M/PIFCD fire board: settlement proposal ‘gutted’ by Cape Coral
The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District received a response last week from the city of Cape Coral on its proposed settlement of an annexation challenge. The M/PIFCD presented Cape Coral with the proposed inter-local agreement on March 31.
According to Fire Commissioner Michael Dreikorm, “What M/PIFCD put forth as a good faith proposal has been mostly gutted and provides little relief for the island. The initial reaction is one of disappointment. The city struck down the 98-year term of the agreement, completely removed the mutual aid agreement, limited the amount we were to be paid back in taxes, removed all height limitations of buildings that need to meet the safety limitations of our trucks and removed ‘mediation’ and court remedies to future disputes.”?The inter-local agreement proposal was made in response to a dispute with the city of Cape Coral’s annexation of six lots on Matlacha Island. The parcel is made up of six individual lots that the city purchased in 2012 in a package of 491 parcels. The parcels the Cape annexed serve as a parking lot for the boat launch ramp at D & D Bait & Tackle.?”Frankly I’m really disappointed with the response from Cape Coral,” GPICA President Roger Wood said. “I had high hopes that if the first draft was accepted, that incorporation might not be necessary.”?Additional concerns by M/PIFCD are that height restrictions within the Pine Island Plan are adhered to.
“The Cape suggested they wanted to put a park there but by pulling out the language limiting building heights, which greatly effects the traffic, one of our main concerns, we have to look very hard at the incorporation option,” Wood said.
“The city decided to disregard everything that was discussed at the facilitated meeting,” Dreikorn said. “The Fire Commission will convene to discuss our response. I suggest all engaged citizens attend the next M/PIFCD Commission meetings to express what’s important to them. As an island community, we are only strong if we stay united.”?Updates on Fire Commissioner meetings can be found on Facebook page “Pine Island Strong.”
The next Fire Commission meeting will be held May 24 at 5 p.m. at Fire Station #1.