Sanibel Citizen Committees Seek New Members; Applications Available

by SC Reporter Ariadna Ampudia

The City of Sanibel is seeking applicants for three citizen committees: the Historical Preservation, the Recreation Financial Assistance, and the Vegetation Committee. Application deadline for all three is 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 4.

City Manager Dana Souza said the three committees are of crucial importance and when the Sanibel City Council establishes a citizen committee, it is to ensure community intellect and feedback is being heard. “(The committees) are pretty critical in order to be able to continue the business of the city,” he added.

The three committees meet in Mackenzie Hall at City Hall, 800 Dunlop Rd. Members are required to be full-time Sanibel residents and appointed by council for a one-year term.

The Historical Preservation is dedicated to preserving Sanibel’s history, as well as demonstrating historic reflections of the island to residents or visitors, the application notes. Members must aid in collecting and conserving historic display items significant to Sanibel and Captiva Island history. Additionally, members are required to support the acquisition or deaccession procedure of items with historic significance. To qualify, applicants must have knowledge or an interest in historic preservation. The committee meets at 9 a.m. every first Thursday of the month.

The Vegetation Committee is also committed to educating residents, landscape professionals and visitors on the island’s native plants along with its vegetation standards and benefits, the application explains. Listed qualifications for the Vegetation Committee include an interest or skills set in vegetation.

Additionally, responsibilities range from earning a passing score on a vegetation competency exam and assisting the City Planning and Natural Resources Department with inspections. The committee helps facilitate a vegetation competency class and exam available for landscape professionals. It meets at 1:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month.

The Recreation Financial Assistance is devoted to reviewing financial assistance applications for reduced fees and charges at The Sanibel Recreation Center. Applicants must be available to attend up to 75 percent of all committee meetings, which are scheduled all year long and held at 8:30 a.m. every other month.

All applicants must include a description of community involvement, an explanation of interest for the applied committee, and any background information ranging from education to experience.

Souza described participation within every committee as a “great way” to be active and give back to the community. All committees play an essential role to enhance the support and elegance of what Sanibel is, he said.

“(Applying for any committee) is a great opportunity to get involved and do the important work the city requires,” Souza said.

Click to apply for the Historical Preservation, Recreation Financial Assistance, or Vegetation Committee.

Leave a Comment

We are interested in articulate, well-informed remarks that are relevant to the article. We welcome your advice, your criticism and your unique insights into the issues of the day. To be approved for publication, your comments should be civil and avoid name-calling. It may take up to 24 hours for your comment to appear, if it is approved.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.