City council OKs phased approach to roundabout
The Sanibel City Council approved a phased approach to a Periwinkle Way-Causeway Boulevard roundabout at its recent meeting with the intent to put it before voters as a referendum, plus signed off on rate adjustments proposed by the Island Water Association (IWA) and discussed a speed study.
On March 3, city staff presented a proposal from Kimley-Horn and Associates with two options for consideration to complete the planning services for potential improvements at the intersection of the Periwinkle Way/Causeway Boulevard Intersection Study — Periwinkle, Lindgren Boulevard and Causeway — with funding provided by the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
At a cost of $28,752, the “Intersection Engineering Data Collection and Analysis/Conceptual Geometry Study” would be the minimum design necessary option. Kimley-Horn would complete the full topographic survey of the right-of-way at the intersection and overlay the concept roundabout that it designed in 2024. The option would be sufficient to inform the council how much, if any, additional right-of-way would be required to construct a roundabout. In the event that additional right-of-way would need to be acquired from Pond Apple Park — environmentally sensitive land — a referendum would be required per the Sanibel Charter. It would provide minimum but sufficient information.
At a cost of $160,115, the “Planning and Conceptual Design of Intersection Improvements” would be a 30% conceptual design. Kimley-Horn would complete the full topographic survey and reevaluate the options of a signalized intersection and a roundabout. The option would provide additional analysis and public engagement concerning the options of a one-lane or two-lane roundabout. It would provide sufficient information to determine if a referendum would be needed to acquire additional right-of-way. By advancing the study to 30%, Kimley-Horn would also provide preliminary grading, drainage and striping analysis, permitting analysis, and a more detailed level of cost estimating.
During its discussion, the council found itself divided on which option would provide the information needed for the voting public to make an informed decision when presented with a proposed project via referendum. In addition, the idea of a 1-lane, 2-lane hybrid roundabout for the intersection was raised.
After hearing from staff and Kimley-Horn, a middle-of-the-road consensus was agreed upon.
The council voted unanimously 5-0 to approve the 30% conceptual design in a phased approach, with funds from the MPO. Kimley-Horn will complete the minimum design necessary with overlay, then wait for the proposal to go out as a referendum. If approved by voters, it will proceed with the full design work.
IWA RATE ADJUSTMENTS
Also during the meeting, the council held a public hearing for a proposed three-year rate adjustment plan from the IWA, with the first increase to take effect on June 1. It included increases of 18% to all billed service rates for 2026, 2027 and 2028, plus membership and miscellaneous service adjustments.
IWA General Manager Diana Wilson presented on the “Proposed Water Rate & Fee Adjustments.”
She reported that the rate increases are needed due to inflationary impacts on its operations and management, for its 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan and to ensure financial best practices, such as establishing an emergency reserve fund.
The $122 million improvement plan will include: chlorination system upgrade, reverse osmosis (RO) treatment electrical resiliency and capacity upgrades, Sanibel transmission main interconnections, North Sanibel and Captiva distribution and transmission improvements, additional source water wells, and water main replacement. Wilson noted that the IWA has been awarded over $44.7 million in grants, forgivable loans or zero-interest loans, which will fund 37% of the planned $122 million plan.
Raftelis Financial Consultants completed an independent financial review for the IWA, and a representative from the firm presented to the council the findings of its “Water Rate & Fee Study.”
Based on the increase, a monthly bill at 5,000 gallons would increase $5.29 in the first year to $7.41 in the third year. A bill at 10,000 gallons would increase $8.84 in the first year to $12.36 in the third year, and a monthly bill at 15,000 gallons would increase $12.99 in the first year to $18.11 in the third year.
The council voted 5-0 on a resolution approving the adjustment to the IWA’s rates and charges.
To view the Water Rate & Fee Study, click on IWA STUDY.
SPEED STUDY
Also at the meeting, Johnson Engineering presented its “Sanibel Island Roadway Speed Study.”
With support from city staff, it analyzed existing conditions — citywide speed limit signage and passing zones along Sanibel-Captiva Road — and traffic data, as necessary, to determine appropriate posted speed limits in select locations. Johnson Engineering also addressed citywide speed limit signage and passing zones along Sanibel-Captiva Road.
