by SC Publisher Shannen Hayes
ADG Architecture will develop design plans for the new Sanibel Police Department building on Dunlop Road, near the recycling center. The plans are estimated to take 10 months.
The site of the new Sanibel Police Department building on Dunlop Road, across from City Hall and near the recycling center. SC video by Associate Publisher Chuck Larsen
Council approved the agreement Tuesday, March 1 at a cost of $772,057, which includes nearly $25,000 in “green” components, such as photovaltaic and solar hot water system designs. That amount is down by $106,000 after construction-related costs were eliminated.
The construction-related costs will be added back once that part of the project is authorized.
The city allocated $403,825 for the project in its FY22 budget. Council approved a resolution Tuesday to transfer the remaining balance to the capital projects fund – $294,586 from the general fund and $73,646 from the beach parking fund. Those funds will be reimbursed from future borrowing.
The current police department space at City Hall was determined to be used beyond its original capacity. There is no space for a training room or proper locker room facilities. There are temporary trailers in the parking lot for police aids and female officers.
When the department was formed in 1974, it was a daytime-only force with a few male officers. Today, it is an around-the-clock operation with roughly 30 officers and 30 civilian employees. And the number of female officers has increased throughout the years.
Council was presented with three options for the police department in a workshop in October 2021 and unanimously approved a new construction near the recycling center in December. A 10,000 square-feet, two-story building with secured police parking was proposed.
Councilman Mike Miller reiterated his preference for a referendum on the project. Since the deadline for the next election may be impossible to meet, a special election would have to be held. Miller said he would be interested in knowing the cost of a special election.
There was some discussion about moving forward on the project as the city is evaluating its facilities. But City Manager Dana Souza said there has already been a great amount of work done looking at options for the police department.
“In this case, we already know the police department is tight in quarters and there are gender inequalities,” said Souza. “An evaluation of city hall will be done, but a key component of that is knowing square footage from the police department will be freed up.”
Senior Center Plans
Council approved an $8,000 proposal from Architect Amy Nowacki to develop a floor plan using the existing layout of the former Sanibel Captiva Community Bank building on Library Way to meet the needs of the senior center. The proposal also includes evaluating space for outdoor programming.
Council was initially presented with two design options by Nowacki, which included major renovations and an addition of a second story to the building. In last month’s meeting, council voted to explore a plan without any structural modifications or additions before proceeding on the project.
Agreement with Island Seniors
Council authorized Souza to negotiate an agreement with the Island Seniors group for recreational services provided at the Sanibel Recreation Center and off-site locations supported by the city. The agreement will be renegotiated should senior center programming move to the former bank building.
Appraisal of Library Way Properties
Council approved a $6,400 proposal from Maxwell-Hendry-Simmons Real Estate Appraisers and Consultants for an appraisal of four city-owned properties on Library Way. Those properties include 2401 Library Way and two empty parcels, all purchased in 1993, and the former bank building purchased in 2019.
Souza said it is beneficial to know the value of the properties, especially when it comes to FEMA and any renovations to the former bank building, regardless of its final purpose.
Retreat at Sanibel Recreation Center
The strategic planning retreat on Saturday, March 12 and Wednesday, March 16 will be at the Sanibel Recreation Center. Each council member will choose three people, and three alternates, to participate alongside them and 15 city staff members.
There was some discussion on including commission and committee members, as well as how to incorporate those working full time and/or with children who might have difficulty finding time in their schedule to participate.
Sanibel resident Darla Letourneau said including committee members would not be a good organizing principal because some issues do not have a committee, such as the Shared Use Path.
Jude Syncoske, another resident, suggested the city offer childcare so young families could be involved in the retreat.
Both women addressed a sentiment among some residents – the city has not been listening to them. Council collectively said it was important to have a diversity in voices and as much community input as possible throughout the strategic planning process.
And Souza said he would check with staff on providing childcare during the retreat.
Plans to upgrade and update the Police Department are probably long overdue.