Canopy Discussion and Referendum Debate Continues

The Marco Island City Council began their regular meeting on August 15 by celebrating employee contributions to the running of the city. The city has consistently recognized longevity of service as a way to shine the spotlight on the employees who help ensure the community continues to produce outstanding services to residents and businesses.

The first employee recognized was Sergeant Angel Casabona, for five years of service with the Marco Island Police Department. Casabona moved to Marco from New Jersey, where he retired from his former agency.

The second employee honored was Michael Schmadtke, who has served for the last five years with the Water/Wastewater Utility.

The third employee to be recognized was Eric Dial, who has served as Maintenance Manager for the Water/Wastewater Utility for the last 15 years. During the presentation to Dial, City Manager Mike McNees commented, “If Dial was not doing his job, everyone would know it.” Council Chairman Erik Brechnitz smiled broadly while the audience chuckled.

In other business, council once again addressed the issue of boat dock and boat lift canopies. On multiple occasions, the issue has bounced between the Planning Board and City Council. Most recently, council sent the matter back to city staff and the Planning Board for additional wordsmithing. This occurred after residents came before City Council two months ago to clarify the definitions of “permanent” and “temporary.” The verbiage had been proposed by city staff and approved by the Planning Board.

Residents consider the canopy a temporary addition to their dock or lift structure. It is a simple bolt on the structure, which has a 180 mile per-hour hurricane rating. City Staff has been provided with engineering documentation and testing data. Should a major storm approach, (winds of 70 mph or more) the canopy section is removed via “bungee-cords” and only the hurricane rated structure, which is a bolt-on item, remains. The process to remove the fabric canopy takes less than 30 minutes to accomplish. 

Council appeared confused as to why the understanding conveyed to planning staff did not materialize. “What has been brought back here was not my understanding of our resolution to this matter,” said Vice Chairman Jared Grifoni. He was joined by Chairman Brechnitz and other council members.

The recommendation of the Planning Board and staff did not receive a second, and therefore failed.

During citizen comments, the proposed referendum on short term rental registration once again took center stage. The usual 30-minutes allocated to the discussion was extended to over one-hour, despite the Chairman’s pleas for brevity considering the meeting’s large agenda. 

Both sides of the issue continued to make their points of view known before council moved on to the remainder of the agenda.

Early voting has been ongoing since Saturday, August 13 and will cease on Saturday, August 20 at 6 PM. Early voting is held at the Collier County Library on South Heathwood and those hours are between 10 AM and 6 PM. On Primary Election Day on Tuesday, August 23, the polls will open at 7 AM and will close at 7 PM. On that day, voting must take place at the voter’s designated polling location.

For more information regarding voting, please contact the Collier County Supervisor of Elections at 239-252-8683 or visit their website at: www.colliervotes.gov.