ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD

MINUTES - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD June 5, 2025 1 | P a g e The Economic Development Advisory Board of the City of Fort Myers, Florida, met in regular session at Oscar M. Corbin, Jr. City Hall, 2200 Second Street, a meeting place in the City of Fort Myers, Florida, on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 2:02 p.m. Present were: Chair Dennis Landfried, presiding, Vice Chair Orie Lee Ford (Arrived at 2:06 p.m.), Regular Board Members Ken Pariser, Jerome Miller, Gladston Clarke (Arrived at 2:03 p.m.), and Alternate Member Nannette Maxson, and Duane Dyar. Also present was Ronald Dente, Deputy City Attorney. Absent: Board Member John Kakatsch and Steven Weathers, Economic Development Director. CALL TO ORDER Chair Landfried called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Landfried led the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENTS (None) REGULAR ITEMS 1. Approve Minutes of the May 1, 2025 meeting MOTION: Board Member Pariser moved to approve the May 1, 2025 meeting minutes; seconded by Board Member Maxson; motion carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS 1. Update on the City’s welcome signage by Peter Bieniek, Public Works Director Peter Bieniek, Public Works Director, gave a brief update on the Citywide welcome signs by presenting the sign design renderings chosen by the City Council and outlining the locations: (1) North Fort Myers – US 41, (2) Palm Beach Blvd & Prospect Avenue, (3) Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd near I-75, (4) Cleveland Ave (Boy Scout Rd or Fowler St), and (5) Colonial Blvd at I- 75. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) permitting is in progress, manufacturing and installation will begin after the permit approval, and the estimated completion date is the end of 2025. Discussion ensued regarding locations, design, cost, and maintenance. 2. Cleveland Avenue Plan Update by Mellone Long, Community Redevelopment Agency Assistant Director Xavier Colon, Redevelopment Manager, stated that he is filling in for Dr. Long, and gave a brief update of the Cleveland Avenue Redevelopment Plan including the study area, project area, summary of past public workshops, map of area, and the master plan. The master plan focus areas include: (1) gateways and connectivity, (2) urban design, (3) transportation and mobility, (4) infrastructure, and (5) economic development. The next step is the City Council Public Hearing scheduled for June 16, 2025 to approve Ordinances and Resolutions adopting

MINUTES - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD June 5, 2025 2 | P a g e the updated plan. The entire plan is on the CRA website for viewing. Discussion ensued regarding the commercial property improvements, air rights at Edison Mall, landscaping and beautification, trail connectivity, implementation, setbacks, and Cleveland Avenue overlay. BOARD MEMBER & CHAIR COMMENTS 1. Feedback on Board’s list of priority items by Councilperson Burson, Board Liaison Fower Street and Evans Avenue Redesign Board Member Miller asked Councilperson Burson to comment on the Board’s effort to advocate for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to advance the prioritization of the improvements on Fowler Street. Councilperson Burson stated that he represents the City on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the MPO’s Executive Committee. He noted that the FDOT’s plans on Fowler Street from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (MLK) to Hanson Street are to reduce two southbound lanes and one northbound lane to create walkable areas. Evans Avenue will become two lanes northbound and one lane southbound converting it from its current one-way configuration. The project has been funded, and FDOT is currently in the design stages. The Board agreed that there is nothing further to be done as the project is moving forward although it will continue to monitor the project’s progress. Vice Chair Ford suggested bringing together local community traffic engineers and planners to brainstorm ideas for the intersections at Fowler Street, MLK, and Evans Avenue to slow down traffic and benefit the businesses at those locations. Air Rights and Redevelopment Incentives Councilperson Burson stated that the City passed an ordinance allowing the sale of air rights to a third party enabling the potential for residential development above commercial spaces such as apartments above Edison Mall which is the only parcel at this time that is large enough to benefit. Lee Memorial Hospital Site Councilperson Burson noted that the Lee Memorial Hospital site on Cleveland Avenue will be vacant soon due to their relocation and they are putting a lot of work into the redevelopment plans for the vacant site which should catalyze redevelopment along Cleveland Avenue. Legacy Harbour development project Councilperson Burson mentioned that he recently attended a groundbreaking ceremony at the Legacy Harbour located opposite the Yacht Basin which will offer residential apartments over a parking garage and commercial retail bringing value to Downtown.

