The Captiva Community Panel discussed the seats expiring at the end of the year and formation of a nomination committee during its monthly meeting, as well as was updated on ongoing initiatives.

On July 9, President Jay Brown explained that the panel is made up of 11 members. Five seats are appointed by the Captiva Property Owners Association, four are voted on by the sitting panel and two are picked by the Captiva Civic Association. The terms for three members expire at the year’s end.

He reported that Panel Member Ken Gill is a CPOA appointee and is eligible for another three-year term and Vice President David Mintz is a panel appointee and also eligible for three more years.

“He wants to be on for another three years,” Brown said of Mintz.

He continued that his own seat also expires at the end of the year, but he will have served two continuous terms — six years — so he is not eligible for another. He must take at least a year off.

Brown explained that a nomination committee must be formed, consisting of one panel member and two community members who are not on the panel. They will decide on the best person to serve on the panel and will make a recommendation to the panel. The panel will then vote at its October meeting.

Panel Member John Jensen agreed to serve as the committee chair.

Also at the meeting, Brown provided an update for the panel’s Wastewater Committee as its chair.

He reported that the panel has applied for grant funds for the potential construction of a sewer collection system on Captiva, while the city of Sanibel has applied to cover a new deep injection well to handle the increased wastewater from its sister island if the septic-to-sewer project proceeds.

“So that would at least cut it (project cost) in half if we were to get those grant funds,” Brown said.

He anticipates that they will learn in December if they are approved.

IN OTHER NEWS

– Panel Member John Jensen reported that the Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s commission is exploring possibly funding Captiva’s iguana control services, so the panel no longer has to do it.

– Brown reported that he spoke with Verizon about the new cell towers and coverage.

“They said they are almost done with the improved cell phone service throughout the island,” he said, adding that Verizon representatives expect everything to be finished and operational by October.

– Lee County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Rich Zeltman reported that there has been positive feedback from the community about the temporary cameras at Turner Beach, so permanent ones will be going in.