City Council

City of Marco Island Florida 51 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island, Florida cityofmarcoisland.com Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, March 6, 2023 5:30 PM Community Meeting Room City Council Chair: Greg Folley Vice-Chair: Jared Grifoni City Council: Rich Blonna, Erik Brechnitz, Becky Irwin, Darrin Palumbo, Joe Rola City Manager: Mike McNees Assistant City Manager: Casey Lucius City Attorney: Alan L. Gabriel City Clerk: Mike Sheffield City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 6, 2023 1. Call to Order Vice-Chair Grifoni called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M 2. Roll Call Present: 7- Councilor Blonna, Councilor Brechnitz, Vice-Chair Grifoni, Councilor Irwin, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Rola and Chair Folley Special Motion MOTION by Councilor Brechnitz, seconded by Councilor Blonna, to allow Chairman Folley’s telephonic participation. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 6- Councilor Blonna, Councilor Brechnitz, Vice-Chair Grifoni, Councilor Irwin, Councilor Palumbo and Councilor Rola Also Present Michael McNees, City Manager Casey Lucius, Assistant City Manager Michael Sheffield, City Clerk Alan L. Gabriel, City Attorney Tracy Frazzano, Police Chief Chris Byrne, Fire Chief Daniel J. Smith, Community Affairs Director Lina Upham, Purchasing & Risk Manager & Deputy City Clerk Jeff Poteet, Water & Sewer General Manager Jim Kornas, Vacation Rental Supervisor Martin Luna, Audio/Video Technician Kelley Faulk, Recording Clerk 3. Invocation - Reverend Scott Kerens of Marco Presbyterian Church 4. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Vice-Chair Grifoni. 5. Approval of the Agenda MOTION by Councilor Brechnitz, seconded by Councilor Palumbo, that the Agenda be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Blonna, Councilor Brechnitz, Vice-Chair Grifoni, Councilor Irwin, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Rola and Chair Folley 6. Approval of the Minutes ID 22-2571 Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes of February 21, 2023 MOTION by Councilor Blonna, seconded by Councilor Irwin, that the City Council Meeting Minutes of February 21, 2023, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: City of Marco Island Florida Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 6, 2023 Yes: 7- Councilor Blonna, Councilor Brechnitz, Vice-Chair Grifoni, Councilor Irwin, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Rola and Chair Folley 7. Approval of Consent Agenda Councilor Brechnitz requested that item 7b (Resolution Appointing David Rasmussen to the Beach and Coastal Resources Advisory Committee as Nominated by Councilor Joe Rola) be moved to the regular agenda. [Approval of Consent Agenda Passed all Routine Items Listed Below.] a. ID 23-2775 Resolution Approving the State of Florida Department of Emergency Management Grant Agreement for Hazard Mitigation Grant Project 4486-073-R, Annex Building Wind Retrofit, Flood Barriers, and Generator in the Amount of $ 396,337.50; Authorizing the Expenditure of Matching Funds in the Amount of $44,037.50; Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Grant Agreement - Chris Byrne, Fire Chief, Fire Rescue Department 8. Proclamations and Presentations a. ID 22-2651 Employee Service Awards: Ryan Montgomery, Police Dept.; Mark Scarpa Water & Sewer Dept. Ryan Montgomery was recognized for 10 years of service with the Marco Island Police Department. Mark Scarpa was recognized for 25 years of service with the Marco Island Water & Sewer Department. b. ID 23-2791 Recognition of City of Marco Island Police Department Accreditation Police Chief Tracey Frazzano and members of the Marco Island Police Department team were recognized for achieving accreditation by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation. City Manager McNees stated that the department met more than 230 professional standards to achieve accreditation. The City Manager and Chief Frazzano thanked officers and staff for their hard work and dedication, and recognized Joan Taylor for shepherding the department through the accreditation process. Chief Frazzano thanked the City Council and City Manager for their support. Vice-Chair Grifoni recognized the City Manager for improvements made in the police department since he’s been manager. 9. Citizens' comments on agenda items not scheduled for public hearing and items other than those appearing on the agenda. TIME CERTAIN 6:00 P.M. OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THEREAFTER Ashley Jenkins (350 11th St. N, Naples) spoke as a local water advocate on the parameters necessary for an intercounty meeting of municipalities and the Florida Department of Environmental Protections (FDEP) new decisions. Shelley McKernan (628 8th St. N, Naples) spoke as a local water advocate requesting the Council implement solutions and protocols for water quality. Randy Eagan (181 Bonita Ct.) requested prioritization of specific Short-Term Rental (STR) Ordinance corrections. David Rasmussen (1495 Caxambas Ct.) spoke about FEMA funding for beach berm installations with the City of Marco Island Florida Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 6, 2023 funding period ending this month. 10. Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing None. 11. Ordinances A. Public Hearings None. B. First Readings None. 12. Resolutions & City Council Items None. 13. