Just to keep you informed, as of March 14, 2014, here is a brief synopsis of things being worked
on/or accomplished in your City.
City Manager’s Office
 Met with Paul Van Buskirk, Arleen Hunter and John Dulmer to discuss an Urban Land
Institute (ULI) presentation that will be held in City Council Chambers in May.
 Staff had a meeting to discuss and finalize the plan for commercial landscaping to take
back to City Council.
 Attended a meeting with residents, Councilman Gibson and John Dulmer to discuss a
wall on Edenbridge.
 Mayor and City Manager met and made a presentation to Mr. Steve Haggerty, Global
Head of Real Estate and Development of Hyatt Hotels regarding annexation.
 Attended the REISS luncheon along with Arleen Hunter, Director of Development
Services, where Jeff Albritten, President, Edison State College provided an update on the
school’s growth and role in the region’s future.
 Participated in the Lion's Silly Fashion Show - Easter Parade and spaghetti dinner to
benefit the Lion’s Club of Bonita Springs. Great fun!!
 Met with Wil Scott of Marbles along with Arleen Hunter and Lisa Pace to discuss
Economic Development Incentives.
 Met with Senior Staff to conduct staff Performance Appraisal Calibration.
 Attended regional meeting with FEMA reps relative to upcoming remapping initiative
relative to coastal communities. This could result in new Flood Insurance Studies and
Flood Insurance Rate Maps for our area by 2017.
 Met with county staff at Emergency Operations Center to coordinate future training and
shelter use opportunities.
 Met, along with City Attorney, with Scott Duval, newest member of Citizens Water
Strategy Task Force in order to bring him up to speed on activities of the group so far,
and to gather input as to possible future options and suggestions for the Task Force to
consider.
City Clerk:
 The front desk/reception staff greeted 247 guests and directed 487 calls to various
departments from March 3, 2014 through March 14, 2014.
 The City Clerk’s office responded to 15 public records requests through March 14, 2014.
 Enhanced landscaping has been planted at City Hall.
 Karen Davis, Office Assistant/Receptionist, was awarded the designation of “Certified
Guest Service Professional” through the Lee County Tourist Development Council. Good
job, Karen!
Communications Department:
Events:
 Processing Special Event Permit for YMCA Gruesome Twosome Adventure Race.
 Processing Special Event Permit for Village Band 2014/15 concert dates.
 Last Movie in the Park is being held March 22nd.
 Processing Special Event Permit for Bonita Brewfest.
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 Processing Special Event Permit for Family Fun Fest.
 Processing Special Event Permit for SWFL Big Band Concert Dates 2014/15.
 Working on Celebrate Bonita Event.
 Held Brick Installation for the Memorial Brick Walkway.
 Processing Special Event Permit for Bonita Bay Community Picnic.
 Memorial Day Planning.
 Attended a walk-through for Bonita Blues Fest and monitored sound levels during event.
 Attended a Veterans Advisory Board Meeting.
 Attended Special Events Committee Meeting.
 Processing Special Event Permit Bonita Bay Easter Egg Hunt.
 Assisted with the National Art Festival.
Web:
 Updates made to City Web & Social Media.
 Attended a webinar to discuss a new feature called SeeClickFix.
 Researched the City’s website to see what is American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA)
compliant.
 Updates added to slider section of homepage.
BTV:
 Bulletin Board updating, and BTV98 monitoring observed daily.
 Bulletin Board on BTV had technical issues over the weekend due to server. Antonio
worked with IT to resolve the issue.
Press releases/Media:
 The City of Bonita Springs is a Big Believer in Education.
 Bonita Springs Salon Receives National Award for Being One of the Top 200 in North
America.
 Register a Team for the Celebrate Bonita Chili Cook-off.
 Sections of Old US 41 will be closed for the National Art Festival this Weekend.
 Free Showing of the Movie Despicable Me 2 in Bonita Springs.
 Riverside Park in downtown Bonita Springs Now Offers Free Wi-Fi.
Waiting to release:
 Bonita Springs Community Development Launches New Permitting Services Web Portal
 Photos taken for Mural program downtown.
