Estero Council of Community Leaders

Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting

December 15, 2006

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Eslick at the Estero Community Park at 2:00 p.m.  A quorum was present.
 
Guests were introduced.

Minutes

The minutes are available at www.esterofl.org.  The minutes of the November meeting have not been reviewed and were deferred until the next meeting.

Treasurer’s report

Chris Smith reported that the council had income of $200 in dues and expenses of $125 leaving a year end total on hand of $1,638.96. The Community Improvement Foundation received $1,095 in donations, leaving a balance of $6,284.42.  It was moved and seconded to accept the report as presented.

Announcements

• Estero Fire Rescue will be having a financial planning workshop on January 9, 2007 at 5 p.m. at the Estero Community Park.
• The Estero Civic Association will be presenting a program on January 16, 2007 at the Estero Community Park. The D’Jamoos group will give a presentation on February 5, 2007 regarding their proposed development Estero on the River.
• Neal Noethlich reported on the death of Bill Balthazar who was very active in Corkscrew Woodlands and within the Estero community.  Neal made a motion that some kind of recognition may be given to those who have served Estero and then passed away. This was moved and seconded and plans will be forthcoming.

FEMA Flood maps

Joan LaGuardia, County Community Development Department Communications Manager, and John Wilson, County Public Safety Director gave presentations on the FEMA map updating program.  As a result of flooding in 1995 in south Lee County, FEMA decided to update the Flood Maps for the county last completed in the mid 1980’s. Over a ten year period, they updated their maps.  In their earlier maps the only areas designated as flood areas were lands along the coast that were affected by coastal storm surges. 
 
None of the area’s rivers, streams or flood plains was mapped except one area in North Fort Myers. In the proposed new maps the storm surge area is expanded and floodways have been added along all rivers and streams.  For a look at the entire area and a close look at your own property, go to http://www.lee-county.com/dcd/fema.htm.
 
These maps are scheduled to be adopted in August, 2007.  One result of the adoption of the new maps is that new structures constructed in the flood zones will need to be built upon a higher level than is now required.   
 
There are two ways to address the impact of the new maps upon your property if you disagree with them.  The first is to present the County and FEMA with scientific and technically based data on your property that refutes FEMA’s findings.  The second method would be, after the new maps have been adopted, to have your property surveyed and submit a rider or map amendment to FEMA and hopefully receive an exemption if it is proven that your property is above the flood elevation listed on the map.

DR/GR Estero Group Mining Application

Joan LaGuardia of the County offices has also been involved in the selection of a consultant who will consolidate all the existing studies regarding the DRGR.  The BOCC will be faced with many tough decisions over the next several years about proposals for the use of the designated DRGR land in south Lee County. She stated that many of the previous studies were done for specific reasons and a compilation of this information is what is being presently sought.  The person selected as the consultant is Charlie McLane, of McLane Environmental  from Princeton, N.J.  He has no stake in this property and has put together a team which is knowledgeable about Florida and totally unbiased. Part of McLane’s work is to develop maps of all the sensitive areas in the DRGR by type of sensitivity e.g. water supply, habitat, wetlands, flowways etc.
 
Don Vilnius and Don Eslick attended a forum entitled Solutions 2007.  The legislative delegation has been working with FGCU and has obtained state funding for an analysis of the growth of southwest Florida between now and 2060.  The forecasts were done for them by the University of Florida. They predict that if the population of the area grows as forecast by the University of Florida and no changes are made in planning and zoning procedures the land under development will triple in area.
 
Increased mass transit and increased housing density are the only factors that would substantially reduce the amount of land consumed by this expansion. Mr. Vilnius has been working with 1000 Friends of Florida which is a major Florida state-wide organization involved with growth management.  Their executive director is coming to meet with ECCL representatives and Ray Judah on January 12.  The E.O. Dunn Foundation has expressed an interest in reviewing a grant application that would finance a study that would examine the alternative planning methodologies for the DRGR.
 
Don Rowe gave a report regarding the Agripartners and Edison Farms Ditch Proposal.  Their application for construction of a 4 mile ditch along I-75 on their land just east of that road and south of Stoneybrook has been approved by the South Florida Water Management District.  Their canal along I-75 on the west and south sides of their property would divert the water under I-75 to a culvert which leads to a floway through The Brooks to Halfway Creek and Estero Bay.  Halfway Creek runs through the Brooks and Coconut Point and then under US 41 and on into Estero Bay.

