March 17, 2021 / Issue #2021-11

**The distribution day for FMBeach News is now on Wednesdays**

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Enjoy this fun day at Fort Myers Beach BUT PLEASE remember to wear a mask and stay socially distanced to prevent the spread of COVID.

Stakeholder group planned to assist study of Estero Boulevard lighting

At the Monday, March 15, Town Council meeting, Councilors recommended selection of members for a community stakeholder group to guide the Estero Boulevard lighting study approved at a previous meeting.

The Town has contracted with Redd, Inc., DBA as Town Lighting Engineers, for the study.

Stakeholder group members are to include:

Town staff and advisory board committee members
Lee County staff
Representatives from Turtle Time, Inc.
Representatives from the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce
Hotelier or vacation rental property manager
Staff of the FMB Fire Department and Lee County Sheriff's Office
Two members of the public

Click here to read:

Why the Town balances the need for safe traffic lighting along Estero Boulevard with sea-turtle-friendly lighting
Current status of Estero Boulevard lighting project
Grants through The Sea Turtle Conservancy for sea turtle lighting retrofitting

Town seeking grant for Bayside Park redesign

At the March 15 Town Council meeting, Councilors authorized the Town Manager to apply for a grant of $91,000 through AARP to assist in funding the redesign of Bayside Park.

The redesign of the park is in the planning stages in conjunction with two other areas of Town - Times Square and Bay Oaks Recreational Campus.

To follow the status of these projects, watch the Town's website, social media and newsletters.

It's season! Walk, drive, skate, bike safely in FMB

It's season, which means that traffic, bicycles and pedestrians have increased on Estero Boulevard. It’s a good time to remind everyone of important laws and tips about sharing sidewalks and the road:

Bicyclists

Manually powered bicycles share the road with vehicles, and the sidewalks and beaches with people.
Electric bicycles and golf carts are not permitted on sidewalks and the beach. They must always be ridden on the street. (Town Ordinance No. 18-02, Sections 28-83 and 28-84.)
Bicycles must have horns, bells or other audible device and front and rear lights for use before daylight and after sunset.
Children ages 16 and younger are required to wear helmets. It is recommended that adults also wear helmets.

Motorists

Always be alert and immediately stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, waiting in a full stop until the pedestrians leave the street. It’s the law.
Give bicyclists a three-foot clearance. It’s the law.
Double check each direction when entering Estero Boulevard.
Maintain posted speed limits which vary based on the area of Town but are mostly less than 35 mph everywhere.

Pedestrians

Always use the designated crosswalks when crossing Estero Boulevard.
Extend an arm out to alert motorists of the intent to cross.
Assure that drivers have completely stopped in both directions before crossing.

Also, keep in mind that Fort Myers Beach sits on seven-mile long Estero Island between Matanzas Pass Bridge on the north end and Big Carlos Pass Bridge on the South end. Estero Boulevard is the only road through the Town and has few stop signs, with multiple distractions.

Please be safe, smart, and seen!

Day light saving reminder from the Public Safety Committee

Town Council launches water quality initiative

Residents and visitors asked to send handwritten notes to legislators

Click here to read more

Here’s how YOU can help:

Find your legislators’ contact information at the link below:

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx

https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find/

https://www.senate.gov/senators/index.htm

https://www.house.gov/representatives

https://www.flgov.com/contact-governor/

For more information about clean water initiatives please visit:

https://evergladesrestoration.gov/

https://captainsforcleanwater.org/

Advance Disposal to start trash, recyling, horticultural pickup at 6 a.m. for the next moonth

Advance Disposal, the vendor that the Town contracts with to pick up trash, recycling and horticultural waste for residents and businesses, will be starting its operations at 6 a.m. instead of 6:30 a.m. for the next 30 days.

Seasonal traffic has picked up in the Town of Fort Myers Beach, causing delays in Advance's typical schedule.

Lee County is collecting canned goods and non-perishable items between March 22 and April 5 at the Fort Myers Beach Public Library, 2755 Estero Boulevard.

This collection event is for everyone, and has been planned around the time that seasonal residents and visitors would be leaving and cleaning out their pantries.

Read this article for details about this program and other locations around Lee County that are accepting donations.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

The next household chemical waste collection event is Friday, April 30 from 8 a.m. to Noon at Bay Oaks Recreational Campus.

Representatives from Lee County Solid Waste will be in the parking lot at Bay Oaks, 2731 Oak Street, to collect household chemical waste.

For a list of acceptable items visit the Lee County Solid Waste website: http://ow.ly/scu550DRpo0

Click here for the schedule of Mound House outdoor nature & education events from March 18 to 27

Click here to learn about recent additions to Mound House staff and accreditations.

COMING SOON: redesigned website

The Town has been undergoing a redesign of its website to incorporate the new branding strategy, bring the website into compliance with ADA standards, and reorganize the navigation system and content.

This process will take a few more months, but here’s a sneak peak of the top part of the homepage.

Do you have suggestions about the Town's website? Email publicinfo@fmbgov.com

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

All meetings are at Town Hall, 2525 Estero Boulevard

Live and recorded meetings can also be viewed on the
Town's YouTube channel and live meetings can be watched on Comcast Channel 98

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

Upcoming meetings

Thursday, March 18 / 11 a.m.

Special Magistrate Hearings

Thursday, March 25 / 3 p.m.

Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board (CELCAB)

Status on bids and proposals
Read more about bids and proposals

Currently open for bid

RFQ-21-09-EN Beach Renourishment Professional Services
Pursuant to the requirements of Florida Statutes (F.S.), Chapter 287, the Town of Fort Myers Beach anticipates seeking professional consultant services for the purpose of assisting the Town with professional engineering services to renourish Fort Myers Beach.

RFP-21-05-AD Audio Visual Improvements
The Town of Fort Myers Beach is soliciting proposals from qualified audio and visual professionals, with a history of similar public-space experience in identifying and evaluating auditorium upgrades or improvements.

April is "Donate Life Month"

Town Council has proclaimed April as "Donate Life Month" as requested by LifeLink Foundation, to educate the public about organ donations.

Learn about LifeLink and how to be an organ donor
www.lifelinkfoundation.org

Text Hi to 239-FMBeach for information about the Town