January 19, 2022 / Issue #2022-3

Horticulture waste pickup UPDATE

The Lee County Solid Waste Department is advising the Town that horticulture waste pickup is expected to be back on normal schedule this week.

Horticulture waste pickup that was delayed last week has almost been completed. The pickup schedule for trash has not been impacted and is expected to remain on schedule as usual.

Visit the Lee County website for more information.

Three ways to report problems with trash or horticulture waste pickup:

1. Call 239-533-8000

2. Fill out a form online: Request for Action Center

3. Email SolidWaste@leegov.com

The "reFresh Estero Boulevard" improvement project is making great progress and nearing completion.

Keep up on the schedule of work each week by signing up to receive the "Construction Look Ahead" by email at www.refreshfmbeach.com.

Parking fee increased to $5 an hour

At the first meeting of 2022 on Monday, January 10, Town Councilors confirmed their previous decision to increase fees to $5 per hour.

This change is effective January 11, 2022, for parking at the more than 350 town-operated spots.

Town Councilors decided at the September 2021 budget hearings to enact this parking fee increase effective January 1, 2022, but discussed the matter again on January 10.

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 4650 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.

Sea Turtle Conservancy is focusing on Single Family Houses and Small Condos for their Retrofit Lighting Grant Program.

Learn more: https://conserveturtles.org/stc-expands-lighting-retrofit-to-fl-southwest-coast/

Interested in participating? Call STC 352-373-6441

This week at Mound House

January 20, through January 29, 2022

January 2022 program calendar
February 2022 program calendar
March 2022 program calendar

February 2022 Outdoor Nature & Education Events

www.moundhouse.org

Know someone who wants a new job in the new year?

Visit the Town’s Careers page

Vehicle and pedestrian traffic is increasing

Riding bikes safely in FMB top half of brochure

Bottom half of brochure riding bikes safely in FMB

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

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

February 2022 pop up environmental booth schedule

Thought about volunteering for one of the Town’s advisory boards and committees?

Now is your chance to get involved!

Openings are available on the Audit Committee and the Public Safety Committee. Applications are accepted online.

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

Friday, January 21 / 12:00 p.m.
MRTF Beach Walk with Florida Fish & Wildlife

Monday, January 24 / 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

Currently open for Bid

ITB-22-10-EN Laguna Channel Dredge
The Town of Fort Myers Beach seeks to contract with a qualified Contractor to maintenance dredge to a depth of no more than 7 feet below mean low water, removing approximately 6,600 cubic yards at Big Carlos Pass/Laguna Shores, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 in a Big Carlos Pass.