Estero Historical Society Report

Mary Ann Weenen reported that the Historical Society is planning on moving two historical houses from the Koreshan/Old Estero area to the Estero Community Park.  The College of Life donated the houses and will fund the cost of moving.  Permits for this activity are still pending.

Policy Coordination with the City of Bonita Springs

Sam Levy reported on a meeting that included himself, Don Eslick, and Councilman Joyce with Dr. Rebsamen, Chief Medical Officer of Lee Memorial,  and Mike Riley,  CEO of the Bonita Community Health Center.  The Bonita Community Health Center is jointly owned by Lee Memorial and Naples Community Hospital. The Bonita and Estero representatives felt that the hospital’s demographics are outdated and new figures will be given to get them at the next meeting.  Including San Carlos Park, Estero and Bonita Springs presently have a population of over 100,000 residents. 

Sandy Lane Extension to Old 41

Councilman Joyce reported that the Bonita Springs City Council hired an engineering firm to update the cost of this one mile roadway (from Old 41 to Pelican Colony boulevard) and determined that the County’s 2004 cost of $12 million dollars would now be approximately $20 million.  The council looks at this roadway as “not a large benefit to Bonita Springs”, but looking regionally, it would relieve US 41 of a large amount of traffic therefore, making it a high priority item to be considered by the council and also on the agenda of the ECCL/Bonita Springs joint meetings.

Truck/Mining Traffic Study

Neal Noethlich has requested help and guidance from the County in an effort to assess the impact of mining/truck traffic on Corkscrew Road and other Estero roadways.  A plan and team are being formulated and volunteers will be needed to implement this project.

Property Insurance Task Force

Scotty Wood is chairing the ECCL’s task force on property and casualty insurance problems. The Task Force will present a set of guidelines to the legislature for their consideration when they meet in special session on the insurance crisis in Florida. Governor Bush’s Insurance Reform Committee compiled a 117 page interim report including about 75 recommendations.  
 
Scotty highlighted two recommendations.  One relates to new and stronger building codes designed to insure that housing and other structures can withstand hurricane force winds.  Post Andrew buildings have proven to hold up much better than prior construction.  However, at times, the building industry ignores some of these safety measures and these standards need to be enforced.  Secondly, they propose that condominium associations be allowed to self-fund some repair items, such as a roof replacement fund.  The legislature will meet in special session from January 16-20, 2007. 

ECCL Quality of Life Position Paper/Draft

This position paper was presented at the November meeting and may be accessed on the website at www.esterofl.com.  The position paper was discussed, a motion was made to adopt the paper and the motion was seconded and approved by all.

Arts Development Council Report

Cas Obie reported that the Council has received amended articles of incorporation from the State of Florida.  The changes were a result of their application to be a 501(c)3 corporation. Approval by the IRS is anticipated by the end of the year.  On January 18, 2007, the council is sponsoring a “Night on Fashion Drive” at the Coconut Point mall.  Four entertainers will be entertaining the crowd.  January 20 is the date of the Southwest Florida Symphony’s free concert in Estero Community Park. Arts in Estero is being moved from the Estero Community Park to the Coconut Point Town Center and will be two days, February 16 and 17.  Simon will be running this event instead of the Arts Council. 

US41 and Williams Intersection

Don Vilnius reported that it is two years since the first meeting regarding this intersection and its improvement that would widen the intersection and add three turn lanes, two north and one south. The estimated cost for additional turning lanes has increased to over $800,000 from about $500,000 two years ago.  Despite the cost, Pelican Sound, Fountain Lakes, West Bay and Walgreens would benefit from the project.  Although frustrating, the project will be continually pursued.

Membership

Estero Springs is an existing small community off Williams Road and has petitioned to join the ECCL. Sam Person is back as a representative of Belle Lago.  Marilyn Edwards is a new alternate from Spring Run.  Bob Thomas has resigned as the Grandezza member. Claire Hauenstein, the alternate, will become the member and a new alternate will be appointed.
 
The meeting was adjourned.  Next meeting will be January 19, 2007 at 12:00 NOON
at the Estero Community Park.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Faie Saunders, Secretary