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Council funds hydrant replacements, ground‑penetrating radar and emergency stormwater tie‑in to ease flooding
Summary
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council approved a set of infrastructure actions on Sept. 11 to replace nonworking fire hydrants, buy additional ground‑penetrating radar services and perform an emergency stormwater pipe connection to reduce flooding on Estero Boulevard.
Fort Myers Beach councilors on Sept. 11 approved several actions aimed at fixing stormwater and water‑system vulnerabilities that have surfaced during recovery and post‑storm repairs.
Hydrants: the council approved Resolution 25‑256 to increase an existing contract with Andrew Site Work by $145,256 to replace 18 additional non‑operable fire hydrants, bringing the total contract not‑to‑exceed amount to $435,768. Community Services Director Jeff Haughey said the work will be paid from the water fund and is needed for public safety; councilors said they expect the hydrant replacements to continue until the program is complete.
Ground‑penetrating radar and locates: the council approved Resolution 25‑270 to add up to $195,000 (retroactive to May 1, 2025) for Access Infrastructure Inc. under an existing RFQ to close out FY2025 planning services and authorized a $130,000 increase with Earthview LLC to provide additional ground‑penetrating radar (GPR) services for stormwater work. Haughey said the town is hiring staff trained in locates and GPR, but needs consultants for backlog and certain projects.
Emergency stormwater tie‑in: the council also approved an emergency procurement (Resolution 25‑269) to have Andrew Site Work install stormwater piping on Palermo Circle to divert water from an Estero Boulevard low point to an outfall on Santos Boulevard; the not‑to‑exceed price was $36,171.60. Haughey said crews discovered a drainage run that had not been properly tied to an outfall during recent yard and road work; the emergency action closes that gap.
Why it matters: councilors and staff said some existing roadside and cross‑lot drains were never connected to outfalls during past construction, causing localized standing water. The work is expected to reduce chronic flooding at key locations and to restore operable hydrants for fire response. Staff said some of the drainage issues emerged as the town reviewed Estero Boulevard and other reconstruction projects and that federal/state grant funding and SRF loans are being pursued for larger stormwater scopes.
Ending: Staff said they will continue to combine repairs where feasible, pursue grants and monitor procurement to avoid repetitive small emergency purchases. Councilors asked for a systematic scoping of drains along Estero Boulevard to identify additional missing outfalls before the next rainy season.
