Trolley Pilot Program and Veterans Park Flag Key Issues at Council Meeting

The Marco Island City Council meeting on Monday, September 9, saw discussions on several topics, including ongoing concerns about a trolley pilot program and installing a Merchant Marine flag at Veterans Park. 

Adoption of the Tentative FY2024-2025 Budget 

While discussing the tentative FY2024-2025 budget, Chair Jared Grifoni originally expressed concerns about whether the $700,000 reduction in insurance costs should affect the rollback rate. “The budget presented was based on rollback,” Grifoni said. “However, if we’re basing the budget on rollback, should the rate be adjusted since we no longer have that $700,000 expenditure?” 

Director of Finance Guillermo Polanco responded that the rollback rate would remain the same despite the reduction. Grifoni questioned if the city would end up with $700,000 in unallocated funds if the budget were approved, noting that the rollback funding exceeds $20 million. “We would be receiving $700,000 that is not allocated if we approve this budget,” he stated. Polanco clarified that the savings would be spread across various funds, including insurance and utilities. “The savings apply across all these funds,” he said. 

Grifoni also highlighted a $350,000 surplus in the general fund due to an insurance cost reduction. City Manager Mike McNees suggested using the surplus to restore reserves while keeping the rollback rate of 1.24. “  

Vice-Chair ErikBrechnitz also commented on fluctuating insurance premiums, noting a significant increase in 2024. “Insurance premiums have varied greatly from 2021 to 2024,” he said. Polanco added that nationwide rate increases were due to trends like the pandemic and hurricanes. “Rates have increased nationwide due to these factors,” he said. 

Trolley Pilot Program 

Noting that approximately $206K of the $350Ksurplus is being allocated toward a three-month-long pilot trolley program aimed to ease traffic congestion during the upcoming tourism season, Brechnitz requested a motion that be removed from the tentative budget. “I think that 200K is much more important for infrastructure.”  

Public comment on the tentative budget focused on the trolley pilot program. 

Laurie Harris criticized it as impractical, stating, “We don’t want a trolley,” and questioned future costs, asking, “Are we expected to come up with another $200,000 next year if the savings aren’t there?” Randy Harris agreed, arguing the trolley would worsen traffic and noting, “We rejected this idea overwhelmingly last time.” Sheelah Yawitz proposed using leftover funds to improve Tigertail Beach. Lynn Nathanson criticized the proposal’s terminology and potential impact, stating, “This is not a trolley,” while holding up a picture of what she explained is an actual bus and expressing concern about congestion. Benita Staadecker, a Collier Public Transit Advisory Council member who supports the trolley, acknowledged the challenges in overcoming resident opposition. Other speakers suggested conducting a traffic study and building a parking garage to help alleviate the number of cars on the road in Marco Island. 

Councilor Rich Blonna defended the trolley pilot program, emphasizing its role in addressing traffic issues. He criticized skepticism, stating, “There’s a lot of assumptions being made about the trolley.” 

Blonna said the trolley pilot is necessary due to 1,200 new housing permits adding 1,500 new cars. “We are close to building down... 1,200 new permits... that’s 1,500 new cars potentially on the road,” he said. He acknowledged that if the trolley doesn’t work, he wouldn’t support it. 

Councilor Greg Folley opposed the trolley pilot, stating, “I don’t think the case has been made convincingly that we should support it.” He criticized the proposal for failing to address concerns adequately. CouncilorDarrin Palumbo acknowledged the trolley’s potential benefits but stressed the need for practical solutions and openness to alternatives. Councilor Becky Irwin supported trying new approaches, suggesting a three-month trial as a modest investment. 

The motion to remove the trolley pilot program from the budget failed, with only Brechnitz, Folley, and Councilor Joe Rola supporting the motion. The Council then made a motion to adopt the tentative budget as is and passed by majority with Brechnitz and Rola dissenting. 

Merchant Marine Flag Proposal 

The other heavily debated item was the proposal to install a Merchant Marine flag in Veterans Park, suggested by Samantha Malloy, Manager of Parks and Recreation, and Allyson Richards, Chairwoman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. The proposal followed a request from a Merchant Marine veteran who offered to fund the flag’s installation. 

Malloy explained the proposal, stating, “We had a gentleman come before us... and he asked that we consider allowing the Merchant Marines to be a part of all functions at Veterans Community Park.” She noted that the Merchant Marines were recognized in 1988 for their World War II service and emphasized that the veteran would cover the cost of the flag. 

Blonna expressed concerns, saying, “Members from the different veterans’ organizations are really opposed to this move,” and argued that Merchant Mariners are not a formal branch of the armed forces. He worried that adding another flag might “diminish the importance and respect” given to existing military branches. 

Palumbo countered, “I can’t see any irreparable damage to our vets, who I love, and support. This is like a “dot the ‘I’ and cross the ‘T’ kind of thing to me.” He viewed the gesture as a positive recognition. 

Folley supported the proposal, pointing out, “The casualty rate for Merchant Mariners in World War II was the highest of almost any service,” and argued they deserved acknowledgment. Councilmember Irwin also backed the proposal, stating, “If anyone else comes up with a flag of something that’s just as much merit, I would absolutely support that too.” 

Brechnitz requested public input before finalizing his decision.  

Public comments included several members of Marco Island Post 404, American Legion American Legion, beginning with Commander Lee Rubenstein, who stated, “Merchant Mariners are not military veterans” and emphasized they lack military or combat training. He argued, “They have no military or combat training,” and noted that only WWII service members received a DD-214, granting access to VA benefits and Legion membership. Rubenstein stressed that the Veterans Memorial Park, funded by private donations, should remain dedicated to military veterans only. 

