July 7, 2021 / Issue #2021-27

Annual fireworks show on July 4th receives rave reviews

Watching from the beach and surrounding streets and yards, thousands of residents and visitors enjoyed the Town's July 4th fireworks display this past Sunday evening.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) had additional patrols, including by helicopter. The helicopter patrol captured video footage of the fireworks and promoted it on social media.

The fireworks returned this year after a break in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. The Town paid nearly $60,000 for this year's show, including $27,000 for the fireworks and $30,000 for additional patrols by LCSO.

Facebook post from Lee County Sheriff's office with video of the fireworks

Daniel L. Hughes
1930-2021

Mayor Ray Murphy has sad news to share with the community of Fort Myers Beach

“It is with an extremely heavy heart that I have to announce that Mayor Dan Hughes passed away this evening (Thursday, July 1, 2021) at his home surrounded by his family and friends.”

After retiring from an impressive career in municipal, banking and corporate law in Washington D.C. and Chicago and moving to Fort Myers Beach, Mayor Hughes was instrumental in the formation of the Town in 1995.

He served as a Town Councilor, Vice Mayor and Mayor. Since the Town's beginning, he held leadership roles on various Town committees, including the Local Planning Agency and the Audit Committee. He was one of the original authors of the Town's Comprehensive Land Development Code.

Dan was a proud graduate of Yale University (1952) and Northwestern University School of Law (1955.) He is a past recipient of the Fort Myers Beach Observer's humanitarian award, and was a charter member of the board of the Friends of Mound House.

He contributed to the Town's acquisition and restoration of the historic Mound House, and provided funds to furnish the Period Room in memory of his late wife, Ann. He and Ann raised three children and had 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be arranged when family, friends, and neighbors return to Fort Myers Beach next winter. Donations in Dan's memory can be directed to the Friends of the Mound House or Saint Raphael's Episcopal Church in Fort Myers Beach.

Our deepest sympathies to Dan’s family, many friends, and his Town of Fort Myers Beach family. He will be sorely missed, and we are grateful for his unending dedication and service.

Dan attended the Town Council meeting on June 7, 2021, and was honored with a proclamation.

Reserve your spot for Mound House's 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

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

As Hurricane/Tropical Storm Elsa finishes passing us today, it’s a good time to share these reminders to help you be properly prepared for the next storm.

Hurricane re-entry passes that are YELLOW and PURPLE and issued in previous years are STILL VALID.

If you do not have a YELLOW or PURPLE re-entry pass, apply for one here: https://tinyurl.com/HurricanePass

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.

When a storm is still a few days out

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.

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

Mound House weekly outdoor nature & education events for
July 8 through July 17

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

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

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.

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.