THE CITY OF MARCO ISLAND
MINUTES
City Council Workshop Meeting – July 16, 2001 – 2:00 p.m.
Chairman Tucker called the meeting to order and presided.
ROLL CALL
All Present
Also Present: A. William Moss, City Manager
Mr. John Arceri (negotiating committee member)
Attorney John Jenkins
Laura Litzan, Deputy City Clerk
Interested citizens and visitors
BUSINESS
(A) DISCUSSION – City Council discussion of issues relating to negotiations with Florida Water Services regarding utility services.
(In November, 1999 Florida Water Services (FWS) presented to City Council a proposed plan entitled “Meeting the Water Needs of Marco Island.” The Plan offered a means to stabilize future water costs by installing an Island-wide reuse water system for irrigation, and a Septic Tank Effluent Pumping System, in addition to its existing central sewer system, to provide an Island-wide wastewater collection system. City Council directed the appointment of a Negotiating Committee to meet and discuss the feasibility and parameters of the Plan for the purpose of developing for consideration a long-term agreement with FWS. The Negotiating Committee, Council Chairman E. Glenn Tucker, Mr. John Arceri, Attorney John Jenkins (Rose Sundstrom and Bentley), Mr. David Wilcox (Engineer, Dames and Moore) and City Manager Bill Moss
met throughout the period of January 2000 to July 2001.)
Mr. John Arceri, on behalf of the Negotiating Committee, presented to Council a report summarizing the Comprehensive Long-term Water Management Plan negotiated between the Committee and Florida Water Services. (Ed. Note: A copy of this document is contained in the file for this meeting.) The report concludes that the FWS Plan should be effective in addressing long-term water supply needs on the Island and in the elimination of threats from septic tanks, and that the plan should be considered as an alternative to condemnation. It was recommended that City Council take the next step and request conceptual approval and input from the Collier County Water and Wastewater Authority.
City of Marco Island
City Council Workshop Minutes for July 16, 2001
Page 2
Recess: 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is noted for the record that the same council members were present when the meeting reconvened.
Council discussion followed the presentation of the report. Some council members spoke in favor of proceeding with the next step, while others expressed concern about entering into a long-term agreement with Florida Water Services or whether the plan was feasible from an engineering prospective. Council agreed to schedule the matter for further discussion and direction.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Brian Bellman, 270 Copperfield Court, spoke in favor of the City acquiring the water utility system. He distributed to Council his report on the condition of the Island’s RO wells which concluded that the technology utilized by Florida Water Services is high risk and prone to failure.
Mr. Arthur Cooper, 1187 Bond Court, spoke in favor of the Long-term Water Management Plan between the City and Florida Water Services.
Dr. John Cirello, President of Florida Water Services, thanked the Negotiating Committee for their efforts and expressed Florida Water Services’ commitment to serving the citizens of Marco Island. In response to inquires made by Councilman Pettersen, Dr. Cirello stated that FWS would agree to amend the Plan to eliminate two provisions: 1) that the City of Marco Island will not undertake any condemnation action against Florida Water Services, inasmuch as this Council cannot bind future Councils, and 2) that FWS earnings will be allowed to exceed the established allowable return on investment and that FWS and the ratepayers will equally share the excess earnings.
ADJOURN
There being no public comment and no further business to come before City Council the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
(signature page to follow)
City of Marco Island
City Council Workshop Minutes for July 16, 2001
Page 3
____________________________
E. Glenn Tucker, Council Chairman
Date________________________
ATTEST:
____________________________
A. William Moss, City Manager/City Clerk
Date________________________
PREPARED BY:
____________________________
Laura Litzan, Deputy City Clerk
Date: _______________________
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