Committee asks staff to draft RFP for targeted canal sediment survey after Harper report raises questions

Committee members agreed to ask a member to prepare a white paper and an RFP concept for targeted sediment surveying after a technical presentation questioned whether widespread “muck” exists in Marco Island canals.

Ralph (committee member) summarized the Harper Report's core-sample findings and said the report’s executive conclusions may overstate the problem: "As I mentioned, if it ends up being 5.4% average, oh my God, that changes all our thinking." He told the panel that the Harper work relied on 26 core samples, with only three above about 17% organic content, and proposed a two-tier approach: a limited 50-canal survey to identify hot spots or a complete, island-wide survey if the committee prefers.

Members pressed for methodological clarity — how cores were selected, whether sonar vs. electrical resistivity profiling would be used, and how historical bathymetrics compare to modern readings. The presenter recommended combining acoustic mapping with lab-analyzed cores (calibrated about every 100 feet) to identify true organic muck versus soft sand and to produce an "isomap" or heat map showing muck concentrations.

After discussion, the committee approved a motion to have the presenter draft a white paper and RFP for review and possible forwarding to City Council. The roll-call vote was recorded and the motion carried.

The committee emphasized that the RFP should call for both sonar/electrical-resistivity options and targeted coring, and that cost estimates and scope variation (50-canal pilot vs. full survey) should be explicit so council can weigh options. No contract awards or expenditures were authorized; this step is to create the procurement documents for Council consideration.