City Council - Regular Meeting

And I'm coming from work and it was rainy, so I didn't bring it this morning. Okay. But I'll give you my info, I guess.

Good evening, everybody. It is Tuesday, September 22nd, 530. Welcome to our rescheduled council meeting in honor of Yom Kippur. Can we call the roll, please?

Here. All councilors are counting for. Councilor Schwan, good to have you back, and sorry to hear about your family challenge, but you're worth it. Guys, let's start off with a little public notice. Notice to all the residents. City Council meeting schedule beginning October 5th. All City Council regular scheduled meetings will begin at 1.30 p.m. Public comment is time certain at 2 p.m. or as soon as thereafter. That will be held right here in these same chambers. So please make a note of that. Exciting to try our new daytime meetings and see if that helps staff out a little bit. with meetings

All right. Councillor Henry, call it off. What do you got? What flavor?

I've got a Southwest style beef and black beans.

Sausage, patty, and maple flavored at least.

I got creamy. I might have the winner here. Creamy spinach fettuccine.

Oh, no, no, no. Beef ravioli and meat sauce.

I have beef patty, jalapeno pepper jack.

Chicken pesto pasta, and I'm not sharing.

Casey, thank you. Touche. It's a little lightheartedness on a meeting that ran very long last time. All right, a little more serious. If you're here to speak, public comment, 6.30 or as close to it as time's certain. Please, that particular item, the 6 o'clock public comment, is for items not on the agenda. If you'd like to speak about hotels or anything that's going to be on the agenda, that'll be on that agenda item. So please respect the staff. If you see Jim in the back of the room and sign up with the public speaking slip, he'll make sure you're in the right time slot. We'll make sure you

Well said, Rabbi. Thank you. All right, councillors, on to item five, approval of the agenda.

Item 14A and B, that's going to probably take up the majority of the time tonight. Correct. It looks like 14B could possibly be the faster, the quicker of the two. Is it possible to flip those and do B first and then A later?

Absolutely. Sharing my thoughts exactly. Thank you. So, counsel, with the amended approval of swapping 14A and B, counsel, does anybody have any concerns with that? Can I get a motion to approve as amended, please?

I move that we approve as amended. Second.

I have a motion by Councilor Dome, second by Vice Chair Champaign. All those in favor say aye. Anybody opposed, no? All right. The ayes have it. On to item six, public hearing for the adoption of the 2026-2027 millage rate. Melissa, there you go. Come on up.

Councilor's light signs. Councilor Schwan, you're up first.

Yes, thank you, Chair. Yes, I want to make a motion to approve Resolution 2657, adopting the final 2027 millage rate for the City of Marco Island. I'll second. Okay.

I got a motion by Councillor Schwan. I heard a second by Councillor Dome. Anybody signed up for public comment on this agenda item? There is not. All right. Call the roll, please.

Yes. Motion passes 7 to 0. Thank you. We're on to item 6B. Joan, would you read that into the record, please?

I have a motion by Councilor Henry, second by Councilor Dome. Anybody signed up for public comment?

Yes. Motion passes 7 to 0. Guys, before we move on to item C, if you're a first time attendee in the audience, you're wondering how we could pass a budget so quickly, be assured we've had countless meetings on this, workshops, and every councilor has spent hours and hours with these department heads. So the fact that we are able to do this so quick is a combination of hundreds of hours of staff time and council time, and now we're prepared to make the final votes. Very good. Moving on to item C.

Councilors, light signs for questions. Councilor Gray. I'll make a motion to approve. A motion by Councilor Gray, second by Councilor Goler. And I did see a light sign on that. I shot somebody. Okay, probably another motion. No other light signs. Anybody signed up for comment? There is not. Please call the roll.

Yes. Motion passes 7 to 0. On to item D. That would be 6D.

Can we get a second? Second. Motion to approve by Councilor Goler. I heard second by Councilor Schwan. Anybody signed up for public comment? There is no one signed up. I will be consistent. I did it for four years. Thank you, Hideaway Beach, for self-taxing yourself and helping to protect the island. We appreciate you. Please call the roll.

Yes. Motion passes 7-0. Joan, how many people, or Jim, how many people are signed up for public comment?

For items for 6 o'clock public comment, not on the agenda. We have nine people signed up. Ellen, am I within my rights to bump these up? I see a lot of moms here and kids that are, you know, hard to... Keep under control. We love them. Can we bump them up? Is that within my... I don't see why you could not. Okay. First of all, it seems like we're going to have a bunch of moms come up and speak to us. Smitty, can you do me a favor? Can you come up to the podium, please? Come right up here if you don't mind. I see you first. Kids, if you could behave yourselves, this beautiful officer is going t

Important information, Linda. Thank you.

If you're a mom and you're here to speak, you have the kids stand up so we can see you, if you don't mind. Let's acknowledge you. Or give us a hand if you don't mind. Let us know who you are, if your mom's here. We got them all? Okay, perfect. So yeah, get them all in an order, and we appreciate them coming.

Maris, welcome. Hi, thank you. And introduce who's with you.

If you're watching at home, you can't see the kids in the back, but we get the privilege of seeing them.

Thank you. You can clap for these guys. Feel free. This is nothing confrontational.

Thank you. All right, any other public speakers?

Moms, we don't normally address the public, but I'm going to take a moment. Yes, this council does love children. Yes, we did put the money aside for your park. Unfortunately, a bridge came to age after 60 years, and we had to divert it for a temporary amount of time until the referendum was voted upon. Shows you how important it is that by one vote, the bond referendum was passed. Should it not have been, we would not be in a position to put your $2 million back into your park. and also help these children. But that's no excuse. You get caught in a timeframe of seven months. It doesn't mean a

There's none attached to this one. You'll have them for the next meeting. So since we have no minutes for this one, they'll be ready for next meeting. We are on to item 8, approval of the consent agenda. Counselors, which ones do you want removed, Counselor Goldberg?

I would like to move for discussion two items. One is item 8D and one is item 8E.

Okay, like we did last meeting, since it is going to be maybe not as long as last time. Are these things quick? Can we discuss them right now, or do you need separate individual time for me to put them under item 16?

