[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6377446,"mediaKeyId","2139046-ef43d9440ab52e130979f3b9835bce40","parentId",2139046,"title","Contractors say 40% of Fort Myers Beach renourishment complete; town seeks state and federal recovery funds","audioSeconds",148,"startMs",4233000,"endMs",4381000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139046-ef43d9440ab52e130979f3b9835bce40&start=4233&end=4381","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139046-ef43d9440ab52e130979f3b9835bce40/thumbnail_4233000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6377446/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Contractors-say-40-of-Fort-Myers-Beach-renourishment-complete-town-seeks-state-and-federal-recovery-funds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377446-36010afa04de1257b251e56550b489ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154307&Signature=Zzp6tEh-pVZ5sP7oJCOm4BSjVqXsBdii1H3kKFMMgLW3qS99U0eP4XbI0G-kewEIIzXmK1ETx6JQ3mvHhJra82zMMqCxG7mbNexwhJHvcHjKnkAIaJylKF~vCP1aHOXXVm0WgR4figOuTUC81nCcjWc-9ZUvdKj5UY-DKLsJN879D4dNyvhgQVT35b0TkGSvRm8szQ7N0kFifNtfVxgI8Qz732eRuTYXQKzDSpPTqj4~67jItG710OBYaFgvJkjDkHYbz152D9qk7uKOkuAYEbj~G2-8W~CWX0z2CMW5ieQMn2E7XkO-d0fyyTREHvyGuM5xKgLdDRGGLuOtAMYkpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of For Myers Beach, FL","date","2025-01-22T04:44:10Z","article","Contractors and town staff told the Fort Myers Beach Town Council on Jan. 21 that work to restore the island’s beaches after recent storms has completed roughly 40% of the most-critically eroded section and that the town is pursuing state and federal recovery funds to finish the program.

Michael Poff, the town’s project representative for beach recovery, said the work from Bowdage Point through the central business district and past the pier represents about 40% of the total volume the town intends to place. “It represents about 40% of the total volume going from Bowdage Point down to, around to south of Diamond Head,” Poff said.

Funding and scale: Poff and later comments from contractors and staff broke down funding the town has assembled to date. The presentation cited: approximately $14 million in state funding already allocated toward construction; an $8 million appropriation through the state Department of Emergency Management for prior recovery work; roughly $9 million available from county Tourist Development Council (TDC) contract funds; and a remaining local share the presenters described as roughly $2 million. Taken together, Poff said the town’s recovery program now totals about $50 million for projects either completed, underway or planned since Hurricane Ian.

Schedule, delays and results: the contractor (Ahtna/Aetna—transcript spelling varies) and its subcontractors have begun work on the south end and central sections but said the schedule has been disrupted by storms (Debbie, Helene and Milton) and by a bid protest that delayed mobilization earlier in the summer. As of the meeting, the contractor was mobilizing boosters and pipeline components and working to shift pipeline boosters to address neighbor concerns. Poff said the town and contractor are aiming to finish the south-end placement before the shore-bird nesting window restricts work, and he set a target to complete most south-end work by March and to complete overall work before sea-turtle nesting season begins in May.

Construction details and safety: contractors present urged boaters to avoid the dredge and pipeline area. Wes Gamens, identified as vice president of Otterner Marine (contracting partner), advised mariners to avoid the dredge and stay 500–1,000 feet from the working dredge, follow posted signage and remain in navigational channels rather than “hugging the beach.” Contractors said floating pipelines are marked and lit at night.

Post-construction work: plantings and dune restoration will follow demobilization and final grading; the contractor and town said they will not plant until the pipe and boosters are removed and the beach is smooth-graded. The consultants and staff said dune-planting plans are under review and that planting is expected after final grading and demobilization, likely later this spring.

Other details: the south-end fill template will be constructed wider than the post-equilibration target. Poff said the initial construction template for one south-end area is about 300 feet, with the expectation that natural equilibration will reduce the beach to roughly a 150-foot stable width after wave and wind adjustment. The council and several residents asked about whether the new sand could change local currents; the engineer said the project quantity is small compared with regional shoal systems, so major current shifts were unlikely.

