Just to keep you informed, as ofDecember 12, 2014, here is a brief synopsis of things being worked on/or accomplished in your City.
City Manager’s Office
Met with CH2MHill officials for quarterly business review.
Attended the ribbon cutting/road dedication of Shangri-La Road.
Met with Paul Benson to discuss his Old 41 project.
Attended a meeting with Deputy Mayor McIntosh and staff to discuss annexation legal descriptions, etc.
Attended Design/Build kickoff meeting for Downtown Improvement Project with Wright Construction.
Attended the wonderful Holiday in the Park Event.
Attended the Government Affairs Committee Meeting at the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Met with Alan Codi and John Dulmer to discuss beach parking.
Participated in the Estero High School Leadership Academy Government Day activities including a mock city council meeting.
Met with County Manager Roger Dejarlais to discuss some items of mutual interest.
Welcomed the city’s new Director of Code Enforcement, Frank Cassidy.
Attended the office holiday potluck lunch held at the new recreation center.
Met with Mayor Nelson, Christine Ross, Chamber of Commerce and Sean Reid regarding a potential business opportunity.
Participated in the Bonita Springs Economic Development Council Meeting held at the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Completed assignment with the Citizens Water Strategy Task Force and presented 34 recommendations to City Council for further consideration and possible implementation.
Completed the process relative to bringing a new Code Enforcement Director on board and began the process of transition to the new department administration.
Participated in a tour of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve with members of the local DEP staff, also attended by Mike Kirby, in order to get their input on various concerns relative to the uses and conditions of the Bay. We will be following up with Council and DEP on possible options to consider relative to future actions designed to mitigate detrimental activities in the Bay.
Began the process to bring on board an outside consultant to assist the city’s efforts to meet our responsibilities under the National Flood Insurance Program, Community Rating Service review process.
City Attorney:
Ordinances: Public hearings for Sign Code, Transit Lighting, and Color Palette. Working with staff on changes to finance, stormwater pond, Old 41 changes (map for Industrial and flex change uses), wireless communication facilities, and business design standards, which will be brought to Council in January.
Litigation: Working with outside counsel on Sandsmark and Daring foreclosures. Also went to court where City was names as a party for City’s lien in Chase Morgan v. Kunstler.
Transactional: Prepared (1) Agreement with C.R. Gray for art on city property (2) agreement for a temporary parking lot as requested by Alan Codi; (3) addendum to extend the lease on Liberty Lighthouse Church; (4) revisions to proposed legislation correcting the glitch in the Estero Special Act (Property Appraiser found overlapping).
Code Enforcement:
Hancock Property Update – 28051 Oak Lane. In late September, LCSO served an Execution of Writ Order and removed 8 vehicles from the property. Those vehicles were later sold at auction and purchased by the City who turned around and sold them for scrap. On November 20th and 21st, the City abating the remaining nuisance violations on the property removing another 3 vehicles, a tractor, a trailer and several dumpsters of miscellaneous items. There is an additional case involving the unsafe structure which was added onto the house which will be presented to the Hearing Officer on February 5, 2015.
Front – BeforeFront - Before
Front – AfterFront - After
In Progress – Back
Back – AfterBack - After
New Code Enforcement Director, Frank Cassidy started on Monday, December 8th and will be introduced at City Council Meeting on December 17th.
Educational letter was sent to properties on Paradise Road regarding responsibilities of Right of Way mowing from John Gucciardo.
Soccer Palace – this was an ongoing noise complaint that we were trying to resolve with LCSO and was recently busted in a drug operation.
City Clerk:
The front desk/reception staff greeted 208 guests and directed 612 calls to various departments through December 12, 2014.
The City Clerk’s office responded to 22 public records requests through December 12, 2014.
The City Clerk attended a webinar on records management.
The City Clerk participated in the Estero High School Leadership Academy as well as the Estero High School Student Government Day event.
Communications Department:
Events:
Finalized Holiday lighting contract and met with contactor to conduct final walk through as it went live.
Held Holiday in the Park.