Advertising:
 Radio ads and DJ promos are airing on Gator Country and Cat Country for Celebrate
Bonita.
 Print ads for Celebrate Bonita are being printed in Bonita Banner, News Press, Coastal
Living, Spotlight and Naples Daily News.
 Over 4,000 flyers printed and delivered to local schools promoting Celebrate & Movies
in the Park.
Development Services:
 Jennifer Hager attended the Urban Land Institute (ULI) forum: All Eyes on Estero:
Building a Healthy Place on March 12th. Discussion was centered around Estero and
how area leaders have the opportunity to build a healthy community using ULI’s Ten
Principles for Building Healthy Places. These principles can be applied to the local
growing area to make it designed for people, rather than automobile, centered around
wellness and building community.
 Community Development continues to schedule complimentary pre-application
meetings with residents and businesses. This week staff has met with the Pelican
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Landing Community Association regarding potential improvements for parking,
circulation, pavilions, and other structures at their existing marina. The Bonita Estero
Association of Realtors, located with the Downtown Overlay, discussed proposed
improvements to their building and their eligibility for economic incentives.
 Olde Town Commons, the first residential infill project within the Downtown Overlay
has been submitted for site plan review. The project includes ten neo-traditional twostory townhomes with individual rear loaded garages and alley access. The developer
will expand Wilson Street, between Horne and Dortch Avenue, with on-street parallel
parking and street trees.
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Project Updates:
 RacTrac Fuel @ Bonita Beach and Racetrack Road continues their aggressive
construction schedule. Underground tanks have been set and turn lane construction
underway. The building and fuel canopy should be completed in May with an opening
scheduled this summer. The Family Dollar Store plans to start construction on the
adjacent site as soon as the turn lane is completed on Bonita Beach Road.
 Center of Bonita - Paving of the north parking area (Phase 1) will be complete early next
month. The Publix contractor will move in to finish the inside work in May with an
opening planned for July. Once the new Publix opens the site contractor will quickly
move into Phase 2 and complete the south end around the old Publix. The new Verizon
Store (along Bonita Beach Road) should also be completed this summer.
 Bonita Bay Lake Renovation – Construction to repair lake banks adjacent to several
homes in this community continue. To prevent future property damage seawalls and
permanent slope protection has been used.
 Starbuck/Tides on 41 - Building demolition has been completed and site construction
will start this month. Minor revisions to the new building plans are required prior to
construction.
 American House - Site clearing is near completion and lake excavation will begin soon.
Contractor hopes to complete underground work and building pads by May, Developer
plans completion of Phase 1 and 2 in the first quarter of 2015.
 WCI has accelerated construction of Phase 2 of in the Terrazzo Community in the
Colony. Final drainage inspections will be scheduled this month with several triplex
units are under construction in this new phase. Models are open to the public and
several units occupied in Phase 1.
 Development in the WCI Ceilo Community nears completion. Multi-story units are
under construction and the joint final inspection by Lee County and the City will be
scheduled next month. The Sales Center on Coconut Road with removed soon with
minor modifications to the construction gated access.
 Bonita National golf course property (east Bonita) has been cleared and lake excavation
continues. The large sales center on Bonita Beach Road will soon be open to the public.
 Reserves at Silverstone – This site on Bonita Beach Road and east of I-75 is being cleared
and a Blasting Permit issued. The site has been cleared and lake excavation should
begin soon.
 Toll Brothers Bonita Lakes - A Minor Change to the Development Order has been
submitted prior to starting the last two phases of this Community. Several new lots will
be available for sale by late summer.
 D.R. Horton Paloma – A new section of developed lots has been completed and several
new models open to the public. The Amenity Center property will soon be opened to
the residents.
 Home Dynamics Corporation (Natura at Bonita Fairways) has submitted a Development
Order for review by staff. This project will consist of 204 semi attached townhouse units
on 27 acres located in Bonita Fairways. Note: This land is not on the golf course.
