City Council

City of Marco Island Florida 51 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island, Florida cityofmarcoisland.com Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday, February 18, 2025 5:30 PM 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: Alan L. Gabriel City Clerk: Joan Taylor City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 18, 2025 1. Call to Order Vice-Chair Brechnitz called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. 2. Roll Call Present: 6- Councilor Gray, Councilor Goehler, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Vice-Chair Brechnitz Also Present Michael McNees, City Manager Casey Lucius, Assistant City Manager Joan Taylor, City Clerk Alan L. Gabriel, City Attorney Tracy Frazzano, Police Chief Chris Byrne, Fire Chief Guillermo Polanco, Finance Director Daniel J. Smith, Community Affairs Director Justin Martin, Public Works Director Jose Duran, Information Technology Director Joe Parrilli, Fleet & Facilities Manager Samantha Malloy, Parks, Culture & Recreation Manager Martin Luna, Video/Broadcast Technician Jim Kornas, Recording Specialist Citizens and Visitors 3. Invocation Offered by the Reverend James Thelen of the Marco Lutheran Church. 4. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Chair Brechnitz. 5. Approval of the Agenda MOTION by Councilor Gray, seconded by Councilor Palumbo, that the Agenda be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 6- Councilor Gray, Councilor Goehler, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Vice-Chair Brechnitz 6. Approval of the Minutes ID 25-4075 Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes of February 3, 2025 MOTION by Councilor Gray, seconded by Councilor Schwan, that the City Council Meeting Minutes of February 3, 2025, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 6- Councilor Gray, Councilor Goehler, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Vice-Chair Brechnitz 7. Approval of the Consent Agenda City of Marco Island Florida Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 18, 2025 Councilor Schwan requested that Agenda Item 7d (Award of Contract for Kimley-Horn to Provide Construction Documents) be removed from the Consent Agenda. [Editorial Note: The Council's action on this item is now reflected under Agenda Item 13 (Items Removed From the Consent Agenda)] MOTION by Councilor Palumbo, seconded by Councilor Schwan, that the Consent Agenda be Approved as Amended. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 6- Councilor Gray, Councilor Goehler, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Vice-Chair Brechnitz [Approval of the Consent Agenda Approved All Routine Items Listed Below] a. ID 25-4155 Resolution - Approving of the Appointment of Mr. Chris Ricci to the Beach & Coastal Resources Advisory Committee - Joan Taylor, City Clerk b. ID 25-4202 Resolution - Approving of the Appointment of Mr. Chris Ricci to the Audit Advisory Committee - Joan Taylor, City Clerk c. ID 25-4221 Ratification of the Emergency Procurement Expenditure Needed to Complete the Restoration of the Sand Dollar Island Berm that was Damaged during Hurricanes Helene and Milton Consisting of a Change Order to Earth Tech Enterprises, Inc. in the Amount of $255,000, using Collier County Contract #21-7885 - Justin Martin, P.E., Director, Public Works 8. Proclamations and Presentations a. ID 25-4138 Presentation - Recognition of Outgoing City of Marco Island Councilors Vice-Chair Erik Brechnitz, with the support of the City Council, presented former Councilor Becky Irwin with a plaque recognizing her contributions as a Marco Island City Councilor from November 3, 2020 through November 5, 2024. Ms. Irwin thanked the Council and the community for the opportunity to serve the City of Marco Island. Former Councilor Rich Blonna was not present to receive his recognition award. b. ID 25-4115 Presentation - Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) - Update of Long-Range Plan and Roadway Development - Anne McLaughlin, MPO Executive Director Ms. Anne McLaughlin, Executive Director of the Collier County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), shared an update of the Organization's 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan, outlining the process and current stage of plan development to encourage the Council's input. City Councilor Bonita Schwan currently serves as the City Council's representative to this body, and she shared positive comments regarding the Organization's efforts. c. ID 25-4237 Presentation - Planning Board - Jason Bailey, Chairman, Planning Board City of Marco Island Beautification Advisory Committee Chair Marv Needles briefly outlined the key City of Marco Island Florida Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 18, 2025 initiatives undertaken by the Committee to execute its Mission, and he conveyed his intention:1) to meet with each City Councilor to receive her/his input, and; 2) to return later in the calendar year with the Committee's plans to expand its impact and reach in the 2025 - 2026 fiscal year. Several Councilors shared their thoughts for the Beautification Advisory Committee's consideration. 