March 31, 2021 / Issue #2021-13

Get involved - volunteer with an advisory board or committee

Interested community members are needed to serve on the Town's Marine Resources Task Force (MRTF) and Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board (BORCAB).

Visit the Advisory Boards and Committees page on the Town's website to learn more and apply.

Sheriff and State Patrol join forces for pedestrian and cyclist education on Estero Boulevard

Did you see Lee County Sheriff's Deputies and Florida State Highway Patrol Officers gathered near Crescent Beach Park last Friday morning? They were conducting Operation P.E.D.S. (Pedestrian Education and Developing Safety).

Over the course of a couple hours, troopers and deputies spoke with hundreds of pedestrians and bicyclists, providing safety tips and traffic law reminders.

Citizens reached and flyers distributed: 260
Backpack lights distributed: 69
Bicycle lights distributed: 127

FPL starting vegetation cleanup around its facilities in April

Florida Power & Light has let us know that a contractor, Lewis Tree Service, will be clearing vegetation from around FPL facilities on Estero Island starting in April. This work is expected to last through June. See map below for areas that will be impacted.

Created a sand masterpiece during your fun day at the beach?

Take a picture and share it with the Town! Email it to PublicInfo@fmbgov.com

Public Works Department employees make the sand smooth and even each morning. Please do your part to make the beach enjoyable for everyone and fill in any holes in the sand that your fun in the sun creates.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
Please remember to dismantle your masterpiece before you leave and fill in any holes it creates.

What is a fun time on the beach for you could be hurtful for people who fall in the holes you leave behind or animals who get trapped in them.

Thanks for your cooperation!

.

Public Beach Accesses

The Town maintains 26 public beach accesses on Estero Island, marked and easily accessed from Estero Boulevard. Many of the accesses also have public parking, and 24 adhere to standards as set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act, with a mobi mat or ramp.

List of beach accesses maintained by the Town

Beach wheelchairs available for loan

Related to ADA accessibility, the Town has adapted beach wheelchairs for loan. They can be reserved by calling 239-463-5888 at least 24 hours in advance. A deposit will be necessary and an agreement will need to be completed.

Three beach areas at the north end of Estero are maintained by Lee County. They are Bowditch Point Park, Lynn Hall Memorial Park with the pier, and Crescent Beach Park. Visit Lee County's Parks and Recreation website for more information.

April 10 is Gopher Tortoise Day! Some Gopher Tortoise live on FMB

This day was created by the Gopher Tortoise Council to celebrate this crucial part of Florida’s ecosystems. This fossorial keystone species creates extensive underground burrows that provide shelter to more than 350 native animals. Learn more about Gopher Tortoise Day

Can you find the tortoise in this picture?

If you find one in nature or have questions, please contact Chadd Chustz

chadd@fmbgov.com

Baby and adult gopher tortoise

Earth Day is April 22

The Marine Resource Task Force is hosting a Pop-Up Environmental Resource Booth that will be traveling all over Fort Myers this year. This educational booth is designed to connect with the community, visitors, and snowbirds on environmental subjects. Kick off will be at The Lovers Key Mermaid Festival on Easter Weekend. Volunteers from Turtle Time Inc., Mound House, Master Gardeners, Southwest Florida Audubon, and a Florida Master Naturalist will be there.

View the booth’s location schedule

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
FREE drop-off event for household chemical waste
is April 30 at Bay Oaks

On Friday, April 30, starting at 8 a.m., Town residents will be able to safely and responsibly dispose of household chemical waste (HCW) such as leftover paints, cleaners, herbicides, pesticides, automotive fluids and pool chemicals.

In keeping with CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, this event is socially distanced, no contact.

Hosted in partnership with Lee County Solid Waste, this no charge collection event will be from 8 a.m. to noon at Bay Oaks Recreational Campus, 2731 Oak Street. Drop off is an easy, drive-through process available to all residents.

For a list of acceptable items, visit the Lee County Solid Waste site

Navigate seasonal traffic with these tools on the website

Traffic is often challenging in season on FMB, and you can find tools to help on the Town’s website. Information is available about Lee Tran Trolleys and the Beach Park and Ride with links to traffic cameras along Estero Boulevard.

Lee County is collecting unopened canned goods and dry, non-perishable items between March 22 and April 5 at the Fort Myers Beach Public Library, 2755 Estero Boulevard.

This collection event is for everyone, and has been planned around the time that seasonal residents and visitors would be leaving and cleaning out their pantries.

Read Cape News article for details about this program and other locations around Lee County that are accepting donations.

View Mound House and Newton Beach Park
April 2021 Program Calendar

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, March 25 - CANCELLED

Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board (CELCAB)

Monday, April 5 / 9 a.m.

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, April 7 / 9 a.m.

Town Council Management & Planning Session

Status on bids and proposals
Read more about bids and proposals

Currently open for bid

RFQ-21-09-EN Beach Renourishment Professional Services
Pursuant to the requirements of Florida Statutes (F.S.), Chapter 287, the Town of Fort Myers Beach anticipates seeking professional consultant services for the purpose of assisting the Town with professional engineering services to renourish Fort Myers Beach.

RFP-21-05-AD Audio Visual Improvements
The Town of Fort Myers Beach is soliciting proposals from qualified audio and visual professionals, with a history of similar public-space experience in identifying and evaluating auditorium upgrades or improvements.

Text Hi to 239-FMBeach for information about the Town