Public Comment: Two residents addressed the banner rule in the lease agreement with Estero High School.
FDEP grant for Orange Park Utility Extension Project
Council approved a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in the amount of $800,000 for the Orange Park neighborhood (See See Street).
Estero is actively advancing its septic-to-sewer conversion project to enhance the water quality of the Estero River and Estero Bay.
The grant funds will be used to offset a portion of the construction for this project.
FDEP grant for Broadway Ave East Phase 1 Project
Council approved this Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) grant agreement.
Working with the Florida House of Representatives, the Village had requested $800,000 in funding to support its utility extension projects. Estero was recently notified by the FDEP that a grant of $800,000 was approved to address these projects including the Broadway Ave East Phase 1 Project. A Request for Qualifications for the design scope of work will be created and issued publicly.
The grant funds will be used to offset the design cost of the Broadway Ave East Phase 1 Project.
Third amendment to Public Improvement Agreement with High 5
Council approved this third amendment to the Public Improvement Agreement with High 5 Up Top LLC.
Following the second amendment’s adoption and the Village’s Planning, Design Review Board’s feedback on the need for heightened architectural distinction to reflect Estero’s unique identity, the parties engaged in additional negotiations concerning Estero’s payment obligations to High 5 related to the initiation and schedule of High 5’s construction.
The parties have agreed that certain provisions in the initial agreement, as amended by the first and second amendments, should be further amended to ensure the Village’s desired architectural enhancements are included in the final design while not causing the planned construction schedule to stall. The financial impact is $325,000 in the near term, but with enhanced return once the facility becomes operational.
Michael Comparato, Vieste LLC, gave a short update describing improvements to the operating program which will generate additional revenue. He also stated they plan a High 5 ground breaking ceremony on November 14, 2025, with an opening date in September 2026.
First Readings
Ordinance 2025-11 Creating a right-of-way use code
Various changes to Florida and federal law necessitate Estero’s adoption of right-of-way regulations which ensure Estero is compliant with the laws while also exercising that authority which remains with local governments.
The Village has at times experienced poor construction techniques being used by utility service providers installing infrastructure in the Village’s right-of-way. Without detailed regulatory authority at the local code level, the Village has not been in the best position to fully address the disruption to other utility services and inconvenience to residents which resulted.
The Village has also adopted a new fee schedule for right-or-way permitting activities, and it intends to undertake a modernization of its utilities permitting procedures to include creating and maintaining electronic and online accessible utility location records. Adopting regulations requiring submission of permit applications and as-built images by electronic means will facilitate this process.
Council passed the first reading of this ordinance and set a second reading and public hearing for October 15, 2025.
Ordinance 2025-12 repealing 2015-13 related to development application expense cost recovery
Early after Estero’s incorporation, and in conjunction with establishing its own regulatory fee structures, Council adopted Ordinance 2015-13, establishing a “cost recovery” scheme for complex development applications which would require extensive outside legal or consulting services.
In the ensuing years, Council adopted Community Development fee resolutions which included cost recovery. Council has recently adopted the newest such resolution which, again, provides for cost recovery.
The structure established by Ordinance 2015-13 (which current staff was not even aware of until recent research) no longer reflects how Estero administers cost recovery, and so it is no longer necessary to maintain the ordinance. The Village Attorney and Community Development Director have therefore recommended the ordinance be repealed to ensure an inconsistent and unnecessary ordinance does not remain legally binding.
Council passed the first reading of this ordinance and set a second reading and public hearing for October 15, 2025.
Second reading & public hearing
Ordinance 2025-10 approving an update to the Capital Improvements Element which includes the Capital Improvement Program approved for FY 2025/2026
Florida law requires all cities and counties to include its five-year Capital Improvement Plan within the Capital Improvement Element of the Comprehensive Plan and update it on an annual basis by ordinance. The law also requires the Capital Improvement Plan approved by the local school district to be included in the Plan.
Council adopted the Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 on June 18, 2025. Updates to the Capital Improvement Plan can be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan annually by ordinance in lieu of a comprehensive plan amendment. The most recent school district Capital Improvement Plan (2024-2033) will also be included. Please note that Council does not approve the Lee County School District Work Plan.
Council approved this ordinance.
Council communications: A discussion was held pertaining to the banner rule in the lease agreement with Estero High School. Council came to a consensus to allow the school to honor seniors on Senior Day with a one-day banner.
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, October 15, 2025.