Good morning everyone. We're going to call this meeting to order. Today is Tuesday, January 20th, 2026. We are at the town hall. It is 9:02 a.m. All council members are present. Town Manager, Deputy Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Town Clerk. If you'll
please rise for the invocation followed by the pledge of allegiance. >> As we gather here to make decisions that affect our citizens and Ireland, we ask that you lift your heads, open your eyes, and open your hearts. Our most serious duty is to look to the community we share, the examples we make, and the
legacies we leave. That should be our greatest, most courageous, and noble intention. Amen. >> Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Next is the approval of the final agenda. Is there a motion to approve the final agenda? >> So moved. >> Have a motion by councelor King. Second. >> Seconded by Vice Mayor Safford. Any
further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. >> Hearing none. That motion carries unanimously. Next is public comment. Amy, >> I have nobody signed up. >> Tom, come on up. >> Hi, I'm Tom Brady, candidate for town
council. Um, at the last town council meeting, I spoke to express my interest in being appointed to town council C4. After I spoke, uh, Mr. Vch stated he spoke after me. Stated that if I were appointed, he would withdraw his recall
appeal. I had no idea that Mr. Vich was going to say that that day. I spoke to him after the meeting to gain an understanding of why he said that. And I think my understanding of what he wanted to do was provide clarity to the town on
his plan should uh the recall uh happen and um the offer was not mine to make or resend and I don't know how they offer that offer could be binding in any case and but I do believe he did it in uh good faith.
Um, I put this explanation on my Facebook page, but then I realized that none of you for certain read my Facebook page. So, that's why I'm here today is to say that same thing. Um, uh, and I did send an email to the town
manager asking for clarification on the point that was the root cause behind this issue. and the town manager asked checked with the town attorney and the response I got was um we will cross that bridge when we get to it. Maybe that wasn't the right phrase, but we'll deal with that issue when we get to it. So, I
think the issue from Mr. Vich's perspective is is still outstanding. Um to be clear, I did not offer request or agree to anything. Uh, and I don't think that that eliminates me from being a candidate for office, which apparently
there's some saying out there that says that this in fact bears on me, and I don't think it does. So, um, I appreciate uh you listening to my comments. I think I'm actually the most boring candidate ever. I uh I uh have been married once to my sweetheart when
I met when I was 16 years old. Um, I own one house. It's on the island. I'm I'm a full-time resident. I'm committed to this to the US residents and voters of this island and I wish that you would consider me seriously for this position.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Tom. Anyone else? Seeing none, we'll close public comment, local achievements, and recognitions. Councelor Link, >> I just want to say hey on the uh the women's club this weekend. Do they ever
fail us? Good job as always. >> Uh, Vice Mayor Safford. >> Yeah, I want to echo that. I mean, it's it's fantastic how all these events that uh we we cherish are getting bigger and bigger and better and better. And kudos,
Mary, and your team. It was fantastic event. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Councelor King. >> Uh, just a couple quick ones. U Murf, the Marine and Environmental Resource Task Force. Uh thanks for the planting
of the Gumble Limbo Tree in honor of Florida's Arbor Day. I know Chair Dave Nusbomb, who's here and probably be speaking a little bit later, was kind of behind the C celebration idea. Chad Ches was uh very much involved in making it happen and thanks to the town manager and all the others who took part. Uh
also want to express my condolences as well as deepest sympathies to state representative Adam Patana and family on the loss of their patriarch Omar Batana who passed away on J uh January 10th. Uh his service is this Friday afternoon. >> Thank you John. Well you guys cover
mine. I echo John's comments very well said for Representative Batana and their unexpected loss to their father. Uh the women's club did a great job. Sorry I couldn't be there. I missed it. It's the first time I've ever missed it. So, I'm hearing about it from from my wife as you can imagine. Uh, and welcome back,
John King, to the DAS with your tan and everything. >> Thank you, sir. >> All right, moving on. Advisory committee items, reports, and appointments. Dave, do you want come up and say something? >> Good morning, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Vice Mayor, counselors, and town staff. For the
record, I'm Dave Nusbomb, chairman of the MURF committee, and I'm here to report to the council on our last meeting. Our last meeting was held on January 14th, and I invited Mr. Steve Overy to come
and address the committee. He is president of fly uh heli after a lot of issues came up and I thought it would be a great idea. Plus it was at the request of one of our committee members to amend the agenda.
So I asked him to come in and be a part of our agenda. Uh we had a very uh well attended um meeting and Mr. Overy, Will, the
members of the town staff, and numerous residents came in and gave information on comments, some of which was very helpful for the committee to make a decision on it. The committee is advising the council on a unanimous vote
that they direct town staff to work uh as much as possible with uh Steve to help mitigate the impact of the uh location of the barge and his
business of providing helicopter rides. uh because it remains outside of the control and purview of the town. It would be uh to our advantage to work with the president of the company to reduce the impact on the environment and
the backbay and also the residents here and that is our recommendation to the town council. So again, as I've said before, the ball's now in your court to direct staff. other items on the agenda that we had
that I'd like to report. Um, we are following the direction with Mayor Allers. I had a meeting with him and in the comp plan, we've been tasked with a couple of things. first is uh to investigate the water taxi and I'm here
to advise the council uh that the MURF committee will be taking public comment on desires and wishes and wants and don't wants of a proposed taxi service ferry. we can be an excellent sounding
board for the town and provide information back to the town so that it will help you in making the decision. Secondly, uh according to the per the comp plan, we are also charged with
developing an eco an ecoourism base for the town. So, I have charged our committee members to begin putting a list together of those areas in the town that can qualify as an eco tourism act.
Something as simple as sitting on the beach, but going through and going on a walk around in Matanza's Pass and u we're going to spend a lot of time on this. We're going to be very slow, very
deliberate, but we hope when we get done, it will be something that will enhance not only Fort Myers Beach, but reflect on the um the
plant, wildlife, and birds in a way that the tourists can see them, utilize it without leaving an impact. Finally, in recognition of uh Arbor Day and the efforts of Chad, we had a an
Arbor Day planting tree with a gumbo limbo at the blue gym. It was very well attended. Plants were uh given out. U town manager Will gave a great speech. I wish you had all been there to hear it.
