April 2015 Executive Summary

Estero Council of Community Leaders
Executive Summary
April 13, 2015 Meeting
135th Monthly Meeting!
Don Eslick, Acting Chairman of the ECCL, opened the meeting amongst a new format with a
hollow square style room setup that invited participation from member representatives of each
community. Members introduced themselves and there were approximately seven to eight new
member representatives attending for the first time.
Don reminded the audience of the original reason the ECCL was formed back in 2000. The grass
root efforts, starting with Coconut Point Mall, all began with development projects that impacted
Estero where it was important that voices of the community were heard.
Don called on Mayor Nick Batos to give a report from the offices of the Estero Village Council.
Mayor Batos presented and read an endorsed proclamation developed by the Village Council, which
gave significant recognition to the ECCL for playing an instrumental role in the incorporation of The
Village of Estero. This document signifies the importance of the ongoing collaboration of the ECCL
with the Village Council to keep the community development moving in a positive direction.
CHIEF SCOTT VANDERBROOK
Susan Lindenmuth, filling in for Chief Scott Vanderbrook, reminded all that the Estero Fire Recuse
District’s budget process begins next week. The District will soon be holding budget workshops
and will distribute an agenda through the ECCL for those who are interested in attending.
San Carlos Rescue Chief Dave Cambareri
Chief Dave Cambareri was not able to attend but had a representative present.
Member Reports on Community Concerns and Suggestions for ECCL Action
Each Community member and/or alternate was asked to discuss the major community concerns of
the residents and Board members in his or her community.
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The following section summarizes the extensive comments made by the members present from
ECCL’s 37 member residential communities.
Transportation
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Concerns
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Improve/Rebuild the Corkscrew Road I-75 Interchange and its Approaches
Address Density and Traffic Concerns Associated with the
Estero Crossing Development
Work with the Hertz Corporation to Evaluate the Traffic Impact of Hertz’s Employees
Accessing the Site and Obtaining the Necessary Improvements
Reduce the Vehicle Speed on Dangerous Segments of US 41 like the Segment Between
Corkscrew and Broadway
Review the Safety of Having a Bus Stop without Off-road Loading on US41 just South of the
Marsh Landing Community Entrance
Lee County ( LDOT) Concerns
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Widen Corkscrew Road east of Ben Hill Griffin and Improve the Access Roads to Several of
the Communities along Corkscrew
Widen Corkscrew Road from Three Oaks Parkway to I-75
Address Density and Traffic Concerns Associated with the
Estero Crossing Development
Prevent Future Use of Corkscrew Road by Collier County
Beach Renourishment Sand Trucks
Install Median Landscaping on Via Coconut Road Including its Round-abouts and Evaluate
Other Roadways for Improving the Median Landscaping
Reduce the Vehicle Speeds on Dangerous Segments of all County Arterials in Estero...Three
Oaks Parkway, Ben Hill Griffin, Corkscrew Road, Coconut Road, Estero Parkway, Williams
Road, Via Coconut Road
Oppose the Inclusion of CR951 and Sandy Lane from Corkscrew to Estero Parkway in the
2040 Plan
Obtain Contiguous Bike/Pedestrian Improvements on Estero Parkway between US41 and
Three Oaks Parkway
Improve Clean-up of debris etc. on Estero Parkway
Repaint the double turn lane striping on Corkscrew Road at Via Coconut Point
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Concerns
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Improve/Rebuild the Corkscrew Road I-75 Interchange
Oppose the Inclusion of CR951 and Sandy Lane from Corkscrew to Estero Parkway in the
2040 Plan
DR/GR Area Development Concerns
Organize a Civic/ Environmental Coalition to Make Sure the Developers Address the Water
and Traffic Impacts of each of the Pending Development Proposals...Wild Blue, Corkscrew
Farms, Old Corkscrew Plantation, Corkscrew Crossing, Corkscrew Shores, Corkscrew
Ranch etc
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Proposed Developments
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Address Egress Concerns with Property in Front of Bella Terra
Address Density and Traffic Concerns Associated with the Estero Crossing Development
Address Appearance and Compatibility Concerns with the Estero Grand Development
Other Concerns
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Eliminate the Requirement for 64 Gallon Recycling Bins
Don Eslick stated that the ECCL is in the process of reorganizing and went over what needs to be
done in order for the organization to move forward. This includes interviewing candidates after the
Village Council selects the members of the its Planning and Zoning Board and its Design Review
Committee on April 24th. Over 40 persons have applied for 15 positions, so many of them will be
available for recruitment by the ECCL.
The ECCL will ask these candidates if they would like to join the ECCL board and/or volunteer for
an ECCL committee. Several ECCL Board positions are now available due to the recent Village
Council election.
Plans for nominating new board members – the ECCL nominating committee, which will include
the remaining ECCL board members, will screen and interview, if necessary, those interested in
serving in this capacity in time to nominate candidates for each vacant position at the ECCL’s
monthly meeting on May 13, 2015.
Doug Saxton, an Estero representative for BikeWalkLee (BWL), informed the members that the
Lee County Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) recently wrote a letter to the Board of
County Commissioners (BoCC) requesting that they increase the annual funding for bicycle and
pedestrian improvements to $2,000,000. Presently, there are 85 bike/ped improvement projects, with
and estimated cost of about $65 million, waiting to be funded by the County. With all the new
requests and the present backlog, it is estimated that with current funding levels it will take over 50
years to complete these projects. Doug suggested that the ECCL consider send a similar letter to the
BoCC in support of the BPAC request. Other organizations including BWL have sent similar letters
of support. The increase would help fund the Estero Parkway bike lane/sidewalk project.
