Estero Council of Community LeadersMinutes of the Regular Monthly MeetingDecember 17, 2004MinutesChairman Eslick called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. at the Marsh Landing clubhouse. Exhibit A lists the members attending. Treasurer's ReportIn the absence of the Treasurer, Arnie Rosenthal presented a report as of December 17, 2004, showing a total receipts to date of $1,375, of which is $400 in 2005 dues approved by various community organizations Mr. Ruehl moved acceptance of this report. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Report on State and Federal Road ProjectsJohnnie Limbaugh, Florida DOT Regional Office Manager, discussed the status and plans for all Federal and State road projects with an impact on Estero. His report is summarized below: Segments of US 41 Now Under Construction -- FDOT latest estimate for completion of 6-laning US 41 between Old 41 to Corkscrew Road is January 31, 2005, about 2.5 years since construction began on that segment. This segment has been planned with sidewalks but without street lights. Consequently, the need for streetlights must be assessed must be separately assessed and money budgeted for their installation prior to design and construction. About 6 months later the segment from Old 41 (south end) to Bonita Beach Road is expected to be completed with sidewalks and street lighting. Finally, the segment from Bonita Beach Road north to Old 41 is planned for completion in late 2005 also with sidewalks and street lights. US 41 From Corkscrew Road to San Carlos Park -- On October 20th FDOT announced that due to increased cost of steel, fuel and concrete that funding for 6 laning of US 41 between Corkscrew Road and San Carlos Park needed to be delayed until the state's 2009-10 fiscal year starting in July 2009. On December 3rd several Estero leaders objected to this decision at the meeting of the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The MPO is the long range planning body for all Lee County Transportation projects, county, state and federal. Several members of the MPO expressed concern about the delay but all voted to authorize it except for Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah. Mr. Limbaugh indicated at the ECCL meeting that the design of this segment is now at the 60% point and that the permitting and right-of-way phase of the road would be completed in 2007 (Throughout the Wal-Mart zoning process we were told this work would be completed in mid-2006). If an interim financing plan is not developed and implemented, construction of the segment will not begin until at least 2 years after the road is ready for construction. Several member of the ECCL asked Mr. Limbaugh to have FDOT to schedule another Public Information Workshop in the community soon now that the 60% design has been completed. I-75 Corkscrew Road Intersection Improvements--- Next month FDOT plans to begin widening the approaches to I-75 at Corkscrew Road. This project is similar to the recent improvements constructed at I-75 and Daniels. It is designed to increase the capacity of the entrances to and exits from I-75 at this busy intersection. The project should be completed by the end of 2005. I-75 Widening Between Daniels Road and Bonita Beach Road --- Limbaugh indicated that funds have been budgeted for construction of the widening of I-75 to 6 lanes throughout the two segments that directly affect Estero in the 2007-08 state fiscal year, beginning on July 1, 2007. In addition legislation that would create a toll way authority that would permit "drivers to choose" an additional 4 lane toll way within the existing right-of-way is being refined by Rep. Davis for consideration by the Florida legislature during 2005. Stoneybrook representatives asked Limbaugh about FDOT plans for noise suppressing walls along the route. Limbaugh indicated that there were no plans to install walls along the route but that the design phase is still underway and that community input would be solicited once the design is further along. County Roadway Progress ReportDave Loveland, Lee DOT's director of planning, then made a presentation on the status and plans for County roadways. The following section summarizes his report: Three Oaks Parkway Progress Report-- At the December 17th meeting of the ECCL Dave Loveland of Lee DOT updated us on the progress of the three segments of Three Oaks Parkway that will have an impact on Estero. The design of the segment between Corkscrew Road and Alico Road has now reached the 90% completion point. Permit applications have been filed with the South Florida Water Management District and with the Corps of Engineers and the County is well along in the right-of-way acquisition process. Construction funding has been provided in this year's budget and contracts will be let for this four laning widening project within a 6 lane right-of -way will be let next summer, with construction to start soon thereafter. The roadway landscape money for this segment is budgeted for the 2005-06 fiscal year and the design has been reviewed by the County's Roadway Landscape Advisory Committee. The 60% design of the segment from Bonita Beach Road to E. Terry Street (Imperial Street) has been completed and voluntary right-of-way acquisition has been underway for some time. Construction is expected to begin about September 2005, with completion forecast for the spring of 2007. The County hopes to complete all of Three Oaks prior to the beginning of the I-75 widening. The 60% design of the Coconut Road to E. Terry Street segment was completed earlier this year and much of the property needed for right-of-way has now been purchased. All permit applications have been filed with the South Florida Water Management District and the Corps of Engineers. Funding for construction is now available and construction is also expected to begin in September 2005. Construction of this 4 lane road within a 6 lane right-of-way is expected to take about 18 months, thus this road segment should also be available for motorists in the spring of 2007. Landscape funding is budgeted for the county's 2006-07 fiscal year, which starts in October 2006. Sandy Lane Extension from Corkscrew Road to Pelican Colony Boulevard --- During the summer the County approved the Development Agreement with the developers of Coconut Point authorizing them to build this 3 mile segment of Sandy Lane as a four lane collector road. The developers hired two engineering firms to expeditiously design the road. The design is now 90% complete. The permitting was implemented by the developers when they filed for approvals for the projects that include the alignment. The right-of-way has all been committed and was recently conveyed to the county. The construction contracts will be negotiated and construction is expected to begin in January. The target completion date is October 2005. Sandy Lane from Corkscrew Road north to Alico Road --- The County has budgeted $10 million for the design and right-of-way acquisition of this segment of the road commencing with the County's 2007-08 fiscal year, beginning on October 1, 2007. Estero Parkway Extension (I-75 Flyover) --- This expensive, $19.4 million, 9 tenths of a mile project is primarily funded by funds derived from the Miromar Lakes and Gulf Coast Town Center DRI projects. The timing of these payments has caused the County to delay the construction of this road by one year, until the 2005-06 fiscal year starting in October 2005. The project extends from Three Oaks Parkway to Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. Currently the project has been designed to the 60% level and right-of-way acquisition is nearing completion. The County has submitted its permits to the South Florida Water Management District and the Corps of Engineers. ECCL Organizational Matters
Bonita Springs Annexation InitiativeThe ECCL unanimously approved the following actions in response to reports that the City of Bonita Springs has met with County officials to discuss their plans to annex parts of Estero adjacent to their northern boundary:
Paradise Shoppes, West Bay Club
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