Action Items

Estero RiverPark

Eco-Historic Planning Study

Village consultants Phillip Bryant and Anie Delgato presented an overview of the Eco-Historic Planning Study prepared by Land Design Inc.

The Village received a $450,000 Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) to fund this study. The study area covered approximately 1,000 acres, including properties along US 41 from Estero Parkway to south of Williams Road, as well as the Koreshan State Park and Village-owned property along the Estero River.

Estero residents contributed to this planning effort by participating in an online survey and two community meeting/open house events. Online respondents indicated environmental stewardship should guide the study. People want walkable destinations rather than car-oriented commercial strips. Many said traffic and congestion is a major challenge.

The study is considered a 20-year framework as Estero grows. The recommendations resulted in four focus areas: Connectivity & Transportation, Environmental Systems, Parks, Trails & Open Space, and Economic Opportunities & Community.

Public comment: three residents spoke recommending Council postpone accepting the study for additional resident input, and stating the north side of Estero River property should be preserved as part of the park rather than designated for development.

Council voted to accept this study.

Resolution 2026-05 – Sandy Lane Bike/Ped Improvements State Funding Termination

Funding for the Sandy Lane Bike/Ped Improvements has been removed from the Village Capital Improvement Plan. The project has been postponed providing more funding for other projects including the Estero SportsPark, Estero RiverPark and Bonita Estero Rail Trail.

Council voted to adopt this resolution.

Village Security System RFP

The Village is seeking a comprehensive security solution to address the needs of its existing and future facilities. The current security system at Village Hall has become obsolete and no longer meets the Village’s needs.

Mock Engineering Technologies is a local company with extensive experience installing security systems for private and public clients including the Lee County School District. They are proposing to use the Verkada cloud-based security system. Verkada is a robust security system that can meet the Village’s current and future security needs.

Council voted to authorize Village Manager Sarkozy to negotiate a contract with Mock Engineering Technologies. If an agreement cannot be reached with them, the Village Manager is authorized to enter negotiations with the second-ranked firm.

Resolution 2026-08 – FEMA HMGP Grant 4673-086-R agreement for the Regional Stormwater Facility

Stormwater facility and park on Three Oaks Parkway

The Village applied through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to help fund the design and construction of a regional stormwater facility located adjacent to the Post Office on Three Oaks Parkway It is intended to reduce flooding impacts on properties along the North Branch of the Estero River.

The Village was notified in March that FEMA approved the grant award.

This application was submitted as a phased project, with Phase 1 covering design and permitting and Phase 2 covering construction. The approved award funds Phase 1. Upon successful completion and acceptance of Phase 1, Phase 2 will be considered for a subsequent funding award.

The project budget for the agreement is:

Federal Share: $240,187.50
Local Share: $80,062.50
Project Budget: $320,250.00

Council voted to adopt this resolution.

Resolution 2026-09 – FEMA HMGP Grant 4673-338-R agreement for the Broadway Avenue West infrastructure retrofit

The Village submitted a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) application to help fund the construction of sanitary sewer and potable water facilities for the Quarterdeck Cove, Estero River Heights, Cranbrook Harbor, Broadway Mobile Home Village, and Holiday Drive neighborhoods along the western end of Broadway Avenue West. All these areas have septic systems and well water.

The Village received notification in May from the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) that FEMA had approved award of the grant.

The project budget for the agreement is anticipated to be as follows:

Federal Share: $15,190,859.25
Local Share: $5,063,619.75
Total Budget: $20,254,479.00

The two federal grants involved will allow infrastructure to be put in place, either at no cost or very little cost to the area residents.

Council voted to adopt this resolution.

Resolution 2026-11 – Authorizing Special Obligation Revenue Note Series 2026 and approving related loan agreement

Council voted to adopt this resolution accepting the Synovus Bank financing proposal.

The proposed financing will be provided through a Series 2026 Special Obligation Revenue Note in a principal amount not to exceed $13 million. The loan will be evidenced through a loan agreement between the Village and Pinnacle Bank, a Tennessee-chartered bank doing business as Synovus Bank. Loan proceeds will be used to reimburse eligible costs previously incurred for the acquisition of the Three Oaks Parkway stormwater and park property, fund additional eligible capital improvement projects, and cover expenses associated with issuing the loan.

