Captiva fire commissioners discuss landing sites for EMS
The Captiva Island Fire Control District’s commission received an update on landing zone options for the EMS helicopter and approved a retainer with a law firm if a property were to become available.
At the April 13 meeting, Fire Chief Jeff Pawul reported that he has been working to get LeeFlight’s pilot out to the island to examine some properties to see if the helicopter can land on them. The district recently learned that it can no longer use the Rauschenberg campus lawn as one of its landing sites.
It continues to have permission to use an area at the South Seas Island Resort on the north end and an Osprey Way Drive parcel on the south end, but is now searching for a new centrally-located zone.
“There’s a handful of lots,” he said of his research as of the meeting.
Pawul reported that the Shirley lot owner is not willing to sell, but may be open to allowing the helicopter to use the site. He noted that the decision would require some clean up of the lot.
“It’s somewhat of a viable option,” Pawul said. “I’m waiting to hear back from them.”
He added that it may be a better solution than spending $1 or $2 million on purchasing land.
Pawul continued that there is another vacant lot owned by the Beach Villas Condo Association. He floated that the district ask for or pay for access, then maintain the grounds so the helicopter can land.
“So it would have to be an agreement with them,” Pawul said.
Under the direction of the commission to examine all options, including getting permission to use another lot or even purchase property, a resolution was presented to retain a lawyer in the latter case.
Commission Chair Jeffrey Brown explained that he suggested drafting the agreement for approval in the case a property did become available and was approved by LeeFlight as a usable landing zone, then Pawul could make a call and initiate discussions without waiting for their next meeting and approval.
“I don’t want to have a list of viable options and have to wait until the next meeting,” he said.
Brown added that the resolution did not enter the district into anything, and that the intent is to line up resources to enter into negotiations for whatever the commissioners eventually ended up choosing.
“I have no idea what the solution’s going to be,” he said.
“And again, it’s not going to be done without our approval,” Brown added.
Commissioner Sherrill Sims asked if the proposed retainer agreement would replace the one that the district has with its current legal firm. Both Brown and Pawul confirmed that it would not do that.
“I’m convinced we’re going to need some representation apart from what we have,” Brown added.
Sims explained that she feels like the district is already prepared and it has an attorney on retainer, adding that if the district finds it needs more specialized knowledge then it can bring on that person at that time. Voicing hesitation for supporting the resolution, she said she needed to do more research.
Pawul reported that the firm listed on the resolution charges about the same per hour as the district’s current labor attorney, and that he would run any property opportunities past both for an opinion.
Vice Chair Colin Black explained that he does not have much experience with local real estate nor attorneys and deferred to the other commissioners’ expertise, but noted that there is no associated cost.
“It’s just prepping,” he said.
A motion to approve entering into an agreement with the Maughan, Himschoot and Adams Law Group to place the district on the firm’s retainer program for future legal services was approved in a 2-0 vote.
Sims abstained from voting.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The district responded to 31 calls in March, compared to 34 during the same month last year.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email