9. Citizens' Comments on Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearing and Items Other Than Those Appearing on the Agenda Mr. Peter Pereene (Tallwood St.) shared his insights on the proper care and maintenance of the artificial turf on the bocce ball courts at Mackle Park. Mr. John Martini (Nassau Ct.) shared perspective on his perceived deficiencies in the City Charter in not allowing for a City-wide election for selecting a seventh City Councilor. The following individuals came forward to express their appreciation for the City Staff's action in engaging with the Collier County School Board to re-open negotiations on the future of the baseball field on the grounds of Tommie Barfield Elementary School, and to communicate the formation of a special non-profit entity (Marco Island Youth Baseball, Inc.) that will commit to fund, and be responsible for, the ongoing maintenance of the field after the City comes to an agreement with the School Board. 1) Mr. Vince Gentile (S. Barfield Dr.) 2) Mr. Mike McGuire (Honeysuckle Ave.) 3) Ms. Lauren Kutzke (Saxon St.) 4) Ms. Kelly Dechaine (Rockport Ct.) 5) Mr. Joe Oliverio (Caxambas Ct.) City Manager Mike McNees noted the need for legal representatives of Marco Island Youth Baseball, Inc., the newly-formed special non-profit entity identified at this meeting, to engage with him quickly to meet the Collier County School Board's expected decision timetable. Mr. McNees also advised that Council that the 2025 fiscal year budget allocation for the City's cancelled trolley pilot program remains uncommitted, but that an amount greater than that project's budget allocation may be required to prepare the field for future play. Mr. Oliverio committed, on behalf of himself and Marco Island Youth Baseball, Inc., to sign an agreement with the City, and to provide the funding necessary over and above the monies available from the City, to ensure that the field meets and is maintained to the required standards for ongoing use. 10. Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing None. 11. Ordinances None. 12. Resolutions & City Council Items a. ID 25-4153 Resolution - Amending Existing Fees for Parks & Recreation Summer Camp Programs - Samantha Malloy, Parks Culture & Recreation Manager, Parks & Recreation City Clerk Joan Taylor read Resolution 25-14 into the record by title only. City Parks, Culture & Recreation Manager Samantha Malloy outlined the rationale for the requested fee modifications, and she addressed several questions from members of the Council. City of Marco Island Florida Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 18, 2025 No members of the public came forward to offer comment. MOTION by Councilor Palumbo, seconded by Councilor Goehler, that Resolution 25-14 - Amending Existing Fees for Parks & Recreation Summer Camp Programs, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL VOTE: Yes: 6- Councilor Gray, Councilor Goehler, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Vice-Chair Brechnitz b. ID 25-4093 Update on the 2025 Completion of the Tigertail Lagoon/Sand Dollar Island Restoration Project and Request for Storm Restoration Costs from Tourist Tax Revenue via Collier County - Justin Martin, P.E., Director, Public Works City Public Works Director Justin Martin introduced Mr. Mohamed Dabees, Vice-President & Senior Coastal Modeler/Project Manager with Humiston & Moore Engineers, who provided an in-depth review of the ongoing structure and system of natural land forms and sand reclamation processes used to restore and maintain the Tigertail Lagoon / Sand Dollar Island ecosystem on Marco Island. Following Mr. Dabees' presentation, Director Martin requested that the Council authorize the City Staff to request reimbursement for storm restoration costs from the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC) in the amount of $575,073.00. No members of the public came forward to offer comment. MOTION by Councilor Palumbo, seconded by Councilor Henry, that Authorization of the City Manager to Request Storm Restoration