Live updates from Patrick Riley

Lockwood: Concept was pioneered in Netherlands, dramatically reduced fatalities.

Sidenote: I've been there. It works well. Everyone bikes.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 5/18/2016 2:21:14 PM

Separated bicycle lanes would be recommended for Bonita Beach Rd, Lockwood says.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 5/18/2016 2:20:05 PM

Commercial zone, for instance, would be smaller species that are more urban friendly, says landscaping planner.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 5/18/2016 2:17:51 PM

Now on to the landscaping aspect. Landscaping would differ based on the zones. So different tree combinations for different parts of road

by Patrick Riley via twitter 5/18/2016 2:17:01 PM

Houses, businesses fronting certain streets would create walkable streets, Lockwood says.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 5/18/2016 2:14:59 PM

Plan, Lockwood says, would be to have 3 roundabouts on Bonita Beach Road and 2 on Old 41 Road. Prevents same mistakes made w/ US 41, he says

by Patrick Riley via twitter 5/18/2016 2:13:23 PM

Lockwood" We would highly recommend that no more right of way would be sold" bc it preserves some parallel routes that could be used.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 5/18/2016 2:11:07 PM

#SWFL Via @PatJRiley : Bonita Springs to demolish old water tower
naplesnews.com/news/governmen…

by maryann.batlle via twitter retweeted by PatJRiley 5/5/2016 1:49:59 AM

Mayor Peter Simmons says workshop doesn't have to be finished today and won't be finished today.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 5/4/2016 8:54:36 PM

DeWitt wants to move on to items that are already "on the chopping block" or that are "near and dear" to councilors' hearts.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 5/4/2016 8:54:08 PM

We are 50 minutes into this 1 1/2 hour workshop and only on item No. 4 of 47. Councilman Greg DeWitt: "Is this an act of futility?"

by Patrick Riley via twitter 5/4/2016 8:53:20 PM

We're now talking about a project titled "Implementation of Storm Water Master Plan." Project aims to remove nitrogen from stormwater runoff

by Patrick Riley via twitter 5/4/2016 8:28:22 PM

Council talking about having a budget/financial workshop ahead of its first official July budget workshop. Tomorrow: future project workshop

by Patrick Riley via twitter 5/3/2016 3:22:20 PM

Councilman Fred Forbes wants to have water quality workshop/seminar. Says he spoke to state Rep. Kristin Jacobs who'd help organize it.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 5/3/2016 3:08:50 PM

Simmons and O'Flinn will represent the city on the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization. Forbes will be the alternate.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 4:35:48 PM

Councilors are now divvying up the different committee and board positions.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 4:32:50 PM

Now on to council items and reports. There are still major items coming up.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 4:29:39 PM

So looks like we will have 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. workshops before council meetings going forward.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 4:27:11 PM

O'Flinn wants input at beginning and end of workshop. Simmons says there has to be balance: get things done, but can't "muzzle" the public.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 4:26:07 PM

Quaremba says she would want public to talk after workshop, not during. "We cannot have 8 hour meetings" every time.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 4:25:01 PM

Schwing says council could start holding workshops before council meetings. So an 8 am workshop before 9am meeting?

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 4:24:25 PM

Councilwoman Amy Quaremba says she's in favor of a workshop on the projects.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 4:20:33 PM

Councilman Fred Forbes says he saw old council take money out on different budget line items, move it around.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 4:20:05 PM

Schwing says city staff is "not married" to any of the capital improvement projects but will have issues if state-required ones are dumped.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 4:18:22 PM

Schwing says there are about 7 businesses in the city that are using that lighting. Also, restaurants and small convenient stores.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 3:45:51 PM

Fiigon says most prevalent example of the kind of lighting city is trying to ban have been mobile phone businesses.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 3:45:11 PM

Fiigon says if ordinance is passed Al Greenwood, owner of Buffalo Chips, who spoke out against it, would not be in violation of it.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 3:43:53 PM

The ordinance aims to target "glazing LED strips" which some people have found to be in "poor taste," according to city.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 3:43:05 PM

Mike Fiigon from the city says the ordinance is "targeted, narrowly scoped" and has to do with aesthetics.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 3:41:10 PM

We're now on to the lighting ordinance. Assistant city attorney says the ordinance is not intended to regulate signs.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 3:40:13 PM

Several speakers have said they support changing LDC to allow citizens to speak at zoning hearings even if they didn't speak at zoning board

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 3:38:34 PM

Greenwood closes with: "Please don't pass this ordinance, let me leave the light on."

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 3:27:29 PM

Greenwood says the ordinance would burden business, doesn't fit with gov't lite model and further restricts advertising for businesses.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 3:25:29 PM

Al Greenwood, owner of Buffalo Chips restaurant, now speaking re proposed ordinance that would prohibit certain lighting. 1st reading today

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 3:24:49 PM

"Don't abandon the rail, that's an important asset for our community," Simons says.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 3:23:07 PM

.@MelhorL has that story for you here: naplesnews.com/news/education…

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 3:22:07 PM

Former Councilwoman thanks council and city manager for being at Lee school board yesterday. Board okay'd Imperial Pkwy site for new HS.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 3:20:37 PM

Sidenote: That amount is not currently budgeted for.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 2:43:07 PM

Council unanimously votes to spend $135 ,570 to hire McMahon Associates to do "network enhancement alignment study."

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 2:42:53 PM

Study will also include "funding sources" and who "partners" could be in paying for project, DePalma says.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 2:37:44 PM

Councilman Peter O'Flinn says he wants to see something done much quicker than the timeline DePalma projects, which could be 8-15 years.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 2:33:50 PM

Big part of this project would be collaboration with FDOT. That's what DePalma and councilors are currently talking about.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 2:32:16 PM

Bonita isn't the only Lee city battling traffic problems. Neighboring Estero has similar issues. Maryann has details twitter.com/maryannbatlle/…

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 2:31:03 PM

Councilman Fred Forbes asks what the project would cost. Answer: Roadway construction alone could be in $20 million range.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 2:28:34 PM