The Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s (CEPD) commission received an update on the beach renourishment and considered a proposal from the city of Sanibel during its recent meeting.
On Nov. 10, General Manager Brighton Heard provided an update on the project.
He reported that the Turner Beach parking lot had reopened to the public as of the meeting, but the Alison Hagerup Beach parking lot remained closed. It will stay closed through the project’s end.
The anticipated completion date for the renourishment is Nov. 20-23.
Heard also reported that staff received a petition the prior evening from about 20 residents.
According to the petition, they are requesting a review and revision of the newly constructed dune.
“While intended for erosion control and resiliency, from our perspective the southern section of the dune that is 12 feet high (the northern 8,000-foot section at South Seas is 10 feet high) presents several unintended negative impacts on our community and local ecosystem,” the petitioners wrote.
They cited: impeded Gulf views, aesthetics and community character; adverse impacts to stormwater runoff; and increased sand over wash potential. They asked the board to take the following steps:
– Conduct a formal review and provide a public rationale as to why a 10-foot height is considered adequate for one part of the island but not another, and engage independent coastal engineering experts to confirm that a uniform 10-foot dune can still provide adequate storm protection.
– Develop a plan and pass a resolution to lower the 12-foot-high portion of the newly constructed dune to 10 feet.
“These actions would demonstrate the CEPD’s commitment to balancing essential erosion prevention with the preservation of the unique quality of life and natural beauty of Captiva Island. We urge the board of commissioners to prioritize this review and act by the end of the year to address these pressing concerns,” the petitioners wrote. “We look forward to working with the board to find a solution that benefits all Captiva stakeholders.”
They also noted that more signatures would be coming.
In the following discussion among the commissioners, APTIM Coastal Market Lead Nicole Sharp spoke about the historical height of the dunes in past projects and the 2-foot increase requested by the board. She noted that the increase used FEMA regulations as guidance, but were not based on that.
During public comment, community members echoed concerns outlined in the petition.
The commission directed Sharp to prepare an overview explanation of the height for the public.
In addition, staff will schedule a workshop to discuss signs to protect the dune plantings.
NORTH SANIBEL BEACH PROJECT
Also at the meeting, Brighton presented the board with the city’s Northern Sanibel Beach Renourishment Project, which the Sanibel City Council already approved on Nov. 4.
According to the documents, the city would piggyback off of the CEPD’s project and agreement with contractor Great Lakes Dredge & Dock to have about 300,000 cubic yards of sand placed roughly from the former Mad Hatter to the western boundary of Bowman’s Beach Park. The total estimated cost of the project for the city would be $8,694,171, which would include a $142,046 cost-share for the CEPD.
He explained that the commissioners would now need to approve it and he recommended doing so.
During a lengthy discussion that followed, some on the commission voiced concerns about the amount the CEPD would get for its cost-share and that the city would not be covering any mobilization costs.
A motion to approve the project and agreement failed 2-3.
Commissioners Bernie Dupre, Timothy McGowan and Bob Walter voted down the proposal, and Chairman John Wade and Vice Chairman and Treasurer Rene Miville cast votes in favor of it.
The board agreed to continue the discussion at its Nov. 13 workshop and have staff speak to the city.
WORKSHOP
During its workshop on Nov. 13, the commission continued its discussion on the city’s proposal and agreement for the Northern Sanibel Beach Renourishment Project, with city staffers joining them.
It was floated to raise the $142,046 cost-share — or 23% — to 27.2%, based on calculations.
An additional payment of about $375,000 was also suggested for mobilization costs.
City Manager Dana Souza explained that the city had its hands full with projects and was spending millions of dollars renourishing the rest of Sanibel when approached by the CEPD at the start.
“We couldn’t opt in at that point,” he said. “We had too many variables we were playing with.”
Souza continued that he was comfortable bringing back to council a proposed increase from the 23% up to 27.2%. However, they cannot do the extra $375,000 for mobilization costs this time around.
He added that the city’s remaining grant funds have been allocated for the new dune plantings.
After hearing from Souza, with some additional questions, the board offered its input.
McGowan thanked Souza for his candidness and explained that he would be happy to support the percentage increase only, with the understanding that mobilization costs would be part of the discussion regarding any future projects.
“I’m all in,” he said.
Dupre also voiced support for just the percentage increase, citing the project’s benefits for Captiva.
“I’m leaning toward doing it for the good of Captiva,” he said.
The commissioners directed staff to work on the updated cost-share number and provide it and the formula used to come up with it to city staffers for presentation to the council for consideration.
A special meeting was also set for Nov. 17 for the CEPD to reconsider the proposal.
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
– The commission voted unanimously 5-0 to terminate the contract with Becker & Poliakoff for lobbying services and to engage The Southern Group instead to provide those same services.
– Brighton reported that the $500,000 invasive species grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is going through its review. The funding can be used to remove invasive species like Australian pines, but cannot be used to replant native species as they were planning.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email