Costs from the Tourist Tax Revenue from the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC) in the Amount of $575,073.00, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL VOTE: Yes: 6- Councilor Gray, Councilor Goehler, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Vice-Chair Brechnitz c. ID 25-4151 Approval of American Legion Post 404 Proposed Vietnam Veterans Memorial Statue - Dr. Casey Lucius, Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager Casey Lucius briefly outlined the Council's direction to the City Staff and American Legion Post 404 at the Council's April 22, 2024 meeting. She was followed by Mr. Rene Champagne, member and representative of American Legion Post 404, who requested Council approval of the Legion's reduced height and width dimensions of its proposed bronze Vietnam Veterans Memorial for placement at Veterans Community Park. Public Comment Mr. Joe Oliverio (Caxambas Ct.) conveyed his support of the Legion's proposal, and he encouraged the Council's approval. MOTION by Councilor Brechnitz, seconded by Councilor Gray, that the reduced thirty (30) inch high, twenty-five (25) foot wide design of the bronze Vietnam Veterans Memorial proposed by American Legion Post 404 for the Legion's creation and placement at Veterans Community Park during calendar year 2026, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL VOTE: Yes: 6- Councilor Gray, Councilor Goehler, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Vice-Chair Brechnitz City of Marco Island Florida Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 18, 2025 13. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda 7d. ID 25-4227 Award of Contract for Kimley-Horn to Provide Construction Documents, Permitting, and Construction Phase Services for the Beach Beautification Project in the Amount of $74,750 - Joe Parrilli, Manager, Fleet & Facilities City of Marco Island Fleet & Facilities Manager Joe Parrilli briefly outlined the scope of the planned beach pathway access enhancement project at the Winterberry Drive and Maple Avenue locations, and he requested approval of the proposed contract award. No members of the public came forward to offer comment. MOTION by Councilor Schwan, seconded by Councilor Palumbo, that Authorization for the City Manager to Award the Contract to Provide Construction Documents, Permitting, and Construction Phase Services to Kimley-Horn for the Beach Beautification Project in the Amount of $74,750.00, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL VOTE: Yes: 6- Councilor Gray, Councilor Goehler, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Vice-Chair Brechnitz 14. Council Communications & Future Agenda Councilor Schwan requested that: 1) the Planning Board be the next-scheduled City Board/Committee to provide its update to the Council; 2) the Bike Path Volunteer Committee be formalized as standing City Committee, and; 3) the City Staff draft a Resolution supporting the requirement that hands free phones be used when driving as is currently being considered by the Florida legislature. Additionally, Councilor Schwan asked that the City's Legislative Consultant be tasked with tracking and providing periodic updates on a Florida Senate Bill recognizing the re-naming of the Gulf of America. Councilor Palumbo expressed his support for formalizing the Bike Path Volunteer Committee as proposed by Councilor Schwan. He acknowledged and asked Marco Island Police Chief Tracy Frazzano to briefly comment on the Police Department's action in sponsoring candidates to attend the Police Academy, and he acknowledged and thanked the members of The Family Church for hosting a luncheon for the employees of the City of Marco Island. Councilor Palumbo offered his congratulations to Councilor Deb Henry on her receipt of the Spirit of Marco Award from the Noontime Rotary, and he lauded the donations and generosity exhibited by citizens of the Island stepping up to help fund activities that advance and promote the community. He also recognized the Flags for Heroes display along San Marco Road at Sand Hill Street, and he took a few moments to recognize and thank former City Councilor Rich Blonna for all of his contributions to the City and the citizens of Marco Island. Later, during Councilor Henry's remarks, Councilor Palumbo asked City Attorney Alan Gabriel to provide an outline of the procedure and steps required for the Council to propose and receive voter approval to amend the City Charter. Also, during the City Manager's Report (Agenda Item 16), Councilor Palumbo requested that, in the future, the City Clerk recognize the successful