County plans new Parking Committee

On the agenda for the Tuesday, Sept. 16 Lee Board of County Commissioners meeting is a resolution to establish the Boca Grande Parking Committee with corresponding rules of procedure. 

“The Resolution will create the Boca Grande Parking Committee under Administrative Code AC-2-27,” according to the item summary. “The Parking Committee will evaluate parking conditions on Gasparilla Island and make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners concerning future proposed County Initiated amendments to the Boca Grande Parking Ordinance.”

The resolution also establishes the purpose, powers and duties of the committee, the make-up of the initial membership, member term and procedures for meetings. The committee will be subject to State Sunshine Laws and be subject to applicable code of ethics. The report was created on Sept. 3 by County Manager Samantha Westen, and received final approval on Tuesday, Sept. 9 by County Manager Dave Harner, according to the document’s reviewers section.

When the Boca Grande Parking Ordinance was unanimously passed on Aug. 5, Commissioner Kevin Ruane directed county staff to create a resolution establishing a Boca Grande Parking Committee. At the time, Ruane listed several community members he wished to appoint; however, staff informed him that members would need to be approved once the generated resolution was returned. 

The new members of the committee are as follows, according to the resolution:

Richard Ganong for 1-year term

Mark Spurgeon for 1-year term

Barbara McLaughlin for 1-year term

Louis Sarkes for 2-year term

Boo Gemes for 2-year term

At Large Member #1 Hugh Sullivan for 2-year term

At Large Member #2 Richard Weber for 2-year term

Commissioners will vote on the resolution on Sept. 16.