July 10, 2023 / Issue #2023-12

JOIN US FOR MOUND HOUSE CLASSES

Join us at Mound House on July 25 at 5:30 p.m. as we host Brent Newman, Chief Curator at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Brent will present "Thomas Edison and Henry Ford in the Wilds of Florida".

Learn about how these two famous men and their families explored Fort Myers Beach and other remote locations in Florida. General price is $15, but Mound House member pricing is $7. This includes museum admission and light bites.

Space is limited, register today at www.moundhouse.org

ATTENTION BEACHFRONT PROPERTY OWNERS

PLEASE SIGN TEMPORARY EASEMENTS BY JULY 31

Please sign easements by July 31 so that your property can receive the benefit of free sand to restore it after the damage caused by Hurricane Ian. This is part of the Town's beach renourishment project. Find this easement form on the Town's website at www.fmbgov.com/beach.

We've heard that some property owners believe that they will give up their property rights to the Town if they sign the easement form. We understand how that could be a concerning thought, and how hard it might be to accept that it is inaccurate. We asked the Town's new attorney to confirm what we've previously published about this matter.

"The easement form states that there are no third party beneficiaries and nothing prohibits the upland owner from using their property in any way as long as such use is consistent with the easement and complies with federal, state, county, and Town of Fort Myers Beach law. It also states that all risks associated with the use of the easement is on the Town, not on the property owner."

Questions can be sent by email to Chadd Chustz, the Town’s Environmental Projects Manager, at chadd@fmbgov.com

Please use native plants as you are rebuilding

The Marine & Environmental Resources Task Force promotes the use of native plants for all landscaping accomplished by Lee County, the Town, and residents or businesses on Estero Island.

What are the benefits of native plants to us? They can save you money and create a healthier place for yourself and your family.

They require little to no watering and can withstand periods of drought. (This saves money on watering and turfgrass irrigation systems.)
They require little to no fertilizer. (The main components of fertilizer are phosphorus and nitrogen. Both of these ingredients can run off and fuel excess algae growth, whether it be red tide or blue-green algae. When the nitrogen is not used up by the plants, microbes in the soil can convert it into nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.)
They require little to no pesticides. (The National Cancer Institute released a study stating households with lawns treated with pesticides had children with a 6.5 times greater risk of developing leukemia. All pesticides have a precautionary statement warning of health issues for humans and animals.)
They require little to no herbicides. (Herbicides pose a risk to humans and pets. The labels advise if the herbicide is in contact with skin, directly or by soaking through clothing, the first aid treatment is to rinse for 15 –20 minutes and contact a physician or poison control center. It should never be allowed to run in to any body of water.)
Freedom lawns consisting of native plants need less mowing. (Turfgrass lawns require regular mowing and the amount of gasoline used for lawnmowers or other gas-powered garden tools has been shown to emit 5% of the nations air pollution from exhaust.)
They give a beautiful array of colors and forms for human enjoyment (Plus they provide free entertainment with all of the birds and butterflies visiting your native plants.)

2023 Florida Native Plants

Read more about native plants on Town's Website

UPDATED Elevation Certificate Form

ELEVATION CERTIFICATE (EC) * - FEMA released this updated Elevation Certificate form and instructions on Friday, July 7, 2023.

The Town is required to only accept the new form without a grace period. This means that any elevation certificate signed and dated on or after July 7, 2023 must utilize this new FEMA EC Form. This form and other National Flood Insurance Program Underwriting Forms can also be obtained from the FEMA website.

*Problems Viewing PDF Document

Elevation Certificates are very helpful and are used for two main reasons:

1) Community Development staff use elevation certificates to ensure that new construction or substantial improvements to property are compliant with floodplain regulations for minimum building elevation to or above the required Base Flood Elevation.

