Public Comment on non-agenda items: A resident spoke recommending updating the Village charter, consider hiring a Parks & Recreation position, and approving using the website in lieu of the newspaper to provide notices. A second resident spoke recommending an ordinance pertaining to LED lighting to reduce traffic accidents and cancer.
Florida Everblades Head Coast Brad Ralph, Mayor Jon McLain and Florida Everblades VP of Business Development & Broadcasting Mike Kelly
The meeting started with Mayor Jon McLain presenting a proclamation to the Florida Everblades and acknowledging the pride the Village takes in this team for winning the 2023 Kelly Cup Championship. This is the third time in team history the Everblades won the Kelly Cup, with their first win in 2012.
Presentation
The Honorable Representative Adam Botana gave an update on the recent legislative session and recommended Council provide an additional list of items to tap into available funds in the future.
Action Items
Resolution 2023-13 – Plat for Milan Villas
Milan Villas
Following some discussion, Council approved the replat for Milan Villas located on Three Oaks Parkway and Williams Road. A plat is a “map” that depicts lots, open space, preserves, lakes and the general configuration of the property. This replat creates 44 residential lots on this property.
Cypress Park Circle utility expansion
Cypress Park Circle
There are 12 neighborhoods within the Village which have a direct impact on the Estero River due to fact they are not connected to the central sewer system.
Council approved a contract with Weston & Sampson to design and permit the extension of utilities to Cypress Park Circle for $311,650, with a contingency of $31,000.
Cypress Park Circle is an approximately 0.4-mile-long road located along the north side of Corkscrew Road directly west of the Villages at Country Creek community. There are 32 residential lots, the Cypress Park Motel, and a vacant commercial lot located along Cypress Park Circle. The northern most residential property is bisected by the Estero River.
The start of construction will be contingent upon additional funding sources and Council approval.
8801 Corkscrew Road building demolition
8801 Corkscrew Road
Council approved the award of a Request for Bids for Southwest Builders Inc. to demolish the structure located at 8801 Corkscrew Road at a cost of $106,890, with a contingency amount of $10,689. This was approved with the stipulation that the Estero Forever Foundation has 90 days to come back to Council with a proposal to make the necessary repairs to the building, as well as the funding necessary to pay for the repairs. If the foundation is unable to come back to Council with such a proposal, the contract with Southwest Builders Inc. will go into effect and the structure will be demolished.
In August 2022, Archeological Consultant, Inc. completed a Cultural Resource Assessment of this property to find it had no historic association with significant people and/or events and was not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
Public Comment: 3 residents spoke in favor of the Estero Forever Foundation hiring a consultant to investigate what it would take to restore this building.
Estero Parkway replacement of plants
Estero Parkway
Council approved a contract with P & T Lawn and Tractor for $70,148 to replace some damaged trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants that have died or have been damaged by vehicles/Hurricane Ian.
P & T will start construction on the project within 60 days of execution of the contract. Construction is expected to be completed 60 days after the start of construction.
The Village is reimbursed by auto insurance company(s) for the cost of replacing landscaping damaged by car accidents.
8801 Corkscrew Road debris removal
Council approved Amendment 1 to a contract with Milborne, LLC to mulch all debris and downed trees located at 8801 Corkscrew Road for $11,886.89.
On February 15, 2023, Village Council approved a contract with Milborne for the treatment of non-native invasive and nuisance plants on the Estero on the River property located south of the Estero River. Milborne is currently onsite completing this work. Removing the debris and downed trees while they are completing the plant treatments will be cost effective and timely.
Munis a Tyler Technologies Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Solution
Council approved the Software as a Service agreement (SaaS) for Munis ERP software between the Village and Tyler Technologies, Inc. Total cost is $253,687 which includes all implementation and three years of annual fees. Tyler anticipates a 9-month implementation period from contract approval to go-live date.
Munis is Tyler’s flagship product offering a comprehensive suite of applications centered around the entirety of a government’s operations. Applications for the Village include: Accounting, Accounts Payable, Assets Mobile, Budgeting, Capital Assets, Cash Management, Contract Management, Project Accounting, Grant Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Cashing, General Billing, and Content Manager.
Entertainment District design and permitting
Entertainment District
Council approved a contract with RWA Engineering to design and permit the Estero Entertainment District for $485,045.
Hiring this company now will allow RWA to assist with preliminary site planning and allow design and permitting to start immediately following Council approval of any public/private partnerships. The contract includes: survey, civil construction plans, landscape, and irrigation plans, permitting and construction services.
This is the 21 acres of property on the north side of Williams Road, east of the railroad tracks.
Public Hearing Settlement Agreement
Settlement agreement between the Village of Estero and Long Bay Partners, LLC TOP CR Associates, LLC; and PAC Estero Apartments LLC, related to The Brooks Town Center law suits
The Brooks Town Center property
Prior to the incorporation of the Village of Estero, Lee County approved zoning for this property for, among other things, apartments.
Council approved this settlement agreement which includes a final plan for the 154-unit multi-family project which will be processed by staff and reviewed at the Planning Zoning and Design Board meeting on July 11, 2023.
The project enhancements proposed by the developer will include: enhanced architectural design, enhanced landscaping and partial decorative wall along Three Oaks Parkway and Coconut Road; concrete block construction for multiple family building; applicant will refresh and upgrade existing shopping center with paint, new lighting fixtures in the parking lot, and updated monument signs; applicant will construct paver block crosswalks to provide pedestrian connectivity between the multifamily and commercial uses, along with a high level of amenities for residents.
The plaintiff will dismiss both law suit cases once the final plan and development order are approved.
Public Comment: 6 eComment cards were placed into the record and 1 resident spoke against this proposed development.
First Reading
Ordinance 2023-06 – Coconut Road EPD rezoning
Woodfield Development
Following much discussion, Council approved the first reading of this ordinance pertaining to the applicant requesting a rezoning, with deviations, from Mixed Use Planned Development to Estero Planned Development (EPD) for a 45.6-acre parcel on the northwest corner of US-41 and Coconut Road. The proposal is for a Tier 3 development that would allow a mixed-use project. A second reading and public hearing of this ordinance is scheduled for July 5, 2023.
Second Reading and Public Hearing
Ordinance 2023-04 – Village initiated rezoning on Williams Road
Williams Road property
Council approved this ordinance pertaining to the Village-initiated rezoning for 21 acres of property on the north side of Williams Road, east of the railroad tracks. The west half of the site is vacant and wooded, and the east half is the site of the Golf Coast Driving Range.
The property is currently zoned Agriculture and Commercial Planned Development. The Village plans to expand the recreational potential of the site to provide sports-related indoor and outdoor recreation for the public and consistent with the Village Center land use designation.
Resolution 2023-11 – Capital Improvement Program
Council approved this resolution pertaining to the Capital Improvement Program. It sets the funding for the Village Capital Improvement projects for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 at $36,105,903 and provides a plan of priorities for the next 5-years.
Workshop
Tuscan Auditors
In compliance with Florida Statutes 218.39, the Village’s financial statements have been independently audited by Tuscan & Company, PA, a firm of licensed certified public accountants.
The audit report also included the Government Financial Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) award of a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Village of Estero for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2021. The Village has achieved this prestigious award each fiscal year since inception.
No voting occurs during workshops.
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, July 5, 2023.