I really don't mind it at all. I can discuss any time if it's okay.

Absolutely, which is on our authority. Let's start off with 8D.

No, I don't have just a quick question. I actually have a discussion. It's just not the quick question. That's what the chair is asking, whether... No, I need a... Yeah, I have actually serious questions.

Okay, then we're going to have to move eights. It actually should be really C, right? Here it says, I think, D. Yeah. So am I reading this correct? Did we get a typo on this agenda?

D, a delta, and eight echo. C is missing.

Yep. So we'll put D and E will now become under items 17A and B.

Absolutely. Let me just correct it on my agenda here. Staff, help me keep that straight when we get to that, please. So now we have two items, A and B. No other items we move, councillors? Can I get a motion to approve as amended?

I make that motion to approve the consent agenda as amended. I'll second. Go ahead, Devin.

I heard a motion by Councillor Schwann, was it, and second by Councillor Goehler. Can you call the roll, please? By Councillor Dohm, sorry, for the second. Anybody signed up to speak on the consent agenda?

Yes. Motion passes 7-0. All right. We are on to proclamations and presentations. We have a great one tonight. Councilors, if you'll join me up on the top of the dais here, I'll step down to the bottom. Where are our – give me a favor, sorry. I'm looking for my paperwork here. Firefighters, please step forward. I know we're honoring a couple of you. Chief Byrne, you want to lead us in on this? You want to come up here and help out? And if you want to bring everybody up, that's going to be your – after we make our presentation, after or before. Chief, who are we honoring tonight?

A proclamation honoring fighter fighters Captain Christian Holmes and firefighter Steven Gaskell for their exemplary service during the mutual aid deployment to the Rose Fire in Palo Pino, Texas. Whereas the state of Florida received a mutual aid request to provide personal resources in support of wildfire suppression efforts in Texas. And whereas the City of Marco Island Fire Rescue Department answered the call by deploying Captain Christian Holmes and Firefighter Steven Gaskell, a member of the State of Florida Brush Truck Strike Team, BST6401. And whereas these firefighters completed a 17-d

firefighters come on up for a picture with your comrades please don't be bashful come on up surround them we'll get a nice picture we deserve to honor all of you Diana come on who else we got families please everybody Dustin come on come on up families Diana come on you're the foundation please who's ever part of this come up here

If you want to come up, feel free. There you go. All right. Moving on to item 11, the city manager's report. Counselors, light signs if you have anything for our city manager. Casey, if you have anything on this report. All right. I see no light signs. I'll just say great job. Keep up the good work. We are moving on to city attorney's report. Counselors, anything for the city attorney? All right. Alan, anything for us? No, sir.

You missed the heck of a meeting, Les. Forward to tonight. Poor David. All right. We got it all in. Everybody's voice was heard. We made it work. Department head reports. Councilors, any light signs for department heads? Councilor Henry, you are up.

I emailed, actually, Jeff Poteet about this today. It's not about the reports. As always, they're wonderful, and all your information is appreciated. Today, I was walking my dog, and in between a couple of houses... One of the pipes coming out of the ground was gushing water. It should not be. Ironically, a City of Marco water sewer truck drives by. I flagged them down. They turned around promptly. got out and addressed the situation and fixed the leak. So I emailed Jeff today. I did not get their names, but I think it just goes to show you live in a small town, you're walking down the street,

Councilor Henley-Wells said, I wasn't going to say this, but you popped something in my mind. I was complaining last week because my emails kept going off with a city water alert. And then I found out I have a water leak, and the system was notifying me. And it was only $17 worth of water or something, but it worked. Called up... TO THE GIRLS DOWN AT THE CITY HALL HERE. I THINK IT WAS EMILY THAT ANSWERED. I CAN'T REMEMBER. BUT IMMEDIATELY JUMPED INTO ACTION. SENT SOMEBODY OUT TO CHECK IT. FOUND OUT IT WAS VERY MINOR. FIXED. EVERYTHING IS GOOD. BUT SYSTEM WORKED FOR ME. SO VERY APPRECIATIVE. SO

I attended the planning board meeting and no other contact.

I attended the planning board meeting. I had a discussion with the staff, and I drove by.

Councilor Dome? I attended the neighborhood information meeting. Chair Palumbo?

Watched the planning board meeting, did a site visit, and spoke to some of the neighbors.

I watched the video on the planning board meeting, and that's it.

I attended the planning board meeting, and I also did a drive-by of the site.

Councilor Gray? I attended the planning board meeting. I also attended the neighborhood information meeting and had conversations with the applicant.

Mary, can you hold off for one second, please? You bet. It took me a long time to actually hear these words sitting here. Facts, not opinions. Redundant speech, but we let all speech be heard at the last meeting. We honor the public by staying as long as it took to let every voice be heard. Yes, we limited four minutes to three so everybody's voice could be heard. There's a lot of options up here, but what you want to listen to is the facts we are voting on, not opinion. That is what you were sworn in to do. It took me a little time to realize that, Alan, but I've heard you say it for four yea

COUNCILOR, ANY LIGHT SIGNS FOR QUESTIONS? COUNCILOR DONE, YOU'RE UP FIRST.

Well, I attended the neighborhood information meeting, and thank you very much, Mary. I think you hit everything that was really important here. I'd just like to make a motion that we adopt the ordinance as is.

I think everything that was submitted was well done. I think the planning board discussed this very openly, and I want to thank the Patel family for wanting to beautify a part of the island that needs some love.

There is another. Councillor Gray. Yeah, I'll weigh in since we're in the comment period. I was incredibly impressed with the applicant. I was incredibly impressed with their conduct. I basically considered this an example of smart development, smart evolution. I thought the whole process was a constructive role model or how to bring forth this kind of conversation. But I thought it was very well presented. And as you've pointed out, it's really a betterment to this section of the island. And it is in compliance with our comprehensive code. So I just wanted to, I was very impressed with the wa

Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Goehler. I also want to congratulate Patel family. That looks amazing project. And that area needs really a lot of help. Like you called it, it was a hood or something. It looked like a hood. It does. It really does. And thank you. And this is the kind of development, redevelopment that we are looking for, that we are not going over the comprehensive plan and we are staying within the frame. And thank you again. Thank you, Mary.

