Captiva fire board selects company for state-mandated review
The Captiva Island Fire Control District’s commission approved a firm for the new, state-mandated performance review, as well as heard an update on lease agreement negotiations with the county.
At the Aug. 9 meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 on a proposal provided by the J. Angle Group/BJM to conduct the performance audit as required by the state for the fire district.
Prior to the vote, Fire Chief Jeff Pawul reiterated that he piggybacked off a larger district that had already completed its request for proposal or RFP to simplify the process and save time, as directed by the board last month. He added that the Sanibel fire district has hired the same firm for its review.
During the July meeting, Pawul reported that $55,000 was the cheapest quote for the work.
LEASE AGREEMENT
Also at the meeting, Pawul provided an update on the ongoing negotiations with Lee County EMS for the housing and staffing of one ambulance at the Captiva station for no less than $3,000 per month.
Currently, the county has one ambulance on Sanibel that provides service to both islands.
As of last month, county staff had agreed to the proposed $3,000, focusing next on the lease’s terms. If an agreement is reached, it will be presented to the county commission for the 2022-23 budget cycle.
Pawul reported that in the negotiations between the district’s attorney and Lee County attorney, the county has voiced an issue with a clause in the agreement about the “browning out” and “blacking out” of the Captiva unit. It is when a unit is deemed inoperable for the day, usually do to staff shortages.
The district wrote the clause into the proposed terms to ensure the unit would be running.
“If they put a unit out here, then we want to make sure we’re getting the benefit, that it’s getting used,” he said, explaining that it was a compromise for a higher monthly payment the district had wanted.
He added that the clause does allow for a brown or black out if certain area units are in service.
“Those were our asks,” Pawul said. “We already knew we were going to have an issue.”
Commissioner Jeffrey Brown explained that the attorneys are continuing to negotiate it.
“The good news is they’re talking,” he said.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Pawul reported that the crews responded to the fire on Aug. 6 at The Island Cow on Sanibel.
He explained that a cleaner at the restaurant reportedly noticed an issue with the pilot light in the kitchen before the flames broke out. Also, the old wood-framed building was not sprinklered.
“It definitely started in the kitchen,” Pawul said. “The gas line it was attached to didn’t help.”
“It was a big fire,” he added. “Our guys were there until after 2 o’clock.”
– The district responded to 51 calls in July, compared to 70 calls for the same month last year.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email