Council approves grant applications, contract amendments and town hall renovation spending

The Fort Myers Beach Town Council unanimously approved multiple administrative items including grant applications, contract amendments and ratifications of emergency procurements during its March 17 meeting.

Grants and agreements approved: Council authorized town staff to apply for and, upon award, administer a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Clean Vessel Act grant for $61,552 with a town match of $20,517 (project total $82,069) to support vessel pump‑out services. Council also authorized application for West Coast Inland Navigation District Waterway Development Program funds of $35,000 with a 100% town match for a $70,000 total to support waterway law enforcement assistance.

Financial studies and professional services: Council approved a professional services agreement amendment to retain a rate consultant (Rafftelli's Financial Consultants Inc. as presented) to perform separate water and storm‑water rate studies with not‑to‑exceed amounts of $37,000 each; councilors discussed the benefit of using the same consultant Lee County uses but asked staff to ensure the town27s interests are represented.

Town hall renovation and technology: Council approved an amendment to the town27s contract with Softrim LLC to increase the first‑year not‑to‑exceed amount by $350,000 (bringing the total for the first contract year to $556,784) for systems and equipment tied to the new town hall renovation, including audiovisual, security cameras and cabling. Staff said equipment pricing had been vetted with independent quotes and that the expense will be covered by insurance proceeds.

Ratifications and emergency procurements: Council ratified emergency procurement actions including a $129,745 contract with Andrews Site Work LLC for a gate‑valve installation at the South Booster station to maintain potable pressure, and two purchase orders with Kirkwood Electric totaling $76,662 for electrical work at the new town hall. Council also approved amendment #3 to the Jacobs project management agreement for ongoing building/permitting services (additional ~$53,000) and ratified a value‑engineering task assignment with DRMP for Bay Oaks redevelopment redesign work (combined STAs total $86,300) so the RFP can proceed.

Votes and next steps: All motions passed unanimously; staff said the grant applications will be folded into next year27s budget if awarded, and that the Bay Oaks RFP advertisement will be issued the week following the meeting with a 30‑day bid window. Town staff said the Softrim work, electrical work and other renovation purchases will be paid from insurance proceeds and project funds; council approved those ratifications and amendments.

Ending: Council asked staff to continue overseeing town hall system testing and to coordinate the AV/streaming upgrades to avoid interruptions to public broadcasts. Councilors and staff also discussed the need to continue tracking permit metrics and potential improvements to permitting software.