I just have one quick comment to responsible redevelopment. I am all for it. This used to be the downtown area. If you read Old History of Marco, The Last Paradise, the building of Marco Island, some of the old apartment buildings were for the workers, and this was a resort area with a lake. One question from the neighbors. Nothing changes with noise ordinance, with restaurant noise, with music at night? I know the answer, but if you could just.

Yes, sir. Do you want to bring up the applicant? Mary, anything else to add? Or if not, we'll bring them up.

If you could just state your name for the record.

And I'm prepared to answer any questions you might have. Thank you for the presentation. We see some light signs coming on.

I compliment you on a very good presentation for a rookie.

I think you'll catch on here pretty good. A very good presentation. I have no objections to what you're proposing. Thank you.

I see no other light signs. I'll just echo the same thing as the councilors. It was an excellent presentation, well put together package. Do we have anybody signed up for public comment on this? Okay. Council, anything to add? I'd recommend you guys. Anybody make a motion to approve? We have a motion by Vice Chair Champagne, second by Councilor Ashwan. I see no other light signs. Can you please call the roll?

Yes. Motion passes 7 to 0. Thank you. All right. We're on to now formally item 14A, which was 14B, an ordinance first reading. Joan, can you read that into the record, please? I can. Before you go, I'm sorry. Alan, do we need to re-swear people in on this one or let Joan go first?

I watched the planning board meeting. I have had conversations with the Hilton's general manager, the Hilton's attorney, and city staff.

I attended the planning board meeting. I had several meetings with our staff, many questions, but that's about it.

Shortly after being elected to the board here, I met with the manager of the Hilton, and he explained to me what he was hoping to do. I also watched it on the tape, the planning board on the video.

I watched the planning board meeting, spoke to some of the planning board members. I spoke to staff, spoke to the applicant, their manager, their attorney, and several neighbors.

Jumping ahead. I know that was not a slight.

I attended the planning board meeting. I spoke to staff. I spoke to members of the community. And I'm familiar with the proposal in general.

Yes, I also attended some of the planning board meetings, watched them also. And I met with the general manager and attorney representing on site at the Hilton.

And Councillor Gray. I attended the planning board meeting. I have gone through a number of emails and dialogues back and forth with the community on the topic and had some brief conversations with staff as well. Okay.

And, Alan, if I could just amend, I think I said I met with the owners. I met with the owners' staff is what I meant to say, just to be clear.

Mayor, before you get started, staff, can you tell me how many people have currently signed up to speak on this, just so I can get an idea?

All right. Very good. Thank you, Mary. Please.

Can you just switch the microphone over a little so we can hear you?

Mary, thank you. I suspect we're going to see a lot of light signs, so I'd say wait right there. Councillor Gohler.

Mary, thank you for your presentation. I had several meetings with you guys, with you, with Dan. We had discussions about this issue. And I'm going to ask you the same question I asked Mr. Smith. Have you ever written such a strong denial on any project?

That's what I needed to know. Vice Chair Champagne.

I guess I'd like to start by saying that I support responsible redevelopment and modernization of existing commercial properties when those improvements enhance their appearance of functionality and long-term value to the community at the same time every proposal must be evaluated on its own merits and must comply with the city's comprehensive plan land development code and applicable future land use requirements. Those standards provide the framework for determining whether a project is compatible with its location and with the broader interests of Marco Island. With that in mind, my question

I didn't set up the rules. I'm asking questions. I'm waiting for the question. My question is, everything that the staff presented up until this point, is it valid from a legal point of view?

Good. No more questions. Councilor Gray. Thank you. Mary, I hope Dan goes out of his way to take care of you for walking point on this. And thank you. You're doing a very good job. I don't know the history that well, but Marriott, I think they first requested a 100-foot tall building, and I think they ended up at 111. I think that was partly due to the equipment required on top of the building. So one of the comments, at least has been considered here, was 150 feet. And citing that as a basis, we don't have anything close to that level of elevation on the island.

Okay. Thank you. I've been concerned about the increased density on the beach as a result of adding this many additional rooms. Do we have any perspective on the environmental impact of adding this much more attendance?

Okay, so that's ill-defined. That's all I have for now, sir.

All right. Mary, I have no other light signs. I have a few questions, and I do understand what the city attorney is saying. Be open-minded until their attorney gets to make his case. I do like a lot of what Councillor Champagne said, a pathway to success. They are a good family. They're not a large corporation. They're locally owned. They've been a good steward of the community. And I do feel a need to try to help them redevelop in some way. But I do have a couple questions. Now, planning board saw this different. I understand that was a smaller planning board. Alan, do I have the right to tak

SO A FEW THINGS. YOU'RE RECOMMENDING AGAINST THIS FROM MANY DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, BUT YOU TALKED ABOUT SOMETHING THAT I DIDN'T QUITE IN ALL THIS INFORMATION I WENT THROUGH AND ALL THE CONVERSATIONS WITH STAFF, I DIDN'T CATCH ON TO THE SUBDIVIDING AND PATHWAY TO GET THE UNITS THEY'RE LOOKING FOR. CAN YOU TOUCH UPON DID I HEAR THAT CORRECTLY?

And since I haven't come across this bit of information yet, can you give it to me in easy terms?

Did you discuss this with them during all their conversation with you, with all their planning?

So am I hearing you're saying there's a pathway to this number? Should they decide to follow this pathway?

I didn't read it that way when I went through this, and I did not pick up on that, so I appreciate you clarifying it. I have to be honest with you. We're talking about their ask, so that's quite eye-opening. The last question I had was regarding the comp plan. We do have a mechanism to request changes in that, do we not?

Well, there's one of those I know the answer, but I'd like you to put it out there.

Okay, very good. I have another question at the moment. Do you have anything to add before we bring a... No, sir. Thank you for the presentation. Mr. Lombardo, you want to come up, and whatever team you're bringing up.

I'm going to open it up for questions for Mr. Lombardo, if councilors have at the moment. Councilors not, we'll take a go around, and then we're going to hear from the public at some point. So if you want to go around with Mr. Lombardo right now or the petitioner, we have Councilor Gray.