Ending: Councilors and residents thanked contractors and staff for progress, and Poff urged patience as crews complete the remaining work and prepare for planting. Mariners were urged to respect the exclusion zones around dredging operations and to follow posted notices to mariners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting, January 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Contractors and town staff told the Fort Myers Beach Town Council on Jan. 21 that work to restore the island’s beaches after recent storms has completed roughly 40% of the most-critically eroded section and that the town is pursuing state and federal recovery funds to finish the program.","taxTitle","Fort Myers Beach, Lee County, Florida","taxId",66110,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6377436,"Town council approves dock contract, consultant task order, legislative requests and community events in unanimous votes",6457,6457000,-1,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139046-ef43d9440ab52e130979f3b9835bce40&start=6457&end=0","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139046-ef43d9440ab52e130979f3b9835bce40/thumbnail_6457000.jpg","/articles/6377436/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Town-council-approves-dock-contract-consultant-task-order-legislative-requests-and-community-events-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377436-4bf4090daa45131fd0cb055b7896107d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154307&Signature=MS1xndhJtxdmoAU34aOnyRAVLQECrdrwxYl4-qgwBQoFfBw7GV-czMACOI62L3WT~dpSIlrA~RKiaFx1irtWMyZkJDucp9RQRfNhl-1eOvRki4vMhayDuzh3c7dFBC7EmaafiTo1RgOsUlqB9AObooJkbFpSblCuhwIQDvi89rpK6RhgPSmnS86nwN-2NYyh38KoN7vmxaHxqB-9NDF3zu6Kc93~g~roSgiRpR-TvGb0jOLCHcih1joNqr~zHuiPLPXHWg6tXi0KqhlQaYHKmAeSX2KrYHsWAu3Dvs566v3J7CwCHvXCTWjbqqQx8RJE2qp4hyMWU4ppKrVst9EJ2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Myers Beach Town Council approved several administrative resolutions and routine items by unanimous votes at its Jan. 21 meeting. Councilors voted to: continue one quasi-judicial public hearing to Feb. 3; ratify a dinghy-dock construction contract with a direction to use the aluminum-dock alternative; authorize a task order with Tetra Tech for continued utilities and permit review services; approve the town’s 2025 legislative appropriation request list; and permit a recurring community yoga program.

Votes at a glance

- Continuance of quasi-judicial public hearing (special exception and related variance) to Feb. 3, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Motion: continue the public hearing to a date certain. Vote: unanimous.

- Resolution approving dinghy-dock construction agreement with Kelly Brothers, approved as amended to specify the aluminum-dock alternative (resolution 25-52, contract exhibits to be updated). Motion: approve resolution as amended to specify aluminum dock. Mover: Councilor King. Second: (record shows a second; not all speakers were named in the roll call of the motion). Vote: unanimous.

- Resolution authorizing STA No. 8 with Tetra Tech for utility and permit review services in the amount cited in the packet (listed as $182,340). Motion: approve resolution 25-30 for STA No. 8. Vote: unanimous.

- Approval of the town’s 2025 legislative appropriation requests (staff to submit a packet of priority projects and work with legislative contacts). Motion: approve legislative recommendations for 2025. Vote: unanimous.

- Approval of recurring public events (yoga classes at town properties). Motion: approve recurring event permit for ‘‘Yoga with Annie’’ with conditions for scheduling and coordination with staff; council approved. Vote: unanimous.

Other routine actions: the council also approved minutes from previous meetings and cleared consent and administrative items; all recorded votes on the consent and administrative items in the meeting packet passed unanimously by voice vote.

