December 15, 2021 / Issue #2021-50

Sand sculpture found on the beach that says Merry Christmas

The Town will celebrate its 26th year of incorporation on December 31, 2021, with the return of the annual cupcake giveaway in Times Square and a fireworks display and ball drop.

The cupcake giveaway will be from noon to 1 p.m. or until gone. It is a tradition that was begun by several families after the Town was incorporated in 1995.

Thanks to the generous support of local merchants, residents and visitors, there will be a ball drop and fireworks display starting at midnight in Times Square. The pier will be closed to all traffic for the festivities.

Please help keep everyone safe and the festivities enjoyable by observing the Town’s ordinances that prohibit personal fireworks displays in any part of the Town, including the beach. Also, open containers of alcohol are prohibited outside the boundaries of Times Square and trash needs to be disposed of in the proper receptacles. Glass containers are not permitted on the beach.

Traffic is expected to be heavy in the Downtown District for these events. Visitors should consider using the convenient public transportation options offered by LeeTran, particularly the park and ride lot located a few miles off Estero Island at Pine Ridge Road. LeeTran will be extending hours for its beach services until 1 a.m. Call 239-533-8726 with questions.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed to oncoming traffic from midnight to 1:30 a.m. Big Carlos Pass Bridge on the sound end of the Island will be open.

For information about Town parking, text the word PARKING to 239-FMBeach (239-362-3224) or visit the parking section on the Town's website.

The Beach and Street Enforcement (BASE) team monitors town spaces and posts the percentage of their availability at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. daily. The Town operates several hundred pay-for-parking spaces in and near the Downtown District and beach accesses. There are also several commercial lots.

Watch the Town’s website and social media outlets for updates.

For information about New Year’s Eve activities and entertainment in retail and restaurant establishments, visit the FMB Chamber of Commerce website.

Stress free parking

The Town has some tools and tips to help

Text PARKING to 239-FMBeach (239-362-3224)

When visiting the Downtown District - Times Square, the Pier, Bayside Park - or the Beach, keep in mind that the Town has several hundred public spaces in those areas and nearby. Lee County also operates spaces in the Downtown District and there are paid commercial lots.

Other tips

Consider enjoying the beach from a public access that you have not been to before. Spread along Estero Boulevard are 26 public beach accesses - many with paid parking - for five or so miles from the Matanzas Pass Bridge on the north end of Town toward the Big Carlos Pass Bridge on the south end of Town. Look for the beach access signs hanging from poles at each entrance off Estero Boulevard.
Text PARKING to 239-FMBeach (239-362-3224) for more information about parking and to see the percentage of spaces that are currently available throughout Town.
The Town's Beach and Street Enforcement (BASE) Team is monitoring the Town's spaces at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. daily and posting the percentage of spaces that are available here.
Parking in the right of way or on private property (unless it is a designated parking area) is not permitted.
Visit the parking section on the T own's website.
Pay for parking in Town spaces by downloading the Passport parking app.
Park at the Lee County park and ride lot on Pine Ridge Road and ride the Trolley.
Town Hall at 2525 Estero Boulevard now has paid parking spaces after business hours and on the weekends with a couple of beach accesses within easy walking distance.
Before you head out, check the Town's traffic cams located at Town Hall and near Newton Beach Park to see how things are moving.
Newton Beach Park at 2650 Estero Boulevard (mid Island) is a great place to spend a day at the Beach! The park has a spectacular beach with nearby restrooms and showers, Tiki Huts, picnic tables, and an accessible ramp.

Public restrooms in the Town of Fort Myers Beach

Town Council recently approved the re-installation of a public restroom trailer at the Palm Avenue Beach Access #30. The restroom opened to the public on December 10 thanks to funding obtained through the Lee County Tourist Development Council.

Interested in attending the FMB Citizens Academy in 2022?

The dates have been set and the application process is OPEN!

Click here to reserve your spot

Space is limited for this popular event and spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

(This Citizens Academy was formerly known as the Leadership Conference.)

Learn about Town operations, meet and speak with Town officials and staff members, and explore Town-owned facilities.

Schedule

Wednesday, February 9, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Town Hall Day

Wednesday, February 16, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Heart of the Island - Bay Oaks, Mound House, Newton Beach Park

Wednesday, February 23, 8:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Downtown District and Island Tours

Monday, March 7, 9 a.m.

Graduation with Town Council

This week at Mound House

December 16 through December 25, 2021

Mound House Outdoor Nature & Education December 2021 Events

Eva Spychalski won the employee Tacky Christmas Tree Outfit contest.

The winner of the employee Tacky Christmas Tree Outfit Contest was Eva Spychalski! Eva is the Administrative Officer in the Town Clerk's Department. She won with a custom-designed creation that she fashioned out of a Christmas Tree skirt and decorated with bows, garland and miniature ornaments.

Lee County residents can now text 911 to summon emergency services

Text to 911 is live and operational for all residents and visitors of Lee County

For more information about texting 911, visit www.leegov.com/911

The Lee Board of County Commissioners and Lee County Sheriff’s Office today announced that county residents and visitors now can send a text to 911 in an emergency.

Placing a voice call to 911 remains the most effective method for requesting emergency assistance. Text to 911 should only be used when the caller is:

Deaf or hard of hearing
Experiencing a medical event that makes clear speech difficult
In a dangerous situation where it is not possible to safely make a voice call, such as an active shooter, domestic violence incident or home invasion.

Vehicle and pedestrian traffic is increasing

LeeTran's seasonal service has resumed

The beach tram offers fare-free tram service running from Bowditch Point Park to Matanzas Pass Preserve

Beach service includes three trams estimated to run every 15 minutes, depending on traffic, seven days a week starting at 8 a.m. from Bowditch Point Park. The last pickup is at 11:30 p.m. at Matanzas Pass Preserve.

The open-air, multi-car trams provide an easy, fun way to travel along the beach from hotels to restaurants to shopping and other attractions.

Schedules for routes

Follow service-related updates or learn more

Environmental education booth schedule for December

Representatives from the Marine Resources Task Force (MRTF) are hosting a pop-up educational booth

Town Hall Tuesdays for brief questions about permits and codes are 9 .am. to Noon

When is a permit required?
Visit the Town’s Website to see the list of projects that require a permit and projects that do not.

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.

Birds are migrating to FMB for the winter

Please help them rest and feed by not chasing or otherwise disturbing them. Migrant shorebirds are protected by state and federal law.

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

Thursday, December 16 / 11:00 a.m.
Special Magistrate Hearings

Tuesday, January 4 / 9:00 a.m.
Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board Meeting

Monday, January 10 / 9:00 a.m.
Town Council 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

There are no open bid opportunities, and no solicitations under review at this time for the Town of Fort Myers Beach