What is this definition of sufficient throat to accommodate vehicle access, or queue? How many vehicles is there? I'm absolutely worried about the traffic on Collier. And the other related question is, isn't going to a four-way light evidence of increased intensity at this intersection?

How many cars can you accommodate that will be checking in during that what I would call peak check-in period before it starts backing up on the collier? What's your capacity?

Very good. Counselor Gray? Counselor Champagne?

Okay, thank you. Good presentation. Mr. Chair, I have a lot of questions, so I'll ask a few and pass the baton, but I'd like to get back into the queue.

Sure. I'd like to go around for the applicant here, and then we can bring anybody up we need, and we're going to squeeze a public comment in after that, Jesse.

All right. But this is your time. Please ask away. Okay. Why did you decide not to seek an amendment to the comp plan to get to 26 units per acre?

26, isn't it? You keep mentioning 26 versus 16. So why didn't you do an amendment to get 26?

But don't you agree if you had and been granted the amendment request? We wouldn't be here arguing over this stuff?

But you'd be amending it to change it from 16 to 26.

No, it's called trying to get the deal done. Understood.

Wow. Would you folks accept a lower entitlement if it would resolve these issues and avoid a complete rejection?

It might be important before a vote is taken.

They're going to have a lot of time during public comment, I'm sure.

What amount of development could occur on this property without rezoning?

Let me ask Mary, if I could, a couple of questions before I pass the baton. Yes, sir. Could a continuance comprehensive plan amendment or redesigned application produce a more defensible record than either approval or denial today?

What would a reasonable compromise project look like to you from a city point of view?

So is the 60 unit per acre the primary stumbling block here?

So the PUD is the primary stumbling block?

Is the applicant prepared or willing to drop the PUD and accommodate the comprehensive plan?

I'm gonna go back to councillor domes position which is to the council always follow the recommendation of the staff and Right now, if we do that, this project proposal is rejected. I'm saying what can we do not to reject it, to have some form of redevelopment at Helton take place, which I think is desperately needed. So I prefer not as a councillor to have to vote no because I'm supporting staff, but the only way we're going to get there is some kind of a compromise. And if we can't get to a compromise, I can pretty much predict based on my own feeling what the result is going to be.

Understood, and I appreciate that feedback. I pass. Very good. Thank you. We'll come back if you need. Councillor Schwan.

Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Zach, for your presentation. And I want to talk about the beach and conservation. So as we know, our beach is a beautiful, pristine beach that our residents use it as a destination, as do travelers worldwide. And it's also the economic engine of our island here. And we want to preserve it for generations to come. So my question is, do you have an additional conservation management plan? for the beach, for protections and things like that. I know you've included some things in the benefits to the community with the additional trash cans, the dunes and things like th

Well, I wasn't sure that's why I asked the question, because there's concerns about the shorebirds, water consumption, and other things, too. So I just wanted to ask that. I appreciate that.

Thank you. Thank you, Councilor. Councilor Henry.

I'm just bouncing off what Vice Chair Champagne is, and I'm just trying to – Is it not, basically, your argument, you were saying 16 rooms, 26 rooms, 29, 30. Your whole part of your argument is these are not, the hotel rooms are not considered a dwelling because of the cases previously stated. So the 16, 26, 29 are now, because that's considered dwellings. And the previous cases, legal cases stated previously

And then I just wanted to clarify one other thing that you brought up. In the statutory requirements, if you were to go to a PUD, the live local number would remain at 16 units an acre. But if you did an RT,

Okay. I'm going to go for now. I look forward to public comment.

Very good. Councilor Dole. Thank you. Mr. Lombardo, Mary, great. Thank you very much. Obviously, there's a lot of ambiguities between the comprehensive plan and the land developments. And we could go on and on discussing both sides of the coin here. But at the end of the day, and of course, my name was brought up a couple of times about my admiration for city staff. And of course, the other half of that is the committees and the planning board. Maybe Mr. Gabriel can confirm this with me, but under Florida statutes, Actually, the authority to this sits with the planning board, not with the city

Under the authority in planned unit development requests, under Florida statutes, the planning board has the recognized authority to review and recommend approval of planned unit development requests. This authority is established to ensure that the PUD regulations are followed. ROLL OF CITY STAFF IS BASICALLY JUST AS SUPPORTIVE. SO IN THIS CASE, WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT A SPLIT DECISION, STAFF SAYS ONE THING AND MR. LOMBARDO'S GROUP SAYS ANOTHER OR ACTUALLY THE PLANNING BOARD SAYS ANOTHER, I THINK WE HAVE TO Recognize the Florida statute and stick with the Planning Board's decision.

Thank you, Mr. City Attorney. Counselor, do you have any other questions? Sure. Are you done? I'm done. Okay.

Counselor Goeller, you are up. First of all, I'm going to compliment you, Mr. Gabriel. I have not seen you this, you know, active and actual. You actually said yes at some point, at some point. So here is, I want to compliment, I always, let me say yes or no. So that's what we were talking about. It was kind of inside joke. So, um, I had several meetings with Mary, with Mr. Smith, and I had several conversations with planning board members as well. And when we're talking about, we had, and planning board narrowly passed, as you know, Zach. It was 3-2, correct? That's correct. Yes. I also spoke

Yes. Mr. DuBlois I spoke with. I spoke with Mr. Bailey. I spoke with several planning board meetings. But here is something that I would like to pick up where Mr. Champagne left. You guys do need the redevelopment without a dial. without a doubt. But I think perhaps the best way to do follow the process when staff tells us apply for the comprehensive plan and come back and we can discuss that. But as it sits right now, as you're presenting, I could not support this project. Thank you. MR.

