Bonita Springs City Council voted on several ordinances, administrative items and agreements during the meeting. The items below summarize each formal action, the outcome of council votes and key details discussed at the meeting.

Why it matters: Collectively these votes guide local land-use processes, adjust city contracting and event schedules, and establish priorities the city will carry to the upcoming legislative session.

Votes at a glance
• Vivid Shores Community Development District (second reading ordinance): The council approved Ordinance establishing the Vivid Shores Community Development District pursuant to section 190.005(2), Florida Statutes, describing district boundaries and naming initial board members. The ordinance passed on second reading by roll call vote. (Refer to transcript passage where ordinance language was read and the roll call was taken.)

• Dean Street RPD mediated settlement and expedited review: The council authorized staff to proceed with a mediated agreement reached under the Florida Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution process. Staff said the mediated plan reduces density (staff estimated “another 15 or 20%” reduction) and that the revised agreement calls for the matter to return to council for first and second reading by Oct. 15 with a plan mirroring the mediated concept. Council voted to move forward with that settlement.

• Grey Robinson fee arrangement update: Council approved an updated fee arrangement for the city attorney’s firm to reflect current government rates; staff said the hourly rate would move from $225 to $300. The council recorded a roll-call vote in favor.

• Fiesta Bonita contract revision and event postponement: Council approved amending the agreement with the event vendor so the event deposits are held and the event will be scheduled at Riverside Park in the spring 2026 season rather than in the fall 2025 cycle. The council recorded a roll-call vote approving the change.

• 2026 legislative priorities: Council approved the city’s 2026 legislative priorities (the item is not in priority order according to staff). The list covers transportation and infrastructure issues, funding priorities and other state-level requests for the mayor and staff to carry to meeting(s) with state legislators.

• Solicitation of auditors (RFP) and selection committee appointment: Council appointed itself as the selection committee and directed staff to issue an RFP for independent audit services per Florida statute; staff will screen proposals for legal sufficiency and return with recommendations.

• Consent agenda: The council approved the consent agenda items included in the packet (roll call recorded unanimous ayes for the consent motion).

Other notes from the meeting
• City staff and council discussed permitting timelines and new state-imposed review deadlines that affect local processing of zoning and permit applications; staff stated those statutory timelines place the primary burden on municipalities to meet review windows.
• Community development staff briefed the council on ongoing development activity and automated permitting capabilities; staff said automated permitting tools have advanced but require significant data loading and quality-control work before they can handle complex zoning and easement checks reliably.

Ending: Council members and staff agreed to follow up on implementation details for the approved items (for example, the mediated Dean Street plan returning by Oct. 15 and the RFP for auditors returning to council at a later date).