Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/170820
Sarasota News Leader September 13, 2013 Page 65 Luckner noted during the SKA meeting that she and her directors also had heard complaints from Gulf & Bay Club residents. "They have been very concerned about runoff from the project." However, one factor apparently linked to the condominium complex's worries was the brown tint of that runoff, Luckner noted. Mangroves in a freshwater area tend to produce high amounts of tannic acid, she explained, which can make water appear brown without creating any type of harmful effect. Still, Luckner said, "It's kind of frightening" to see that shade of water on the beach. (From left) Siesta Key Association Director Deet Jonker, President Catherine Luckner and Directors Beverly Arias and Ron Flynn prepare for the start of their Sept. 5 meeting. Photo by Rachel Hackney Luckner also pointed out that Patterson provided her with a copy of a recent report from the county Health Department that reassured Patterson subsequently emailed Fastiggi to her no significant mosquito problems had let him know Smith wanted to assist with the been detected at the site. situation. On Aug. 31, Matthew Smith, the county's mosquito control manager, sent an email to Assistant County Administrator Lee Ann Lowery, saying, he had visited the stormwater project site and found most of the areas with standing water did not have breeding mosquito populations. He did treat areas where he discovered low-level breeding, he continued. "No adult mosquitoes were found in landing rate surveys," he added, noting, "The site will be under regular surveillance until the project is finished." Smith added that he was unable to reach Tom Fastiggi, manager of the Gulf & Bay Club, when he was at the site, but he would try again on Sept. 3. Smith was hopeful he could gain access to space under the complex's F building, because a dry well or retention-type area under that building was flooded, "although [that] does not appear to be a result of the county construction site [issues]." EXTRA GRANT AID On one other positive note, Curtis Smith told the News Leader the county was able to obtain about $22,000 more in grant funds from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to help pay for the project. The district's board originally approved a grant up to $975,000 when the project was estimated to cost $1.5 million. Before the County Commission approved the bid award on March 19, commissioners complained about project consultants being far off the mark of the final cost. When Patterson asked whether SWFWMD would consider increasing its grant amount, Program Manager Carolyn Eastwood explained that staff already was corresponding with district representatives on that point. %