Where to learn about COVID vaccination appointments

Keep up on the current status of vaccination appointments available from the Florida Department of Health-Lee County on its website or by calling 2-1-1 or 239-433-3900.

Publix Supermarkets with pharmacies started offering reservations for appointments yesterday throughout Lee County. Visit the Publix website for information.

The current priority groups receiving vaccinations throughout Florida are frontline healthcare workers, residents of long-term healthcare facilities, and residents who are age 65 and older. Proof of Florida residency is required.

Please keep in mind that the amount of available appointments does not currently meet the demand. However, it is expected that eventually everyone who wants to will be able to receive the vaccine. Patience and persistence is required!

Dial 211 or 239-433-3900 for updates on covid vaccinations in lee county

REMINDER ABOUT MASKS & SPECIAL EVENTS

The Town’s Emergency Declaration #7 of July 1, 2020 and Emergency Declaration #5 of April 27, 2020 with orders that help prevent the spread of COVID-19, remain in effect.

These declarations prohibit special events and require that masks be worn in public whenever social distancing of at least six feet cannot be maintained.

Discussion at Town Council meetings this week to review these orders resulted in continuing the prohibition of the community’s special event permits unless applicants wish to attend a Council meeting to seek Town Council authorization. An updated order with this wording will be put on an upcoming Town Council meeting agenda.

Although not unanimous, Councilors also decided to keep the mask requirement in place.

Reminder that masks remain mandatory when social distancing cannot be maintained

Bay Oaks redevelopment plans move forward

Grant application to be submitted in February to help with funding

At this week's meeting,Town Council approved the current 30 percent design plans prepared by DRMP, Inc., to build a new program facility at Bay Oaks Recreational Campus on Oak Street.

The new facility will include space for a variety of youth programs and activities including an amphitheater and other new recreational amenities.

Town Council requested that a site plan be updated to depict the location available for a future active recreation facility and a standalone amphitheater.

Also related to the redevelopment of Bay Oaks, authorization was given for staff to apply for a Land and Water Conservation Fund Program Grant to help in financing the project. That grant application is due in early February and the decision to move forward with the current design plan was necessary to apply.

Other agenda items pertaining to Bay Oaks included the adoption of an interlocal agreement with Lee County Schools for an after school program, and an agreement with FMB Little League that includes wording about the League’s assumption of risk related to the possibility of contracting COVID.

Artist's rendering of future program building for Bay Oaks Recreational Campus

Artist's rendering of future amphitheater on the back of the building

Artist's rendering of amphitheater and ball field on the back of the future program building

Town Council gives green light to next step in Estero Boulevard lighting project

The Town Manager has been given the authorization by Town Council to negotiate with a consultant to implement a long-awaited safety lighting project for Estero Boulevard. Three qualified companies responded to the bid and an internal selection committee reviewed and ranked them.

A representative from Florida Power & Light (FP&L) is scheduled to attend the February 16 meeting to brief Council on FP& L’s efforts to balance safety and environmentally appropriate lighting.

Next Household Waste Collection Event is February 5 from 8 a.m. to Noon at Bay OAks

Next Household Waste Collection event is February 5, 8 a.m. to Noon, at Bay Oaks

On February 5, 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. This Household Waste Collection Event is an easy, drive-through, socially distanced, no contact process, at no charge.

This event is part of the town’s interlocal agreement with Lee County to provide residents with convenient and responsible disposal of chemicals that might otherwise be harmful to people and the environment.

Businesses that need chemical waste disposal can call 239-533-8000 to schedule an appointment for the monthly business collection held at Lee County’s permanent HCW drop-off location.That location is off Metro Parkway in south Fort Myers at 6441 Topaz Court.

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF MATERIALS THAT ARE CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE

Seven Seas Cottage at Newton Beach Park is a historically significant building on FMB

The cottage is undergoing preservation repairs authorized by Town Council in October 2020. The repairs are expected to be completed by February and are being performed by International Fine Art Conservation Studios.

The cottage will eventually be available for the public to rent for events and parties. The Culture, Parks and Recreation Department of the Town manages the cottage and Newton Beach Park, along with Mound House and Bay Oaks Recreational Campus.

Read about Seven Seas Cottage and see how it has transformed over the years as captured by the Estero Island Historical Society

See February's schedule of beachwalks at Newton Beach Park and events at Mound House

Sign at Newton Beach Park with information about the history of Seven Seas Cottage

The exterior of Seven Seas Cottage has recently been painted a sky blue color.

Serve on the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee

Town Council is accepting applications for the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (HPAC.)

As a committee of the Local Planning Agency (LPA) Board, the HPAC recommends to town Council historic property and landmark designations as well as programs to stimulate public interest in historic preservation.

Find the application here.

HPAC may also advise property owners and local agencies concerning the proper protection, maintenance, enhancement, and preservation of cultural resources when requested to by the LPA or directed to by Town Council.

Plaque that homes receive from town for restoring a historically significant structure

Lee County public meeting is January 28
about the Big Carlos Pass Bridge Project

Lee County Government is holding a public meeting on Thursday, January 28, 2021, about the Big Carlos Pass Bridge Project. The meeting will be 5 to 7 p.m. with a formal presentation at 6 p.m. Virtual and in person options are available.

Virtual - GoToWebinar

Register at www.BigCarlosBridgeProject.com

In Person

Bay Oaks Recreation Center

2731 Oak St., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

Ways to participate in the big carlos pass bridge project

Text Hi to 239-FMBeach for information about the Town

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.

View the meeting calendar on the Town's website

Upcoming meetings

Thursday, January 28 / 3 p.m.

Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board (CELCAB)

Monday, February 1 / 9 a.m.
Town Council Meeting

Tuesday, February 2 / 9 a.m.

Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board

Thursday, February 4 / 9 a.m.
Town Council Management & Planning Session

Monday, February 8 / 9 a.m.

Audit Committee

Status on bids and proposals
Read more about bids and proposals

Under Review

RFQ-20-26-PW
CEI Services – Old San Carlos Boulevard Intersection Improvements (LAP Project )
The Selection Advisory Committee interviewed bidders on December 11, 2020.

RFP-21-03-PW
Lighting Consultant
The selection committee met on Friday, January 8, and interviewed a potential consultant company. At the Town Council meeting on January 19, the Town Manager was given approval to negotiate a contract.