City council OKs ordinances, pay increases
The Sanibel City Council approved multiple amendment ordinances at its recent meeting, as well as gave the green light for implementing a proposed pay and classification plan for city employees.
On June 7, the council held the second and final readings for:
– An ordinance amending the Sanibel Plan, Comprehensive Land Use Plan, to implement the recommendations of the 2021 evaluation and appraisal report of the Sanibel Plan for concurrency with Florida statutes pursuant to the section “Peril of Flood” Community Planning Requirements.
– An ordinance amending the Sanibel Plan, Comprehensive Land Use Plan, to implement the recommendations of the 2021 evaluation and appraisal report of the Sanibel Plan for concurrency with Florida statutes related to private property rights requirements.
– An ordinance amending the Sanibel Code related to emergency power generators and HVAC standards. The amended ordinance enables residents who own properties developed before June 7 the opportunity to apply for an administrative waiver for relief from impermeable coverage, vegetation removal and developed area to install an emergency electrical generator or outdoor HVAC equipment.
In separate 5-0 votes, the council unanimously approved all three.
Also during the meeting, the council considered a resolution authorizing the implementation of the proposed classification and compensation plan conducted by the Management Advisory Group.
Administrative Services Director Crystal Mansell explained that the council approved a contract in October for the firm to conduct a compensation study. The results were presented to the council at its meeting in May and then presented to the city’s bargaining units, or unions, for their consideration.
“All of the bargaining units accepted the results of that pay plan,” she said of the proposal.
Prior to the vote, Mayor Holly Smith noted that such a study has not been done in about 15 years.
“We knew this was an item of priority,” she said. “We would have been very remiss if we had not taken this on.”
Councilmember John Henshaw agreed.
“I think this is important for us to retain the best that we can to remain competitive. It’s been a long time coming,” he said. “It’s important to be able to attract and retain the best in the area.”
Vice Mayor Richard Johnson explained that as a private employer as the owner and operator of Bailey’s General Store, he recognizes how important it is to provide a competitive wage.
“This is important,” he said. “I am supportive of this.”
A motion to approve the resolution passed 5-0.
Council next considered a resolution approving a budget amendment to appropriate $649,295 in funding related to the pay and classification plan. It would fund the wage increases for the remainder of the fiscal year, with the funds being appropriated from the available ending balance in each fund.
The resolution was approved 5-0.
In addition, the council voted 5-0 to ratify Memorandums of Understanding with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Fraternal Order of Police’s Police Officers and Dispatchers Unit and Fraternal Order of Police’s Sergeants Unit in regards to the proposed plan.
Also at the meeting, the council considered an assessment process for the Phase IV wastewater treatment expansion. Proposed by staff, it would entail a $10,000 assessment, transmission charge of $1,948 and connection fee of $4,386. About 70 percent of the project’s cost would be covered by the city, which would total $734,640, with 30 percent — $318,800 — covered by the property owners.
A motion for staff to proceed with the assessment process passed 4-0; Smith recused herself from voting as she owns one of the properties in the expansion area.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The council held a first reading for an ordinance amending the Sanibel Code pertaining to signs to establish content neutral signs. The second and final reading is scheduled for the July 19 meeting.
– The council scheduled the first reading for an ordinance amending the Sanibel Code to prohibit e-bikes and other motorized vehicles on the city’s beaches for the July 19 meeting.
– The council approved a budget amendment to appropriate $112,480 for repair projects at the Sanibel Historical Village and Museum; the museum will reimburse the city for half of the total – $56,240. It includes: $80,380 for replacing the roof and related work at the Rutland House; $1,250 for facia boards at the School House; $27,800 for porch repairs and roof repairs at the Burnap Cottage; and $3,050 for door, beam and gutter repairs at the Caretaker Cottage.
– The council voted 5-0 to award the 2022 Sanibel River Clearing Project contract to the lowest qualified bidder, Seahawk Florida Investments doing business as Tree West, for $100,000.
– The council voted 5-0 to ratify the city manager’s emergency repair authorization in the amount of about $55,016 relating to the 2021 Bridge, Box Culvert and Water Control Structure Repairs Project.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve a request for an entertainment license for Tutti Pazzi, at 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
– Natural Resources Director Holly Milbrant reported that the city learned from the Florida League of Cities about an opportunity to join a Florida Race To Zero cohort. Part of a global program called the Race To Zero, the initiative begins the process toward zero emissions and interested municipalities were sought to engage and receive technical assistance. Sanibel applied and was one of the applicants selected to take part. The first step will involve city staff creating a greenhouse emissions report.
– The council presented the Judith Zimomra Scholarship Awards to the following students: Mason Eicher, son of Sanibel Police Department detective John Eicher; Kaylee Kwek, daughter of lead tradesworker Christopher Kwek; Amber Schweitzer, daughter of tradesworker Steven Schweitzer; and Kayla Triplett, daughter of support services supervisor Cornelia Powell. Each recipient received a $2,500 scholarship.
– The council recognized SPD detective John Eicher for receiving the Officer of the Year Award.
– Smith shared that council and staff recently met with Debra Neri to discuss short- and long-term ways to recognize her husband, SPD Sgt. Anthony Neri, who collapsed during a training exercise on May 6, 2019, and passed away from natural causes. He first joined the city in 2012 as a traffic aide.
– As part of the Recreation Department Comprehensive Assessment, Analysis and Evaluation Study, the council will take part in a Recreation Visioning Workshop on Aug. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email