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Public commenters urge city action on homelessness, report unexplained utility bills and oppose Midtown sports complex
Summary
Speakers at the Fort Myers council meeting urged council to address sheltering and emergency housing needs; Salus Care reported nearly $300,000 in unpaid water bills at a vacant property and requested staff investigation or fee relief; neighborhood residents opposed a proposed Midtown sports complex.
Public comment at the Dec. 1 Fort Myers council meeting centered on community needs and neighborhood concerns.
Stacy Cook, representing Salus Care, described a sharp and unexplained increase in monthly water bills at a vacant property the nonprofit previously used for behavioral health services. "Right now, we have close to almost $300,000 in back bills," Cook said, explaining Salus Care has paid for leak-detection services and sought utility investigation. Staff advised that an administrative review could be pursued and that a fee waiver — if needed — might require county involvement; staff agreed to investigate and report back.
Willie Jo Schott Miller and other speakers urged city action on emergency and temporary shelter for people experiencing homelessness as winter weather arrives, suggesting cooperative approaches with nonprofits and existing facilities.
Karen Pelletier and other Midtown residents voiced opposition to a proposed sports-complex development by Carden Associates, citing concerns that large, warehouse-style venues with expansive parking would not fit the Midtown vision and could displace planned public spaces. Pelletier said online materials for the developer’s out-of-state projects suggested extensive parking and minimal landscaping and that she would prefer a different kind of development consistent with the Midtown plan.
Why it matters: The comments flagged a potentially large municipal utility-account issue with Salus Care that staff agreed to investigate and raised neighborhood concerns about how Midtown redevelopment proposals align with local planning goals.
City staff and the manager said they would review Salus Care’s billing history and assess administrative and waiver options with the county where applicable, and will report back to the council or handle the matter administratively depending on findings.
