Panel moves on iguana service, learns of marina
The Captiva Community Panel agreed on a plan to continue the iguana control eradication service for the island at its recent meeting, plus heard about a new proposed marina for a restaurant and more.
On July 14, President David Mintz reported that the panel received the costs, iguana contractors’ information and catch numbers for the past year from the Captiva Erosion Control District (CEPD).
The panel had managed and funded the program for years before handing it off to the CEPD because it could apply for grants. The CEPD board recently decided to pause funding and providing the service.
Mintz reiterated that the panel has heard from concerned residents about the program being tabled.
He explained that in evaluating if the panel could again take up the service, he looked at their budget and the costs from the CEPD. They could retain the two contractors and have them visit once a week at a cost of about $52,000 per year or retain one contractor for a once-a-week visit for $26,000 per year.
Mintz noted that the panel has about $157,000 available in its budget.
“Do you want to spend some of that to retain the iguana control people?” he asked.
Mintz added that if the panel decided to do that, it could then look into ways to get funding from a grant or the community to continue the program into the future without using the panel’s funds.
“It does look like, based on the data, that the vendors were eliminating lots of iguanas,” he said.
Panel Member Linda Laird voiced uncertainty about securing a grant.
“But I certainly am in support,” she said. “We should continue on with the program.”
Laird suggested retaining both contractors and finding one panel member to oversee the program.
“Fifty thousand seems OK to me,” she said.
Asked by the panel, Administrator Ken Gooderham reported that when the panel was originally in charge of the program, the service covered all of Captiva except for South Seas. The resort would not allow the trappers on its property. Under the CEPD, the service covered it all, including South Seas.
“About 40% were being caught on South Seas,” he said of the data from the CEPD.
Panel Member Ken Suarez questioned the time of the year and catching iguanas, explaining that there may be times when it is easier to do so, so the panel could better allocate its funding to those times.
He also suggested having the two contractors attend a meeting to educate the panel.
Mintz agreed that the frequency of service may vary during times of the year based on the data.
A motion was made that the panel agrees the program should be continued and will communicate to the CEPD that it would like it funded. If it will not do so, the panel will spend up to $52,000 to retain the contractors for another year, while seeking separate funding to support the continuation of the program.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Gooderham was also directed to arrange for the two vendors to attend a meeting.
Also during the meeting, Mintz reported that a notice was published on July 1 about an application submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by The Green Flash and the notice expires on July 31.
The restaurant is requesting a permit to remove its 15-slip marina facility and replace it with a 49-slip one with 14 boat lifts. Twenty would be permanent mooring slips, with the other 29 for customers.
“They’re basically seeking to create a new marina,” he said.
Mintz explained that the notice serves as an opportunity for the public to respond by the expiration date, as well as an opportunity for the public to request a public meeting to discuss the request.
He asked whether the panel wanted to request that meeting.
Laird pointed to the parking and aquatic preserve as possible important aspects for the community.
“So I would say have a hearing and let’s ask questions,” she said.
Secretary Jay Brown agreed that the public would be interested in more details.
“I’m inclined to ask for one,” he said.
The panel agreed to request a public meeting on behalf of it and the community, as well as ask a representative from The Green Flash to attend a panel meeting and provide more information.
Also at the meeting, Mintz provided an update on behalf of Protect Captiva — the coalition seeking to maintain longtime building height and density limitations on the island — and the ongoing lawsuits.
He reiterated that the Captiva Civic Association (CCA) has appealed two decisions by Florida’s Sixth District Court of Appeal: one reversed Circuit Court Judge James Shenko’s decision enforcing the 2003 settlement agreement, and the other affirmed a Florida Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) administrative law judge’s decision upholding the Land Development Code amendments by the county.
Mintz also reiterated that the CCA has filed a motion for summary judgment in the South Seas lawsuit, in which it is claiming that the CCA was deceptive in stating the 912-unit limit included hotel units.
The case will be heard before Shenko on Sept. 1.
“Hopefully, it will be dismissed,” he said.
On a related note, Suarez — who is a property owner associated with the condominium associations on the South Seas property, but not affiliated with the resort — also provided the panel with an update.
He reported that the resort has filed a limited development order with Lee County for the main road heading into the property, Plantation Road. It stems from the requirements tied to the rezoning that was approved and deals with special markings and signs for pedestrians and bicyclists that need to go in.
Suarez continued that the way South Seas filed the order makes it appear that it owns the entire road. Five of the non-affiliated associations own about 35%-40% of it, and the resort owns the rest of it.
The associations are looking at how to inform the county that South Seas does not own all of the road.
“And that we are not a party to this limited development order,” he said.
“They’re a sneaky bunch, that’s for sure,” Suarez added.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Brown provided an update for the Stormwater Committee as its chair.
He reported that the county’s consultant for the stormwater management study is still on track to present its report to the Captiva community in October, with the final draft written in December. The process must be finished by March, so they do not want to hold the public meeting in November.
Brown noted that he still does not know if the study included side streets.
– Mintz provided an update for the Nominating Committee.
He reported that three panel members will term out or be up for renomination in December.
With both seats nominated by the Captiva Property Owners Association (CPOA), Suarez is eligible for another three-year term if picked, and Vice President Bruce McDonald will be termed out for a year.
A seat nominated by the panel, Laird will also be termed out for a year.
Mintz explained that the Nominating Committee will consider and recommend a nominee.
The seat is a three-year term.
Those interested in serving can send their resume/CV and letter of interest detailing why they would like to be on the panel to captivacommunitypanel@gmail.com. The application deadline is Sept. 1.
– Lee County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Adam Winton outlined the following numbers for Captiva for June: 465 service calls, including 325 proactive calls and 140 reactive calls; two arrests, including a DUI crash and a golf cart theft; no traffic accidents; and 46 citations or warnings issued.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email