September 22, 2021 / Issue #2021-38

Thinking about applying to volunteer as a member of a Town board or committee?

Submit your application by this Friday, September 24! 

Community members interested in serving as volunteers to advise and support the work of Town government are encouraged to apply for current openings on four of the Town’s 10 advisory boards and committees.

The Town’s committees exist to advise Town Council about Bay Oaks Recreational Campus, Mooring Field, Mound House, Newton Beach Park, finances, marine resources, nuisance abatement, environmental and historic preservation, and public safety.

Openings:

• Audit Committee – monitors audits, reviews financial statements prior to the completion of the audit, reviews the results of any audit, evaluates proposed corrective action and insures that corrective action is carried out, evaluates auditor performance
• Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (HPAC) – assists the Local Planning Agency and the Historic Preservation Advisory Board with historic preservation matters
• Local Planning Agency (LPA) -  further the welfare of the citizens of town by helping to promote a better, more positive community environment and to ensure that the unique, natural characteristics of the island are preserved.
• Public Safety Committee (PSC) –  addresses safety and transportation issues specifically assigned to the Committee by the Town Council for the purpose of the health, safety and welfare of citizens and visitors

Learn more and fill out the application
 

• Anchorage Advisory Committee (AAC) –  established to advise staff and Town Council on all issues pertaining to the Town's public mooring field
• Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board (BORCAB) – further the welfare of the citizens of the town and others utilizing the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus and its facilities; provide advice to Town Council upon request on matters concerning the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus
• Cultural & Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board (CELCAB) – oversee Mound House and Newton Park; manage and promote the cultural, historical, and environmental resources of Fort Myers Beach
• Marine Resources Task Force (MRTF) – promotes stewardship of marine resources including stopping further damage and rehabilitating Estero Bay and its surrounding waters, wildlife, plant life, air and water quality

The Town is seeking formal  proposal submissions  

from qualified firms to perform a 20-minute fireworks display. Proposals are due
no later than 2 p.m. on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021. 

Mound House weekly outdoor nature & education events for

September 23 through October 2

Mound House & Newton Beach Park Program Description for  September 2021  and  October 2021
also
October 2021 Program Calendar

Turtle nests are still hatching!

Thanks for everything you are doing to keep the turtles
and their hatchlings safe. Read more

ATTENTION Beachfront property owners

Sea turtle lighting retrofitting might be covered by a grant 

BEACHFRONT property owners might be able to get the costs of retrofitting lighting fixtures and bulbs that comply with sea turtle regulations paid for by The Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Beachfront Lighting Retrofit Program.

Administrative services of the Mooring Field will transfer to the Town in October

Starting October 1, 2021, administrative management of services for the Matanzas Harbor Mooring Field will change to the Town from Estero Bay Hotel Company dba Matanzas Inn.
The Town will manage the administrative functions of the Mooring Field from leased office space (Unit G109) in nearby Harbour House at 450 Old San Carlos Boulevard.
 
Matanzas Inn will continue to provide facilities such as restrooms, the dock, trash, water, and laundry while these will be maintained by the Town's staff.
 
This change is coming after several months of discussion and planning by Town Councilors, Town staff and members of the Anchorage Advisory Committee about the future expansion and management of the Mooring Field.
 
Town Councilors authorized this change at the August 2 Town Council meeting by approving a modified lease agreement with Matanzas Inn. This action provides for continuity of services while the Town explores options for the future.

• Agenda item summary from August 2 Town Council Meeting

• Anchorage Advisory Committee

Lee County switching to all electronic tolls beginning October 1 

Administrative fees will resume for pay-by-plate customers 

Lee County has used all-electronic tolling (no attendants) since the pandemic began in 2020. The Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted in June and August this year to make this permanent to: 

• Align with the State’s SunPass program and plazas elsewhere in Florida
• Return to the same tollway fee structure that was in place before the pandemic
• Adjust motorcyclists’ toll pricing to align with vehicles
• Improve driver safety and traffic congestion 

For information about this change, visit www.LeeWayinfo.com. 

 Fright Night at Bay Oaks is October 22

Text PARKING to 239-FMBeach 

See the percentage of the 349 Town-managed spaces that are currently open

What happens to the trash, recycling and yard waste that gets picked up at your curb every week? Or the debris from demolition and construction projects?

ANSWER: It goes to Lee County’s 260-acre Resource Recovery Facility on Buckingham Road, and gets sorted for reusable and recyclable materials. The part of your trash with the lowest value is converted to energy that powers thousands of households!

Tours of this facility are available by calling 239-533-8000. On the tour, you will learn about “The Pit” and “The Claw” and a giant magnet, and how they fit into the disposal of your trash in viable economic and environmental ways.

Reusable and recyclable materials include plastic, cardboard, glass, metal cans, construction debris, tires, trees and brush.

Learn more 

Need mulch?
It’s FREE to Lee County residents at five locations.
(Yard debris is turned into mulch.)

Do you have questions about permits that are needed for building or remodeling projects?

• Read Frequently Asked Questions on the Town's website.
• Visit the permitting section on the Town's website.
• Watch an educational session about permitting from a Town Council meeting led by staff from the Building Services Department. (Starts at 1 hour, 30 minutes, 40 seconds.)

239-765-0202 ext. 1303
buildingpermits@fmbgov.com 

Per Florida Building Code (102.2), a permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, alter, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system; the installation of which is regulated by technical code. 

The Town's online permitting service is called iWorQ and can be used to:

• Search and view permits
• View status
• Download/ print approved documents
• Pay fees
• Schedule inspections

PERMIT SEARCH
If you are searching for record information or paying fees,
you are not required to create an account.

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

View the meeting calendar on the Town's website for the

Upcoming meetings

The Town of Fort Myers Beach 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