Public comment on non-agenda items: 1 resident spoke against additional mining in the area and additional growth in Estero; 1 resident offered to coordinate the honoring of country singer Ben Allen.
Resolution 2020-25 Covid-19 CARES Act
This resolution pertains to the contracts to procure personal protective equipment and community testing for COVID-19.
The total fund expenditure for Covid-19 projects is expected to be approximately $411,600 when complete. The contracts include funds for additional testing services (originally budgeted for 1,000 tests, but completed 1,545 tests) and hand sanitizer stations to place in local businesses around Estero. The Village is working with Lee County to receive reimbursement for these expenses through the CARES Act funding.
Public comment: 1 resident stated they had questions regarding the cost of these items.
Council voted approve this resolution.
Public Hearings
Ordinance 2020-09 – Firestone Tire Center
Council voted to continue the public hearing for this ordinance to the 9:30 a.m., January 6, 2021 Council meeting.
Land Development Code First Public Hearing
The Land Development Code is required by the state and provides guidelines for all development and re-development in the Village. It addresses architecture, open space and parking, landscaping, sidewalks, bike/ped improvements, traffic and stormwater and the types of permits required for these projects.
The Code was presented in three parts by Village consultants Clarion Associates and Johnson Engineering to the Council, Planning Zoning Board and Design Review Board. Workshop meetings began in October and will conclude in December.
Public comment: 1 resident stated that Estero needs a medical school.
Council approved the first public hearing of Ordinance No. 2020-10 and set the date for a workshop on this subject at 9:30 a.m., January 13, and set the second public hearing for 9:30 a.m., January 27, 2021.
eComments concerning the Code can be submitted via the webpage here. https://estero-fl.gov/land-development-code-public-comment-form/
Workshop Items
Estero Chamber of Commerce Strategic Plans for Future Growth and Impact
Representatives for the Estero Chamber of Commerce gave a presentation on their strategic plans for future growth and impact, and request for financial support.
They are concentrating on becoming an economic development leader. They’re looking at what is being done in Estero regarding economic development and how to proceed with increasing such efforts. They are also looking for the Village to become an impact member. (Presentation)
Alternatives for 2021 election
The Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office is handling all aspects of Estero’s local election process scheduled for March 2, 2021. Assisting with the administration of the election are Cheryl Futch, Qualifying Officer, 239-533-6311 and Tammy Lipa, 239-6329.
Early voting was discussed but the consensus of Council was that, at an estimated cost of $20,000, it was of marginal benefit and that vote-by-mail ballots had been used by a large number of residents during the recent election.
Residents may request a vote-by-mail ballot or check their status at the Lee County Supervisor of Elections website https://www.lee.vote/.
Estero River Sediment Project
The Village’s consultant Coastal Engineering has completed the data collection and preliminary design of the sediment removal project.
They stated they believe the river has never been dredged and that there is an accumulation of vegetation debris which has fallen into the river which impacts navigation.
They presented their findings and recommendations which included: identifying the location of accumulated sediment; identified sources of sediment; location of environmental resources (oysters); recommended sediment removal for permit applications, and construction cost estimate. (Presentation)
Public comment: 1 eComment was read into the record in support of this project.
There was a consensus among Council to move ahead with this project.
Estero River north branch drainage improvements
During the extreme rainfall events of 2017 the north branch of the Estero River experienced extensive flooding. The Village of Estero Stormwater Master Plan identified the north branch as an area of known flooding.
Two projects are included in the Stormwater Master Plan to increase the flow of stormwater through the Villages of Country Creek. They are: 1. Villages at Country Creek bypass swale drainage improvements – increase the flow of water around Country Creek to offset the reduced flow down the river. Redirect flow from the Rookery Point ditch directly to the bypass swale. 2. Dry Creek Bed Sediment Removal – re-establish the historic flow from the north branch to the south branch of the Estero River, east of Bamboo Island. (Presentation)
Public comment: 1 eComment was read into the record supporting this project.
There was a consensus among Council to move ahead with this project.
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, January 6, 2021.