Action Items
Resolution 2024-04 – Selection of Planning, Zoning & Design Board members and Chairman
Council passed this resolution, selecting the new members and Chairman for the Planning, Zoning & Design Board (PZDB). Four members of the PZDB have terms that expire on April 30,2024. In addition, there are two vacancies on the PZDB.
Council interviewed 13 candidates for the Board last month.
The following individuals were appointed to the Village of Estero Planning, Zoning and Design Board with terms as indicated:
| BOARD MEMBER | TERM |
| Al Paivandy | 5/1/2024 – 4/30/2025 |
| James E Tatooles | 5/1/2024 – 4/30/2025 |
| Leonard E Scotty Wood III | 5/1/2024 – 4/30/2025 |
| Dan Williams | 5/1/2024 – 4/30/2027 |
| Anthony Gargano | 5/1/2024 – 4/30/2027 |
| Michael Sheeley | 5/1/2024 – 4/30/2027 |
Council appointed Anthony Gargano Chair of Village of Estero Planning, Zoning and Design Board.
Estero Forever Foundation agreement
Council approved the framework of cooperation agreement between the Village and the Estero Forever Foundation.
The Village initiated and was instrumental in the establishment of the Estero Forever Foundation (EFF), with former Councilmember and Mayor James Boesch and Chamber of Commerce President Nolen Rolens as co-convenors. This agreement is a more formal framework of cooperation to replace the less formal individual arrangements which currently exist between them. To that aim, the Village and EFF have worked together to develop a framework which will extend their relationship into the future.
Council welcomed the new EFF Board members Wayne Smith, Jeff Maas, Bill Daubmann and Harlan Parrish. Other Board members include President John Quin, Joni Pavich, Louise Fratarelli, Savannah Smith and Lori McKeen.
It was noted that the Golf Coast Driving Range, which the EFF has been voluntarily managing for the Village, will close at the end of April to make way for the development of the Entertainment District. There is a balance of $180,000 in an escrow account which will ultimately be distributed to various groups within Estero in collaboration with the Village.
Public Comment: 1 resident made a clarification regarding the approval of disbursements.
Wright Construction Group piggyback agreement
Over the past several years the Village has been working on the planning, design, and permitting of several infrastructure projects. Many of these projects are ready or will be ready to start construction in the coming months. The Village is “government light” and requires assistance with smaller projects to help speed up the process from beginning to end.
The Village does not currently have contracts with firms to provide Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) services. In 2022. Lee County awarded CMAR Annual Services Contracts to several qualified construction firms. The Village can use any of these firms for the services outlined in the County’s agreement through what is known as a piggyback agreement.
Council approved a piggyback agreement with Wright Construction Group for CMAR services to manage and build smaller projects that are expected to cost less than $4 million for construction.
Jeff Sommer Stadium tree location contract
Council approved a contract for $57,500, with a contingency of $5,000, with P & T Lawn & Tractor to relocate twelve palm trees and install irrigation at Jeff Sommer Stadium.
The Village and School District of Lee County recently entered into agreements pertaining to the 52.84 acres of property adjacent to Estero High School. Per the agreements, the Village is required to install artificial turf at the Jeff Sommer Stadium football field. Council previously approved a contract with Hellas Construction to install the artificial turf at the stadium.
There are twelve existing large royal palm trees around the football field. Hellas Construction recommends removing these trees to preserve the integrity of the soon-be-installed artificial turf as the roots, palms fronds, and seed pods can damage the turf.
Relocation of the palm trees will be completed in coordination with Hellas Construction and Estero High School. The trees will be relocated at the beginning of the turf installation project.
Construction site inspection contract – Johnson Engineering, Inc.
Council approved a contract with Johnson Engineering, Inc., for $175,486, with a contingency of $17,000, to perform construction site inspections for all projects within the Village.
The Village received a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in 2020. This permit places many requirements on the Village including requirements to inspect construction sites to ensure they are complying with rules and not creating water quality issues.
This year FDEP is requiring increased inspections. Due to the Village’s limited staff, the Village is not able to dedicate the necessary time to perform these additional inspections.
Estero Parkway plant replacement contract
The Village’s landscape architect RVI Planning has identified areas along Estero Parkway where trees have been damaged or fallen as a result of Hurricane Ian or traffic accidents, and shrubs that have died and need to be replaced.
Council approved a contract with P&T Lawn and Tractor for $23,466 to remove the dead and dying trees/shrubs and install new plant materials along the parkway.
Public Comment: 1 eComment was placed into the record.
Ordinance 2024-05 – Bella Terra cell tower
There was a first reading of this ordinance amending the Commercial Planned Development for a 12-acre site on the south side of Corkscrew Road and west of Bella Terra Blvd. to accommodate a 178-foot tall monopole wireless communication facility.
Council passed this to a second reading/public hearing on April 17, 2024.
Village Manager’s Report
Village Manager Steve Sarkozy addressed the recent FEMA National Flood Insurance Program’s unprecedented determination affecting flood insurance rates for Estero, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach and unincorporated Lee County. Lee County and these affected municipalities are working together to address the issue with the federal government.
Council approved a motion to support on-going efforts by the Village Manager and staff to work with all affected entities to dispute the action taken by FEMA.
Workshop
Jeff Sommer Stadium turf project update
Public Works Director David Willems gave an update on the turf replacement at Estero High School’s Jeff Sommer Stadium.
Ecotherm infill will be used at the stadium. This product uses cellulose fibers that allows the infill to absorb and slowly release water to keep the field up to 30 degrees cooler than a synthetic field with black SBR infill.
Construction is scheduled to start in May and is expected to be completed by the first home game on August 23.
Ion Wave
Procurement Manager Steve Gillette gave a presentation on the purchase of an on-line bidding software system from Ion Wave which will complement the Tyler Technology Munis system being implemented. It is an essential system for receiving sealed bids on-line and promotes visibility and ease of submission to vendors/contractors on upcoming Village advertised projects. The license cost is $5,500 per year with a $1,000 one-time training and implementation fee.
Ben Hill Griffin Parkway project update
Public Works Director David Willems provided an update on the Ben Hill Griffin Parkway project. He has been working with the property owners to acquire sidewalk and irrigation easements. He also described some of the issues relating to the placement of a Village monument sign on the parkway. All of this work is also being coordinated through Lee County as Ben Hill Griffin Parkway is a county road.
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, April 17, 2024.