[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,87,98],{"_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",6229385,"mediaKeyId","3463871-c671b1edd473c7b1c2f1ece870bc4c49","parentId",3463871,"title","Advisory board implements MAP recommendations: Friends separation, strategic plan and collection-policy next steps","audioSeconds",237,"startMs",1506000,"endMs",1743000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3463871-c671b1edd473c7b1c2f1ece870bc4c49&start=1506&end=1743","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3463871-c671b1edd473c7b1c2f1ece870bc4c49/thumbnail_1506000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6229385/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Advisory-board-implements-MAP-recommendations-Friends-separation-strategic-plan-and-collection-policy-next-steps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229385-822a6b67251bf88e13faaf77916a3f0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215262&Signature=OIDrgxcoBYHlh~uLzA~RtRvyOInGtsq2MMTZvcmxYf01sOdKwvKMYOL~Zk2SrC9sckc1H5Pl1oehKBYJXuG1Yq07e3IHOz-QYxwXF1dd7oW8D4zNJgBjRuy12~z19tpKPJRUW0jryKDtbeuc1dHSyR8IRwkMDbCX-MBVAcYaMp1NNeIx7fVUG6NBSYRpvv3JRzLAO-ie~387wyeIeO3LfFj-CM~zFAWhzpVlLOpPporCbkzOb~uKVhJ5g0Mtw4CadHvIggsySzLJmTdiQNxkm~aS~yFo5zgB0lq2jpn47TVp1vsWC64tlPG8PqFE8nQKd3govbeMVfJksvtHDCa8eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of For Myers Beach, FL","date","2025-05-23T06:16:42Z","article","The Cultural and Environmental Learning Center advisory board discussed May 22 progress on MAP organizational-assessment recommendations, including changes to Friends of the Mound House membership on the advisory board, a plan to update the Mound House strategic plan, and next steps on a collection management policy needed for American Alliance of Museums accreditation.

Ellen Vaughn, president of the Friends of the Mound House (participating remotely), told the board she and other dual-role Friends members have resigned their advisory-board positions to reduce conflicts between the Friends and the advisory board. Vaughn said one remaining leadership issue — her own role as Friends president and advisory-board participation — will be resolved after additional consultations with town legal counsel. Vaughn said, “the board is now 5 members,” and described efforts to recruit new Friends leadership.

Why it matters: The MAP recommendations and the board’s steps to implement them affect governance, transparency and public trust in Mound House operations; clearing dual roles is intended to reduce conflicts and align Friends and advisory-board activities.

Strategic planning and accreditation: Staff noted the existing strategic plan has not been updated since February 2022 and recommended completing the MAP process before producing a new 3–5 year strategic plan; staff also said the strategic plan will be a required core document for American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accreditation. Staff recommended that staff draft documents with stakeholder input and then bring them to the advisory board and town council for review.

Collection management and donations: Staff said the town and Mound House do not yet have a finalized collection management policy; a draft exists and staff plan to finalize it after the strategic plan work. A staff speaker explained council acceptance is required for town donations, saying, “the council accepts donations. So say we get a donation in… it has to be a full council vote.” The board discussed the need for a clear chain of custody, legal review and a staff role responsible for cultural donations and collections care.

Next steps: Staff will incorporate MAP recommendations into a revised strategic plan and return to the advisory board with drafts of the strategic plan and the collections management policy; staff also proposed that accomplished goals be removed from the living strategic plan as a housekeeping measure.

Ending: Board members praised progress and agreed to continue work on governance, strategic planning and collection policies with staff and town counsel.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CELCAB, May 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Cultural and Environmental Learning Center advisory board discussed May 22 progress on MAP organizational-assessment recommendations, including changes to Friends of the Mound House membership on the advisory board, a plan to update the Mound House strategic plan, and next steps on a collection management policy needed for AAM accreditation.","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},6229390,"Advisory board approves fitness court at Newton Park; artist and final image to be chosen later",316,3208000,3524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3463871-c671b1edd473c7b1c2f1ece870bc4c49&start=3208&end=3524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3463871-c671b1edd473c7b1c2f1ece870bc4c49/thumbnail_3208000.jpg","/articles/6229390/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Advisory-board-approves-fitness-court-at-Newton-Park-artist-and-final-image-to-be-chosen-later","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229390-fc8bbcf9a5b5bfcbbd1b90312b6790e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215263&Signature=bsaiacAcvXizO-84TFDf40tQh435UOJQp0d1~kjGfAhT8BuHjq4duNKhwzTCyHcaIMv09tr0YFPoRh0OhLIy627atS-IWynAAThKV36rG6cfQpvpf3jBGVy8xhMXUNF~Sl2IxtNJjAv5VdVn0Y9edzf018wSXHzJpDppluQPuIRcp1Jb~2uxMMlxv6X17SkhieaxvK7gAqSoU3~Eq8uwR-yIEmDXpaGrRAxUfJeCSBpKYy6mGF-S8TLkAgr7KJShfzQ2XNcZDQYeYJHCbjTbAwBbPYYZTWkYUQldniMgEuFVhWLXWgP3j1yIuqjVKq78xuwt-qf7CaTqROHrHKhNrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cultural and Environmental Learning Center advisory board voted May 22 to approve a fitness court installation at Newton Park and to support using a grant-funded artist image on the court’s back wall, while deferring selection of the artist and final image.

