CEPD approves firm for bayside project, more
The Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s commission picked an engineering firm for the Bayside Adaptation project at its recent meeting, as well as approved moving forward with the bid process for the post-hurricane Beach Nourishment project.
On Dec. 11, the commissioners voted 4-1 to award the bayside project to APTIM. Chairman John Wade, Vice Chairman Rene Miville, Treasurer Dick Pyle and Commissioner Bob Walter voted to accept the results of an earlier ballot vote favoring the firm, while Secretary Linda Laird dissented.
Minutes before during the ballot vote, Wade, Miville, Pyle and Walter selected APTIM as their top pick for the project. Laird voted for Cummins Cederberg, the only other firm that was up for consideration.
Prior to passing out the ballots, staff reiterated that the commission had reviewed and discussed the proposals from APTIM and Cummins Cederberg last month. However, some commissioners had additional questions or sought clarification and asked staff to obtain the information from the firms.
Executive Director Daniel Munt reported that consultant Paul Tritaik performed an analysis of the additional responses, while staff requested reference letters for past projects undertaken by both.
“Both firms are very on par, getting excellent references,” he said.
Present for the meeting, Tritaik provided an executive summary of his analysis. He walked the commission through the questions asked of both firms and provided an overview of his critiques.
During their discussion, a few commissioners pointed to the long-standing working relationship between the CEPD and APTIM. Laird shared there were issues when she worked closely with it on a vulnerability assessment and she is not confident in its ability to do a different area, the bayside.
Laird added that she thinks Cummins Cederberg has done more similar projects to what they need.
Also at the meeting, the commission voted 4-0 for APTIM to put the beach nourishment project out to bid by Jan. 4. Attending remotely, Laird lost Internet connection and missed the vote on the motion.
IN OTHER NEWS
– At the start of the meeting, the commission selected the organization of the board for the new year. Wade was approved as chairman in a 3-2 vote, with Pyle and Laird dissenting. Miville was approved as vice chairman in a 4-1 vote, with Walter dissenting. In separate motions but unanimous 5-0 votes, Pyle was approved as treasurer and Laird was approved as secretary. Walter will serve as a commissioner.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email