Member Meeting
We will vote on funding the ADA bathroom renovation for the new center.
Lunch
Afterward the meeting, join your Santiva Islander pals for a laid back lunch and plenty of conversation at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, located at 2304 Periwinkle Way.
Bring your own lunch.
Proxy Voting Options
If you cannot attend the meeting in person, you may still have your vote counted by assigning a proxy. You have two options:
Option 1 — Name a fellow member who is attending the meeting as your proxy. You may ask another member who plans to attend the meeting to carry your vote on your behalf. You can either tell them how to vote (FOR, AGAINST, or ABSTAIN) or leave it to their discretion — your choice.
Option 2 — Name the Secretary as your proxy. If you don't have another member to ask, you may name the Secretary as your proxy holder. If you choose this option, you must mark FOR, AGAINST, or ABSTAIN on the form. The "proxy holder's discretion" option is not available when the Secretary is named, since the Secretary is involved in bringing this proposal forward and should only cast votes as members specifically instruct. If the Secretary is unable to attend the meeting (she is traveling back June 28), the Treasurer will serve as proxy holder in her place, following the same instructed vote (FOR/AGAINST/ABSTAIN) marked on your form.
Either way, your signed proxy form must be completed and returned by 9am on June 29 / brought to the meeting by your proxy holder.
How to submit your signed proxy:
You may return your signed proxy in any of the following ways:
1. Mail — Send the original signed form to 2422 Palm Ridge Rd, Unit 139, Sanibel, FL 33957. Should be mailed by June 23 to ensure it arrives in time.
2. Scanned copy — Scan your signed form and email it to santivaislanders@gmail.com
3. Photo — Take a clear photo of your entire signed form and email it to santivaislanders@gmail.com
Under Florida law, a scanned copy or photo of a signed proxy is just as valid as the original, as long as it's a complete and legible reproduction of the whole form. If you are naming a fellow member as your proxy, you may instead simply give them the signed original, a copy, or a photo directly so they can bring it to the meeting.
More Info (long read, but it provides insight on the process to establish a new location)
Below is a timeline with details on the entire process that the board has been working since the end of January 2026. It has been a long road and we are very thankful for the support we have received as we go through this process.
On January 28, 2026, it was determined that the contract agreement between Island Seniors Inc. and FISH would not be finalized. As a result, the organization began identifying a new base of operations.
Between February 1-7, 2026, two potential locations were reviewed: Unit #11 at Palm Ridge Plaza and Unit #8 at Sanibel Promenade (across the street from the post office).
On February 9, 2026, the city planning department confirmed that a Senior Center use would require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) at either location. The city planner advised that the CUP process could take 10 to 12 weeks.
In early February 2026 the board started working with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on converting the organization to a tax deductible 501 (c) (3) organization.
On February 22, 2026, A Conditional Use Permit application was submitted to the city for review, with a permit fee of $2,694. Unit #11 at Palm Ridge Plaza was selected as the new location.
On March 26, 2026, the IRS notified the organization that they determined that the Island Seniors Inc., are exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3). This now allows donors to deduct contributions under IRC Section 170.
On April 14, 2026, the Sanibel Planning Committee approved the Conditional Use Permit. Two days later, on April 16, 2026, a Change of Use permit was initiated with the City of Sanibel. The Change of Use permit cost $540 and required planning, fire, and building code reviews/inspections.
On April 24, 2026, during the building code review/inspection, the site did not pass because it lacked an ADA-compliant parking path and an ADA-accessible bathroom.
On April 27, 2026, the city notified the organization that the planning and fire code reviews/inspections had passed.
On April 28, 2026, an architect was hired to prepare ADA bathroom design drawings, as the city required drawings from a licensed architect. The cost of the architectural work was $1,750.
On May 7, 2026, an Addition/Alteration permit was started with the city. We are in the process of completing this permit application. Estimated permit fee $250.
On May 15, 2026, the final drawings had been received from the architect. The organization then began contacting licensed contractors to request bids, with a goal of obtaining at least three proposals before moving forward.
June 2026 – received bids, determined the cost of the bids required membership approval as they exceeded the $10,000 threshold. Scheduled a member meeting for June 29. 2026 to vote on funding the construction of an ADA bathroom.