Board members discussed logistics of the fitness court, which is to be funded as part of the town’s Community Development Block Grant—Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding for Newton Park. A board member described the planned location as a roughly 30-by-30-foot area near Strandview and the restroom trailer, and noted the project uses a standard fitness-court layout with the addition of a back wall that will carry an image or design.

Why it matters: The fitness court is part of Newton Park’s ongoing CDBG-DR-funded improvements and will add recreational amenities to the park; the project includes budgeted funds for artwork on the back wall.

Action and vote: A member moved to approve the fitness court project and a second was recorded; the motion carried by voice vote with no opposition. Board members explicitly left the artist selection and the final image/design for a future agenda. Board members also asked staff to establish procurement parameters (local artist preference, call-to-artists process) and to confirm grant rules for artist selection.

Next steps: Town staff and the design team will finalize the design schedule after the design firm is selected through an RFQ process; staff said the grant allows funds for artwork and that the town will follow the grant and procurement rules to retain an artist. A staff representative said construction could begin after the town receives the CDBG-DR funds, anticipated later in summer, and that Newton Park was expected to be an early project under that funding tranche.

Ending: The board instructed staff to return with a procurement plan and proposed artist-selection procedure for the advisory board to review before the artist is retained and the image is finalized.","The advisory board voted May 22 to approve a fitness court installation at Newton Park funded in part by a CDBG-DR grant; the board authorized the project in principle but deferred artist selection and final image/design until a later agenda item.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6229395,"Mound House contracts hygienist after mold found in underground exhibit; grant ineligibility noted",0,584000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3463871-c671b1edd473c7b1c2f1ece870bc4c49&start=584&end=584","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3463871-c671b1edd473c7b1c2f1ece870bc4c49/thumbnail_584000.jpg","/articles/6229395/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Mound-House-contracts-hygienist-after-mold-found-in-underground-exhibit-grant-ineligibility-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229395-9e50c7408f28e4df6a132793598d3402/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215263&Signature=i-uaccC3TCUbZDgcKeAIIuaA-NvAvrxgo8jtXpZQhIbiUTmK-cvKfsbI08IcmDyFBNAtDqPBfzom66NMdAtxbvmgTsonDbaaZGv6jVILX0siYZ8OQ8SPk2F6pdCuF11zJprYkNvBRKCZQ3IU8Xw8PutpDE52i~8uB80D38BnobNibzjimI-~luMYLeE~-1VRhHS6lAmNiz7w5Hc8KGmE05RBzA8A9T-dsClVKPTPpe7YNxv8AE4OVWXFdFEnuGM6oIdTGBOS1TZQyb7tvvYHEioE7ViYzS4KFmuOPkGeeGIuNxn-vreskWQ7GRHcifFgYV~mtqlaN1P44q7bnpwMqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mound House staff told the Cultural and Environmental Learning Center advisory board on May 22 that an industrial hygienist found mold in the site's underground exhibit and that remediation is planned.

Adam Knight, a Mound House staff member, said the contractor “did find 3 types of harmful mold inside the underground exhibit,” and the museum is working with companies to develop “a mitigation protocol as well as a remediation plan to sanitize the air in the HVAC system of the underground exhibit.” Knight said the laboratory and mitigation scheduling should be in place by the June meeting and that staff will include details in a comprehensive report.

Context: Knight also told the board that a previously discussed small state matching grant reserved for historic resources does not apply to the shell-mound exhibit because “the Shell Mound exhibit is an exhibit and not a historic resource” and therefore is ineligible for that specific grant. Knight said staff will continue to pursue other state and federal funding avenues and that he has “an ulterior path” to formalize and present at the next meeting.

Why it matters: The discovery of mold in an exhibit space poses both public-health and collection-preservation concerns; the board requested a written remediation timeline and the cost/funding path when staff return in June.

