City Council

City of Marco Island Florida 51 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island, Florida cityofmarcoisland.com Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, June 2, 2025 5:30 PM Community Meeting Room City Council Chair: Erik Brechnitz Vice-Chair: Stephen Gray City Council: Rene Champagne, 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 June 2, 2025 1. Call to Order Chair Brechnitz called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. 2. Roll Call Present: 7- Councilor Champagne, Councilor Goehler, Vice-Chair Gray, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and 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 Mat Marshall, Deputy Fire Chief Guillermo Polanco, Finance Director Daniel J. Smith, Community Affairs Director Justin Martin, Public Works Director Jeff Poteet, Water & Sewer General Manager Joe Parrilli, Fleet & Facilities Manager Sonia Iszler, Water & Sewer Engineering & Operations Manager Martin Luna, Video/Broadcast Technician Jim Kornas, Recording Specialist Citizens and Visitors 3. Invocation Offered by the Reverend Ed Brandt of the United Church of Marco Island. 4. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Reverend Ed Brandt. 5. Approval of the Agenda MOTION by Councilor Schwan, seconded by Councilor Champagne, that the Agenda be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Champagne, Councilor Goehler, Vice-Chair Gray, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Chair Brechnitz 6. Approval of the Minutes ID 25-4129 Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2025 Attachments: City Council Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2025 MOTION by Councilor Goehler, seconded by Councilor Schwan, that the City Council Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2025, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Champagne, Councilor Goehler, Vice-Chair Gray, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Chair Brechnitz City of Marco Island Florida Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 7. Approval of Consent Agenda MOTION by Vice-Chair Gray, seconded by Councilor Henry, that the Consent Agenda be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Champagne, Councilor Goehler, Vice-Chair Gray, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Chair Brechnitz [Approval of the Consent Agenda Passed All Routine Items Listed Below] a. ID 25-4451 Resolution - Approving of the Appointment of Mr. Fred Kramer to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee by Councilor Rene Champagne - Joan Taylor, City Clerk Attachments: Resolution 25-26 Application - Fred Kramer b. ID 25-4463 Resolution - Approving Appointments to the Audit Advisory Committee by Vice-Chairman Gray, Councilor Goehler, Councilor Henry, and Councilor Schwan - Joan Taylor, City Clerk Attachments: Resolution 25-27 Application - Thomas Fontana Application - Elena McFann Application - Jeffrey Michaels Application - Teri Sommerfeld c. ID 25-4481 Resolution - Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Utility Design Agreement with the FDOT Consultant (Financial Project No. 445460-1-32-02) and a Three-Party Escrow Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation and the State of Florida, Department of Financial Services, and the City of Marco Island for the Relocation of Its Water and Sewer Mains within the Limits of FPID 445460-1-52-01 Caxambas Court / Robert Bay Bridge #034112, in the Amount of $161,351.34 - Jeffrey E. Poteet, General Manager, Water & Sewer Department Attachments: Resolution 25-28 Utility Design by FDOT Consultant Agreement Caxambas Court Three Party Escrow Agreement Scope of Services 8. Proclamations and Presentations ID 25-4123 Employee Service Awards: Michael Chidester - 15 Years Anthony Ferraro - 5 Years City of Marco Island Florida Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 City Manager Mike McNees recognized and called forward City Employees Anthony Ferraro and Michael Chidester individually to receive their appreciation of service recognition and pin as presented by City Council Chairman Erik Brechnitz. 