Fort Myers Beach panel sets interview rules and deadlines for Newton Park reconstruction RFQ

The Fort Myers Beach Selection Advisory Committee on Thursday approved procedures for interviews tied to RFQ 25-17-AD, which seeks engineering and architectural teams for the Newton Park Beach Facility Reconstruction.

Jason Freeman, deputy clerk for the Town of Fort Myers Beach, opened the meeting at 11:01 a.m. and said the committee would consider approving prior minutes and setting a format for vendor interviews. The committee then moved to accept the minutes from its Nov. 13 meeting; Frank Ikerpachek moved to accept the minutes and Freeman seconded; Freeman later said the minutes would be posted online.

The substantive decision concerned how the town will run interviews for the three shortlisted firms. Freeman described the town’s historical approach—typically three firms, about 30 minutes per firm, and committee members preparing three to five questions each—and opened the floor for committee direction on format. Jeff Hauge proposed requiring both committee questions and a presentation from each of the three shortlisted firms, saying, "Make a motion to... have questions from the selection committee as well as a presentation from the 3, the 3 selections we made."

A key amendment, offered by Hauge and seconded by Deputy Town Manager Tracy Koehler, requires firms to submit their presentation materials to staff one week before their scheduled interview so committee members can review them and craft follow-up questions. Hauge said, "So I'll amend my motion to say we'd like the presentations...a week before the meeting." Koehler confirmed the committee would allot a half-hour presentation slot for each firm, stating, "With a half hour presentation slot." Freeman said staff would request those materials and help facilitate the submissions.

Freeman called for a vote on the amended motion; members voiced assent and the chair declared the motion carried. Freeman then identified the three firms the committee will invite to interview: Chenmore and Associates; JR Evans, PA; and Kimberly Horn and Associates. He said staff will reach out to schedule back-to-back interview sessions in the coming year and will request presentation materials from the firms.

Koehler asked that each vendor not hear the others’ presentations, consistent with prior practice; Freeman said firms will step out during other interviews as a professional courtesy. Freeman also said the sessions will be public and recorded, and staff will confirm whether to live-stream. Minutes will be taken and posted.

The committee adjourned at 11:07 a.m. The town will notify the shortlisted firms and provide interview logistics and submission deadlines.