by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
City Council covered a lot of ground at its 10-hour October 6, 2026 meeting. Here are the Proclamations and other items.
Sam Halverson of the Sanibel Public Works Department, center, is named Employee of the 4th Quarter
Employee of the 4th Quarter. Human Resources Director Crystal Mansell presented Sam Halverson of the Public Works Department with the Employee of the 4th Quarter award. Halverson was hired on April 10, 2017, as a Tradesworker (Streets Division) in the Public Works Department. He was promoted to his current position of Equipment Operator/Crew Leader on February 7, 2022. “Sam was a key player in helping to restore the island after Hurricane(s) Ian, Helene, and Milton,” Mansell said. Peer comments submitted with Halverson’s nomination include: “Sam goes above and beyond to be helpful. Anything that needs to be done, he is willing to jump right to it”; and “Sam’s contributions have proven invaluable to the city, our department, and the entire island.” Pete Moser, Chief Wastewater Plant Operator, also received a nomination.
Breast Cancer Awareness. The City declared October Breast Cancer Awareness Month by proclamation. The month is promoted annually to increase awareness of the disease. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, with approximately 13 percent, or one in eight, of American women developing breast cancer during their lifetime. “We encourage all residents to attend the San Cap Pink Project’s Annual Pink Out Picnic: Health & Hope Expo, founded by breast cancer survivor Mary Bondurant to help fund mammograms and cancer-related needs for the uninsured, underinsured, or those struggling with the unexpected costs of care, which will be held at the Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 11:30 to 1:30,” the Proclamation stated.
J.N. “Ding” Darling 150th Birthday Proclamation. October 21 marks the 150th birth anniversary of Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling, whose national leadership in conservation policy, wildlife protection, and public education continues to inspire stewardship across the United States. The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1945 and named for Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling, protects more than 6,400 acres of mangrove habitat, wetlands, and wildlife on Sanibel Island and remains one of Southwest Florida’s most ecologically significant natural areas. The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society–Friends of the Refuge (DDWS), founded in 1982, serves as the Refuge’s nonprofit partner and provides essential support for conservation, education, research, community programming, and habitat restoration that benefits residents, visitors, and the broader region. “The City of Sanibel recognizes the Refuge and DDWS as foundational to the island’s identity, economy, environmental stewardship, and longstanding commitment to conservation and nature-based tourism,” the Proclamation reads.
Florida Native Plant Month. The City declared October Florida Native Plant Month, a tribute started in 2015 by the Florida Native Plant Society. Native plants are adapted to Florida’s rainfall patterns and soil conditions and resist pests and diseases, reducing the need for irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides and promoting water conservation and water quality protection. In addition, native plants effectively combat erosion, strengthen coastal resilience, and play a critical role in Sanibel’s stormwater management. For 37 years, Sanibel has been recognized as a Tree City USA. In the Proclamation, the City urges all citizens to celebrate the ecological, cultural, and economic benefits of native vegetation.
Florida City Week. City Council declared the week of October 19-25, 2026, as Florida City Week and encouraged citizens to participate in educational events during this week and in public engagement opportunities throughout the year. City government is the level of government closest to most citizens and has the most direct impact on residents’ daily lives. Municipal governments provide services and programs essential to residents’ health, safety, welfare, and quality of life. Through home rule authority, city government establishes laws, resolutions, policies, and regulations that let a local community create the qualities and characteristics that define its unique sense of place. “I think this city says so much about who we are, where we choose to live, and why,” said Council member Holly Smith, former president of the Florida League of Cities. “City government is so much a part of why we choose to live where we do.”
Police Pension Board Structure. City Council voted unanimously to amend the Police Pension Board structure. The ordinance modifies 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 pension plan members 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. Later in the meeting, Council appointed three City Council appointees and ratified two members elected by active plan members.