9. Citizens' Comments on Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearing and Items Other Than Those Appearing on the Agenda Mr. Andrew Tyler (N. Collier Blvd.), assisted by Mr. Rick Woodworth (N. Barfield Dr.), outlined the results of their study of canal water for the presence of caffeine and sucralose in mid-March, 2025. Mr. Tom Gunkel (Coronado Ct.) shared his experience and difficulties in obtaining permission to: 1) remove his existing boat, and; 2) take delivery of a new boat at Caxambas Park under the limitations for commercial operations at that location since its re-opening after Hurricane Ian. Mr. Ken Honecker (Dorando Ct.) shared a perspective on his experience as a Marco Island City Councilor from 2012 through 2016 during which: 1) the City's pay-as-you go funding process was implemented for ongoing capital improvement initiatives; 2) an LCEC franchise fee was in effect, and 3) annual ad valorem tax millage rate increases were set below the rate of the annual increase of property values. He offered his thoughts on the impact of these and other potential ways to increase City revenues. He also offered his comments on paying a special assessment fee for Water Treatment upgrades and offered consideration for who should pay for future upgrade initiatives concerning Reuse Water . Mr. Brad Henson (Marco Island resident) complimented Marco Island Police Officer Alex Cordero for the compassion he displayed toward an elderly gentleman with a severe medical condition on Marco Island. Mr. David Rasmussen (Caxambas Ct.) relayed accusations that were directed toward him and the other co-founders of Clean Marco Waters LLC related to the recent vandalism of re-use water irrigation heads in the medians along Collier Boulevard. He also commented on the caffeine and sucralose results that were presented by Messrs. Andrew Tyler and Rick Woodworth earlier during Agenda Item #9 (Citizens' Comments). Mr. David Crain (Gayer Way) shared photos of straw-like debris that he recently discovered floating in his canal, and he conveyed his understanding that it is an indication of beneficial manatee grass returning to the area's coastal waters. 10. City Manager's Report City Manager Mike McNees advised the Council of the funeral arrangements for former Marco Island City Councilor Robert (Bob) Brown. The Council observed a moment of silence in honor of Mr. Brown. 11. City Attorney's Report In a response to a question from City Council Chair Erik Brechnitz, City Attorney Alan Gabriel reported that the City currently has three (3) workman’s compensation claims pending. 12. Departmental Reports ID 25-4132 Monthly Departmental Reports Attachments: Public Works Water & Sewer Police Vice-Chair Gray queried Public Works Director Justin Martin on the status of the City’s tidal flushing City of Marco Island Florida Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 projects and whether he has observed any recent change in the State’s responsiveness on infrastructure improvement grant requests. Councilor Champagne, in response to a recent email received by members of the Council which negatively characterized aspects of the City’s re-use water, queried Water & Sewer General Manager Jeff Poteet on the qualities of the City’s re-use water relative to the State of Florida's re-use water standards. 13. Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing None. 14. Ordinances A. Public Hearings ID 25-4482 Ordinance - Second Reading - Amending Sec. 30-526 of the Land Development Code (LDC) - Signs in Commercial, Public Use and Community Facility Districts, to Allow for Government Information Signs in Parks, which are only in Public Use (P) Zoning Districts, and Section 30-530 - Definitions, Adding a Definition for Government Information Signs - Daniel J. Smith, AICP, Director - Community Affairs/Growth Management Attachments: Ordinance 25-04 Redlined Ordinance 25-04 for Second Reading Business Impact Estimate 25-04 Ordinance 25-04 Legal Notice Affidavit City Clerk Joan Taylor read Ordinance 25-04 into the record by title only. Marco Island Community Affairs Director Daniel Smith briefly reviewed the direction provided by the Council at the First Reading of this Ordinance at the Council's May 19, 2025 meeting, and he addressed questions from members of the Council. Chair Brechnitz requested that the phrase " ... and in public areas ..." be removed from the title for Ordinance 25-04. Public Comment Ms. Sheelah Yawitz (N. Collier Blvd.) read from prepared remarks outlining elements of the proposed Ordinance that she felt were inconsistent with the Council's direction from the First Reading of the Ordinance on May 19, 2025. Ms. Yahwitz requested that: 1) the application of the proposed Ordinance be limited to government information sign placements at Veterans Community Park and Mackle Park; 2) any proposed sign design first go before the Marco Island Planning Board for approval before being elevated to the City Council, and; 3) the full cost of procurement, electricity usage, maintenance, and damage/replacement insurance be determined prior to any governmental information sign approval and acquisition. City of Marco Island Florida Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 [Editorial Note: a copy of Ms. Yahwitz's prepared remarks may be found at