Council/LPA discuss storm water in session
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council and Local Planning Agency combined forces to discuss plans on storm water management, and flooding issues related to it, as part of the agenda during its joint work session Monday afternoon.
The town officials began the meeting by listening to a presentation on storm water management by CDM, a consulting, engineering, construction, and operations firm. The power-point slide show focused on flooding issues at three unresolved problem areas of the Beach and offered ways on how to deal with them effectively considering such criteria as contaminants, fertilizers and bacteria. The three concerned areas are Bay Street and Estero Boulevard; Voorhis Street to St. Peters Drive; and Sterling Avenue and Estero Boulevard.
CDM’s Mike Schmidt and Mark Stonehouse listed goals of sustainability (flood control, water quality control, wetlands, management, aquifier recharge, conservation and reuse, operation and maintenance, long-term financing and community acceptance); flooding issues (flat terrain, tidal influence, high groundwater table and the island being nearly built out); and alternative approaches (store and infiltrate where possible, increase conveyance as required and provide retrofit installments). The total capital cost for all three areas was reported to be $3.3 million for a five-year plan. The CDM officials recommended phasing in work. Funding options included grants, loans and storm water utility.
“Economically, this is a difficult time in terms of available money at different levels,” said Schmidt. “There are grants out there for innovation under the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) 319H Program. Loans are another opportunity. Once you have a dedicated funding source, the state-revolving fund still has loans at three percent. And, storm water utilities have been shown to be very good ways to fund improvements.”
Considerations for cost-efficient options involve swales, porous pavement, dry retention and detention, exfiltration and wet detention opportunities.
The task for members of the council and local planning agency will be to understand the plans, adopt a plan and accept changes to the town’s Land Development Code to support the plan chosen. Town staff will now look at the issue and set an implementation plan, which will be distributed to both the LPA and council.
“This provides the town the toolbox it needs to move forward with planning for and developing consistent storm water infrastructure,” said FMB Public Works Director Cathie Lewis.