It almost brought a tear to my eye, but [laughter] seriously, it was a very, very well attended event and uh we're all very proud to be a part. Hopefully next year we can make Arbor Day an even bigger and better celebration and that is also in
our plans for 2026 u going into 2027. And finally, the MURF award was um given to the garden club for their donation for the trees that were given out to
residents during Arbor Day. So that is my report and I look forward to seeing you in the future for an even more detailed report. Are there any questions? >> Rebecca, any questions for Dave? >> None. >> Scott,
>> no. Great job as always, Dave. John, >> nothing. >> Dave, I just want to uh commend you. I did make a Facebook post, but I watched that meeting and it was encouraging to see the what MURF committee w did, the the community did, what staff did, and
having discussions with the owner of the Fly Heli to try to come to a resolution that everybody could meet. And I think that was the epitome of how talks should go on this island. That's how people should interact. um not argumenting but trying to find a solution that everybody
can live with. And I thought you guys did a great job of of driving that discussion. And again, I think the uh the commenters did a great job offering suggestions and I think Steve, the owner of the company, was open and listening and and hopefully we can come to a resolution that everybody can work with if there is a resolution that everybody
can work with. So, good job. Thanks, Dave. >> Thank you very much. >> Is there anyone else from any other committee? I don't see anyone out there. Next is the approval of the minutes from the town council meeting from January 5th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve
those minutes? >> Move to approve. Second. >> Motion by councelor King, seconded by Vice Mayor Safford. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Hearing none. That motion carries unanimously. [cough] Next is [clears throat] a consent agenda with
nothing on it. Therefore, there's nothing removed from it. Which brings us to our public hearings. The next item on our agenda is a public hearing for review of various land use requests for the benefit of the public. Please be aware that this item is a quasi is quasi judicial in nature. Our attorney will
further explain. >> Thank you uh mayor. So we have one item today on your agenda and it is a resoning request. As the mayor indicated, it is quasi judicial in nature and this requires that this public hearing comply with procedural requirements that have been established
in Florida law and in our land development code. So our quasi judicial proceedings will be less formal than a proceeding before circuit court, but it will be more formal than the remainder of our meeting and we must follow basic standards of due process that require
certain notices to have been provided. the application of the correct standards um in our code and that your decision be made on competent substantial evidence that's presented to you either in written documents or through oral testimony. Your responsibility today is
to evaluate those documents and testimony for for this item and draw a conclusion regarding whether the criteria in your land development code or in state law has been satisfied. So speculation or opinion that's not based
on competent facts should not be legally or cannot be legally considered by you in evaluating the agenda item. Testimony by professionals who are qualified as experts in a particular area is considered competent evidence by Florida courts as well as testimony by
neighbors and residents who have fact-based information such as minutes, surveys, engineering reports or testimony that is based on their personal information and knowledge. Um, your staff member, Jason Smallley, has already been considered as an expert um,
in land use planning in Fort Myers Beach by the town council. Um, your decision is final and if a decision of approval is not obtained or if there's a tie result tie vote that results in a denial, then the matter being considered
is denied unless an alternative motion is made and the reason and basis for the denial should be stated on the record. So, everyone who intends to speak, please keep this in mind. And when you come forward to the mic, if you're providing testimony, please clearly
state your name for the record and whether or not you've been sworn in and your qualifications or your interest in the matter. So, for purposes of um ex efficiency, um I'm going to go ahead and ask the town clerk, has this agenda item
been properly noticed pursuant to our land development code? >> Yes, it has been. And has any do any of the members of the town council have a conflict of interest that would prohibit them from voting on this item uh so that we could ascertain whether or not we have a quorum present? >> Rebecca,
>> none. >> Scott, >> I do not. >> John, >> nothing. >> Uh I just want to clarify, my wife is on the board, but I do not stand to benefit financially in any way from this agenda item. Do I need to recuse myself? >> Um no, because there's not a direct
financial benefit in my opinion. So, I think you're eligible to vote. >> Okay. Then, no, I do not. >> Um, so at this point, if there's anyone in the audience who would like to uh be sworn in to provide testimony today, if you would raise uh please stand, raise
your right hand, and the town clerk will swear you in. Do you swear or excuse me, do you swear or affirm that the testimony that you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> Okay. All parties have been sworn.
>> Okay. >> All right. The this first this item is a quasi judicial item is the first reading in public hearing on proposed ordinance 25-20. If approved at first reading, a second reading and final adoption hearing will be scheduled for February
17th, 2026 at 9:00 am or any other or at another time identified by town council. This is an ordinance of the town of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, approving approving with conditions or denying a reszoning to a commercially planned development CPD for the property located at 175 Sterling Avenue. A parcel
generally identified as strap number 33-46-24-W2-00004.0000 Town of Fort Myers Beach from Institutional to allow for the redevelopment of the property for the Fort Myers Beach Women's Club. providing for conflicts of law, scriveners errors, and providing for an effective date. If
any town council member has had any exparte communication to disclose, please let us know the subject discuss and the identity of the person, group, or entity with whom the communication took place, any correspondence that received or observations of the site. Rebecca, >> yes. Um, I [clears throat] watched the
LPA meeting where this property was discussed. I received an email on January 19th from Patrick Vaness uh stating some of his points in case he could not be here today and I responded to him on that same day, January 19th,
thanking him for sending his notes along. >> Thank you, Scott. >> Uh the exact same thing, councelor Councilwoman Rebecca, same. >> Councelor Kate, >> just the email from Mr. Vaness. Uh I
have the same thing as council member link. Obviously I've had many communications verbally with many of the board members as my wife as I said at the beginning is on the board. I've spoken to my wife many times about it been to the site many times. That's about it.
Mayor, since you have had some additional interaction with this particular um petition, um are you in a position today to fairly and objectively um evaluate the testimony and the evidence that's present to you today?
>> Yes, I am. >> Thank you. >> Uh Jason Smallley has been qualified as an expert already by this town council based on his education experience and has been accepted as an expert in the field of land use planning and development in the town of Fort Myers Beach. Are there any other individuals
who would like to be qualified as an expert witness on behalf of the town at this time? Come on. Well, haven't you already? But we could do it again. Mr. Inc., do we have to do it again? He's obviously been several times. >> No, I think as long as council acknowledges that he has been um
accepted for his expertise in land use planning in Fort Myers Beach. >> Okay. Anyone have any objection? >> None. >> Okay. No. >> Thanks. Uh, and has the property owner applicant seen a copy of the backup agenda materials from staff?
