City Council

City of Marco Island Florida 51 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island, Florida cityofmarcoisland.com Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, January 24, 2022 5:30 PM Community Meeting Room City Council Chair: Erik Brechnitz Vice-Chair: Jared Grifoni City Council: Claire Babrowski, Rich Blonna, Greg Folley, Becky Irwin, Joe Rola City Manager: Mike McNees Assistant City Manager: Casey Lucius City Attorney: Alan L. Gabriel City Clerk: Laura Litzan City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 24, 2022 1. Call to Order Chair Brechnitz called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. 2. Roll Call Present: 7- Councilor Blonna, Councilor Irwin, Councilor Brechnitz, Vice-Chair Folley, Councilor Rola, Councilor Babrowski and Chair Grifoni Also Present Michael McNees, City Manager Casey Lucius, Assistant City Manager Laura Litzan, City Clerk Alan L. Gabriel, City Attorney Tracy Frazzano, Police Chief Chris Byrne, Fire Chief Daniel J. Smith, Community Affairs Director Tim Pinter, Public Works Director Jose Duran, Information Technology Director Jeff Poteet, Water & Sewer General Manager Justin Martin, Water & Sewer Senior Project Manager Martin Luna, Video/Broadcast Technician Jim Kornas, Recording Specialist Citizens and Visitors 3. Invocation Offered by the Reverend Scott Kerens of the Marco Presbyterian Church. 4. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Chair Brechnitz. 5. Approval of the Agenda MOTION by Councilor Folley, seconded by Vice-Chair Grifoni, that the Agenda be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Blonna, Councilor Irwin, Councilor Brechnitz, Vice-Chair Folley, Councilor Rola, Councilor Babrowski and Chair Grifoni 6. Approval of the Minutes ID 21-1895 Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes of January 10, 2022 MOTION by Councilor Blonna, seconded by Councilor Rola, that the City Council Meeting Minutes of January 10. 2022 be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Blonna, Councilor Irwin, Councilor Brechnitz, Vice-Chair Folley, Councilor Rola, Councilor Babrowski and Chair Grifoni 7. Approval of Consent Agenda City of Marco Island Florida Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 24, 2022 MOTION by Councilor Folley, seconded by Councilor Irwin, that the Consent Agenda be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Blonna, Councilor Irwin, Councilor Brechnitz, Vice-Chair Folley, Councilor Rola, Councilor Babrowski and Chair Grifoni [Approval of the Consent Agenda Passed the Routine Item Listed Below] ID 22-2045 Resolution Approving and Adopting Collier County’s 2021 Emergency Management Plan 8. Proclamations and Presentations None. 9. Citizens' Comments on Agenda Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearing and Items Other Than Those Appearing on the Agenda Mr. Ken Honecker (Dorando Ct.) reminded the Council that a previous Council body had assured the Island's citizens that, upon the retirement of the debt associated with the City's purchase of its water & sewer utility, citizen water and sewer utility bills would see a meaningful reduction in utility service rates. Mr. Honecker conveyed his expectation that the remainder of that outstanding debt will be satisfied within the upcoming year. Mr. Honecker also raised a concern with the increase in private jet traffic that is flying over his house enroute to landing at the Marco Island Executive Airport. Chair Brechnitz pointed out that the airport is under the jurisdiction of Collier County, and he asked City Manager McNees to contact the County on behalf of Mr. Honecker. 10. Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing None. 11. Ordinances None. 12. Resolutions & City Council Items a. ID 21-2038 Authorize the City Manager to Issue a Purchase Order to ADG Architecture, LLC for Architectural Services for the Design and Construction of a Building for the Collection and Distribution Department in the Amount of $216,650.00 under City of Marco Island Contract #19-012 for As-Needed Engineering and Architectural Services Water & Sewer General Manager Jeff Poteet provided the Council with background on the history and condition of the office space, equipment and materials storage at the Island's South Water Treatment Plant and, along with Water & Sewer Senior Project Manager Justin Martin, responded to questions raised by members of the Council. No members of the public came forward to offer comment. MOTION by Councilor Rola, seconded by Councilor Blonna, that the City Manager be Authorized to Issue a Purchase Order to ADG Architecture, LLC for City of Marco Island Florida Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 24, 2022 Architectural Services for the Design and Construction of a Building for the Collection and Distribution Department in the Amount of $216,650.00 under City of Marco Island Contract #19-012 for As-Needed Engineering and Architectural Services, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Blonna, Councilor Irwin, Councilor Brechnitz, Vice-Chair Folley, Councilor Rola, Councilor Babrowski and Chair Grifoni b. ID 22-2054 Sale of Surplus Property located at 1825 and 1955 Mainsail Drive Assistant City Manager Casey Lucius briefly reviewed the process undertaken by the City Staff in line with Council direction to proceed with the sale of the subject properties. Encountering a lower-than-expected appraisal