Employees Recognized at City Council Meeting

by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino

The City of Sanibel recognized Joel Caouette, Environmental Biologist, Natural Resources Department, as Employee of the First Quarter for Fiscal Year 2024. Caouette joined the city in 2016 as a Conservation Officer and was promoted to Environmental Specialist in 2018, and promoted yet again to his current position of Environmental Biologist in November 2020.

Building on his expertise in shorebird identification and protection, Caouette’s focus is on management of the City’s coastal ecosystems and implementation of coastal adaptation and resiliency strategies. He has been the lead on multiple grant applications on behalf of the Natural Resources Department, securing more than $2 million in funding, including nearly $500,000 for the Woodring Road Living Shoreline project.

In addition to his Natural Resources duties as a biologist, Caouette is a key member of the City’s Emergency Essential Staff and serves as the City’s liaison in the Lee County Emergency Operations Center when the EOC is activated for an approaching hurricane. He also serves another important emergency role as head o the City’s Employee Amateur HAM Radio Operators.

Caouette is being honored by his peers, who said he is an exemplary employee and coworker, maintaining a positive attitude with extreme patience and unyielding attention to detail. Further, they said he is dedicated to Sanibel and makes time to discuss concerns with residents.

In other employee news, the city has selected Alfred J. (Fred) Mittl to serve as Sanibel’s Public Works Director, with Mittl beginning his tenure with Sanibel on February 26, 2024. Mittl is a licensed Professional Engineer in Florida and Texas. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resource Management from Pennsylvania State University and his Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Houston. Mittl previously worked in the private sector for engineering consulting firms for more than 36 years.

Much of Fred’s consulting work has focused on public sector work, including projects for Sanibel dating back to 2002. He has a strong background in the design, permitting, and operations of sanitary sewer systems. Director Mittl served as the lead project engineer on Sanibel projects that include the design for improvements to the Donax Water Reclamation Facility, and the Captiva central sewer project wastewater transmission, effluent reuse, and disposal studies.

“Fred is the perfect person to fit this role,” said City Manager Dana Souza.

Director Mittl recently said “Sanibel has graciously welcomed me and is providing me the opportunity to apply my knowledge of Sanibel’s culture, environment, and infrastructure as Public Works Director. I am working with the outstanding staff and array of talented individuals as we continue our work to restore and improve our community.”