It recommended lowering the speed limit to 25 mph from the lower east end of Periwinkle Way from Causeway Boulevard to the Sanibel Lighthouse. No changes were recommended for: Sanibel-Captiva Road east of Pine Avenue, west of Buckthorn Lane, east of Gulf Pines Drive and east of Rabbit Road and on Rabbit Road.
In terms of passing zones, it recommended the addition of a continuous no passing zone along Periwinkle Way and Rabbit Road and the addition of no passing zones: along Gulf Drive, Casa Ybel Road and Donax Street; along Sanibel-Captiva Road, just west of Tarpon Bay Road; and at the southern portion of Dixie Beach Boulevard.
It also outlined the following options for the Sanibel-Captiva Road and Rabbit Road intersection: no build (maintain layout); conversion to all-way stop control; and addition of dedicated turn lanes.
During the council’s discussion, city staff acknowledged that it was a broad report.
Staff will narrow down the various segments presented and bring each back separately for further discussion and council consideration. That will also provide the public the chance to weigh in.
To view the Sanibel Island Roadway Speed Study, click on SPEED STUDY.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The council voted 5-0 on an ordinance to amend the Code of Ordinances to expand the prohibition of smoking, to include vaping, within all public parks and public beaches — including parking lots and beach accesses — owned by the city or Lee County within the city’s jurisdiction.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve a proposal from Tetra Tech in the amount of $213,635 to provide professional engineering services for Hurricane Ian related wastewater collection system repairs.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve a proposal from Bowman Consulting Group in the amount of $168,550 to provide professional engineering services for Ian related Shared Use Path (SUP) repairs.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve a contract with Villa-Fuerte Construction in the amount of $278,990 for the Beach Road Weir Restoration project.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve a proposal by Johnson Engineering in the amount of $214,630 for the design of a flap gate to the Tarpon Bay Weir and a feasibility analysis for the addition of pumps and/or gate automation at both the Beach Road and Tarpon Bay Weir.
– The council voted 5-0 on a proposal from ADG Architecture for architectural services and construction administration services for the Sanibel Police Station Project. An agreement approved in 2019 expired after five years. ADG Architecture submitted the proposal as a new agreement.
The project is funded by $2 million in appropriations from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and a $15,040,689 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program (CDBG-DR), administered through Lee County.
– The council held the first reading for an ordinance to amend the Code related to milestone inspections, the mandatory inspection of aging condominium and cooperative buildings. The second reading will be held on March 17.
– The council discussed a draft ordinance that would amend the Code to add the operation of Class 2 and 3 e-bikes on the SUP. As a result of the council’s discussion, staff were directed to evaluate the feasibility of a registration program to allow their use for residents, property owners and such.
– The council voted 5-0 on a resolution appointing the following members to the Historical Preservation Committee for one-year terms: Emilie Alfino, Mary Bondurant, Deborah Gleason, Mary Jurgens and Patricia Norton.
– The council voted 5-0 on a resolution appointing the following members to the Vegetation Committee for one-year terms: Barbara Boyce, Ruth Brooks (adjunct), Barbara Horvath, Pamela Miller, David Muench, Vincent Simonelli and Barb Wyskowski.
– Sanibel Police Department Police Chief William Dalton presented the speed management and enforcement priorities for 2025, adding that a new “Slow Down Sanibel” campaign will be initiated from now through June.
– Natural Resources Director Holly Milbrandt provided information on the Blind Pass Inlet Management Plan in her Water Quality Report, addressing concerns about the sand at Blind Pass.
She reported that the county is responsible for managing the plan, which requires maintaining the dredge template. The dredging typically occurs every three or four years, and the county had dredging planned for late 2022 but then Hurricane Ian occurred, followed by multiple additional hurricanes.
Milbrandt continued that the Captiva Erosion Prevention District recently completed a beach renourishment project and some of the sand is moving north to south. The county has the permits and funding in place to dredge, but it is waiting for the sand to reach equilibrium before doing so.
She added that the city is looking at additional parts of the Blind Pass Inlet Management Plan with the county, including a possible broader dredging template and the installation of a shore-parallel spur.
– The council recognized the Recreation Department for receiving the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau’s (VCB) Certified Guest Property Designation.
– The council recognized March 9-15 as Flood Awareness Week through a proclamation.