Finance Director – Bob Lienesch
Finance Director Lienesch reported that in March two member communities (Spring Run and
Lighthouse Bay) contributed to the Defense and Planning Fund and 14 communities paid their
2015 dues.
To date the ECCL has raised $110,000 and spent $87,000 on the recently completed incorporation
effort. The ECCL will be requesting a $7,600 reimbursement from the Village for costs incurred on
behalf of the Village’s early governing expenses.
ECCL’s cash balance was approximately $35,000 at the end of March.
Chairman Emeritus – Don Eslick
Don Eslick commented on the need for the ECCL to continue as a viable civic organization and
outlined the working relationship that ECCL expects to have with the Village Council. He
encouraged the members to review the fact sheet about ECCL future community role recently
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posted on the website (www.EsteroToday.com) and distribute the information to their Community
Board members and residents.
So far six people have volunteered to help with the 2015 membership drive. It was suggested that a
Membership Relationship Director is needed to work with our member organizations, to expand our
3,700 household email list and to improve our ability to communicate with large numbers of residents
in each member community on matters of concern to their area.
Historically ECCL’s ability to mobilize people in support of local concerns has been our most
valuable asset. An important role of each ECCL member is to spread the word about the problems
we are addressing in order to increase community support for the remedy that is being pursued.
Don asked for comments on the new seating arrangement, where all the members and alternates
were seated around tables configured in a hollow square format. The feedback was strongly positive
and the members urged the ECCL to continue this format. The community reports consumed over
an hour at this meeting, however it is anticipated that in future meetings this meeting segment will
be much shorter.
Don, regrettably read the resignation letter of Marilyn Edwards, ECCL Communication Director.
Marilyn was instrumental in the early stages of the ECCL development and now will be moving on to
the Village Council to assist them with their communication efforts. She will be greatly missed and
the ECCL wishes her all the best in her new endeavor.
Don Eslick presented Phil Douglas with a plaque of
recognition as he steps down as The Environmental
Director of the ECCL. Phil, who has been with the ECCL
since 2004, has had numerous accomplishments as a
leader in the community. Phil stated he would continue to
support the ECCL and The Conservancy as a
mentor/liaison.
The Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting is being held on April 17, 2015,
at 9am at Cape Coral City Hall.
This meeting is important to attend, as it is focuses on the long-range 2040 transportation plan.
Healthcare Village Update – Don Eslick
Lee Memorial Healthcare System (LMHS) Planning Progress – A recent television interview with
Governor Scott caused some confusion about LMHS filing another application for a hospital here in
Estero. LMHS has expressed no interest in pursuing this approach at this time.
Instead LMHS is moving ahead full speed with the development of the 172,000 square foot, $140
million Healthcare Destination of Distinction facility to be completed in Coconut Point in 2017 and a
public relations program to communicate the new Healthcare Village vision and mission to all the
residents of south Lee County. LMHS will soon be hiring a master developer to design, build and
finance this facility.
BCHC Arbitration Dispute - On April 19, 2015 LMHS participated in the first judicial hearing before
the Judge handling the binding arbitration dispute between LMHS and NCH, the present co-owners
of the Bonita Community Health Center (BCHC). Both parties (NCH and LMHS) presented their
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arguments and answered the Judge’s questions. The Judge did not make any rulings but asked that
they file proposed orders related to LMHS Motion to Compel Arbitration.
Environmental Issues – Phil Douglas yielded his time to April Olson, Growth Management
Specialist, with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida in Naples
Currently, two comprehensive plan amendments are proposed for developments located on east
Corkscrew Road in the Density Reduction/Groundwater Resource (DRGR). The applicants
submitted the plan amendments in order to increase density on their property from the allowable one
dwelling unit per ten acres. The names of the developments seeking the comprehensive plan
amendments are Wild Blue and Corkscrew Farms. The applicants are offering to restore important
hydrological and wildlife connections along with some other improvements on their sites in exchange
for substantial increases in density.
The Conservancy has been reviewing the applicants’ proposals and provided input regarding a
comprehensive environmental restoration strategy, which includes the following: protection of
groundwater resources, restoration of historic flow-ways, implementation of wildlife crossings,
protections for listed species, reductions in wetland impacts, connections to existing preserves, and
increases in land placed in conservation easements.
The Local Planning Agency (LPA) will hear Wild Blue’s case on April 27 at 8:30 in the
Commission Chambers, located at 2120 Main Street, Fort Myers. The public is invited to provide
testimony on the case.
Community Planning Issues – Roger Strelow
Roger believes there is an additional important role for ECCL going forward in our new era of
incorporation. ECCL has historically organized and promoted candidate reviews and interviews by
an ad hoc group of concerned and informed citizens, with local (e.g., Lee County) and State-level
(e.g. state legislators from Lee County) candidates. Estero residents always express considerable
appreciation for this effort.
Now that we have our own Village Council, ECCL should certainly play a similar role with respect to
this body. We have started out with an excellent group of council members, but ECCL should
ensure that their performance is objectively evaluated as future elections occur and that new
candidates are carefully evaluated as well.
The next ECCL meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at the Estero
Community Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd.
Barbara Saxton
Interim Communications Director
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