MINUTES - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD June 5, 2025 3 | P a g e Development Incentives & Affordable Housing Board Member Miller asked Councilperson Burson to provide his thoughts regarding beneficial development incentives. Councilperson Burson felt that the developer’s biggest obstacle to making affordable housing is government regulated fees. He proposed that the City could either waive or defer impact fees to lower development costs, as it would cost the City nothing, and the revenue from franchise, ad valorem taxes, fire assessments, and utility usage would eventually offset the waived fees. He encouraged the Board to think of other ways to reduce the cost to the development industry that would make the unit more affordable for the end user. Board Member Miller conveyed that developers that build affordable housing compete in different state agencies in a funding lottery and felt that if there was a City incentive offered then the developer would not need to deal with the laborious State application process for unpredictable random funding. The Board has been considering developing incentives that would encourage a specific product that aligns with the City's long-term vision on either City- owned or private parcels. They could explore an expedited permitting process or “permit- ready” status parcels for high-priority projects. Chair Landfried suggested having a workshop on how to reduce costs through housing incentives. Councilperson Burson felt that this topic would be a good conversation to have as a Board and as a Council. Chair Landfried conveyed that he will speak to the Economic Development Director about scheduling a workshop to focus on this issue. City of Palms Park and Master Planning Board Member Miller asked Councilperson Burson what the next steps are currently for the City of Palms Park. Councilperson Burson felt that another Request for Proposals (RFP) will need to be issued eventually and suggested that this Board attend the proposers presentations and provide input to the Council. Board Member Miller stated that this Board previously recommended that the City hire a master planner or national-scale consultant to design a comprehensive vision for the Park. Vice Chair Ford suggested having a charrette and bring together local community planners, developers, citizens, and staff to brainstorm ideas for the Park. He felt that the City must decide whether to keep the stadium or demolish it and then decide on its vision for that site. The Board Member Pariser suggested as a first step finding out if the building is viable. Chair Landfried noted that the Board has discussed the City hire a master developer that would develop the entire area not just the stadium. Councilperson Burson felt it would be beneficial to hire professional planners to analyze the site and come up with a plan that would complement the entire area. He mentioned that the Board could consider a recommendation to the Council to add in the upcoming budget funds for a planning and engineering study of the City of Palms.

MINUTES - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD June 5, 2025 4 | P a g e Edison Botanical Library Board Member Miller noted that the Edison Botanical Library was part of the Edison Estates original deed agreement and considered whether there is an opportunity to use the County’s Library Fund as a funding source for the Edison Botanical Library. He asked Councilperson Burson for ideas to move the project forward as it appears to be stuck at this time. Councilperson Burson mentioned that at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium there are 150 acres that are underutilized. Chair Landfried felt that the Hall of 50 States could be used as the Edison Botanical Library. Board Member Miller suggested inviting the City’s Grants Director to a meeting to discuss potential grants for the library. Pedestrian Walkways Councilperson Burson mentioned that the State will be adding pedestrian walkways on Palm Beach Boulevard due to safety issues along that corridor. Vice Chair Ford requested that the State be advised to trim the median hedges as they restrict vision on the street. Councilperson Burson advised that the State is funding a pedestrian crosswalk to connect the John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail on both sides of Colonial Boulevard which is currently in the permitting process and should begin within the next year. Fort Myers Country Club Pool Board Member Maxson asked for an update on the Fort Myers Country Club swimming pool renovations. She is advocating for the pool renovations by putting a petition together and obtaining signatures from the community. Councilperson Burson stated that currently the City is expanding the Stars Complex pool and renovating the Sam Fleishman Complex pool therefore he felt that the Fort Myers Country Club pool renovation at this time is being reprioritized. He advised that the community residents could attend a Council meeting and bring along with the petition to encourage the Council to renovate the pool. Board Member Miller requested that the Parks and Recreation Director be asked to attend the next meeting to provide a status update on the Fort Myers Country Club pool renovations. STAFF COMMENTS Kaitlin Danks, Business and Economic Development Specialist, gave an update on projects and initiatives that the Economic Development Office has been working on. Hall of 50 States Two unsolicited proposals are currently under final review by the Economic Development Director and city leadership.