>> They're nodding their head. Yes. Okay. Go ahead, Jason. >> Good morning. My name is Jason Smallley. I'm senior planner with the planning and zoning department. Uh, good morning to the counselors, to staff, and all the residents watching today. Before you today is a request for a commercial plan
development, otherwise known as a CPD, for 175 Sterling Avenue, otherwise known as the uh Fort Myers Beach Women's Club. They are the applicant and their representative is here today. Before you is a request to redevelop the site uh
following Hurricane Ian, the previous structure was largely damaged and had to be demolished. uh they are here today to request through the CPD process a reszoning that would allow for the redevelopment of a building uh of
approximately 15,000 square ft. Uh that does include the lower ground floor area which would be reserved for storage, parking and access. the um the application today through the CPD does not request any additional deviations so that they they will be permitting and
developing under the code the town's land development code. Um the the uh example or the exhibits presented also show the uh the proposed schedule of uses. Uh staff would like to point out that the women's club has unilaterally
uh limited their uses and those expressed on the um on the schedule of uses will be those that will be allowed going forward. Uh we will point out that they have requested a cop for the areas on the master concept plan that have been hatched. Um and that would include
the upper deck and some of the uh green area out front of the building. One other thing that staff would like to uh make note of in in the application, there is an exhibit C uh that shows the architectural renderings. If uh if this
is approved today, the applicant is requesting that the uh architectural renderings will be used for permitting and so that the permitting package will or excuse me, the eventual building will look um to the greatest extent what you are approving today in the master
concept plans. The applicant as I mentioned is here. They do have a um a presentation. uh staff has reviewed this and we believe that uh with the conditions provided that approval is the correct outcome and uh those conditions
are in the uh the package as well as the ordinance. Staff is here for any questions or concerns that you may have. Rebecca, any questions for >> None yet. >> John John, >> nothing currently. >> Scott, >> not right now. Okay. Thanks, Jason.
>> Mr. Link, Mr. Inc. link. [laughter] >> You got to turn that one on. >> Just press. >> There you go. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, Mayor, >> Vice Mayor, Council, Staff. >> It's always a pleasure to come to Fort Myers Beach and work through projects,
especially ones that we believe is as simple as this one. We're here today to uh talk about the Fort Myers Beach Women's Club which is at 175 Sterling Avenue. Uh you're all familiar with it. It's been there for 60
years. Um the uh structure was an old schoolhouse which unfortunately was demolished. So it gives the opportunity to open a second chapter and to do something a
little bit different. And of that in my presentation I'd like to introduce the team members the owner developer Fort Myers Beach Women Clubs were represented by a couple members back there Mary Toruson and and
others um myself in Engineering James Incen Associates. Uh I've been deemed an expert before the town and and am continuing in that unless objected to. And the architecture is Albert Damrose from Studio A who came up with this
wonderful wonderful building. What we're doing today is to allow the rebuild of the Fort Myers Beach Women's Club. And the story behind that is the Women's Club's been there, like I said, for 60 years.
It predates the town of Fort Myers Beach. It was under Lee de Lee County land development code at the time. It was consistent. When the beach incorporated, they created their comprehensive plan and they created their land development code. When they
created their land development code, they created a a zoning districts. They put it in institutional, which on the face of it sounds good for what's there and the mosquito control next door. and they were allowed to operate. We came in
with this and we wanted to rebuild and we found out that in the original drafting of the land development code of the zoning districts membership organization use which is what the women's club is is not in institutional
zoning district. It has cultural facilities. It has schools. It has EMS. It has theater. But it doesn't have membership organization. Membership organization is listed over in retail
for who knows why, but for some reason why. And in such a district because you know in in table 343 it's got the limited and the open and the restricted. It's such that we cannot use the membership organizations.
So we needed to bring that use into this piece of property. The easiest way to do it is through the commercial plan development which we are doing today because that allows us to write our own specific schedule of uses. It allows us
to write our own property development regulations and it creates and crafts this this facility in what's there. So that's why we're here doing this. we would have had to do if it was allowable, we still would have had to do
a special exception or something along that lines for the requested consumption on premises. So, we would have been doing a public hearing. So, it was easy to elevate it up to a CPD to really craft something that is specific for
this use. So, that's why we're here, the two things, membership organization and the COPD. So, what our request statement is is for you to consider the advancement of this to the second public hearing to reszone from institutional conventional zoning
to a commercial plan development as as we listed here. And what I'm going to do, I'm going to walk you through the introduction to the property, the design request [clears throat] analysis, though it might be abbreviated some where we walk
through the policies, the comp plan that were there. uh Jason Spali did his excellent presentation that they've already looked at it and were consistent with everything and then we'll talk about the finding and conclusions and then we'll have questions and move on to
public hearing the public process. >> If I may just quickly I see that you saved some trees from the LPA meeting. Are those >> those are them copies? >> Would you like a copy? >> I would love one. Yes. >> Okay. I will pass them out. It's I kind of thought about it. It's something that
I usually do in case technology doesn't work out, but I will pass about with if it's okay. >> Okay. >> This is that like to go ahead. >> I'm a paper person. Thank you. Appreciate it. Like to take notes.
Well, better hope is here. You already >> I know. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. So, here we are with an aerial of 175 Sterling Avenue. the future land uses boulevard and under the comp plan
boulevard uses allow for limited and restrictive commercial uses that do not interfere with the surrounding single family neighborhoods. Uh right out of the box we feel like this has been here for 60 years. There hasn't been any
problems. We wish to continue it and I think by the history it proves that it is compatible with the neighborhood zoning district. As I mentioned before, institutional we got 1.35 acres and the adjacent uses
is single family on on two sides. We're next to the mosquito control up on the canal and down in front is some commercial. The pre and site, as you can see, had the the old schoolhouse. It was about
2,000 square feet on on the property and it was located in the in the northeast section of it. The post in this is after they removed the building is just it's a vacant 1.35
acre site. It has access to Sterling on the east side and Lazy Way on the west side. The main access has always been on Sterling and will continue to do so through our our planning part.
The proposed property regulations that you see here, it shows the setbacks, the FS, the height, the buffers, all of the development regulations are an exact verbatim carry forward from the existing institutional zoning category. We didn't
change anything on this. We stayed consistent. It's just we're putting them inside the CPD is is what we're proposing. The schedule of uses, membership organization, which I talked about, administrative office, on-site
consumption of alcoholic beverages per the master concept plan, which I'll talk about in a minute, ATM, which I have no idea why we keep those in the zoning districts, but they are they're in Lee County. They're in a lot of different
districts. So, I just carry it forward that if they wanted to put an ATM there, they could have an ATM. Uh, temporary uses so that you can have special events and and those type of things that might need a temporary use. And then a commercial accessory uses.
