City of Bonita Springs

Council has approved an agreement that will continue the allocation of funding to marine law enforcement activities on our local water ways. On February 17, 2021, City Council approved the submittal of a Lee County Natural Resources Division/WCIND Waterway Development Program Proposal Form for Sub-grantees in the amount of $40,000.00.

Council has approved the recommendation of the Local Planning Agency to amend the city’s Dock and Shoreline Structure Code. The Dock and Shoreline Structures Code was originally adopted as part of the City’s transition land development code in 2000 and was last amended in 2014.

Council has approved a 1 year renewal for the Lion’s Club Farmer’s Market. In 2017, City Council approved a one-year agreement for the Lion’s Club to hold a farmer’s market November 1st – April 30th.

Council has agreed to allow for the dedication of one of the city’s bridges. At the September 2021 Veteran’s Advisory Board meeting, the Committee discussed the dedication of one of the city’s bridges to honor the men and women that have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Council has approved city staff’s recommendation to award American StructurePoint RFQ 21-13 and proceed with design and construction plans for the IBE/Quinn/Downs/Dean West of Imperial Parkway Drainage Improvement Project.

Councilman Fred Forbes(primary),Councilwoman Amy Quaremba (alternate) and city staff were in attendance at the first Southwest Florida Resiliency Compact meeting held at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Emergent Technologies Institute on October 9th.

The public is invited to attend a meeting to discuss the downtown Imperial Crossing redevelopment project. The meeting will begin at 5:30pm on Tuesday, November 2nd at the Bonita Springs Public Library, located at 10560 Reynolds Street, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.

The 2021-2022 Fiscal Year Budget has been approved. On July 7, 2021, Council reviewed the proposed 2021-2022 budget, and a Tentative Budget was approved September 14, 2021.

City of Bonita Springs residents will be able to safely and responsibly dispose of household chemical waste (HCW) such as leftover paints, cleaners, herbicides, pesticides, automotive fluids and pool chemicals on October 6th, 2021.

Lee County DOT, along with their contractor Sewer Viewer, will be inspecting the storm drainage system in Bonita Beach Road.

Come down to Riverside Park on October 16th from 10 am to 2 pm first-ever “Riverside Rally for Clean Water.”

The Lee County Economic Development Office would like to make you aware of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Council has approved a resolution appointing Ron George to the Technology Advisory Board. The committee’s oversight includes all technologies infrastructure-related programs, projects, activities, and facilities.

Council has approved moving forward with a conveyance to transfer of the Old Bonita Springs Library from Lee County to the City of Bonita Springs and has directed City staff to contact the County administration to inquire about initiating the process.

Council and City Staff are actively looking into emerging technologies like 5G connectivity, and other broadband technologies that will fit the needs of the city now and well into the future.

Monoclonal antibody treatments for the COVID-19 virus will be offered free of charge at the Old Bonita Springs Library.

In preparation for the 2021 hurricane season staff has been focused on activities that fall in line with the city’s Emergency Operations Plans to ensure readiness ahead of a projected highly active season.

Save the date September 18th, 2021 because it’s International Coastal Clean-up Day! The City of Bonita Springs is proud to partner with Keep Lee County Beautiful for this event.

The City of Bonita Springs will be an official co-sponsor for the first-ever “Riverside Rally for Clean Water.” The event, which is put on by The Bonita Springs-Estero Association of Realtors will take place at Riverside Park on October 16th from 10 am to 2 pm.

Council has approved adopting a resolution to continue a bike route system created by the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) through the Bonita Springs area. The USBRS is a developing national network of bicycle routes to facilitate bicycle travel on appropriate roads, paths, and highways and to provide connectivity between rural and urban communities. The USBRS currently encompasses 14,000 miles in 31 states and will be over 50,000 miles upon completion.

The Bonita Springs Charter School was presented with a Certificate of Recognition during the August 5th council meeting for their promotion of the Blue Zones Project to encourage healthy lifestyle habits at their school and in our community.

Councilman Fred Forbes (District 6) has been recognized by The Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects as one of seven “Citizen Architects” at their 2021 Convention & Trade Show in Orlando this past July. See the press release below.

