[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6387307,"mediaKeyId","2116717-7246c10c253295032a107510688fc4a3","parentId",2116717,"title","Bay Oaks advisory board approves minutes, recommends council study pocket-park public-benefit option and adjourns","audioSeconds",5361,"startMs",83000,"endMs",5444000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2116717-7246c10c253295032a107510688fc4a3&start=83&end=5444","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2116717-7246c10c253295032a107510688fc4a3/thumbnail_83000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6387307/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Bay-Oaks-advisory-board-approves-minutes-recommends-council-study-pocket-park-public-benefit-option-and-adjourns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387307-70b2cf850293506fae3b0503fa20cf1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166033&Signature=fwEnbxJeBkpFriHntJDONoIv2AQ4AmWtkjO2JO28ZLtKSzEWmrlujFxDrvP5gmM5YK6YvILWWctehjZBJXYMpkjziD6l8Ab0QACPnl~-NxJKgjP156hLy8SgFPCf9ow4eXOcW92KNkjAtkTM-I4jlxJ5iNEFPoY6agITjpMzWYEH35ZbqTgMbdydE~nTl5xGi9VLTEF8LNZo8hQEcDHh45UxdLV4TR9qggDPS0UhO0MnggL9GuZcLdH1yBbSulMwjyGLmioX7cvV4d6YD7B7NGXzFHAa5Hpslj3xSWFWG5~kR0ezkXYOx7QAH0AlXXN38Yr2ZiXg7zYWILjtGxqG8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of For Myers Beach, FL","date","2025-01-14T14:22:58Z","article","The Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board handled a set of routine actions during its Jan. 15 meeting, including approval of prior minutes and a formal recommendation for the town council.

Minutes approval: The board approved the previous meeting minutes by voice vote after a motion and second; there were no recorded dissenting votes. The mover was not specified on the record; Joy (Joyce Sullivan) seconded and the motion carried.

Pocket-park recommendation: The advisory board voted unanimously to recommend that the town explore allowing developers to provide a pocket-park purchase or fund a pocket park as an acceptable public-benefit option in future development agreements. Ed made the motion and Michelle Cherny seconded. The chair called the question and members voted aye; the motion carries and will be transmitted as a recommendation to council.

Adjournment: The meeting concluded with a unanimous voice vote to adjourn after a motion and second; no member voted against adjournment.

Ending: Staff will include the pocket-park recommendation for council consideration and will place follow-up items, including attorney guidance on donations, on the Feb. 19 agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BORCAB, January 15, 2025,","oneSentenceSummary","At its Jan. 15 meeting the advisory board approved the previous meeting minutes, voted unanimously to recommend that council explore pocket-park purchases as a public-benefit option for future developers, and then adjourned.","taxTitle","Fort Myers Beach, Lee County, Florida","taxId",66110,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6387312,"Advisory board asks town attorney to clarify role of Friends of Bay Oaks and tax-deductible donations",336,3720000,4056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2116717-7246c10c253295032a107510688fc4a3&start=3720&end=4056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2116717-7246c10c253295032a107510688fc4a3/thumbnail_3720000.jpg","/articles/6387312/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Advisory-board-asks-town-attorney-to-clarify-role-of-Friends-of-Bay-Oaks-and-tax-deductible-donations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387312-7892993d75c7b35bf47ea532c3623f21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166033&Signature=GIYw-y9VFn2Mcycp0N2MdOCq67kubZYQBIKy-hL8CGfiwOgVLWejvq2z2nNBt-3ow4~bBdPjb7uQ9NlimIyAHNT~HQql47gqL-9CSIkm9lsAjQoFt-bk5GpqOxM3MxAJ1DhtUA1XVdAhNbyiODVaue7onMxfBhL5rauFFxlwx6aCWo1w3BK6y2P9Og7j-l8kRn05dvd7mcflGUF6A6H6j6w1Jt08XXC6-yvaR6cocqbr0ivttxtVvxuMaCNea2TqljjXMZ40Bs9UK9~jSK1ujH4NxAoxOR5nhJn2BjKL5KYMRopZ7KxxXWcADesNSqeHn-KLzA5l5WyIf0WGI~4V1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Jan. 15 the advisory board debated the future of Friends of Bay Oaks, a local 501(c)(3) organized to support park fundraising, and asked staff to invite the town attorney to a future meeting to clarify rules around donations and tax deductibility.

Board members said the group has an existing bank account and some fundraising activity but lacks a volunteer base to sustain leadership. Jesse, the group’s organizer, told board members he wants to step back and asked how to turn the nonprofit over; staff said the town is holding some funds previously raised and that the group’s status needs clarity.

Members discussed whether donors prefer giving to a municipal account versus a registered nonprofit because of tax benefits. One board member said community foundations or 501(c)(3)s can accept restricted donations earmarked for specific uses (for example, concession equipment) and provide donors with tax-deduction documentation. Others noted the town can accept sponsorships and banners but that rules and donor expectations vary.

The board requested a formal briefing from the town attorney at the next meeting to explain whether contributions made directly to the town can be treated as tax-deductible donations, what restrictions the town must observe when accepting restricted gifts, and how Friends of Bay Oaks should be structured — if at all — to support Bay Oaks programming without violating sunshine or conflict-of-interest rules.

