Council approves funds for banner system
A new banner system to promote Bay Oaks Recreational Campus and other Town of Fort Myers Beach special events may be hanging at potentially three different locations on Estero Island in the near future. The Fort Myers Beach Town Council unanimously approved an action to move forward for pricing estimates and its funding source at its regular meeting Monday morning.
Three different locations (School Street and the foot of both Matanzas Skybridge and Big Carlos Pass Bridge) were addressed for the installation of pole sets, which would provide the ability to hang special event banners for the town-owned recreational facilities and other Beach-related events. An estimate of $7,000 for the cost and installation of each pole set is projected for each location.
During Councilman Tom Babcock’s motion, the cost of the proposed banner system was set to a limit of $25,000 and will be taken out of the Town’s unrestricted reserves. A permanent monument sign for Bay Oaks is also being reviewed.
During discussion, Councilman Alan Mandel thought the scope of the project should be changed to allow possible contributing funds from the Lee County Tourist Development Council.
“The reason I tried to encourage you to go to the TDC is because they generate so much bed tax revenue (on this island), and we don’t see much of it coming back,” he said. “However, if you also consider making this as part of the administration’s ability to charge for the use of that pole set, those groups will most likely get funding from the TDC to attract people from outside the area and over time we’ll be able to recoup the taxpayers’ dollars for the (cost of the set and installation).”
The idea was nixed after it was found to be a time issue with the TDC budget cycle.
“If we go to the TDC, you can expect that we won’t have the final agreements in hand until about this time next year, which would move the project to this time next year,” said Town Manager Terry Stewart.
Councilwoman Jo List, the council liaison for Bay Oaks, emphatically stated the process should begin as soon as possible.
“This system of banners should be up in time for a lot of major events this upcoming season,” she said. “I stress strongly what a very relatively inexpensive way this will give us to promote so many aspects of our community to the people who drive and walk through here.”
Audit committee to be formed
Council unanimously approved to form a standing committee for an internal audit review. The committee is to have no more than 5 members and no less than 3 members. Candidates should possess preferred experience in auditing, finance or CPA background. Councilman Alan Mandel will act as the liaison.
North Estero project change order approved
Council unanimously approved Change Order No. 13 to Southwest Utilities System, Inc. for the North Estero Drainage Improvement project in the amount of $41,425.86 to provide for the change in the landscaping costs due to price increases associated with the palm trees and to authorize the change from Coconut Palm to Royal Palm trees.
North Estero project underground utility wires approved
Council unanimously approved Change Order No. 11 to Southwest Utilities Systems, Inc. in the amount of $110,400 to provide for the installation of the electric and cable wire conduits that will be required to carry the utility wire underground.