City provides summary of council’s recent meeting
The city of Sanibel released the following summary of the Sanibel City Council’s regular monthly meeting, which was held on Jan. 14 at BIG ARTS on Sanibel:
PRESENTATIONS
– The council proclaimed Jan. 17 as Florida Arbor Day and urged citizens to support efforts to protect trees and woodlands.
– Utilities Maintenance Supervisor Robbie Dowling was recognized as the Employee of the Year for fiscal year 2024.
– Software & GIS Manager Brian Dye was recognized as the Employee of the First Quarter for fiscal year 2025.
– Lee Health recognized the city as a “Partner in Wellness.”
– The final report of the Recovery and Resiliency Partnership Project (R2P2) was presented to the council. The council voted to accept the report, with the exception of the section related to the Sanibel Island Golf Course. To view the presentation, click on R2P2 PRESENTATION.
– Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Research Associate Mark Thompson provided a presentation of the 2024 Sanibel Communities for Clean Water (SCCW) and groundwater monitoring report. To view the presentation, click on SCCF PRESENTATION.
– Natural Resources Director Holly Milbrandt provided a presentation on the current progress of the sand renourishment project. To view the presentation, click on CITY PRESENTATION.
CODE OF ORDINANCES
Amending the Code of Ordinances related to open bodies of water was discussed.
CDBG-DR SUBRECIPIENT GRANTS
The council approved grants awarded to the city from the HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery program administered through Lee County. The grants will fund projects for the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District, FISH of Sanibel-Captiva and the city’s road reconstruction.
BOARD APPOINTMENT
The council appointed Jeffery Lemma to the Sanibel Board of Trustees of the Municipal Police Officers Retirement Trust Fund to fill the remainder of a term beginning on Jan. 14 and expiring on Sept. 30, 2026.
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
The council members discussed legislative priorities for 2025.
SANIBEL FISHING PIER
The council discussed the future of the Sanibel Fishing Pier and authorized a private fundraising effort be undertaken to develop a public-private partnership to repair the pier.
DISTRESSED PROPERTIES, DANGEROUS BUILDINGS
City Attorney John Agnew and City Manager Dana Souza reviewed the process for bringing distressed properties and dangerous buildings into compliance with the city’s Code of Ordinances and Land Development Code.