CEPD board moves forward on filling seat
The Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s commission directed staff to proceed with a proposed application process for filling a vacant seat on the board during its recent meeting, as well as approved paying the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation for its services related to the beach project.
On Nov. 8, the commissioners and staff opened the meeting with a moment of silence for former Secretary Harry Kaiser, who passed away on Oct. 23. His four-year term will expire next year.
With just less than a year left for Kaiser’s seat, staff outlined for the commission the options and a process for filling the vacancy. New Administrative Director James Elston recommended opening the application process through the end of the year, with an appointment made at the January meeting.
Staff drafted an application that includes the expectations and requirements for commissioners.
The commission agreed with proceeding with the plan as proposed.
Those interested can apply from now until end-of-business-day on Dec. 31.
For more information and to submit an application, visit www.mycepd.com.
SCCF INVOICE
Also at the meeting, the commissioners discussed payment to the SCCF for its services during the renourishment project, which entailed sea turtle monitoring and nest relocation. In March, the board voted 3-0 to hire the SCCF for a not-to-exceed amount of $176,700, with a minimum of $120,000.
Chairman Rene Miville, Vice Chair John Silvia and Treasurer Dick Pyle approved it.
During last week’s meeting, Executive Director Jennifer Nelson explained that staff had received the final invoice from the SCCF, which she passed along to Pyle for approval. Under the district’s standard operating procedures, the bill required approval from both of them before a payment could be made.
However, Pyle sent out the check for the invoiced amount before Nelson had signed off. Meanwhile, Miville had raised questions about some of the line item charges and instructed her not to pay it.
“We have not had this issue before,” Nelson said of the SOP error. “I think this is a one-off.”
With SCCF Chief Executive Officer Ryan Orgera in attendance, the discussion quickly turned to the amount on the bill, with the conversation getting heated as Miville stated that the SCCF was using the CEPD like an “ATM machine.” Miville cited the monitoring and sought an explanation for the costs.
Orgera reported that costs were outlined in the contract approved earlier in the year.
“If cost per nest was a problem, it should have been discussed at that time. The fact that we’re having this conversation now is wildly inappropriate,” he said, adding that the ATM comment also was.
Orgera pointed out that the SCCF delivered on the services $19,730 under budget.
“We’re $20,000 under the project maximum,” he said.
Miville shared that when Orgera called asking why the invoice had not been paid yet, Orgera offered to reduce the total. Orgera responded that he did so because he did not think it would get signed off on.
“Unless I did X, Y and Z,” he said. “I wasn’t looking to cut a deal.”
“I stand by the fact that this conversation is inappropriate after the project is finished,” Orgera added.
Miville voiced support for holding a workshop to review the costs.
“I have a problem with the final pricing,” he said.
Orgera responded that he was getting uncomfortable with the discussion and raised bringing in the SCCF’s attorney. He asked what the CEPD wanted him to do with the check that Pyle sent him.
During the back-and-forth, Pyle pointed out that the CEPD agreed to the contract.
“They are just asking to be compensated,” he said.
Silvia reiterated that the total cost came in under the maximum amount approved.
“I don’t get it,” he said. “What are we arguing about here?”
A motion to cover the full final invoice of $66,970 was approved 2-1, with Miville dissenting.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Technical Director Daniel Munt reported that the beach fill portion of the renourishment project was expected to be done that week, with the Alison Hagerup parking lot to reopen before Thanksgiving.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email