The loan will be financed as a fully amortizing obligation over a 20-year term, with a final maturity date of May 1, 2046. The interest rate will be fixed at closing in accordance with the terms outlined in the Synovus financing proposal.

SportsPark

First Amendment to Service Agreement – Kemper Sports Management LLC

Trenton Gaskins and Will Spence, Kemper Sports Management LLC, described their proposal for a 24-month renewal of their facilities management agreement following their first year of successful operations at the SportsPark. This annual contract will continue to cover comprehensive day-to-day maintenance and operational oversight of the campus, including the high school football stadium, hard courts, soccer and baseball fields, and all associated support facilities.

Council voted to approve the first amendment to this agreement for a total amount of $218,688, including travel reimbursement not to exceed $21,000 in a year.

Second Amendment to Service Agreement – Kemper Sports Management LLC

Following Kemper Sports’ first year of successful operations at the SportsPark, this amendment allows Kemper Sports to expand their support to the Village by managing the Estero RiverPark property for $56,184 (monthly payment of $4,682).

The contract would include Facility and Field Operations Oversight, Staffing (one PT support team member), Facility Oversight and Risk Mitigation, and Communication and Stakeholder Engagement.

Council approved this amendment.

SportsPark Phase 1 Contract No. 25029 Change Order 01

Michael Camparato, Vieste LLC., provided an update on the SportsPark which has had several design-related changes from the submission of the original contract with Suffolk Construction.

The infrastructure design for Phases 1 and 2 has been revised to accommodate updated site conditions and construction logistics. Additional modifications include the removal of water and sewer infrastructure previously planned at the roundabout, the incorporation of electric vehicle charging stations, and minor refinements to landscape, irrigation, and bollard design elements.

Drainage improvements have been made within the practice field areas to enhance field performance and long-term maintenance. The previously proposed screen wall has been eliminated and replaced with fencing to better meet functional and maintenance requirements. In addition, the Suffolk construction trailer has been relocated to support revised staging and site operations.

Camparato stated this project is on schedule.

Public comment: one eComment was placed into the record.

Council approved the SportsPark Phase 1 contract change order 01, in the amount of $432,068, with a contingency and soft costs in the amount of $1,670,000, to cover additional services and improvements that may be required to complete the project.

Second Reading & Public Hearing

Ordinance 2026-05 – Capital Improvement Program

The Capital Improvement Program will set funding for the Village Capital Improvement Projects for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and provide a plan of priorities for the next 5 years.

The total capital program funding is $75,920,000. The proposed Capital Improvement Projects are available here with a modification to address dredging of the Estero River at a $2M expense. This will be addressed again in September.

Public comment: one eComment card was placed into the record and one resident stated support efforts for the Estero River.

Council approved this ordinance.

Workshops

Community Development Fee Schedule for building permitting & inspections 

Assistant Community Development Director/Assistant Village Manager Michael Manning provided an update on the revised fee schedule that will eliminate references to the International Code Council (ICC) Building Valuation Data and replace valuation-based permit fees with a standardized fee structure.

Additionally, some flat rate permit type charges will be updated to ensure accurate cost recovery. The revised methodology is intended to more accurately reflect the Village’s actual costs associated with plan review, permitting, and inspection services, while ensuring fees remain limited to cost recovery and do not exceed the expenses incurred by the Village in providing these services.

No voting occurs during workshops.

High 5

Scott Emley, President of High 5 Entertainment, provided an update on the entertainment facilities which are planned to be opened in several soft openings prior to their grand opening in late February or early March.

They will have two miniature golf courses, bowling arcades, six indoor pickleball courts, an Estero Pickleball Club Pro Shop and much more. While the facilities are open to all, memberships will be available, which will give Estero residents an additional benefit.

No voting occurs during workshops.

Residents may view the archived meeting on the Village website.

The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., THURSDAY, July 2, 2026.