FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Pete Winton, Lee County Administration
               (239) 335-2777

BOARD APPROVES TERRY PARK REPAIRS/LAKES PARK MASTER PLAN

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 20, 2004) - The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved the following items during its regular weekly meeting. They are:

Terry Park - Declared a limited, temporary, emergency by resolution and approved $1 million for repairs to the seating at Terry Park (Pigott Stadium). The steel in the stadium seating area has deteriorated beyond repair and is structurally unsafe.

Lakes Park - Waived the parking fees at Lakes Park from today through April 27 in recognition of the park's 20th Anniversary. Also, accepted the 10-year (future) master plan for the park, which includes $30 million of improvements and a partnership with the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation to raise private funds for the projects. The plan provides a steering document for addressing and correcting water quality degradation, exotic invasive plant removal and reforestation, wildlife habitat restoration, aesthetic improvements, maintenance and park user improvements, and a host of additional amenities to allow public use of currently inaccessible portions of the Lakes Park

Lynn Hall Park Lighting - Approved $193,000 for new lighting at Lynn Hall Memorial Park that will replace older lighting with new, environmentally- and turtle-friendly lighting that reduces nighttime glare.

Bonds - Approved the selection of underwriters for the proposed refinancing of $28.9 million of transportation bonds issued in 1995 to help fund the construction of the Midpoint Memorial Bridge. They are: Citigroup (Senior Manager), UBS Financial Services (Co-Manager), and Ramirez & Company (MBE).

Other:

Approved a request from the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce and authorize the Chairman to Execute the agreement on behalf of the BOCC. Approve the closing of the Cape Coral Bridge on July 4, 2004 from Noon until 3:00 a.m. on July 5, 2004 to accommodate the Chamber's Red, White and Boom Celebration.

Approved an agreement between the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and Lee County for a lease of approximately 188 acres located within or adjacent to Caloosahatchee Regional Park. The properties include three oxbow islands in the Caloosahatchee River and several parcels near the park. These properties have high potential for resource based recreation and environmental restoration. Grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Tourist Development Council totaling $95,000 already have been approved for restoration of the oxbow islands.

Set a May 11, 2004 public hearing at 5:00 p.m., in Chambers, to repeal Lee County Ordinance 96-10 Court filing fees for Legal Aid as part of the state Constitutional Revision 7 to Article 5. The county is seeking an alternative funding source through the state. Revision 7 shifts the cost of funding the courts system to the state.