Feedback from the Community about the Successful Event
“Good Morning Mayor Nelson; we attended the Christmas tree lighting in Riverside Park last night. We want you to know that the city has out done itself. The park was truly a Winter Wonderland. We were very proud to of our City Council members,our Police Department and our Fire Department. Their extra special efforts were appreciated. I think every child there went home with memories they will cherish for years. I know we did. Thank-you.Keep up the good work. We want to wish all our City staff a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR.”- Suzanne & Gary Bamford
“Great Event! Very well done all around.”-Brien Spiena
“Thankyou all so much. My children and nephew had a great time meeting Santa. They were all so happy with the gifts they received from his elves.” –Grecia Denise Patino
Processing Special Event Permit for CREW Concert.
Processing Special Event Permit for Bonita Concert Band Series 2015/2016.
Processing Special Event Permit for Bark in the Park.
Worked with the Art in Public Places Board/Parks Department and City Attorney to process an agreement for Council consideration with C.R. Gray to loan the City two sculptures to be displayed in RiverPark and Riverside Park.
Worked with Jane Swanson to plan two Government Days with local students.
Held Shangri-La Road Dedication.
Planning Dog Park Ribbon Cutting.
Attended Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting.
Attended an Art in Public Places Board Meeting.
Planning Wounded Warrior Games.
Planning Movie in the Park.
BTV:
Bulletin Board updating, and BTV98 monitoring observed daily.
Holiday in the Park Segment.
Government Day Segments.
Tax Dollars at Work Shangri-La Road Project Segment.
Press releases/Media:
Released: Shangri-La Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Released: Bonita Springs Dog Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Released Movies in the Park.
Released: Wounded Warrior Games coming to Bonita Springs.
Holiday in the Park media coverage.
Click here to view a News Press Video from the event:
Click here to view a Naples Daily News Video from the event:
Web/Social Media:
Continually working with Department Heads to update information on website.
Promotion of Dog Park Completion, Shangri-La Project Completion, Movie in the Park, Public Service Announcement for Tree Board about Norfolk Pine.
Development Services:
Cordera: Drainage and utility construction for this 138 lot D.R. Horton Community nears completions. In coordination with Lee County DOT a turn lane will be installed off southbound Imperial Parkway at the community entrance. Several building permits have been issued and models should be under construction soon.
Bonita Lakes: Construction continues in this Toll Brothers Community along Imperial Parkway. A total of 268 homes have been built and construction has started in the last Phase. A new community recreation center has opened recently.
Terzetto: Building construction for multifamily units in this WCI Community in the Colony is aggressively moving forward. Development inspections are underway in Phase 2 and a certificate of compliance should be issued soon.
Moose Lodge in Bernwood: Plans are currently under review by staff to construct an expansion to the existing building with associated site improvements.
Cielo in The Colony:Additional multifamily units are under construction in this WCI Community. Staff inspection of final roads, landscaping and lighting is underway.
Beach Storage: Plans are currently under review by staff to expand Storage Area. Walls and landscaping will be added to help screen this area from view.
Center of Bonita: Negotiations are underway to lease the space in the Old Publix. Staff is working with the Architect to consider upgrades to the existing building façade. Staff has started the Phase 2 inspection process in this area.
Fine’s Art Gallery: Plans are currently under review for adding a security wall and landscape improvements to the site adjacent to 41 in north Bonita.
Paloma: Plans are currently under review to upgrade utilities serving the proposed Multi-family homes located in Phase 2 of this D. R. Horton Community.
Bonita National: Phase 1 Model homes and the entry gate house will be complete early next year. The Golf Course is making plans to open with a temporary club house in January.
Finance:
Staff continues the process of closing our fiscal year end which ended September 30th. This process is extensive and will continue until February 2015.
Training continues for our new Accounting Technician, Melissa Stout.
Staff has completed a review of public funds deposit interest rate quotes and will be recommending opening new investment accounts with two local banks on December 17, 2014.
Staff is developing a cash flow for the remainder of this fiscal year to determine the deposit terms surplus City funds that are not budgeted to be spent this fiscal year.
Auditor’s on-site testing has been scheduled for the week beginning January 26, 2015.
Audit planning and workpaper preparation is underway and will continue through the end of January 2015.
Capital Assets are being calculated for fiscal year 2013-2014.