Bruce Donaldson, Post Adjunct of Post 404, raised concerns about setting a precedent for honoring non-military personnel, suggesting alternatives such as a dedicated sculpture for Merchant Mariners instead of adding a flag to the existing memorial area. “If we are to honor non-military personnel in a Veterans Memorial,” he said, “there is no end to whom we should honor.”  

Yvette Benarroch, 2ndVice Commander of Post 404, acknowledged the Merchant Mariners’ bravery but recommended exploring other ways to honor their service, such as a dedicated monument or plaque to preserve the park’s focus on military veterans. 

Rafael Rohena, a master mariner and commissioned naval officer, argued that WWII Merchant Mariners are veterans under the 1988 WWII Merchant Mariner Services Act. “Every one of these merchant mariners we’re talking about were volunteers,” said Rohena, and emphasized their contributions. He criticized claims that Merchant Mariners were not veterans and said, “Merchant Mariners were the backbone of our supply chain during the war.” He offered to fund the flag and argued for their inclusion, insisting, “Their service should be honored at Veterans Park.” 

Following these comments, City Manager McNees suggested a compromise: creating a memorial or plaque within the park to honor Merchant Mariners without adding another flagpole. Brechnitz supported this approach, favoring a separate plan to honor Merchant Mariners while avoiding a flagpole. “I would be in favor of working diligently to find a spot to honor their memory but not violate the concept of being a branch of the armed service,” he stated. Irwin agreed with the idea of a distinct area for Merchant Mariners and moved to modify the staff recommendation. “I would still be in favor of having an honor for the Merchant Marines and making it in an appropriate area,” she said. 

The council ultimately voted unanimously to explore options for a Merchant Marine memorial in Veterans Community Park, with all members approving the modified motion. 

City Manager Performance Evaluation 

The Council reviewed City Manager Mike McNees’ performance evaluation, which showed a generally positive rating of 4.0 out of 5. Grifoni noted that all written evaluations had been discussed with McNees and encouraged continued productive discussions during the upcoming goals workshop. Brechnitz highlighted the need to address gaps in grant funding, while Folley suggested differentiating pay based on performance levels, acknowledging that McNees was moving in that direction. 

While acknowledging the positive feedback, McNees expressed concerns about the evaluation tool, stating it might not fully capture the complexities of his role. He advocated for a simpler evaluation process, citing issues with grading. Blonna supported McNees’ view, noting the lack of narrative explanations in some evaluations and advocating for a revised tool. Palumbo agreed, suggesting a new process might better reflect McNees’ contributions. Grifoni concurred that the current tool, designed for a high turnover environment, may need updating and proposed discussing changes at the goals workshop. The motion to revise the evaluation tool was unanimously supported. 

Remaining Agenda Items 

* Resolution 24-48: establishes the tax levy and millage rate for the City of Marco Island for fiscal year 2024, beginning October 1, 2024, and ending September 30, 2025. The resolution aims to fund general operations, interest payments, and debt management as approved by referendum, with provisions for conflict resolution and severability. At the May 17, 2024, meeting of the Hideaway Beach Special Taxing District Board of Supervisors, a tax levy of 1.600 mills was recommended. The resolution was unanimously approved. 

* A resolution to establish a tentative millage rate for the Hideaway Beach Special Taxing District for fiscal year 2025, beginning October 1, 2024, and ending September 30, 2025, was passed unanimously without any discussion or public comments. The new millage rate is set at 1.6 mills, which is a 3.2% increase from the current rollback rate of 1.5509 mills.  

* Resolution 24-51, which outlines the tentative budget for the Hideaway Beach Special Taxing District for FY2025, covering appropriations and budget control policies for district operations passed unanimously. 

* The second reading of Ordinance 24-15, which revises various chapters of the City Code to streamline and update regulations, was unanimously approved. Despite concerns from Brechnitz about the fiscal impact, it was clarified that the ordinance does not increase fees but addresses organizational changes and housekeeping within the code. 

* The first reading of Ordinance 24-16, which proposes rezoning the property at 531 South Collier Boulevard from C1T to C3, was unanimously approved. This change, as explained by Planning Manager Mary Holden, does not affect the property’s density but does allow for increased building height from 35 to 50 feet. While Brechnitz raised concerns about the height difference, other members supported the rezoning, and assurances were made that it would not be used to maximize height. The ordinance passed with Palumbo abstaining due to a conflict. 

* Resolution 24-52 was adopted, establishing a schedule of fees for various services, including lawn maintenance, nuisance abatement, and utility accounts and has no fiscal impact.  

* Resolution 24-53 was adopted, updating the schedule of civil penalties and fines for code enforcement. Notably, it eliminates civil penalties for short-term rental violations, with no other fines altered; the resolution passed unanimously. 

* Resolution 24-54, which updates civil penalties and fines using a notice violation procedure passed unanimously with no discussion or public comment. 

* The City awarded a contract to Public Risk Insurance Agency (PRIAR) for $1,424,444 to cover property, casualty, and excess workers' compensation insurance. The contract, praised for cost reductions amid a tough market, passed unanimously. 

* A nearly $983,000 contract to Infinite Construction for the San Marco Drainage Project, with the majority of funds coming from a 2018 state grant, was awarded. An additional $283,000 in city funds is required, and the contract passed unanimously. 

* The City Council rejected all bids for the Tide Leveling Canal Flushing Project due to costs exceeding the $2.1 million budget, with the lowest bid being $4.9 million. The council plans to seek additional state funding for the project, and the motion to reject the bids passed unanimously. 

* Council agreed to move forward with the naming process for a new park in the San Marco Planned Unit Development. The park will be transferred to the city as part of a 30-year maintenance agreement with the developer, ensuring that taxpayer funds will not be used for its upkeep.