Sanibel council OKs city manager contract, more
The Sanibel City Council approved the new city manager’s contact at its recent meeting, along with an ordinance amendment that allows for bonus outdoor seating and a streamlined process for issuing permits for returning special events for the season.
On Oct. 5, the council voted unanimously 5-0 on an employment agreement between the city and incoming City Manager Dana Souza, which has an effective date of Nov. 15. Some of the highlights of the contract include: an annual base salary of $203,000; the accrual of up to 20 vacation days, 15 medical leave days, three personal days and three administrative days per year; a requirement to be an island resident within nine months, with a residency housing allowance of $3,000 per month to offset housing costs; an automobile allowance of $550 per month; a cellular telephone allowance of $100 per month; an annual performance review by the council; and terms for termination and severance pay.
Prior to the vote, Councilmember Dr. Scott Crater pointed out that the proposed agreement is comparable to that of recently retired City Manager Judie Zimomra’s contract, within about $8,000 to $9,000. City Attorney John Agnew explained that the change is tied to housing cost increases.
Also during the meeting, the council held a second reading on a proposed ordinance to amend the Sanibel Code and solidify the outdoor, dining pilot program that was temporarily put in place for the pandemic. It allows bonus seating of up to 16 seats for carry-out food stores and up to 32 seats for restaurants, based on a percent of their indoor seats. The council voted 5-0 in favor of the ordinance.
Also at the meeting, the council was presented with eight separate requests for permits for special events scheduled for the season. During a lengthy discussion that included staff input, the council noted that some of the requests went into detail about COVID protocols for the event, but others did not.
The city council agreed on streamlining the process for previously held events, then debated on the guidelines for approval for eligible applications. Eventually, a motion was made to let Finance Director and acting City Manager Steve Chaipel and Souza, once seated, issue permits for seasonal, existing grandfathered events based upon the following criteria: signs containing the CDC guidelines should be posted at the event; event organizers to supply masks, as needed; recommend the event staff, volunteers and vendors wear masks; and a recommendation for the unvaccinated to wear masks, even outside.
The motion passed 3-2, with Councilmembers Mike Miller and John Henshaw dissenting.
Permits requests for “new” events will still come before the council for consideration.
The requests on the agenda included the: Children’s Education Center of the Islands for Fall and Spring Fundraisers; Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation for Wines in the Wild on Nov. 12 at Bailey Homestead Preserve; Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club for 39th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival on Feb. 18-20 at The Community House; Sanibel Masters Art Festival for Sanibel Masters Art Festival on Nov. 26-26 and on Jan. 21-22 at The Community House; Sanibel Captiva Lions Club for Art Festival on March 11-12 at The Community House; Huxter’s Liquors for Luminary on Dec. 3; and Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum for Season Preview Reception on Nov. 4.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The council voted 5-0 to change the name of the city’s Employee Dependent Scholarship Fund to the Judith Ann Zimomra Scholarship. Established in 2005, the program grants scholarships to dependents of current city employees based on financial need and academic success. Eighty-two scholarships have been awarded since the program’s inception. The scholarship was the vision of Zimomra.
“She brought the program to life following Hurricane Charley in 2004,” Henshaw told the rest of the dais, explaining that residents wanted to find a way to thank the city staff for their storm efforts.
“She has always placed great emphasis on helping others,” he added, noting that Zimomra herself has personally contributed to the scholarship fund.
A letter of support signed by Mayor Holly Smith and shared with the council stated:
“As she retires from the city of Sanibel with 20 years of faithful and dedicated service to this community, this is most fitting as we honor her legacy as a passionate supporter of higher education and for ensuring scholarship availability to the dependents of Sanibel city employees pursuing higher education.”
– During its monthly COVID discussion, the council agreed to no longer require masks for fitness classes in the Sanibel Recreation Center gym; it will be recommended that the unvaccinated wear one.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve a request for an entertainment license from the Tipsy Turtle Restaurant and Bar, at 1223 Periwinkle Way. The new license will be valid for six months.
– The council voted 5-0 to direct City Attorney John Agnew to move forward with a foreclosure process by placing a lien on the C&N II property, also known as The Sandbar, at 2761 West Gulf Drive. The years-long issue is tied to the location of a dumpster and thousands of dollars in unpaid fines.
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