What the women's club plans to do just in a in a very basic format is the building is set up so that other nonprofit organizations can have space and use space. The one that I'm specifically familiar with is Community
Cooperative since my daughter's a CEO and I do a lot of work with them. They've been on the island. They have had a space before to do some of their educational and outreach and and food programs and they intend to potentially
have a space inside here to keep up their their type of organizations. It's the way the building's designed. A quick, this is probably a good point to bring up that the email that we received from Patrick Vanesse I thought brought up a couple of very good points when it
comes to the use for membership and for recreation. Would the applicant be opposed to adding the words nonprofit organization? The concern in the neighborhood is that if for some reason down the road the women's club sold the property that someone could come in and have a private organization that maybe
the the I can tell you the exact wording that he used because I thought it was it was really well done. it he said uh membership organization limited to nonprofit organization only and then under recreational facility limited nonprofit organization only and again that's just to protect any future if for
some reason land was to change hands that it would be limited to nonprofit versus a private for-profit organization. >> So where would the the big furry mammal animal organizations fit into that? Is that a yes or a no? I don't want to name
them because I don't want to specifically say it, but >> I guess I don't >> I I guess I'm asking for what what is I did not see the email. >> Well, maybe between now and if it goes to second reading >> if I could defer it to the second reading, I'll be more than happy to address it in full.
>> Perfect. >> I'm not against it. I just want to make sure it fits within what we want to do and >> consequence. Maybe there's better language that you guys can work out between now and then. >> We can we can defer it to that. And mayor, if I could piggy back on that, there was someone from the residents
from the area there who was very welcoming, excited that the women's club would be coming back, but they brought that same issue up as well. You know, hoping it doesn't turn into a private club with drinking. >> I've heard >> some of those statements, [snorts] not directly. Nobody ever reached out to me
and had that conversation, but between now and second reading, >> we can uh easily address that. >> Thank you. Thank you. Sounds good. >> So, we go into the design of of what we're trying to do is to reimagine a
woman's club. Like I said, this is the next chapter of what they want to do and retain the sensibility, compatibility, do it in a in a resilient and sustainable way and create interior and exterior uses to support the
organization and blend in with the community. With that, they engaged Studio A to come up with some things. And Albert and I worked on the site plan. And the site plan [clears throat] that you see here, you see the uh the
highlighted area is the building footprint. And it shows the parking along Lazy Way and and and Sterling. And then the hatched areas is an open space, green space, and the area of where we're
asking for uh consumption on premises in case they wanted to do a tent event or something along that lines. >> That's what I was going to ask you about is so if this was approved, would the cop be restricted to just the areas where it says COP on the MCP here or for
instance in the parking lot? It doesn't say anything on there or would >> not in the parking lot. The idea behind it and the philosophy behind it is we're using the parking lot and the landscaping of the parking lot to provide additional buffers to the outside community and and to contain the
event right in that specific green area. Just to me why you wouldn't ask it for the entire property versus just this s I'm just thinking down the road. I don't think there would ever be an issue, but if you have food trucks in there or something and people are walking around, is someone gonna say, "Well, they're
walking around in the parking lot with an open container and they don't have a cop in that area." >> That is a very good point. >> Yeah. I mean, the St. Patrick's Day >> Yeah, >> that place is [laughter] I >> I mean I mean it's up to the applicant to me, but it would make more sense that it covers the entire ground if you're
going to ask for. >> I think we could address that between now and the second hearing. >> I mean, I'm not against it. I'm just trying to make sure that we're sensitive to the neighborhood. >> But >> yeah, I' I'd like to get some neighbors input, but I absolutely But it it
>> to your point, mayor, it it it makes sense, especially when you have huge events like they put on so there's not any conflict. I mean, I I I would go for the whole thing, but again, I'd like to see, you know, get neighbors input.
Yeah, I think it would be good to have some input from from the community, but you know, this is for staff time and and their time. If they're going to have an event, then they got to come in for a special event if they want to use the parking lot. >> Sure. >> You know, I mean, in order to be in full compliance, they would have to come in and spend more staff time and more money
and more time versus just trying to get it all covered >> while you're going through this process already. >> I like that comment. >> More homework for you. >> Um, I'm just trying to retire. >> [laughter] >> That's funny.
>> And it keep adding on and I can't get there. Um, that is the nutshell. We've we talked about doing some green space and we have our storm water up on the north end to to take care of of that aspects. And and
again, as as Jason said in the in the first presentation, we fully intend to not to have to have any deviations from the land development code to get to a DO so that we can build the facility. Here's what uh the lazy way view, which
is really the front looking across the parking lot. Uh just for consistency, this presentation's a little bit different than the L LPA in that the next two slides I updated. The building
is exactly the same, but the parking lot's different. The parking lot's consistent with with the uh consistent with the actual site plan. Now, the other one was a earlier version that I caught after the LPA, but since we're
asking for as as Jason said, we're asking for when we take these two elevations, they will become part of the record should this get approved. And those two elevations will be put in in our architectural design standards
package that goes in with the DO. And as long as a building looks like this, we don't have to go through that. There's been some situations on the island where things were presented for other
facilities and then when we get to the DO not having it in the right context, we found that we were inconsistent with the architectural guidelines per staff's opinion and we're having to work through some of those. So, this is just
something that we're doing that's new that you'll see from me with the the other cases that I have moving forward. We're going to be asking to say this is what we want to build and whether we're 2% or 5% off on glass area. This
is what we're going to build. That's that's the intent of doing it and putting it into the ordinance. The second elevation, again, the landscaping changed just a little bit. Um, is looking at it from the sterling view, from the side. You can see we really
tried to make it, and I think we were very successful. Albert's amazing to blend into a residential community to look like a residential type clubhouse or even a a large residential structure.
