Imperial Parkway
Public Comment on non-agenda items: 1 resident spoke about the potential destruction of wildlife and the environment caused by the proposed development of 10,000 homes on East Corkscrew Road. 1 resident invited Council to participate in the upcoming Rotary of Estero 5K race at Coconut Point on March 16.
Schedule for Planning, Zoning & Design Board applications
The meeting started with Council approving the proposed schedule for Planning, Zoning & Design Board applications. The Village Council is seeking applications for volunteer positions on this board which reviews applications for rezoning, comprehensive plan amendments, site plan approvals (development orders) and similar items for conformance with the Village Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan.
Four members of the Board have terms that expire on April 30, 2024. In addition, there are two vacancies on the Board. More information available here.
Resolution 2024-03 – Community Development block grant disaster recovery planning grant applications
Council adopted this resolution pursuing Recovery and Resilience Planning Program grant funding for two planning studies:
- Estero Eco-Historic Planning Study. This study is focused on the area around “Old Estero” and the Koreshan State Park, north of Corkscrew Road up to Estero Parkway. An areawide planning study will examine issues within the study area and identify solutions and opportunities to enhance resilience and sustainability.
- Estero Vulnerability Assessment. This study will build upon the Village’s Stormwater Mater Plan. It will update the master plan with new data and add tidal surge events to the analysis. The report will also include an assessment of other Village vulnerabilities including changes in rainfall patterns, heat, high winds, and wildfires.
Public Comment: A resident suggested this study would help provide for residents to “shelter in place” and for the study to concentrate on west Estero.
Sandy Lane easement acquisition services contract
Sandy Lane
The Village is working on numerous roadway, landscaping, bicycle, and pedestrian projects that require the acquisition of additional right of way or easements to complete the projects.
Council approved a contract with Florida Acquisition & Appraisal Inc. to provide easement acquisition services for the Sandy Lane Bike/Ped Improvements Project. The contract is for $47,200, with a contingency of $4,700.
The Village’s consultant, Atkins, is nearing completion of the design and permitting for the proposed bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Sandy Lane from Corkscrew Road to Broadway Ave. East. Florida Acquisition & Appraisal, Inc. will help obtain the required easements along Sandy Lane.
River Ranch Road easement acquisition services contract
River Ranch Road
Council approved a contract with Florida Acquisition & Appraisal Inc. to provide easement acquisition services for the River Ranch Road improvements project. The contract is for $200,600, with a contingency of $20,000.
The Village’s consultant, CW3 Engineering is nearing completion of the design and permitting for the proposed pathway, landscaping, and street lighting improvements along River Ranch Road from Williams Road to Corkscrew Road. Florida Acquisition & Appraisal Inc. will help obtain the required easements along River Ranch Road.
Corkscrew Road easement acquisition services contract
Corkscrew Road
Council approved a contract with Florida Acquisition & Appraisal Inc. to provide easement acquisition services for the Corkscrew Road pathway improvements. The contract amount is $59,000, with a contingency of $5,900.
The Village’s consultant, Johnson Engineering is nearing completion of the design and permitting for the proposed pathway, landscaping, and street lighting improvements along Corkscrew Road from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Bella Terra.
Florida Acquisition & Appraisal, Inc. will help obtain the required easements required along Corkscrew Road.
US 41 median landscaping from Williams Road to south of Estero Parkway
US 41
Council approved a contract with P & T Lawn & Tractor Services, Inc. to improve the landscaping along US 41 from Williams Road to south of Estero Parkway. The contract is for $236,405, with a contingency of $23,000.
The proposed improvements will remove plants that are not doing well within the medians and replace them with plants that have performed better in similar roadway locations. After this contract is complete, all medians along US 41 will have been updated per Bruce Howard’s designs.
Resolution 2024-01 – Waiver of competition
In October 2023, the Village solicited proposals for firms to provide construction engineering and inspection services (CEI) for Sandy Lane, Estero on the River, and River Ranch Road. The Village did not receive any responses to the solicitation. Staff was able to reach out directly to two firms and obtain CEI proposals for Sandy Lane and Estero on the River.
Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-01 to waive the Village’s requirement to competitively solicit for CEI services and to allow Staff to negotiate directly with qualified CEI firms to provide CEI services for upcoming construction projects. The Village Council will continue to approve contracts as required by Village codes.
Workshop
Village of Estero monument signs update
Public Works Director David Willems provided an update on the approved sites for the Village of Estero monument signs.
The sign at Imperial Parkway is complete. Permit approvals and pipe and fill have been installed for the signs at US 41 south, US 41 north and Three Oaks Parkway. These signs are all expected to be installed later this month with landscaping to be added in March.
Willems also provided information about possible locations for additional signage at Corkscrew Road, Ben Hill Griffin Parkway and I-75.
No voting occurs during workshops.
Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website.
The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 21, 2024.