S ISLANDS' NEWSPAPER OF RECORD >/•• WEEKroKJUNE i6 -22, 2QQS: SANlBEL. & CAPT!VA, FLORIDA' :^O.LU;ME -32 NUMBER 25 ^2O PAGES City council considers new waste disposal contract Sanibel Library to become By GARY PHILLIPS [email protected] Sanibel City Council is facing the task of choosing a company to dispose of the island's garbage. Council dis- cussed the bidding process and a protest letter submitted By JENNY BURNHAM by one bidding company at their June 7 meeting. Public jfournham@breezenews Works Director Gates Castle reported that bids had been papers.com sought earlier this year, but all were considered to be too high and were rejected. After a lengthy series of "'We received bids at the end of February and received negotiations at the county two proposals, the prices for which were in the neigh- level, and a complex state borhood of a 230 percent increase over the current rate legislative process, Gov- for residential," he said. "We came back to council with ernor Jeb Bush signed the recommendation that the city reject the bids and HB1381 to make the rebid it on the basis that there was at least one more Sanibel Public Library ah poiential bidder who was disqualified because he did not independent taxing district, attend the mandatory prebid meeting." a move that will lower Castle said Waste Services of Florida, also known as property taxes for Sanibel Florida Recycling Services, had filed a protest letter residents, said Library claiming another company, Waste Pro, had violated the Board president Tom bidding process by not attending the prebid meeting. Krekel. Florida Recycling Services currently has the island's Sanibel Library Director trash disposal contract. Pat Allen is pleased that the Castle said a prebid meeting was not intended to be a legislation passed. "This is requirement of the second bid taking, and had been not a new tax," she said. removed from advertising soliciting bids but mistakenly "We are replacing the tax had not been deleted from the bid specifications. He said we are already paying the the second bidding was in April, but the pre-proposal county, but the tax will be meeting referenced in the bid specifications was dated less." January 7, 2005, the date of the prebid meeting for the Creation of the taxing first bid taking. district is subject to voter Castle said three companies expressed interest in bid- approval -by referendum in ding the second time and all were provided the same November. Photo by Renny Severance information regarding bid specifications. Currently the library is The Sanibel Library is slated to become its own independent taxing district which is City Attorney Ken Cuyler advised the council on how funded under an interlocal expected to save island taxpayers money. to consider the bidding process and Waste Services' let- agreement with Lee ter. County. Under this agree- •'What it boils down to is, has the bidding entity main- ment, the county assesses Sanibel property owners at a maximum of .50, Sanibel tax payers will save at least 17 tained a level playing field?" Cuyler said. "Has one party millage rate of more than .60 to fund the library, said percent on their assessment for library services, accord- gained a competitive advantage or has another party been Krekel. The Lee County library system receives the tax ing to Krekel. put at a disadvantage as a result of an irregularity in your money, and returns 65 percent to the Sanibel Library. The "That's the minimum savings," said Krekel. bidding process?" other 35 percent remains with the county for county The change will be transparent to tax payers. Sanibel Councilman Steve Brown said his position is to look library system use. residents won't detect a change in the billing process, out for what's financially best for the city. With the formation of an independent taxing district, said Krekel, "except that the bill will be lower." "The bottom line to me is what's best for Sanibel, as 100 percent of the assessed taxes will go directly to the The Sanibel Library board of directors was faced with 'long as it's fair," Brown said. "We want-to be known as Sanibel Library, with a millage cap of .50, Krekel told the finding different sources of funding when the existing someone who lives up to our word and is fair and honest." Island Reporter. interlocal agreement with Lee County became due to "All of it will go back to the citizens of Sanibel," See LIBRARY See WASTE Krekel said. Because the millage rate will be fixed at a page 4 page 2 which of 29 categories, including "other," that ihe responding business fits into. Food service, retailers, property management, bike rental, interior decorators City to surrey island businesses and attorneys are just a few of the categories from which By GARY