Yesterday, I noticed a “Let’s Go Sanibel” sign at the entrance to Tahitian Gardens shopping center – a cute pick-me-up to passers-by as restoration work continues there and at many shopping centers.

Also yesterday, as many posted remembrances on social media of Hurricane Ian from a year ago on Sep 28, 2022, I was torn. Last week I almost didn’t post the schedule of anniversary events. Sometimes I don’t want to remember that storm. Then, when contacted by an island pal about attending one of the events, it made me think about all the progress that has been made over the last 12 months. Much was lost… people, places, memories, a lifetime of stuff, but it is important to accentuate the positive and grow from mistakes. It made me think about what I learned. Here are five things:

1.      Life-altering events bring the best out of nice people and the worst out of unhappy ones. Son Dave was my hurricane hero. I also am thankful to his wife Lisa, brother-in-law Brian, and some special neighbors.

2.      The Sanibel leadership team and staff led by Mayor Smith and City Manager Souza performed beyond expectations. We owe them all, big time.

3.      Even if you lose everything, today’s technology can help one survive, recover, and thrive, but you must remember to back up the important stuff.

4.      Mother Nature always wins, so be prepared. Then, don’t be surprised when beach daisies pop up in strange places.

5.      Hurricane muck stinks and is wicked slippery. Old fat gals with bad knees should not fall in it.

$388 Million Awarded to Communities Impacted by Hurricane Ian

Florida Realtors Public Policy Update this afternoon included that Florida Gov Ron DeSantis office “announced yesterday that $388 million in state funding was awarded to communities impacted by Hurricane Ian to support long-term recovery efforts and resiliency. These funds will be used to assist with ongoing hurricane repairs and recovery efforts for schools, sheriff’s offices, fire stations, parks and recreation centers, roads, wastewater treatment plants, beach renourishment, and will assist local governments with loss of revenue since the storm. Funding highlights include:

• $51M to City of Cape Coral
• $51M to Lee County School Board
• $28M to City of Sanibel
• $14M to Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District
• $8M to Sanibel Fire & Rescue District
• $4.3M to Lee Memorial Health Systems
• $1M to Captiva Erosion Prevention District
• $600K to City of Fort Myers
• $350K to Captiva Fire Control District”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Our local Association of Realtors® didn’t meet this week, but their annual classes began for members looking to earn or recertify their SCIS (Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist) designation. The 12-part schedule runs through next Wed which is when I teach the Resort & Second-Home Market module. Meanwhile, I am updating my Power Point and readying for the annual photo of attendees modeling their quiz winnings (aka funny resort/vacation props).

Our next Caravan Meeting is Thurs Oct 12 at BIG ARTS, the morning after our annual golf tournament and RPAC Auction at The Sanctuary.

Island Weather

It may be fall, but this week we received some reminders that the rainy season ain’t over yet. Periodic nighttime showers continued, while Tue and Wed, it also rained nearly all day. We are so accustomed to summertime blue skies and sunshine, that continued overcast days can change the mood – or remind one that hurricane season goes until Nov 30. On the plus side, temperatures got into the mid-70’s and new landscaping at many properties got an extra dose of free water.

Today, it’s back to sunshine. After this weekend, the forecast calls for little rain with daytime temperatures back in the high 80’s. That’s fall, y’all.

Events & Re-Openings

Sanibel Causeway – At a Chamber of Commerce meeting this week, attendees were updated on causeway/bridge progress. This info from their “timeline” slide:

•             Oct 2023 – Night work with lane adjustments
•             Dec 2023 – Road surface work estimated to complete
•             End of 2024 – Punta Rassa boat ramp reopens
•             Early 2025 – Water work (bridge protection) estimated to complete
•             Late 2027 – Causeway islands recreation areas restoration estimated to complete.

Sanibel Farmers Market – Reopens for the season on Sun 10/1, back on the grounds of City Hall. The market will be there every Sun through May (including Easter) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sanibel Final Budget Hearing

Wed night Sep 27, I listened in during the Sanibel City Council Final Budget Hearing. Before discussing the budget, several consent agenda items were approved:

1.      Resolution 23-061 extending the authorization for placement of temporary signs on commercial properties until Sep 30, 2024.

