September 29, 2021 / Issue #2021-39

A variety of construction, sidewalk, traffic signal, and road projects are in process to improve the Downtown District of Fort Myers Beach and are expected to impact traffic at times.

CLOSING on October 6

• Crescent Street from Estero Boulevard north to 5^th Street 
• 1^st Street starting at Old San Carlos Boulevard and continuing east then south up to the north side of 2nd Street

Remaining OPEN on October 6

• Fifth Street will be the way off of the island

• 2nd Street and 3rd Street will be the east-west detour of 1st Street

Administrative services of the Mooring Field will transfer to the Town October 1

Starting October 1, 2021, administrative management of services for the Matanzas Harbor Mooring Field will change to the Town from Estero Bay Hotel Company dba Matanzas Inn.
The Town will manage the administrative functions of the Mooring Field from leased office space (Unit G109) in nearby Harbour House at 450 Old San Carlos Boulevard.
 
Matanzas Inn will continue to provide facilities such as restrooms, the dock, trash, water, and laundry while these will be maintained by the Town's staff.
 
This change is coming after several months of discussion and planning by Town Councilors, Town staff and members of the Anchorage Advisory Committee about the future expansion and management of the Mooring Field.
 
Town Councilors authorized this change at the August 2 Town Council meeting by approving a modified lease agreement with Matanzas Inn. This action provides for continuity of services while the Town explores options for the future.

• Agenda item summary from August 2 Town Council Meeting

• Anchorage Advisory Committee

Lee County switching to all electronic tolls beginning October 1 

Administrative fees will resume for pay-by-plate customers 

Lee County has used all-electronic tolling (no attendants) since the pandemic began in 2020. The Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted in June and August this year to make this permanent to: 

• Align with the State’s SunPass program and plazas elsewhere in Florida
• Return to the same tollway fee structure that was in place before the pandemic
• Adjust motorcyclists’ toll pricing to align with vehicles
• Improve driver safety and traffic congestion 

For information about this change, visit www.LeeWayinfo.com. 

 Bay Oaks is excited to present the return of Fright Night on October 22

Please, would you help with this event by donating candy? Donate 10 bags and get a FREE pass for a family of four to Fright Night!

Bring unopened bags of candy to Bay Oaks or the FMB Pool during operating hours. Address is 2731 Oak Street. Call 239-765-4222 for more information.
 

Mound House weekly outdoor nature & education events for

September 30 through October 9

Mound House & Newton Beach Park Program Description for  October 2021
also
October 2021 Program Calendar

Plans for 2022 Leadership Conference are underway

The Town needs your input about plans for its next leadership conference to educate interested community members about Town government and services. 

• I liked the special tours at all of the stops on the field trips. I had been to all of the places except the historical cottage and yet I learned so much at each stop.
• The variety and breadth of experiences provides a superb overview of what FMB has to offer.
• The emphasis on how to access different services, individuals and locations was extremely helpful.
• EVERYONE on FMB should take this conference!
• It really instilled a feeling of pride for our community and a desire to be a good steward of our island.

Text PARKING to 239-FMBeach 

See the percentage of the 349 Town-managed spaces that are currently open

Marine Resource Task Force Adventure Booth 

Has COVID-19 impacted your household or workplace?  Take Lee County's Survey 

Possible solutions for Estero Boulevard lighting were presented to Town Council in September

Read the full report

Since February, a company called REDD, Inc., DBA Town Lighting Engineers, has been under contract with the Town to consider street lighting options for Estero Boulevard that are safety and wildlife-friendly. Town Lighting Engineers have collected feedback from stakeholders and advisory committees in addition to reviewing possible lighting solutions. A report with options for solutions was presented to Town Council in September. 

From the report's executive summary:

"It is the goal of this report to provide information to help Council arrive at a preference for light color (amber, white, or both), and system ownership (utility program, Town-owned, or a combination of both) so the design process can begin. The uniqueness of the Town of Fort Myers Beach cannot be overstated. The island features protected natural areas near busy commercial zones with heavy tourist traffic. The stewardship of Estero Island includes duty both to the environment and to the residents and visitors of Fort Myers Beach. This mix of tourism and protected natural areas presents the opportunity to provide a unique solution, or rather, two solutions. One size does not fit all.

Turtle nests are still hatching!

Thanks for everything you are doing to keep the turtles
and their hatchlings safe. Read more

ATTENTION Beachfront property owners

Sea turtle lighting retrofitting might be covered by a grant 

BEACHFRONT property owners might be able to get the costs of retrofitting lighting fixtures and bulbs that comply with sea turtle regulations paid for by The Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Beachfront Lighting Retrofit Program.

Fort Myers Beach is dog-friendly

Please follow a few simple rules while enjoying the Beach with your pet

Do you have questions about permits that are needed for building or remodeling projects?

• Read Frequently Asked Questions on the Town's website.
• Visit the permitting section on the Town's website.
• Watch an educational session about permitting from a Town Council meeting led by staff from the Building Services Department. (Starts at 1 hour, 30 minutes, 40 seconds.)

239-765-0202 ext. 1303
buildingpermits@fmbgov.com 

Per Florida Building Code (102.2), a permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, alter, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system; the installation of which is regulated by technical code. 

The Town's online permitting service is called iWorQ and can be used to:

• Search and view permits
• View status
• Download/ print approved documents
• Pay fees
• Schedule inspections

PERMIT SEARCH
If you are searching for record information or paying fees,
you are not required to create an account.

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

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

Upcoming meetings

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