The Captiva Community Panel (CCP) held its recent meeting and received key updates on the future of the Rauschenberg property, the island’s potential septic-to-sewer conversion project, and other ongoing community initiatives.
Rauschenberg Property Update
CCP President David Mintz reported on the sale of the Rauschenberg Foundation property. He noted that the broker was accepting Letters of Intent (LOIs) by October 16, which will serve as the first round of offers for the foundation’s consideration. The process may include a second or third round of bidding.
- The Captiva Island Fire Control District intends to submit an LOI for the three bayside parcels, totaling about 9.8 acres. Mintz stressed that this purchase would align with the community’s interest in preserving and protecting the land as the artist Robert Rauschenberg had intended.
- The Foundation has indicated a preference for selling the entire property in a single transaction, rather than parcel-by-parcel.
- An “island-friendly developer” is reportedly submitting an LOI for all parcels with a commitment: the bayside land would be transferred to the Fire District, and the remaining property would be developed in a manner “consistent with the historical pattern,” ensuring community availability.
The Panel approved a motion to send a letter of support to the Rauschenberg Foundation backing the Fire District’s offer, with a second letter of support for the developer’s full-property offer as a backup. Panel Member John Wade cast the single dissenting vote.
Wastewater Committee Progress
Wastewater Committee Chair Jay Brown provided an update on the proposed island-wide septic-to-sewer conversion.
- A working group has been formed, consisting of panel members and Sanibel city staffers. This group will focus on strategies to reduce the cost of potentially connecting Captiva to Sanibel’s sewer system.
- They will also be actively working to identify grant money and other funding sources to help finance the project. Their first meeting was scheduled for October 17.
- Brown also reported that the committee is evaluating the feasibility of an alternative connection: linking the island to the existing Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) plant at South Seas. Consultant Kimley-Horn has offered to design a plan to strengthen and expand this facility.
Nominating Committee and Elections
While Secretary and Nominating Committee Chair Tony Lapi was absent, President Mintz delivered the committee’s recommendations for the Panel’s two upcoming vacancies.
- The Captiva Property Owners Association reappointed Treasurer Sandy Stilwell Youngquist and Panel Member Margarethe Thye-Miville.
- The Captiva Civic Association reappointed Panel Member Jon Rosen.
For the two seats the Panel itself must fill, the Nominating Committee received resumes from four candidates—Robert Adler, Jay Brown, Christopher Kemph, and Bob Rando—and recommended Jay Brown and Bob Rando. Mintz clarified that the Panel is not bound by the committee’s nominations.
Anyone interested in submitting a resume for a vacant seat must do so by the November meeting. The Panel will hold its vote to fill the seats at its December meeting.
In Other News
- Stormwater: Stormwater Committee Chair Brown reported that Lee County’s consultants are about a month away from completing a model for the island’s stormwater flows. The next step will involve identifying ways to mitigate these flows to minimize property damage.
- Beach Renourishment Safety: Lee County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Rich Zeltman reminded the public to observe safety during the Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s beach renourishment project. He advised beach-goers to not enter the fenced-in areas where heavy equipment is staged and to stay outside of all construction zones to ensure public safety.