2) The insurance industry uses elevation certificates to rate your structure for flood insurance. Generally speaking, for each 1 foot above the required Base Flood Elevation your home or business is elevated, you will see a corresponding decrease of nearly 50% in your annual flood insurance premiums. Conversely, for each foot below BFE, your rates will double. Elevating your home can be costly, but this explanation shows how you can save a lot of money in annual flood insurance premiums, while having a safer home or business to enjoy. Download the Elevation Certificate Fact Sheet from FEMA for more information.

Contact a surveyor to have an Elevation Certificate prepared for your home or business. An Elevation Certificate is the only way to ensure that your premium accurately reflects your risk.

Hurricane re-entry passes are ready at Town Hall

We've worked with the Lee County Sheriff's Office and FMB Fire District to streamline this process from prior years, using lessons learned from Hurricane Ian.

Each pass will have the first three letters of the pass holder's name written on the back with an assigned number. The number will be assigned when the pass holder shows identification at pick up.

We are grateful to Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt for stepping in to help with Re-entry pass distribution.

Permit is now required for placement of temporary structures

In June 2023, Town Council passed Ordinance 23-05 for placement of temporary structures that some residential and commercial owners are using. This also includes FEMA and FDEM temporary structures.

Town Council took action after Hurricane Ian to allow temporary structures to be registered with the Town. This was to assist property owners to rebuild and to help the Town keep track of the number of temporary structures and their locations.

Property owners – residential or business - who are using temporary structures, now need to apply for a Temporary Placement Permit. This requirement is for currently registered structures and future applications. Here are some important details from the ordinance:

“This applies to Commercial, Institutional, or Residential Zoning District for displaced owner-occupants or tenants if their existing living unit(s) has/ have become uninhabitable due Hurricane Ian. The Temporary Placement permit shall be issued in increments of 6 months by resubmitting a new Temporary Placement Permit application. The permit shall not be issued for a period exceeding eighteen months. The Town may grant an extension if the permit holder demonstrates that a significant hardship exists by showing that they have exercised all due diligence in obtaining permits for either repair or replacement of the affected structure meaning that you would have to eventually apply for a building permit for the destroyed dwelling unit. The temporary unit shall be removed from the site within thirty (30) days after issuance of a certificate of occupancy or certificate of use associated with the approved permit, or at the time of the expiration of the TPP, whichever is earlier. TPP shall not be used for the purpose of placing and operating a Short Term Rental.”

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

An application fee of $100
A completed Temporary Placement Application
Map or other documentation indicating the proposed location of the manufactured home, mobile home, motor home, recreational vehicle, or other temporary residential unit
State Department of Health, State Department of Environmental Protection, and Town permit(s) authorizing the connection of the manufactured home, mobile home, motor home, recreational vehicle, or other temporary residential unit to an on-site or existing community wastewater treatment system.

REGULATIONS:

The applicant must be the property owner/commercial tenant of the lot and the vendor must have a Lee County Tax-ID; or with the Town’s consent, have the permission of the property owner to operate at that location. Permission must be supplied with application.
All vehicles and structures must be completely on the lot and may not extend into the public right-of-way.
Vehicles and structures placed on commercial lots must be setback by no less than the width of the vehicle/structure (i.e. track width) from any property line and not protrude into the right of way.
Food Service Kitchens are permitted on their brick-and-mortar commercial site that is zoned for that type of activity.
- Other retail stores may not accommodate food trucks.
Temporary power and sewer connection must be permitted by submitting a Trade Permit Application.
Structures which are not on wheels must be tied-down on a stabilized surface or secured with appropriate helical piles, or other method to resist hydro-dynamic forces.
Vehicle and mobile home must be on wheels and be able to quickly disconnect utility connections and be removed from the property after a hurricane watch has been issued.

To check the status of applications or permits:

If a complete permit application has not yet been received, permit applications can be submitted, or application status can be researched using the IWorQ citizen engagement portal: https://fortmyers.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/fortmyers
Once a complete permit application is received, a permit number is created and the permit is created in the iWorQ permit portal. From this point, to check the permit status, pay fees, print permits and approved job site plans, schedule inspections, and check inspection results, here is the link to the iWorQ permit portal: https://portal.iworq.net/FORTMYERSBEACH/permits/600

To schedule an inspection:

Use the same link: https://portal.iworq.net/FORTMYERSBEACH/permits/600, enter the permit number. Click search and click request an inspection. You will need an access code which will be emailed to the permit holder upon issuance of the permit.

