Captiva fire board OKs submitting land offer
The Captiva Island Fire Control District’s commission agreed to submit a $4.5 million offer on an island property for the expansion or improvement of the district’s services at its recent meeting.
On June 4, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 on a resolution approving the purchase of two residential parcels that make up the property and have been identified as suitable and a strategic site for district purposes, including the development of a resilient medical evacuation helicopter landing zone, training facilities and related public safety infrastructure for a total amount not to exceed $4,500,000.
Prior to the vote, Fire Chief Jeff Pawul and Commissioner Jeff Brown — who have been leading the land search — gave an update on the five-acre Captiva Drive property on the Roosevelt Channel.
Brown reported that Pawul and he looked at the property, which is listed for $4.9 million.
It has a former guest house on it, which would require a lot of work if the district wanted to use it as housing for Lee County EMS and free up space again at the station for the fire crew. He cited the windows, roof, signs of water intrusion, the A/C units and water heater, plus questionable plumbing.
“It’s what you would expect of a home built in the early 2000s,” Brown said.
He noted that the focus, however, is to secure a permanent helicopter landing zone for the island.
“The property itself, the five acres, is more than ample what we need,” Brown said.
He continued that they also talked to the county about maybe relocating EMS.
“They’re not really that excited about relocating from the existing station because it is central to the island,” Brown said, adding that they disagree though because it spreads out coverage across Captiva.
The Realtor thinks that the owner is willing to sell the two parcels for $4.5 million.
He reported that they found out on June 3, however, that the property is now under contract with a remote buyer — they had not personally visited it — who was expected to visit it in the coming days.
“We appreciate her candor with us on that,” Brown said. “It’s important for us to know.”
“I don’t know what their needs are,” he added of the potential buyer. “To me, it’s a land deal.”
Pawul reported that the Realtor recommended that they submit a backup offer.
Brown suggested that the board authorize the chief to do so and asked for input on the $4.5 million.
“I’m definitely for it,” Commissioner Sherrill Sims said of submitting an offer.
“I don’t think we have much choice,” Commissioner Carole Campbell added. “We’ve run out of options, basically.”
Brown agreed.
“We threw our hat in the ring with the Rauschenberg property, we’ll throw our hat in the ring with this one, and see what happens,” he said.
On a related note, Brown and Pawul reported that they had had discussions with a couple of island property owners and got a few comments about the land search and plans — all were positive.
“Everybody was in favor of it that I spoke to,” Pawul said.
He noted that one person did suggest building a helipad over the water on the bay instead.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The commission voted 3-0 on a resolution to purchase three new gear storage lockers as capital furniture/equipment at a cost not to exceed $3,500.
– The commission voted 3-0 on a resolution accepting the financial statements for the district’s fiscal year 2024-25 as audited and prepared by the firm CliftonLarsonAllen.
Before the vote, principal Chris Kessler presented the final report.
“Everything was clean,” he said, adding that it was an unmodified opinion.
“No issues, no concerns, no challenges,” Kessler said.
– Pawul reported that the district responded to 50 incidents in May.
– Pawul reported that the district conducted 14 inspections in May.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email