Stewart sheds interim title; to ink deal
As of Monday morning, Terry Stewart is finding more stability in his job. That comfort level came after the Fort Myers Beach Town Council unanimously agreed to begin contract negotiations with the interim town manager eight months after he officially accepted an interim contract for the position.
FMB Councilman Bob Raymond made a motion to offer Stewart the position of town manager subject to an agreeable contract. It was seconded by Councilman Tom Babcock.
“I’m incredibly pleased,” said Stewart. “First of all, thank you for the opportunity to come here and work for you. I’m looking forward to being able to get a successful contract in place and spend some additional years working with all of you.”
All five FMB council members submitted individual performance assessments of Stewart’s work. The average rating was divulged to be 4.1 (out of a possible high rating of 5).
Councilman Alan Mandel volunteered to be the council representative to meet with Stewart regarding conditions of a new contract including a negotiations package within the next 30 days.
“I think you know your work is highly thought of,” said Mayor Larry Kiker of Stewart. “We appreciate it so much.”
The individual evaluations stem from a stipulation in the employee agreement contract which Stewart signed Feb. 1. The terms state there is a probationary period (interim status) followed by a performance evaluation by the council within seven to eight months.
“I’m really appreciative of the fact that this council laid down some specific criteria in which they were going to evaluate me over the interim period,” said Stewart. “My expectation is that we will do similar types of evaluations on an annual basis following the evaluation format the council put together.”
In February, Stewart agreed to a base salary of $100,000 (a $145,654 total annual compensation package with benefits). His performance commitments included developing the 2010-11 town budget; overseeing a complete audit for the town’s financial activities; managing and directing staff as well as implementing appropriate human resource activities; opening Newton Park within budget; providing plans for project management activities such as North Estero Boulevard, Beach Management, Mound House, Estero Boulevard refurbishment, water utility replacement and storm water management; and striving to better communications between the town manager, town council, town attorney, advisory committees, other governmental agencies and community members.
Volunteers join town advisory committees
A call to volunteer members in the Fort Myers Beach community to serve on town advisory committees has been answered. Six town advisory boards -Anchorage Advisory Committee, Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board, Community Resource Advisory Board, Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board
Local Planning Agency and Marine Resources Task Force- locked up re-appointments and vacancies.
n The Anchorage Advisory Committee, which meets the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m., updates the FMB Town Council on the operations of the Matanzas Harbor Mooring Fields. Robert Beasley and Katherine Light were re-appointed for another term, while Joshua Tuyls and Ryan Crown filled vacancies for the AAC.
n The Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board, which meets the first Thursday of each month at 9 a.m., informs the council on the management and operation of the recreational campus. Becky Bodnar, Tom Mizwa and Betty Simpson were re-appointed and, thus, filled vacancies for BORCAB.
n The Community Resource Advisory Board, which meets the first Thursday of each month at 3 p.m., seeks to enhance the quality of life on Fort Myers Beach by creating a vision for the community. Jim Rodwell was re-appointed, while Karen Haengel, Mark Ludvigsen, Pamela Koch and Mary F. Greer filled vacancies for CRAB.
n The Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board, which meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 3 p.m., oversees the Mound House and Newton Park in the promotion of the cultural, historical and environmental resources. Betty Simpson, Barbara Anderson Hill, Ceel Spuhler and Cherie Smith were re-appointed and, thus, filled vacancies for CELCAB.
n The Local Planning Agency, which meets the second Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m., holds objectives to further the welfare of the citizens of town by helping to promote a better, more positive community environment and ensure that the unique, natural characteristics of the island are preserved. Carleton Ryffel, Joanne Shamp and Bill Van Duzer were re-appointed, while Hank Zuba filled the vacancy for the LPA.
n The Marine Resources Task Force, which meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m., promotes the stewardship of our marine resources, Estero Bay and its surrounding waters. Jeff Werner and Roger Johnson were re-appointed, while Julie Schwab filled the vacancy for MRTF.
Town records indicate each advisory committee is required to have a minimum of five members and a maximum of seven. With the exception of the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board, all advisory board and committee members need to be residents or real property owners within the jurisdiction of the Town of Fort Myers Beach. BORCAB allows for two of its seven members to reside outside of the town.
Lee County Solid Waste switches collection days
The collection days for Fort Myers Beach will now be Thursday for household refuge; Wednesday for recycling products (in new, provided recycle bins/ old ones will be picked up); and Wednesday for yard waste (which needs to be separate from recycle bin). Call 334-1224 to schedule a pick-up of ‘white goods’ (refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc.) and televisions and computers.
Each council member expressed concern on the switch of the days for collection, particularly for vacation rental properties. There was a strong preference for Monday pick-up, and the council will meet with Veolia officials to hopefully work out an amiable resolution.
REMINDER: A newly instituted ordinance regarding lids needed to be on trash cans on the Beach is in effect.