by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Second Hearings Scheduled. Five items were scheduled for second hearings on August 20. They are:
* Interim Council Member Appointments – to provide flexibility on when and if to appoint an interim member to City Council following a vacancy and the timing of any necessary special election following a vacancy
* Franchise Agreement Repeal for Solid Waste Collection and Delivery Services
* Milestone Inspections regarding mandatory inspections of aging condominium and cooperative buildings
* School Speed Zones, adding a new school speed zone
* Shell Harbor Initial Assessment relating to the annual special service assessment to fund the canal dredging
Bailey Shopping Center Plan Approved. The Planned Unit Development for the Bailey Shopping Center was approved in accordance with the Planning Commission’s previous resolution. Noting that the parcel where the consignment shop and warehouse storage were located is no more and that the former service station is now serving as The Grog Shop, City staff finds the Bailey application consistent with the Sanibel Plan. The 14-room boarding house, which was nonconforming, has been demolished and cannot be reproduced. Regarding the land that was to be set aside for below-market-rate housing, Deputy Planning Director Craig Chandler said, “I don’t know the intent for this space now. Below-market-rate housing would be a conditional use.” There will be a comprehensive vegetation plan submitted subject to existing vegetation requirements. This was approved by a 4-0 vote, with Mayor Richard Johnson recusing himself.
Francise Agreement with WM of Ft. Myers. The City entered into a franchise agreement with Advanced Disposal Services Solid Waste Southeast, Inc., for the purposes of solid waste collection and delivery service within the territorial limits of the City of Sanibel, with an initial term of five years, and with two potential one-year extensions, which will expire September 30, 2024, and with the expiration of the franchise agreement, the appendix within the Sanibel Code specific to this franchise agreement will no longer be necessary or appropriate. The franchise agreement for collection and delivery of residential and commercial solid waste, recycling, and horticultural material for services to be provided beginning October 1, 2024, will be adopted via this resolution, to allow for greater flexibility for potential amendment throughout the term.
Building Permit and Development Permit Fees. Following Hurricane Ian, the city reduced Emergency Repair Permit and Demolition Permit Fees by 50 percent and eliminated re-inspection fees with an expiration date of June 30, 2024. Based on the continued extraordinary number of permits averaging 50-60 per day, the Building Director recommended that the reduced fees be extended until the new fee schedule is adopted by Council. After consultation with Raftelis, who is performing the Fee Rate Study, the Building and Planning Director recommends a 30 percent reduction in New Building Construction and Development Permit fees to align with the expected new fee schedule and to meet state mandates as to maximum Building Department fund balance. This passed City Council unanimously.
Periwinkle Way and Palm Ridge Road Shared Use Path Project. City Council unanimously approved expenditures of $468,500 for this project. Plan recommendations include enhancement and expansion of pedestrian and bicycle accessibility and connectivity between existing and future civic, cultural, recreation, governmental, residential, and commercial uses. Also to maintain, improve, and expand pedestrian and bicycle connections between Town Center, Palm Ridge, and Tarpon Bay focus areas as well as with other commercial districts and properties to achieve the goals, policies, and recommendations of the Sanibel Plan and the Shared Use Path Master Plan to ensure Sanibel “will be a walkable and bikeable community.”
Other expenditures approved. An amount of $316,374.87 was approved for professional engineering services for Hurricane Ian-related wastewater force main improvements. Also, $63,700 was approved for Hurricane Ian-related Boat Ramp Dock replacement.
50th Anniversary Update and Proposed Tree Lighting Event. The City’s 50th Anniversary workgroup continues to meet on a monthly basis to plan and collaborate on events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the City. These events will span approximately 13 months with the kickoff event at City Hall grounds on November 5, 2024, for the opening of the time capsule. As a second event, the workgroup is proposing a holiday tree lighting event at Community Park on November 30, 2024, at 5:30. The tree and decorations would be leased and include setup, takedown, and storage. It includes a 20-foot commercial-grade tree. City Council approved this unanimously.
Presentation by LCEC. Allan Ruth, who was the LCEC Incident Commander during Hurricane Ian recovery, presented information about the Lee County Electric Cooperative’s system, procedures, and response to Hurricane Ian. He mentioned that eight different states helped Sanibel after the storm, which was three times stronger than Hurricane Irma. Items of interest that he mentioned include: (1) concrete poles failed as often as wood poles due to the flexibility of wood, (2) concrete poles are not suitable for distribution poles largely because they are unsightly in neighborhoods, and (3) the LCEC system did not lose one transmission line during Hurricane Ian.
Council Member Holly Smith Named as City Voting Delegate. Smith will be the voting delegate for the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference August 15-17.
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