May 15, 2023 / Issue #2023-4

BAY OAKS SUMMER CAMP

Registration still open, limited capacity of 25 kids

Learn more and apply

Haven't attended a Town Hall event to make your voice heard to 

Lee County's Ian Recovery Task Force?

Give input at this link: https://tinyurl.com/3px7rwkc

Express your opinions about the future of FMB!

Learn about Resilient Lee

WGCU News Story about FMB's Town Hall

Council's Management & Planning session this month included a presentation about funding sources for projects to rebuild FMB

Representatives from Tidal Basin, FEMA and other partnering agencies reported to Town Council at the monthly Management & Planning session on May 4 about the status of state and federal funding. The presentation included information about funding that the Town has received, requested, or could request to help rebuild after Hurrricane Ian. Tidal Basin is an organization that has been working with the Town since Hurricane Ian to help secure funding and support mitigation. 

Funding that has been received or applied for totals about $85 million including:

• FEMA grant for emergency berm replacement - $7.9 million (approved)
• FDEP grant for stormwater systems repair - $10 milllion (awarded)
• DEO Emergency Bridge Loan for operating expenses - $11.9 million (awarded)
• Florida state appropriations - $52.9 million
• Community Disaster Loan - $2.5 million

Projects that are or can be provided for with this funding:

• Replacement of Town Hall
• Clearance and repair of stormwater systems
• Repair of roads and replacement of road signs
• Elevation of generators to avoid future inundation
• Community/public building retrofit or hardening
• Workforce housing
• Public Works building
• Business resiliency measures

Berm project construction zones 

for the next few weeks

The Town’s emergency berm construction project is continuing to restore sand to the beach that was displaced by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Learn more about the project at www.fmbgov.com/beach. 

PLEASE USE THE NORTH END of ESTERO ISLAND TO ACCESS  

THE BEACH.

Over the next few weeks, the majority of the work on this project will take place in the areas from Margaritaville to Mango Street and mid island to Flamingo Street. Beach accesses in these areas might be inaccessible due to the construction.

Construction will also be taking place in areas around some of the beach accesses that are currently inaccessible due to the placement of large amounts of sand to be leveled. Most of the inaccessible locations are toward the south end of Estero Island.

While this work is occurring, the public is encouraged to use the beach accesses on the north end of Estero Island where construction is not occurring. These are Waistina Way, Times Square, Crescent Beach Park, Lynn Hall Park. 

Here are some other important reminders about the beach:

• It’s sea turtle nesting season until October 31. Outdoor lights on properties need to be long wavelength, downward directed, and shielded. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has guidance about wildlife-friendly lights on its website at https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/lighting/criteria/. Contractors are reminded to turn off their property’s interior lights at night. 
• It’s also shorebird nesting season and dog owners are reminded to keep their pets on leashes and out of the critical wildlife area on the south end of the Island. 

To learn more about this project, visit the Town’s website at www.fmbgov.com/beach. 

Reminder
 It's sea turtle nesting season

We already have four nests 

It’s time now to remind all property owners about the lighting that is required to help protect turtles and hatchlings during nesting season. Conventional lighting scares females from nesting and disorients hatchlings away from the Gulf, leading to exhaustion, dehydration, and death from falling into storm drains, passing cars, and predators.  

Long wavelength amber bulbs in downward directed fixtures that shield the bulb from the beach are encouraged everywhere on the island, not just beachfront, because so many structures and vegetation that previously shielded light from the beach are gone due to Hurricane Ian. Besides lighting, it is also just as important to draw curtains closed at night. 

When it comes to windows and glass slider doors, the Town adopted new rules in 2022 for Sea Turtle Conservation. Windows and doors/sliders are required to have a light transmittance of 45% or less AND have a window cover installed. Read the Sea Turtle Conservation Ordinance. 

Need professional help with bulbs and fixtures? The Sea Turtle Conservancy recommends Frontier Lighting and Synergy Lighting. Long wavelength amber bulbs can also be found online. Search for “sea turtle amber LED” and the bulb type that you need.  It’s important to verify that the spectrum specifications of the bulb indicate 560 nm or greater.  

One of the cheapest FWC certified wildlife lighting options that staff have found online is the FEIT A19 Red Bulb that screws into classic Edison fixtures. Please note, filter wraps, gels, and colored party bulbs are not compliant because sea turtles are sensitive to their light.

The Town will monitor lights on the beach during season. Efforts will focus on educating property owners on solutions. Property owners are encouraged to walk on the beach to see if their property’s lighting is visible from the beach and install wildlife friendly lighting. The Town’s Environmental Projects Manager Chadd Chustz is available for questions and light inspections. Contact him by email at chadd@fmbgov.com.

For more information about lights and keeping turtles and hatchlings safe during nesting season, visit https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/963/Sea-Turtle-Information. Learn more about turtles and nesting season at www.turtletime.org  

GET READY FOR HURRICANE SEASON

The best time to prepare for hurricanes is BEFORE hurricane season begins.

Hurricane season begins on June 1 and lasts through November 30, and it’s time to get prepared. 

Making an evacuation plan and stocking enough food, water and supplies to last for at least seven days after a storm are critical steps to take now. Packing insurance and other important documents along with clothes and personal items is another good step.

Also important is to stay connected to the ways that you will receive urgent news and information from the various agencies managing the emergency.

HOW TO STAY CONNECTED

1. Sign up NOW to receive alerts from the Lee County Emergency Operations Center
2. Sign up NOW for alerts from the Town of Fort Myers Beach Code Red system
3. Sign up NOW to receive text and/or email alerts as they are posted on the Town of Fort Myers Beach website homepage
4. Monitor the Town's Facebook and Twitter social media outlets
5. Monitor local media and their social media outlets
6. Monitor the social media outlets of Lee County and the Fort Myers Beach Fire District

Visit this link - www.fmbgov.com/emergencies - to sign up for the Town’s alerts and find more information. 

Kayak tours on Saturdays at Mound House 

Explore the winding mangrove creeks and hidden backwaters of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve with Mound House. This unique tour offers a rare opportunity to experience the abundant life within an estuary. 

Mound House kayak tours are conducted in accordance with Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism guidelines. 

All paddling and safety equipment provided. Ages 12 and up. Weather permitting. COST: $50 per person (MH Members $20) Museum admission included. Maximum of 12 paddlers per tour. Shoes required. 

Book your kayak tour on www.moundhouse.org

Keep up on the schedule of Town Council and advisory committee meetings

View the meeting calendar on the Town's website

Upcoming meetings

The Town has partnered with DemandStar which is open and accessible to all businesses and gives instant access to RFPs, RFQs, and ITBs 

Read more about bids and proposals

Currently open for bid:

RFP-23-17-PW Road Signs 

RFP-23-14-PW Disaster Debris Monitoring 

RFQ- 23-16-TC General Legal Representation

Under Review:

ITB-23-12-PW Town Maintained Road and Sidewalk Repair

RFP-23-13-CR Partial Re Roofing of Mound House 

ITB-22-26-UT Tier 1 Side Streets Water and Stormwater Improvements