We do have more square footage than we had before. If I can stop you before you go ahead. This was one area when I was reviewing the packet. It starts here with phasing plan B. I could not find A. So I'm not sure if it was just
>> A is not appropriate. And this is a reprint out of the land development code and A is just not appropriate. Just making sure I wasn't >> I'm not even sure what it is, but it would that's the reason it's missing is this request analysis is we just took out the areas of what we had to show to
be compliant and the phasing plan was the first one. We're doing this as a single phase. the comprehensive plan compliance um that we look through here is you know we're we're increasing the the side
streets. We're increasing the small town character. We're creating more of that that beach look that that everybody's looking for, especially inside a uh residential community that there's a lot
of single family homes that are around here. uh the town shall protect the the neighborhoods and the commercial activities. This is a existing use in in my opinion. It's just transitioning to a
little bit different redeveloped use. Um we're consistent with 47 the stero benefits because we're had we did not have a storm water management system on site. We will have a storm management
system now consistent with the land development code that they require. Uh the boulevard, as I mentioned in the first part of my hearing, it it limits commercial to just things that fit
within a neighborhood. And I believe we are a small enough intensity that we're consistent with with this policy. The commercial intensity policy, the same. We believe this is at the very low low end of intensity and location of
commercial uses that it is very compatible with with a single family neighborhood. So we're compliant with 4C2 and 4C3. the level of services, the traffic wise. There will be a traffic impact statement
that will be part of the development order that will be analyzed by staff to show that we will not be an undue burden to the the local street network that we do at that point. and all of those provisions that I don't expect but
turn lanes and this and that and the other will all be analyzed at the at the development order stage. Design review compliances, commercial design standards that what we just talked about a couple minutes ago. We want to build those two pictures. That's what you're going to
see in the development order. That's what you're going to see in construction. that's, you know, we're we're making that and putting it inside the ordinance so that everyone understands what the expectation's going to be. So Jim, just to clear the record
up a little bit, so when you're going for your LDO, you touched on it earlier, but I think it's important just to help you as you're going through this with staff on the LDO. So on packet page 50, you have a rendering of what the parking lot and the layout would look like. That is not correct. The one that you've added now on packet page 66 will be the
actual layout that will move forward to the LED. Correct. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> We have in the ordinance we'll have attachments of the master plan. That's correct which is I just showed you this morning >> and the two elevations will be attached to the ordinance as and the and the
language is it has to be found within substantial compliance of exhibits whatever numbers they are. >> Very good. Just wanted to I know that we've had issues in the past where but was said at the meeting maybe didn't funnel through and staff has had issues with getting LDOS's done based on
interpretation. >> It's been a challenge sometimes with personnel and this and that and the other to >> well it's just best to try to get it as exactly >> I'm trying to get it as clear as possible. >> Continue on. Sorry. So the request is as restated is we just
looking to advance to the the second public hearing for enacting an ordinance to change from institutional zoning districts to a commercial plan development. Now as part of that I'm have the
findings and conclusions here but I think that's premature for what we're doing here. I'll talk about that in the second hearing to provide my input on these are the the items in the land development code that you have to find
consistency with to to move this forward. And I'm just going to defer that to the second hearing when it's the actual enactment of of the uh proposal. So I get a little presumptuous and
provide a suggested motion that I think is appropriate and it's here. It's based on the application material staff report unanimous LPA recommendation uh of approval. There's sufficient evidence to move forward this case to a
second public hearing on February 20th. Now, my understanding is we originally when we put this out, it was the 19th, which was a Monday, and that Monday is a holiday.
>> It's the next day, it's Tuesday. >> So, we would move it to the Tuesday. >> That's not the 20th. That's the 17th. >> 17th of February is >> Oh, 17th. I'm sorry. You are correct. It is the 17th. Um, I think advertising
moves forward, but I'll leave that with the clerk and the legal to make sure that we don't have to readvertise to make that happen. >> Nancy, quick question on those dates, more than likely have a fifth council member at that meeting on the 17th.
Correct. >> Is there going to be any issue with not that council member not being at the first hearing if it goes to the second hearing on that date? >> No. Um what we will do preemptively is we will go ahead and ask them to review
the um agenda materials as well as the transcript from this hearing today so that way they are prepared um on the 17th to vote. >> Okay. Questions? John? Questions for Mr. Mr. Inc.? [clears throat]
>> Nothing. >> Scott besides Mr. Vanessa's uh input. Um what's what's your schedule if if everything gets approved? What's what's the buildout schedule? >> I don't know if that's been totally set
in stone yet. It it is dependent on fundraising. >> Okay. We are moving forward with anticipating a start later this year, early next year, but it it depends on uh the
wallets of the public of help and along. >> And then I I just want to clarify if the women's club were to sell the property, the proceeds would go to all the nonprofits on the island. Is that correct? >> Uh that I can't answer.
Um that is really outside of the land scope of land use. Exactly. I think if there's a representative from the women's club if um I know they're probably not ready to speak to that today. >> I don't think we're ready to address that. I think that'll be
>> they could have more information at the second hearing. >> Yes. >> We'll put that on our to-do list. >> All right. Thanks, Councelor Lake. No, I I don't have any questions. >> You've answered all mine already.
>> And uh thank you for your time. And if need be, I'd like to request that we can respond to public. >> Absolutely. >> If there is any. >> You got it. >> Thank you. >> Next is public comment. Are there any members of the public who wish to comment on this matter? If so, please come forward to the podium and identify
yourself, provide your address, and whether you were sworn in. Come on up. Good morning. >> Good morning. My name is Lee Harkkins. I live on Falkerk Street right around the corner from the women's club and you
referred earlier to u I think Ron Bennett who was at the LPA meeting making the reference uh that that's who you're speaking of. he is out of town and wasn't able to be here and uh so I have a little state a short statement
from him as well as one of my own and make it very quick. Uh my name is Ron Bennick and I reside at 210 Sterling Avenue. Last month during the LPA meeting I expressed my support for the change in zoning for the women's club.
However, I also requested that this change ne necessitates the property's perpetual status as a nonprofit organization. After conducting some research on this matter, I have come to the conclusion that I can continue to support the
zoning change only if the propert zoning reverts back to institutional if it if it is ever sold. As I mentioned last month, the Women's Club has always been a good neighbor and I want to support them. However, I firmly believe that the protection of the neighborhood should be
our top priority. If there are no viable options to accomplish this, I cannot support the zoning change and would respectfully request that the council deny it. Thank you for your attention to this matter. respectfully Ron and Gracie Bennett
for from a personal standpoint u I just wanted to mention just how it from representing I'm here by myself and a lot of other people are supposed to be here but I think illnesses and everything else prevented them from being here. So, uh, I'm kind of flying
here by the seat of my pants, but I live on Far Coke Street, as I mentioned, a five-minute walk around the corner to Ron and Gracy's, uh, home on Sterling. Before Ian, my only contact with them was a wave to them as I drove by. As all
of us have experienced, the storm changed our lives forever, including meeting some neighbors for the very first time and helping each other survive and recover. Little over a year ago, Mike Childs, who some of you may know, who's been in in the neighborhood
for over 30 years, passed away. Mike was well known by many, offering his handyman skills acquired during his many years with Florida Power. Many of us were recipients of his skills, not just electricity, but across the board. While
we miss him immensely, we are blessed to have Ron and Gracie and their across the street neighbors, Leo Diabasi and Deb. Ron is handy and has been helpful to so many. He and Gracie host annual Halloween and New Year's Eve parties.
And Leo and Deb are the go-to folks that have impromptu gettogethers, including karaoke. karaoke which is run by Ron where we have been able to take a break from the daily grind, laugh and make fools of ourselves.
