January 26, 2022 / Issue #2022-4

FDOT public hearing at Chapel by the Sea on February 3 

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a public hearing for the San Carlos Boulevard (SR865) Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study from north of Crescent Street to north of Hurricane Pass Bridge, also known as Hurricane Bay Bridge. The public hearing will be February 3, 2022.

• The in-person open house will begin at 5 p.m. at The Chapel by the Sea Presbyterian Church at 100 Chapel Street, Fort Myers Beach.
• The virtual and in-person hearing and testimony portion will begin at 6 p.m.

The purpose of this project is to provide additional travel options on a congested corridor, especially during the peak tourist season from January through April. The project is designed to enhance mobility and safety for vehicular and non-vehicular transportation and increase accessibility and connections between community points of interest. The proposed project is also intended to promote emphasis for alternative transportation use and increase public transit ridership.

This week at Mound House

January 27, through February 5, 2022

January 2022  program calendar 
February 2022  program calendar
March 2022  program calendar

February 2022  Outdoor Nature & Education Events


Mound House Attains VCB Top Three!


During 2021’s final three months, the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) fielded over 61,000 visitor inquiries.

  Our iconic Mound House received the third-most interest out of all Southwest Florida attractions!

Details

www.moundhouse.org

FREE drop-off event for household chemical waste is February 16 at Bay Oaks

On Wednesday, February 16, 2022, the Town will host a free drop-event for household chemical waste in partnership with the Lee County Solid Waste Department.

This collection event will be from 8 a.m. to noon at Bay Oaks Recreational Campus, 2731 Oak Street. Drop off is an easy drive-through process available to all residents managed by Lee County staff.

List of acceptable items

Businesses that need chemical waste disposal can call 239-533-8000 to schedule an appointment for the monthly business collection held at Lee County’s permanent household chemical waste drop-off location. This location is off Metro Parkway in south Fort Myers at 6441 Topaz Court.

Additional collection events are scheduled this year on May 18 and August 17.  

Shrimp Festival returns this year on March 12 and 13

A special event permit was approved by Town Council at its regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 24, for the 64th Annual Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival to be held on March 12 and 13, 2022. The event is organized by the Fort Myers Beach Lions Club. 

Volunteers needed to help in the Marine Resources Task Force's booth at the Shrimp Festival

The Town's Marine Resource Task Force (MRTF) will be hosting its Pop-Up Environmental Education Booth at the Shrimp Festival at Lynn Hall Park on March 12 and 13. Local organizations and their volunteers are invited to help with this booth. Here is the schedule of openings:
 
Saturday, March 12
9-12 P.M.  (3hr)  10-2 P.M. (4hr)
12-3 P.M.  (3hr)  2-6   P.M.  (4hr)
3-6   P.M.   (3hr)          
 
Sunday, March 13
9-12 P.M. (3hr)   10-2 (4hr)
12-3 P.M. (3hr)  2-5:30 (4hr)
2-5 P.M.   (3hr)
 
Interested in volunteering? Contact:
Jennifer Rusk, MRTF Member
757-450-5451
jruskfmb@gmail.com

Parking will be a challenge for this very popular event and volunteers are asked to arrive early and plan on traffic delays. A parking pass for town-owned parking spots will be supplied to volunteers. Parking will also be available within a ten minute walk from Lynn Hall Park.

Join the Town's Anchorage Advisory Committee
for the annual
Cruiser's Appreciation Day
under the Matanzas Pass Bridge
on Friday, March 25, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Fort Myers Beach  was named the No. 5

Best of the Best  Trending Destinations in the U.S. in the 2022 Travelers' Choice Awards from  Tripadvisor

Read more 

Council approves $1 million land purchase for a future building to house upland services for the Mooring Field

At the Town Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, Councilors approved a resolution authorizing the Mayor, Town Manager, and Town Attorney to close the purchase of two parcels of property for $1 million owned by Gordon Zeng.

These parcels, at 166 Chapel Street and 99 Tropical Shores Way, are about a half acre combined. They are adjacent to Town Hall in the back and face each other on both sides of the canal that connects to Estero Bay.

Their purchase provides the opportunity to expand service facilities as determined by Town Council, including a future building to house upland services for the Matanzas Pass Mooring Field. Upland services for the Mooring Field are currently leased through the Harbour House on San Carlos Boulevard in the Downtown District.

“The Town's Comprehensive Plan states that the Town should acquire property to perform the functions of a municipality and to also acquire waterfront property,” said Roger Hernstadt, Town Manager.

To assist in this purchase and construction costs, the Town will pursue State and other grants that are available for improvements to land, according to Hernstadt. He also said that the final build out net costs will be in the form of a "mortgage" to the marina operations, replacing the current monthly rent. 

Florida's Arbor Day was January 21
How did you celebrate? 

The Town gave out 80 trees - Orange Geiger & Bahama Strongbark - to residents who promised to plant them in their yards in the Town.

Shoutout to the group of people who organized and managed this event!

• Bill Veach, Town Councilor & liaison to Marine Resources Task Force
• Chadd Chustz, the Town's Environmental Projects Manager
• Cindy Johnson, Volunteer
• Gary Mathis, Volunteer
• Jennifer Rusk, Marine Resources Task Force
• Rexann Hosafros, Town Vice Mayor
• Rose Larkin, Marine Resources Task Force

FWC conducts a walk-through of the south end's bird nesting area with MRTF

Members of the Marine Resources Task Force conducted a walk-through meeting of the bird nesting area at the south end of Estero Island on Friday, January 21.This walk-through was in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to educate MRTF about the shorebird program and the new beach nesting bird guidelines, which are currently in draft. Representatives from Turtle Time, Inc., were also in attendance. 

Use this link to check on traffic from one of the Town's three traffic cams before you head out

Is someone you know looking for a job?

Visit the Town’s Careers page 

Bicycle bells & lights for purchase at Town Hall

LeeTran's seasonal service 

Beach service includes three trams estimated to run every 15 minutes, depending on traffic, seven days a week starting at 8 a.m. from Bowditch Point Park. The last pickup is at 11:30 p.m. at Matanzas Pass Preserve.

The open-air, multi-car trams provide an easy, fun way to travel along the beach from hotels to restaurants to shopping and other attractions. 

Schedules for routes
  
Follow service-related updates or learn more

Environmental education booth schedule

Representatives from the Marine Resources Task Force (MRTF) are hosting a pop-up educational booth 

Volunteers are needed for the Town’s Audit Committee and Public Safety Committee. Applications are accepted online.

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