www.cityofmarcoisland.com > Menus > Our Government/Agendas and Minutes > City Council 6/2/25 > Meeting Details] Ms. Dolores Siegel (Gumbo Limbo Ln.), Chair of the Marco Island Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee, advised the Council of her understanding of the donor's request that limited the placement of an electronic government information sign to Veterans Community Park. City Manager Mike McNees reminded the Council that the Ordinance before the Council for approval only addresses the proposed "rules" for electronic signs in public use. Absent other direction from the Council, the City Staff is focused on proceeding with the donor's request at Veterans Community Park. MOTION by Councilor Palumbo, seconded by Councilor Schwan, that Ordinance 25-04 - Second Reading - Amending Section 30-526 of the Land Development Code (LDC) - Signs in Commercial, Public Use and Community Facility Districts, , to allow for Government Information Signs with a Combined Electronic Face not to Exceed 48 Square Feet in Public Use Zoning Districts, with elimination of the phrase "and in Public Areas" in the title of the Ordinance, and Section 30-530 - Definitions, Adding a Definition for "Government Information Signs", be Approved on Second Reading. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Champagne, Councilor Goehler, Vice-Chair Gray, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Chair Brechnitz B. First Readings None. 15. Resolutions & City Council Items a. ID 25-4475 Award of Contract of the 2025 Annual Street Resurfacing Project to the Lowest Responsible Bidder, Preferred Materials, Inc., in the Amount of $1,470,902.3 - Justin Martin, P.E., Public Works Director Attachments: Notice of Intent 2025-025 Bid Tabulation 2025 Annual Resurfacing Map Preferred Materials, Inc. Proposal Marco Island Public Works Director Justin Martin presented a map identifying the City's proposed annual street resurfacing plans for 2025 in support of the proposed contract award, and he addressed several questions from members of the Council. Public Comment Ms. Jane Hansen (Marco Island resident) requested that the City pay particular attention to maintaining the appropriate width of its bike lanes as its street resurfacing project is implemented. MOTION by Vice-Chair Gray, seconded by Councilor Palumbo, that the Award of Contract of the City's 2025 Annual Street Resurfacing Project to the Lowest City of Marco Island Florida Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 Responsible Bidder, Preferred Materials, Inc., in the Amount of $1,470,902.34, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Champagne, Councilor Goehler, Vice-Chair Gray, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Chair Brechnitz b. ID 25-4439 Award of Contract to Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI), to Implement Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Lead and Copper Service Line Survey in the Amount of $11,582,180.00 - Jeffrey E. Poteet, General Manager, Water & Sewer Department Attachments: Johnson Controls Performance Contract 2025-033 Marco Island Water & Sewer General Manager Jeff Poteet, assisted by Mr. Adam Kane, Account Executive - Water Resiliency Division, Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI) , outlined the results of JCI's Investment Grade Audit (IGA) approved by the Council at its April 22, 2024 meeting, along with its projected operational and financial benefits to the City in implementing Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technology and water meters across Marco Island. Mr. Poteet also outlined the opportunity presented by this project to concurrently comply with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency's Lead and Copper Rule Revision (LCRR) which mandates that water utilities conduct field verifications to document the material of each water service line. No members of the public came forward to offer comment. MOTION by Councilor Palumbo, seconded by Councilor Schwan, that the Award of a Contract to Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) to Implement Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Lead and Copper Service Line Survey in the Amount of $11,582,180.00, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Champagne, Councilor Goehler, Vice-Chair Gray, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Chair Brechnitz c. ID 25-4480 Award of Contract to Rycon Construction for $570,873.48 and the Reappropriation of $130,586.48 in Funds from Racquet Center Project - Joe Parrilli, Manager, Fleet & Facilities Attachments: Rycon Bid City of Marco Island Fleet & Facilities Manager Joe Parrilli reviewed the result of the City's solicitation of contractor quotes