City council appoints Dillon to vacant seat
At its recent meeting, the Sanibel City Council filled the open seat on the dais held by former City Councilmember Dr. Scott Crater, who resigned from the position toward the end of December.
On Feb. 6, the council members considered nine applicants for the partial appointment, which will expire on June 4; a 10th applicant withdrew before the meeting. A special election will be held on May 21 and the winning candidate will serve out the remainder of Crater’s term through March of 2025.
In two separate ballot votes, the council first narrowed down the candidate field to Laura DeBruce, Arlene Dillon and Alfredo Vargas, then voted in Dillon with three votes to the one for DeBruce.
After being sworn in, Dillion took up the seat on the dais.
“I want to thank the council for entrusting (me with) the next four months — and let everyone that’s listening and also in the room know that I will do this to the best my ability,” she said. “My door is open. I welcome your suggestions, your complaints, and I’ll do the best I can to represent you.”
The other candidates who applied for the partial appointment were Michael Barnhart, Albert Hann, Melissa Lehman, Timothy Moore, Josh Plumb and Chuck Sterrett.
Also at the meeting, the council approved the following in separate 5-0 votes:
– An ordinance amending the Land Development Code related to vegetation standards by adding a definition for coconut palms and redefining them as a noncompeting exotic species.
– An ordinance amending the LDC to update conditional use permit standards for docks, boat davits, boat lifts and mooring piling in the Bay Beach Zone and to marine accessory structures standards.
– An ordinance amending the LDC related to fees and vegetation standards.
– An ordinance amending the LDC to update special event applications and the conditions for the granting of permits.
Also during the meeting, the council held the first reading for an ordinance that would amend the LDC related to mixed-use development to provide incentives to create housing opportunities for Sanibel workforce and streamline permit processes for such development. The second reading is set for March 5.
IN OTHER NEWS
– At the request of the Captiva Community Panel, the council voted 5-0 for administrative staff to engage in discussions with the CCP on fact finding regarding annexation and what is possible.
– In a presentation, Planning Department Deputy Director Craig Chandler and FEMA Community Assistance staff provided an overview of the technical assistance provided to the city to develop a long-term community recovery plan.
– In a presentation, Utilities Deputy Director Jason Goodrich and consulting firm Tetra Tech provided an analysis of related improvements necessary to accept additional wastewater flow from Captiva.
– In a presentation, Lee County Human and Veteran Services Deputy Director Jeannie Sutton provided an overview of the Individual Housing Programs through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program.
– Natural Resources Director Holly Milbrandt gave an update on the beach nourishment project.
– The council discussed two draft ordinances regarding milestone inspections for aging condominiums and Below Market Rate Housing (BMRH) increased density. Both were advanced to first readings.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email