CITY COUNCIL REGULAR

MINUTES CITY OF FORT MYERS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MARCH 2,2026

CALL TO ORDER

The City Council of the City of Fort Myers, Florida, met in regular session at Oscar M. Corbin, Jr. City Hall, 2200 Second Street, its regular meeting place in the City of Fort Myers, Florida, on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Present were Mayor Kevin B. Anderson, presiding, Council Members Teresa Watkins Brown, Diana Giraldo, Terolyn P. Watson, Liston D. Bochette III, Fred Burson, and Darla Bonk. Also present were Marty Lawing, City Manager, Grant W. Alley, City Attorney, and Mary Hagemann, City Clerk Absent: None

MOMENT OF SILENCE

A moment of silence was held in honor of retired Fort Myers Police Sergeant Jim Dentinger, upon his passing.

OPENING PRAYER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The meeting was opened with prayer by Councilperson Giraldo, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

1. PROCLAMATIONS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

City Attorney Alley gave public edification on the three opportunities available for citizens to provide public input.

1.1 Recognition of the City of Fort Myers for its nomination as a JustServe City (Mayor Anderson)

Mayor Anderson introduced Charles Daniel Cole, Kim Frederick, and Nicole Heath to give a presentation.

Charles Daniel Cole stated that on behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they wanted to recognize the City of Fort Myers for its strong commitment to service in our community. JustServe seeks to unite volunteers with faith-based, nonprofit, and governmental organizations to strengthen the community together. They were inspired to see 18 service organizations highlighted by the City reflecting a deep dedication to meeting local needs. He presented a plaque to the Mayor and Council in appreciation for their leadership and partnership in building a stronger, more connected Fort Myers.

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Kim Frederick, Regional JustServe volunteer, presented shirts for the Council along with signage recognizing Fort Myers as a JustServe City. She noted that JustServe operates in 17 countries, with more than 20,000 service projects and 17,000 organizations posting volunteer needs. Through their website and app, individuals and families can find nearby opportunities to serve.

1.2 Proclaim March 2026 as No Mow March (Mayor Anderson)

Mayor Anderson read the Proclamation, and it was accepted by Connie Bennett-Martin Environmental Advisory Board Member.

Ms. Bennett-Martin thanked the Council for helping to protect pollinators and strengthen the environment, which is one environmental initiative the Environmental Advisory Board has been working on. By delaying mowing, it gives pollinators, especially bees recovering from cold snaps, access to much-needed pollen and energy early in the season. As pollinators decline, small actions like this can make a real difference.

1.3 Proclaim March 2026 as Procurement Month and March 11, 2026, as Procurement Professional's Day (Mayor Anderson)

Mayor Anderson read the Proclamation, and it was accepted by Denise Finn, Procurement Manager, and the Procurement Team.

Ms. Finn thanked the Council for recognizing the work of the Procurement Services team. Public procurement is stewardship that ensures transparency, fairness, and accountability while reducing risk and positioning projects for success. Over the past several years, they have modernized their processes and implemented electronic solicitations with a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to improve efficiency and compliance citywide. The City has earned the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award for the third consecutive year and will continue operational success and uphold accountability to the taxpayers.

2. APPROVAL OF WALK-ON AGENDA ITEMS

1.4 Update from IMAG History & Science Museum, 2000 Cranford Ave, Fort Myers, FL presented by Matthew Johnson, Executive Director (Richard Moulton, Public Utilities)

Matthew Johnson, Executive Director, IMAG History and Science Museum, reported that next year marks 10 years since the City's 2017 privatization of IMAG, and thanked the Mayor, Council, and City staff for nine years of strong collaboration. In 2017 more than half of their funding came from the City and today it is less than 6% while operations have grown. They have generated more than $10 million in earned and contributed revenue, reinvested in facilities and programming, welcomed over 100,000 visitors this year, and served 25,000 students. They are especially proud of their afterschool STEM program with Franklin Park Elementary that provides free academic and enrichment support to local families. They appreciate the cooperative effort with new signage and support the City's decision for the demolition of the water tower that has been part of IMAG's identity since 1995

2.1 Discussion regarding Step Up to Work Program Age Requirement

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MOTION: Councilperson Watson moved to approve Walk-On Item No. 2.1, to be placed on the agenda, under Section 4, City Council Comments and Items for Consideration and heard as Item No. 4.5; seconded by Councilperson Giraldo; motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC INPUT - NON-PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEMS

Willieyam Joe Shotmiller spoke about the importance of unity and collaboration in addressing community needs, emphasizing fundraising and partnerships to create meaningful change.

3. CONSENT AGENDA

(Any Councilperson may remove an Item from the Consent Agenda and place it on the Regular agenda for discussion following the Consent Agenda)

3.1 Minutes of the regular meeting held on February 2, 2026 (Mary Hagemann, City Clerk)

3.2 Piggyback Contract, in the not to exceed amount of $120,450.00 annually, through December 9, 2029, for the Miscellaneous Professional Service for Building, Permitting and Inspections, utilizing the UES Professional Solutions, LLC contract through Lee County (Steven Belden, Community Development)

3.3 Contracts for Investment Banking/Bond Underwriter Services, RFP No. 26-10, each for a term of three years and two, one -year renewals, with BofA Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Jefferies LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC and Raymond James & Associates, Inc. (Christine Tenney, Financial Services)

3.5 Amendment No. 3 to the Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Subrecipient agreement, for the City of Fort Myers Stormwater Master Plan, extending the period of performance from the current Subrecipient Agreement expiration date of December 31,2026,to January 30,2028,with Lee County Jessica McElwee, Grants Administration)

3.6 Amendment No. 2 to the Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Subrecipient agreement, for the LARC Expansion Project to execute administrative changes to the agreement and a net-zero change to the budget with Lee County (Jessica McElwee, Grants Administration\]

3.7 Continuation of an Intergovernmental Service Provider Agreement, for a total amount not to exceed $150,000.00, to fund two full-time Officers for the Housing Outreach, and Treatment (HOT) Team, between Lee County Board of County Commissioners, Human and Veteran Services, and the City of Fort Myers Police Department (Chief Jason Fields, Police\] \[MOVED TO THE REGULAR AGENDA\]

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3.8 Grant utility easement to Florida Power and Light for underground electric cable, at City of Fort Myers Water Treatment Plant located at 2751 Jacksonville Street, Fort Myers, Florida, 33916 which will provide new electric service for the Water Treatment Plant Expansion (Ward 3) (Richard Moulton, MBA, Public Utilities)

3.9 Dedication of easement to Florida Power & Light over the portion of Lee Street right-of-way north of Edwards Drive for the continued operation and maintenance of electric utility facilities serving the Yacht Basin properties (Ward 4) (Nicole Setzer, Public Works)

3.10 Amendment No. 3, in the amount of $256,145.00, increasing contract from $892,894.00 to $1,149,039.00, to Request for Qualifications No. 0011-22, Serena Park Utility, Roadway and Drainage Improvements, for additional design and inspection tasks, with Barraco and Associates, Inc. (Wards 2 & 3) (Nicole Setzer, Public Works)