Thank you, Counselor. All right, gosh, I got a bunch of questions, thoughts, and statements, and I'll try to go quickly with them. First of all, I do agree that it's a problem that must be solved. If we don't, the Hilton gets old, it gets outdated, it reduces their rates, it becomes, for lack of a better term, a discount hotel, and nobody wants that. So not helping them solve their problem is not in the best interest of Marco, in my opinion. Responsible redevelopment, good stewardship of the community, private entity working with government, and I like that even though the Hilton is a franchis

Mary, please, if you had something to add.

very good thank you for the clarity all right uh vice chair champaign uh i listened to your words yes i do understand what staff said i also understand the planning board passes counselor goaler like you that's why i asked am i allowed to take in the opinion of those who weren't there what they would have vote or do i have to go with the facts of what the vote was so here's the hierarchy to me right council is the ultimate decision planning board sits right below us and staff I don't mean it disrespectful. And sometimes that might be backwards, right? Because the staff may know more than the p

So now it is basically a decision of council. That's the failsafe here as council makes a decision of opinion. I'd like to find out, and I'd also like to see it literally typed up as Alan was saying, this is what we're offering. This is what staff says is legal to accept for mitigating the impact on the community and on the area. It seems like staff is saying there's a pathway forward. It seems like the applicant is saying we'd like to move to the same pathway, 600 units. I know... Our community is going to have a lot, a much different opinion. It's just going to be the doubling the size is go

Council, this is moving along a little quicker than last meeting. Does anybody desire a break? I see Councilor Gholar staring at me. Can we try to make it like a quick three minutes, please, as fast as possible? And then we'll have public comment when we come back. Meeting is adjourned for a few minutes. Who's got the tally on the public comments?

Okay, so we're going to give them all four minutes. All right. And six for the seated time. Okay. Very good. If you can call the first one up, please.

And for all speakers, if you could please remember to state your name and confirm you have been sworn in, please.

Thank you. Thank you for staying on point. Appreciate it. Next speaker, please.

Thank you. I'll let the last speaker speak, and I'll address that at the end. Ms. Summerfield, please step up.

Since I was mentioned by name, we'll talk a little bit about that. Campaign season, it's always fun. I don't take it personal. I'll be happy to serve with whoever wins and sits up at this dais and we'll get things done. I don't remember my exact words on the Hilton, but I do remember saying, if it is legal, why do we make a decision on the beach boardwalk when we know they're going to want to possibly offer it to us? Why don't we hold off and hear what's on the table? It seemed to be a prudent decision. It makes sense to me to hear what's available before I spend the taxpayers' dollars. Alan,

I am required to vote. Is that not correct? You are. All right. But I did check. Have your text in writing, just because I thought this might come up. Be happy or not to. I'll just address a couple other quick things. I don't know where this unbridled growth came from in my time on council. I mean, I wake up pretty happy where I live. I find business and residential to be one in the same. We're all part of, I use the big word one meeting, symbiotic relationship, or we could use another big word, microcosm. We're all in it together. We all function in here. We're retirees, we're children, we're full-time residents, we're seasonal, we're guests, we're tourists, we're visitors.

But please go online and put all these egregious votes I made with unbridled growth and Marco. Besides the Rose Marina, which I wasn't even voting on a restaurant, wasn't on the docket, I was voting on moving a garbage can, a landscaping buffer, moving a boat back seven feet. You know what was received for that? Prior to the vote of four brave counselors, the Magnolia Basin Waterway was allowed unlimited large boats, unlimited. After our vote, they're allowed two. I'd say it's a pretty big win for you, the citizens. Prior to our vote, the American Line cruise ship, American Patriot, was allowe

Councilors? All right. We'll get a second on that. I got a motion by Vice Chair Champagne, second by Councilor Dome. Anybody called up for it? Well, this is a new item, so would anybody like to public speak on this? All right. I see no light signs. Call the roll, please.

Yes. Motion to postpone. Passes six to one. All right. We have nothing under item 15 ordinances. A little bit late today. Moving along pretty well. We do have item 16A. A resolution not to exceed the $23 million bond. Joan, would you read that into the record, please?

Thank you. Am I... Casey, sorry, I'll let you go first.

Thank you, Casey. Counselor's light signs. Counselor Gray, I see your light sign on.

Thank you. A few sort of global questions. What is, we can issue multiple bonds under this authorization. what is the latest date, calendar date in the future, that we could actually issue one of these bonds? How much time do we have? So I'm trying to understand how many bonds could we issue and over what time period that would total the $23 million? Yeah, go ahead. Let's say you could issue a bond in two years. Would the assumption be that if you issued a bond in two years, it would have a 20-year maturity subsequent to that? Okay, so those are just some of the...

Okay, so to the best of our knowledge there's really up to three tranches of bond issuance And the latest date that we could choose to issue the third tranche of that would be possibly when Well the city staffs plan would be 2037 Okay The sinking fund I couldn't tell whether interest payments were quarterly, semiannual, or annual under the bond structure. It wasn't really clear to me. But I assume we have to meet a sinking fund obligation under these bonds. Is that sinking fund, do we earn interest off of that?

Well, we're not trying to get too far into the weeds, are we? Yes. The next one will probably be the same category. It seems like these bonds are being issued under the terminology of a 360-day basis. Having been a banker, I wouldn't have forgiven my four or five additional days of interest. So I'm actually pointing out to the community, if these bonds are issued under a 360-day basis, essentially you're getting four days of interest free on those bonds during each year. For example, 2027 has a 365-day year. So I just thought I'd point out that there's a benefit to that aspect. That's all I ha

Thank you, Counselor. I see no other light signs. All right. Anybody signed up to speak on this? There is not. No other light signs. I'll throw a few comments in there. This council voted unanimously, I believe, to send this to the citizens. To me, this is a promise of 10 years. I think it's about 10 years. Previous councilors, lower taxes, roll back whether you liked it or not. We're going to let the citizens decide on their own infrastructure needs. We did exactly that. Yes, amazingly unique that it was a one vote, but it was one vote. It won. If it was lost by one vote, we'd be talking abou

And then we'll have the right to vote on it again if we'd like to earmark it for the park?

You have me right there. Perfect. Councillor Henry.

I was just going to play off of that. Is that something we could discuss? We're six to nine months away. Discuss city staff looking into the various things or do you want to wait until answers to the survey?

So what would you recommend as a resident? So how can they actually follow and monitor their own water?

Okay, so you think that we are on the right path now?

Yeah, well, okay. So I'm glad that we are on the right term, and I don't know if anybody else has. Thank you, Jeff.

