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BOOK – 2011R - BOCC------------------------------------------
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JANUARY 25, 2011
The
Joint Meeting
of the
Beach
I. CALL TO ORDER
Town of Fort Myers Beach (TFMB) Mayor Larry Kiker called the meeting to order at 2:11 p.m. and reviewed
procedural guidelines and identified senior staff present for his Council’s support and for that of the Board of County
Commissioners (BoCC). The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were led by Wing Chaplain Major Vincent A.
Cummings, USAFR, of the 482
nd
requesting a moment of silence in memory of Lehigh Acres resident Marine Sgt. Jason G. Amores, killed on January
20
th
II. WELCOME
(Commissioner Bigelow arrived during the following comments.) After both Mayor Kiker and Chairman Mann
offered brief opening comments, the Mayor recognized the County’s past efforts; acknowledged current budget
constraints; and reviewed the objective of consensus on project priorities, timelines, and policy. Stating that he
intended no reduction in the FMB roles and responsibilities, the Mayor advised he sought a matching commitment to
accomplish the jointly-determined projects in a timely manner, and emphasized the historical importance of Estero
Boulevard as the number one priority. He cited the northern portion, recently re-vamped by the Town, as a valid
example of what the Town wanted to achieve.
A.
ESTERO BOULEVARD: - 2011-009
TFMB Councilwoman Jo List spoke to the issue first, offering alternative methods for shifting focus and funding to
complete short-term phases of the Estero Boulevard project first for a more immediate impact and relief in the traffic
bottleneck in front of the Seafarer Village location. Discussion ensued between the BoCC and the Town, with input
from LDOT Planning Manager Dave Loveland, on the following: the integration of activities required by the Seafarer
acquisition into the overall Estero project; the utilization of a Complete Streets approach; an update on current short-
term projects and funding details; and agreement that new opportunities may exist with the purchase of the Seafarer
property. Concurrence was reached on the need to coordinate and integrate similar project phases to avoid
duplication. Commissioner Hall and Mr. Loveland pointed out that the County could not move forward (specifically
pertaining to transportation planning for the Seafarer site) until the Town submitted their recommendations for
preferred uses for the site previously requested by the BoCC. TFMB Councilmember Tom Babcock, utilizing a
Project Schedule
(Gantt Chart) (copy on file in the Minutes Office) focused on cost and projected completion time
utilizing the ‘Complete Streets’ approach; emphasized the fact that Estero Boulevard is an evacuation route; and
requested DOT Capital funds beginning next year. Commissioner Hall and Assistant County Manager Doug Meurer
led the discussion for general consensus of the Town’s objective to have Town and County staff work together,
bringing back a proposal with estimated costs and an overall Master Plan addressing utilities, roads, sidewalks, etc.,
which could then be cost-shared appropriately; as the County currently does with other agencies. It was noted that the
remaining estimated $1 million currently ‘earmarked’ for long-term Estero Boulevard projects might then be able to
be shifted to short-term phases, with an ultimate goal of establishing a 5 or 10-year CIP plan. Following additional
discussion between Town Manager Stewart and Chairman Mann, Councilman Babcock requested verbal consensus on
the subject of developing a reprioritization. Mayor Kiker verified the consensus from all. (AT A LATER POINT IN
BUDGET CYCLE, FOR WHICH MEETINGS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN)
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B.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION – 2011-010:
prepared comments,
(copy on file
in the Minutes Office), reiterated his commitment to public transportation; the County’s responsibility; the need to
maintain daily and seasonal core service, and the need to provide specifics regarding the Town’s scheduling issues
and concerns with discrepancies in cost apportionment. Following input from Commissioner Judah regarding a
Transit initiative, LeeTran Director Steve Myers explained route and cost differences which resulted in general
agreement to revisit the subject by including it in discussions regarding Transit. Final dialog included comments from
Councilman Babcock and Mayor Kiker, and a request from Commissioner Hall that staff review the issue during
budget time. Assistant County Manager Pete Winton agreed to do so; and the TFMB and BoCC concurred. (AT THE
AGREED UPON THAT ITEM B-2011-010 COULD BE ROLLED INTO THE OVERALL TRANSIT FUNDING
PowerPoint presentation
(copy on
file in the Minutes Office), reviewed the pro’s and con’s of a transfer of County properties to the Town. Following
brief discussion on key issues to be considered, there was general concurrence in further investigation and discussion,
and identifying the Tourist Development Council (TDC) as a major stakeholder. It was further determined that there
was no particular due date set for this item, unless the Town was presented with a specific window of opportunity on a
BEACH RENOURISHMENT SCHEDULE – Commissioner Judah advised all that the Beach
Renourishment Project, approved by the BoCC in their Regular Board meeting earlier in the day, was scheduled to
begin during season, in order to retain State funding for the project. He did assure the Town that adequate information
would be communicated regarding the timeline; and all possible measures taken to reduce negative impacts.
VANDALISM AT SEAFARER SITE – Commissioner Judah noted receiving a report of instances of
vandalism and vagrancy at the Seafarer Village property, and asked what the Town’s decision was on leveling the
Departments (County Lands and Parks and Recreation).
a resident’s suggestion and set up an e-mail address ‘suggestion box’ so residents could submit ideas they might have,
which originally pertained to uses for the new park. Mayor Kiker reiterated that any uses under consideration would
be fully discussed and mutually agreed-upon by the County and the Town.
ADJOURNMENT
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