Board follow-up: Knight said he will present a detailed mitigation schedule and costs at the next meeting. No formal board action was taken on the remediation or funding path during the May 22 meeting.

Ending: The advisory board deferred further decisions until staff deliver the comprehensive report on remediation and the broader preservation plan for the shell mound.","Staff reported an industrial hygienist identified three types of harmful mold in the Mound House underground exhibit and that the exhibit was ineligible for a small historic-resources matching grant because it is cataloged as an exhibit rather than a historic resource. Remediation planning and HVAC mitigation were described as forthcoming.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6229400,"Mound House reports steady visitation, new outreach and staffing change",3669,147000,3816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3463871-c671b1edd473c7b1c2f1ece870bc4c49&start=147&end=3816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3463871-c671b1edd473c7b1c2f1ece870bc4c49/thumbnail_147000.jpg","/articles/6229400/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Mound-House-reports-steady-visitation-new-outreach-and-staffing-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229400-7a59f6dadb4d8c9724093fc60c809a98/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215263&Signature=CtilfH6pbG9NqXyUBkSo8~IQYrvBZWgHzKoZViA3VPr3T9DGtMUAy-pvr7WXj2EVqKVP5UOWr1sAMZj6sBkKquwQDIHKIdSDM9WnMT0r2u6eoI78q1NksT8pjFqq4S3AhHSpnAr1ddqAYRRZHB2q~l6czh23W~D8b5BFKBCLco-LRMcpx-CaHTvhgokO88aaI1ashYqg-xtP~Yu~i~I8eAO5DgHDEphHwS58n3istmZtMBq1fX2dkhEUdEkJNa2LRNOr92e3wWux78~zhw779zfDT5JL3frdBO8fonL8DVMGSOJ4VE95nQy3EaMEQaVU2ZmAW0PddRZVZrqTdWb~gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mound House staff told the Town of Fort Myers Beach Cultural and Environmental Learning Center advisory board on May 22 that visitation, outreach and merchandise revenue have held steady through the first 21 days of May.

The update came during the monthly staff report delivered by Adam Knight, a Mound House staff member. Knight said, “numbers are holding up pretty well.” He reported merchandise revenue of $8,552.21 for the fiscal year and said the museum has seen increased field-trip visitation and a “pretty drastic increase in followers” on social media tied to ongoing digital marketing through partners such as Expedia and TrueAdvisor.

Why it matters: steady earned revenue and growing digital reach can affect programming and grant eligibility and inform the advisory board's recommendations to town council.

Details: Knight described targeted direct-mail campaigns arranged through Valpak, which use a coupon that visitors must present to receive a buy-one-get-one-free adult admission. Knight said the coupon program has shown measurable response. Staff are pausing those mailers for the summer to reallocate remaining marketing funds to promotional materials and outreach items (word searches, buttons, tote bags and similar items).

Programming changes and staffing: Knight said the lecture series will pilot a transition to a virtual format to address evening traffic and seasonal residents who are not on-island year-round; recorded programs would be archived, possibly on the town or a Mound House YouTube channel. Knight also announced that Franklin, the Mound House education coordinator, submitted notice and will leave on June 14 to pursue a PhD program; staff are preparing a job posting to limit disruption.

Other items: Knight reported new salt-tolerant landscaping near the observation pier and removal/mulching of dead plantings at the overflow lot at 216 Connecticut Street; those areas will be prioritized for TDC landscaping funds next fiscal year. He said volunteers have been active in visiting and clearing nearby keys by kayak. Knight also said the museum is planning a trial boat tour to Mound Key and expects to report back to the board at the June meeting.

Board reaction and next steps: Board members asked for follow-up detail on membership numbers and the underground exhibit (the latter discussed separately). Knight said he will provide a fuller report with timelines and numbers at the next meeting. The board did not take formal action on these operational items.

Ending: Staff requested the advisory board’s continued input on outreach and programming as the Mound House updates its strategic documents and grant applications.","Mound House staff told the advisory board May 22 that visitation and merchandise sales are holding steady through May, marketing (including Valpak mailers) is producing coupon-driven admissions, the lecture series will move toward virtual programming and education coordinator Franklin will leave June 14 for a PhD program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Advisory board implements MAP recommendations: Friends separation, strategic plan and collection-policy next steps

Advisory board approves fitness court at Newton Park; artist and final image to be chosen later

Mound House contracts hygienist after mold found in underground exhibit; grant ineligibility noted

Mound House reports steady visitation, new outreach and staffing change