 Mayhood Dog Park - Plans are under review for the 9 acre City of Bonita Springs Dog
Park. The park will include paved parking, paths and sidewalks, and 3 separated areas
for dogs to play. An open air shelter will be included on site.
Finance:
 Staff has completed the Audited Financial Statements. The report was presented to City
Council on March 5, 2014.
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 Staff will begin the reporting process for the Audit Report.
 IT has installed the computer upgrades necessary for the new accounting software. The
software has been downloaded will be installed on the server the week of March 17,
2014 which is primary piece of the implementation timeline.
 Staff is working with the software consultant designing new account coding to improve
and continue to comply with state reporting requirements.
 Staff continues to consolidate our vendor listing for conversion into the new accounting
software.
 Staff completed End of Cycle performance evaluations.
 Staff met with Public Works and Parks and Rec for Capital Project Carryover discussions.
 Staff drafted the General Fund Capital Carryover budget amendment.
 Staff drafted a budget amendment for the 2013-2014 debt service which is the result of
several research projects related to type and applicability of funding sources for the
Downtown Redevelopment Project debt service.
 Training continues for our new Accounting Technician, Renee Everett and new
Supervising Accountant, Kristina Baller.
 Staff began preparations for the 2014-2015 budget cycle. Staff has confirmed dates for
the budget workshop and hearings.
 Staff began preparing departmental budget packets which enables the departments to
gather data for their 2014-2015 budget requests.
 We have completed our City revenue manual which formally documents the legal
authority for all fees collected.
LCSO:
 Closed Old US 41 Rd and provided security for Movies in the Park.
 Conducted pro-active patrol on Hickory Blvd and on Beach Accesses.
 Traffic Operation in San Remo.
 Attended City Council Meeting.
 Attended VFW Luncheon which honored a Deputy of the Year.
 Traffic Op E. Terry Street and Oliver Drive.
 Closed roads for Art Fest.
 Provided traffic control for St. Leo’s Church on Ash Wednesday.
Parks & Rec:
 Met with Dennis Slabaugh regarding American’s with Disabilities Act compliance for all
indoor Park Facilities.
 Remediation of the Old Recreation Center building is now complete.
 The Cullum’s Bonita Trail signage has returned, but was cut in half. A new sign has been
ordered, but we will hold off on installing until after a ribbon cutting ceremony
sometime in April.
 Continuing Work with the Café of Life for permitting requirements for signage for the
new park.
 Discussed the moving of the Gopher Tortoises on the proposed Dog Park site with Craig
Schmittler. Permit has been applied for through Florida Wildlife Commission.
 Met with Stantec to review final plans of the Dog Park. Land Development order has
been sent in to Community Development for approval.
 Met with Lisa Pace and Kristina Baller on CIP project carryover for next year’s budget
 Parks and Recreation maintenance staff worked with Lora on the Art show.
 Met with Carl, John G and Matt Feeney regarding emergency vehicle access on the
Mayhood Property for Spanish Gardens community.
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 Met with John Robinson with the Adrenaline Pro Soccer team for summer camps for
kids.
 Attended the evaluation calibration training for department heads.
Public Works:
 Shangri-La Road: Construction continues: FP&L began power pole relocations. Cross
drains installation continues (See Photo).
 Imperial River Snag: Inspected Imperial River for flow-way obstructions, identified
downed cabbage palms for removal (See Photo).
 Citywide Landscape Initiative: Met with City Landscape Architect Chris Busk to review
30% landscape plans for US 41 from the Imperial River north to West Terry St.
intersection.
 Horne Ave: Reestablished swale grade on east side of Horne Ave; uncovered very large
cap-rock (See Photo) that had obstructed the swales grade!
 Downtown Improvement Project: Met with Chris Campbell and Andy Powell of Wright
Construction to discuss design build construction process.
 Pelican Ridge: Solicited quotations for Pelican Ridge Circle pipe replacement. The storm
water piping has failed and is causing a pothole in the roadway.
 Attended the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Technical Advisory
Committee (TAC) meeting.
As always, should you have questions regarding this, please let us know!
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