Council Sets Election Date, Raises Rec Center & Sewer Fees, And Other Actions

by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino

City Election Set for March 2, 2027. Three City Council seats will be up for election: two full-term seats and one partial-term seat. All candidates must be qualified during the week of January 11 – 15, 2027. Anyone interested must meet with City Clerk Scotty Lynn Kelly to cover all required forms for filing and running. The Council members whose terms are expiring are Holly Smith and Richard Johnson. The partial term is due to John Henshaw’s resignation (two years remain on his term). To date, only Holly Smith has indicated her intention to run for re-election. The City determined that the top two vote-getters will receive the full-term spots, and the third will receive the partial-term spot.

Amending Police Pension Board Structure. City Council unanimously voted to modify the composition and term structure of the Police Pension Board of Trustees. The amendment increases the number of trustees appointed by the City Council from two to three by eliminating the board-appointed trustee position. It also establishes initial two-year terms for the appointed trustees, followed by four-year terms beginning in October 2028. Trustees elected by the members of the pension plan will continue to serve four-year terms. The proposed change addresses a concern created by the Board’s current structure, under which all trustee terms are scheduled to expire at the same time. Substantial turnover could disrupt continuity and result in the loss of institutional knowledge and experience. Revising the appointment structure and staggering trustee terms will promote continuity, preserve institutional knowledge, and support the effective administration of the Police Pension Plan.

Hurricane Recovery Measures Expiring. Council voted unanimously to let certain Resolutions or Ordinances expire. These include placing temporary signs and waiving application fees for variances to aid in Hurricane Ian Recovery.

Buildback Provisions Deadline Extended. Before Hurricane Ian, the code allowed 24 months to reestablish a nonconforming structure and 12 months to reestablish a nonconforming use. The deadline for a nonconforming use was extended to 24 months if the state of local emergency exceeds six months, and the deadlines for both structures and uses were extended to 36 months if the state of local emergency exceeds six months. The extension to four years, if the state of local emergency exceeds 12 months, was passed on September 8, 2025. The current deadline is December 15, 2026, based on the date the building moratorium was lifted post- Hurricane Ian. Council unanimously on September 14 suggested extending the provision to December 17, 2027. This issue must go through the Planning Commission first.

Council Decides on Language for Roundabout Referendum. Sanibel residents will be able to vote March 2, 2027, not just for City Council members but also on a referendum regarding the much-discussed roundabout at the four-way stop intersection. After much discussion, Council unanimously decided on the following language: “The completed topographic survey determined that a roundabout can be constructed within the existing public right-of-way. A YES vote supports advancing the feasibility of the roundabout to better understand the design, construction cost, and timing. In contrast, a NO vote supports retaining the existing four-way stop without further investigation of a roundabout.”

City and Historical Village Sign Agreement. The City and the Sanibel Historical Museum & Village have entered into operating agreements since 2007. The current agreement, approved by City Council in 2023, expires on September 30, 2026. The agreement, unanimously approved by City Council on September 14, 2026, will continue the City-SHMV partnership for three years, from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2029. SHMV would remain responsible for administering and operating the Village, including staffing, volunteers, programming, marketing, and other operating activities. The City would continue to provide utilities, insurance, routine grounds and building maintenance, and other services identified in the agreement, subject to City Council approval of the FY27 budget. The City’s proposed FY27 operating budget for the Historical Museum & Village is $218,200, which includes operating expenses associated with the City-owned historic premises and $50,000 to support SHMV’s administration and operations. Beginning in FY28, the $50,000 annual payment to SHMV will increase by a formula considering the Consumer Price Index. The proposed FY27 Capital Improvement Plan also includes $50,000 for improvements to the Rutland House. SHMV will be responsible for raising the remaining $68,806 of the estimated $118,806 project cost. Capital funding for improvements to the Historic Premises during the remaining term of the agreement will be considered annually through the City’s budget process.

Recreation Center Fees to Increase. At the August 18, 2026, budget meeting, City Council discussed expanding Recreation Center operating hours during peak season, as well as adjusting membership fees to help offset the additional costs of extended hours. At its September 14, 2026, meeting, City Council unanimously approved a 25 percent increase in resident membership fees and a 15 percent increase in non-resident membership fees. The smaller percentage adjustment for non-resident memberships recognizes the substantial increase implemented in 2025, while resident membership fees have remained unchanged since 2023. For purposes of Recreation Center membership eligibility, a “resident” is defined as a Sanibel or unincorporated Lee County property owner.

Shared Use Paths. City Council approved Stantec Consulting’s design proposal for the Wildlife Drive shared use path. Council also reviewed the SUP Phase 2 repair project, which is already under design by Bowman Consulting Group, which includes repaving and widening of certain paths. Oisin Dolley, City Engineer, presented cost estimates for the Phase 2 repair and widening project, along with funding sources, to show sufficient funding to move forward with the Wildlife Drive SUP expansion and the Phase 2 widening work. The design aspects for both projects have been approved, but Council won’t approve actual construction costs until the project is designed and bid.

Sewer Rate Increase. City Council unanimously approved a 4% sewer rate increase.