Fort Myers advisory board weighs external partnerships for environmental recognition, tables decision to next meeting

During the same meeting, the board considered follow‑up on outreach to local organizations to support a proposed environmental stewardship recognition program.

Board member Bennett Martin reported conversations with regional groups, including the Sierra Club (Calusa Group), North Fort Myers Conservancy and a grassroots group called Healthy Earth, noting interest from the Sierra Club in partnering and promoting a State of the Water summit where the city could appear as a sponsor.

Legal counsel cautioned that whether a formal partnership is permissible depends on the specifics of the proposed collaboration. Counsel said some partnerships are routine (presentations and public collaboration) but others could require city council approval, implicate the Sunshine Law or trigger DEI‑related restrictions depending on contracting or funding arrangements. "It would be case specific," counsel said, recommending staff and legal review when a specific partner and role are identified.

Board members discussed options including keeping the recognition program city‑run to avoid complex oversight, asking councilmembers to nominate households or businesses by ward, or drafting clear criteria and scope to present at a future meeting. Chair Hempelman moved that Member Bennett Martin draft an outline for the next meeting, but the motion received no second and did not advance; the board instead agreed to carry the item to the next meeting with a clearer agenda and suggested that members bring proposed criteria or candidate nominees.

The board closed the item with direction to continue outreach and to place the partnership/award criteria on the August 4 agenda for further public discussion and possible legal review.