If you do not know your access code please request it by emailing inspections@fmbgov.com
For all permitting-related emails, resubmittals and to add additional documents to the application after initial online submittal, permitting questions, etc. email to: buildingpermits@fmbgov.com
Any inspections questions or cancellation requests, email to: inspections@fmbgov.com
To send in contractor registration, copies of licenses, and insurance (liability and workers compensation) proof of insurance, email to: contractorregistration@fmbgov.com
Permitting information, find on : http://www.fmbgov.com/building
If you replying to a plan review rejection letter, use email: resubmittal@fmbgov.com

Remember: Always Hire a Licensed Contractor

Hurricane season is underway, and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR) encourages businesses and professionals to protect themselves before and after a storm. We've been hearing sad stories about issues with construction contractors.

It's prompted us to share this reminder about making sure you are using a licensed Florida contractor to rebuild. You can verify licenses (see instructions below) and file complaints online or by email.

Go to www.myfloridalicense.com to file a complaint or email your complaint with the contract and proof of payment to ula@myfloridalicense.com

Verify licenses here

We have FOUR NESTS HATCHED!

Property owners are reminded 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.

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

Fort Myers Beach

Distance: 7 miles

Nests: 66

**NNE*: 198**

Nests Hatched: 4

*NNE stands for Non Nesting Emergence which means that the turtle crawled ashore but did not nest.

HOW TO STAY CONNECTED

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

BE HURRICANE PREPARED

Visit Lee County's Hurricane Preparation Guide

STAY INFORMED AND AWARE

Sign up to receive urgent texts or emails from the Town.

Report a Concern

Do you need someone from the Town to address a utilities, street, beach, permitting, zoning, code, public record, or other issue? There's a button on the top of the Town's website that helps you submit an electronic form that goes directly to the Town employee who is responsible for your particular concern. You can also click the link below.

Click here to report a concern

____________________________________________________________

PROTECTING SHOREBIRDS

is our duty

LEASH DOGS ALL OF THE TIME

Birds see dogs as predators, no matter how small the dog.
Leash dogs on the beach at all times. You are responsible for your dog’s actions.
No Dogs Allowed in the Critical Wildlife Area (CWA) on the beach from the Wyndham to Carlos Point Beach

GIVE BIRDS THEIR SPACE

Do not flush birds, they need the energy to fly 100’s of miles away
Walk around resting birds on the beach, giving them 50+ feet.
Stop children from running through birds.
When birds are aggravated, you are too close.
Never enter areas posted with shorebird/seabird signs.
Properly dispose of trash to keep predators away.
Do not fly kites near areas where birds may be nesting

Visit MOUND HOUSE

Grounds are open Monday through Saturday from 7:30am to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 7:30am to 3 p.m.

Museum and Museum Store are open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

____________________________________________________________

The Pickleball courts at Bay Oaks will be unavailable over the next few months as the gym and grounds are under reconstruction due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian.

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

Meetings are at DiamondHead Resort, 2000 Estero Boulevard, unless otherwise noted

Live and recorded meetings can also be viewed on the
Town of Fort Myers Beach YouTube channel.

View the meeting calendar on the Town's website

Upcoming meetings

Town Council Meetings RESUME IN AUGUST

Wednesday, July 19 9 a.m. - Anchorage Advisory Committee (AAC) - Mound House, 451 Connecticut Street

*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.

Status of bids and proposals

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:

ITB-23-18-UT Tier 1 Improvements

Bids Awarded:

RFP-23-17-PW Road Signs

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

RFP-23-14-PW Disaster Debris Monitoring

RFQ- 23-16-TC General Legal Representation