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Residents urge council to reject demolition contract over alleged environmental violations
Summary
Marsha Ellis and other residents urged Fort Myers to disqualify a demolition bidder for City of Palms Park, citing an FDEP consent order and alleged RCRA noncompliance. Council discussed delaying the award and preserving salvageable historic elements.
Members of the public urged the City Council to reconsider awarding the demolition contract for City of Palms Park to Hoth Destruction, Inc., the apparent low bidder, citing documented environmental enforcement actions against the company's president and alleged ongoing pollution at the firm's site.
Marsha Ellis, who identified herself as a Lee County resident, told council that the FDEP has issued a consent order related to unauthorized handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste at a facility on Gator Road and said the company's president, David Muleka, is named in enforcement documents. "This isn't about mere allegations or neighborhood grievances. This is about documented, verified violations of environmental law, a DEP consent order with respondent David Muleka," Ellis said and urged council to disqualify the firm from bidding because bid documents require a responsible contractor in compliance with environmental laws.
Council discussed options including tabling the award, salvaging historic components before demolition, and confirming bidder responsibility per the procurement documents. Council did not immediately award the contract during that portion of the meeting; members asked staff to include the public materials in the official record and to follow procurement rules when recommending award.