These two properties are Ron's and Gracies are right across the street from the women's club and Leo and Debs is a right share property line with the women's club. I I believe that's correct. And I
also have to mention the work that Leo has done throughout the neighborhood has been remarkable in the past three years. Using his tractor to remove debris from yards, under houses, leveling yards and driveways, pulling down trees, and never expecting any compensation.
If not mistaken, he has been cleaning, clearing, and mowing the grass on the Women's Club property. Deb has been so gracious to so many in the past couple years. Remarkable as she and Leo have been working long days in the rebuild of their home. I honestly don't think I
could have made it through my last three years without the four of these people. Personally, I love the women's club as a neighbor, as philanthropist, the wonderful events walking distance away, and especially my me my friendship with
the members. Our mom was being a uh was a member beginning in the late 70s of the women's club and being the daughter of the Scotsman, I think she loved taking home a few bucks from playing cards throughout those years. Knowing several members, I trust they will be
considerate in their plans for our neighborhood, especially for the ne near neighbors like Gracie and Ron and Deb and Leo. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Anyone else like to speak in public comment?
All right. Seeing none, we'll close public comment. Mr. Inc. No. I will now close [clears throat] the public hearing. Request a discussion or a motion from town council to approve. Approve with conditions or deny with reasons or a continuence to a time
certain. Rebecca, any further comments? >> I do have to make some comments. The first one that comes to mind is Lee, if you would thank Leo. Where did Lee Oh, there you're still there. >> Thank them for mowing the grass and all the things that he does in the neighborhood. Those kinds of things.
They make a community. We appreciate that. >> And it's so interesting to me. >> Leo, Leo, you got Sorry, Leo. Leo, you get We can't hear you. So, public comments over. No, Lee. No, public comments over. >> I'm sorry, Leo. >> You can talk to her afterwards. We'll talk after.
>> Not that we don't want to hear from you, but >> but I do just want to express the gratitude. I mean, that is a community. That is our island. Thank you. Um, the next thing I'd like to say is Albert Donrose from Studio A. This building is beautiful. I love the rendering. Um, I
love that on the one side. It almost feels like a home. So, for those residents, it feels like what they're used to. The front of it is beautiful. It's inviting. And we appreciate you not, you know, going hog wild. Beautiful
design, Mr. Ink. Beautiful work, neighborhood. Thank you. That That's it. It's impressive. >> John, any comments, questions? >> Nothing. >> Scott, >> so I have a I have a question uh that Mr. Back brought up uh for the attorney.
Can you put that that language where he wants it, if they do sell it, it reverts back to institutional? You can't do that, can you? >> You cannot. It would have to be uh reszoned. um you can't do conditional zoning like that. Um
you could I think as part of your use approval put that it would be limited to um nonprofits. The other option would be for them to have a restrictive covenant. Um that would be a private restriction.
Um so if this the property was sold that um the subsequent uh purchaser successor would would also be bound by that privately as well as the public restriction in your zoning. >> Okay. So so given that it's okay for us
to put in there non that what Mr. Vanessa's email where nonprofit >> you put it as a public restriction on the use as part of your approval. Um but councils change over the years and that
could be amended out. Um the other option would be to have a private restriction where the um women's club would uh put that restriction um into the official records on that property. So if it were ever sold, the purchaser
would be bound by that private restriction as well as the public restriction that's in your um approval. Did you catch catch that, Mr. Inc.? >> Okay. >> And I'm comfortable with allowing the applicant to work with staff to for what
I think you understand the direction just whatever that because I think Mr. Ink raised a very valid point that there's the wording is going to have to be right to to both fit what the community wants and what Mr. Bennick was saying and what the women's club want to achieve. I I doubt that they have any
thoughts of ever selling the property, but I understand the concern from the neighborhood and I'm okay with you guys working with staff to come up with the second reading to be able to to put forward that hopefully will ease anybody's concerns in the neighborhood of it becoming some, you know, nightclub
down the road. And again, I think it's point, you know, to it's it's important to point out again that should this get approved, the uses of this CPD are binding and someone just can't buy the property without and use it for however they want without coming back in and amending that CPD. So, it is a binding
situation aso as opposed to reverting back to a zoning, which I agree. I don't think you can you can't do that, but uh it's as close as we can get. I don't have any other questions. If there's no other discussion, would
someone like to make a motion? I'll make a motion to approve ordinance 25- >> move forward >> to next. >> Hold on. I know. I know. I I think I know what I'm doing. >> Okay. [laughter] Yeah. >> And hope to approve ordinance 25-20
DC120250203 for 175 Sterling Avenue FM Women's Club to the second reading at 9:00 a.m. on February 17th, 2026. >> So, got a motion by Mary Al, seconded by
Councelor King. Uh, any further discussion? >> I'm an I. Councelor King. >> I vice mayor Safford >> I. >> And councelor Link >> I. All right, we'll see you on the 17th. Next is if I could get my computer to
work. This is a legislative item is a first reading of public hearing on proposed ordinance 26-01. If approved at first reading, a second reading and final adoption hearing will be scheduled for February 17th, 2026 at 9:00 am or at another time identified by
town council. An ordinance of the town of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, amending section 2-9, compensation of chapter 2, administration of the code of ordinance of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, to one, allow town council members and the mayor to be paid as provided in the town
charter and to voluntary wave receipt of a salary as authorized by the charter or benefits associated with their service on the town council. And two, reaffirm that town council members and the mayor may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official town duties
subject to applicable law, the town charter, and adopted town and town council policies and procedures providing for codification, severability, conflicts of law, and an effective date. Will or Nancy? >> Um, I can start. >> Okay.
>> And, uh, if Tisa or Will want to add, that would be great. So, this is just the first um reading of a proposed ordinance uh based on some of the conversation that happened at your last council meeting regarding the ability to
wave uh your a salary or any of the benefits that um may be associated with service on the town council. Um there was some concern that um accepting a salary might deter some um individuals from applying for the uh vacant
position. And also as we were researching this we found that there was an interpretation in the past regarding the reimbursement that the um expenses needed to be reasonable and necessary. So, we went ahead and took that
ordinance and we would put it with this ordinance so it would be codified in one place and that everyone would know what the uh requirements were. >> Tisa or Will, any further comments on that?
>> No, I think Nancy covered it very well. >> Rebecca, any questions for staff? >> No. Thank you. >> Scott, >> no. >> John? >> No. It's pretty straightforward. Uh public comment. Anyone wish to speak at
public comment? Seeing none, we'll close public comment. I'll now close the public hearing. Request a discussion or a motion from town council to approve. Approve with conditions or deny with reasons or a continuous to a time certain discussion or a motion. >> I'll move dash uh 26-01
>> to second. >> Please [clears throat] second. >> All right. Got a motion by councelor King. Seconded by Vice Mayor Safford. Any further discussion? Councelor King. >> I. >> Vice Mayor Safford. >> Hi. >> Councelor Link. >> I. >> And I'm as well. That motion carries unanimously.
