Council mulls town manager search, TDC wish list
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council decided that the best person to assist the board in the town manager search is the sitting town manager.
After interim manager Jim Steele said he would not be seeking the full-time position in November, the council had to decide when and how to find his replacement. During the Dec. 5 workshop, the board members agreed Steele’s steering would be in the best interest of the search.
The plan is to do a 30-day search, followed by 30 days of evaluations. Those finalists will be given interviews via Skype.
Council Member Anita Cereceda said there are many people in and around the area who would be more than qualified for the job, from former city managers to auditors.
Steele has agreed to stay on through March 2017 election and to assist with the manager transition.
Town Council also had to hash out its wish list of projects it would send to the Lee County Tourist and Development Council (TDC) to request funding.
Among the items the town will seek from the TDC for the 2017-18 year is for beach and shoreline maintenance, the Mound House, Newton Beach Park, and capital projects such as new signage for beach access, Bay Oaks kayak launch, replacement of the Palm Avenue Beach access comfort station, and Virginia Avenue bay access.
“The more the better,” Public Works Director Scott Baker said, which was rebutted by a warning from Cereceda.
“If you throw things at the wall and see what sticks, you’ll get dismissed. If it doesn’t meet the criteria, you are best to not ask,” Cereceda said.
Council agreed it would ask for an opinion from the TDC. Requests must be submitted by Feb. 17, 2017.
One item on the list is still up for debate, however: the Virginia Avenue bay public access. Council member Rexann Hosafros requested the item to go on the list at a previous meeting to explore the possibility of making it more accessible to the public, such as building a kayak launch there. The council agreed to get public input and is hosting a public meeting at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Town Hall.
The town attorney Lehnert was given a laundry list of things the council would like to see done in the legal services department.
Among the things council said it would like seen done include the LDC, which they said has become antiquated and is in need of change.
Mayor Dennis Boback said he wanted to see more timeliness in the way things get done.
“I want to get stuff off the back burner and I don’t want you to be afraid to ask for help,” Boback said. “We want to give you the tools to do things in a timely manner.”
Council Member Rexanne Hosafros said she is anticipating a tough budget battle next year and that, coupled with the LDC issues could result in the ton needing a paralegal somewhere down the line.