Votes at a glance: Lee County Commission approves airport grants, affordable housing award intent, Cape Coral bridge actions and other items

At its Aug. 5 session the Lee County Board of County Commissioners approved a slate of administrative, consent and project-resolution actions. The following is a concise summary of outcomes from today’s meeting; items below appear in the record with the agenda item number noted.

- Item 81 — Port Authority FAA grants (approved unanimously): The board authorized the Port Authority’s executive director to execute documents related to Federal Aviation Administration grants to acquire two aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles and to rehabilitate taxiways Alpha 2 and Delta 3 at Page Field. (Motion carried unanimously.)

- Item 82 — CDBG-DR intent to award: South Ward Village Phase 2 (approved unanimously): The board issued a contingent, nonbinding intent to award up to $18,875,000 in CDBG-DR funds for the City of Fort Myers Housing Authority–sponsored South Ward Village Phase 2, a proposed 102-unit affordable rental development. Staff noted this action authorizes negotiations and due diligence; final award terms will return to the board. The housing authority’s executive director told commissioners the project anticipates closing in October with a groundbreaking to follow.

- Item 83 — Cape Coral Bridge project: project resolution acceptance (approved unanimously): County staff reported that the Florida Department of Transportation accepted the location and design concept for the preferred Cape Coral Bridge build alternative, clearing the way for design, federal/state funding pursuit and right-of-way acquisition to proceed. The board accepted the PD&E study recommendation and authorized staff to proceed.

- Item 84 — Cape Coral Bridge: resolutions of necessity for right-of-way acquisition (approved unanimously): The board adopted resolutions of necessity to enable voluntary and involuntary right-of-way acquisition along the MacGregor corridor for the Cape Coral Bridge replacement project; staff will proceed to request approval of resolution of necessity for acquisitions.

- Item 85 — Del Webb Oak Creek Community Development District boundary extension (approved unanimously): The board found the petition legally sufficient and voted to expand the CDD boundaries as proposed.

- Item 86 — Boca Grande parking ordinance (approved unanimously; see separate article): The board adopted the Boca Grande parking ordinance with several amendments (three-hour downtown limit; Bayou Ave exception for charters; nonprofit volunteer language; higher driveway-blocking fine) and directed staff to implement maps/signage and form an advisory panel.

- Item 87 — Solid-waste assessment rates (approved 3–2): The board adopted a phased 12% combined assessment increase split over two years (see separate article for discussion and follow-up directions). Staff will finalize the assessment roll and return with reserve accounting and a proposal for routine increases.

- Lee Cares CDBG-DR reopening (approved unanimously): Staff received board authorization to reopen the Lee Cares application window for certain Hurricane Ian applicants after identifying approximately 20 applicants who authorized staff to accept additional applications.

- Commission appointments (approved unanimously): The board approved several routine reappointments and new appointments to boards and committees (listed in the minutes). The board also directed staff to create a formal administrative-code advisory committee for Boca Grande parking and return with a codified charge and membership for ratification.

Ending: For items that authorized negotiations or contingent awards (notably the CDBG-DR intent to award), staff will return with final contracts, award terms or implementing language for further board action.