Uh we do not have anything on the administrative agenda. Final public comment. Tom. No. Or we'll close. Final public comment. Tom, manager items. >> Good morning, Mr. Mayor, Vice Mayor, counselors. Just a few items uh for today. Um, first of all, before I I
forget, uh, a good point to discuss or to ask for a a decision or guidance from the council on would be, uh, with council member, vice mayor Adder Holtz, uh, retirement and and no longer a member of the council, we need, uh, a counselor to be designated as the main
point of contact for the ad hoc committee uh, for the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School ILA and and also just as the main point of contact for parents and residents about Fort Myers elementary uh information from a town perspective. Previously, it was Jim
Adder Halt. Um I know that uh the mayor has been significantly involved, you know, um with discussions with similar uh residents and parents, but uh just need a recommendation and maybe a decision. I don't know how move forward with that, Nancy, if it requires a
consent or if it's just, you know. Well, I think an appointment um a reappointing or selecting someone uh I think is appropriate. Um will could you clarify for me? I is that ad hoc group meeting during the negotiations or
>> No, it's it's not meeting during the negotiations. >> Okay. So, it's really just a really a point of contact. >> A point of contact. Yeah. >> So, that way the um the time commitment or the responsibility at this point is kind of um on hold. >> Correct.
Uh, I'll be happy to do it if no one else has any objections. I have been involved with it for quite a while on all the levels um as well as the former vice mayor. So, if anybody doesn't have an objection, I'll be happy to do it. >> I think it'd be great for consistency. So, thank you. >> Yeah,
>> agree. >> All right. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you very much. Um we and also in talking about the school uh last Thursday myself and uh uh the deputy town manager and the community development director walked through the school uh building one more time with a
couple of our uh town contractors engineers in our rolodex of contractors. So we reached out to to them to walk through with us to do a more detailed assessment of the structural needs and uh really uh needs that we would like them to come back to us with a report
which we should have in a couple to three weeks of uh what potential costs uh need uh resources might be necessary if we were to take ownership of that building. if we if the town was interested if the town council was interested in refurbishing or renovating
that or at least to give you a a detailed analysis detailed report so you can really make a informed decision along those lines. So continuing forward with the guidance from the council before we're we're continuing that research and uh it also help in follow-on discussions with the school
district. So that happened uh last Thursday. I expect we expect that report within the next few weeks um and I'll share with council as soon as I have it. Um we're continue working on a a celebration event for the town's 30th anniversary uh which just passed earlier
this month, end of last month. Um we're we're planning working with uh historians from the town and others and have some uh uh initial invitations out some uh some DVs to possibly come and attend and speak at the event. So more to follow on that, but we're looking
forward to a great celebration of our 30th anniversary. Uh we're going to try to tie in, you know, Bayside Veterans Park all the way up to town uh Time Square and uh make it a community engagement type event as well and definitely including the ladies who used to give out cupcakes or who have given
out cupcakes at many many of the previous uh uh celebrations. So we're we've been in contact with some of them as well. Um strategic plan uh has moved to the M&P from February to March. uh uh M&P meeting February to March where we'll come back in with our adviserss
from USF and staff uh to discuss with the counselors our draft vision, mission statement, uh you know, goals and objectives and so forth. Um I'd like to uh also say thank you to uh the MURF committee. Thank you to Chad for the Arbor Day celebration on Friday. It was
a very good celebration. Um the gumbo limbo tree had been planted already. We went ahead and you know threw some additional soil on it and dirt on it. Um, and uh, it's wonderful. If you go by the outdoor gym in front of Bayside, sort of Bay Oaks, you'll see it right
there with a sign identifying it uh, as the Gumbo Limbo tourist tree. And we're going to continue to do things like that across the island as we uh, plant more trees. Uh at the end of the event, um the uh Eststerero Island Garden Club
gave me a donation um to continue this these efforts in the future to the town of Fort Myers Beach for $950. And I would like the council to uh uh vote to accept this or consent to accept this uh donation from the Astero Island Garden Club.
>> I consent. Rebecca, >> consent. >> Consent. >> Yes. Thank you very much. >> Okay. Thank you very much. That concludes my items for today. Can you gumbo limbo lower now or? [laughter] >> I definitely learned a great deal about what a gumbo limbo tree is and uh it was gumbo a very good event. So
>> it's the tourist tree. Yeah, >> absolutely. >> I'm sure if Vice Mayor Rexan Hassafrost is out there watching, she's probably smiling ear to ear. Any questions for the town manager? >> John, >> nothing. Nothing.
>> Rebecca, >> well, I have just one quick question. And you said that uh you walked through the school again and had some of the contractors in your rolodex. Do any of them have experience in building schools
or like um buildings or architecture? >> I I'll ask Frankie to go answer that. He's shaking his head because I was about to say I don't know if they have that specific experience, but um Frankie is the one who had direct contact with them. So go ahead, Frankie.
>> Good morning, Frankie. Good morning. Frankie Garpachic, director of community development. Uh yes, ma'am. To your question. Uh the people that came through us was with AMA architecture. Um they're very familiar with building a a myriad of municipal
buildings including schools, firehouses, police stations, libraries. >> Thank you, Frankie. Because it can be very expensive when you get to cabling and switches and WAPs and stuff. That's great. Thank you. >> Exit signs. [laughter] >> Exit signs. everything.
