Pickleball Noise Takes Center Court

The Marco Island City Council met Monday, February 2, 2026, with six members present; Councilor Erik Brechnitz was absent. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including the future of the Racquet Club, pickleball noise concerns, and the process for hiring the city’s next city manager.

Early in the meeting, council briefly discussed e-bikes, which have become an increasing concern in the community. It was noted that two pieces of e-bike safety legislation are currently advancing at the state level and could affect local regulations. Council suggested additional efforts may be needed to promote e-bike and pedestrian safety on the island, and Chair Darrin Palumbo indicated the issue would be revisited in the near future.

Council voted to approve a letter to Collier County requesting that a countywide sales tax measure be placed on the 2026 general election ballot, emphasizing the need for voter consideration of a locally controlled funding source for critical infrastructure needs such as stormwater, drainage, and roads.

The most extensive discussion of the evening focused on the Marco Island Racquet Center. Council unanimously agreed that the existing building—described as moldy and in significant disrepair—should be demolished. Debate centered on whether to proceed now with approximately $517,000 in improvements, including demolition, removal of the ungated court, paving for parking, and installation of lighting, or to delay spending until a clearer long-term vision for the site is established.

Pickleball noise dominated both council discussion and public comment. David Cadwell, speaking on behalf of San Marco Villas residents, raised concerns about quality-of-life impacts on neighboring homes and suggested that a proven solution adopted by many communities is a standalone, fully enclosed facility designed for high-impact recreational activities. 

Councilors Rene Champagne and Bonita Schwan urged awareness of potential litigation, given that many cities across the country have been sued over pickleball noise. Potential solutions discussed included requiring soft balls and paddles on city courts, spending an estimated $200,000 on noise barriers, constructing a fully enclosed facility, relocating pickleball off the island entirely, or reconsidering whether the city should operate pickleball facilities at all.

Several council members stressed the importance of addressing immediate needs without spending limited funds on improvements that could conflict with a future long-term plan. Councilor Stephen Gray summed up the concern, stating, “I’m haunted by a $300,000 parking lot.” Council ultimately agreed to defer further discussion until the February 9 Parks Master Plan and Capital Infrastructure Bond Workshop.

Noise issues resurfaced later during council communications, when Gray noted that he is continuing work on a revised noise ordinance and indicated that it has been a very challenging undertaking. He stated there is a general perception that the ordinance has been weakened over time and explained that Marco Island’s decibel limits once mirrored those of Collier County but are now higher. During that discussion, Schwan asked whether pickleball noise could be explicitly addressed in the revised ordinance. Earlier in the meeting, it was noted that pickleball was not a widely played sport when the current ordinance was adopted, which is why it is not mentioned in the existing ordinance, which exempts noise generated by parks.

The second major topic of the meeting was the hiring process for a new city manager. Council approved a proposed plan that includes a job description based on the city charter and a timeline aiming to complete the process by July. Applications will be accepted from February 4 through March 4, after which city staff will review submissions for qualifications before forwarding them to council.

Council also debated whether the city manager should be required to reside on Marco Island. Councilor Deb Henry suggested the expectation be clearly stated upfront. Councilors Tamara Goehler and Champagne emphasized the importance of living in the community, while Gray and Palumbo said residency would be ideal but not essential if the strongest candidate lives elsewhere. The hiring plan passed unanimously, 6–0.

Additional discussion touched on concerns about shark fishing from the beach. Council acknowledged that many emails have been received from concerned residents but noted that regulation of the activity is largely preempted by state law. It was decided that Marco Island Police Chief Tracy Frazzano will contact the FWC to find the best way to educate the public on what can and cannot be done in regard to shark fishing on the beach. One public speaker indicated that residents at South Beach are seeing “dead sharks, bait, hooks, drones at night, it’s disruptive and upsetting.” She referenced an email circulating wherein it was suggested that Council might reach out to the FWC to seek a limited exemption for a certain section of that beach in order to protect beachgoers.   

Toward the end of the meeting, council addressed recent research conducted by a concerned citizen showing that residents pay approximately 96 percent of the island’s property taxes, while businesses account for about four percent. Several council members praised the research and said it brought up good questions that should be further pursued, particularly because Collier County appears to be an outlier compared to other counties.

More than one public speaker praised the council for its collaborative and respectful dialogue throughout the meeting. Palumbo echoed that sentiment, stating that maintaining the same cooperative approach would position council well to navigate the complex task of crafting a more effective noise ordinance. He said, “If we bring the same attitude and the same conversation we brought toward pickleball towards the noise ordinance, we’re going to be in good shape in solving the citizens’ challenges.”

The Marco Island City Council will next meet Monday, February 9, 2026, at 1:00 PM for a workshop focused on parks and recreation priorities and their funding.