PHILLIPS are economically viable," the letter states. to choose. [email protected] The two-page survey should take only minutes to com- The survey next asks the number of the full-time and plete, but City Manager Judie Zimomra said the informa- part-time employees a business has, including the owner. When Sanibel City Council determined their primary tion can be invaluable to the city. Questions on length of time in business and whether the goals a few weeks ago, assisting and supporting small "The council or the city is not making an assumption business owns or rents their space are also included. The businesses ranked high on the list. As a first step in the that we know what the businesses need," she said. "I think survey also inquires as to whether the business is located process, the council is sending out nearly 4,500 business that can be a fatal flaw. It's extremely important for this to on Sanibel or off island and what business structure the surveys, one to each occupational license holder. be a dialogue between the city and the business communi- enterprise falls under; sole proprietorship, corporation, The cover letter which accompanies the surveys is ty and we're providing an opportunity for them to give partnership or franchise. signed by all five council members and includes a key sen- their input." Zimomra said there are two basic questions which seek tence regarding the council's concern for local business. Zimomra said it's not always apparent how diverse definite input from the license holders. "We thrive as a community when our local businesses Sanibel's economy is. The first survey question asks "What are the three greatest challenges currently fac- ing your business?" she said. "And, what are your sug- gestions and recommendations for initiatives the city could pursue." INDEX \ Juw 4"~ 1 POOL PLUS MiiYoit's MEMO; A self-addressed, stamped envelope is included for the return of the surveys. Zimomra said she expects most of • LETTERS PAGE 6 Holiday offers Planning City Council to ; the surveys to be returned quickly. Sots of fun (Commission (continue review "Usually with surveys you get the vast majority back • LOOKING BACK PAGE 8 within the first two weeks or so," she said. "Input is help- hears debate iof Segways : ful whenever you get it but the people who are going to • DATELINE PAGE 11 Islanders can look send them in will do so in the first 10 days." • PERMITS & DEEDS PAGE 12 forward to a parade, a Proposed construction ; Council seeks public : Zimomra encourages business owners to take the sur- vey seriously and respond. • TV LISTINGS PAGE 12 picnic, a pie contest, and may lead to new input on concerns about an unusual pooch ordinance. i inew vehicles. • "We hope people respond. It's going to be very impor- • OBITUARIES PAGE 14 competion. tant for us," she said. "The letter is short and the survey is short. The effort here is to take a blank canvas and hear • POLICE BEAT PAGE 15 ' j from the business community where the city can be a part- • CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 17 — See page 4 — See page 3 — See page 5 ner with them to succeed." 2 Q Week of June 16-22, 2005 • ISLAND REPORTER club and how much had been accomplished. Her goals at the beginning of her year as president} were that the club would be more focused and strategic,;would make a dif- ference in women's lives; that we could see/feel, would be Zonta installs new officers more connected to the international in Zonta International, would be strengthened and enriched by our The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captivi held the installa- plentiful, the company superb and the raison d'etre fellowship, and would be better known and understood in tion of its 2005-2006 slate of officers at the Lighthouse momentous. After a sumptuous feast, the emcee Ginger the community. Her feeling at the end pf the year was that Point Condominium Clubhouse on asultry evening in Parker kept the lively proceedings moving along. the club had succeeded beyond her wildest expectations. late May. Incoming president Karen Pati requested a Sharing poignant reflections on her year, outgoing potluck dinner so the food and drink |were fabulous and president Darla Letourneau focused on the efforts of the Former president Susan Dunn presented Darla with a beautiful Luc Century inscribed vase, !and Darla presented the leadership team w^th wall hangings quilted by a Maine artist. Susan and Darla as past-presi- dents received a standing ovation fromj the club members. President of the 2005-2006 year, K^ren Pati accepted her installation with her usual good hupor and infectious smile. Her visions for her year, were] thought-filled and inspiring (and will involve much j good hard work for the club).