Welcome to the weekly edition of FMBeach News!

 News briefs about Town government happenings delivered to your email inbox every week

Two dredging projects at opposite ends of the island

The purpose of the project is to monitor the performance of the entrance channel to Laguna Shores, dredged in December of 2012 and last monitored in January of 2015. The purpose of the monitoring is to document any infill rates and estimate when the next maintenance dredging should occur. The engineer is recommending monitoring on a bi-annual basis.

Manatee behavior driving proposed change in ordinance Back bay likely to become no wake zone all year

A first reading and public hearing on a proposed ordinance (20-14) that will make Matanzas Pass and Estero Bay a no wake zone every month of the year was held at Town Council's August 17 meeting.

This ordinance is being proposed due to a change in the behavior of manatees studied and reported by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC).

Currently, the speed limit is 25 miles per hour (MPH) from April 1 to November 30, as this is the timeframe that has been believed that manatees do not inhabit the back bay. However, FWC has observed manatees in this zone in other months. Since manatees are a federally protected species and Lee County has large numbers of them and subsequently a large number killed by watercraft, a change in the speed zone ordinance in the Town is required. 

The ordinance is scheduled for a final reading and proposed adoption at the September 21 Town Council meeting. 

Visit the FWC website for more information about manatees.

View the Town’s meeting calendar on the website’s homepage: www.fmbgov.com

Watch Town Council and Board and Committee meetings on You Tube 

Upcoming meetings

Thursday, Sept. 10 - Town Council / 1^st Budget Hearing, 5:01 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 21 - Town Council / Final Budget Hearing, 5:01 p.m.

Town Council is in the midst of its Fiscal Year 2021 Budget process, which will
continue in September with these two public meetings:

THURSDAY, September 10 at 5:01 p.m. - Town Council meeting / 1st Budget Hearing
 
Monday, September 21 at 5:01 p.m. - Town Council meeting / Final Budget Hearing

Check out the Finance page on the website that has the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2021 along with budgets from prior years, financial statements, and a link to graphs that show the 11 different entities (including the Town of FMB) that operate with your tax dollars. https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/970/Finance

Get prepared:
Hurricane season in the midst of a pandemic

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a webpage devoted to information about preparing for a hurricane in the midst of a pandemic. 

Citizens who are interested in serving as volunteers on various boards and committees that advise the Town Council on island issues are encouraged to apply now for openings. These openings will be appointed by Town Council in October. To be considered, residents need to fill out and return this application on the Town’s website:

https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15304/Advisory-Committee-Application-Form

Deadline for applications is September 18, 2020.

Consultant to evaluate lighting conditions along Estero Boulevard from Old San Carlos Boulevard to Estrellita Drive and develop lighting alternatives for the Town to consider to enhance pedestrian visibility at crosswalks

For more info: http://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/949/Current-Bids-and-Proposals

Five ways to get Town news
and info between issues of this newsletter

1. Regularly visit www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov
2. Any time, text 239-FMBeach (239-362-3224) and follow the prompts to the info you need. Check back often for new and different information.
3. Follow the Town, Bay Oaks, Newton Beach Park, and Mound House on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)
4. Sign up to receive emails when items are posted to the website: https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/list.aspx
5. Sign up to receive notice of boil water advisories and other urgent notices through the Code Red system at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/75BFEEC9A6A5