FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                       

Contact:           Pete Winton, Lee County Administration

(941) 335-2777               

COMMISSION APPROVES PARKS POSITIONS/UTILITIES AND ROADWAY ITEMS 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 16, 2002) – The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved the following items during its regular weekly meeting.  They are: 

Metro Parkway – Awarded an engineering services contract to Inwood Consulting Engineers for the widening of Metro Parkway between Daniels and Six Mile Cypress/Ben C. Pratt parkways.  The design phase contract is for $889,199. 

This is a state road, however, the county is advancing the design phase to increase the probability that the state will fund (based on Metropolitan Planning Organization priorities) the right-of-way and construction phases in the state’s five-year work program.  The road would be widened from two lanes to six lanes.  The state will reimburse the county in fiscal year 2004-05.  For more information, call Amy Davies at 479-8589. 

Conservation 2020 – Approved two new Parks & Recreation positions to assist with land stewardship activities on Conservation 2020 preserves.  Since the inception of the program in 1996, the county has purchased 7,700 acres.  The employees will perform preserve management activities such as exotic vegetation removal, and drafting and implementation of management and public access plans.  The positions will cost about $105,000 a year, including benefits.  For more information, contact John Yarbrough at 461-7410. 

Bonita Springs Utilities – Extended Bonita Springs Utilities’ Franchise Agreement to a term of 30 years, so that BSU can market and sell approximately $60 million of Industrial Revenue Bonds that have 30-year maturities. 

Lee County Utilities – Awarded an engineering contract to Parsons Engineering Science for the Olga Water Treatment Plant Reservoir & Plant Improvements.  The contract is for $198,956.  The county plants $7.5 million of improvements to the plant, including expanding capacity from 5-to-10 million gallons per day and new equipment to comply with state disinfection byproduct requirements.  For more information, contact Rick Diaz at 479-8181. 

County Road 951 Study – Approved the ranking of consultants for the Project Development and Environment Study (PD&E) for the extension of CR 951 from Collier County to Lee County.  Authorized contract negotiations with the number one ranked consultant, Dyer Riddle Mills & Precourt. 

The PD&E includes consideration of all social, economic, and environmental effects, and required mitigation.  The consultant also will prepare the required environmental and engineering reports, conceptual design plans, and assist with public hearings.  For more information, contact Amy Davies at 479-8589.