Assessments approved for sewer installation, paving
During a busy City Council schedule on Tuesday, local leaders approved assessments for both the Sanibel Bayous Special Assessment District’s sewer expansion project as well as the Junonia Street paving project.
According to terms of Resolution 09-72, residents residing within Sanibel Bayous I and II, Herons Landing I and II and Blind Pass Condominiums – which total 301 units – will pay an assessment, transmission main and connection fee for sewer service on the island.
The total assessment for Sanibel Bayous residents will be $6,839.88, which may be paid in equal annual installments over the next 20 years or in full – without a 3.5 percent interest fee – before Sept. 1, 2009.
Blind Pass residents will pay $6,258.59 per unit, with the same applicable terms.
Once the project is completed, all of Sanibel will be operating on the same sewer system.
John Bennett, representing the homeowners associations of Sanibel Bayous, Herons Landing and Blind Pass, requested that the cost to remove the previous wastewater treatment plant at Sanibel Bayous – $501.67 per unit – be eliminated, along with the cost to fill the retention pond on site – $100.33 per unit. He argued that because those projects were of benefit to the entire island, and not to the residents of that portion of Sanibel specifically, those costs should be handled by the city.
“At the end of the day, we’re just trying to be fair,” Bennett concluded.
City Attorney Ken Cuyler advised that the council could consider the request. After a brief discussion, the council opted to adopt the resolution as drafted.
Also, councilors voted unanimously to approve establishing the Junonia Street Paving Project Assessment District, in which 19 residences will pay $1,575.80 each for the paving of Junonia Street between Nerita and Donax streets.
Gates Castle, Public Works Director, explained that each unit owner has the option of paying that figure in full – without interest – before Nov. 1, 2009 or make three annual installment payments, which would be subject to a 3.5 interest rate.
In other business:
Elaine Fanning of the city’s Finance Department was named Employee of the Third Quarter
The first reading of an ordinance increasing fees for “Visitor-Individual” ($50, up from $45) and “Visitor-Family” ($105, up from $95) at the Sanibel Recreation Center was approved.
Bridge Masters Construction, LLC was awarded a $35,000 contract for the rehabilitation of the Sanibel Fishing Pier.
Gulf Paving Company, Inc. was awarded a $161,016.15 contract for the Annual Preventative Maintenance Shared Use Path repairs.
City Manager is authorized to negotiate a contract with Meta Goodwin, Carolyn Cooper, Michelle Churchill, Patty Turner, Dr. Susan Pataky and Carmen Diaz for fitness programs at the Rec Center.
The next meeting of the City Council will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 18 starting at 9 a.m.