 – Capital Improvement Program
The Capital Improvement Program will set the funding for the Village Capital Improvement Plan projects for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and provide a plan of priorities for the next 5-years.
Proposed capital expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year:
- Roadway $ 13,447,200
- Intersection $ 2,500,000
- Bicycle and Pedestrian $ 6,500,000
- Landscaping and Beautification $ 4,600,000
- Parks and Recreation $ 29,670,000
- Stormwater $ 725,106
- Utility $ 22,426,608
- Total Capital Program $ 79,868,914
Public Comment: 2 eComment cards were placed into the record; 1 resident spoke of adding into the CIP a traffic signal at Wild Blue and designating a Veterans recognition area to the Estero on the River property.
Council passed the first reading of this ordinance with a second reading scheduled for June 5, 2024.
Workshops
Ben Hill Griffin Parkway monument sign
Public Works Director David Willems provided an update on the proposed Village of Estero monument sign to be located at the intersection of Ben Hill Griffin Parkway and Estero Parkway. The proposed location is in the median in front of the light pole; shrubbery will be placed behind the sign.
No voting occurs during public information meetings.
Capital Improvement Plan review
The Capital Improvement Plan provides a road map for Village Capital spending over the next five years. Approval of the plan will occur at a future Village Council Meeting.
Public Works Director David Willems provided a presentation of the preliminary Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). There was a presentation and discussion on a number of roadway and intersection improvements, landscaping, bike/ped, parks & recreation and utility projects.
No voting occurs during public information meetings.
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, June 5, 2024.