Council presented Burt Saunders, Esq., Gray Robinson P.A., with a proclamation recognizing him for serving as Village Attorney since the Village’s first meeting on March 17, 2015 through April 20, 2022. Saunders was acknowledged for being uniquely qualified to provide assistance to a newly established government, and being integral to establishing procedures from the Village’s initial startup to present.
Council presented Derek Rooney, Esq., Gray Robinson P.A., with a proclamation recognizing him for serving as Village Attorney, assisting Council with many issues and also assisting staff in numerous areas, including general Municipal Law, Code Enforcement and Land Use.
Action Items
Resolution 2022-08 – “River Oaks” property
Council approved this final resolution to purchase the 10-acre property known as “River Oaks” located at the east end of Broadway Avenue from Old Town Preservation & Management Inc. at a cost of $1,200,000.
Background: The primary purpose for acquiring this land is to create a new stormwater pond and bypass ditch going around Country Creek to prevent backups and flooding during future major storm events. The property contains old oak hammocks, pine and palm trees and will eventually be used as a passive park.
The Village received $750,000 from the litigation settlement between the Village and the developer of the Corkscrew Crossings project which will be applied to the purchase. The remaining balance of $450,000 will be allocated from the Capital Improvement Fund Contingency.
In addition to the purchase price, the Village will need to allocate an additional amount, estimated at about $100,000, for survey, environmental assessments, removal of invasive species and other costs related to the upgrade and maintenance of the property.
Estero on the River structure demolition contract amendment
Council approved an amendment to the contract with Southwest Builders, Inc., increasing the total cost by $7,840 to accommodate the increased costs to demolish the Holly Park House, Lockwood House and the building slab. The revised total value of the contract is now $67,663.50. The project is expected to take the contractor approximately 45 days to complete after notice to proceed.
Background: The Estero on the River property has several older buildings and structures that had previously been identified as potential historical resources. Archaeological Consultants, Inc. (ACI) conducted a survey of the property and determined the structures to be in dilapidated condition and ineligible for listing in the National Registry of Historical Places.
The Estero Historical Society reviewed the ACI report and inspected each of the remaining structures. The Historical Society agreed it is not practical to preserve the Holly Park House, Lockwood House or building foundation. The Historical Society requested the Bomb Shelter not be demolished to allow time to investigate opportunities for preservation.
Public Comment: A representative of the Estero Historical Society stated they plan to study the history of the Bomb Shelter and will get back to Council once they have the results.
Williams Road bicycle/pedestrian improvements design and permitting contract
Council approved a contract with CW3 Engineering for the Williams Road Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements Design Project for $358,790, including a 10% contingency in the amount of $36,000.
Background: In 2019, the Village completed its first Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan which identified numerous areas where the facilities should be improved. The top projects from the plan identified Williams Road as the third ranked project behind River Ranch Road and access to the Community Park.
The Village then hired Banks Engineering to provide a more detailed study and concept of the Williams Road corridor. The contract with CW3 Engineering will take the project from concept design to the start of construction from the Via Coconut Point roundabout east to Three Oaks Parkway. Construction is proposed to start in mid-2023.
William Road west of the Via Coconut Point roundabout will be addressed when that section of the road is scheduled to be widened.
Ben Hill Griffin Parkway improvements design and permitting contracts
Council approved contracts with Bruce Howard and Associates and CW3 Engineering to perform landscape architecture and engineering services for the proposed Ben Hill Griffin Parkway Improvements. The contract amount is $311,160 which includes a 10% contingency. Construction is proposed to start near the end of 2022 and continue through mid-2023.
Background: The portion of Ben Hill Griffin Parkway located between Estero Parkway and Corkscrew Road is located within the Village but owned and maintained by Lee County. A significant amount of the vegetation along the roadway has died and never been replaced. The Village hired Bruce Howard and Associates to study the corridor to provide landscaping improvement recommendations.
Workshop
Northern monument sign concepts
The Village’s consultant, Paul Benvie P.E. with DRMP, presented their research of existing site conditions along US 41 and Three Oaks Parkway at the northern end of Estero to determine potential locations for the Village’s monument signs.
No voting occurs during workshops but a consensus by the Board was to have the signs placed at Option C on US 41 and Option 4 on Three Oaks Parkway.
The schedule for the construction of the signage at the southern locations of US 41 and Imperial Parkway is late 2022. The schedule for the construction of the northern US 41 and Three Oaks Parkway signage is mid-2023.
Public comment on non-agenda items: A resident recommended using native landscaping along Estero roadways.
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, May 4, 2022.