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The Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District was recently honored with the Florida Stormwater Association’s Program of the Year award.

FSA presents the Excellence Award each year to public sector member organizations who have demonstrated a high level of distinction in stormwater programs and/or projects.

Award nominations categories include:

Program Excellence – Sustained demonstration of excellence in a stormwater department or division.

Project Excellence – Successful implementation or outstanding innovations by a public entity in areas including stormwater management projects, permit compliance, intergovernmental coordination, water quality improvement and public education.

“We were honored to receive the Florida Storm Water Association’s Program of the Year. Given the COVID-19 shut-downs, at the time, we were presented with the award via a Zoom ceremony,” LA-MSID District Manager David Lindsay said.

LA-MSID continues to grow its stormwater project portfolio with the continuation of its West Marsh project – now in phase III. Once finished, the preserve will add another 200 acres to Harns Marsh.

“We are currently in phase III of the West Marsh, a $3-million project, which includes the building of concrete structures and weirs, which should be finished before Christmas. Once complete, they will begin planting native trees, plants and foliage, which includes 10,000 trees and 130,000 water plants,” Lindsay said. “This week we are also getting ready to set the walk bridge across the Orange River. This will provide an unobstructed walk through the North, South and West Marsh.”

LAMSID is also working with Lee County to design the GS-10 project in Lehigh Acres.

“The county recently submitted for a $10.3 million USDA grant from the Federal Government to start development of that land,” Lindsay said.

Lee County’s GS-10 project will consist of a filter marsh, weirs and the creation of water storage within an existing lake. The goal of the project is to improve water quality, provide passive recreation and restore more natural flows to the Greenbriar Swamp and the headwaters of Hickey Creek, Once completed, GS-10 would help mitigate the risk of flooding in Lehigh Acres and other areas of unincorporated Lee County.

FSA was organized in 1993 and created to promote greater awareness of stormwater utilities and to improve the operations of stormwater utilities already in existence.

In other district business, Lindsay also announced that LAMSID’s Welcome to Lehigh sign is close to completion.

“District crews are prepping the ground and it will be set up on Lee Boulevard and Leonard,” Lindsay said.

Lehigh Acres Municipal District’s Board of Commissioners recently swore in its three recently elected commissioners prior to the monthly meeting. Current Chair Katy Hoover spoke briefly about the board’s past and future accomplishments.

“We have accomplished a lot over the past four years and I’m looking forward to the next four years. Projects including the widening of the Hendry Canal, our partnership with FDOT on the widening of 82, and SW Weirs project. Moving forward, I am excited about the new board and getting some fresh ideas,” Hoover said. “Commissioner Michael Welch was an extremely active and dedicated member of this board and will be missed.”

According to Hoover, the board’s focus will remain to stay connected with other local agencies and state representatives.

On Nov. 16, the Lehigh Acres Municipal District held its first in person-virtual hybrid meeting. As part of the board’s action agenda, commissioners voted in favor of RES 20-12, to allow for future virtual meetings and live/virtual hybrid meetings.

According to LAMSID Attorney Maggie Mooney, by creating the resolution the district can meet the legal requirements for a special district board’s public meeting requirements.

“This authorizes the board to hold hybrid meetings moving forward, provided we meet a necessary quorum of the board. I would recommend this step for any board,” Mooney said.

The board also voted in favor of electing Commissioner Michael Bonacolta to assume the seat of treasurer.

Lindsay spoke briefly about Governor Desantis’ Executive Order update, which is now in phase III, and about setting up a meeting with State Representative Spencer Roach in regards to a LA-MSID legislative request.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District will be held on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., at the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District, 601 East County Lane.