Ending: Staff agreed to place the town attorney on a future agenda to address donation handling, the role of Friends of Bay Oaks, and any limits on advisory members’ participation with affiliated nonprofit organizations.","Members discussed whether Friends of Bay Oaks should remain active, how donations should be handled, and asked the town attorney to advise whether town-managed contributions are tax-deductible or whether a 501(c)(3) is preferable for donors seeking deductions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6387316,"Board debates pickleball expansion, tennis preservation and equipment theft at Bay Oaks",705,2400000,3105000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2116717-7246c10c253295032a107510688fc4a3&start=2400&end=3105","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2116717-7246c10c253295032a107510688fc4a3/thumbnail_2400000.jpg","/articles/6387316/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Board-debates-pickleball-expansion-tennis-preservation-and-equipment-theft-at-Bay-Oaks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387316-f64fac57be8cec997642771b5620f937/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166033&Signature=JIfCjV~I32FLeUI6A18i~ePMGWWl3bfUvdTAgob2UXOXCqIESLk0yCY~qvxgDVafRvpE7sMunUH5TF5pTb8PKpHwSPwHy77STZP0XJQLlTacLBgXawXYJQ12dWzURwJJ6xa8pOcrB1yZikbKewcDFSuyVdmN5LVuX0t-pHqMVi0XNCIMOUE0V0VgMaWfs0ryXEQ5o0TEIqmj2SvH5pa4J1~1K-tHHmDdXJuwd0Zrn9Wg~jFoFN~EEfC4-b3sbSQ-NIjjSyzu1BH2a7767qLcjEy7FGdvujAo1BkcdzVUL5BsC20sEOapsdLAr1Y9A50etJrFz06g0Ne~OHqFZoavyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Jan. 15 the Bay Oaks advisory board discussed whether to convert additional tennis courts into pickleball courts, how to balance competing uses and how to reduce damage to portable nets.

Board members said demand for pickleball has grown sharply; staff reported that temporary striping and taped lines are in use while long-term decisions are made. Players and board members described repeated damage to portable nets, often caused when people move nets to play basketball on the shared courts at night. “We’ve had approximately four, maybe five, of the nets broken because…kids are coming to play basketball at night and they’re taking the nets and just dragging them,” one board member said.

Staff said the town has some spare nets but many of the wheeled nets corroded after salt-water exposure; replacements will be ordered. The group discussed options including dedicating one tennis court solely to tennis, converting other courts to permanent pickleball layout with a physical divider fence, installing permanent nets, or limiting hours when nets are left set up. Board members also raised the idea of a modest half-court concrete pad elsewhere for basketball to reduce conflicts on multiuse surfaces.

Staff reported current recreation staffing is limited (four employees focused on youth programming), which constrains the town’s ability to set up or remove nets daily. The advisory board agreed to prioritize four pickleball courts on a temporary basis now and to evaluate whether to make additional, permanent conversions as funding and staffing permit.

Ending: Staff will order replacement nets and present a plan for court layout, permanent barriers, or scheduling options at a future meeting; the advisory board encouraged staff to explore low-cost options to reduce damage and preserve a dedicated tennis option.","Advisory members discussed converting tennis courts into additional pickleball courts, shared-use conflicts with outdoor basketball, damaged portable nets, and staffing limits that affect court setup and oversight.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6387320,"Insurance-led gutting at Bay Oaks paves way for rebuilt gym, epoxy flooring and elevated systems",553,781000,1334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2116717-7246c10c253295032a107510688fc4a3&start=781&end=1334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2116717-7246c10c253295032a107510688fc4a3/thumbnail_781000.jpg","/articles/6387320/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Insurance-led-gutting-at-Bay-Oaks-paves-way-for-rebuilt-gym-epoxy-flooring-and-elevated-systems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387320-ad283b7d0ce69b4317593fc19f343e26/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166033&Signature=IoTCura1kn6JsYhKxbxT14h-cHGa~gCaLBuwUXfe2FlcNKex7t159EEc0zTZE03qQCkvHt6iNFj0DWUkJ4QCMsPpIcKkhP6eHk2dVUQpCToeHnZa2k-eI1cvkUjvYHeUEDPQig25hVadQxHerlUMir4MMw3bWpuloqnABr6C1DWRaleS~gHHGwiusv6ZVEm5F8ewamxzNeaxHPERGmOrEnkGBSeAktRWFSxoYpW~vkmfkUjojwcFOEHhv-Z0et60ASYkbTiTVht8waXw-VDrtFB9j9wkoi0a4dO6nqx1ZHx0O78edrcc4T-ZnEKgVcRq359~vVOxuOjsI1s3LK0EeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff told the advisory board on Jan. 15 that the facility’s insurance carrier has taken responsibility for rehabbing large portions of the Bay Oaks building and has begun demolition and repairs following storm damage. The insurance contractor removed damaged gym flooring, toilet fixtures and fitness equipment and plans to reinstall the facility “basically the way it was” with mitigation adjustments, staff said.

