Council started their meeting with a presentation from Heather Turco, Crime Prevention Specialist with the Lee County Sheriff’s Community Response Unit.  She spoke about the many ways residents can be robbed, either by not locking their car doors which is the number one crime locally, or through phone fraud, identity theft and lack of cybersecurity.  She stated that those being affected by these types of threats should contact their office.  The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Fraud Line is 239-258-3292.  She also noted that she is available to speak on this or other safety issues to Estero homeowners’ association meetings and local organizations’ meetings.

Public comment on non-agenda items: A resident spoke about the lack of transparency in the Lee County School District’s traffic study associated with their proposed school on Three Oaks Parkway.

Chamber of CommerceEach year the Greater Chamber of Commerce has provided the Village with their strategic plan for future growth and impact for the coming year.  The Chamber plays a strong role in support of the Village’s business community, with their focus on economic development.

Chamber President Pamela Mueller and Board Chair Blake Chapman gave a presentation on the Chamber and explained they have experienced a loss of revenue due to being unable to conduct meetings in person during the pandemic.  As a result they had to move out of their offices.  They have since resumed in-person community events and will be looking for a new office.  They were asking for financial support in the amount of $25,000.

Council voted to provide financial support in the amount of $12,500 to assist the Chamber for the next six months and asked that they come back in September with a financial report defining how these monies were used before consideration of providing the additional $12,500.

Workshops

Estero on the River property

Community Development Director Mary Gibbs presented a summary of options to rezone the approximately 30-acre Estero on the River property south of the river to better match its intended use.  It currently is zoned “mixed use” and the Happehatchee property is zoned “agriculture”.

To protect the Village’s investment, Gibbs is proposing a more appropriate zoning designation to be “parks and community facilities.”  This zoning is specific for publicly owned property and allows for active and passive recreation, preserved lands and civic uses.  She also presented a proposed schedule of public hearings to implement this zoning change and change in the Comprehensive Plan.

Public Works Director David Willems then gave a presentation on the proposed trails and perimeter fence along the property south of the river.  This land contains numerous century-old trees and will provide residents a look into “old Florida” in the heart of the Village.  Phase 1 of the trail system is about 90 percent complete.  There are two dilapidated buildings which need to be demolished before opening the trails to the public.  No trees will be removed.  Phase 2 of the trail system will probably be completed by late summer.

There will be a perimeter fence along US 41 and Corkscrew Road.  It is being proposed to be 6 – 8 feet tall, have a stucco block base with iron fencing on top which you will be able to see through in order to see the trees.

Public Comment: 1 resident spoke in favor of the trails and 1 eComment card was received asking for multiple entrances to the trails.

Conflict of interest – Planning, Zoning & Design Board

The Planning, Zoning and Design Board recently discussed State of Florida conflict of interest rules relating to Board members who practice professionally in the Estero area, and challenges to their ethical responsibilities as Board Members. The Village land use attorney Nancy Stroud prepared a memo which Council reviewed and that will be reviewed by the Planning, Zoning and Design Board on March 8.

Greater Estero Virtual Information Center (GEVIC)

Barry Freedman, chairman of the Greater Estero Virtual Information Center (GEVIC) task force, introduced this project at the February 2 Council meeting as an information database about all things in and about Greater Estero.  The vision of GEVIC is to promote Greater Estero as a destination to visit, invest, live, learn, work and play.

Freedman presented Council with a draft memorandum of understanding to be entered into with the Village agreeing that Council will match funding received from private sources up to $125, 000. Freedman stated they have a list of businesses and residents which have agreed to support the project in the amount of $75,000 to date.  The Center acknowledges that this will be a one-time funding commitment from Council and that the funding would start to be returned after three years.

No voting occurs during workshops.

Public Comment: 1 resident spoke against the Village supporting the project in the amount that is being requested.

Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website here.

The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 16, 2022.