Alternative transportation, rentals make city’s list of priorities
The Sanibel City Council added three emerging issues to the Department of Community Services’ planning goals as topics to be addressed in the future during its recent monthly meeting.
On Dec. 4, the council discussed the transportation element of the Sanibel Plan, political signage and short-term vacation rentals before voting to include them among the department’s list of priorities. Director Keith Williams outlined the basics and background of each before seeking direction for staff.
In looking at the Plan, there would be a focus on newer electric modes of transportation.
“From slow moving vehicles to the role of rental motorized scooters,” he said.
The Sanibel Plan does not cover these growing forms of transportation. Williams explained that staff would examine what could be done in terms of policies, stances and procedures to address them.
“This is something that soon or later is going to touch our island,” he said.
Williams noted that it would be a “longer term” item as compared to its other goals. He reported, however, that the city has to alert the state within a few years if it intends to amend the Plan.
“I think from a timing standpoint, you absolutely have to put transportation on the list,” Councilmember Chauncey Goss said.
The proposal of addressing political signs stemmed from the recent elections.
Councilmember Jason Maughan explained that he had been contacted by individuals about their political signs disappearing because of non-compliance and is seeking a more “practical rule,” such as language that signs can be no closer than two feet to a road and can only face a certain direction.
“There was more confusion this year than usual,” Maughan said.
Williams pointed out that political signs could be rolled into staff’s current examination of overall signage for the city, which also touches on other temporary signs, including real estate signs.
He noted that the project is about 75 percent complete.
As for short-term rentals, concerns of tracking and compliance were discussed, specifically related to websites like Airbnb. Williams noted that staff looked into tracking vendors, while Mayor Kevin Ruane explained that sharing monitoring software via the Florida League of Cities may be one future option.
“The environment today is just different than it was 16 years ago,” Ruane said.
The dais agreed, however, that maintaining the city’s grandfathered status is the main priority.
Also at the meeting, the council voted 5-0 to award the Donax Wastewater Reclamation Facility process improvements to PWC Joint Venture for up to $20.13 million. It also approved the project’s design and construction proposal, that was submitted by Tetra Tech, in the amount of $430,000.
“We’re going to be working with the Florida loan council,” Ruane said.
An update was also provided on the joint petition that was filed against the South Florida Water Management District. Ruane reported that the first bill for legal services through October had come through at about $147,000. With additional costs, he estimated the final cost at about $180,000.
Ruane explained that the six co-petitioners would split to bill, with each paying $30,000.
“I’m very comfortable with what they did,” he added of the legal representation.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The council honored Sanibel Police Department Detective John Eicher as Employee of the Year.
– The council honored Michael Henry as Employee of the Fourth Quarter.
– The council recognized Public Works Department Streets Superintendent Lance Luna for his 30 years of service.
– The council approved a resolution to amend the special events fee schedule.
– The council approved the proposal by Bean, Whitaker, Lutz & Kareh for the surveying and engineering services for design and permitting of the shared use path improvements in the area between Elinor Way and Nerita Street, located along East Gulf Drive, in the amount of $39,500.
– Finance Director Steve Chaipel reported that the city’s general employee benefit plan saw a 6.9 percent investment return on a benchmark of 6.75 percent, and that the police benefit plan saw a 6.2 percent investment return on a benchmark of 7.3 percent. He noted that return is only one factor.
“There’s a lot of assumptions that go into these calculations every year,” Chaipel said.
He added that the results are unaudited as the city is undergoing its audit now.
– The council approved the proposed criteria and procedures for recognizing historical individuals, with the amendment that the naming of a street will only be considered after the first anniversary of a person’s death.
– The council voted to reappoint Oscar Gavin to the Sanibel Contractor Review Board.
– City Manager Judie Zimomra reported that the Causeway traffic count was down for October.
“I don’t think there’s any surprise there,” she said.