12 minute read
Captiva Current
CCP selects its officers, OKs budget and more
By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The Captiva Community Panel elected its officers for the year and approved the annual budget at its recent meeting, as well as heard updates on ongoing panel projects and post-hurricane recovery.
On Jan. 10, Vice President David Mintz opened the discussion about the officer elections by recommending that the 2022 officers retain their titles. He explained that in light of the continuing recovery efforts resulting from the storm and the responsibilities that they have taken on to include building relationships with outside agencies and officials, continuity is important at this time.
Mintz reported that he would like to renominate the three sitting officers to serve for another term, noting that the panel would have to nominate and elect a new secretary as the position is open.
Several on the panel voiced support for the suggestion.
“I agree with David, ” Panel Member John Jensen said. “You guys would be great moving forward. ”
“I'm very supportive of the current officers, ” Panel Member Linda Laird said.
“I also agree, ” Panel Member Ann Brady said. “If you're willing to serve again, it would make a more seamless
See CCP, page 7
CIHS to hold ‘Documentary Double Feature’ for films
By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The Captiva Island Historical Society will host a screening of two films for the community.
The “Documentary Double Feature” will take place on Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. at Captiva Civic Center on Captiva. Historian, author and CIHS Board Member Betty Anholt will present the documentaries, “The Domain of the Calusa” and “Buck Key: Island of History and Mystery. ” The event is free of charge.
“In the wake of Hurricane Ian, the CIHS remains inspired and energized by the resilience of our island community, ” officials reported. “Thanks to the determination and resourcefulness of our board's event committee and the cooperation of the CCA, the Captiva Island Historical Society is fortunate to be able to carry on our mission of sharing the history of the islands. ”
Produced by the Florida Museum, “The Domain of the Calusa” is an award-winning film on South Florida's Calusa Indians: the native coastal Indians of Southwest Florida. Filmed in 1995, it introduces a powerful, complex, and artistic Native American society, with which few Americans are familiar.
Produced by the CIHS, “Buck Key: Island of History and Mystery” is the surprising story of Buck Key, its Calusa occupants, and the early community and plantations that foreshadowed Captiva's settlement.
There will be snacks available, plus a cash donation bar for beer and wine.
The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company is the presenting sponsor.
While admission is free, reservations are required.
For more information or to register, www.captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org.
The Captiva Civic Center is at 11550 Chapin Lane, Captiva.
If you go
What “Documentary Double Feature” When Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. Where Captiva Civic Center, 11550 Chapin Lane, Captiva Details Free but reservations required
CEPD fills seat and approves vehicle funding
By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s commission made an appointment to an open seat on the board during its recent meeting, as well as approved funds to replace the district's beach vehicle.
On Jan. 9, E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r Daniel Munt reported that staff had received only one application to fill former Commissioner Linda Laird’s seat, which was vacated in January, and she was the applicant.
A motion to appoint Laird to the open seat on the commission was approved 3-
0.
Also at the meeting, the commissioners learned that the CEPD’s beach vehicle had not yet been replaced after sustaining damage in Hurricane Ian. After some discussion among the board, a motion to approve a not-to-exceed amount of $20,000 to pay for a replacement vehicle was approved 5-0. Also during the meeting, CEPD attorney Ralf Brookes asked for the commission's support to resolve a lawsuit filed by former Administrator Carolyn Weaver over alleged payment due at her termination. A motion to authorize the district’s defense council to settle the case with a neutral recommendation and a payment of no more than $1,000 without coming back before the board was approved 4-1.
See CEPD, page 7
The Lee County Library System, which includes the Captiva Memorial Library, is offering the following free virtual programming:
Adult programs
∫ Today, Jan. 18: Online Spanish Conversation Club at 6 p.m.
Are you ready to take your Spanishspeaking skills to the next level? Improve your fluency by chatting with adults. Practice speaking Spanish with others on a variety of topics, including current events and everyday situations. Intermediate to advanced Spanish-speaking skills are recommended in order to get the most out of the session. Program presented in partnership with the School District of Lee County's Adult & Career Education Program. Advance registration required before today, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m.
See LIBRARY, page 7
CCP From page 6 entry into 2023 and all that is going on. ”
A motion to renominate President Jay Brown, Mintz and Treasurer Tony Lapi to their positions was approved unanimously, along with a second motion for Bruce McDonald to serve as the secretary.
