City council OKs dredging district, more
The Sanibel City Council established the Wulfert Channel dredging district and one-time assessment at its recent meeting, as well as approved the annual solid waste assessment and provided direction on recommended improvements to the Shared Use Path.
On Aug. 19, the council members voted unanimously 5-0 on a resolution to: determine the propriety and advisability of establishing and implementing the one-time Wulfert Channel Area Dredging Assessment District; declaring, levying and imposing such one-time special assessments; providing for a one-time special assessment; providing certain procedures which may be used by the council with respect to assessment rolls; and approving the collection of assessments through invoicing via the city.
In addition, the council voted 5-0 on a resolution — sitting as the Sanibel Equalization Board — equalizing and approving a one-time special assessment to fund dredging for the special benefit of the Wulfert Channel Area Dredging Assessment District; equalizing and approving the one-time special assessment for fiscal year Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2026; and providing for the confirmation, adoption and filing of a final assessment roll for the same.
Prior to the votes, staff provided an overview of the proposed district and assessment.
The district was described as the land adjoining, abutting or contiguous to the waters generally known as the Wulfert Channel, Sunset Bay and Dinkins Bayou, or with legal access rights within the area generally bounded by Starling Way and Dinkins Bayou to the north, Wulfert Channel and Blind Pass to the west, Pine Avenue and Sanibel-Captiva Road to the south, and Dinkins Bayou and Los Colony Road to the east, excluding properties without development rights.
Staff reported that the dredging project would include the portion of the Wulfert Channel within the city’s jurisdictional boundaries and those areas of Dinkins Bayou that must be dredged for the contractor’s barge to navigate between the Wulfert Channel and Henderson Road boat ramp, where trucks would pick up material for transport.
The proposed cost for the project is estimated at $748,065. As it has done with other dredging assessment districts, the city would pay 33.33% of the cost or $249,330.06. The remaining 66.67% or $498,734.94 would be split between the 196 involved properties at $2,544.57 each.
Each property owner would be able to pay the assessment in one lump-sum payment in 2025 or in installments of two, three, four or five annual payments, plus interest of 4.5% compounded annually.
Before voting on the resolutions, the council shared its thoughts.
“This is a one-time assessment,” Vice Mayor Holly Smith said, adding that if it needs to be done again in the future then the council can consider it at that time and that the city will continue to look for funding opportunities.
Councilmember Richard Johnson acknowledged the concerns raised that the entire channel needs dredging and the now-reduced project will not be enough. He reported that Lee County has not stepped forward to assist with the funds or dredging its own jurisdiction, but he hopes it will in the future.
Councilmember John Henshaw echoed that sentiment and reported that in addition to this project, the city needs to begin working immediately with the county and Captiva to get the entire channel dredged.
“This dredging won’t last,” he said. “It will need to be dredged again.”
Councilmember Laura DeBruce shared that she would reluctantly be voting to approve.
“I think it’s quite clear that this is not a perfect plan,” she said. “Lee County should have taken more initiative to assist in response.”
DeBruce noted that some want more done, while some want less done.
“This is probably the best step forward that we can take at this time for the good of our island and, in particular, for the good of the homeowners who live around that area,” she said.
WASTE ASSESSMENT
Also during the meeting, the council members voted 5-0 to approve a resolution relating to: the collection and disposal of solid waste, recyclables and horticultural waste; constituting the annual rate resolution and reimposing the annual special service assessment to fund the collection and disposal against assessed property for fiscal year Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2026; approving the rate of assessment; approving the solid waste assessment roll; and approving collection of the assessments through the uniform method of collection (Lee County tax bill).
In addition, the council voted 5-0 on a resolution — sitting as the Sanibel Equalization Board — equalizing and approving a recurring annual special service assessment for the collection and disposal of solid waste, recyclables and horticultural waste for all residential dwelling units; equalizing and approving the recurring annual special service assessments for fiscal year Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2026; providing for the confirmation, adoption and filing of a final assessment roll for the same; and providing for confirmation of the recurring annual special service assessment.
The approved annual rates are $525.66 for residential curbside collection — a 6.16% increase from the current $495.14 — and $666.16 for residential house collection — a 6.14% increase from $627.60.