Ending: The council handled the routine packets and moved forward on procurement and contracting items; staff will update contract exhibits, begin implementation steps and complete follow-up steps required by procurement or state law for the task order and legislative submittals.","The Fort Myers Beach Town Council approved several administrative resolutions and routine items by unanimous votes at its Jan. 21 meeting, including a dinghy-dock contract (using an aluminum alternative), a Tetra Tech task order and the town’s 2025 legislative requests.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6377441,"Fort Myers Beach town manager says he will not seek extension, offers 100-day notice",0,7534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139046-ef43d9440ab52e130979f3b9835bce40&start=7534&end=7534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139046-ef43d9440ab52e130979f3b9835bce40/thumbnail_7534000.jpg","/articles/6377441/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Fort-Myers-Beach-town-manager-says-he-will-not-seek-extension-offers-100-day-notice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377441-ab533327d8ef50f60587984a533ef8bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154307&Signature=E69OQk0aRnILrfLPAceicvQGEuY6xUp5PBGuZMgdeL6u0OPDk5bLrFo3iLvqKPympNFN9mhgcwJVx95J~g0UozYuXxdCpGzzLDpbgibEpKP1nZ9rz0ANqx47Mr27Y-V9uL7JDH44B9R2AY7wxWIQxCTDk4~x8fzZmW7xSdReuDx0zt0ZQvBfumtUqkNlrY2j~kHXUJMRzYlTfMTpk2AF1-nomlnynU0orLze24~E9yfhxH~-zzsDfvh9~LKkhown-yo9gDmPvTHcFu5cJI60iLQ0SiQdDY2qPFj9U2oHN2ToojCIAPHTzEi5fG25hVQ~C~5Xifh9gnm4Mf~0HWOuCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town Manager Andy Adams informed the Fort Myers Beach Town Council on Jan. 21 that he will not seek a contract extension and intends to provide 100 days' notice to help with the town’s transition to new leadership.

Adams told the council he and his wife have discussed the next phase of their lives and that he wants to return to North Florida. “Being faced with the possibility of extending my contract for another 1 to 2 years, I feel the time has come for me to return home to North Florida and not seek a contract extension,” he said, and said he would “be officially giving a 100-day notice to help with the transition.”

Council reaction: council members and staff responded with praise and thanks. Vice Mayor Aderholt called Adams’s tenure “a time of answered service” and urged him to help with a transition plan; Councilor King and other council members described Adams’s leadership during hurricane recovery and his role in assembling staff and improving town operations. Several councilors and the town attorney said they would support Adams through the transition and praised the staff culture he helped build.

Public comment: resident John McClain, who said he was among the earliest residents to meet Adams on the island, told the council he was saddened by the announcement and said Adams had improved the town’s culture and capacity. Other councilors and town staff also offered public thanks during the meeting.

Transition steps and next actions: Adams said he will work with the council, staff and legal counsel on an orderly transition. Council members asked that staff begin preparations for a recruitment process and said they want to ensure continuity of ongoing projects, including the town hall completion, beach recovery work and stormwater and capital projects. Council and staff said they would discuss the timing and whether an extension to the 100-day window would be appropriate depending on transition needs.