Also during the meeting, Administrator Ken Gooderham presented the 2023 proposed budget. He amended it from last month to include the adjusted administrative costs and support for projects.
The panel approved the budget in an unanimous vote.
Captiva Drive revegetation, bike lanes
The panel formed a committee last month to review the revegetation along Captiva Drive post-hurricane and possible expansion of the existing bicycle-pedestrian lanes. Jensen reported that they discussed the safety of the bike path and expectation that property owners will replant along it.
“We do have an ordinance that says no plantings within 2 feet of the pavement and that's for under 8 feet, ” he said.
“It seems like we've always had a problem with vegetation growing over the pavement. ”
Jensen noted that the situation should be OK if property owners adhere to the current regulation.
“I think the goal would be to keep the vegetation as far away from the pavement as we can, ” he said.
Panel Member Margarethe Thye-Miville said overgrown plants and beach sand make it unusable.
“Right now it is not user-friendly, ” she said.
Brown suggested that the 2-foot buffer be graveled and then people could replant up to the buffer.
McDonald shared that the buffer needs to be addressed for safety, plus the overhanging vegetation.
“We ought get out to the community that we do intend to strictly enforce the 2 feet rule, especially in cases where it's been problematic, ” he said. “So that people kind of know this is coming, so that it's not a shock. ”
The panel agreed with enforcing the existing ordinance and for Jensen to follow up with Lee County officials about graveling the two-foot buffer and cutting back any overgrown vegetation monthly. CEPD From page 6
Jensen reported that Alfredo Fermin, of AAA Wildlife Trapping and Removal Services, recently resumed his iguana eradication services on the island to help control the species' population.
“Alfredo is back on track, ” he said. “This week is his second week. ”
Jensen added that Fermin will provide the panel with a report at the end of the month, which will include where he is getting the iguanas. He also plans to outline alternatives to shooting them.
“But I think this is the best way, ” Jensen said of the current method.
In other news
∫ Lee County Solid Waste Director Douglass Whitehead and Lee County Public Utilities Operations Manager Amanda Condomina provided the panel with an update on debris removal for the island.
Condomina reported that 157,000 cubic yards of material had been collected as of Jan. 10, with an estimated 16,000 cubic yards left. People should continue to put their debris on the right-of-way.
“We're going to continue having trucks out there until all of the debris is gone, ” she said, adding that officials are assessing the amount of storm debris remaining for collection on a day-by-day basis.
“We don't have any anticipated end day as of yet, ” Condomina said of the collections.
Whitehead reported that the trucks are collecting the debris daily.
“We need people to get material to the street. It really does need to get to the curb, ” he said of moving it to the right-of-way. “At some point in time, we will have to transfer to the normal waste haul. ” ∫ Florida Department of Transportation resident construction engineer Kati Sherrard gave a presentation on the designs for the Sanibel Causeway. It was the same information provided to the Sanibel City Council at its December meeting, with an update on the timelines for the work.
She reported that the FDOT is hoping to have the plans development finished by the end of January. Officials are continuing to meet with local and permitting agencies. The goal for finalizing the design and applying for permits is by the end of the first quarter, with permanent repairs to start in summer.
“Our goal is began repairs within six month, ” Sherrard said.
The FDOT's anticipated completion date for the permanent repairs is late this year. In addition, she explained that the permanent work is being designed to build on the temporary work it has done.
Sherrard added that the FDOT is working with the county on the improvements that it had planned for the causeway before the storm. It is looking to accommodate those plans into the permanent repairs.
For information about her initial presentation to the city council last month, read the article for free at https://www.captivasanibel.com/2022/12/20/city-others-provide-updates-on-hurricane-recovery/. ∫ Lee County Sheriff's Office Lt. Mike Sawicki reiterated that beach parks and accesses remained closed to the public as of the meeting. Because of the lack of parking, motorists have gotten creative in where they park. Sawicki recommended that property owners put up “no parking” signs if possible.
Captiva Public Meetings
The following public meetings/hearings are scheduled: ∫ Jan. 24: Captiva Island Fire Control District meeting at 4 p.m. at the fire station, at 14981 Captiva Drive, Captiva. For more information or the agenda, visit captivafire.com.
