June 30, 2021 / Issue #2021-26

Town offices will be closed on Monday, July 5,
for the Independence Day holiday

The fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day in the Town of Fort Myers Beach is scheduled for Sunday, July 4, at 9 p.m. The show is planned to last for 20 minutes.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR VISITORS AND RESIDENTS

Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. to oncoming traffic as directed by the Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO.)

Big Carlos Pass Bridge on the south end of Estero Island will remain open throughout.

ILLEGAL FIREWORKS ARE NOT PERMITTED ANYWHERE IN THE TOWN AND LCSO WILL BE ENFORCING.

Stay connected to the Town's social media for up to the minute info as needed

Town of Fort Myers Beach Facebook
Town of FMB Twitter

Traffic will be heavy and so will the demand for parking, especially in the downtown/Times Square/Pier areas. The Town does have several hundred public spaces and there are some paid commercial parking lots.

Read the Town's parking information. Paying for parking in Town spaces is easy with the Passport parking app. Please do not park in the right of way or on private property (unless it is designated for parking.)

Another option: Consider parking the car at the Lee Tran Park and Ride lot on Pine Ridge Road and riding the Lee Tran Trolley. It will run from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. (Lee Tran will not operate regularly scheduled bus or paratransit service on Sunday, July 4.) For details, visit www.RideLeeTran.com.

And another option: Consider watching the fireworks from one of the Town's 26 beach accesses that are spread along Estero Boulevard toward the South end of the Island.

Very important notes to protect our beautiful beach environment and keep everyone and their properties safe:

1. Per Town ordinance, personal fireworks displays ARE NOT PERMITTED.

2. GLASS BOTTLES ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE BEACH.

Is your dog afraid of fireworks?

Read some tips from the American Kennel Club to help them cope.

Tree trimming to clear power lines expected to start in July

Lewis Tree Service, a contractor for Florida Power & Light, will soon start trimming trees to clear power lines on Fort Myers Beach. This is expected to begin in July and continue through September.

Now would also be a good time for homeowners to trim the trees and bushes in their yards. Branches can often fall and blow around during storms and harm people and property.

Graphic with hurricane season dates of June 1-Nov 30 and the words Be Prepared

Suggested supplies for emergency kits

The Town has resources on the website, including the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department's current Hurricane Preparedness Guide. Lee County also has a wealth of resources, including a video of its recent hurricane seminar.

Hurricane Re-Entry Passes: residents and business owners

PURPLE (residential) or YELLOW (business) re-entry passes, even though they are dated from previous years, will be VALID for this hurricane season.

If you do not have a previous year's re-entry pass, applications for these passes are accepted at Town Hall. Fill out the application download it and print it out, then come by Town Hall at 2525 Estero Boulevard to drop off the application and receive the pass.

Seeking homeowners to appear on the show for season #2

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the Flip My Florida Yard (FMFY) television series is seeking nine Florida homeowners who want help “flipping” their yard into a Florida-Friendly landscape.

The FMFY team will work with the selected homeowners to determine how to flip the yard, develop a landscape design and bring it to life. This may mean replacing plant beds, installing irrigation systems and/or rethinking current maintenance practices. Depending on the size and needs of the landscape, a yard or a portion of the yard could be flipped.

The FMFY show will travel to homes around the state for the ultimate Florida-Friendly makeover, transforming selected yards to help protect and conserve Florida’s natural resources through science-based landscape practices. The landscape designs are based upon the nine principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL): right plant, right place; water efficiently; fertilize appropriately; mulch; attract wildlife; manage yard pests responsibly; recycle yard waste; reduce stormwater runoff; and protect the waterfront.

To learn more or sign up to be considered for season two, visit:
Want Your Yard Flipped? - Flip My Florida Yard.

DEP has partnered with UF/IFAS for over two decades and provided grant funding to administer the successful statewide FFL program. Floridians are encouraged to use low-maintenance plants and environmentally sustainable practices to save time, energy and money while protecting the state’s unique environment.

Starting July 2021, season one of FMFY will be streaming on the Discover Florida channel.

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves.

Graphic with "complaints received about code violations can no longer be anonymous"

Read Senate Bill 60

Have you seen the new beach access signs?

The Public Works Department is installing bike racks and new informational signs at all beach accesses this summer. New street signs along Estero Boulevard indicating where to turn for the Town's beach accesses are also on the way.

The beach access signs have the Town's new logo and branding scheme as well as updated information related to permitted activities, sea turtle nesting season, water quality, and more.

Mound House hosting first Brew and Build event on July 16 at 6 p.m.

Watch the sunset over Estero bay while you learn how to make your own spear similar to the spears that the Calusa would use with their spear throwing devices called atlatls. Throw your spear using a replica atlatl!

Included in the workshop is your choice of a local craft beer, wine, or non-alcoholic drink. Must be 21 years or older to participate. Space is limited to 20 guests.

Register by calling 239-765-0865

More details about Brew and Build

Summer fun!
Join the team at Bay Oaks by volunteering for summer camp and other activities

Volunteers needed at Bay Oaks Recreational Campus

Volunteers are needed to assist at Bay Oaks Recreational Campus with summer camp, the Fort Myers Beach Community Pool, and the front office at the Rec Center.

Summer camp begins Monday, June 21 and is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is also an opportunity to assist with water safety at the pool. Training will be provided.

Interested?
Contact Dexter Norris - dexter@fmbgov.com - or call 239-339-3447

Mound House weekly outdoor nature & education events for
July 1 through July 10

Mound House & Newton Beach Park program calendars
July 2021 / August 2021

Schedule for JULY Marine Resources Task Force Environmental Education Pop-Up Booth

Volunteers in Times Square working the pop up education booth

Volunteers from the FMB Community Foundation helped MRTF committee members in the booth at Times Square last Saturday

Graphic about where to put out trash, refuse, yard waste and recycling

It's not the prettiest subject but it's an important one!

Thanks for doing your part to keep FMB beautiful by properly handling trash, yard waste and recycling. Read frequently asked questions.

Questions about building permits and codes?

Graphic of frequently asked questions about permits

Read the FAQs

Walk in appointments for property owners at Town Hall on Tuesdays 9 a.m. to Noon

Text Hi to 239-FMBeach for information about the Town

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

Town Council's next meeting will be Monday, August 2, at 9 a.m.

Tuesday, July 20 / 9 a.m.
Public Safety Committee Meeting

*Meetings are subject to change; please refer to the agendas posted on the Town's Website.

Town Hall is open for walk-in service from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments are strongly encouraged to minimize wait times. Call 239-765-0202 to schedule an appointment with the appropriate department.

NOTE: All employees in Town Hall might not yet be fully vaccinated against COVID.

Status on bids and proposals

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

Currently open for bid:

ITB-21-18-PW Bayside Park Improvements.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach seeks to contract with a qualified Contractor to perform improvements to the existing Bayside Park, located within Town of Fort Myers Beach right-of-way, formerly occupied by Old San Carlos Boulevard, north of First Street in the Town of Fort Myers Beach, Lee County, Florida.

Under Review:

There are currently no solicitations under review.