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CITY OF SANIBEL
The Sanibel City Council recognized Feb. 11 as United Way 211 Day through a proclamation at its meeting on Feb. 3.
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CITY OF SANIBEL
At its meeting on Feb. 3, the Sanibel City Council recognized Recreation Department Marketing and Events Coordinator Denise Dillon as the Employee of the First Quarter for the fiscal year.
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The Sanibel City Council postponed a decision on a proposed lethal removal program for coyotes at its recent meeting, citing its desire for more information on alternative methods and a public workshop.
On Feb. 3, members of the Sanibel Coyote Working Group (CWG) presented the council with the proposal intended to reduce the coyote depredation rate of sea turtle nests for the 2026 nesting season.
According to city staff’s memo, the Natural Resources Department, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) and J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were recommending implementation of the targeted program because past strategies to protect sea turtle nests from predation are no longer proving effective.
The CWG asked council to authorize execution of an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Services to conduct the program, which would entail:
– Nighttime removal of sea turtle nest-predating coyotes utilizing suppressed firearms equipped with night vision and thermal imaging technology
– Operations to be conducted from city and county-owned lands in the vicinity of Bowman’s Beach Park — areas of highest depredation in the 2025 season — subject to Lee County’s approval
– Subject to available funding, which would be about $20,000 in federal funding to be requested through the Florida Predation Management Working Group, with no expenditure of city funds
Additionally, the council was asked to approve a limited exception to the Sanibel Code to permit the discharge of firearms within or on the beach dune for the sole purpose of conducting the activities.
Natural Resources Director Holly Milbrandt opened the presentation and discussion.
“This is a difficult position for the Sanibel Coyote Working Group to be in,” she said of the proposed program, noting that it would also be a difficult decision for council in considering its approval.
“We do not want to be here today,” SCCF Chief Executive Officer James Evans added before explaining that the depredation rates are well above the loggerhead recovery plan targets.
He also pointed to the various methods used in an attempt to lower the rates, including screening and caging nests, using ground habanero pepper powder, installing rebar, and trying audio deterrents.
SCCF Coastal Wildlife Biologist Jack Brzoza gave a presentation on “Depredation Summary and Predation Management Strategies,” followed by city Conservation Officer Rachel Rainbolt on “Coastal Wildlife Predation Management Strategies.” They presented data on sea turtle nest depredation by coyotes, the strategies previously used to limit the rate of depredation and more. A work plan was also provided for the proposed program by the USDA’s APHIS Wildlife Services.
Following the presentations, the council discussed the proposal, as well as raised questions.
Vice Mayor Holly Smith pointed to the depredation rate statistics presented and questioned their accuracy. She noted that additional alternative methods are available, which were not brought forward. Smith also called for long-term efforts, attributing the ecological imbalance to the recent storms.
Councilmember Laura DeBruce agreed that there appeared to be a data gap, calling what was presented misleading. She voiced concern for advocacy taking over accuracy and pointed out that the program would have to be ongoing to be effective. DeBruce also noted that alternative options are still available.
Councilmember John Henshaw felt that the data was reasonable, but he remained on the fence on approving the program. He shared that he would like to see more data before making a decision.
Councilmember Richard explained that he also had concerns and questions about the proposal. However, he did not think that they could do nothing, that some action needed to be taken.
While Mayor Mike Miller had questions about the data presented, he continued that the trend of nest depredation is unsustainable. He thought the CWG considered alternate strategies and that the program was targeted and limited in scope, so he shared that he was initially inclined to approve it to proceed.
During public comment, more than a dozen people spoke, with a fairly even split between those opposed to the proposal and those in support of it. Those opposed cited issues with the data, that killing coyotes is killing wildlife, and that other alternatives remain. Those in support cited protecting sea turtles nests, that coyotes are an invasive species killing an endangered species, the depredation rates, that the program is the logical next step after the other methods, and the need to trust the experts.
After some additional comments and questions on the dais, the council came to a consensus that it needed more time to decide. It wanted the data confirmed and more data provided. It also sought more exploration of the alternative options still available, as well as a workshop scheduled for the public.
A motion to table the discussion was unanimously approved 5-0.
To view the coyote presentation, click on COYOTE PRESENTATION.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The council voted 5-0 approved to accept the ranking by a selection committee for engineering services for the Sanibel Roads Reconstruction Project and to authorize entering into contract negotiations with the top-ranked firm, Johnson Engineering.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve the release of a community survey to gather input on the concept of a dog park. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has been discussing five-year capital project recommendations for future enhanced recreational amenities and the topic emerged.
– The council voted 5-0 to approve wildlife-crossing sign designs and installation at the following previously approved locations: Sanibel-Captiva Road near the Tarpon Bay Road four-way stop; San-Cap Road near the Rabbit Road intersection; San-Cap Road near Wulfert Road and the Wildlife Drive access; San-Cap Road at Legion Curve; and Tarpon Bay Road near the entrance to the Bailey Tract.
– The council voted 3-1 to direct staff to draft an amended ordinance for first reading regarding e-bike regulations on the Shared Use Path; Henshaw cast the dissenting vote. Prior to the vote, it discussed amending the regulations to allow the use of Class 1, 2 and 3; the current regulations allow Class 1 but prohibit Classes 2 and 3. DeBruce recused herself from the discussion and vote due to a conflict.
– The council voted 5-0 on a resolution appointing Steve Maxwell to the Municipal Police Officers’ Retirement Trust Fund’s Board of Trustees. Prior to the vote, the council held two ballot votes. The other applicants were Richard Alt, Charles Krahmer, Donald Marker, Chuck Sterrett and Karl Richter.
– The council voted 5-0 on a resolution to amend the SCCF’s representation on the Transportation Master Plan Steering Committee by replacing Evans with Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis and adding Policy Associate Allie Pecenka as the alternate.
– The council held the first reading for an ordinance to amend the Code of Ordinances to expand the prohibition of smoking, to include vaping, within all public parks and public beaches owned by the city or Lee County within the city’s jurisdiction. Prior to the reading, it discussed the draft legislation and amendments were made. The second reading will be held on March 3.
– The council recognized Feb. 11 as United Way 211 Day through a proclamation.
– The council recognized Recreation Department Marketing and Events Coordinator Denise Dillon as the Employee of the First Quarter for the fiscal year.