Recognition
Council recognized the Florida Everblades ice hockey team for their successful season.
The Everblades had one of their most successful years winning the East division and continuing to the Finals. The players, Coach Brad Ralph, the General Manager Craig Brush, owner Peter Karmanos and staff were congratulated on an outstanding season.
Action Items
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
Council approved the ranking of consultants for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. They are: Number 1 – Jacobs; Number 2 – Kittleson & Associates; and Number 3 – Tindale Oliver.
The Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization is fully funding this study at an estimated cost of $100,000.
Estero Parkway Contracts
Council approved an amendment to the Estero Parkway contract to add Phase 1A and Phase 2 & 3 contracts.
The work is expected to span the 2017/2018 – 2018/2019 fiscal years and will include roadway and landscape design as well as a speed study, traffic signal warrant study and intersection safety modifications. These designs and studies should be completed by December 2018.
Ordinances
Ordinance No. 2018-08
This ordinance deals with establishing procedures for the declaration of a state of emergency, such as a natural or man-made disaster in Estero. The ordinance clarifies Village Council and Village Manager responsibilities and authorities in the event of a local emergency.
Council approved this ordinance as amended. (Ordinance)
Zoning Ordinance No. 2018-05
This was a second reading of this ordinance pertaining to the request for a zoning amendment to allow for a 5 story, 120- room Hilton Garden Inn at 8009 Sweetwater Ranch Blvd. near the Estero Fire Rescue station and Rapallo neighborhood.
Ned Dewhirst, Oakbrook Properties and representing the applicant, gave a presentation of the project including a detailed explanation regarding how stormwater issues have been addressed. (Presentation)
Council approved this ordinance as amended.
Workshop
School Resource Officer funding
There was a discussion regarding the unfunded state mandate requiring school districts to have School Resource Officers in local schools.
Lee County has stated they will pay 50% of the fees for officers in schools in unincorporated Lee County but expect Lee County municipalities to fund the officers in their schools. Estero residents pay $26 million into the County’s general fund, which includes the Sheriff’s Office.
Council stated more information is needed before any decisions can be made. No voting takes place during workshops.
Public Information Meetings on the Capital Improvement Program
Council was updated on the fact that the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) public information workshops were well attended with a number of suggestions posed by residents.
The CIP is a dynamic list of projects and will be reprioritized on an annual basis. (Workshop Summary Sheet and attachments)
Village Manager Performance Evaluation
Council agreed the Village Manager has been a real asset to the Village. (Performance Evaluation)
Additional details are available in the minutes of this meeting. Residents may also view the archived meeting by going to the Village website http://estero-fl.gov/council/watch-meetings-online/.
The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, 2018, which will be the Comprehensive Plan adoption hearing.