American StructurePoint awarded RFQ for Goodwin Street Pedestrian and Drainage Improvement Project

Council has approved the appointment of Angel Cerritos to the city’s Outreach Committee. This appointment will bring the committee to its full participation level of 9 members.

Deputy Mayor Mike Gibson and councilman Jesse Purdon will be representing The City of Bonita Springs as the voting delegate and alternate voting delegate at The Florida League of Cities 95th Annual Conference is scheduled for August 12-14, 2021, at the Word Center Marriott, Orlando, Florida.

Lee County Parks & Recreation will offer free pool admission and free parking on Saturday, July 24, and Sunday, July 25, in recognition of National Park and Recreation Month.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps income-qualified families with home heating and cooling costs. Lee County residents who are income-qualified may apply for assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) online or by calling 239-533-7900 to request a mailed application.

The city will be having its annual July 4th “Star Spangled Bonita” event at Riverside Park located at 10450 Reynolds St, Bonita Springs, FL 34135. The event will begin at 7 pm with live music at the Riverside Park Bandshell, followed by a Golf Cart Glow Parade beginning at approximately 8:30 pm, and a fireworks and laser light show finale at dusk.

Council has accepted the Local Planning Agency’s recommendation to approve an ordinance amending the city’s land development code (LDC) to now include changes to three separate areas of LDC Chapter 4-Zoning. A brief summary and overview of each area is included below:

Council has approved a resolution appointing Robert Lombarbo to the City’s Local Planning Agency has one vacancy. Ordinance No. 00-02, Section 2 states “The Board shall be comprised of 7 members, who shall be legal residents of the City, appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the City Council.” The city received applications from Gerald Benson (District 3) and Robert Lombardo (District 4).

Council has approved the recommendation by the Art in Public Places Board to grant Heather Nigro tenancy for Artist Cottage # 3.

Council has approved moving forward with updating the city’s current Water Conservation and Irrigation Restriction Regulations (Article III Water Conservation – Sec. 42-47) to provide for compliance and consistency with the requirements set by Florida Statutes and the South Florida Water Management District.

Council has approved moving forward with a sub-recipient agreement for the completion of hydraulic modeling study and construction plans for the Citrus Park/East Bonita Stormwater Improvement Project.

The city has been awarded an LWCF grant for the completion of a new skatepark and pump track. The FDEP announced the availability of FY 2019-2020 Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) on a competitive basis on January 13, 2020.

Council has approved a resolution appointing Lynda Waterhouse (District 4) to the City of Bonita Springs Board for Land Use Hearings and Adjustments and Zoning Board of Appeals.

Council has approved a resolution allowing for the purchase of 2 64HP mobile hydraulic pumps and one 225HP power unit at a cost of $289,143.

Council has approved a contract amendment with Alta Planning, Inc. to provide support in the preparation of the RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant application.

Council has approved a resolution awarding Coastal Contere Products LLC the RFB for the West Terry Street Pathway Extension Project (RFB 21-07).

The City of Bonita Springs Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee would like to invite everyone to ‘Bike Safety Day” on Saturday May 22nd from 9am to Noon at the Bonita Springs Recreation Center. See the flyer below for more details!!!

The City of Bonita Springs would like to invite you to our 2021 Memorial Day Ceremony in Riverside Park on Monday, May 31st.

The 2021 Sea Turtle Nesting Season starts on May 1st and runs through October 31st from 9pm to 7am. Below are some guidelines you should follow to make sure this nesting season is a safe one for our marine wildlife.

Council has approved a resolution awarding Pegasus Engineering Request for Qualifications (RFQ# 21-04) for Grant Management Services for the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) projects.

The Florida League of Cities, the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, announced that Bonita Spring’s Councilman Fred Forbes was recently elected to serve on the Florida League of Cities Board of Directors.

Council has approved moving forward with the addition of a kid’s water playground and 2 family restrooms at the city’s pool facility.

City of Bonita Springs residents will be able to safely and responsibly dispose of household chemical waste (HCW) such as leftover paints, cleaners, herbicides, pesticides, automotive fluids and pool chemicals on April 7th, 2021.

Council has approved a resolution awarding Infinite Construction LCC with the Maddox Lane Sidewalk and Drainage Project.