completion of the service provided by City Board / Committee appointees with formal letters of appreciation from the City. Councilor Goehler thanked all who participated in her Water Quality Town Hall meeting on January 30, 2025, and she recognized City Water & Sewer Department General Manager Jeff Poteet and his staff for City of Marco Island Florida Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 18, 2025 their annual Valentine's Day Open House and Tour. Vice-Chair Brechnitz advised the Council of his meeting with the City's annual financial auditing firm, and he requested that a regular reporting of capital projects approved by the Council but not yet completed be provided to the Council on a regular basis. Vice-Chair Brechnitz also requested an update from City Public Works Director Justin Martin on the status of the contract award for the traffic congestion improvement project planned for the intersection of Collier Boulevard and North Barfield Drive. Councilor Henry requested clarification from City Attorney Alan Gabriel on the proper procedure to request a reconsideration of the Council's action and vote at its February 3, 2025 meeting on Agenda Item 12 (Award of Contract to Kimley-Horn for Grant Writing Services in the Amount of $75,000.00). The Motion failed by a vote of 3 - 3 at the February 3rd meeting. Following the information provided by Attorney Alan Gabriel, a Motion and Second to reconsider the Council's decision was advanced. (No members of the public came forward to offer comment.) MOTION by Councilor Palumbo, seconded by Councilor Schwan, that reconsideration of the Council's decision on Agenda Item 12 (Award of Contract to Kimley-Horn for Grant Writing Services in the Amount of $75,000.00) as recorded at the Council's February 3, 2025 meeting, be Approved for return to the Council's next meeting. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL VOTE: Yes: 5- Councilor Gray, Councilor Goehler, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo and Councilor Schwan No: 1- Vice-Chair Brechnitz ID 25-4077 Future Agenda Items Councilor Schwan asked the following be placed on the Council's Future Agenda: 1) a report by the City's Planning Board for the Council's March 3, 2025 Agenda; 2) review and approval of a Resolution creating a City Bike Path Committee, and; 3) review and approval of a Resolution supporting the use of hands free phones when driving 15. Council Reports ID 25-4061 Citizen Advisory Committee - Councilor Tamara Goehler Councilor Goehler reviewed the proposal outlined in her white paper to establish an Ad-Hoc Citizen's Advisory Committee. All members of the Council offered comment and thoughts on Councilor Goehler's proposal. No members of the public came forward to offer comment. Vice-Chair Brechnitz requested that Councilor Goehler further investigate and propose a budget for the activities that she envisions for this Ad-Hoc Committee, and return to the Council with her proposal at a future date. 16. City Manager's Report City Manager Mike McNees advised the Council of a meeting between residents of the Isles of Capri and Collier County Staff during the week of February 10, 2025 regarding a desire to undertake a septic to sewer conversion for that community. City Manager McNees noted that it was communicated that a majority of the residents of the Isles of Capri City of Marco Island Florida Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 18, 2025 favor this conversion, and he advised the Council that the Marco Island City Staff is studying how a similar septic to sewer conversion was recently handled by the City of Naples and Collier County officials. Mr. McNees was asked to remain mindful of the cost/benefit allocation between the community and the City of Marco Island in committing to a project of this nature, and he was reminded of the Goodland community's eventual need to consider a future septic to sewer conversion. 17. City Attorney's Report ID 25-4078 City Attorney’s Report None. 18. Departmental Reports ID 25-4079 Monthly Departmental Reports No comments or questions were raised regarding the Monthly Department Reports. 19. Citizens' Comments No members of the public came forward to offer comment during this portion of the meeting. 20. Adjournment There being no further business before the Council, Vice-Chair Brechnitz adjourned the meeting at 8:38 P.M. ___________________________ Erik Brechnitz, Council Vice-Chair ATTEST: ____________________________________ Joan Taylor, City Clerk PREPARED BY: ___________________________ Jim Kornas, Recording Specialist City of Marco Island Florida Page 7