During the meeting, council members discussed the introduction of an ordinance that would allow temporary uses in certain zoning districts following natural disasters or other emergency situations. This ordinance is designed to provide clarity and to specify the conditions under which temporary commercial activities could be carried out. The council debated the definition of “similar business” and the potential impact on existing businesses, with the possibility of litigation due to regulatory changes. Concerns were also raised about setting a sunset date for temporary use permits to prevent indefinite extensions, with several timeframes suggested for the provision’s duration.

Another point of discussion was the proposal to amend the town’s purchasing policy, increasing the town manager’s spending limit from $25,000 to $75,000. The aim is to grant the town manager greater flexibility to manage day-to-day operations while ensuring transparency and accountability in procurement. The council considered the implications for the budgeting process. Discussions also touched on the importance of budgeting for planned expenses and the practical implications of streamlining the procurement process.

The council gave attention to the resolution for STA number 11 Coastal Engineering Consultants Inc, which involved construction phase services for the North burm project. Members expressed appreciation for the efforts on this project and unanimously approved the resolution, recognizing its potential benefits for the community.

Deliberation on the purchasing policy included amendments to comply with the purchasing ordinance and outlined the requirements for different purchase amounts, including the need for written and verbal quotes. The council also discussed the selection advisory committee process, which involves town management selecting directors to review bidder qualifications. There was a focus on ensuring transparency and public involvement, particularly for bids exceeding $250,000.

The council conducted the first reading and public hearing on an ordinance reaffirming the qualifying period for Town Council candidates for the upcoming November 2024 election. This measure was taken in response to a request from the supervisor of elections to streamline the candidate qualification timeline.

A community member proposed ideas for modifying traffic flow, particularly to accommodate electric vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. The suggestion included using the bus lane over the bridge for electric vehicles and creating a one-way flow to alleviate congestion. The council took note of the proposal, which aims to improve accessibility and reduce traffic bottlenecks.

Updates were also given on the town’s interactions with FEMA and the urgency expressed due to a 30-day window to provide additional information. The issue of non-compliant structures was a point of debate, with concerns about effective enforcement and the process for addressing these properties. The discussion on transparency continued with the handling of two separate lists of unsafe structures from FEMA and the town, and the legal considerations surrounding the implementation of a policy for their removal.

The meeting included a discussion about the potential for allowing 24-hour trucking of sand for a beach renourishment project. The council weighed the noise impact against potential cost savings and instructed staff to gather more information on both options. There was also a request for a breakdown of submitted and obligated FEMA funds for reimbursements.

Lastly, the council covered updates on the harbor management plan, considering longer-term boat stays, and expressed intent to participate in the Lee County Commissioner’s meeting concerning the peer contract. A request for discussions on permitting practices and the lighting plan for Estero Boulevard was made, along with the need for updates on debris cleanup and funding for Times Square beach access.