by SC Publisher Shannen Hayes
Sanibel Mayor Mike Miller changed his vote last week on expediting a three-way stop at Sanibel-Captiva and Rabbit roads, approved in November. His change of vote was to allow more time for residents to voice their opinions on the matter, and for the city council to consider an island-wide traffic speed analysis from Johnson Engineering expected in January.
Last month, the council heard a wildlife mortality monitoring and reporting update from Natural Resources Director Holly Milbrandt. She spoke about proposed wildlife crossing signs and locations to reduce wildlife collision incidents. A three-way stop at Sanibel-Captiva and Rabbit roads was also discussed, and the council voted 3-2 to expedite its installation out of safety concerns for vehicles, bicycles, and wildlife there.
Council Members Richard Johnson and John Henshaw were opposed.
Following the vote, some residents stated they were unaware of the issue and had never had the opportunity to voice their opinions on installing a three-way stop at that intersection.
“Some members of the community have suggested that they were unaware of this issue and would like to participate in this decision,” Miller said in the Dec. 16 council meeting.
“As a matter of practice and philosophy, I think we should always bend over backwards to ensure that our citizens are informed of the issues we are about to consider and have a maximum opportunity to express their views,” said Miller.
Miller stated that his change in vote was also due to wanting to hear the results of a traffic speed study by Johnson Engineering next month. “The City Manager (Dana Souza) informs me that they will include in their analysis considerations relevant to the proposed three-way stop,” said Miller.
Miller’s fellow council members agreed with his decision to rescind the original motion, including Council Member Laura DeBruce, who also voted in favor of expediting the three-way stop last month. “I totally agree with (Miller’s) summary of the steps that were taken that led to our vote at the last meeting,” she said.
DeBruce said she was taken aback by the number of residents who were surprised by the council’s vote, and supported giving them an opportunity to speak on it. She added that she felt very strongly that the safety concerns at that intersection, as outlined in the wildlife mortality report, warranted making it a top priority.
“But I am also content to wait for the (Johnson Engineering) report, and to delay any decision or discussion until we can have a more robust dialogue, and more members of our community involved,” she said.
Miller said he, too, felt there was a strong case for a three-way stop at the Sanibel-Captiva and Rabbit roads intersection in terms of safety for vehicles, bicycles, and wildlife. “I believed that on November 4, and I believe that today,” he said. “But I promised everyone that I would keep an open mind and listen to all views as we deal with this in January.”
He also noted that the three-way stop was part of a pilot or test program, which means changes could be made if needed.
The council voted unanimously to rescind the entire motion made in the November 4 meeting. It was as follows:
“Vice Mayor Smith moved, seconded by Council member DeBruce, to expedite the 3-way stop at Sanibel Captiva Road and Rabbit Road and authorize staff to design signs at the four proposed locations listed in the agenda memorandum, as well as consider traffic calming devices for Legion Curve. The motion carried by a vote of 3-2, with Council members Henshaw and Johnson opposed.” (November 4, 2025, City Council minutes)
“It takes a leader to take the steps you did today,” said Johnson, a former Sanibel mayor, about Miller’s decision to change his vote. “I’ve sat in that seat before, and it’s not easy to do, so thank you.”
Vice Mayor Holly Smith, who conducted this part of the agenda because it was brought by Miller, briefly addressed comments from residents who insinuated the council’s decision to expedite the three-way stop installation was partly due to the business interests of two members. “Please think better of us,” she said.
“Please know that the job we do is for the greater good of everyone, and I want to assure everyone that the decisions, I believe, of every council member are always to the greater benefit of the entire island and not to any self-benefit, so I hope that conversation ends here. We are a better island than that,” she concluded.