Jordan Marsh project close to completion
The Sanibel City Council received a progress update on the Jordan Marsh Water Quality Treatment Park at its recent meeting, as well as filled two vacancies on the Sanibel Planning Commission.
On Jan. 15, Natural Resources Department Environmental Biologist Holly Milbrandt reported that construction is nearly complete on the project, located at Periwinkle Way and Casa Ybel Road.
“We’re getting close here to wrapping up,” she said.
The goals of the project are to improve water quality in the Sanibel Slough, meet the Total Maximum Daily Load requirements, enhance existing wildlife habitat on the site and educate the park’s visitors on the Best Management Practices used in the Total Maximum Daily Load reduction.
“We’ll be both monitoring the flow coming into the system and the water going out of the system, so we can track actual water nutrient levels,” Milbrandt said.
The project’s design, engineering and permitting cost about $165,000 and the construction cost about $645,000. It is being funded through the South Florida Water Management District Cooperating Funding Program, along with monies from the Lee County Community Park impact fees and the city.
In the park, over 20,000 littoral plants from 15 different species were planted as a filter marsh.
“At some point we know we will likely do some harvesting of the plants,” she said, adding that the older plants will be removed to remove nutrients and allow for newer plants to grow and act as filters.
The next steps for the project will entail installing public benches, bike racks and such.
“We’re completing our final punch list with the contractor,” Milbrandt said.
“Public access is going to be limited to the area in the center of the marsh and to the gazebo on the other side,” she added, noting that interpretive signs about Best Management Practices will be installed.
“There will be plenty of public access,” Milbrandt said.
Phase two of the project will consist of designing and constructing a public observation tower.
Also during the meeting, two openings on the planning commission left vacant by the retirements of Phillip Marks and Dirk deWerff were filled; Commissioner Roger Grogman was also reappointed.
The council voted 5-0 to reappoint Grogman to the commission.
As for the two vacancies, the city received 10 applications in total but two candidates later withdrew their packets, according to Councilmember Holly Smith, the liaison to the planning commission.
“There were several individuals on there who are newer to the community,” she noted.
The council voted 5-0 to appoint Eric Pfeifer in a quick and easy decision.
Filling the second position required a paper ballot vote by the dais. Applicants Robyn Cook and Michael Hullihan each received one vote, with Paul Nichols garnering three votes from the council.
Nichols was appointed to the commission in a 5-0 vote.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Following a recommendation from the Sanibel Planning Commission, the council voted 5-0 to approve a conditional use permit to allow Congress Jewelers to expand into adjacent office space. The move increases the commercial floor area to a total of 4,000 square feet at 2075 Periwinkle Way.
“I am certainly 100 percent in favor of this application,” Mayor Kevin Ruane said.
– After a lengthy discussion that included comments from the public, the city council voted 5-0 to reinstall the “low flying owl” signs along Sanibel-Captiva Road, but without the flashing lights.
Councilmember Jason Maughan, who brought forward the subject, argued that the bright flashes are dangerous for drivers and raised concerns about the city’s liability in a crash and a dark skies violation.
“I don’t hate owls. I love screech owls in particular,” he said. “I do not like the lights. I think they’re dangerous.”
– City Attorney John Agnew recently reported that he is leaving the firm of Henderson Franklin Attorneys at Law and is joining the firm of Boy Agnew Potanovic. At the meeting, the council voted 5-0 for Agnew to continue to represent the city as a member of the new firm.
– The city council voted 5-0 to adjust the priority list or goals for the Department of Community Services. It agreed to blend the existing “sign standards” line item with the topic of political signs. It redefined the top three focuses for the department as transportation, signs and short-term rentals.
– Ruane reported that $180,000 in legal fees for the joint petition against the South Florida Water Management District has been divided up equally among the six municipalities, with each paying out $30,000. Agnew added that the city is still waiting on the judge’s final order from the proceedings.
– Robert Feliciano, of the Sanibel Police Department, was recognized for his 25 years of service.