Senator Kathleen Passidomo (left) was presented with a proclamation from Mayor Katy Errington
The meeting started with a proclamation recognizing the Honorable Senator and Senate President Designate Kathleen Passidomo for her commitment and innumerable contributions to the entire State of Florida.
Senator Passidomo thanked Council for the proclamation and credited the Honorable Senator Ray “Ray-Rod” Rodrigues and the Honorable Representative Adam Botana for all of their hard work this past legislative session.
Left to right: The Honorable Representative Adam Botana, Councilmember Larry Fiesel, the Honorable Senator Kathleen Passidomo, Vice-Mayor Jon McLain, the Honorable Ray Rodrigues, Councilmember Joann Ribble, Mayor Katy Errington and Councilmember Jim Boesch.
Village lobbyists Rana Brown and Lena Juarez were present via Zoom and gave an overview of the 2022 legislative session.
Public comment on non-agenda items: An Estero Historical Society Board member spoke about some prospective Society projects including an Eagle Scout project on site and a student project to design an “Estero flag.”
A resident spoke of safety concerns regarding the flashing light on US 41 and the Fountain Lakes entrance, stating the light should be activated at least during rush hours.
Action Items
Presentation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021
Jeff Tuscan, CPA, Tuscan &. Company, PA, presented an audit report on the Village’s annual financial report which provides details of operations for the twelve months ending September 30, 2021. The report also includes the Government Financial Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) award of a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Village for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2020. The Village has achieved this prestigious award each fiscal year since inception.
Council voted to approve the annual report.
Resolution 2022-20 – Joint Local Mitigation Strategy Plan
Council adopted this resolution and the 2022 Joint Local Mitigation Strategy Plan which is a formal guide for how the Village is to respond to an emergency. The plan must be adopted by each municipality in Lee County to be approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The plan also serves as the Flood Mitigation Plan, as required of all communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program and seeking project funding from the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Resolution 2022-18 – Village Council rules of procedure
Council adopted this resolution addressing the rules of procedure which purpose is to ensure that the public’s business is managed efficiently and effectively and to promote order and cooperation in the deliberation of public policy.
Ordinance 2022-05 – Redistricting of Village District Boundaries
The Village is required by law and Charter to review and adjust Council district boundaries every 10 years based on information from the latest US Census. Council passed the first reading of this ordinance with the draft map 2A1 and set the date for a second reading and public hearing for July 20, 2022.
Public Hearings
Ordinance 2022-06 – Comprehensive Plan text amendment
State law requires each local government to include a Property Rights Element in its Comprehensive Plan to ensure that private property rights are considered in local decision making.
Council voted to transmit the Comprehensive Plan amendment and Ordinance 2022-06 to the State review agency.
Ordinance 2022-07 – Comprehensive Plan amendment – Estero on the River property at the northeast corner of US 41 and Corkscrew Road
The Village has initiated a change to the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map from Village Center to Public Parks and Recreation to protect the unique qualities of the site, allow for recreation and civic uses, as well as provide public access to the Estero River. The 31.5 acres of the Estero on the River property is located at the northeast intersection of US 41 and Corkscrew Road, south of the Estero River.
Council voted to transmit this Comprehensive Plan amendment and Ordinance 2022-07 to State review agencies.
Ordinance 2022-08 – Rezoning 31.5 acres – Estero on the River property
Council passed the first reading of this ordinance rezoning the 31.5 acre Estero on the River property from Mixed-Use Planning Development and Agriculture to Parks and Community Facilities. A second reading and public hearing will be scheduled at a later date along with the companion Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
Resolution 2022-19 – FY 2022-23 Capital Improvement Program
The Capital Improvement Program will set the funding for the Village Capital Improvement projects for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and provide a plan of priorities for the next 5-years.
Council voted to move this to a public hearing on July 20, 2022.
Ordinance 2022-04 – Second reading and public hearing establishing a Community Development District for the Corkscrew Crossing Property
Florida law established “Special Districts” which are units of government that operate within a limited geographic boundary. Corkscrew Crossing is a 395-acre site located on Corkscrew Road between Wildcat Run and The Preserve and Bella Terra. The Village approved the development for a single-family home subdivision on the site which is now under construction by GL homes.
Council approved this ordinance.
Workshop
FY 2022-2023 Budget
The Village Charter requires submission of the budget to Council on or before July 15 each fiscal year. On July 20, 2022, Council will vote on the proposed millage rate. Two public hearings will be held at 5:30 p.m. on September 8, 2022 and September 21, 2021 to approve the millage rate and proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
No voting occurs during workshops.
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, July 20, 2022.