Council Grapples with Water, Shark Fishing, and Leadership Decision

The Marco Island City Council met April 6, 2026, for a lengthy and at times contentious meeting covering water quality, shark fishing, infrastructure funding, and the ongoing search for a new city manager. Councilor Erik Brechnitz was absent due to illness, setting up several potential 3-3 deadlocks.

AWT Study Points to Cost-Effective Path Forward

A key highlight was a presentation by Black and Veatch on advanced wastewater treatment, or AWT. The study found the city’s current system performs relatively well but would require upgrades to meet stricter nutrient standards.

Three alternatives were analyzed, with consultants and staff recommending the most cost-effective option, identified as Alternative One. The approach is estimated to cost $7 million to $8 million in capital expenses, with roughly $500,000 to $800,000 in annual operating costs and a total cost of approximately $19 million over 20 years.

David Rasmussen presented an evaluation from Clean Marco Waters LLC estimating the change would add less than $11 per month to the average home’s water bill, with costs likely declining over time.

Council members broadly supported the direction but emphasized that AWT is only one component of a larger strategy. Vice Chair Rene Champagne outlined three pillars of canal restoration: AWT, muck removal, and improved circulation and oxygenation.

Public support for AWT was strong, including statements from several local advocates. Rather than waiting for an August referendum, the council reached consensus to move forward with an ordinance and directed the city attorney to return with a first reading.

$55 Million Bond Proposal Deadlocks

A proposed bond referendum of up to $55 million for bridge repairs and other improvements failed in a 3-3 vote.

Councilors Tamara Goehler and Stephen Gray supported a reduced $25 million proposal, citing taxpayer concerns and the need to demonstrate fiscal responsibility. Gray also questioned whether the referendum legally complies with spending caps in the city charter, though the city manager and city attorney dismissed those concerns.

Champagne backed the full amount, arguing long-term infrastructure needs may approach $100 million. Council Chair Darrin Palumbo said he does not believe taxpayers trust city leadership enough to “write a blank check” and proposed a $29 million compromise, which gained no traction.

The motion for the $55 million referendum failed, with Palumbo, Gray, and Goehler voting no. No alternative funding plan was discussed.

Emergency Drainage Funding Approved

After officials warned that aging, saltwater-corroded pipes are creating sinkhole risks between homes, the council unanimously approved a $600,000 transfer from emergency reserves for urgent stormwater repairs.

City Manager Search

The search for a new city manager became one of the most debated issues of the night.

A four-week recruitment produced 72 applications, with 21 candidates advancing through screening. Each council member submitted five names to identify a combined shortlist for interviews.

Several members expressed disappointment in the pool. Councilor Henry said only two candidates met her standard. Interim City Manager Casey Lucius ranked first by Henry, Champagne, Palumbo, and Schwan, but lower or not at all by the other councilors.

Under the established process, the next steps would include reference checks and interviews. Instead, Chair Palumbo made an unprecedented push to bypass interviews and immediately hire Lucius, arguing that if the decision proved regrettable, the council could terminate her with a 20-week severance if needed.

Gray and Goehler opposed the move, stressing the importance of following the established, thorough process. Gray said he would not support a decision of that magnitude without full evaluation and emphasized the need for careful analysis over expediency. Based on past practice, hiring a permanent city manager can take a year or longer.

A motion to bypass the interview process and appoint Lucius failed to secure the required five votes. The council voted to table the matter until May 4.

Shark Fishing Debate Continues

The council also revisited shark fishing, with the discussion shifting from the activity itself to its promotion and commercialization. Concerns centered on large crowds, safety, drone usage, and the city’s image.

Some members said the issue centers less on shark fishing broadly and more on what was described as the “shark fishing show,” referring to the social media presence of David Boggs, who has drawn controversy due to his criminal history, such as embezzlement charges as reported in Coastal Breeze News in November 2024, and reports that he charges up to $900 per day for equipment rentals while organizing nighttime beach gatherings for social media content.

When asked why the Police Department has allowed this unpermitted business to continue, the police chief Tracy Frazzano explained that they have been investigating it and confirmed that a formal complaint has now been filed and that law enforcement plans to speak with Boggs.

Resident Maria Lamb raised a broader environmental concern that had not yet been fully addressed: beyond artificial lighting, large, loud nighttime gatherings during sea turtle nesting season could pose a serious threat. Nesting turtles rely on dark, quiet beaches to lay eggs, and hatchlings depend on natural light cues to find the ocean. Disruptions from noise, activity, and human presence can deter nesting altogether or disorient hatchlings, potentially leading to significant impacts on an already vulnerable population. Marco Island has recorded some of the highest hatchling disorientation rates in Collier County in recent years.

The council remained divided on whether new shark fishing regulations are needed. No action was taken.

Council Communications Highlight Tensions

During council communications, tensions surfaced when Gray asked City Clerk Joan Taylor to distribute materials outlining his proposed revisions to the noise ordinance, which is scheduled for discussion at the next meeting.

The request prompted concern from city attorney Alan Gabriel, who said materials must go through official channels and warned distribution at that time would “make them public.” The clerk was made to retrieve the documents, and it was suggested that they should be added to the agenda for the next City Council meeting.

The meeting reflected a community grappling with competing priorities, leaving several major decisions unresolved and setting the stage for continued debate in the weeks ahead.