CEPD hears of government funds and OKs laptops
The Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s commission received an update on federal, local and state funding for the district during its recent meeting, as well as approved new equipment for staffers.
On June 12, Executive Director Daniel Munt provided the following grant updates:
FEMA funding
– PW 361 (Hurricane Irma): Closed out and paid about $945,731
– PW 6059 (direct administrative costs for Irma): About $56,492 obligated, with the reimbursement request to be submitted by June 16
State funding (FDEP)
– 19LE4 (Irma): Payout estimated at $250,000 and the submission is under review
– 21LE1 (construction): Payout estimated at $4 million and the submission is under review
State funding (legislative appropriations)
– Pending requests: $500,000 for dune walkovers, $36,000 for a beach vehicle, $400,000 for APTIM’s Phase II Coastal Resiliency project and $6,886,464 for beach nourishment (52% of estimated costs)
Local funding
– Lee County interlocal agreement: 30.15% for the 2021 beach renourishment, with $5,196,814 received as of Jan. 11
– Lee County Tourist Development Council: Beach park maintenance up to $192,160, beach vehicle replacement up to $10,299, and beach park upgrades up to $231,000, along with a beach park maintenance request up to $261,482 for the next fiscal year
Commissioner Rene Miville asked staff about the legislative appropriations requests to the state regarding the dune walkovers and beach vehicle. Munt explained that the CEPD ask accounts for five walkovers and the vehicle funding ask leaves room to buy any additional equipment like a trailer.
Chairman Bob Walter asked if the local TDC funds were available as of the meeting.
“These are approved funds that we can apply expenses to,” Munt said.
Also at the meeting, Munt sought approval for an amount not to exceed $16,000 to upgrade Deputy Director John Riegert’s mobile equipment and tie it to an unused but available cell phone line with the district’s current provider. Riegert explained that the equipment would be a tablet-sized work laptop.
Walter questioned why staff only needed one if there are two of them.
“We can do that for sure,” Munt said, adding that the request would change to $32,000.
A motion to approve a not-to-exceed amount of $32,000 for the two laptops was approved 4-0.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Munt reported that the Alison Hagerup Beach Park lot is now fully open for parking.
– Munt reported that the field permit was submitted to restore the dune access on the south end of the beach. Once staff receives the permit, restoration work will begin immediately on the dune access.
– Secretary Linda Laird provided an update on APTIM’s Phase II Coastal Resiliency project for the bayside. Discussions have been held about what is sought for the request for proposal, which Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Coastal Resilience Manager Dr. Carrie Schuman is going to draft.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email