Prior to the vote, Laird explained that she would be voting no because the allegations occurred before her tenure and she did not know the specifics, so she did not feel comfortable voting for the action.
Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Analysis
Also at the meeting, Dr. Samantha Danchuk with CEPD consultant APTIM gave a presentation to the commissioners on the “Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Analysis” conducted by the engineering firm.
She explained that the study entailed: ∫ Background and data collection: Flooding causes and scenarios for Captiva, and critical asset inventory and data collection ∫ Flood exposure analysis: Extent of potential inundation under various flood scenarios including sea level rise, tidal flooding, storm surge, and 100- and 500year flood events ∫ Critical asset sensitivity analysis: Impact of inundation for each inundation tipping point scenario ∫ Risk matrix: Risk determination for assets based on likelihood and impact ∫ Focus areas: Areas and assets most at risk for inundation
Under the risk assessment, Danchuk highlighted that there are at risk assets across all scenarios, including all conservation lands, all marinas, the Captiva Civic Association, Captiva fire station, U.S. Postal Service, a heliport, and FGUA wastewater treatment plant at the South Seas Island Resort.
She added that there is an urgent tidal flooding potential in mangrove areas and a low elevation marina, and provided percentages for parcels, buildings and linear feet of roads at risk based on the scenarios.
As for adaptation areas, the study sectioned off the island as Chadwick Bayou, Central Captiva, Roosevelt Channel and Blind Pass and outlined recommendations for each to reduce the risks.
Danchuk concluded that higher frequency storm surge and mid-term sea level rise pose a low to medium risk level to the island's assets and resources. Also, adapting coastal infrastructure to resist flood elevations of at least 3.5 feet would be prudent. In addition, a new policy regarding tidal flood barriers along the shoreline and enhancing green infrastructure along the waterfront is suggested.
She noted that adaption is primarily the responsibility of private Captiva owners. However, there are funding partnership opportunities that would likely assist in addressing some of the vulnerabilities.
As part of the study, APTIM analyzed the scope of legal authority of the CEPD to implement a sea level rise infrastructure and resilience project and outlined possible funding sources for its adaptation.
Danchuk presented the board with a proposal from APTIM for a comprehensive beach and shore preservation program resiliency strategy and implementation that can be accomplished in six tasks.
After some discussion, the commission agreed to set up a workshop to review the proposal.
To view the presentation, visit this article online for free at http://www.captivasanibel.com/.
Hurricane Ian Beach Damage Assessment and Update
Also during the meeting, Nicole Sharp with APTIM gave a presentation to the commission on the “Hurricane Ian Beach Damage Assessment and Update” completed by the engineering firm.
She reported general observations found during the study included volume loss, beach width loss, lowered beach elevation, sand bars, dune impacts, and more losses in the mid and south end of Captiva. The volume loss was about 51,700 cubic yards of sand and beach width loss was about 19.3 feet.
Sharp noted that the CEPD's 2021 beach renourishment was effective in providing storm damage reduction benefits and that it was designed to absorb wave energy and protect upland infrastructure.
The study outlined the next steps as coordinating with funding partners to replace the loss.
She explained that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently developing a project worksheet to determine if the federal cost share partner would be it or the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance due to Hurricane Ian. Sharp estimated the application process could open in the spring.
“They are moving through the steps, but it's going to be longer than the state process, ” she said.
“I think it's going to be a several month process, ” Sharp added.
To view the presentation, visit this article online for free at http://www.captivasanibel.com/.
Library From page 6 ∫ Jan. 19: Online Master Gardener Program at 2:30 p.m.
The Master Gardeners of Lee County will present “Plants that Bloom Year Round. ” Advance registration required. ∫ Jan. 21: Online Let's Talk Photography at 11 a.m.
Photographer Andres LaBrada will talk about photography. Participants will share and discuss photos from the group. Advance registration required before Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. ∫ Jan. 23: Online Meditation Mondays at 11:30 a.m.
The guided program will provide visual instructions to help keep participants focused and meditating. Advance registration required.
For more information or to register, visit leelibrary.librarymarket.com.
Questions can also be directed to 239479-INFO (4636).
Download books, stream video and other online content at www.leelibrary.net.
The Captiva Memorial Library is currently closed due to Hurricane Ian.
The Captiva library is at 11560 Chapin Lane, Captiva.
