River Oaks Preserve

Action Items

Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

Finance Director Kevin Greenville presented this annual financial report prepared by Jeff Tuscan, CPA..

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 report provides details of operations for the twelve months ending September 30, 2024. The independent auditor has issued an unmodified (“clean”) opinion on the Village’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.

Public Comment: 1 eComment card was placed into the record.

Council approved this report.

Disaster debris monitoring contract

As part of its disaster preparedness program and to ensure FEMA reimbursement, Estero contracts with a professional firm which specializes in monitoring the collection and disposal of disaster-related debris.

Council approved the award of RFP 101225, to Rostan Solutions, LLC. to provide on-call disaster debris monitoring services for a one-year period, and authorized Village Manager Steve Sarkozy the authority to renegotiate and execute the renewal of this contract for three additional one-year terms.

Services for the contract will be provided on an as needed basis. No costs will be incurred unless there is a hurricane.

River Oaks Preserve construction manager at risk contract

River Oaks Preserve proposed paths

In May 2022, the Village purchased approximately 10 acres of property known as River Oaks Preserve located at the eastern end of Broadway Ave. E,  for $1.2 million. Council approved this purchase to prevent development on the property and allow the property to remain natural.  The property contains old oak hammocks, pine and palm trees and will serve the public as a passive park.

With the help of local state legislators, the Village was successful in securing $2.5 million to improve the site to include a storage building, trails, pedestrian bridge, rest rooms and utilities.

Council previously approved a contract with Chris-Tel Construction to provide construction manager at risk services on an as needed basis for $346,926, with a contingency of $35,000.

The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society has been, and will continue, doing an excellent job operating and maintaining this property.

Kemper Sports Management LLC

Council approved a contract with Kemper Sports Management LLC for $215,580 to oversee operations of the Sports Park campus for 12 months.

This contract will cover day-to-day maintenance and operational oversight of key assets of the park including the high school football stadium, hard courts, soccer and baseball fields, as well as all related support facilities within the sports campus.

Second Readings

Ordinance 2025-05 – Capital Improvement Plan

The Capital Improvement Plan will set the funding for the Village capital improvement projects for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and provide a plan of priorities for the next 5-years.

Roadway                                             $ 11,890,000
Intersection                                        $ 2,500,000
Bicycle & Pedestrian                          $ 1,500,000
Landscaping & Beautification             $ 160,000
Parks & Recreation                          $ 27,295,000
Stormwater                                              $ 725,106
Utility                                                  $ 13,400,000
Total Capital Program                      $ 57,470,106

Council approved this ordinance.

Ordinance 2025-06 – Mayfair Village rezoning

This is a rezoning for 7.5 acres of property located at the southwest corner of Sandy Lane and Broadway Avenue East. The site is vacant and is proposed to be rezoned to Residential Planned Development for 17 single family residential units. Homes are expected to cost in the range of $700,000 – $800,000.

Public Comment: A resident asked questions about the proposed fence, street lights and traffic.

Council approved this ordinance.

Ordinance 2025-08 – Unsafe structures

The Village does not have a property maintenance code or process for dealing with unsafe structures through Code Enforcement. Unsafe structures can pose life safety issues for inhabitants and neighbors. Adopting the unsafe structures ordinance is a first step that will assist the Building Official and Code Enforcement with recent problems.

Council approved this ordinance.

Workshop

FY 2025-2026 proposed budget

Finance Director Kevin Greenville presented the proposed budget for FY 2025-2026.

The Village Charter Section 8 (2) requires submission of the proposed budget to Council on or before July 15th of each year.

The proposed budgeted expenditures are as follows:

General Fund $ 10,441,795
Special Revenue $ 2,117,865
Capital Projects $ 57,470,106
Debt Service Fund $ 920,000
Total All Funds $ 70,949,766

Two public hearings will be held on September 10, 2025, at 5:05 P.M. and September 17, 2025, at 5:05 P.M. to approve the millage rate and proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026.

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 2, 2025.