Village Council members worked through a packed agenda during their final regular meeting of the year.
After listening to reports from several departments, members also took action on several other topics. Among them:
• A resolution authorizing the Village Manager to apply for an FDOT grant for Fernwood Drive improvements unanimously passed. Capital Program and Grants Manager Colleen Durfee said this particular grant needs to be submitted five years in advance of the start of the project, with the asking price of $1.5 million. The Transportation Alternatives Grant covers sidewalks, golf cart paths, streetlights, trees, etc., as part of the overall design. Village Manager Steve Williamson said a Planning Grant would be applied for, as well.
• Mayor Joe Rasco suggested a drop-off area at Village Green for cars and golf carts should be included in the plan to alleviate traffic backups on Fernwood as kids are dropped off or picked up from various sports practices or games.
• Council also gave a unanimous approval for the purchase of Microsoft services for the Police Department, adding to security measures on officers’ tablets. The $81,000 cost for the three-year renewal of the Microsoft license is for 61 total users.
• A first reading of an ordinance regarding “competitive bidding thresholds” was passed 6-0, raising the Village Manager’s purchasing authority from $50,000 to $60,000 and increasing the informal solicitation threshold from $5,000 to $6,000.
• Williamson said the Board of County Commissioners approved to install lights at Calusa Park and now the item heads to an amendment committee in late January. If approved, the item will go back to the BCC for another vote.
• Council members approved Mayor Rasco’s appointment of Robert Duzoglou to the Education Advisory Board, where he will work with Vice Mayor Oscar Sardiñas, the board’s Council liaison.