May 29, 2023 / Issue #2023-6

Curbside debris pick up stopped on May 30

The last pass for pickup of debris that has been pushed by property owners to the right of way on the Town’s side streets was Tuesday, May 30.  

Debris pushed to the curb by May 30 has been picked up through the State’s program that has been operating since Hurricane Ian. (This deadline didn't include properties that are signed up through www.iandebriscleanup.com for debris removal on personal property.)

Now the Town could start to enact code compliance violations for debris that remains curbside. 

PLEASE NOTE: This pertains only to the Town’s side streets and Estero Boulevard north of the Matanzas Pass Bridge. Estero Boulevard from the Matanzas Pass Bridge south is the responsibility of Lee County. 

Thanks Florida Power & Light for putting the lights up on Estero Boulevard

Installation of the lights was expected to be complete this week.

STAY INFORMED AND AWARE

Code Red emergency notification system 

was tested on Tuesday, May 23

 Those who are signed up for this system received test messages by text and email, based on their chosen preference.

Didn't receive a message?

You can also text 99411 to enroll.

Received a message and want to unsubscribe? 

Emergency Berm Project Update

The Town’s emergency berm construction project is continuing to restore sand to the beach that was displaced by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. 

Learn more about the project and the beach renourishment project 

to follow at www.fmbgov.com/beach

The emergency berm is doing what it is designed to do for nesting turtles! There are now 8 nests in the berm. 

Here are the stats on the project so far:

- 20,000 linear feet of berm is to be constructed 

- 15,000 linear feet is complete 

- Approximately 75% of project is complete

- 123,000 tons of sand is required for the project

- Approximately 116,000 tons has been delivered

REMINDER
 It's sea turtle nesting season

We already have eighteen nests 

It’s time now to remind all property owners about the lighting that is required to help protect turtles and hatchlings during nesting season. Conventional lighting scares females from nesting and disorients hatchlings away from the Gulf, leading to exhaustion, dehydration, and death from falling into storm drains, passing cars, and predators.  

Long wavelength amber bulbs in downward directed fixtures that shield the bulb from the beach are encouraged everywhere on the island, not just beachfront, because so many structures and vegetation that previously shielded light from the beach are gone due to Hurricane Ian. Besides lighting, it is also just as important to draw curtains closed at night. 

When it comes to windows and glass slider doors, the Town adopted new rules in 2022 for Sea Turtle Conservation. Windows and doors/sliders are required to have a light transmittance of 45% or less AND have a window cover installed. Read the Sea Turtle Conservation Ordinance. 

Need professional help with bulbs and fixtures? The Sea Turtle Conservancy recommends Frontier Lighting and Synergy Lighting. Long wavelength amber bulbs can also be found online. Search for “sea turtle amber LED” and the bulb type that you need.  It’s important to verify that the spectrum specifications of the bulb indicate 560 nm or greater.  

One of the cheapest FWC certified wildlife lighting options that staff have found online is the FEIT A19 Red Bulb that screws into classic Edison fixtures. Please note, filter wraps, gels, and colored party bulbs are not compliant because sea turtles are sensitive to their light.

The Town will monitor lights on the beach during season. Efforts will focus on educating property owners on solutions. Property owners are encouraged to walk on the beach to see if their property’s lighting is visible from the beach and install wildlife friendly lighting. The Town’s Environmental Projects Manager Chadd Chustz is available for questions and light inspections. Contact him by email at chadd@fmbgov.com.

For more information about lights and keeping turtles and hatchlings safe during nesting season, visit https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/963/Sea-Turtle-Information. Learn more about turtles and nesting season at www.turtletime.org  

HOW TO STAY CONNECTED

1. Sign up NOW to receive alerts from the Lee County Emergency Operations Center
2. Sign up NOW for alerts from the Town of Fort Myers Beach Code Red system
3. Sign up NOW to receive text and/or email alerts as they are posted on the Town of Fort Myers Beach website homepage
4. Monitor the Town's Facebook and Twitter social media outlets
5. Monitor local media and their social media outlets
6. Monitor the social media outlets of Lee County and the Fort Myers Beach Fire District

Visit this link - www.fmbgov.com/emergencies - to sign up for the Town’s alerts and find more information. 

2023 Florida Disaster Preparedness 

Sales Tax Holiday

May 27 -June 9, 2023

and

August 26 - September 8, 2023

Keep Lee County Beautiful

Calling all boaters and kayakers!

Join us for a Fort Myers Beach waterway cleanup on Saturday, June 10, from 8 a.m. to Noon

Keep Lee County Beautiful is partnering with the Mound House and Moss Marina, Fort Myers Beach to clean the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve and yacht basin. 

Participating volunteers will be entered into a raffle for two round trip tickets on Key West Express! 

Visit https://bit.ly/3pUDn5S for details and to register.

At the end of the Historic Preservation Month, we look back on the work to preserve the Mound House

The Mound House's future was in question until the Town of Fort Myers Beach purchased the site in 2000, but the work to restore the Mound House was just beginning. It would take until 2015 before the Mound House would be restored to its 1921 appearance, exhibits installed, and opened to the public as a museum. In 2016, the Mound House was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior for the site's historical and archaeological significance. The work to preserve and maintain the site continues today.

Kayak tours on Saturdays at Mound House 

Explore the winding mangrove creeks and hidden backwaters of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve with Mound House. This unique tour offers a rare opportunity to experience the abundant life within an estuary. 

Mound House kayak tours are conducted in accordance with Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism guidelines. 

All paddling and safety equipment provided. Ages 12 and up. Weather permitting. COST: $50 per person (MH Members $20) Museum admission included. Maximum of 12 paddlers per tour. Shoes required. 

Book your kayak tour on www.moundhouse.org

Jim volunteered on several Town advisory boards over the years, as an inaugural member of each:

•             Anchorage Advisory Committee (AAC)  Nov. 2003 thru Oct. 2008    (AAC Chair      2007/2008)
•             Community Resource Advisory Board (CRAB) Mar. 2009 thru May 2011  (CRAB Chair for the length of his service)
•             Audit Committee Nov. 2011 thru Oct. 2019 (Audit Chair for the length of his service)

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

View the meeting calendar on the Town's website

Upcoming meetings

The Town 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:

RFP-23-17-PW Road Signs 

RFP-23-14-PW Disaster Debris Monitoring 

RFQ- 23-16-TC General Legal Representation

Under Review:

ITB-23-12-PW Town Maintained Road and Sidewalk Repair

RFP-23-13-CR Partial Re Roofing of Mound House 

ITB-22-26-UT Tier 1 Side Streets Water and Stormwater Improvements