Among mitigation measures discussed: replacing the gym floor surface with epoxy rather than tile or vinyl, elevating HVAC package units by roughly 5–8 feet where feasible, enclosing and ventilating the pool chemical/pump room, and creating a separate, compact modern pump system. Staff said the insurance company will fund replacement to the prior condition; any additional mitigation (for example, raising switchgear or moving equipment to higher elevations) would require town capital funds.

The advisory board also heard staff describe extensive interior work already underway: the gym floor and some fixtures have been removed, and contractors recommended epoxy flooring that can be painted with multiuse lines for basketball, pickleball and volleyball. Staff said some equipment will be replaced under insurance; other higher-cost mitigation items would be paid from town reserves or capital funds.

Switchgear replacement and elevation was highlighted as a town-funded mitigation investment. Staff said the town plans to raise electrical switchgear to the roof of a small building to reduce repeated flood damage; insurance will not pay for that elevation. The town also reported earlier rebidding of a related Bay Oaks redevelopment package: council rejected all bids on a prior round and the project will be rebid with more specific material scope and not-to-exceed pricing to fit the available grant and match funding.

Ending: Staff said the insurance company is managing many of the repairs and will bring contractors; the advisory board will review site and design details at future meetings and was asked to prioritize elements to include in the rebid and in town-funded mitigation work.","After storm damage, the town's insurer took over rehabbing the Bay Oaks gym and related spaces. Contractors are in place to restore the facility largely to its prior configuration with mitigation upgrades such as raised HVAC, enclosed pump/chemical storage and epoxy flooring; timelines remain unspecified.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6387321,"Bay Oaks board: pool renovation tied to CDBGR grant, design and community input to follow",176,139000,315000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2116717-7246c10c253295032a107510688fc4a3&start=139&end=315","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2116717-7246c10c253295032a107510688fc4a3/thumbnail_139000.jpg","/articles/6387321/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Bay-Oaks-board-pool-renovation-tied-to-CDBGR-grant-design-and-community-input-to-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387321-abdcb88127f1fa5ac6170e470f2ecee8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166033&Signature=JekjTwLUpLS5RBylXYsJp8tNdnbR2n-g~QgzBcNS7bFgsConrJ3ZwLqTrWMPId6FbwuuHoSKMuojEabEHvIBilwNnbRqilh8ZMYGsTHVry8BpaaECvj-GTsy09EbzqAjRRJSiZ4qYk3ZYHXbcVurf0QxWwf4eG1Hg8Cf03POrUMKzmopBZzihOauT7LwTdbWPtSSv6ZZnBu2ZAGNmijGpyENdamYZnNmuJTO~2ItFfrE8G4345SBMg0ufpdWCRG335U16pZB77rUN25~isHq-6tqXd~3Djjia28~cPqXpGWlvCmCTJ--YYG3FEa-9NEfwdLElbjqvnSchyLjZQjttw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board heard on Jan. 15 that the town expects to receive CDBGR grant funds for a pool renovation in February or March 2025, and that design work cannot begin until the money is formally allocated.

Staff said the project budget for the pool is about $4.5 million, including design, and repeated that the town cannot solicit contractors or finalize design details until the grant funding clears HUD and county checks. “We are expected to get the funds in February, March at the latest, and then we can start the planning stage,” the staff liaison said during the meeting.

The board was told that HUD and county review add an extra approval step and substantial paperwork and that some elements of the pool footprint cannot be enlarged under the grant terms; improvements can focus on amenities around the pool such as concrete, locker rooms, shade and possible splash features. Staff said the grant language and project dates extend into 2026 and beyond, so the town has time to plan but cannot obligate grant funds in advance.

Board members asked whether designers would gather community feedback once hired. Staff said the process would likely mirror earlier projects: town staff and design teams hold public meetings and solicit input from advisory groups before finalizing plans. “We’ll come to the advisory board and that’ll be publicized,” the liaison said.

The board also discussed the pool pump room and chemical storage: staff said the plan is to enclose and ventilate the pump area and to design separate, code-compliant storage for chlorine and acid. Other potential improvements discussed included new locker rooms, expanded office/concession space and accessibility upgrades. Staff emphasized that any work requiring contractors or purchases paid from grant proceeds must wait for formal allocation and HUD/county clearances.

Board members agreed to place pool site plans on a future meeting agenda so members can begin early conversations about site constraints and feasible amenities.

Ending: Staff committed to circulate the existing site plan and the portion of the CDBGR scope the town submitted so the advisory board can prepare for a community-design conversation once funds are formally allocated.","Advisory board members were told the town expects CDBGR grant funds for a pool rebuild by February or March 2025 and that design work, community input and HUD/county approvals will follow once funds are available.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bay Oaks advisory board approves minutes, recommends council study pocket-park public-benefit option and adjourns

Advisory board asks town attorney to clarify role of Friends of Bay Oaks and tax-deductible donations

Board debates pickleball expansion, tennis preservation and equipment theft at Bay Oaks

Insurance-led gutting at Bay Oaks paves way for rebuilt gym, epoxy flooring and elevated systems

Bay Oaks board: pool renovation tied to CDBGR grant, design and community input to follow