City Council
Regular MeetingMarco Island, FL · December 2, 2024
Minutes
City of Marco Island Florida
51 Bald Eagle Drive
Marco Island, Florida
cityofmarcoisland.com
Meeting Minutes - Final
Monday, December 2, 2024
1:00 PM
Special-Called Meeting
Community Meeting Room
City Council
Chair: TBD
Vice-Chair: Erik Brechnitz
City Council: Stephen Gray,
Tamara Goehler, Deb Henry,
Darrin Palumbo, Bonita Schwan
City Manager: Mike McNees
Assistant City Manager: Casey Lucius
City Attorney: David Tolces
City Clerk: Joan Taylor
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 2, 2024
1. Call to Order
Vice-Chair Brechnitz called the Special-Called Meeting to order at 1:13 P.M.
2. Roll Call
Present: 6- Vice-Chair Brechnitz, Councilor Gray, Councilor Goehler, Councilor Henry,
Councilor Palumbo and Councilor Schwan
Also Present
Michael McNees, City Manager
Casey Lucius, Assistant City Manager
Joan Taylor, City Clerk
David Tolces, City Attorney
Tracy Frazzano, Police Chief
Chris Byrne, Fire Chief
Daniel J. Smith, Community Affairs Director
Jose Duran, Information Technology Director
Martin Luna, Video/Broadcast Technician
Jim Kornas, Recording Specialist
Citizens and Visitors
3. Approval of the Agenda
MOTION by Councilor Palumbo, seconded by Councilor Schwan, that the Agenda
be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE:
Yes: 6- Vice-Chair Brechnitz, Councilor Gray, Councilor Goehler, Councilor Henry,
Councilor Palumbo and Councilor Schwan
4. Business - Selection of Three (3) Finalists to Fill City Council Vacancy
ID 24-3978 Selection of Three (3) Finalists for the City Council Appointment - Joan
Taylor, City Clerk
Vice-Chair Brechnitz opened the meeting by briefly highlighting the residency requirement for candidates
who have submitted their applications, and he asked Assistant City Attorney David Tolces to review the
obligations of the Council under the State of Florida's Sunshine Law.
Vice-Chair Brechnitz then outlined the genesis of the process that he proposed to refine the
self-nominating candidate pool of twenty-four (24) candidates to fill the Council's seventh seat, and he
commented on the depth and quality of the candidates who nominated themselves for the Council's
consideration.
Under the process as proposed, as few as one (1) and as many as six (6) self-nominating candidates
could potentially advance to personal, one-on-one interviews with each City Councilor member.
Confirmation of Process
Vice-Chair Brechnitz opened the floor and received questions, comments, and input from members of the
Council on his proposed process.
MOTION by Councilor Gray, seconded by Councilor Goehler, that the proposed
City Council process for identifying up to six (6) City Council interview candidates
be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL VOTE:
City of Marco Island Florida Page 1
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 2, 2024
Yes: 6- Vice-Chair Brechnitz, Councilor Gray, Councilor Goehler, Councilor Henry,
Councilor Palumbo and Councilor Schwan
Process Procedure and Result
The Council, with the assistance of City Clerk Joan Taylor, engaged in three rounds of balloting to identify
a pool of City Council candidates to advance to one-on-one interviews with each member of the City
Council.
Round One
Each Councilor was provided a paper ballot with a list of twenty-four (24) self-nominating candidates. Each
Councilor was allowed to choose as many candidates as desired. Those candidates receiving at least
three (3) votes advanced to the Second Round of balloting.
[Editorial Note: The Meeting went into recess at 1:37 P.M to allow the City Clerk to tabulate the results of
Round One. It is noted for the record that all Councilors were present when the Meeting reconvened at
1:57 P.M.]
Round Two
Seven (7) candidates received at least three votes during Round One and were listed on a new paper ballot
for each Councilor's consideration. Each Councilor was allowed to choose her/his top four (4) candidates
from this list. Those candidates receiving at least three (3) votes advanced to the Third Round of balloting.
Round Three
All seven (7) candidates received at least three votes during Round Two, and all were listed on a new
ballot for Round Three. Vice-Chair Brechnitz then offered the members of the Council an opportunity to
comment on, or offer her/his recommendation for, one or more of the listed seven (7) candidates. No
Councilors commented. Each Councilor was then asked to mark the one, most-preferred candidate that
she/he would like to see advance to a round of personal, one-on-one interviews.
Four (4) final candidates were identified (alphabetical, by last name):
1) Mr. Daniel Bryant
2) Mr. David Leaser
3) Ms. Teri Sommerfeld
4) Mr. Martin Winter
All candidate interviews with members of the City Council are to be completed on or before 5:00 PM
(Eastern), December 20, 2024.
The selection and appointment of the seventh Marco Island Councilor is scheduled to be conducted at the
January 6, 2025 regular meeting of the Marco Island City Council .
5. Citizens' Comments
No members of the public came forward to offer comment.
6. Adjourn
There being no further business before the Council, Vice-Chair Brechnitz adjourned the Special-Called
Meeting at 2:20 P.M.