to replace the Airnasium at Mackle Park, and his proposed reapportioning of $130,586.48 from the City's cancelled Marco Island Racquet Center project, to fully fund the Airnasium replacement during FY2025. Mr. Parrilli also proposed that the remaining $503,206.47 from the cancelled Racquet Center project be redirected towards projects, such as: 1) removing the currently unusable racquetball building and conversion of that space into additional parking; 2) the re-surfacing of four (4) tennis courts; 3) the possible re-purposing of one (1) tennis court for pickleball, and; 4) installation of Acoustiblok sound panels on the remainder of the facility's fence line City of Marco Island Florida Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 Public Comment Mr. Michael Josephs (Wintergreen Ct.) raised concern with the delay in addressing the renovation of the Airnasium and the need for future maintenance of the structure. MOTION by Councilor Schwan, seconded by Councilor Goehler, that Authorization for the City Manager to Award a contract to Rycon Construction, Inc. in the amount of $570,873.48 for the replacement of the Airnasium at Mackle Park, with the reapportionment of $130,586.48 from the Racquet Center Improvement Project, and the remainder of the Racquet Center Improvement Project Budget allocated towards the Racquet Center Facility upgrades and maintenance projects. Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Champagne, Councilor Goehler, Vice-Chair Gray, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Chair Brechnitz d. ID 25-4479 Award of Contract to Wes Industries, Inc. for the South Water Treatment Plant Odor Control Rehabilitation Project in the Amount of $884,432.97 - Jeffrey E. Poteet, General Manager, Water & Sewer Department Attachments: Bid Tab Wes Industries Inc. Bid Proposal City of Marco Island Water & Sewer General Manager Jeff Poteet briefly outlined the situation and condition of the odor control system at the City’s South Water Treatment Plant, and he presented the results of the bid solicitation process that identified the proposed vendor. No members of the public came forward to offer comment. MOTION by Councilor Champagne, seconded by Councilor Schwan, that Authorization for the City Manager to award a contract to Wes Industries, Inc., for the South Water Treatment Plant Odor Control Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $884,432.97, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL VOTE: Yes: 7- Councilor Champagne, Councilor Goehler, Vice-Chair Gray, Councilor Henry, Councilor Palumbo, Councilor Schwan and Chair Brechnitz (THE MEETING WENT INTO RECESS AT 7:27 P.M. IT IS NOTED FOR THE RECORD THAT ALL COUNCILORS WERE PRESENT WHEN THE MEETING RECONVENED AT 7:35 P.M.) 16.. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda No Items were removed from the Consent Agenda at this meeting. 17. Council Communications & Future Agenda Councilor Schwan asked City Attorney Alan Gabriel when a draft ordinance regarding bicycles, e-bikes, and micro-wheeled vehicles might be ready for Council review. City Attorney Gabriel offered his estimated City of Marco Island Florida Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 timeline in response. Councilor Palumbo commented on the passing of former Marco Island City Councilor Robert (Bob) Brown, and he noted the misspelling of a citizen’s name in the draft of the Minutes of the Council’s May 19, 2025 Meeting. [Editorial Note: the error was identified and corrected prior to the finalization and publishing of those Minutes] Later during Council Communications, Councilor Palumbo added his support for the comments offered by Councilors Champagne, Henry, and Goehler, and he reminded his colleague Councilors that the Council will soon need to address several difficult decisions regarding access and allowable activities at Caxambas Park. Vice-Chair Gray reminded the community that the City's seasonal fertilizer ban went into effect beginning June 1st. He also noted that local radio station 98.1 WBGY is an excellent resource for up-to-date information for Marco Island residents and guests. Vice-Chair Gray requested an understanding of the implications to the City of Marco Island should the Big Marco Pass be classified as a Federal waterway. City Manager McNees volunteered to compose a memo with the relevant implications for distribution to members of the Council, and Councilor Schwan noted that Mr. Daniel High, Marco Island’s representative to the Collier County Coastal Advisory Board (CAC), recently provided insight on this matter to the CAC. Councilor Champagne thanked the members of the City Council and the public who attended the Marco Island Academy’s senior