The meeting started with a presentation by R. Noelle Branning, Esq., on the role of the tax collector. She described the services and responsibilities of the taxing authorities, property appraiser and tax collector and the future of Lee County’s Tax Collector’s Office. (Presentation)
Council then approved an interlocal agreement with the Lee County Port Authority for “Tall Structure” notification. Any structure over 125’ is subject to the Lee County Port Authority’s tall structure permitting process to avoid possible interference with airport traffic . (Agreement)
Appointment of representative and alternate to the Lee County MPO Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinating Committee
Council appointed Gordon Brown as representative and Scott Stryker as alternate to serve on the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinating Committee for the Village. They will attend the meetings, advocate for bicycle and pedestrian safety regionally, and provide periodic updates to the Village.
Ordinance No. 2021-05 – Year-round landscape irrigation conservation measures
Development within Southwest Florida has strained the area’s water resources. The over use of groundwater and surface water sources for irrigation has impacted the environment as well as drinking water wells. The conservation of water resources is critical in protecting the quality and volume of water available for all users, now and in the future.
This ordinance will establish year-round water conservation measures, including the following:
- Landscape irrigation prohibited between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm daily;
- Even addresses can only water on Thursday and/or Sunday;
- Odd addresses can only water on Wednesday and/or Saturday;
- Irrigation of new landscaping will be allowed under certain exemption
Adoption of this ordinance will better protect water resources by allowing the Village of Estero to enforce irrigation water conservation efforts.
Council passed the first reading with technical changes to Sections 4 and 8, and set the second reading for May 5, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. (Ordinance)
Ordinance No. 2021-06 – Water Shortage or Water Shortage Emergency Declarations
This ordinance will provide authority to enforce the Water Shortage or Water Shortage Emergency restrictions declared by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). This will help reduce environmental and economic impacts that could be created by critically low water levels.
To mitigate potential impacts, the SFWMD can declare a Water Shortage or Water Shortage Emergency. Definitions are provided below.
Water Shortage – When the District determines there is the possibility that insufficient water will be available to meet the present and anticipated needs of the users, or when conditions are such as to require temporary reduction in total use within a particular area to protect water resources from serious harm.
Water Shortage Emergency – When the District has determined that the provisions listed in Part II of Chapter 40E-21, F.A.C., are not sufficient to protect the public health, safety, or welfare, the health of animals, fish, or aquatic life, a public water supply, or commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other reasonable beneficial uses.
Council passed the first reading and set the second reading for May 5, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. (Ordinance)
Ordinance 2021-03 – readopt and correct Ordinance 2021-01, capital improvements element schedule update 2020
Ordinance 2020-01 was approved by Council on January 20, 2021 to update the Comprehensive Plan capital improvements element schedule for the Village and the Lee County School District Capital Improvements Plans (CIP). However, two pages of the approved CIP were inadvertently not included in the attachment.
The sole change to the ordinance is to include two pages of the 2021 Village of Estero Fiscal Year 2021-2021 Capital Improvement Projects that were missing from Exhibit A.
Council approved this ordinance. (Ordinance)
Workshop
Land Use and Zoning Procedures
Community Development Director Mary Gibbs and Village Land Use Attorney Nancy Stroud provided a presentation on Florida public official laws, the role of Council, quasi-judicial proceedings, the role of the PZDB and staff and other legal issues.
They described how Council is the decision maker for comprehensive plan amendments and rezonings, and reviewed the PZDB responsibilities. In addition, they noted that staff will now decide administrative items such as minor setback variances, limited development orders, minor technical deviations, consumption on premises (except outdoor seating) and farmer’s markets. (Presentation)
Community Development Software
This topic was deferred to an upcoming workshop due to time constraints.
Septic to Sewer Workshop
Brent Addison of Banks Engineering gave an overview of the septic-to-sewer conversion process. They identified 15 communities/areas which are not currently connected to a central sewer system.
Three mobile home communities and River Ranch Road were identified as potential first projects. The mobile home communities are Estero Bay Village, Sunny Groves and Cypress Bend.
Scott Shannon of Woodard & Curran gave an overview of the program management services that this firm can provide which include engaging the community, guiding the selection and prioritization process, managing the grant application process, engineering process and assessment implementation. They will also develop the scope for construction bids. (Presentation)
The Village has a webpage devoted to this subject here.
Public Comment: 1 resident spoke in favor of moving forward with this program. A second resident spoke about having access to the Estero River.
Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website http://estero-fl.gov/council/watch-meetings-online/
The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 5, 2021.