City of Marco Island Florida Page 2
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 2, 2024
___________________________
Erik Brechnitz, Council Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Joan Taylor, City Clerk
PREPARED BY:
___________________________
Jim Kornas, Recording Specialist
City of Marco Island Florida Page 3
Agenda
51 Bald Eagle Drive
City of Marco Island Florida Marco Island, Florida
cityofmarcoisland.com
Meeting Agenda - Final
City Council
Chair: TBD
Vice-Chair: Erik Brechnitz
City Council: Stephen Gray,
Tamara Goehler, Deb Henry,
Darrin Palumbo, Bonita Schwan
City Manager: Mike McNees
Assistant City Manager: Casey Lucius
City Attorney: David Tolces
City Clerk: Joan Taylor
Monday, December 2, 2024 1:00 PM Community Meeting Room
Special-Called Meeting
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of the Agenda
4. Business - Selection of Three (3) Finalists to Fill City Council Vacancy
ID 24-3978 Selection of Three (3) Finalists for the City Council Appointment - Joan
Taylor, City Clerk
City of Marco Island Florida Page 1 Printed on 12/2/2024
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final December 2, 2024
Attachments: Anthony Costantino
Bryan Johnson
Chris Ricci
Dr. Chrissann Ruehle
Claire Babrowski
Daniel Byant
David Crain
David Leaser
Dennis Bartolucci
Edwin Johnson
John Aguis
Joseph Carosia
Kristy Strickland
Mario Curiale
Martin Winter
Michael Dowell
Nanette Rivera
Peter Barlome
Ralph Rohena
Reza Mahdavi
Richard Schulte
Ryan Sullivan
Sheelah Yawitz
Teri Sommerfeld
Thomas Fontana
5. Citizens' Comments
[4 minutes per individual – comments for items other than those appearing on the agenda]
6. Adjourn
City of Marco Island Florida Page 2 Printed on 12/2/2024
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final December 2, 2024
All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting and participate in the discussion; or,
written comments may be sent to the City of Marco Island, 50 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island, FL.
34145. Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any decision
made by City Council with respect to any matter considered at such hearing or meeting, one will
need a record of the proceedings for such purpose that person may need to ensure that a verbatim
record of the proceedings is made; such record includes the testimony and evidence upon which
the appeal is to based. ADA Assistance: Anyone needing special assistance at the City Council
hearing due to disability should contact the City of Marco Island at (239) 389-5010 at least two
days prior thereto if you would like to receive any of the items on the agenda by email. Please
contact the City Clerk at jtaylor@cityofmarcoisland.com if you would like to receive any of the
items on the agenda by email.
Any Invocation that may be offered before the official start of the Council meeting shall be voluntary
offering of a private citizen, to and for the benefit of the Council. The views and beliefs expressed
by the invocation speaker have not been previously reviewed or approved by the Council, and the
Council is not allowed by law to endorse the religious beliefs or views of this, or any speaker.
Marco Island City Council Rules of Decorum
The City of Marco Island is committed to the First Amendment principal of free speech and to full
and open discussion of the City’s business in open forum. It also recognizes that in order to
ensure meetings of the City Council are conducted in a manner that allows the business of the
City to be effectively conducted, and ensures that members of the public can be heard in a fair,
impartial and respectful manner, that reasonable rules based on time, place, and manner of that
speech are in order. The members of the Marco Island City Council, employees of the City of
Marco Island, and citizen participants are expected to reflect proper decorum and treat each other
with courtesy and respect as follows:
• The City Council Chair is in control of the meeting at all times. The Chair is granted wide
discretion to interpret and enforce these rules of decorum and other City Council Policies and
Procedures.
• When recognized by the Chair, citizen participants will address all comments to the
Chair, speaking from the designated podium. No individual shall make slanderous, disparaging or
unduly repetitive remarks.
• Only those persons who have signed for a particular item of business will be given the
opportunity to speak. Exceptions may be granted at the sole discretion of the Chair.
• Demonstrations in the form of clapping, applauding, heckling or other verbal outbursts in
support or in opposition to a speaker during his or her remarks are not permitted. Such
demonstrations between speakers may be further limited by the Chair should they serve to disrupt
the orderly conduct of the meeting.
• For the safety of all in the chambers, signs, placards, or anything blocking sightlines,
entrances, exits or aisles in the City Council Chambers are not permitted.
• No more than one person may stand in the aisles or at the dais. Individuals waiting to be
recognized shall wait in an area designated by the City. Persons exiting the council chambers
shall do so quietly.
• Anyone who violates these Rules of Decorum may forfeit their right to speak and may be
asked to leave or cease their public comment at the discretion of the Chair.
Citizen Comment on Consent Agenda Items
• Items listed under Consent Agenda are viewed to be routine and the recommendation will be
enacted by one motion. If discussion is desired by the Council, the item(s) will be removed from
the Consent Agenda and will be considered separately.
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City Council Meeting Agenda - Final December 2, 2024
• Anyone wishing to comment on any item on the Consent Agenda should submit a Speakers
Request Card before these item(s) are considered. Each speaker is limited to three (3) minutes on
any item removed from the Consent Agenda.
City of Marco Island Florida Page 4 Printed on 12/2/2024
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