FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Pete Winton, Lee County Administration
               (239) 335-2777

BOARD APPROVES UPPER CAPTIVA PLAN/EXTENDS EMERGENCY DECLARATION

FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 31, 2004) - The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved the following items during its weekly meeting:

State of Local Emergency - Extended the state of local emergency already in place for another seven days as the county continues its post-disaster recovery from Hurricane Charley.

Upper Captiva - Approved a contract with Crowder/Gulf to provide horticulture debris collection and disposal services on Upper Captiva. Because of the amount of the destruction and debris on the island, the Fire Chief is concerned about it being a fire hazard. The county and fire district will determine the best way to dispose of the debris - grinding and spreading or using an air curtain incinerator. Because it is a health and safety hazard, the county could receive FEMA reimbursement even though it is private property, but a reimbursement hearing eventually will have to be held.

C&D Debris - Approved an agreement with Waste Management of Florida for the disposal of construction and demolition debris at Gulf Coast Landfill.

Debris Removal - Tentatively agreed to allow the ground up horticulture debris (from the county's six staging areas) to be temporarily stored on Conservation 20/20 sites recommended by Lee County Parks & Recreation. The mulch will be composted while the county explores land-spreading opportunities.

VCB/EDO Offices - Approved a lease with Uccello Immobilien GMBH for the new offices of the Visitor & Convention Bureau (11,428 square feet) and Economic Development Office (8,404 square feet) at University Park Building, 12800 University Park Drive. Annual cost is $185,728 for EDO and $252,559 for VCB. Landlord will contribute a total of $84,038 for renovations. Leases are for five years with an option to renew for an additional five years. The building that previously housed the two departments suffered damage from Hurricane Charley. The space also includes a data center room with raised computer floor to provide for proper cooling, fire suppression equipment, and separate air conditioning for the room, that the county's Information Technology Group can use for countywide data operations. The county had been considering a $500,000 cost to build such a room in another building.