CCP updated on MSTU, sewer study and more

The Captiva Community Panel heard updates on multiple ongoing projects at its recent meeting, including the iguana control MSTU, comprehensive engineering study for a potential central sewer system, proposed Captiva Code and ordinance amendments and fishing at the Blind Pass Bridge.
On May 11, Administrator Ken Gooderham reported that the panel did not succeed in collecting the minimum number of petitions required in order for Lee County to form the MSTU, or Municipal Services Taxing Unit, which was aimed at paying for an annual iguana trapper service for the island.
“We gathered just over 400 petitions, which was short of what we needed,” he said.
In order to create the MSTU, formal petitions were sent to every property owner who would be assessed as part of the new taxing unit. Fifty percent plus one of the total petitions sent had to be signed and returned — “votes” in favor of the MSTU — for the county to proceed on forming the unit.
The panel needed to gather at least 574 petitions for submission to the county by April 30.
According to staff’s final analysis, a total of 403 petitions were received — approximately 35.14 percent of what was needed. Broken down by zones, the Village property owners returned 166 out of 321 petitions, South Seas Island Resort returned 148 out of 596 petitions, the Gold Coast returned 55 out of 142 petitions, and the ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa returned 34 out of 88 petitions.
“This process has ended,” he said.
Following questions by the panel at last month’s meeting about whether excluding South Seas may have helped with getting the MSTU approved — after staff advised the deadline was approaching and it did not appear the panel would have enough petitions — staff broke down the figures without it.
Gooderham reported that without South Seas included as part of the proposed MSTU, the panel would have needed to gather 276 and would have collected 255 out of 551 — reaching about 46.26 percent.
“We would not have made it, but we would have been very close,” he said.
Gooderham explained that the panel now has a couple of choices to consider, including doing nothing and seeking how bad the iguana issue gets, funding iguana services in the short term using panel donations, or starting the process over again in the fall with a smaller unit, such as without South Seas.
After some discussion, the panel decided to form an iguana committee headed up by Panel Member John Jensen, who has been serving as the iguana liaison. It will come up with recommended next steps.
WASTEWATER COMMITTEE
Panel President and Wastewater Committee Chair Jay Brown reported that he and former panel President David Mintz recently met with the engineering firm Kimley-Horn, which is conducting the “Phase 2 — Septic Conversion Feasibility Study” funded by Lee County with a $100,000 grant.
“We established major milestones for the panel to review as part of the process,” he said.
Brown explained that in June, the firm will conduct an evaluation of potential central sewer options, including STEP, gravity and low-pressure systems, and then provide a recommendation for a collection methodology. In July, it will do a review of the package plants and their requirements on the system.
In September, the firm will work on providing a preliminary design draft, followed by a cost estimate for the system in November. In December, it will offer options for allocating the cost to properties.
CAPTIVA CODE, ORDINANCES
Mintz, chair of the Government Affairs Committee, provided an update on the ongoing work with county officials and staff on getting the panel’s proposed amendments to the Code applicable to Captiva and a couple of ordinances approved. The panel went through a similar process on its Captiva Plan.
Mintz reported that the first focus was on about 12 changes to the county Land Development Code, which those involved have been working through. Finalization of the language was expected this week. It will go through two advisory committees for approval, before heading to the county commission.
He continued that he has asked the county to start the process for the five ordinances. There appears to be little objection to four of them, through the fifth one on plastic straws has raised some pushback.
“So, it’s a slow process,” Mintz said.
“I think it’s been slower in part due to the COVID and pandemic issues,” he added.
BLIND PASS BRIDGE FISHING
Mintz also provided the panel with an update on fishing off the Blind Pass Bridge.
On several occasions, the panel has requested that the county either end the fishing on the bridge or restrict fishing to only one side, reserving the other side as a pedestrian walkway. It has also floated the idea of removing the barriers and installing new removable ones to basically make both paths wider.
According to the panel, those fishing on the bridge have a tendency to block the walkway with their equipment and poles, which forces pedestrians and even families with strollers out into the street.
To date, the county has not been “favorable” toward any of the proposed changes.
Mintz reported that there seems to be new discussions, however, between the county commissioners and some other departments about the safety issues and the possible closure of one side to fishing.
He added that there may be a one-year trial to close one side and see how it works.
“So, I think there may be some progress on that front,” Mintz said.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Based on a proposal previously outlined by the Sea Level Rise Committee, the panel voted to approve the purchase of a sensor for $500 for possible installment at the Sunset Captiva dock. It will be part of a flood and sea-level prediction monitoring project that uses real-time, water level data.
– Brown explained for the panel that three seats are set to expire at the end of the year.
The Captiva Property Owners Association will need to put forth a replacement for Panel Member Rene Miville, who is termed out, and the Captiva Civic Association could nominate a new representative on the panel for the seat currently held by Brown. However, he is eligible to serve another three-year term.
In addition, the panel will need to recommend a replacement for Panel Member Mike Mullins, who is termed out. For the panel’s process, it forms and approves a nominating committee to pick a person. The panel then votes on whether to go along with the committee’s nominee or select another candidate.
At the meeting, the panel voted to approve the committee and its members.
It also agreed that the committee would solicit interest from the public prior to picking its nominee.
– The panel voted to approve the formation of a Stormwater Management Committee.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email