City of Marco Island - City Council

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Chairman Harry Cowin. Council Members present were, Councilman Dave Brandt, Councilman Ed Day, Councilman Kjell Pettersen, Councilman John Soldenwagner, Councilman E. Glenn Tucker, and Vice-Chairwoman Ruth Schuler. Also present were Ken Cuyler, Interim City Attorney; Skip Camp, Temporary Interim City Manager; Pat Berry, Interim Assistant City Clerk; Chief Dwyer, Marco Island Fire Department; and Geoff Fahringer, representing the Collier County Sheriff's Department.

The minutes of the November 17th meeting were amended as follows: 1. Councilman Day was added to members present. 2. Councilman Day was added as second on the MOTION on Page Two, which reads: to accept Skip Camp as Temporary Interim Manager for a three week maximum period, until the Interim Manager is found, his compensation to be based on his present rate of pay.

A MOTION was made by Councilman Day, seconded by Councilman Soldenwagner, to approve the minutes of November 17, 1997 meeting as amended, and approve the minutes of the November 19, 1997 meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

J. Dudley Goodlette, representing owners of the Calusa Island Yacht Club, requested that the marina be excluded from the new municipality of Marco Island. The owner requested Council support when addressing the Legislative Delegation on this issue. The Council agreed that proper notice had been given during the incorporation process.

A MOTION was made by Councilman Brandt, seconded by Councilman Pettersen to authorize Chairman Cowin to send a letter to the Legislative Delegation expressing the Council's opposition for exclusion of the Calusa Yacht Club from the City of Marco Island. Motion carried 6-1. (Opposed - Councilman Tucker)

Attorney Cuyler presented a Resolution appointing the Law Firm of Roetzel and Andress, with Kenneth B. Cuyler as lead attorney, to serve as Interim City Attorney for the City of Marco Island. This item was deferred to the next meeting.

Attorney Cuyler presented a Resolution authorizing and ratifying the purchase of Liability, Errors and Omissions Insurance; authorizing the Chairman to execute any necessary and appropriate documents to effectuate such purchase; and providing an effective date. A MOTION was made by Vice-Chairwoman Schuler, seconded by Councilman Soldenwagner, to approve Insurance Resolution #97-2. Motion carried unanimously. (Brandt-yes, Day-yes, Pettersen-yes, Soldenwagner- yes, Tucker-yes, Schuler-yes, Cowin-yes)

11-a) Temporary Interim City Manager agreement: Attorney Cuyler presented an Inter-local Agreement between the Board of County Commissioners and the City of Marco Island. The agreement addressed service, compensation, terms, insurance, termination, and indemnification of the Interim City Manager, Skip Camp. A MOTION was made by Councilman Day, seconded by Councilman Pettersen, to approve the Inter-local Agreement for Interim City Manager as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

11-b) Discussion on hiring a Finance Director: Councilman Day discussed the importance of hiring a Finance Director. Several finance issues are pending that require a professional to address. A MOTION was made by Councilman Day, seconded by Councilman Pettersen, to authorize the City Manager to post and advertise the permanent Finance Director position, with a salary to be negotiated between $45,000 - $60,000. Motion was defeated 4-3. (Oppposed - Brandt, Cowin, Schuler, Tucker)

A MOTION was made by Councilman Tucker, seconded by Councilman Brandt to authorize the City Manager to solicit local CPA firms to provide services for an indefinite period of time. Three quotes will be provided along with a short presentation at the next meeting. Motion carried. (Opposed - Soldenwagner, Day)

11-c) City Planning Agency Advisory Board: Two issues were addressed; 1) to establish the City Council as the "Zoning Appeals Board" and; 2) to establish the advisory committee as the City Planning Board. The Planning Board will operate under the same guidelines as the Collier County Planning Board. A MOTION was made by Councilman Day, seconded by Councilman Soldenwagner to establish a City Planning Board who will function the same as the County Planning Board with the title of the "Marco Island Planning Board." Motion carried unanimously.

At this time each Council Member nominated one applicant to fill one of seven seats on the Marco Island Planning Board. Each nominee gave a short presentation about their qualifications. The nominations were as follows:

Councilman Brandt nominated Todd Tateo, second by Councilman Pettersen. Motion carried unanimously. Councilman Day nominated Maury Dailey, second by Councilman Pettersen. Motion carried unanimously. Councilman Pettersen nominated Lynn Bradeen, second by Councilman Day. Motion carried unanimously. Councilman Soldenwagner nominated Micheal Kelly, second by Councilman Brandt. Motion carried unanimously. Councilman Tucker nominated Marv Needles, second by Councilman Pettersen. Motion carried unanimously. Vice-Chairwoman Schuler nominated Herb Savage, second by Councilman Brandt. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Cowin nominated Rich Nelson, second by Councilman Day. Motion carried unanimously.

Attorney Cuyler suggested a workshop meeting for the newly appointed Board. The workshop will address zoning issues and procedures. Two ordinances will be addressed by Cuyler. 1) to establish the Planning Board; 2) to adopt the County code.

A MOTION was made by Councilman Soldenwager, seconded by Councilman Day, to furnish all remaining names of applicants to the City Planning Board for purposes of sub-committee appointments. Motion carried unanimously.

11-d) Interim City Manager's Search: A MOTION was made by Councilman Day, seconded by Councilman Soldenwagner, to authorize the City Manager to solicit resumes and applications from the list of thirteen provided by the Florida League of Cities. All applications will be reviewed by the City Council. Motion carried unanimously.

11-e) Paralegal Options: A MOTION was made by Councilman Day, seconded by Councilman Pettersen, to authorize the City Manager, City Attorney and Councilman Tucker to research and report to the Council on paralegal options for purposes of reducing legal fees. Motion carried unanimously.

11-f) Request for Resolution for extension of waiver for State Shared Revenue Funds: a MOTION was made by Councilman Soldenwagner, seconded by Councilman Tucker to authorize Chairman Cowin to place the City of Marco Island on the Legislative Delegation agenda for purpose of a one year extension of the waiver for State Shared Revenue Funds. Motion carried unanimously.

11-h) Discussion of Cable franchise negotiations: a MOTION was made by Councilman Day, seconded by Councilman Pettersen, to direct the City Manager and City Attorney to address the city telecommunications ordinance for Marco Island. Motion carried unanimously.

A MOTION was made by Councilman Soldenwagner, seconded by Councilman Tucker to change the workshop meeting, scheduled for December 3rd at 2:00 P.M. at the YMCA, to a regular meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

The Council discussed the process regarding existing zoning variances and alternatives to the present permitting process. Councilman Day agreed to submit an organizational plan addressing these issues.

Chairman Cowin suggested the City Manager begin the advertisement process for the permanent City Manager position. A MOTION was made by Councilman Brandt, seconded by Councilman Day, to request City Manager Camp to put together an advertisement for the permanent City Manager and City Attorney positions. Motion carried unanimously.

A MOTION was made by Councilman Day, seconded by Councilman Brandt, to continue using the same nomination procedure for the advisory committees as was used for the Marco Island Planning Board. Motion carried. (Opposed - Schuler)

Harry Kenworthy, 848 West Elkcam Circle, read and submitted a petition from Smokehouse Bay Inland Waterway Owners. The fifty signature petition is opposed to the Smokehouse Bay waterway proposal.