City of Marco Island - City Council

MEETING - DECEMBER 8, 1997, 6:00 P.M. AT THE YMCA

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 E. Glenn Tucker, and Vice Chairwoman Ruth Schuler. ABSENT - Councilman John Soldenwagner. Also present were Ken Cuyler, Interim City Attorney; Skip Camp, Temporary Interim City Manager; Pat Berry, Interim Assistant City Clerk; and Geoff Fahringer, representing the Collier County Sheriff's Department.

The roll was called by the City Clerk - Councilman Soldenwagner was absent.

1. Reverend Jack Hughen gave the invocation and lead the salute to the flag.

2. There were two items added to the agenda.

14 (a) Brief statement by Councilman Tucker

Staff Communications - 5 items will be addressed by City Manager Camp

Public Comment - Attorney Craig Woodward

3. Approval of agenda and consent agenda:

A MOTION was made by Vice-Chair Schuler, seconded by Councilman Pettersen, to approve the agenda and consent agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously.

4. Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of the November 24th meeting were presented for approval. Item #2 - Reverand Ron Beil, Marco Lutheran Church Item #4 - Motion carried unanimously.

A MOTION was made by Councilman Day, seconded by Councilman Tucker, to approve the minutes of the November 24th meeting as amended. Motion carried. (Brandt and Schuler abstained from vote due to their absence from the meeting)

The minutes of the November 26th meeting were presented for approval.

A MOTION was made by Councilman Tucker, seconded by Councilman Day, to approve the minutes of the November 26th meeting as presented. Motion carried. (Brandt and Schuler abstained from vote due to their absence from the meeting)

5. Proclamations: There were no proclamations presented at this time.

6. Presentations: There were no presentations.

7. Public Petitions:

a) Councilman Pettersen introduced Attorney Fred Kramer, president of the Marco Island Fair Water Defense Fund Committee. Kramer gave a presentation and reviewed the past 2 1/2 years of the committees investigation of the Florida Water Services utility company which provides water to Marco Island. Kramer asked the City Council to endorse a petition to establish a special Marco Island Utility District. Vice-Chair Schuler opposed the project until a feasibility study can be completed and public hearings can be held to allow for citizen input. Councilman Day stated that the City of Marco Island can declare eminent domain at any time. $148,000 has been raised for the project to date.

A MOTION was made by Councilman Pettersen, seconded by Day, that the City Council endorse the petition to establish a special Marco Island Utility District. After discussion Councilman Day withdrew his second. Motion was defeated for lack of second.

A MOTION was made by Councilman Tucker, seconded by Vice-Chair Schuler, to authorize Chairman Cowin to communicate to the legislative delegation that the council does not favor any action on this issue concerning the establishment of this district without receiving an affirmative endorsement from the Marco Island City Council. Motion carried. (Opposed Pettersen)

RECESS at 7:20. Meeting resumed at 7:30.

8. City Manager's Report: No report at this time.

9. Public Safety Report: No report at this time.

10. City Attorney's Report: No report at this time.

a) Councilman Day announced that City Manager Camp would only be available through Friday, December 12th. Options for an interim period were discussed. Camp stated he would be available to the City on a part-time basis, after hours and week-ends. He will work closely with Chief Dwyer and the present staff.

A MOTION was made by Councilman Day, seconded by Councilman Brandt, to express appreciation to Camp and Collier County for services provided during this interim period. Motion carried unanimously.

A MOTION was made by Councilman Day, seconded by Councilman Brandt, to accept the services of Skip Camp on a part time basis. Motion carried unanimously.

A MOTION was made by Councilman Day, seconded by Councilman Brandt, to pay Skip Camp a consultant fee of $70.00 per hour for part time services. Motion carried unanimously. Attorney K. Cuyler will create an agreement for the services provided by Camp.

b) Attorney Cuyler will produce a document to define the organization, duties, and staggered terms of the Planning Board. The City Council and the Planning Board will meet on Friday, December 12th at 9:00 A.M. Action will be taken at that time.

c) Attorney Cyler presented and read a resolution to retain the Interim City Attorney. A MOTION was made by Councilman Brandt, seconded by Councilman Day, to accept the resolution as presented. Motion carried unanimously. (Brand-yes, Day-yes, Pettersen-yes, Tucker-yes, Schuler-yes, Cowin-yes)

d) Councilman Day presented a draft of appointing order for the advisory committees. A MOTION was made by Councilman Day, seconded by Councilman Brandt, to approve the draft language for advisory committees as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Councilman Pettersen proposed that advisory committee members not speak with the press on any subject. Councilman Tucker disagreed and no action was taken.

e) Vice-Chairwoman Schuler nominated Dr. Kent Mc Wherter to the Budget and Finance Advisory Committee. The motion was seconded by Councilman Tucker. Motion carried unanimously.

f) Councilman Pettersen nominated William Patterson to the Facilities Advisory Committee. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chairwoman Schuler. Motion carried unanimously.

City Manager Camp will advertise for applicants for the Charter Review Advisory Committee in the local newspapers.

g) Receive City Attorney's report on Inter-local agreement for cases submitted to the Planning Board. This item was deferred to the December 12th meeting.

h) Councilman Brandt recommended an arrangement with Collier County be established for the Council to approve building permits. The Marco Island Planning Board will address this issue. There was no action taken at this time.

12. Advertised public hearings: None

13. Staff Communications City Manager Camp announced a joint meeting with the City Council and the Planning Board will be held Friday, December 12th at 9:00 A.M. at the YMCA. City Manager Camp presented a letter concerning the Christmas Parade. Camp announced the deadline for agenda items for the Monday, December 15th meeting. Advertisements for the City Attorney and Interim City Manager positions will be placed December 9th.

14. Council Communications - None

Coucilman Tucker thanked Chairman Cowin for the wonderful job he has done these past several weeks.

Chairman Cowin announced a complaint received regarding the invocation at the beginning of the meetings. Several options were discussed, to eliminate the invocation, to do a generic invocation, or leave it as is. All agreed that each Church will be represented and no change will be made.

Chairman Cowin announced that two checks have been received totalling $194,000. $150,000 has been deposited into an interest bearing account and the balance of $44,000 has been left in the checking account.

Chairman Cowin addressed a letter from Dr. Woodruff, City of Naples, offering potential services to the City of Marco Island. No action was taken at this time.

15. Public Comment: Attorney Craig Woodward, president of the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the City Council and expressed the Chamber's anticipation of a close working relationship.

As there was no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by Pat Berry, Interim Assistant City Clerk.

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