Thank you. No other comments? We'll need a motion to approve. So moved. Motion by Councilor Gray, second by Councilor Goehler. I presume we have no public comment on this. Anybody sign up for this? OK. Call the roll, please.

Yes. Motion passes 7 to 0. All right, we're moving on to item E, or now it will be 17B. And that is also, Councilor Agola, that was you. So you're up first, please.

I had a meeting with Dr. Lucius about this matter. And I think we have seen this. I think everybody that knows when I speak, change orders I do not like. Change orders I always question. And I always go back and say, who allowed it? Why did we allow it? And when did we detect it? And I tried to, Dr. Lucius, I guess, reached out to Mr. Kastler, and I guess he was not willing to actually come and even via Zoom speak with us. I understand that this is not a $180,000. That's what it was the last time that we had to change order to talk about. It's only $60,000. But $60,000, this is we're talking a

Councilor Gray, please. Thank you. I was actually going to drift into this in council communications before we pulled this. This is complicated. We talk about the analysis and we try and go through. If you're a auditor trying to review the books and records of a firm, You're dependent on the quality information that the firm gives you, and then you have to go back and search for answers. And I do think that there's been a healthy conversation about the journey we've been on to get our books and records in a clear position, clear framework. We made some progress. First, I also want to acknowled

So there's been, this is evidence of a learning curve, and this is the point about learning to learn and understand this enough to get it under control, which is why I said all along we were on a two-year journey. So I do respect, Councilor Gold, your comments. I don't shortchange people that earned the money and did it. Dr. Lucius and I did talk about they have to be put under a stronger set of disciplines to give us timely notification so that we can make these decisions more timely, and Dr. Lucius was caught by the late date of this. So I'll add more in council communication, but it's a jou

Thank you. Councillor Henry, before we get to you, I'm going to need a motion to extend this. Let's shoot for half an hour, 10 o'clock. I think we should be able to get it done by then. Got a motion and a second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Anybody opposed? All right, we're extended to 10 o'clock. Councillor Henry, you're up.

On these additional charges, we brought this when Chris was here, however, meetings ago, and he admitted that there was going to be extra charges. One thing I think we have to remember is, and unfortunately Marsha's not here to defend, because she said all of these things several meetings ago. We're not there yet, but we are getting there. And this has been a growth process. Chris said it last year, and they said it again this year. You can't build Rome in a day. We are fixing things as we go. I can say, because when I was on the audit advisory committee, CLA was in the middle of the road for

So that's a motion to approve? Do we have a second? Motion by Councilor Henry, second by Councilor Dome. Anybody signed up to speak on this one? There is no one signed up to speak. No other light signs? Please call the roll.

Yes. Motion passes six to one. All right. We are on to item 18, council communications and future agenda items. Councilor Schwann, I see you have an attachment. Did you want to start?

Yes. I will, Martin. If you could bring up the slide that has the actual white page on the pedestrian safety that I submitted. Okay. Well, that's my face. That's not the white page. I'll just start reading some highlights from it, just to go over the highlights of the white page. So Marco Island is experiencing increasing use of e-bikes, motorized scooters, and other micro-mobility devices in our city. This increased use of e-bikes, motorized scooters, and micro-mobility is creating pedestrian safety concerns and traffic conflicts. For that reason, I propose that we amend Ordinance 25-06 relat

Shouldn't this be discussed during the approval that you're seeking, not tonight? I mean, we're going on and on and on.

Councillor Swann's white paper, it's her right to, she's doing the right path, white paper before consensus.

It says the rules that were adopted a couple of months ago, this is what you're required to do.

Well, not official, but what we kind of tried to keep the pathway up. But yeah, she's at the right path here.

So yes, that is the correct picture. That picture is from August 28 of this year. And I only put that up there as an example of four incidents of violations by e-bikes, scooters, et cetera, that I saw on that day. This first one was on the morning of August 28. There's an e-biker who was on the beach by South Beach. The second instance that I saw that day, it was later in the afternoon. It was four of those miniature scooters that were being driven by very juvenile individuals who were in a line entering South Beach on the beach access, weaving through individuals, residents, visitors who were

So, as I was stating, I only come here to get councilor consensus. so that we can direct the staff and get ideas to see what we might be able to do to improve the safety of this. And because I have been contacted already by various residents of some of the ideas that they have, developing specific zones where there cannot be bike riders, there can only be pedestrians like walking around the lake, things like that. So I think this is something that we need to have this community conversation and provide our residents an opportunity to give public comment and to write us, email us, et cetera, an

Excellent. Thank you, Councilor Schwan, and I think this is something that should be spoken about. Before I turn over to the Councilors, let me just be clear on the consensus you're looking for, because I heard two things. One was to direct staff to bring us ideas and safety, and one was to eliminate them from regular sidewalks, not shared use paths. Is that correct, or what specifically consensus are you looking for?

So the consensus that I'm looking for is that we can direct staff to provide us to study and look into finding facts and data and maybe recommendations of what we can do here and if they think we should move forward on something like the sidewalks that I proposed or bring the other ideas.

So you're simply asking to direct them to bring some information back to us. Would that be correct? Absolutely. I just want to make sure. Perfect. Vice Chair Champaign?

I don't have an objection, per se, to Councillor Schwan's proposal, except to note that it was, what, about a year ago that you proposed a white paper in which we implemented and spent X dollars putting up an education program that kids had to drive these things on sidewalks, and now we're going to propose they go on the road. To me, there's a conflict there. within a year of your proposal it doesn't seem to make sense why are we doing this on top of what we just implemented by the way the education program at the schools hasn't even been completed yet kids have just started a new a new educat

To pick up where Counsel Champagne left, we just implemented 12 mile per hour, and we spent money and put those signs on that. And I think our police department is doing a decent job implementing and enforcing the That's what I would think. We have not heard any complaints. Look, I have been almost swiping out by the electric bikes on the sidewalks more than a couple of times. But we have to also remember, this is a Marco Island. We don't have line pair. the lines for the bikes. I would not want my kid on the street riding in this environment. It's just scary. Because it's much worse if you ge

I do want to, can I clarify? Sure. Pedal bikes, traditional bikes, they can be on the sidewalks under this proposal. But we may get other recommendations of doing something else. I just think this issue of safety has to be looked at. Pedal bikes can ride their bikes anywhere. So they're not being pushed out. And in regards to the 12 mile per hour, that would still all be in place. That would all be in place yet. if they're on the sidewalks or the shared use paths, the 12 mile per hour limit maintenance. That's OK. You guys can interact. This is your time together. I'm just trying to clarify. P

You're OK to speak back and forth. This is our time. Thank you.

