Information security policy
Florida Statute 282.3185 Local Government Cybersecurity Act requires certain standards be met by local governments. The Village of Estero’s information security policy was created and reviewed by the Village’s information technology consultants, Calvin, Giordano & Associates, to meet the requirements of this statute. This policy will standardize and bolster the cybersecurity of the Village.
Council voted to adopt this policy.
Code enforcement lien
ProEnergy, LLC, owns the Marathon Gas Station at 8800 Corkscrew Road. The owner was cited in May 2021 for sign maintenance. The case was heard before the Special Magistrate and the Magistrate imposed a fine beginning on September 23, 2021.
In August 2023, the owner submitted a lien reduction request to the Village indicating it did not receive notice of the violation or magistrate proceeding. The property was brought into compliance in February 2023.
Council voted to accept a payment of $30,000 from ProEnergy, LLC, in compromise of the Village’s code enforcement lien on the owner’s property, and to authorize the Village Manager or his designee to file a release of lien once the payment has been made.
Village wide traffic study
Estero’s first Village wide traffic study was completed in 2017. The study identified areas where improvements were needed to improve traffic flow and safety. Since 2017, traffic within and surrounding the Village has changed significantly. The population in and around Estero has continued to grow and several of the projects referenced in the 2017 report have been completed, are under construction or will be under construction soon.
Village Manager Steve Sarkozy stated traffic flow issues to be considered include 3 – 4,000 planned housing units in Estero, but outside of Estero there are 26,000 housing units planned for East Corkscrew Road, and 8,000 housing units on North Three Oaks Parkway, all which will impact the Village.
Council approved a contract with Johnson Engineering, Inc. to prepare a new traffic study for $249,480, with a contingency of $25,000. Village Manager Steve Sarkozy was authorized to add additional intersections to the contract, including one at Coconut Road and the Meadowbrook community, and the intersections at Corkscrew Road and Estero Crossing Blvd., and Corkscrew Road and Bella Terra Blvd.
The contract includes the following tasks: Research, Roadway Traffic Counts, Intersection Traffic Counts, Traffic Modeling, Roadway Analysis, Intersection Analysis, Agency Coordination, Public Involvement and Final Report. The study will be conducted during the months of January to March 2024 to ensure peak traffic is counted.
Public Comment: 2 eComment cards were placed into the record.
Right of way acquisition services
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 Services to provide right of way acquisition services to the Village. A few of the ongoing projects that require additional right of way or easements include the following: Corkscrew Road Paths, Landscaping, Irrigation and Lighting; Sandy Lane Bike/Ped Improvements; River Ranch Road Drainage, Roadway, and Pedestrian Improvements; Ben Hill Griffin Parkway Landscaping; Broadway Ave. East Bike/Ped Improvements; Williams Road Bike/Ped Improvements; Williams Road and Atlantic Gulf Drive, and River Oaks Preserve Utilities.
Gravity sewer smoke & closed-circuit TV testing
Council approved Change Order No. 1 to a contract with National Water Main Cleaning Company in the amount of $8,500, with a contingency of $9,400. This change order is for the gravity sewer line testing in the Estero Bay Village, Sunny Grove, and Cypress Bend mobile home developments. The testing will determine if groundwater or stormwater is leaking into the existing sewer system.
The Village is currently permitting infrastructure to extend central sewer to these communities. Utility service will be provided by Lee County Utilities after construction is complete.
Workshop
Code Enforcement law and procedures
Village Attorney Robert Eschenfelder presented a review of the applicable state laws on Code Enforcement, as well as the core procedures related to enforcement of the Village Code, and collection of resulting code liens. He also stated the state legislature changed the law so that a complaint can no longer be anonymous.
Code Compliance Officer Stanley Knight described the process from finding a violation to the notification process and, if necessary, the hearing process. He stated that the Village has a 98.2 percent compliance rate, one of the highest in the state.
Public Comment: A resident complained about the process.
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, January 17, 2024.