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda 7b. ID 23-2788 Resolution Appointing David Rasmussen to the Beach and Coastal Resources Advisory Committee as Nominated by Councilor Joe Rola - Mike Sheffield, City Clerk Councilor Brechnitz stated advisory committee applicants wishing to be considered for an additional committee other than the committee that they originally applied for should be required to complete a new application for that specific committee. Clerk Sheffield said he will ensure that this is done going forward. MOTION by Councilor Rola, seconded by Councilor Blonna, that the Resolution Appointing David Rasmussen to the Beach and Coastal Resources Advisory Committee be approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Blonna, Councilor Brechnitz, Vice-Chair Grifoni, Councilor Irwin, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Rola and Chair Folley 14. Council Communications & Future Agenda ID 22-2572 Future Agenda Items Councilor Blonna stated that he regularly attends meetings of the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Committee where he advocates for the acquisition of land on Marco Island. He stated that there are about ten parcels now in the final stages of acquisition. He will prepare a written report to present at a future Council meeting. Also, Councilor Blonna stated that he reviewed the city ordinance and resolutions that pertain to advisory committees; however, did not find language that directs committees to establish annual goals, nor did he find language that authorizes committees to have their own budgets and spend city funds. He does not object to committees having a budget; however, thinks the practice should be authorized by Council by resolution or ordinance amendment. Councilor Blonna was given the go-ahead to prepare a “white paper” to be placed on a future agenda meeting. Councilor Blonna also expressed his concern about House Bill 1197 and Senate Bill 1240, which as City of Marco Island Florida Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 6, 2023 drafted would prohibit local governments from establishing policies related to water quality and quantity. City Manager McNees stated that the Florida League of Cities is expected to provide additional information on these bills which will be forwarded to Councilors. Councilor Brechnitz informed the Council that his term on the Collier County Coastal Advisory Committee is soon expiring. An item to appoint (or reappoint) a city councilor must be placed on an agenda before May 1. In addition, Councilor Brechnitz stated that the Council should discuss budget expectations before receiving budget requests from department heads. Also, although it’s been a year since the dismissal of two fire marshals, the City has not received answers from the State as to the results of their investigation. He suggested reaching out to Senator Passidomo’s office. Lastly, he would like an estimate of the amount that has been spent to-date from the General Fund for the Short-Term Vacation Rental Program. Councilor Irwin informed the Council that she toured the new Fire Station/Emergency Operations Center and referenced the new Micro Park next to the station. She suggested adding a drinking water fountain to the park to hydrate walkers and dogs. There was unanimous consensus to move forward with the purchase and installation of a drinking fountain. Councilor Irwin also discussed her recent field trip to Picayune Strand Restoration Project, which is addressing sheet flow water quality. Councilor Palumbo mentioned the feature article about Councilor Irwin that recently appeared in Marco Island Living magazine. He further stated that he completed his orientation with the Florida League of Cities and will continue taking more courses. Also, he reached out to Naples Mayor Heitmann to arrange a tour of the Naples Water Treatment facility. He thanked staff for the tour of the new fire station and expressed his positive impressions of the facility. Lastly, Councilor Palumbo asked Assistant City Manager Casey Lucius for an update on Mr. Eagan’s concerns. Chair Folley informed Council that the consultant who has been reviewing the City’s Codes is ready to present his findings. A Council Workshop for this purpose will be scheduled to take place in April. Vice-Chair Grifoni thanked staff for the recent fire station tour, further stating that he was impressed with the facility and many ways it will benefit the people of Marco Island. 15. Council Reports None. 16. City Manager's Report City Manager McNees informed the Council that the Chair of Honor dedication ceremony will take place at 5 pm, Saturday, at Veterans Community Park. 17. City Attorney's Report None. 18. Departmental Reports ID 22-2573 Monthly Departmental Reports Councilor Blonna asked Jeff Poteet, Water & Sewer General about the Isle of Capri’s main line project to the Collier Blvd pump station. He was concerned about the line’s future expansion capabilities. Mr. Poteet stated he believes the existing line meets the build-out demands and he answered questions on potential future changes. Councilor Blonna also asked for clarification about a notation in the report of the Public City of Marco Island Florida Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 6, 2023 Works Department regarding the need to hire a full-time grants coordinator and a full-time project manager. 19. Citizens' Comments Beautification Advisory Committee members Shelli Connelly and Julie McDonald spoke about criteria, registration and deadlines for the Marco In Bloom awards program. Randy Egan (181 Bonita Ct.) spoke about the City’s definition of transient and non-transient lodging establishment. He also spoke about the 12 vs 24-month time frame wording regarding violations, and the timeline of bookings. Councilor Grifoni asked the City Attorney to ensure there was no scriber’s error in the 12 vs 24-month language. 20. Adjournment There being no further business before the Council, Vice-Chair Grifoni adjourned the meeting at 7:04 P.M. _________________________ Jared Grifoni, Council Vice-Chair ATTEST: ________________________ Michael J. Sheffield, City Clerk PREPARED BY: _________________________ Kelley Faulk, Recording Clerk City of Marco Island Florida Page 5