Council has approved moving forward with Florida Power & Light Company’s Underground Facilities Conversion Agreement for West Terry Street from Pine Avenue to Edenbridge Court.

Council has approved Tri-town Construction to complete a series of electrical upgrades that will connect existing businesses in the city to the newly installed underground FPL lines.

Council has approved moving forward with the application process for the West Coast Inland Navigation District grant which provides funding for waterway projects that promote safe navigation and water-based activities. The WCIND (West Coast Inland Navigation District) Waterway Development Program Proposal Form for Sub-grantees is a Lee County waterway grant program provided through the Lee County Natural Resources Division, with applications solicited almost one year in advance of funding.

Council has approved the lease renewal of artist cottage #1, currently occupied by artist Kim Pimentel, and artist cottage #2, currently occupied by Diane Hein and Jennifer Sander, for another one-year lease term.

Council has approved moving forward with phase 2 of the Bonita Springs Community Park Baseball Complex project. Phase 1 of the project, which was completed recently, saw several improvements to the facility including repair ADA compliant issues, storm-water improvements, upgraded pedestrian hardscaping, and landscaping.

Fort Myers, FL, Jan. 29, 2021 – Pine Lake Preserve, 27225 Kent Road, Bonita Springs, will be closed for an environmental restoration project starting on Monday, Feb. 1.

The state has soft-launched its online pre-registration system for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Veteran’s Memorial Walkway Brick Program is a wonderful way to honor and provide a permanent tribute to Veterans.

Council has agreed to move forward with a sub-recipient agreement with Lee county that would provide funding for Multi-use Paths throughout the city.

Bonita Springs is dedicated to making sure it’s citizens are informed and aware of useful resources that will help guide them during potential and hazard and emergency situations.

Council has decided to move forward with the purchase and sales agreement for the Rooftop at Riverside.

On November 4th,2020 the city advertised for sealed bids for Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Approved Luminaire Retro-Fit Kits to convert existing decorative streetlights from conventional high-pressure sodium bulbs to an LED Luminaire Retrofit.

During the FY2019-2020 legislative session, the City outlined a request for funds to develop infrastructure plans for the Imperial Bonita Estates/Quinn/Downs/Dean West of Imperial Parkway Area.

Mayor Steinmeyer has appointed the following persons as chairs of the Boards and Committees listed below.

The Florida Department of Health and Lee County government will launch a reservation system and a new, larger site for free COVID-19 vaccinations for frontline healthcare workers and people age 65 and older.

Fort Myers, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) is offering COVID-19 vaccine to high-risk frontline health care workers and those 65 and older. DOH-Lee staff will have 300 doses of vaccine available at each site. Sites are supported by Lee County Public Safety.

The City of Bonita Springs would like to thank everyone that participated in the 2020 Downtown Holiday Lighting Contest.

City of Bonita Springs residents will be able to safely and responsibly dispose of household chemical waste (HCW) such as leftover paints, cleaners, herbicides, pesticides, automotive fluids and pool chemicals on January 6, 2021.

Council has adopted a resolution reappointing members with terms expiring on December 31st, that have expressed interest in continuing for another term for the following boards/committees: Bonita Springs Historic Preservation Board, Art in Public Places Board, Bicycle Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee, Technology Advisory Board, Street Light Advisory Committee, and the Special Events Committee.

Council has decided to extend the property owner agreement with Benson’s Grocery regarding the mural located on the north side of the building.

TSI Disaster Recovery, LLC has been awarded RFB-20-21 Pine Lake Preserve Re-Hydration Project. Sealed bids for this project were advertised on October 28, 2020 and a total of 3 were received by December 10th, 2020.

Come to downtown Bonita from December 1st through the 15th between the hours of 5pm to 9pm to view the holiday décor of businesses participating in this year's Holiday Lighting Contest.

The City of Bonita Springs has been featured in the 2020 Florida Municipal Communication Association “Outstanding Showcase” for Municipal Website Category.

Mayor Rick Steinmeyer and the council have unanimously elected District 5 councilman Mike Gibson as the deputy mayor.

Council has approved city staff’s recommendation to award Singhofen & Associates Inc RFQ 20-04 and proceed with the development of a Hydrologic Study and Construction plans for the Logan Boulevard Regional Floodway Drainage Project.