Friday, November 13, 2026
Humiston and Moore Engineers illustrated through aerials and described Marco’s quick recovery from the most recent hurricanes, Helene and Milton, which together shifted sand requiring restoration at Sand Dollar Island to the north and Tigertail Lagoon to the south. Marco Island City Council agreed to request Tourist Development Council reimbursement for these and related natural storm restoration costs of $575,000.
American Legion Post 404 is paying for the design, construction and installation of a 25-foot wide and 7 to 10-foot tall Vietnam Veterans Memorial Statue in Veterans Park of Marco Island at a value of $660,000.
Marco Island City Council increased summer camp fees, requested Tourist Development Council reimbursement for storm restoration costs of $575,000, and accepted a $660,000 Vietnam Veterans memorial statue donation, among its diverse responsibilities during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 18.
Despite an ongoing gridlock on selecting their seventh member to fill a vacant seat that continued in their special meeting earlier, Council agreed on several issues during their regular meeting later that evening.
“We bicker, we fight, we’re at odds on certain things, but we live in an amazing community that is paradise on Earth and we have generous people,” said Councilman Darrin Palumbo, applauding community and Council’s ongoing commitment to come together on issues, including an island softball field, among others.
Summer Camp Fees Increase, Day Camps Limited
Council unanimously, 6-0, approved a resolution to increase Parks and Recreation Department Summer Camp fees by 17 percent and remove day camps as an option in a proposal presented by manager Samantha Malloy.
TDC Grant Requests for Storm Restoration
Mohamed Dabees of Humiston and Moore Engineers described Marco Island’s quick recovery from the most recent hurricanes, Helene and Milton, which together shifted sand and would leave the island more vulnerable in future storms if not restored. Sand Dollar Island to the north and Tigertail Lagoon to the south each provide a berm of protection to the island to absorb storm energy, Dabees said. The work provided a visible rebuilding of sand providing a natural storm barrier, among other improvements to water quality and flow. The reimbursement to be requested of the TDC is $575,073 for berm restoration. City Council unanimously, 6-0, approved the request.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
American Legion Post 404 has paid to design, build, and install a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Statue in Veterans Park at an approximate donation value of $660,000, with guidance from City Council on parameters. The city would maintain the statue after installation. Upon City Council approval, which was garnered in a unanimous 6-0 vote, it will take about a year to receive the completed bronze statue, said Rene Champagne, a Vietnam Veteran who was a U.S. Navy officer. Upon installation, city staff will be responsible for cleaning and waxing it. Councilman Stephen Gray said he would volunteer if needed. The statue is approximately 25 feet in length and at least 7 feet tall.
Future Agenda and Council Communications
- Councilwoman Tamara Goehler suggested an ad-hoc Citizen Advisory Committee to be a nearly all-encompassing committee for citizens to discuss and bring to Council attention any topic not already discussed at other advisory committees. Councilmen Palumbo and Erik Brechnitz, acting as chairman, were not in favor of adding more committees in general. Instead, Palumbo said he would prefer to condense existing committees. In which case, then a Citizen Advisory Committee might be helpful, he said. Brechnitz requested a budget for items such as surveys, and for it to return to Council for discussion.
Schwan requested four future agenda items, including hearing goals from the Planning Board on March 3; formalizing the existing Bicycle Advisory Committee to discuss electric bikes and other issues; a resolution for handsfree phone use; updates on Senate Bill 608 related to the Gulf of America name change.
Palumbo acknowledged new officers sworn into office who went through training at the Marco Island Police Academy.
Brechnitz requested updates on ongoing capital projects.
Council voted, 5-1, to reconsider on March 3 a previous 3-3 vote on a contract with Kimley Horn to pursue grants for capital projects. Brechnitz opposed it.
Palumbo and City Attorney Alan Gabriel discussed changing the Charter to allow for a special election to fill vacant Council seat. This would require a citizen referendum, which entails two readings of an ordinance, then a referendum to change the charter could occur, Gabriel advised. The special election proceeds through the Collier County Supervisor of Elections, he added.
Isles of Capri Septic-to-Sewer Conversion
During city manager updates, Isles of Capri is likely to request a septic-to-sewer conversion, potentially through a special assessment district, said City Manager Mike McNees. McNees did not yet include cost estimates but said it would be a “fairly expensive project.” The cost of the collection system and connection would be entirely dependent upon property owners to pay, McNees said.
Goodland property owners may soon need to consider septic tank to sewer conversion as well, said Councilman Stephen Gray.
Consent Agenda
Items approved on the consent agenda without discussion early in the meeting included:
Appointing Chris Ricci to the Beach and Coastal Resources Advisory Committee and to the Audit Advisory Committee.
A change order to Earth Tech Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $255,000 to complete the restoration of the Sand Dollar Island berm that was damaged during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This was later part of a discussion to get reimbursed by the Collier County Tourist Development Council for storm recovery on this and other berm restoration project expenses.
Discussed later upon request from Councilwoman Bonita Schwan:
- Council awarded a contract in the amount of $74,750 to Kimley-Horn for beach beautification permitting and construction phase services and documents at the beach access points of Maple Avenue and Winterberry Drive.
Presentations
Council
Recognized the distinguished service of former council members, including Becky Irwin, who was present to receive a plaque, as well as Rich Blonna. Others recognized included Greg Folley, Jared Grifoni, and Joseph Rola.
Heard from Anne McLaughlin, executive director of the Collier County Metropolitan Planning Organization, who presented an overview of a long term plan, notably not discussing the controversial trolley proposal. Also, projects did not include bridge repairs, which are generally not MPO projects, she said. Projects in the plan did include widening Collier Boulevard between Manatee and Tower roads from four to six lanes by 2050; widening U.S. 41 between Greenway and 6L Farm roads from two to four lanes by 2050; and improving the U.S. 41 and Collier Boulevard intersection by 2050. Stormwater improvements along Collier Boulevard were another identified future need.
Chairman of the Beautification Committee Marv Needles presented the primary programs, including Marco in Bloom, where property owners compete for best landscaping by entering before March 19; Marco Nature Night, 5 – 7:00 PM March 19 at City Hall; historical markers; Tree City USA designation; utility box creative wraps and the 10,000 tree program.
Citizen Comments
Residents spoke on several items not on the agenda, including:
Peter Pareene requested maintenance of the bocce courts, particularly infill.
Several residents spoke in favor of the city upgrading a softball field for more than $200,000 in ongoing negotiations regarding a lease agreement with the Collier County Public School District.
John Martini blamed the City Charter for not allowing another way to determine the seventh council member following a midterm vacancy created by Greg Folley’s resignation. He said a special election should be allowed as the “basis of democracy” and that they can change the City Charter to allow it.
The next Council meeting is scheduled for 5:30 PM Monday, March 3.
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