The Captiva Community Panel heard updates on the Rauschenberg property, potential septic-to-sewer conversion project for the island to connect to the city of Sanibel and more during its recent meeting.

On Oct. 14, President David Mintz reported that the broker for the Rauschenberg Foundation is accepting letters of intent (LOIs) by Oct. 16 for those interested in purchasing the property. It is his understanding that those will serve as a first round of offers, which the foundation will consider.

He noted that the foundation may ask for a second or third round of offers.

Mintz continued that the Captiva Island Fire Control District intends to submit a LOI for the three parcels on the bayside that total about 9.8 acres. He reported that the purchase would clearly be in the community’s interest, plus in line with preserving and protecting the land as Rauschenberg wanted.

Mintz added that the foundation has expressed interest in wanting to sell all of the property in one transaction, not parcel by parcel. An island-friendly developer is stepping forward to submit a LOI for all of the parcels, with the commitment that the bayside ones will go to the fire district and the rest will be available to the community — with any development to be consistent with the historical pattern.

A motion to submit a letter of support to the foundation supporting the fire district’s offer, with a second letter of support for the developer’s offer as a backup, was approved with one dissenting vote.

Panel Member John Wade voted no against the motion.

WASTEWATER COMMITTEE

Wastewater Committee Chair and former Panel Member Jay Brown provided an update.

He reported that they have formed a working group consisting of panel members and Sanibel city staffers. They will work on ways to attempt to reduce the cost of possibly hooking up Captiva to the city’s sewer system. The group will also look at developing grant money or other funding sources.

Their first meeting was set for Oct. 17.

In addition, Brown reported that the panel committee is looking at the feasibility of connecting the island to the existing Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) plant at South Seas, instead of Sanibel. Consultant Kimley-Horn has offered to design a plan that would strengthen and expand it.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Secretary and Nominating Committee Chair Tony Lapi was unable to attend the meeting, but he provided Mintz with an update from the committee and its recommendations for two seats.

Mintz reiterated that the Captiva Property Owners Association reappointed Treasurer Sandy Stilwell Youngquist and Panel Member Margarethe Thye-Miville to each serve for another three years as its representatives on the panel and the Captiva Civic Association reappointed Panel Member Jon Rosen.

The panel itself has two upcoming vacancies to fill.

Mintz reported Lapi and the committee received resumes from four candidates: Robert Adler, Jay Brown, Christopher Kemph and Bob Rando. It recommended Brown and Rando for the seats.

Mintz noted that the panel does not need to accept the committee’s nominations.

Anyone interested in submitting a resume must do so by the November meeting.

The panel will vote on filling the seats at its December meeting.

IN OTHER NEWS

– Stormwater Committee Chair Brown reported that Lee County’s consultants are in the process of constructing a model for the stormwater flows on the island. It is expected to be completed in about a month. The next step will be looking for ways to mitigate the flows to minimize property damage.

– Lee County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Rich Zeltman reported that while the Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s beach renourishment project is taking place, beach-goers should not enter the fenced-in areas where the heavy equipment is staged. He advised the public to stay outside of the construction areas.

“We just want to make sure that people who go to the beach are safe,” Zeltman said.

To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email