Public Comment on non-agenda items: An eComment card from the Communications & Publicity Chair of the Estero Historical Society (EHS) was read into the record stating that all the EHS facilities have been decontaminated and treated with a long-term solution so that they are safe for everyone to visit.
Interlocal Agreement for Animal Control Services
Council approved this agreement which provides local monitoring and pick-up of stray animals, sheltering, attending to limited medical needs of sheltered animals, and ultimate discharge, adoption or euthanasia of pets. The 2020-2021 contract is for $49,523 which is an increase of 31 percent from last year due to service growth. The Village has no immediate alternatives for this service. The cost and effort to replicate this service is not thought appropriate given the limited savings. (Agreement)
Workshop
Land Development Code – Zoning
Village consultants Clarion Associates and Johnson Engineering conducted a workshop on the proposed Land Development Code (LDC).
The LDC, which is required by the state, provides guidelines for all development and re-development in the Village. It addresses architecture, open space and parking, landscaping, sidewalks, bike/ped improvements, traffic and stormwater and the types of permits required for these projects.
This was the first in a series of workshops and public meetings to be conducted over the next three months. This workshop focused on the zoning chapters and the zoning map. (Presentation)
Public Comment:4 eComment cards were read into the record.
Capital Improvement Project – Council Project
Public Works Director David Willems reviewed the proposed schedule for the FY 2020-2021 capital projects. The schedule provides the project and outlines the four key decision points for Village Council on each project.
The four points include 1) CIP – Project is included in the CIP and approved by Council; 2) Preliminary Design – Council will approve taking the project off the CIP and hiring a consultant to begin the preliminary design; 3) Design & Permitting – Council will approve moving the project from preliminary design to final design and permitting and Council will approve hiring a consultant to complete the project design & permitting; 4) Construction – Council will approve moving the project from design & permitting to construction and approve the construction contract with a contractor. (Schedule)
The projects include stormwater projects, roads, landscaping, walkways, bike/ped improvements, monument signs, etc. (PowerPoint)
Southwest Florida Regional Resiliency Compact
The creation of the Southwest Florida Regional Resiliency Compact is being spearheaded by Professor Michael Savarese of the Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University. He stated the Compact is the best way for local municipalities to better anticipate and prepare for the effects of climate change.
Southwest Florida’s Compact would unite Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties and their 10 cities. The purpose of the Compact will be to create a regional network to address the effects of sea-level rise, increase in impactful storms and rising temperatures that impact our coastal region.
The members of the Compact would agree to align their efforts, to share best practices and collaborate on action plans that extend beyond their respective borders in our common best interest. It would also provide a vehicle to apply for federal, state and private foundation funding.
This proposed Compact is being modeled after four other regional collaboratives. When combined, these collaboratives will represent about three-quarters of the entire population of the State.
Included among the benefits of joining the Compact would be the sharing of scientific data and planning tools, development of a unified action plan, and vehicle to apply for funding. (Presentation)
Also in the audience for this presentation were: State Representative Ray Rodrigues who also addressed the topic of climate change; Lee County Commissioner Ray Sandelli, Fort Myers Beach Mayor Ray Murphy and Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane.
Public Comment:1 resident spoke in strong support of the Village supporting this effort.
Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website https://estero-fl.gov/agendas/
The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2020.