At its recent meeting on June 12, the Sanibel City Council voted 4-1 in favor of a resolution declaring its intent to establish the Wulfert Channel Area Dredging Assessment District and a special assessment to finance public improvements for maintenance dredging within the channel. Councilmember Richard Johnson cast the dissenting vote.
The council had two resolutions to consider: one for just the Wulfert Channel and another that included Sunset Bay and Dinkins Bayou. City Manager Dana Souza explained that based on previous council direction, staff revised the options to remove the annual $1,200 assessment for future maintenance dredging and to allow the assessments to be paid over up to five years. Additionally, the dredging area for the Wulfert Channel was reduced to only include the city’s jurisdictional boundaries, excluding the county’s area, which lowered the overall project cost.
The revised project cost for just the Wulfert Channel is estimated at $446,065, with the city covering 33.33% of the cost ($148,673.46). The remaining 66.67% ($297,391.50) would be shared among 196 properties, amounting to $1,517.30 each.
For the broader Wulfert Channel, Sunset Bay, and Dinkins Bayou area, the project cost was initially estimated at $2,231,947.50. In this scenario, the city would pay 33.33% ($743,908.10), while the remaining 66.67% ($1,488,039.40) would be divided among the same 196 properties, totaling $7,592.04 each.
City Attorney John Agnew clarified that this vote was only the first step in the process and that staff would need to finalize a preliminary assessment role, followed by hearings and further approval stages.
Councilmember Richard Johnson explained his dissenting vote, emphasizing his desire for the community to work together. “It’s not that I didn’t support it,” he said of the Wulfert Channel resolution. “I wanted that recognition that I want to keep our community working together.”
To view the updated presentation from staff on the Wulfert Channel project, including the revised dredging plan for the reduced area, click on DREDGING PROJECT PRESENTATION and DREDGING PROJECT PLAN.
IN OTHER NEWS:
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The council voted unanimously (5-0) to amend the special event schedule of fees, including additional fees for substantial changes to approved permits and new rental fees for City Hall grounds and Sanibel Community Park.
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The council approved a five-year memorandum of understanding between the city, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Sanibel Fire and Rescue District, and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to streamline the management of conservation lands and facilitate responses to natural disasters.
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A first reading of an ordinance to amend the Code regarding Shared Path Use violations was held. The second reading will take place on July 15.
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The council also held a budget workshop, where Deputy City Manager and CFO Steve Chaipel presented the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-26.
To view the budget presentation, click on BUDGET PRESENTATION.