SHARED USE PATH
Also at the meeting, staff presented the council with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee’s (PARC) ranking of the 2024 Shared Use Path (SUP) Master Plan extensions and enhancements. It was directed to prepare the list of improvements based on the recommendations of the Master Plan report.
The PARC ranked the following SUP extensions by priority:
– New path connection along the south side of Periwinkle Way, behind the businesses, between Casa Ybel Road and Main Street.
– New path connection connecting Dunlop Road to Dixie Beach Boulevard, north of Periwinkle.
– New path along the north side of Periwinkle to improve access to businesses and neighborhoods and to relieve congestion along the existing path.
– New path connection directly along Rabbit Road, between West Gulf Drive and Sanibel-Captiva Road.
– Extend path from the Lighthouse Beach Park entrance to the fishing pier parking lot.
– Extend path along Dixie Beach from its current terminus to the parking lot north of San Carlos Bay Drive.
– Extend path along Bailey Road from its current terminus to the parking lot on Bay Shore Drive.
– Extend path along the east side of Algiers Lane from its current terminus/where it turns through the park to the Gulfside City Park parking lot.
– Extend path west along West Gulf from where it curves at Surf Sound Court.
– Extend path along Tarpon Bay Road, north of Sanibel-Captiva, toward the Tarpon Bay Explorers.
It also recommended the following:
– New path from the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Drive exit to the Sanibel-Captiva path.
– New path from Wulfert Road at Wildlife Drive into the designated end point within The Sanctuary Golf Club.
After some discussion, the council highlighted the following five for staff to study the feasibility of and bring back for consideration at a future meeting — along with the PARC’s enhancement suggestions:
– New path connection along the south side of Periwinkle Way, behind the businesses, between Casa Ybel Road and Main Street.
– New path connection directly along Rabbit Road, between West Gulf Drive and Sanibel-Captiva Road.
– New path from the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Drive exit to the Sanibel-Captiva path.
– Extend path west along West Gulf from where it curves at Surf Sound Court.
– Extend path from the Lighthouse Beach Park entrance to the fishing pier parking lot.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The council voted 5-0 to approve a contract with Southern Striping Solutions for the Hurricane Ian Pathway Repairs Phase 1 Project in the amount of about $1,289,468. The funds are available through a Florida Department of Transportation grant, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program and a Lee County Tourist Development Council grant.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve a resolution to update the Sanibel Recreation Center user fees, including: eliminating the 10-punch pass membership option due to minimal usage; keeping all resident membership fees flat until the next user fee analysis; and increasing all nonresident membership fees to double that of a resident.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve a resolution to amend a prior resolution by appointing one alternate member to serve on the Sanibel Plan Update Steering Committee. When council previously approved the appointments, Committee of the Islands (COTI) representative Bob Moore’s alternate, Chet Sadler, was recommended as the COTI alternate but not included.
– The council held the first reading for an ordinance to amend the Code to amend the established penalties or fines to be consistent with the recently amended fine structure for Shared Path Use violations. The second reading will be held on Sept. 8.
– The council held the first reading for an ordinance to amend the Code to extend the deadline to re-establish or “build-back” nonconforming structures and uses. The second reading will be held on Sept. 8.
– The council held the first reading for an ordinance to amend the Code to rename “Alternative Shoreline Stabilization Projects” to “Living Shoreline Stabilization Projects,” clarify existing requirements, add example graphics and provide an administrative process for amendments to be permitted projects. The second reading will be held on Sept. 8.
– The council held the first reading for an ordinance to amend the Code to amend the list of permitted uses in the D-2 Upland Wetlands Zone to add existing multifamily buildings established after the city’s incorporation but prohibited by the Code to be designated as permitted uses. The second reading will be held on Sept. 8.
– The council held the first reading for an ordinance to amend the Code related to the city’s investment policy by consolidating the portfolios from four to one and changing the performance benchmark used to evaluate the program’s performance. The second reading will be held on Sept. 8.
– The council rededicated its Council Chamber at City Hall as MacKenzie Hall through a proclamation in recognition of the distinguished public service of former Sanibel City Councilmember Vernon G. MacKenzie. Repairs and renovations to the chamber as a result of Hurricane Ian were recently finished.