[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6269190,"mediaKeyId","3045098-03003e910a6492e5f584434d0d4cb947","parentId",3045098,"title","Council asks staff to study consolidation of planning, zoning and other advisory boards","audioSeconds",235,"startMs",3909000,"endMs",4144000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3045098-03003e910a6492e5f584434d0d4cb947&start=3909&end=4144","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3045098-03003e910a6492e5f584434d0d4cb947/thumbnail_3909000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6269190/Bonita-Springs-City/Lee-County/Florida/Council-asks-staff-to-study-consolidation-of-planning-zoning-and-other-advisory-boards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269190-d5d0df56a6282a9d2aaed2d0e9da3e54/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190606&Signature=bEGtfBWq~43F8pr25Wqg787nOh~p5rK4DNKCJ4nN0ky8WwVlwcHliY-I59bM17fnZ6Tgg7MrdqM8v3pJn0dwJn8LVK3~eW9MjDY5ZSEskqEPQ7tJxyOu3GfT6l6tSJnjlI76wjrS0gGg9BtDhgENoiTluc6QvePGkImZ1oP9v5VQNskM3FmEEWQeAPxZv9ZO58w17vKlBt9by8ZbOfQIvCaoMbYpjqjqIfwk8h426KO9bZ~ISFx4aLNz3mhdbEaYDVHgKaG-UqjIIQgCQKGru1S470c6M6ef0iGFy8aQ3ItRhsnyEQbSEvyVEFeTFFe5gPvPkO8y16b7Xi-0KNTR0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Bonita Springs, FL","date","2025-04-18T04:30:53.897Z","article","Bonita Springs councilmembers asked staff on April 16 to return with proposals to consolidate the local planning agency (LPA), the zoning board and several advisory committees, aiming to speed project reviews and reduce duplicative hearings.

At the council's strategic workshop earlier this year, members discussed combining boards to allow a single panel to review holistic land-use, zoning and design issues. Staff told the council that the change would require code amendments and careful attention to statutory requirements, including designated seats for some boards under state reporting.

\"The purpose of these boards were advisory boards to assist council in making decisions, bringing things to our attention, not to work at odds with us,\" said Councilmember Nigel, urging retirement of committees that had become adversarial. Several council members said consolidation could improve review efficiency but stressed the need to preserve the statutory functions of the LPA and zoning review.

City staff and the city attorney said combining panels would require administrative-code and land-development-code amendments and that some committees' statutory reporting and membership rules (for example, historic and tree-board seats) would need to be preserved in any new structure. Staff proposed initial consolidation targets: local planning agency, zoning board, historical preservation board and possibly the tree board; staff will survey existing board liaisons and return with recommendations on membership size, expertise requirements and a draft code amendment.

Council also voted earlier in the meeting to forward approved advisory-board minutes to council members once boards approve minutes; the change was intended to improve council oversight of committee activity. That procedural change passed by roll call.

Why it matters
Council members said timing conflicts among separate advisory panels sometimes extend project schedules. Consolidation could reduce the number of hearings a project must attend and give council more comprehensive advisory review in a single forum; conversely, some members said separate LPA review preserves the long-range plan perspective and statutory review functions.

What's next
Staff will: (1) survey council liaisons to advisory boards; (2) draft options for merging defined boards, including membership, required expertise and any statutory seat protections; and (3) bring code amendment language and an implementation timeline to a future council meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Bonita Springs, City council meeting, April 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmembers directed staff to prepare options to consolidate the local planning agency, zoning board and several other advisory committees to streamline reviews and reduce scheduling delays; staff will return with code-change options and membership proposals.","taxTitle","Bonita Springs City, Lee County, Florida","taxId",3827,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6269194,"Bonita Springs council says Lee County School Board unresponsive on elementary-school preservation; staff directed to explore legal options",257,3015000,3272000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3045098-03003e910a6492e5f584434d0d4cb947&start=3015&end=3272","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3045098-03003e910a6492e5f584434d0d4cb947/thumbnail_3015000.jpg","/articles/6269194/Bonita-Springs-City/Lee-County/Florida/Bonita-Springs-council-says-Lee-County-School-Board-unresponsive-on-elementary-school-preservation-staff-directed-to-explore-legal-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269194-aa1038d8504b2586662123f3135376c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190606&Signature=LD9jP5OHrN-jrhFZDVRq4gYz3VSTcSvzKwzR5sY2eDBVqQbaHvcn0v--B9PvU5GdWMLXifiUxkysAMNBLDlJzU~kVsU0sDCXaqqCdZPjLT~8wlutHkPbkyxT81D2V1ZdWRZSF22mhGGnKTQ3BIQcnIxs53zLyzXcvsTCeKIu4wmGHEU-T1blj~vfeMiDi14xX-NQjyuKt40ATCgRMppljYt5-vh6rUqnJM1WpMBNXP04O-AXTEE96xPIwcbeDFADscOuCZDYjRKsfK9Bxz-EyPe612s6ScHkQffDF5x8u7Q35KMtximwX76B~X~i~ibj7I~WUafcr6AIUpSkzT6pXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bonita Springs councilmembers on April 16 expressed frustration with the Lee County School Board's handling of Bonita Springs Elementary and directed staff to consult the city attorney about possible next steps after roughly 10 months of meetings and enquiries.

Councilwoman Follick told colleagues that city staff and council members repeatedly tried to engage the school board about preserving a small historic section of the damaged school, but \"as of this date, as of our last meeting, we have had absolutely no communications from the school board.\" She said the city's engineers determined the older exterior walls could not be repaired and the school would need to be rebuilt, but the city had asked only that the board replicate a 40-foot by 17.5-foot section of the building to retain a visible historic element.

Follick said architects and engineers estimated replicating that small section would cost between $150,000 and $250,000 (the school board had previously indicated $300,000). \"All we've asked them for at the end of the day was to replicate a 40 foot by 17 and a half foot, section of the building,\" she said.

Council members said they had pursued the issue in good faith and asked the board's newly elected superintendent and other officials for responses that did not materialize. Follick said the only return calls had come from a single board member and that further delay suggested the city should escalate.

After discussion, the council directed staff and the city attorney to draft a letter and explore legal options to press the school board to respond. The record shows council sought a legal path that would compel a formal reply and potentially secure the requested replication detail; the council did not vote on a specific lawsuit or take a formal legal action at the meeting. City staff said they would report back with options and cost estimates.

Why it matters
Bonita Springs said the damaged elementary school is one of few locally historic public buildings; council members argued that retaining a visible section of the original structure would preserve community memory. Councilmembers also noted the school's functional state — students have used portable classrooms for years — but said that does not negate the city's request for historic recognition.

What's next
Staff will meet with the city attorney to draft a letter to the Lee County School Board and develop potential legal steps; council members asked staff to return with cost estimates and a proposed approach. No litigation was authorized at the April 16 meeting; the council approved only direction to staff to pursue legal consultation and next steps.","Councilmembers said the Lee County School Board has not responded to repeated requests to preserve a small historic portion of Bonita Springs Elementary. Council gave staff direction to consult the city attorney about next steps, including legal avenues, after 10 months of limited communication.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6269199,"Bonita Springs council approves line of credit to keep rail-trail purchase on track",5790,580000,6370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3045098-03003e910a6492e5f584434d0d4cb947&start=580&end=6370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3045098-03003e910a6492e5f584434d0d4cb947/thumbnail_580000.jpg","/articles/6269199/Bonita-Springs-City/Lee-County/Florida/Bonita-Springs-council-approves-line-of-credit-to-keep-rail-trail-purchase-on-track","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269199-62fe0423b6e3efef1361308ec50becb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190606&Signature=RFrfeFO55ffFpIhd2AMpCGsSHsXERDDKq9q9RldeUZmWmeHAPhbDf9hzpDz-UGMjb5bBgCGvNcTULn2pk684k0M3HSnlOqtUni1ssa3frw86wOKrVpt48l0HY0eKQsy-i9mqV90wuBtXMc8B1tQq47K8omB47v1zPI5laI1gElKc6FS~zHzIrrAxRZ9L-ah8HQAb0fYQ968GzRzaZ0rgHHDZH738h19V7z9aMaQiJhmXXqycol2x6x~JWQiNkgfLJ4CWKf9Iz18t1oDO6zquOIsof2-baTqVKA14bg0kWKjmE5sfQq-sE9OsygYunRvECZjlBEBtk0WEcZuuIwR7Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bonita Springs City Council voted 6–1 on April 16 to authorize staff to secure an interim line of credit to support the city's potential purchase of the Bonita Estero Rail Trail corridor.