Councillor Gray. Alan, this one's for you. It's not meant to be a trick question. I've had some history with adolescents getting in accidents causing physical harm and a family being sued. I'm just curious, if I'm 15 years old and I'm riding on an electric bike and I level somebody, Does that cover under homeowner insurance? I'm trying to understand liability management and compensating people that actually get injured. So that was just a pre-question before I go over a couple other things, because I am worried about consequences and people doing damage to others and then being held accountabl

So the parents would be responsible, and it may or may not fall under their homeowner policy, depending on the quality of their policy.

Sold homeowners insurance for years. The liability may or may not extend right outside the house. Hit somebody with a golf ball, you may have coverage on your homeowners policy.

Right, so we could have people on e-bikes without insurance. whereas we do require in cars that people have uninsured motorist coverage.

Well, now you know every homeowner's policy is putting an exclusion to e-bikes on it just after this.

I was just trying to put that. I'm actually going to switch to just a couple of things. And, Councillor Schwann, I really appreciate you bringing this forward. Because the injuries are going up. We are not at end of job. But this, again, reinforces where our density and intensity are coming into more challenging questions for what's happening on this island. You guys watch the island. I mean, the first thing that jumped out at me is there's probably a couple stretches of sidewalks where they got no business being on it. But is there perspective and learning that's come out of your experience o

So thank you very much. So the whole e-bike industry, and by the way, I did love this article. And it's very real and it reinforced my concern originally. We got a shortage of brain surgeons and a lot of head injuries come out of these accidents. And so that is among other things a danger. We're a year into this, but do we believe there's betterments we could do for the community safety? And part of what I'm asking, An 80-year-old woman that I was advised through a friend was leveled by an e-bike, but she chose not. I said, please, call the police. You've got to file a report. They didn't want

Could I add something? And thank you, Chief, for your comment. So when we did pass this last July, I had proposed that maybe Collier Boulevard from the resorts down, that that would be pedestrian only. So yes, we can do that, too. And that's what they've done in Naples, too. So this is just something that I think this conversation has to be had. Is there something that we can do to make it safer?

First, I appreciate your recommendation. It's complicated. Everything is here. I don't believe we're at end of job. So I do believe that I would love to pick on our police department and where they thought the hotspots were. And I guess you're telling me I can't require insurance on an e-bike rider. I'm not sure that the police department's qualified to answer that.

But I do want to get Vice Chair Champagne on here, if we could maybe pass the torch in for a moment. And we'll come back to you. Vice Chair Champagne.

I just have a – excuse me. Boy, I must be talking too much. I hope I'm not giving it to you. That's it. That's what – No, I got the Z-Pack. I'm supposed to be clean. Okay. I have a very brief comment and question. If we go down the path that you're suggesting with – probably a good idea we explore more about this topic. I'd like to bring up something we ought to explore, and that is limiting the use of e-bikes to someone 16 years old or older. I'm seeing a lot of kids riding these bikes and riding them at a relatively fast speed. Whether they're on the sidewalk or on the road, to me that repre

Naples did that. They put an age on it at 16. Yes. So there's ways we can do that because the state has clearly given us the authority, the local municipalities, to do that by statute.

Good. I see no other lights. If you guys can zoom in on me, you probably won't be able to see this. You see where it says slow down? I guess you see that on my phone? That's actually Spring Lake Park, South Plainfield, New Jersey, where I grew up. And I was there visiting and tending to Dad's needs, as I'm doing today. Sorry if I'm all crotchety. It's always something. But I took a picture of this because they're all over town. So, Councilor Schwan, I do commend you. I do think something needs to be done. If I heard correctly, we're not asking to ban them from the sidewalks. They were asking f

And right in the middle of the restaurant, it's like kind of a little bit of look at me. You know, their shirt's off.

But with that, Counselor Schwan, I believe there might be some validity and more information. I just don't know what type of study would we ask of staff. We're giving a pretty broad case. I mean, we're just saying do a study and bring us solutions. kind of broad, so I'm not sure I want to invest staff time on something so broad. I'd like to be a little more specific maybe, if that makes sense. Any thoughts, Councilor Schwann or staff? I'm just trying to narrow down what we'd actually be asking you.

I think kind of what Chief was referring to also, you know, looking at what Councilor Gray was saying, do you have some specific ideas of what you want, you think would be valuable for your staff time and fire and rescue staff? What do you think?

If I could hold you off for one second, I have to extend this. So I didn't mean to interrupt. Does anybody have anything substantial for the council reports for the boards they're on? I see no attachments. We're going to get to that. I just want to extend that, so I'm just asking how much time I'm going to need. And we all have a few things for Council.

I'm going to mention a white paper also.

Okay, so why don't we go with another 20 minutes that should get us. So how about a motion to extend to 1020? All those in favor say aye. Nobody opposed? All right. Let's try to wrap this one up. Councilor Schwan, please.

Okay, so I would say, you know, the goal here is to mitigate risk. and for safety reasons to everybody who's on the sidewalks, the shared use, et cetera. So direct staff along the guidelines that you just said, what we can do to mitigate risk by looking at that data about the heavily-used areas, et cetera. Is that specific enough?

I appreciate that. Thank you. Councilor Gold, do you have something to add to this, or is this additional councilor communication? Okay, so we're not going to get to that. We're still closing out the white paper. Any other comments on this, Counselors? Any other questions for Counselor Schwan? We are going to give consensus on this. Did anybody sign up to speak on this?

You stole my thunder. That's actually right on there, but we'll talk.

