CEPD OKs funding request by panel committee
The Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s commission approved providing funds to the Captiva Community Panel’s Sea Level Rise Committee for adaptation planning at its recent meeting, as well as discussed bathroom maintenance and proposed upgrades for the Alison Hagerup Beach Park lot.
On April 12, the commissioners readdressed a request from the panel’s committee asking that the CEPD contribute all or partial funding for a $34,400 proposal from Integral Consulting. At the CEPD’s March meeting, a motion to provide the committee with $10,000 for the project died in a 1-3 vote.
Commissioner Mike Mullins cast the only vote in support of the motion.
Following the dead vote, the commission agreed to discuss the request again in April.
At last week’s meeting, Chairman Rene Miville opened the conversation by explaining that he had spoken with Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Chief Executive Officer Ryan Orgera about the proposal, its deliverables and scope of work and its potential usefulness for the SCCF’s future hire.
The CEPD recently approved up to $150,000 over two years for the SCCF to create a sea level rise captain position. Employed and managed by the SCCF, the hire will coordinate and help lead Captiva on planning and projects — which some commissioners saw as duplication in the Integral proposal.
“I have a much different attitude and a positive attitude about it,” Miville said, referring to the committee’s proposal and supporting it with CEPD funds after his discussion with Orgera.
Secretary Harry Kaiser reported that the captain needs to be in charge once on board.
“My concern was that we would be paying twice for the same thing — that’s what I was worried about,” he said. “As long as Ryan is comfortable, I’m comfortable.”
Vice Chair John Silvia pointed out a similar and competing proposal that was presented to the CEPD by its consultant, APTIM Engineering, and asked if there was no longer a choice between the two.
Staff reported that the proposals were cost comparisons of similar work for the commission.
“It’s ultimately you all’s choice,” Executive Director Jennifer Nelson said of approving funding for either proposal. “Your vote.”
Mullins, who also sits on the Captiva Community Panel, explained that Integral Consulting’s proposal would build on two years of work done pro bono in partnership with the community’s involvement.
“There is not a 100 percent overlap between these two proposals. To me, we’re not prepared to do the APTIM one right now,” he said, adding that perhaps some of that work could be done in the future.
Mullins again voiced support for funding the committee’s proposal.
A motion to contribute $10,000 toward the project was approved unanimously 5-0.
PORTABLE BATHROOM MAINTENANCE
Nelson explained for the commission that staff was asked by Miville to research and compile comparative bids for daily upkeep of the Alison Hagerup portable bathrooms, to include the CEPD’s current vendor and cost for the seven-days-a-week maintenance contract plus other providers.
She reported that the current cost is over $7,000 a month.
Administrative Director John Riegert continued that staff received two new bids for the work, including about $2,000 per month from one company and about $3,300 per month from the other. However, he added, neither of the two companies could guarantee seven-days-a-week service.
“They said they cannot promise seven days,” Riegert said.
During discussion, Silvia questioned if the current cost is an investment or a waste, noting the high revenue that the lot draws to support the CEPD’s work. Others called for maintaining the quality.
“We should not look at a monolithic solution, in other words, a solution that fits every month,” Mullins said, pointing to heavy versus light traffic months. “We need to be able to structure it so it varies.”
The commission asked if the provider would allow for flexibility in the contract.
“We could ask our current vendor if they could scale back during the summer months,” Nelson said.
A motion to stick with the current vendor and have staff ask for a reduction in days during the slower summer months, along with a consideration for the upcoming beach renourishment, passed 5-0.
PARKING LOT UPGRADES
Also on the topic of the Alison Hagerup lot, Technical Director Daniel Munt discussed some issues, including easement insufficiency and installation of a gate, related to proposed upgrades. He cited the “dream list” of improvements as a hard structure bathroom, pavers and nightly closure due to a gate.
Munt explained that the biggest issue is the inability to do much work, such as installing water and electric lines, without affidavits of authorization from the owner of the lot and nearby properties.
“All we have is an ingress and egress easement,” he said, adding that the CEPD is approved to collect the parking fees and maintain the lot. “It’s difficult because we don’t physically own the property.”
As for installing a gate that would close at night, Munt reported that he is set to meet with county officials at the end of April to discuss any waivers or options to address requirements for adding one.
After some back-and-forth discussion among the commission and staff about the nearby properties, the commissioners voted 5-0 to appoint Miville as the person to work with staff and oversee the upgrades.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email