MINUTES - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD June 5, 2025 5 | P a g e SPIN Micro-Mobility Initiative There was a pre-permitting meeting held on May 29, 2025, at which time a question was raised whether SPIN needs Historic Preservation Society approval which needed investigation before SPIN is launched. Film & Media Projects There have been meetings with Marketing Alliance, Neon Cloud, and a Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Professor to potentially produce a site selection video and culinary district series. The Film Resolution is still in progress to transfer the City’s film responsibilities from the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to the Economic Development Office. Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB) Collaboration There have been meetings with the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau Communications Director, Raymond Sarracino, to explore a collaboration to attract business journalists using VCB’s budget for travel media exposure to position Fort Myers as a business-friendly destination. Culinary District Development The Culinary District will be a joint initiative with the City and the River District Alliance (RDA) in which there are ongoing discussions for collaboration and the next business owner outreach meeting is scheduled for June 13, 2025. Economic Development Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget The Economic Development Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget was presented last week to City leadership for a requested amount of $552,000.00, an increase of $167,200.00 from Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Business Development Leads Discuss are being had with the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) to potentially bring a medical campus to the City with potential locations in Midtown or City of Palms site. An outreach effort is underway to discuss potential partnerships with Lee Health and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). Indoor Recreation Facility A local private developer approached the City proposing an indoor sports facility located near the City of Palms site that would offer beach volleyball, pickleball, soccer, and basketball in which the City is expecting a solicitation from them in mid-June. The Marina at Edison Ford Scheduling a preliminary meeting regarding The Marina at Edison Ford is still in progress.

MINUTES - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD June 5, 2025 6 | P a g e Florida Power and Light (FPL) Familiarization Tour Partnership An FPL Familiarization Tour has been scheduled in September to gain more understanding of the programs they offer and how the City can better partner with them. Website Improvements There is ongoing work being done on the Economic Development City webpage to address dead links and outdated content. Lee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) Presentation Ms. Danks is currently putting together a presentation for a TDC fall meeting. Industry Impact Study City leadership recommended conducting an industry impact study to determine what industry site selectors should be targeted. OTHER BUSNESS Board Member Miller suggested having John Talmage, Lee County Economic Development Director, be invited to a future meeting to give a general update. He suggested inviting a commercial property broker, Gary Tasman, Cushman and Wakefield, who advised that he would be willing to come to a meeting to discuss what kind of businesses have shown interest in the area and what this Board could do better. Board Member Maxson suggested getting a City Utilities update. Discussion ensued regarding guest speakers for future meetings. Proposed guest speakers for future meetings • Jason Sciandra, Assistant Public Utilities Director – Utilities update (August) • Noelle Casagrande, Public Information Officer – Website update (August). • Elgin Hicks, Parks and Recreation Director – General Obligation (GO) Bond and Fort Myers Country Club swimming pool updates (August) • John Talmadge, Lee County Economic Development Director – General update (September) • Gary Tasman (Cushman & Wakefield) – Market & site selector insight update (October) New Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Initiative Vice Chair Ford stated that a new stakeholder committee is being formed to build support for entrepreneurship and small business development with a goal to build a cohesive support system of mentorship, financing, and education to help them be successful in their endeavors. Some of the stakeholders invited to the initial meeting include Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), Florida Southwestern University (FSW), four regional banks, Lee County School District, and Lee County Economic Development Office. He encouraged interested Board Members to participate by notifying the Clerk’s Office which will then relay the message to him.

MINUTES - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD June 5, 2025 7 | P a g e NEXT MEETING – July 3, 2025 - CANCELLED There was Board consensus to cancel the July 3, 2025 meeting due to the July 4 th holiday and reconvening on August 7, 2025. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Board Member Clarke moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:03 p.m.; seconded by Vice Chair Ford; motion carried unanimously.