Council started their meeting acknowledging the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada presenting the Award of Financial Reporting Achievement to Finance Director Lisa Griggs Roberson. This is the fifth fiscal year in a row that Lisa has been awarded for her work. (Award)
Mayor Bill Ribble is shown presenting this certificate to the Village’s Finance Director Lisa Griggs Roberson.
Public Comment on non-agenda items:
Bob Dion, Pelican Sound Gulf & River Club, announced the second annual Village update on the Estero River by Public Works Director David Willems will be held at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 18, at Pelican Sound.
Nolen Rollins spoke about the Estero Forever Foundation formed to enhance Estero’s positive growth. Residents are invited to inaugural dinner/dance at Grandezza on February 20. The Foundation’s website is https://esteroforeverfoundation.org/
Action Items
Disaster Recovery Services RFB 2020-02
As part of its disaster preparedness program and to ensure FEMA reimbursement, the Village of Estero contracts with a professional firm which specializes in a variety of disaster recovery related services. The Village has competitively bid these services to private contractors under RFB 2020-02.
Council approved award of this contract to CrowderGulf Joint Venture, Inc. The company will provide on-call disaster recovery services as provided in the contract for a one-year period. Services for this contract will be provided on an as needed basis. The funding level will be determined by disaster severity and level of services required at the time of an event. (Contract)
Disaster Debris Monitoring RFB 2020-01
Council approved award of Request for Bids No. RFB 2020-01, Disaster Debris Monitoring for the Village of Estero to Rostan Solutions, LLC to provide on-call disaster debris monitoring services as provided in the contract for a one-year period.
Rostan Solutions, LLC will provide debris monitoring activities such as on-site monitoring and assistance in obtaining FEMA reimbursement on an on-call/as-needed basis. (Contract)
Ordinance Second Readings/Public Hearings
Ordinance No. 2020-01
Council voted to adopt this ordinance, with changes, prohibiting the use of micromobility devices and motorized scooters on the Village’s sidewalks and shared use paths as they could create a potential hazard to pedestrians. This ordinance prohibits the leasing of any micromobility device/motorized scooters, and scooter or pedal assisted bicycles on Village sidewalks or shared pathways. (Ordinance)
Ordinance No. 2019-30
Council voted to adopt this ordinance for voluntary annexation of a 10-acre property at 4528, 4406 and 4410 Coconut Road. The property owner, Headwaters Coconut Road General Partnership, initiated a voluntary annexation of 10 acres located on the north side of Coconut Road, south and east of El Dorado Acres. The property is within unincorporated Lee County. The owner is proposing a residential subdivision on the property, with 25 single-family homes.
The Village will receive annual tax revenue which is dependent upon the housing price, and approximately $125,000 in road impact fees which could be used for improvements to Coconut Road. (Ordinance)
Council Communications:
Councilmember Nick Batos proposed Council send a letter to the Florida delegation pertaining to HB 519 which pertains to the Bert Harris bill as it affects home rule measures.
Councilmember Jim Boesch reminded residents of the 2nd Annual Gulf Coast Dream Cruise to be held Saturday, February 15. Classic cars will be driving down Three Oaks Parkway to Corkscrew Road to the Estero Community Park beginning around 10:30 a.m. Residents may bring their chairs and watch the parade along Corkscrew Road and then proceed to the park where there also will be food and entertainment available.
Vice-Mayor Katy Errington stated she had attended the Coastland & Heartland Nature Estuary Partnership’s meeting where SFWMD’s Chairman Chauncey Goss and Lee County Commissioner Frank Mann were participants.
Councilmember Jon McLain stated the Estero Parkway improvements project is progressing with some lane closures during the day; the project is expected to be completed by December 31, 2020. Also, construction is underway on Aldi’s and Sprouts.
Councilmember Howard Levitan commented on the Via Coconut MPD presentation at the 1/21 PZB meeting and residents’ concerns pertaining to stormwater issues. He asked staff to pursue an agreement with the railroad allowing the Village to clean the swales adjacent to the railroad to prevent any possible flooding issues.
Village Manager Steve Sarkozy stated the Lee County Sherriff’s Office south district substation has moved into the building adjacent to Tijuana Flats off Pelican Landing Blvd. and will be holding a grand opening at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 29.
Workshop
Planning & Zoning Board annual report
Planning & Zoning Board Chair Scotty Wood presented Council with the Board’s annual report detailing, among other things, their process and major milestones. During the year 2019, the volunteer PZB Board held 9 meetings, conducted 15 public hearings, conducted 7 public information meetings and held a joint meeting with the volunteer Design and Review Board to review the bicycle and pedestrian master plan. It also reviewed and transmitted draft ordinances relating to incorporating the village capital plan and school district schedule into the Comprehensive Plan, and amendments to the Comprehensive Plan regarding the water supply facilities work plan and wetlands. (Annual Report)
Coconut Road Roadway Improvement Update
Public Works Director David Willems gave a presentation on the Coconut Road traffic studies prepared earlier which have indicated future intersection improvements will be required at US-41/Coconut Road, Coconut Shores Blvd., Olde Meadowbrook Blvd., and El Dorado Blvd. In addition, roadway widening will likely be required east of Coconut Shores Blvd. to US-41. It was pointed out that this road will never be able to be widened to four lanes.
Staff is recommending the Village obtain the services of an engineer with an expertise in roadway and roundabout design to provide the following services:
- Assess the feasibility of installing three roundabouts (Coconut Shore Blvd, Olde Meadowbrook Blvd. and El Dorado Blvd.)
- Assess the feasibility of roadway and turn lane improvements approaching US-41
- Prepare preliminary design plans and cost estimate for each
Willems pointed out this project is not included in the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year budget; adding this project would require Council to approve a budget amendment.
Public Comment: Four residents spoke of their concerns regarding the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians on this road and sidewalk, problems with egress from their community, and the fact that other entities should contribute to the roadway improvements.
Council consensus was to proceed with creating a contract and budget amendment so that the project can progress. (Presentation)
Residents may 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, February 5, 2020.
Council will conduct a Zoning Hearing at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2020.