for the properties due to current zoning and legal use restrictions, Ms. Lucius presented alternatives and a City Staff recommendation for Council consideration. Public Comment Mr. Jonathan Kassolis, President of SK Holdings Real Estate LLC, expressed his organization's continued interest in the properties, and he requested that the Council proceed with an acceptance of SK Holdings' bid from the July 29, 2021 public notice of the properties' availability for sale. MOTION by Councilor Folley, seconded by Vice-Chair Grifoni, that the Staff Recommendation to: 1) formally reject the SK Holdings bid for 1825 and 1955 Mainsail Drive from the July 29, 2021 public notice posting; 2) publicly notice again both properties through a sealed bid process to the highest bidder at or above the new 'as is' appraised value, and; 3) return to Council with the amount of the highest bid received at which time the Council can either authorize the sale of the combined properties or re-evaluate the future use of both properties for potential water storage, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Blonna, Councilor Irwin, Councilor Brechnitz, Vice-Chair Folley, Councilor Rola, Councilor Babrowski and Chair Grifoni c. ID 22-2051 Citizen Engagement and Citizen Survey Proposal Assistant City Manager Casey Lucius, in follow-up to the Council's direction at its June 7, 2021 meeting, presented a two-tiered approach for better engaging with the public on an on-going basis, as well as soliciting community input on key issues and topics of citizen interest and concern. Ms. Lucius presented two proposals: 1) a one-time citizen survey focusing on identifying key issues and measuring citizen-perceived gaps in the City's response in addressing those issues, and; 2) contracting for a 24/7/365 smartphone app solution to receive and respond to citizen-reported problems, issues and City services requests. Mr. Ron Gailey, President - Americas, Mobile Digital Insights, Inc. (MDI), and Mr. Kevin Krauss, Director of Sales for GoGov Service & Engagement Software, participated in the discussion via Zoom video conference connection. Public Comment Mr. Howard Reed recalled his experience as a member of the City Council regarding the benefits and limitations of a one-time Citizen Survey. He expressed is opposition to such an effort. He did, however, express "intrigue" by the promise and potential of a 24/7/365 smartphone application to receive and respond to citizen-reported issues and requests, and he encouraged the Council to consider approving its acquisition. City of Marco Island Florida Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 24, 2022 MOTION by Councilor Irwin, seconded by Councilor Folley, that the City Manager be Authorized to Execute and Implement an Agreement with GoGov Service and Engagement Software for a 24/7/365 Civic Engagement Smartphone App in the Amount of $17,544 per year, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 6- Councilor Blonna, Councilor Irwin, Councilor Brechnitz, Vice-Chair Folley, Councilor Babrowski and Chair Grifoni No: 1- Councilor Rola MOTION by Councilor Folley, seconded by Councilor Babrowski, that the City Manager be Authorized to Execute and Implement an Agreement with Mobile Digital Insights, Inc. (MDI) for the Execution of a One-Time Citizen Survey in the Amount of $7,990, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 4- Councilor Irwin, Vice-Chair Folley, Councilor Rola and Councilor Babrowski No: 3- Councilor Blonna, Councilor Brechnitz and Chair Grifoni d. ID 22-2057 Discussion - North Water Utility Water & Sewer General Manager Jeff Poteet outlined the role that North Marco Utilities (NMU) plays in the collection and management of waste water from approximately 261 customers on the northern end of Marco Island. He, along with Water & Sewer Senior Project Manager Justin Martin, responded to questions raised by members of the Council. Public Comment Mr. David Crain (Gayer Way) noted his experience in receiving two monthly water utility bills - one from the City of Marco Island, and one from North Marco Utilities (NMU), and he urged the Council to proceed with an evaluation of the feasibility and cost of potentially acquiring NMU. Mr. Howard Reed (Bald Eagle Dr.) shared his experience in dealing with the odorous effects of a recent waste water spill near his home, and he similarly urged the Council to consider acquiring NMU. At the conclusion of the discussion and inputs received, Chair Brechnitz solicited and received Council consensus to authorize the City Manager to hire a consultant within the City Manager's spending authority to assess and determine the condition and value of NMU's assets. 13. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda No items were removed from the Consent Agenda at this meeting. 