City Administration. Council unanimously ratified the General Employee Pension Board election. The current members of the board of trustees serve staggered two-year terms, with the terms of three members appointed by City Council ending on September 30, 2025 and the terms of two members elected by the membership ending on September 30, 2026. All terms of office thereafter shall be two years, beginning on October 1 and ending on September 30. After a nomination period, an election period, and two run-off elections in September, John Juzkiw was elected to seat 1 and Brad Gloer to seat 2. The terms will be from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2028.
City Election Set. Council passed a resolution calling for an election on March 2, 2027. Per the agreement with the Lee County Supervisor of Elections, the City must pass a resolution calling for an election at least 110 days before the election; November 12, 2026, is the last day for advance notice. The resolution shall set the election dates and polling places, provide ballot language, and establish the qualifying period. Voters will vote on three City Council seats and a referendum on the roundabout.
City Building Long-Awaited Crosswalk. The City will spend $37,756 to build a crosswalk at Periwinkle Way and Farm Trail, connected to the shared-use path. City Manager Dana Souza said the work should be done in a couple of weeks. This spot has long needed a crosswalk.
St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church Request. St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church presented a request to hold Camino de Sanibel, a one-day pilgrimage walk across Sanibel on Saturday, February 27, 2027. The proposed event would begin at Lighthouse Beach Park on the island’s east end and end at Blind Pass Beach Park on the west end, with most of the route using the City’s shared-use path system. To minimize impacts on public beach parking, participants would park at Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 2304 Periwinkle Way, and be shuttled to the starting location. Approximately 100 -150 participants are anticipated. What might have been a “rubber stamp” approval in other circumstances drew significant questioning at the Council meeting. Council member Holly Smith noted it is the busiest time of the season and asked whether it could be rescheduled. Also, SCCF has an event that day, and the Spaghetti Dinner is scheduled for the same day. In addition, SCCF has expressed concerns about the beaches. Council put a limit of 100 participants. Council approved the application 4-0 (Council member Henshaw was excused).
Special Event Fees. This Resolution, passed unanimously (with Committee member John Henshaw excused), updates the fee schedule by removing the fee for mailing special event permits; permits are no longer mailed. Additionally, this resolution establishes fees for renting the tiki hut at Bowman’s Beach Park and the pavilion at Gulfside (Algiers) City Beach Park. The proposed changes are as follows: Elimination of the $25 Special Event Permit Mailing Fee. Establish a daily rental fee for the Bowman’s Beach Park Tiki Hut of $25 for residents and $50 for non-residents. Establishment of a Gulfside (Algiers) City Beach Park Pavilion daily rental fee of $25 for residents and $50 for non-residents.
2027 Compensation Plan. Council unanimously approved the City’s 2027 Compensation and Classification Plan (with Committee John Henshaw excused). The FY27 Compensation and Classification Plan presented includes no new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. However, the City proposes three reclassifications and two reinstatements of positions that existed in previous versions of the City’s compensation and classification plan. City Manager Dana Souza requests reinstating Recording Secretary, Grade 115. Recording Secretary duties have become a full-time position responsible for assisting with recording and transcribing minutes as a backup to the City Clerk for City Council, Planning Commission, subcommittees, and council-appointed committees. This change will transfer one approved FTE for Support Services Assistant, already approved in the FY27 adopted budget.
In the Public Works Department, Souza requests reclassifying Engineering Technician Grade 117 and Engineer Intern Grade 120 to Public Works Project Manager Grade 120. He also seeks to reinstate Serviceworker Grade 113, reclassify Tradesworker Grade 113 to Grade 114, and to reclassify Tradesworker II Grade 114 to Grade 116.
The reclassifications and reinstatements authorized by this Resolution do not increase the number of FTEs or budgeted expenditures in the FY 2027 budget.
The City of Sanibel and the Fraternal Order of Police negotiated a three-year Labor Agreement effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. In accordance with that agreement, the FY Compensation and Classification Plan pay bands for Police Officer, Police Corporal, Police Sergeant, and Police Lieutenant shall be adjusted by 5 percent on the minimum and maximum for each pay grade
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