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Advisory board urges clearer signage and coordination after waterkeeper's Manuel's Branch briefing
Summary
Following the presentation, board members proposed motions to improve public-health signage, identify a city liaison for continued testing coordination, and to consider vegetation maintenance; outcomes were not fully recorded and staff requested time to present existing city efforts.
Board members at the Fort Myers Environmental Advisory Board meeting responded to Calusa Waterkeeper's presentation by urging concrete next steps to protect park users and improve coordination with city staff.
One board member proposed a motion that the city identify a staff liaison to work directly with Calusa Waterkeeper on sampling and data-sharing; the motion was suggested during discussion but the transcript records no formal vote. Another motion to clear heavy vegetation along the embankment between Heritage Park and Manuel's Branch (while maintaining legacy trees and storm-drain function) was moved and seconded, but no roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript.
Several board members emphasized signage: one member said existing park signs are inadequate for children and urged larger, clearer warnings about contamination. Calusa Waterkeeper recommended posting more prominent health notices at Manual's Branch Park and at informal access points while longer-term source-identification work proceeds.
City environmental staff cautioned the board about the costs and complexity of dredging and infrastructure repairs and asked to present the city's ongoing stormwater monitoring program before the board adopts motions that could imply significant capital expenditure. The board agreed to place a stormwater/Manuel's Branch update on the January agenda so members can review city monitoring data and align on recommended motions to forward to City Council.
