April 20, 2022 / Issue #2022-16

THIS FRIDAY APRIL 22

Volunteer for Mound House’s Earth Day Beach and Bay Clean-Up 

The beach clean-up will be led by the Mound House’s Educator starting at 8 a.m. at Beach Access 22 (Connecticut Street). The path will be to Newton Beach Park and back to Beach Access 22, concluding at 9:30 a.m.  A 15-minute break will be held at Newton Beach Park. Refreshments will be provided.

Parking will be available at the Mound House overflow parking lot at 216 Connecticut Street. Cleaning supplies will be provided.

The bay clean-up will start at Mound House at 2 p.m. and conclude by 3:30 p.m. Kayaks will be used to clean Matanzas Pass and the neighboring Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. Volunteers are encouraged to bring and use their own kayaks. (Mound House will have a limited number of kayaks.)

Small teams in kayaks will be cleaning different sections of the area before returning to the Mound House for water and pastries.

Vehicle parking will be at the Mound House overflow lot at 216 Connecticut Street. Mound House volunteers and staff will assist in parking and managing the event. Collected trash will be brought back to the Mound House.

This month at Mound House

April 2022  
Outdoor Nature & Education Events

May 2022 Calendar

www.moundhouse.org

Sea Turtle Nesting Season
May 1 to October 31

The address of Town Hall is 2525 Estero Boulevard. 
Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Look for this box in the lobby

Estero Boulevard landscaping to begin next Monday

P&T Landscaping will be starting to remove the sod on Estero Boulevard from the Red Coconut to Publix on Monday, April 25. About an inch of sod is expected to be removed. Weeds and grass in the area will be sprayed over the next few weeks so that the area will be clear and ready for planting. Planting is expected to begin on May 9.

Community members interested in serving as volunteers to advise and support the work of Town government are encouraged to apply for current openings on four of the Town’s ten advisory boards and committees.

The Town’s boards and committees exist to advise Town Council about Bay Oaks Recreational Campus, the Matanzas Pass Mooring Field, Mound House, Newton Beach Park, finances, island preservation and history, marine resources, anchorage, nuisance abatement, and public safety.

Available openings:

• Audit Committee (3)
• Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board (BORCAB) (1)
• Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (HPAC) (2)
• Public Safety Committee (2) 

Regular meeting on Monday, April 4

1. Election qualifying period for potential Town Council candidates
Town Councilors approved Ordinance 22-08 that changes the timeframe candidates must meet to be on the ballot this November. This change was requested by the Lee County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) because the Town’s previous qualifying period of 50-46 days prior to the election severely limited timely preparation and mailing of ballots. Candidates who wish to be on the November 2022 ballot must open a campaign file with the Fort Myers Beach Town Clerk and do not have to wait until the official qualifying period to do this. Official qualifying is from noon on Monday, June 13, until noon on Friday, June 17, 2022.  (The deadline by petition to the SOE is May 16, 2022, at noon.) All requirements are posted on the Town Clerk’s page at www.fmbgov.com under Municipal Elections. Potential candidates can also make an appointment with the Town Clerk. 

2. April is Donate Life Month
Donate Life Month was proclaimed by Town Council as requested by Lifelink of Florida, the non-profit organization dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue for transplantation therapy. 

Regular meeting on Monday, April 18

1. Parasailing and personal watercraft ordinance
After much discussion and public input, Town Councilors chose to reconsider and restart the revision process for the ordinance that regulates personal watercraft and parasail vendors. 

2. Estero Boulevard Lighting Project
Discussion continued about roadway safety lighting with representatives from Town Lighting Engineers (consultants) and Florida Power & Light (FPL). This project is pending FPL testing of a new amber light bulb fixture. 

3. Tuckaway Cafe Commercial Planned Zoning Amendment
A first reading and public hearing was held for Tuckaway Cafe's request to change the zoning at its location on the corner of Estero Boulevard and Mango Street. The request is to allow beer brewing for on premises consumption. The ordinance is set for a second reading and possible final adoption at the May 2 Town Council meeting.

4.  4th of July fireworks and parade
A resolution was approved to piggyback on the City of Marco Island's contract with Exposhows, Inc., to provide fireworks for the Town's 4th of July (and News Year's Eve) shows. The cost is not to exceed $60,000 for both shows. Town Councilors also approved the closure of the Matanzas Pass Bridge on July 4 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for the parade and 9 to 11:30 p.m. during the fireworks and after for traffic coming on to Estero Island. COMING SOON: Information about the July 4th parade and fireworks. Watch the Town's website and social media outlets. 

5. Naming a new beach access location - SUBMIT YOUR IDEAS
Town Councilors are seeking the public's ideas for names of the beach access by the Margaritaville resort that is currently under construction. The access has been known as Canal Street. Email suggestions to publicinfo@fmbgov.com.

Sign up now  for summer camp at Mound House 

Two sessions will be held during the weeks of July 11 and July 18. From guided tours and beach walks to kayak eco-tours and a unique archaeological experience, explore the history of the 2,000 year old Calusa Indian Shell Mound and the surrounding natural environment while having great summer fun.

Youth basketball to be held at Bay Oaks in June

FREE drop-off event for
household chemical waste

8 a.m. to Noon

Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Bay Oaks Recreational Campus, 2731 Oak Street  

Hosted by Lee County Solid Waste and the Town

List of acceptable items 

Environmental education booth schedule

Representatives from the Town's Marine Resources Task Force (MRTF) are hosting a pop-up educational booth at various locations around Town.

Are you or someone you know looking for a job?
 

It's shorebird nesting season

Learn more at LeeTran

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

View the meeting calendar on the Town's website

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