by SC Publisher Shannen Hayes
Amy Nowacki has been placed under contract as the architect for the Center4Life building renovation project. Sanibel City Council unanimously approved the contract Monday, Sept. 13, in its meeting.
Center4Life, the island’s senior center offering a variety of programs by the Sanibel Recreation Department, shares a small building with the affordable housing organization Community Housing and Resources on the corner of Library Way and Palm Ridge Road.
In December 2019, council unanimously approved the nearly $1.9 million purchase of the former Sanibel Captiva Community Bank building, located next to the current Center4Life on Library Way, for a new and better senior center.
Community Services Director Keith Williams explained that last month council approved the architect ranking based on a review of eight proposals by a city staff selection committee. Nowacki was ranked first out of three finalists.
“The ranking is done cost blind,” said Williams. “It’s based solely on performance and capability of doing the job.” That means the design cost has not been determined. Council looks to discuss the scope of the design in October or November.
In other actions taken by council on Monday:
Several special event requests were unanimously approved with public safety in mind during this pandemic. Each organization submitted COVID-19 protocols for the event and the Veteran’s Day Ceremony, underwritten by the city, will have a mask mandate and social distancing of chairs.
The Sanibel Captiva Chamber’s 35th annual Luminary Holiday Stroll will be Dec. 3. Chamber President John Lai told council they will have a “plan B and plan C, if necessary,” to keep everyone safe.
The Sanibel Historical Museum & Village will be able to serve alcohol at a ribbon cutting Dec. 2 for its new pavilion. The museum sits on city property, which requires permission to serve alcohol.
The Sanibel Captiva Lions Club was given permission to sell Christmas trees. City Manager Judie Zimomra told council the sale took place last year and it went “flawlessly.”
A resolution for a 1 percent increase in residential, commercial and reclaimed water rates was approved. It is effective Oct. 1.
Three island restaurants were approved for an entertainment license renewal. The Blue Giraffe at Beachview Estates, 400 Rabbits Mexican Kitchen and Tequilaria and Traders had no reported violations from code enforcement, police or fire departments since their original license was issued.
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