class graduation, and the American Legion Post 404’s Memorial Day Celebration at Veterans Community Park. He encouraged all members of the public to attend the City Council’s July 7, 2025 Water Quality Workshop beginning at 1:00 P.M. in the Community Meeting Room. Councilor Henry recognized and reinforced the understanding that, when City Councilors attend and observe the meetings of City Committees and Boards, those Committees and Boards retain their “ownership” of the meeting agenda and process. Councilor Henry also advised the Council that a Little Pink Houses of Hope retreat for families affected by breast cancer will be hosted on Marco Island during the week of June 1 – 7, 2025. Councilor Goehler added her congratulations and thanks to Councilor Champagne’s recognition of the graduation event at Marco Island Academy and the Memorial Day Celebration at Veterans Community Park. Chair Brechnitz expressed surprise at the reported increase in average daily traffic counts coming over the Judge SS Jolley Bridge as noted in the Marco Island Police Department's Monthly Report, and he offered his thoughts on the likely reasons for the observed increase. Chair Brechnitz concluded by asking City Manager Mike McNees to briefly summarize his thoughts on the Charity "Roast" that was conducted to benefit the Marco Island Center for the Arts on May 31, 2025. ID 25-4131 Future Agenda Items Attachments: Future Agenda A Resolution to consider modifications to the City's Noise Ordinance was requested to be added to the City's Future Agenda during the Council's discussion of Agenda Item 18b (Noise Ordinance - Councilor Stephen Gray). 18. Council Reports City of Marco Island Florida Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 a. ID 25-4477 Solicitation of Vendor's Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) project - Councilor Tamara Goehler Attachments: White Paper- Advanced Water Treatment Plant Upgrade in Marco Island Councilor Tamara Goehler engaged the Council in a discussion of Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) technology and her recommendation that the City Staff be directed to solicit vendor requests for proposals (RFPs) for potential future implementation by the City's Water & Sewer utility. The following members of the public shared perspectives and insights for the Council's consideration: 1) Mr. Walter Kamme (Snowberry Ct.) 2) Mr. David Rasmussen (Caxambas Ct.) 3) Mr. David Crain (Gayer Way) Following significant dialogue regarding Councilor Goehler's recommendation, Chair Brechnitz received Council consensus to defer further consideration of this matter until after the Council's already-scheduled July 7, 2025 Water Quality Workshop. Motion To Extend the Meeting MOTION by Councilor Palumbo, seconded by Vice-Chair Gray, to extend the City Council Meeting to conclude no later than 9:35 P.M. NO VOTE WAS SOLICITED BY CHAIR BRECHNITZ. THE MEETING CONTINUED WITHOUT OBJECTION. b. ID 25-4476 Noise Ordinance - Councilor Stephen Gray Attachments: White Paper - Noise Ordinance Vice-Chair Gray, in advancing the concerns expressed by his voter base, outlined his proposed modifications to the City's existing Noise Ordinance and related enforcement procedures to encourage greater Ordinance compliance and reduce reported noise-related incidents. Following extensive Council dialogue, the following members of the public came forward to offer their perspectives and insights for the Council's consideration: Mr. Walter Kamme (Snowberry Ct.) Ms. Olga Cadieu (Fruitland Ave.) Mr. Robert Vetrano (Tahiti Rd.) Mr. David Rippe (S. Collier Blvd.) Mr. Mark Morze (Bimini Ave.) Mr. Brad Henson (Marco Island resident) Chair Erik Brechnitz recommended that Vice-Chair Gray engage with the City Staff in drafting a Resolution encompassing his proposed modifications for Council consideration and vote at a future meeting of the Council. 19. Citizens' Comments Ms. Teri Sommerfeld (San Marco Rd.) encouraged the Council to consider the perspective of residents who have observed and experienced the ramifications of water and noise conditions that have changed on the Island long before they (the members of the Council) have been in office. She reminded the Council that these people, and others, are looking to the Council for solutions. City of Marco Island Florida Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 20. Adjournment There being no further business before the Council, Chair Brechnitz adjourned the meeting at 9:35 P.M. ___________________________ Erik Brechnitz, Council Chair ATTEST: ____________________________________ Joan Taylor, City Clerk PREPARED BY: ___________________________ Jim Kornas, Recording Specialist City of Marco Island Florida Page 10