The approval gives city leaders the ability to draw interim financing while the project's sponsors and partners pursue state and federal grants and private donations. The action does not obligate the city to immediately draw funds.

Advocates filled the council chamber during public comment and repeatedly urged the council to act so the project would remain eligible for three upcoming grant rounds. \"The commitment that you make today will increase the likelihood for success with grants from private, state, and federal levels,\" said Deb Orton of Friends of the Bonita Estero Rail Trail. Multiple business owners and longtime residents spoke about safety, health and tourism benefits.

Finance staff and the city's financial adviser presented options for interim and long-term financing. Julie Santamaria of PFM Financial Advisors told councilors the city is \"in a very strong financial position\" and outlined three examples: a 15-year bank loan, a 20-year bank loan and a 30-year public bond. Santamaria said a $15 million draw taken in full would translate to roughly $600,000 to $1.4 million in annual debt service depending on the final structure and term.

Councilmember Jesse moved to approve obtaining the line of credit; the motion was seconded (second not specified in the record) and carried in a roll-call vote: Councilmember Corey, Aye; Councilmember Fullick, Aye; Councilmember Fitzpatrick, Aye; Councilmember Bogaz, Aye; Deputy Mayor Purdon, Aye; Councilmember Carr, No; Mayor Mike Gibson, Aye. The clerk recorded the motion as approved, 6'to'1.

Mayor Gibson and other council members said the line of credit is intended to be a short-term tool to preserve grant eligibility and allow the city and project partners time to finalize fundraising. Finance Director Lisa Robertson and consultant Santamaria said the line of credit typically carries an undrawn fee and would be converted to long-term financing later if the city draws funds.

Supporters told the council the project could attract tourists, increase downtown business and improve safety for cyclists and students. \"It will create a safe, vibrant corridor that welcomes bikers, walkers, runners, and nature lovers,\" Wolf Moon Cafe owner Clara Facilione said. Local business leaders and nonprofit volunteers described fundraising already under way and named specific statewide programs the project has applied for, including the Florida Wildlife Corridor, Florida Forever and the SunTrails Acquisition Fund.

Council discussion acknowledged the project's scale and the fiscal trade-offs. Councilmember Jim Magnus, a longtime project supporter, described the line of credit as a \"signal\" to grant-makers and donors. Councilmember Fitzpatrick and others asked staff to return with long-term financing scenarios during the city's FY2026 budget process.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Authorize staff to obtain interim financing (line of credit) to preserve acquisition options for the Bonita Estero Rail Trail; mover: Councilmember Jesse; second: not specified; Outcome: Approved, 6'to'1; tally: Yes 6, No 1 (Councilmember Carr). Notes: City will not necessarily draw immediately; staff to return with long-term financing options and explore bond rating/bond-insurance options.
- Related council actions during the same meeting are summarized below (see \"Other council actions\" section).

Why it matters
The council's vote keeps the city positioned to meet grant application deadlines in coming months while donor and partner commitments are secured. Backers said a local funding pledge increases competitiveness for state grants and private donations; opponents and some council members warned the city must ensure other capital and operating needs are not displaced if grant funding fails to materialize.

What's next
Staff will proceed to place a line of credit and return to council with contract terms, draft long-term financing scenarios (bank loan versus bond), and recommendations about whether to request a municipal bond rating. Project backers and staff said they will continue grant applications and donor solicitations in parallel.

","After hours of public testimony in favor, the City of Bonita Springs voted 6–1 to authorize staff to obtain a line of credit—up to $15 million—to preserve the Bonita Estero Rail Trail acquisition while grant decisions are pending.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council asks staff to study consolidation of planning, zoning and other advisory boards

Bonita Springs council says Lee County School Board unresponsive on elementary-school preservation; staff directed to explore legal options

Bonita Springs council approves line of credit to keep rail-trail purchase on track