Three sworn in on city council, leaders selected
Three incumbents reelected to the Sanibel City Council earlier this month by the island’s voters were sworn in at the council’s recent meeting, then the council selected the new mayor and vice mayor.
On March 18, Vice Mayor Mike Miller and Councilmembers Laura DeBruce and John Henshaw took the oath of office. They were reelected during the city’s Regular Election that was held on March 4.
After all three were sworn in, Miller was nominated to serve as mayor for the year.
The council voted unanimously 5-0 to elect him to the position.
“I’m honored to be reelected to council by the citizens of our wonderful community, and I’m humbled to be elected as mayor by my colleagues here,” he said. “We’ve talked in the past about how all of us have an obligation of leadership and of communication, but I also realize that the office of mayor has a special emphasis with each of those roles. I appreciate that duty and I willingly accept it.”
“The good news is that I have great role models to look to because Richard did an outstanding job the last two years and before that Holly did an outstanding job,” Miller continued. “The bad news is you guys have set such a high standard I probably won’t reach it, but I’ll always do the best I can.”
“I also want to publicly thank Lyman Welch for running in the campaign because he did a good job campaigning, he had issues that he was concerned about,” he added. “If he hadn’t stepped up, there wouldn’t have been an election and I think we need an election. It’s a proper thing for a community.”
For the position of vice mayor, DeBruce nominated Councilmember Holly Smith.
Councilmember Richard Johnson followed up with a nomination for Henshaw, explaining that he thinks it is important for the council to maintain the rotational aspect of those leadership roles.
Miller pointed out that Smith would be assuming the position of president at the Florida League of Cities and asked her whether she thought she would have a problem serving in both of the roles.
She replied that she did not foresee any issue.
“I will continue to do the duties that I have in the past to the level that I have in the past,” Smith said. “Probably having that title is a little bit of a benefit as well as you’re walking into those doors as I have been for the past several years.”
Moving forward, Miller reported that he would call for the votes in the order in which the nominations were received. He noted that if any nominee receives three votes, they will be elected and it is over.
Henshaw asked for confirmation from staff that he could not abstain from voting.
Smith was elected to the position 3-2, with Henshaw and Johnson casting the dissenting votes.
“I want to thank you all,” she said. “I’ll continue to do that service.”
“John, thank you for being that representative to step up,” Smith continued.
“I look forward to serving as I have since I stepped on the dais,” she added.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The council voted 5-0 on an ordinance to amend the Code of Ordinances relating to building fees.
– The council voted 4-1 on an ordinance to amend the Code relating to open body of water.
– The council voted 5-0 on a contract with EZ Contracting in the amount of about $2,390,379 for the Post Hurricane Ian Stormwater System Damage Repairs project. In addition, it voted 5-0 on a proposal from Johnson Engineering for construction services in the amount of $180,350 to initiate the services.
– The council voted 5-0 on a proposal from Cummins Cederberg for professional engineering services in the amount of $410,521 for Hurricane Ian related dune walkover repairs.
– The council voted 5-0 on a resolution to amend a prior resolution by extending certain development permit fee waivers and discounts until the new development permit fee schedule is adopted.
– The council voted 5-0 on a resolution to waive the application fee for variances sought to aid in recovery from hurricane damage or for resiliency, with an expiration date of Dec. 31.
– The council voted 5-0 on a resolution to amend a prior resolution, which established a temporary use permit for “beach club” day passes, by extending the authorization to March 31, 2026.
– The council voted 5-0 on a resolution to establish a policy for the acceptance and administration of donations for public programs, projects or purposes as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
– The council voted 5-0 on a resolution to appoint the following applicants to the Vegetation Committee: Barb Boyce, Ruth Brooks (adjunct member), Barbara Horvath, Pam Miller, Vincent Simonelli and Barb Wyskowski. Their terms will be for one year, expiring on March 4.
– The council held the first reading for an ordinance to amend the Code relating to distressed properties and dangerous buildings. The second reading will be held on April 1.
– The council voted 5-0 on a three-year contract with Blingle Premier Lighting in the amount of $23,846 per year for the Sanibel Tree Lighting.
– The council directed staff to proceed with a contract with Zambelli Fireworks in the amount of $30,500 for the Fourth of July fireworks display.
– The council directed staff to submit the Periwinkle Way/Causeway Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project to the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization for review and to the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) for consideration for its FY2030-2031 budget.
– The council recognized MacIntosh Books + Paper for its 65th anniversary through a proclamation.
– “Ding” Darling Complex leader Kevin Godsea gave a presentation on behalf of the Sanibel Island Prescribed Fire Task Force, of which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a task force partner.
– Community Housing & Resources (CHR) Executive Director Nicole Decker-McHale gave a presentation on CHR’s Annual Report, Five-Year Strategic Plan and rebuild of Riverview.
– Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) Board of Directors Vice Chair Doug Congress and Sanibel Captiva Community Bank loan officer Rudi Hamer provided an update on Accelerate, a small business loan program that CFI and the bank have partnered on.
– Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s Sponsored Research and Coastal Policy Programs Vice President Kevin Claridge gave a presentation on Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative.