CITY OF SANIBEL
The Sanibel City Council declares May 6 as Sergeant Anthony Neri Memorial Day on Sanibel via a proclamation during its recent meeting. The council was joined by Neri’s wife, Debra, and family.
The Sanibel City Council approved funds for Community Housing and Resources’ restoration efforts and received a hurricane recovery update at its recent meeting, as well as sent back to the planning commission the applications for a proposed housing development for consideration at a new hearing.
On May 2, the council voted unanimously 5-0 to approve using the remaining fund balance from a previous Community Development Block Grant for storm recovery projects proposed by CHR.
Prior to the vote, Planning Department Deputy Director Craig Chandler explained the city recently issued a Notice of Funding Availability for the Lee County CDBG. The city had not spent its allocation of the grant funding since 2020 and the leftover balance of $136,696 was in danger of being forfeit.
City staff responded to 15 inquires about the funds, but received one application — from CHR.
Chandler reported CHR requested $160,000 to replace an elevator and to restore parking and driveways at its Casa Mariposa property. Staff recommended approving the full remaining balance for the project.
Also during the meeting, City Manager Dana Souza provided a recovery update that included:
– This month, Building and Planning are expected to move into their location at 2475 Library Way.
– Lighthouse Park is the only beach facility that remains closed.
– West Gulf Drive Access 3, 4 and 7 are the only restricted beach accesses that remain closed.
Souza also asked for direction from council on whether to continue issuing local state of emergency proclamations. He noted it might be time to transition from immediate recovery to long-term recovery.
“Is it a tool that we need any longer?” Souza asked.
After some discussion among the council members and input from the city manager, the council directed staff to extend the state of emergency to May 21, when the governor’s order expires.
On a related note, Councilmember Holly Smith asked about the weekly police blotter.
Many on the council voiced support for continuing the blotter, explaining that the information provided is valuable and it offers government transparency. With a majority of support, it will continue for now.
Also at the meeting, the council held a quasi-judicial hearing for an appeal filed on a resolution.
The Sanibel Planning Commission had previously approved in a resolution the applications for a development permit and a major subdivision plat allowing for a Unified Residential Housing (Cluster Housing) development, including six parcels for single-family residential use and associated improvements — known as the “Coastal Creek” subdivision — at 5301-5325 Sanibel-Captiva Road.
Attorney Ralf Brookes filed the appeal on behalf of the Heron’s Landing Homeowners Association and 10 residents who had participated in the underlying proceeding that occurred before the commission.
Council listened to arguments from Brookes, as well as attorneys Sawyer Smith and Terry Cramer representing the developer. It reviewed the materials that were presented to the commission and sought clarification from city staffers and both parties. Motions to uphold but modify the resolution failed.
Eventually, a motion to remand the decision detailed in the resolution back to the commission for reconsideration based upon the consideration that the commission failed to apply sections of the Land Development Code passed in a 3-2 vote; Smith and Councilmember Dr. Scott Crater were opposed.
A motion to approve a resolution stating such, including that the commission failed to properly interpret and apply LDC provisions that require the design, location, construction and maintenance of all development be in a manner that minimizes environmental damage, passed in a vote of 4-1.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Smith reported the city received about $32 million — out of $100 million available — from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Hurricane Stormwater and Wastewater Assistance Grant Program. The projects that received funding were: Stormwater System Repairs, $10 million; Wastewater Collection System Repairs, $10 million; Lift Station Control Panel Replacement, $9,936,341; Middle Gulf Drive Force Main Replacement, $2,186,000; and Reuse System Repairs, $156,000.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for Hurricane Ian Beach Recovery in the amount of about $13,083,726. Prior to the vote, staff reported the funds will be used to plan and implement beach renourishment and associated beach and dune recovery activities above the mean high water line along the entirety of the Gulf shoreline.
– Souza provided the council with a legislative session update that included: an $8.5 million grant request was submitted for revenue replacement; the city will receive $17 million from FEMA to replace and elevate the lift station panels to meet resiliency, plus another $10 million grant; a request for $750,000 was submitted for the reconstruction of the East Periwinkle Bridge, along with a $5.5 million request to the federal government; a $9 million request was submitted for the police department construction; a compromise between the House and Senate for $1 million for repairs to the Shared Use Path system is likely; and a $1 million request was submitted for the Sanibel Slough Water Quality and Resiliency Project.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve an ordinance to allow or further regulate the use of prohibited temporary signage for a defined period of time via resolution or mayoral proclamation following the declaration of a state of local emergency related to a natural or manmade disaster by amending the city’s Code of Ordinances.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve an ordinance to provide that tenants displaced due to a natural or manmade disaster shall be granted the right of first refusal to reoccupy the repaired or reconstructed below market rate housing unit in any property managed by the housing foundation by amending the city’s Code, with the amended language that the tenant should be in good standing with CHR.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve a resolution authorizing the placement of temporary signs on commercial properties until Sept. 30.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve a resolution relating to an application filed pursuant to the city’s LDC providing for placement of the Woodring House, at 1816 Woodring Road, on the Sanibel Register of Historic Landmarks with fee title ownership by the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge and a life estate interest by Ralph and Jean Woodring.
– City staff gave a presentation on alternatives to using sod in the rights-of-way. Their next steps involve continuing to engage with local experts to evaluate suitable alternatives and initiating a pilot program to demonstrate and test alternatives. The program would allow and encourage interested residents to implement alternative plantings, with any alternative plan requiring approval through a rights-of-way permit reviewed by Natural Resources and Public Works, and would identify city-managed areas for design and implementation of demonstration projects.
– Through proclamation, the council declared May 6 as Sergeant Anthony Neri Memorial Day on Sanibel — the fourth anniversary. He was hired as a police aide at the Sanibel Police Department in 2012, promoted to police officer in 2015 and was promoted posthumously to sergeant in 2019. Neri passed away during a training exercise while on duty on May 6, 2019.
“Neri was a beloved husband, father and public servant, having served 30 years as a revenue officer for the United States Treasury followed by nearly seven years of service as a police officer with the Sanibel Police Department at the time of his passing,” Mayor Richard Johnson shared. “Neri dedicated his life to protecting those he served and maintaining peace within the Sanibel community.”
“Neri is being remembered today for his bravery, selfless dedication, and loyalty to his family, friends, fellow officers and the Sanibel community,” he continued. “We recognize Sgt. Neri for his ultimate sacrifice and express our sincerest appreciation for the exceptional service he provided to the police department and Sanibel community.”
– Through proclamation, the council declared May 21-27 as National Public Works Week.
