Councilors Discuss Budget and Review Manager

Last Tuesday, the Marco Island City Council came together to work on creating a 2023-2024 Budget Package for city residents. During the meeting, it quickly became apparent that additional discussions would be needed.    

Planning for the Future

A major focus of the board on September 5 was future planning, which brought up two matters for discussion. 

The first was hiring a firm to create a Redevelopment Master Plan for Old Marco. There have been many discussions regarding what city services would be necessary, as several major projects in the area are currently under consideration. Redevelopment of Old Marco, as well as the possible acquisition of the older wastewater system, is presently before council. Under consideration is the value of that system and the condition of other public utilities within that area.  

Councilor Erik Brechnitz asked why Community Affairs Director Dan Smith had not included the costs for the study in his budget for 2023-2024, and instead sought to pay for the costs from the “contingency fund.” Smith indicated that direction had come from the City Manager’s office. The item passed by a 7-0 vote.

The second discussion item was for the creation of a Master Plan for Parks and Recreation throughout the city. Director Smith stated that the city had no Master Plan for that department. Councilor Richard Blonna encouraged Director Smith to take into consideration the city’s waterways, and access to them, as part of that report. He pointed out the fact that they are under-utilized. Councilor Becky Irwin agreed with Blonna, saying that access should be an important issue that needs to be addressed in any report. That item would also pass by a 7-0 vote.

City Manager’s Review

City Manager Mike McNees’ annual review provided councilors with a challenge in rating his performance. Their ratings of McNees’ overall performance ranged between an average of 2.9 to a high of 4.3 on a scale of 1.0-5.0. When all seven councilors’ scores were averaged, McNees received a 3.7 score on the 5.0 scale. 

The Rating Scale consists of the following values:

1-Unsatisfactory 

2-Needs Strengthening 

3-Satisfactory Performance 

4-Good Performance 

5-Outstanding Performance

The following criteria were used to evaluate the manager: Organizational Management; Fiscal Management; Intermediate and Long-Range Management; Intergovernmental Relationships; Relationships With the Public; Relationships With Employees and Management of Employees; Relationships With City Council; Professional Development; Personal Characteristics.

As they concluded their discussion, they agreed to sit down with the City Manager and establish a set of goals and objectives for the next year in a “workshop format.”

Discussions Regarding Artificial Turf

Discussions included funding to replace a portion of the natural grass fields with artificial turf at either Winterberry Park or Mackle Community Park. Initially, supporters were making a push for Winterberry Park, but some resistance in the community led to Mackle Park being considered as an alternative.

At the meeting, members of the Marco Senior Softball League came forward to voice their opinions. Tom Polston, the Commissioner for the league, requested a “seat at the table” for the league’s 240 members.  “We would just like some interaction with the planning committee and be part of that group,” said Polston. 

Council was not opposed to the idea being discussed, but wanted a deeper understanding of the implementation before it being thrust upon those who will be impacted the most. Chairman Greg Folley agreed, as nothing was yet set in stone. Finance Director Gil Polanco provided input regarding the possibility of bonding the projects.

Pickleball Court Discussion

A recent study was presented to the Marco Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee which may fast track the conversion of the remaining tennis courts at the Marco Island Racquet Center into pickleball courts, remove the minimally utilized racquetball building and add parking. The plan being reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee would end tennis availability at the Racquet Center. However, this has not been discussed, voted upon or approved at this time, and an opportunity will be available for public input.

Councilor Blonna asked council to consider maintaining the existing tennis facility and building a separate pickleball facility with adequate parking to accommodate pickleball’s rising popularity. That proposal appeared to have no support amongst his fellow councilors.

Dr. Dmitriy Shoutov, a member of a group that plays tennis at the city facility, asked council and the city to have some consideration for the men and women on the island who play tennis and do not wish to join another facility. He opined that that the declining play of tennis may in part be due to the “poor condition of those remaining tennis courts which may result in serious injuries.” He stated that he would prefer that tennis not be eliminated from the racquet facilities.