>> Town attorney items. >> Um just a brief followup on uh Will's comments concerning the donation. Um at some point, possibly at your M&P meeting, um we will present to you a update to your donation policy. Um if
you recall back in December, uh Councilwoman Link, uh made a donation and we publicly acknowledged that to the town. Uh we were looking to see if the town had a donation policy in place. We could not locate one and lo and behold
um since that time we have found a policy that has been kind of floating around. Um so we want to bring it down and uh attach it to a resolution so it can be tracked uh going forward. The
policy is very broad, very general. Um, and we, uh, when we approached you in December regarding the monetary donation, um, we were kind of looking at the naval the Naples, uh, donation policy that they have, which is much
more complex and intricate because of tax implications. So, you're going when we bring it to you, you're basically going to have one on one end of the spectrum and one in the other. And then we'll be looking for your guidance for something that we can attach to a
resolution and provide it to any individuals intending to make pro uh donations to the town. So they can take that document to their accountant and say this is where my money went. This is how they're going to use it. And the accountant can make a determination uh
as far as any tax implications for it. >> So that's coming your way. >> All right, Rebecca. Any questions for the town attorney? >> No. Thank you, Nancy. >> Scott, >> good. >> John, >> nothing. >> I do not have any. Well, I don't know if this is a right place to bring it up or
not concerning John's. We've all gotten emails about it. And I think if you're comfortable with with the so that there's no confusion out there so that people stop wondering what's going to happen with with Mr. Brady or Councelor King or whomever puts their name in for
this as far as his ability to um vote on the next person to sit in the sit in that seat. >> So, um John and I had a conversation. Um he asked me my opinion, my legal opinion as to whether or not he had a voting
conflict um should he decide to vote in support of Mr. Brady. um based on the comments that were made by uh Mr. Vich at a prior meeting. And so it is my opinion that um yes, he would have a
voting conflict um should he decide to vote in favor because of the belief that there may be a special monetary benefit to him. because at this time there is a pending appeal and in the event that that appeal
um he loses the appeal um wait a minute I think I have this reversed uh it's Mr. V that has the appeal um so should Mr. V prevail then u Mr. King John uh could potentially be
subject to uh having to pay his attorney fees. Um if the decision stands, then the town is the one um that would be responsible for payment of those of those fees. So he definitely has a monetary
um interest in that vote. And for that reason, it is my opinion that um he does have a voting conflict. um should he decide to vote for um Mr. Brady. Um so I serve as the town attorney. The uh
ultimate decision maker of voting conflicts um is basically the Florida Commission on Ethics and Mr. King has the opportunity to seek a opinion from them. they would be the disciplinary uh
body uh not the town attorney um regarding that issue. >> Okay. I don't know if that cleared it up or not, but my I guess my next question would be then >> is that specific to Mr. Brady or would it be to anyone then that would apply
for that seat? >> No, I think it's specific to in my opinion it's specific to Mr. Brady because anyone who would apply to that seat um [cough and clears throat] I don't see where the connection is to the financial benefit.
>> So the next question I have after that would be then if he were to recuse himself from voting at all for any of them is that an option that he has or would it have to be specific to Mr. Brady? >> I believe it's specific to Mr. Brady because that is tied to the lawsuit and
the possibility of um the payment of attorney fees which is significant. >> Not just attorney fees, it keeps me in this position and collects a salary as well. >> That is correct. >> Well, I think that answered a lot of the questions that were out there.
>> So, if I understand this correctly, um Councilman King cannot vote for Mr. Brady, but can vote for anyone else. Is that >> that is correct? And um I I think you know there are a lot of questions that
are circulating and some of them I get some of them I don't see um and some of them I really want to respond to to you know stop the dialogue. However I cannot give legal advice to individual members of the community. Um my job in my
service is to provide legal advice to the town council. I think one of the questions I may have seen is whether the entire council would be um prohibited from voting and the answer is no. Um every one of you share the same benefit
of appointing someone um to that position. You don't have a distinct special financial benefit as um John does. >> Looks like you got a follow-up question. I I but how to word it? Um I understand
the situation and I can understand um the situation that councelor King is in. Does that not weight that vote though differently for anyone else any of the other candidates? And that I'm
trying to square that and balance that. Yeah. >> So the I believe that um because Hypothetically, if let's say Mr. Brady was a relative of Mr. of I hate
Tom and and John, yeah, he's a relative, he would not be able to um to vote for him or not. Um you might think, oh well, can you have you know relatives serving on a elected body? Yes, that has happened um in other communities um
smaller communities. It's it it has happened. Um, but that would be a similar conflict of of interest um that creates a voting conflict for that individual. I I think what I'm think what I'm thinking of is does that automatically
then give anyone else who runs one extra vote should [snorts] they be voted for? Right. So it >> is that making sense? >> No. up. >> If you can't see this person, but you can hear, then >> you could have five for this when you
could never have had three or >> I guess regardless it it is what it is. I mean, the law is the law and you got >> it is you're right. You got to follow >> you got to it's a situation that nobody's been through. So, but you got to follow you got to follow the letter of the law in this case to make sure that you're doing what you're supposed
to do. >> What did Ederhol call us? The bizarro post world. Yeah, >> definitely something different. Yeah. Anything else? >> I hope that helps. And um again, I I don't want to appear disrespectful to
anyone in the community. Um but unfortunately, my legal advice goes to town counsel and I don't give direct legal advice to those uh residents. >> Scott, anything for town attorney? >> Uh no.
>> John, >> I'm good. >> All right. Thank you, Nancy. >> Now we got council member items and reports. Mrs. Link, >> Link. Okay, >> John, >> I'll be chairing my last Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization
meeting on Friday, which is also King's Day, by the way. Uh the big agenda issue will be an increase in the sales tax for county road improvements. Um I'm not sure how the vote will break down. Uh I'm not sure even how I'll vote yet. I have a lot of questions that need to be answered. Um, if it does pass, it will
go on to the board of county commissioners. Uh, if they pass that and then it'll go up to a public vote in November. Also, I'll be in Tallahassee next week for a board meeting of the Florida League of Cities. Uh, there will be lobbying uh our local legislators on
the Florida League of Cities issues as well as uh issues. I'll talk with the town manager with tomorrow about what what uh they can help FMB with. And that's it, >> Scott. >> Uh, yes. I have three items. Um, we had
a selection advisory committee meeting um to choose a financial auditor and uh that meeting went well unlike the CFP, College Football. Uh we were pretty much unanimous in our in our selection. uh and we chose uh one, two, and three um
out of the five and we passed that on to the town manager and uh it it went well. Uh the charter review is is going great, great progress, great dialogue at every meeting is like two hours and it's it's
we're we're moving forward. Our next meeting and I encourage the public to to attend because we're we're talking about some some hot topics. Um, and that meeting is February 3rd. And then I'd like to give a final shout out. I apologize for not doing this uh at the
start of the meeting, but we had a great groundbreaking for the Cottages of Paradise Point, which is located down by Pink Shell. It it is I I think if you guys all remember those cute little pink Pink Shell cottages, these new buildings
are fantastic and it's it it's just speaks highly. It's a great representation of where Fort Myers Beach is going. Um, these cottages are are cute. They're but they're resilient. So, if you have a chance to go down there,
it it's it's phenomenal. >> So, that's all I have. >> All right. I do not have anything else. Everything I've was going to talk about has already been covered. So, John, >> well, um, just quickly, uh, I'll keep in mind that I want to go back to my little
grass shack in Kaku, Hawaii, where the humoua go swim by. Everybody, where the humoua go swimming by as in goodbye, move to ajourn. [laughter] >> Any objection?
We I can't even spell that. We'rejourned at 10:21. Just say