14. Council Communications & Future Agenda Councilor Blonna expressed his appreciation for the Chair's handling of the discussion that he raised at the January 10, 2022 Council Meeting regarding the potential revisiting of the Short-Term Rental Housing Registration decision that was reached at the October 18, 2021 City Council Meeting. He requested direction on how to proceed on this topic. Chair Brechnitz polled the members of the Council on their interest in scheduling a special workshop on short-term vacation rentals. Receiving support from the majority of the Councilors, Chair Brechnitz asked City Clerk Laura Litzan to work with Staff and Council Member schedules to establish a workshop date. Councilor Irwin shared the insight that she gained at a recent Leadership Collier session relative to the overall success in collecting tourist taxes by the office of the Collier County Tax Collector. Vice-Chair City of Marco Island Florida Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 24, 2022 Grifoni questioned what the County is doing to address non-complying rental property owners. Chair Brechnitz expressed his desire to schedule a City Council Water Quality Workshop. Upon receiving endorsement from the Council, he asked City Clerk Laura Litzan to establish a date in line with Councilor and Staff availability. He also requested that the City Manager's spreadsheet of proposed budget and resource allocations to address the recommendations from Environmental Research & Design, Inc. be distributed to all Council Members prior to the workshop. ID 21-1896 Future Agenda Items No new Future Agenda items were proposed by Members of the Council. 15. Council Reports ID 21-1981 Water Quality Priorities and Options - Councilor Joe Rola Councilor Rola presented a comprehensive review and assessment of the elements, actions and potential goals for an aggressive City action plan to attack, and markedly improve, the quality of the water in the Island's canals and waterways. Public Comment Mr. Howard Reed (Bald Eagle Dr.) expressed appreciation for Councilor Rola's effort and offered comment on several metrics and goals that were raised in Councilor Rola's report. Noting the importance of the Gulf's waters and tidal flows on the measured quality levels of Marco Island's canals and waterways, he urged the Council to consider monitoring and measuring nearby Gulf nutrient and contaminant levels in its effort going forward. Ms. Nanette Rivera (Solana Ct.) noted that the waters of Rookery Bay and the surrounding 10,000 Islands set the baseline for naturally-occurring levels of nutrients and contaminants around Marco Island. From this perspective, elevated levels of phosphorous in Marco's canals and waterways are clearly caused by human activities and the application of reuse and nutrient-enriched potable water discharges. Her belief is that the health of the Island's water for the benefit of all marine life is best addressed by focusing on improving measures of dissolved oxygen. Ms. Andrea Battaglia (unknown street) shared her observations regarding the striking depletion of sea grasses and marine life since she first moved to the Island in 1986. She believes that the City's reuse water has contributed significantly to the noticeable change to the Island's water environment. Mr. David Crain (Gayer Way & Chair of the Waterways Advisory Committee) quoted select nutrient readings from different locations that were procured from the 15 currently-established water quality measurement sites in the Island's waterways. He noted that the City's waters are not impaired for total phosphorous, and he questioned the measurement of dissolved oxygen (vs. oxygen saturation) as a summary measure of waterway health. 16. City Manager's Report City Manager McNees reported that the structural steel elements for the bandshell at Veterans' Community Park (VCP) have been delivered and that work to erect that structure will commence within the coming week. He also noted the Marco Island Community Parks Foundation's receipt of an updated donation 'term sheet' for upgrades to the VCP bandshell that he distributed to members of the Council. Chair Brechnitz questioned the status of naming rights associated with the aforementioned donation, and Vice-Chair Grifoni requested an update on the plan to allocate space within the renovated City Hall Annex City of Marco Island Florida Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 24, 2022 Building for certain Collier County departments and offices. Councilor Blonna thanked Mr. McNees for his representation on behalf of the City in engaging with the Key Marco Board to discuss access to the City's bike paths, and for following through in establishing an interlocal agreement with the Collier County Historical Society. 17. City Attorney's Report ID 21-1897 City Attorney’s Report City Attorney Gabriel pointed out the new, streamlined approach of his Council report, and he briefly updated the Council on the status of the outstanding Delcor Development, LLC & Southdale Inc. v. City of Marco Island case. 18. Departmental Reports ID 21-1898 Monthly Departmental Reports Councilor Blonna requested clarification from Water & Sewer General Manager Jeff Poteet and Community Affairs Director Daniel J. Smith on items included in the Monthly Department Reports from their departments. Councilor Folley similarly requested an update from Community Affairs Director Smith on the status of re-striping the dual-use tennis/pickleball courts at the Marco Island Racquet Center to a pickleball-only configuration. 19. Citizens' Comments No members of the public came forward during this portion of the meeting to offer comment. 20. Adjournment There being no further business before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:32 P.M. ___________________________ Erik Brechnitz, Council Chair ATTEST: ____________________________________ Laura Litzan, City Clerk PREPARED BY: ___________________________ Jim Kornas, Recording Specialist City of Marco Island Florida Page 6