CCP receives update on county proposals, more
The Captiva Community Panel was recently updated on its principles, a legal fund and more tied to proposed changes to the county’s Land Development Code and Lee Plan related to the island.
At the panel’s regular meeting on July 13, Vice President David Mintz reported that the seven principles drafted in response to county staff’s proposed amendments to the Captiva Code in the LDC and the Captiva Community Plan in the Lee Plan had been distributed to all of the stakeholders.
“I think they’ve been fairly positively received,” he said.
Mintz noted that the Captiva Civic Association and the Presidents Council of Associations, which represents 12 homeowner and condo associations within the South Seas Island Resort, have endorsed the principles. Also, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation has voiced its support for them.
He added that the Sanibel City Council was set to consider them at its next meeting.
Mintz continued that the panel and other stakeholders have been in discussions with the law firm Hollard & Knight for if the issue ends up going to litigation. They are working out how the firm can represent the panel as it is a quasi-governmental organization and governed by the Sunshine Law.
He explained that it effectively means there would be no lawyer-client privilege for the panel.
“It’s my hope against all hopes that we don’t have to litigate this,” Mintz said.
He continued that the CCA has agreed to manage the legal fund, however, if a resolution and compromise cannot be reached between the involved parties. It is in the process of putting together the fundraising mechanism. The SCCF has already pledged a lead donation of $10,000 toward it.
President Jay Brown suggested that it seems appropriate for the panel to contribute the same.
After some discussion and questions about whether the panel could donate because of its nonprofit status, a motion was approved unanimously to donate $10,000 to the fund if it legally can do so.
On the same subject of the proposed LDC and Plan changes, Presidents Council of Associations Chairman Ken Suarez reported that the Timbers Company — one of the owners of South Seas — has scheduled several webinars with the various HOA and condo associations to provide information.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Brown provided an update on Verizon and the project to improve service across the island.
“They are in the process of installing the small cell towers now,” he said. “They expect to have the five towers fully operational, with improved signal strength, in the first quarter of 2024.”
“Those cell towers are going up in the exact locations that we previously discussed,” Brown added.
He noted that two had already been installed as of the meeting.
“They don’t stick out all that much,” Brown said. “They don’t look like a tremendous eyesore.”
– Panel Member John Jensen provided an update on the iguana control. Alfredo Fermin, with AAA Wildlife Trapping and Removal Services, comes out every Tuesday and catches about 20 to 30.
“Ninety percent of those are the big ones, like 2 feet or longer,” he said.
Anyone who notices an abundance on their property can email the panel with their address.
“When he comes out, he knows there’s hotspots for them,” Jensen said.
– Captiva Island Fire Control District Fire Chief Jeff Pawul reiterated that businesses planning to reopen post-hurricane must undergo a basic safety inspection before opening and operating.
He also asked that anyone planning to demolish a structure contact the district before doing so.
“Home or business,” Pawul said. “We can usually make some useful training on it.”
– Lee County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Mike Sawicki reported that there have been complaints of derelict vessels showing up at properties on the Roosevelt Channel with missing registration and PIN numbers. The LCSO is working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on the problem.
He directed property owners to contact him so they can locate the owner or have it removed.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email