Mayor Jon McLain, Flotilla 96 Commander Michael DiPierro and Chuck Moore
The meeting started with Mayor Jon McLain presenting a proclamation for National Boat Safety Week recognizing the Flotilla 96 of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary offering boating safety classes, vessel safety checks and other boating safety awareness programs during the week of May 18-24.
Mayor Jon McLain and 4KIDS SWFL Executive Director Rick Jacobs
Mayor McClain also read a proclamation declaring May 2024 4KIDS – National Foster Care Awareness Month acknowledging the sacrifices and dedication of the many foster parents and concerned professionals working in the field of foster care.
Action Items
Williams Road & Atlantic Gulf Blvd. intersection improvements construction manager at risk contract
Village Manager Steve Sarkozy described a proposed pre-construction services contract to manage the construction of roadway and intersection improvements along Williams Road, west of US 41. The construction manager at risk contract supplements Village staff and helps expedite projects.
This work is being performed to prevent illegal left turns at the Walgreens entrance and provide a roundabout at the Life Care Center entrance.
Council approved a Construction Manager at Risk agreement with Manhattan, Inc. for $44,760.
Sandy Lane Bike/Ped improvements construction manager at risk contract
Village Manager Steve Sarkozy described how the Village is proposing to build an 8-10 ft wide path along the east side of Sandy Lane from Corkscrew Road to Broadway Ave. E. The Village’s consultants are working to complete the construction plans, permitting and obtain the required easements, which are expected to be completed this summer.
Council approved a Construction Manager at Risk agreement with Chris-Tel which will manage the construction of the proposed bike/ped improvements along Sandy Lane. Cost for these services is $28,175.
Resolution 2024-06 – Bonita – Estero Rail Trail (BERT)
The Trust for Public Land (“TPL”) has secured a purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of the Seminole Rail line from Alico Road to Wiggins Pass Road in Collier County. The entire segment is about 15 miles in length, with Estero’s portion being about 5 miles in length.
The rail corridor has been identified in the Village’s Master Plans and in the Comprehensive Plan as an important bike and non-motorized corridor within the community. It also provides access to all of Collier and Lee County non-motorized pathways which connect to the state-wide systems. As such, the proposed acquisition is an important opportunity for the Village.
Public Comment: 5 eComment cards were placed into the record; 4 residents made comments, with two expressing safety and security concerns for residents of The Vines.
Council approved Resolution 2024-06, demonstrating the Village’s interest in this acquisition. This resolution authorizes the Village Manager to include a $5M appropriation for the acquisition from the Estero Capital Improvement Program. This $5M dollar amount is an “earmark” which would need formal approval in the future if the project is supported. It also authorizes the Village staff to submit the necessary application materials to the Metropolitan Planning Office to help make this acquisition eligible for State and Federal funding.
Resolution 2024-07 – Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) infrastructure grant application
In response to Hurricane Ian, Congress appropriated through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) more than $1.1 billion to Lee County to support long term hurricane recovery. These funds are intended to address remaining recovery and mitigation needs for the area. Lee County is the lead agency responsible for administering the program and distributing the funds.
Council approved this resolution which authorizes Village staff to prepare and submit the following grant applications and authorizes the Village Manager and Village Finance Director to sign the grant applications on the Village Council’s behalf. The grant applications include:
Charing Cross & Estero Bay Village Utility Extension Project – Extend water and sewer services to the residents along Charing Cross Circle and those that live inside the Estero Bay Village Community.
Sandy Lane & See See Street Utility Extension Project – Extend water and sewer services to the residents along Sandy Lane and See See Street.
Estero River Heights, Sherrill Lane and Luettich Lane Utility Extension Project – Extend water and sewer services to the residents in Estero River Heights and along Sherrill Lane and Luettich Lane.
Broadway Avenue Improvements Project – Roadway, drainage, bike/ped, landscaping and lighting improvements along Broadway Ave.
Bonita Estero Rail to Trail Project – Provide funding to purchase the segment of the Seminole Gulf Railway property located within the Village of Estero.
Resolution 2024-08 – Accepting/authorizing Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grants
Council approved this resolution authorizing the Village Manager or his designee to perform various duties including accepting and authorizing CDBG-DR grants from HUD and administered by Lee County.
Resolution 2024-09 – Excessive Force Policy
The US Congress has passed Title I legislation stating that no CDBG or CDBG-DR funds may be awarded to any local government that fails to adopt and enforce a policy of prohibiting:
- The use of excessive force by local law enforcement agencies within its jurisdiction against any individuals engaged in nonviolent civil rights demonstrations and
- Fails to adopt and enforce laws against physically barring entrance or exit from a location which is subject of nonviolent civil rights demonstrations. The Village will coordinate with the Lee County Sheriffs Office to implement this Resolution through existing Sheriff’s Office Procedures.
Council approved this resolution.
Ordinance 2024-05 – Bella Terra Cell Tower
This ordinance is an amendment to the Commercial Planned Development for a 12-acre site on the south side of Corkscrew Road and west of Bella Terra Boulevard. The amendment will allow the use of a small portion of the site for a 178-foot-tall monopole wireless communication facility.
A representative of Broadus Towers, LLC gave a presentation on the site plan and overall project. The cell tower will initially provide cell service from Verizon and T Mobile. The monopole is able to accommodate up to 4 cell service providers.
Public Comment: 12 eComment cards in favor and 12 eComments in opposition to the cell tower were placed into the record; 6 people spoke, with 2 being opposed to the location for the tower.
Council passed the second reading/public hearing for this ordinance approving the 178-foot cell tower, with conditions.
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, May 15, 2024.