2.      Resolution 23-062 extending the authorization for the construction or repairing of structures to occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, through Sep 30, 2024.

3.      Resolution 23-065 extending the authorization of outdoor display of merchandise under certain conditions provided via Resolution 23-010 through Sep 30, 2024.

4.      Resolution 23-066 waiving the temporary structure development permit fee retroactively from May 8, 2023 through Sep 30, 2024.

Regarding the budget:

1.      Resolution 23-056 adopted the final operating and voted debt service ad valorem millage rates for tax year 2023 (fiscal year 2024). (The approved operating millage rate is 2.500 which is 44.2% higher than the roll-back rate, not the millage rate last year.)

2.      Resolution 23-057 adopted the final budget for fiscal year ending Sep 30, 2024.

3.      Resolution 23-064 established committed fund balances for disaster reserve and environmental initiative reserve.

Florida Tops NY in Home Values

An article by Kerry Smith posted online Wed Sep 27, 2023 on Florida Realtors® says:

“The total value of the U.S. housing market surged more than $2.6 trillion over the past year, according to a Zillow analysis, largely due to rising home prices and the value of new construction.

“Florida has been at the forefront of that value gain, according to the data used in the study. In the latest analysis of total real estate value, the Sunshine State took over the No. 2 spot, bumping New York State down to third place. California retains the top spot with more than $10 trillion of value – nearly 20% of the U.S. total.

“In a list of the top 20 U.S. metros based on the total value of their real estate, two Florida metro areas make the list:

• 5. Miami-Fort Lauderdale: $1,269.8 billion, up $100.5 billion since June 2022 – 8.6%
• 18. Tampa: $521.1 billion, up $18.5 billion since June 2022 – 3.7%

““A steady flow of new homes hit the market this spring and summer, helping chip away at the deep inventory deficit and boosting the total value of the market,” says Orphe Divounguy, Zillow senior economist. “Enough buyers remained to keep the market moving. … New home sales rose this year while existing home sales fell, and (new homes) should make up a bigger piece of the home sales pie for as long as rates remain elevated.”

“The four most valuable metro areas have remained largely unchanged over the past five years: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston. But a new entrant from Florida, Miami, claimed the fifth spot, jumping all the way from ninth as recently as May 2021. Miami’s value surge pushed Washington, D.C., out of the top five.

“Metros gaining the most value – Of the six markets where housing gained the most value since the start of the pandemic, four are in Florida:

• Tampa: Up 88.9%
• Miami: Up 86.6%
• Jacksonville: Up 82.4%
• Orlando: Up 72.3%

“Zillow attributes large population growth as one reason for Florida’s strong new construction figures, but stronger competition for existing homes also played a role.

“California remains a behemoth with more than $10 trillion of value in its housing market; nearly 20% of the national total. Florida, New York, Texas, and New Jersey round out the top five.

Los Angeles: Up 0.1 %
San Francisco: Down 8.8%
Boston: Up 3.4 %

Miami-Fort Lauderdale: Up 8.6 %
Washington: Up 3.2 %
Chicago: Up 6.9 %
Seattle: Down 5.1 %
San Diego: Up 1.0 %
Dallas-Fort Worth: Down 0.3 %
San Jose, Calif.: Down 5.2 %
Phoenix: Down 2.1 %
Philadelphia: Up 6.8 %
Riverside, Calif.: Down 3.1 %
Houston: Up 3.5 %
Atlanta: Up 3.7 %
Denver: Down 6.0 %

Portland, Ore.: Down 4.0%.”

Posted Wed by SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation):

“After the disappointing decisions by the Lee County Commissioners in early September, the proposed amendments to the Land Development Code and the Lee Plan were passed. As required, the amendments were then transmitted to the state for comments by concerned agencies. The “Protect Captiva” coalition has retained legal counsel that has submitted comments to the state agencies and is evaluating next steps.