Another Marathon Session for Council

The Marco Island City Council held another marathon set of meetings Monday, beginning with a closed session to discuss contract negotiations just before noon, returning for an afternoon session that ran from 1 pm to approximately 4 pm to discuss staff’s proposed 2021-2022 capital budget, then reconvening at 5:30 pm for their regularly scheduled second meeting of the month.

During the capital budget meeting, they discussed everything from street sweepers to virtual firearms training for the police department, in addition to debating once again who should take care of sidewalks. They also heard about refurbishing streetlight fixtures along Collier Boulevard and discussed whether we should place two 48” culverts under San Marco Road or do just one 60” pipe to assist with tide leveling and water quality.

Information Technology livened up discussions with its presentation about server and network upgrades within the city’s system of computers and video equipment. These items are necessary in today’s world of information technology, and in line with the city’s desire to move forward and stay abreast of the rapidly changing IT world.

They discussed whether Code Enforcement should be equipped to look for code violations from along the city’s vast waterways.

EVENING MEETING

As 5:30 rolled around, council reassembled to take up the business of two long awaited projects that have languished in the planning stages for a number of years.

Although replacement of Fire Station 50 and the build out of Veterans’ Community Park eventually received unanimous approval on Monday evening, it wasn’t before some very pointed questions from Councilor Erik Brechnitz as to the scope of the work to be done and plans for paying for both projects were addressed.

In the end, council approved bonding for these two projects amounting to $13 million, with the remaining monies coming from other available funds presently on hand.

Combined, the two projects are projected to come in just short of $24 million. The $13 million in bond financing will be the largest assumption of debt for general fund spending since Marco Island became a city. The city’s controversial STRP program was not funded through ad valorem taxes, but rather, by the ratepayers in those STRP districts who had sanitary sewers extended to them.

The cost for replacement of Fire Station 50 is budgeted at $12,592,673 and the cost associated with the buildout of Veterans’ Community Park is budgeted at $11,015,244, placing the total spending for both projects at $23,607,917. Bonds floated for the fire station will total $8 million and, for the park, $5 million.

SUPRISING REQUEST

Over the last year or more, a groundswell of concern has been voiced regarding what are called “out of control” short-term rentals on the island. Noise, trash, disorderly conduct, excessive numbers of occupants and parking problems often are cited in the complaints.

Last year, the city purchased noise meters and created an enhanced noise ordinance which many have labeled as ineffective.

State legislation passed in 2011 has been cited by councilors as tying their hands. Many residents have come forth requesting relief from the aggravating issues surrounding the controversy. Councilor Joseph Rola, at a previous meeting, suggested that the city seek the assistance of the State Attorney General for a ruling as to what a community might do.

At Monday evening’s meeting, Councilor Claire Babrowski broke her silence regarding the issue. “I would like this council to at least have a discussion and give some consideration to asking our city attorney to seek another opinion regarding the issues of short-term rentals,” said Babrowski.

Although Councilor Brechnitz indicated that he understood and empathized with the concerns brought up by his counterpart, he felt that the city was moving in the right direction. However, he did agree that they should move to put the issue to rest.

In answering Brechnitz’s question as to why she might not want the State Attorney General to give her opinion, Babrowski calmly responded, “I think I would prefer to have an objective opinion. The Attorney General is an elected position. We want a legal opinion, not a political opinion, and another source might be better.”

Although Chairman Jared Grifoni did oppose the suggestion, Babrowski received support from the majority of her colleagues, and the matter was moved to a future meeting to determine how to proceed.