The trial balance is being finalized for FYE 2014. Upon completion, staff will begin drafting financial statements.
Staff is updating Revenue manual for new fees adopted during fiscal year 2013-2014.
We are working on the annual Florida EDR Reporting requirement.
Staff has completed the annual Public Deposit Report.
We will be presenting an update on the implementation of new financial software to the Technology Advisory Board.
Human Resources:
Working on Year End payroll audits along with some remaining issues from the payroll system upgrade.
Two longer termed lifeguards have resigned from their positions; Thomas Gambino – 8 years of service and Brooke Curran – 6 years of service.
Currently hiring 2 part-time lifeguards, part-time Recreation Center Attendant and Public Administration Intern.
We are accepting applications for the Assistant City Attorney with a close date of December 19th. We plan on scheduling interviews after the first of the New Year.
Working on preparations for benefits renewal effective March 1, 2015.
Held the first Benefits In-Service session with our benefits broker and had 3 employees attend with questions regarding their benefits.
LCSO:
ATV Patrol East Bonita.
Met with Meg Weis from City reference noise complaints on Race Trac Road.
Heavy area check on Hickory Blvd. and beach accesses.
Attended City Council.
Undercover Operation on Beach reference beach burglaries.
Attended/Assisted with Veteran’s Day Ceremony.
Heavy area checks in Gated Communities.
Attended HOA Meeting at Palmira Community.
Attended HOA Meeting at Mediterra Community.
Attended luncheon at Bonita Bay reference security in Bonita Bay.
Attended HOA Meeting at Worthington Country Club.
Provided security and assistance to Code Enforcement reference cleanup on Oak Lane.
Attended pre-meeting for Holiday in the Park and provided security during Holiday in the Park.
Delivered Holiday stockings to Café of Life.
Parks & Rec:
The Community Pool completed the last of the series of Pool safety audits for the year and the staff received the highest rating in each of the audits of exceeds safety standards.
Youth Basketball sign ups have begun at the Recreation Center. Clinics begin next week with the season beginning in January.
Working with JoAnn and the Art in Public Places board for the installation of new art in the parks. One piece to be installed near the Liles Hotel and the other at River Park.
Park staff assisted in the annual Holiday in the Park event at Riverside Park.
Bonita Springs Dog Park almost complete. The irrigation and final landscaping being installed this week. The furnishing will be installed on Monday of next week. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for Tuesday Dec. 16th at 11 am.
Held the final inspection walk thru for the Depot Park restrooms renovation project. Contractor has a punch list of items to be completed before the project is finished.
Participated in the Estero High School Government Day. Toured 2 Estero High School students around the city’s parks.
Completed the quarterly stewardship report for Oak Creek Preserve and submitted to Lee County.
Parks staff working on the annual Waggin and Walkin Dog Walk/Run event which will be the grand opening event for the new Dog Park on January 24th from 10 – 2 pm.
Gave interviews to both the News Press and the Naples Daily News for the opening of the new Dog Park.
Public Works:
City Wide Landscaping: Developed bid package for US 41 and East Terry St landscape projects, circulated for internal review.
Downtown Improvement Project: Met with Wright Construction’s design team to review initial concepts regarding the downtown’s future street scape and drainage infrastructure. Work continues to develop design alternatives in preparation for a public input workshop to be held in early February.
Dog Park: Construction continues, installed landscape rocks and sod, working to finish project up next week. (See Photo).
Florida Yards & Neighbors Workshop: Hosted a Florida friendly landscaping workshop for area residents to highlight the benefits water independent landscapes (See Photo).
East Terry St & Morton Ave Conveyances: Began to re-grade the swale systems along East Terry St and Morton Ave. to ensure positive drainage flow.
Oak Creek Dredging: Developed bid package for internal review for Oak Creek Dredging Phase II.
Leitner Creek Neighborhood Sidewalk: Held pre-bid meeting for the sidewalk project.
Unpaved Roads Phase III: Drove phase III roadways to assess existing conditions in order to prepare cost estimates (See Photo).
As always, should you have questions regarding this, please let us know!
u:\admin assistant 2\senior staff\whats going on\what's going on 2014\administration - what's going on - 12-12-14.doc1