Ending: Adams’s 100-day notice begins with the announcement; council leaders said they will start planning for recruitment immediately and asked the manager to work with staff and the attorney to lay out a transition and hiring timeline.","Town Manager Andy Adams told the council at the Jan. 21 meeting that he will not seek a contract extension and requested to provide a 100-day notice to assist with transition; council members and residents praised his leadership through storm recovery and pledged to work with him on a handover plan.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6377451,"Fort Myers Beach hears options for new impact-fee system; staff to return with dollar figures",3672,323000,3995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139046-ef43d9440ab52e130979f3b9835bce40&start=323&end=3995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139046-ef43d9440ab52e130979f3b9835bce40/thumbnail_323000.jpg","/articles/6377451/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Fort-Myers-Beach-hears-options-for-new-impact-fee-system-staff-to-return-with-dollar-figures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377451-c36a4b34b2d1ea84300d16a8fb058cef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154307&Signature=lqOwIHT0GvuGKhzZdaRfHD~ZFa3v4YUCHJve8bWvXhMzgnW9mm-5m7lswA9TBmL9l25b64huDw0-z-L5~DFv410uPvrwETqRf94y42ic8JfN99SmVe04Fk3qo0452hyr2HcOR7QrSFARPzHbM0OP0X4t89byp8T2TGvpKfpu~8qmcX2DX2XXOxx5gbXKjL7lil9wwaIFyBQTUqLziLdgfL5pp9KYbHpAf-Hodd47nTLvJwjmCHWlMhj7vPgwa~cKMRSceBw5bKL65gYPIw~44tpKQwYeL64zNhcDLA6waRoENJl9tzT~uegRwbwHzgA6lqbrCb4ricp9H~2c1jSuCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants for Fort Myers Beach presented options to update the town’s impact fees at the Jan. 21 council meeting, recommending changes that would tie charges more closely to unit size, shift a vehicle-focused transportation fee toward a people-focused \"mobility\" fee, and base charges on a prioritized, plan-based capital program.

The presentation came from Jason Green, lead consultant on the study, and Dwayne (last name not specified), whom Green described as the team’s national expert. “This is all about new capacity for new development,” Green told the council, framing the update as required both by state law and by the town’s need to match fees to current capital projects.

Why it matters: Fort Myers Beach’s current fees date to earlier county-derived tables and do not account for the island’s redevelopment patterns — for example, replacing a small cottage with a very large seaside house. The consultants said state law and best practices now favor size-based residential categories (measured in square feet) rather than flat charges by housing type, and that nonresidential fees commonly remain calculated per 1,000 square feet.

Most of the presentation focused on policy packaging rather than final rates. Dwayne outlined several policy choices the council must weigh: how many size bands to use for residential units (the consultants recommended more than the town’s current three categories, with 500- or 1,000-square-foot increments as likely options); whether to add a municipal-facilities fee (for items such as a permanent town hall or public-safety substations) — a choice complicated by recent changes in Florida law that narrow what local governments may include in impact-fee definitions; and how to allocate cost shares between new growth and existing users, particularly for parks and multimodal improvements.

The consultants described the main methodology they plan to use as plan-based: the town would adopt a mobility plan and a prioritized capital improvement list, attach reasonably apportioned costs to those projects, then compute the portion attributable to new growth. They also explained existing mechanics: nonresidential fees in the current schedule are charged per 1,000 square feet, while detached single-family homes currently pay a flat fee regardless of size. The consultants said building-permit timing and the town’s ongoing capital program affect when and how fees are charged.

Council members raised operational questions about stormwater and utility capacity (which are often handled through separate utility capacity charges), and about school impact fees that the town collects and then remits to the school board. Dwayne and Green suggested the council coordinate with the county, school board and service districts to align categories where practical and avoid confusing multiple fee tables.

Next steps and timing: the consultants told the council they would return with draft dollar amounts and spreadsheets for staff review next month and plan to bring more detailed numbers to the council in March. Dwayne said Florida law imposes process milestones and a 90-day window between adoption and effective date that the town must follow. The consultants also said the town should expect to update its impact-fee study regularly (every few years) to remain defensible under state law.

Ending: The council did not take a final vote on fee levels at the meeting. Staff and the consultants will continue refining the capital list and cost allocations and will return with proposed rates and ordinance language for review in coming weeks.","Consultants told the Town Council that Fort Myers Beach should update its decades-old impact-fee schedule, consider size-based residential fees and a mobility (people-focused) fee, and build a prioritized capital list; staff and the consultants will return with proposed fee amounts next month and a formal adoption process is expected in spring.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Contractors say 40% of Fort Myers Beach renourishment complete; town seeks state and federal recovery funds

Town council approves dock contract, consultant task order, legislative requests and community events in unanimous votes

Fort Myers Beach town manager says he will not seek extension, offers 100-day notice

Fort Myers Beach hears options for new impact-fee system; staff to return with dollar figures