City Council Agrees: MIPD Will Not Be Replaced

At its July 20 meeting, the Marco Island City Council reviewed the City’s first comprehensive traffic count report since 2012, unanimously agreed that the City will not pursue replacing the Marco Island Police Department with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, and referred possible new regulations for recreational facilities to the Planning Board.

It also approved more than $7 million in City commitments for major infrastructure projects, including replacement of the deteriorating Caxambas Court Bridge and construction of a new Public Works facility.

Traffic Study Finds Bald Eagle Drive Over Capacity

A 2026 traffic study found that, during peak season, one section of Bald Eagle Drive exceeded the roadway capacity standard established in the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

Consultants from Apex presented the study, which evaluated traffic at 16 locations during February and March. Four additional locations could not be fully evaluated because of construction or damaged traffic counting equipment and will be counted during the 2027 peak season.

The Bald Eagle Drive segment exceeded capacity under both two-way and directional measurements. Several other road segments received level of service D ratings, meaning they were approaching the City’s adopted capacity limit.

Development emerged as an underlying concern during the discussion. Councilor Stephen Gray noted that traffic is a persistent concern for residents and said transportation concurrency is intended to ensure that roads and other public infrastructure can support new development. He asked whether traffic could ever realistically improve as the island continues to grow.

Consultant Josh Hildebrand said traffic volumes may fluctuate, but additional development in a particular area would generally be expected to bring more vehicles to that area.

Vice Chair Rene Champagne pointed to the proposed Rose Marina and Hilton expansion projects, saying residents were already questioning whether those developments would overload nearby roads, and suggested that the findings of the LOS should be considered in those decisions.

Staff explained, however, that a failing level of service does not automatically prevent development. The council establishes the City’s adopted traffic standards and could designate a road as constrained, lower the accepted level of service, or amend the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.

Regarding the failing rating on Bald Eagle Drive, councilors and staff agreed that widening the road is not a practical option on a largely built-out island with limited rights of way, swales and pedestrian infrastructure. They discussed other possibilities, including adjusting traffic signal timing, extending turn lanes and addressing intersection bottlenecks.

The City’s Land Development Code currently requires annual level of service studies in five areas, including transportation. City Manager Dr. Casey Lucius suggested that the council consider whether the expense and staff time required to conduct all five studies every year are justified and whether the City’s rules should be amended so the studies are conducted less frequently.

Lucius said staff will return to the council with the existing requirements, costs and options for responding to the results. Councilors will then decide whether to continue the annual requirement or revise it.

Public Works and Bridge Projects Approved

The council unanimously approved two major infrastructure commitments.

A $2.45 million contract was awarded to Rycon Construction Inc. for a new Public Works facility, covered equipment storage and related site improvements. The project will replace deteriorated former school trailers dating to the 1980s.

The council also approved funding agreements for replacement of the Caxambas Court Bridge and relocation of the water and sewer lines attached to it. The bridge project is estimated at nearly $12 million, excluding utility work, with the City’s current share at approximately $3.4 million. City Public Works Director Justin Martin recommended budgeting $4.5 million to allow for higher bids or unexpected costs.

A separate $1.27 million agreement will cover relocation of the City’s water and sewer mains. To help fund the bridge without relying on the proposed transportation bond, the City expects to reallocate money from other capital projects and budget savings, including deferring planned bicycle lanes on Bald Eagle Drive.

Council Affirms Support for MIPD

Following public concern about a request for information from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, all seven councilors agreed that the City will not pursue replacing the Marco Island Police Department.

The issue arose during previous budget discussions about potential property tax changes and the need to identify possible cost savings. Lucius had been directed to seek information from the Sheriff’s Office, but concerns and rumors spread that the City intended to eliminate MIPD and turn law enforcement services over to Collier County.

Councilor Tamara Goehler asked the council to reverse the earlier direction, praising Interim Police Chief Joseph Belardo and the department’s relationship with the community.

Chair Darrin Palumbo acknowledged that the council’s original direction had caused confusion and asked for a clear consensus that the City would not pursue switching to the Sheriff’s Office. All seven councilors raised their hands in agreement.

Councilors emphasized that any continued discussions with the Sheriff’s Office would be aimed at improving coordination, identifying opportunities to share resources and finding possible efficiencies, not replacing MIPD.

The council agreed that Lucius and Belardo could continue gathering information about additional cooperation or cost-saving opportunities. A previously discussed visit from the sheriff may also proceed, provided the purpose is to strengthen coordination between the two agencies rather than discuss turning City policing over to the county.

Recreational Facility Regulations Sent to Planning Board

By a four-to-three consensus, the council referred possible new regulations for recreational facilities to the Planning Board after debating whether additional oversight would protect neighboring properties or amount to government overreach.

Councilor Bonita Schwan proposed studying whether new recreational facilities or substantial changes to existing facilities should require conditional use approval. The discussion included pickleball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, lighting and other recreational uses that could create noise or affect surrounding properties.

Community Affairs Director Daniel Smith said recreational facilities are generally permitted by right under the current code. In many cases, a property owner may need only a building permit.

That raised concern that a homeowner could install a pickleball court or similar facility on private residential property without public review, even if the noise, lighting or location could significantly affect nearby neighbors.

A conditional use process could allow the City to consider setbacks, noise barriers, landscaping, lighting and other site-specific conditions. It could also require review by the Planning Board and final approval by the City Council.

Lucius also cited the example of a condominium converting tennis courts into pickleball courts. Under the current system, such a conversion might proceed without a public land use review.

Vice Chair Rene Champagne warned that new restrictions could have unintended consequences, including effects on property values and possible legal action. Schwan responded that any new requirements would apply only to future facilities or substantial changes to existing facilities, not facilities already in place.

City Manager Evaluation Postponed

The council postponed approval of a revised City manager performance evaluation form until a meeting in August.

Human Resources Director Diana Snover and Champagne developed the proposed form following council direction. It uses a numerical rating system, weighted categories and measurable goals intended to make evaluations more consistent and less subjective.

Lucius recommended eliminating overlapping criteria and making a few minor organizational changes. The council voted 7 to 0 to continue the item and asked councilors to submit suggested revisions to staff before the proposal returns.

The council also reached a general consensus that Lucius’ first evaluation as City manager should be conducted in October so the current council, rather than the council seated after the November election, would complete the review.

City Addresses Advisory Committee Attendance Controversy

Near the end of the meeting, Goehler revisited the controversy surrounding Audit Advisory Committee member Chris Ricci, who had missed three of seven meetings.

Following the July 6 meeting, questions were raised about whether the City was properly enforcing an ordinance requiring a committee seat to be automatically vacated when a member exceeds the permitted number of absences. Lucius had argued that an exception should be made to allow Ricci to attend another meeting so the committee could maintain a quorum.

Lucius confirmed July 20 that Ricci had since been removed and that the City was seeking a replacement. Goehler emphasized that the City was no longer acting outside the ordinance. “There are no ordinances being broken in the town,” she said.