All right. Again, these light signs are for next agenda items, correct? Okay. So, Councilor Schwan, you know, I think this is going to come to a head. I think this information is going to be needed. States are trying to deal with it. The county is dealing with it. The government's dealing with it. Multiple states are dealing with it. I would agree that some good conversation, in my opinion, could be had. I do like the fact that we have something that's working, and I'd like to give it maybe some more time to really see where it goes. But in my opinion, asking the staff for some opinions, some

Okay, this is for the future agenda, what I'm asking for. I would like to respectfully request the addition of a future agenda item regarding the installation of a Hanukkah menorah at Veterans Park. I'm sorry, Hanukkah menorah? Menorah for Hanukkah, yes. At the Veterans Community Park for upcoming holiday season. So city staff has already, and I would like to thank Dr. Lucius, and I would like to thank Samantha. They've been wonderful helping with this project. So the city staff has already identified suitable location with the park. I ask that council discuss moving forward this installation,

Sure. So you want on the upcoming agenda, we're going to talk about where you want to place it, the little details and that.

We already have identified where we're going to place it. I've been working with Mr. Keith Alter, who is president of the synagogue, the Art Temple. We already identified place. We already spoke with the Christmas Island style. So everybody's on board, and Samantha has been fabulous, and so has Dr. Lucia. So you want to bring it on an agenda so we can talk about it, correct? Yes, and I will invite Mr. Kitt's altar if it's okay for him to.

I think it's a good idea. I think it's good for the park. I know some people have questions about if we're placing them next to each other, should they have their own spaces, but that's all great stuff we should talk about.

And also this year it's going to be the Christmas tree lighting is on the 5th of December, and that's the first day of Hanukkah.

Casey, we can get that on an appropriate agenda. We don't have enough time.

Very good. Look forward to anything else, Councilor.

No, that would be all. Thank you, everybody. Excellent.

Yeah, I want to resurrect the white paper that I submitted for inclusion in this agenda, which was not added, unfortunately. Did you submit it to us or didn't make it in? I submitted it to the city manager and to the city attorney.

So, Vice Chair Champagne, before you get too deep, as I mentioned, we will get it on the next available one, so we didn't forget about you. It just wasn't available yet. Do you want to paraphrase a bit or because we're going to go into it in greater detail on the next meeting? Or would you prefer to just wait and give us the whole presentation?

I appreciate that. Can I have a clarification? So the procedure I thought that we were operating under is that we have to submit the white paper under future agenda item so that we can all see it. And then there has to be a counselor consensus for it to get on the agenda.

We said yes Does that mean on the agenda under counselor comments to get a consensus or is it going directly on the agenda? I?

I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT THROUGH. WE KIND OF LEFT THIS AS A GUIDELINE.

RIGHT. THAT WAS THE CLARIFICATION THAT WAS THE PROCEDURE THAT WE OPERATE UNDER. THANK YOU.

SO WE'LL GET YOU ON THAT NEXT ONE. VERY GOOD. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD TO COUNCIL COMMUNICATION?

I JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE MORE COMMENT BECAUSE I WAS INDIRECTLY REFERRED TO BY MR. MEYERS.

With regard to the candidates that I have nominated or not endorsed, I should say, I find it unfortunate that he took the cheap shot to do it during a Hilton conversation. But nonetheless, it's understandable considering where he's coming from. There's an anti-business attitude in this community, which is unsettling, to be perfectly honest. It's a very small contingent of people. obviously don't understand what the contribution of business is to this island, and if we don't watch out and elect the wrong group of people, we may find that our businesses begin folding their tents. So I'll end the

Councillor Gray. Thank you. I'll start with a question. Mr. Chairman, you mentioned if the bond hadn't been approved, we couldn't move forward with the parks and rec.

Well, it's an option, not that it's a guarantee.

Well, this is important because this is talking about financial strategies and financial advisory. First, I absolutely think that we have ignored our parks and recs. Look, I have my daughter and my grandkids here, and they beat the crap out of me for the water park. or for the splash pad. It is bad. It's an example I brought up over time. We've had deferred maintenance that has to be caught up. And I absolutely believe that a lot more should be done for our parks and recs. But I just wanted to clarify, there were other paths forward to financing this. Sending the message to the community, if w

I don't know off the top of my head. I mean, do you have any other choices that you would like to present or what other choices?

Well, no, I'm just, I just, what that interprets is that was the only path forward for financial flexibility. I believe there are others.

For me it was, personally, but you guys might have other opinions.

So another concept, and I don't want to open up this whole cruise ship thing, but the question would be if cruise ships are active and viable on the island, which they appear to be, Do we have the ability to charge debarkation fees, disembarkation fees? Is this conceptually something within our wherewithal? And the only reason I ask is if we can charge the tourists and direct it to our parks and recs in Mackle Park, we could begin to exhibit to the community where the tourist coexistence actually helps the community some. So I don't know how we answer that or if that's a white paper or what, b

I could add something to that. I actually contacted the city attorney about that already, about embarkation fees, and I'm working on a white page on that.

Good, then I'll leave that to you. So the point that I've been going after, and I think the audit conversation, the $60,000 helped to validate something I've been raising for a while, a time that we have not been at end of job in understanding our financial position. I still believe there are more avenues where the bond now is a beautiful thing. It's been done. It's approved by a majority of It doesn't mean we have to carry all that interest. And it doesn't mean there aren't other strategies on how we might fund the city responsibly without leaning on all that debt. I consider that a wonderful

But I would add that there may be, but we need to present them. All we hear are words and we don't see any plan presented. So until we get an actual concept plan of alternate financial mechanisms, We're talking words. Show a plan. No, I agree. Through a white paper.

And thank you for that challenge. We had what was called the bucket plan. Some people don't like it. We had a commitment to funding things on a pay-as-you-go basis. And then we turned a blind eye to that and we rolled up our sleeves and said, Yahoo, tax rollbacks. Really, the idea is how you can try and true up our funding needs in a way that's as most financially astute as possible. And to your point, I brought it up twice before. We could have gone project by project and issued a bond, and we could have done that without going to the voters. So there were other avenues. But you're right, the

Before I turn over to Councillor Henry, I will just say I did reply back, and I appreciate Councillor Schwan and Councillor Gray where you're going with this. Somebody asked about port fees, and I said, boy, I'd love to charge that. I don't know if we have the right because Rosemarina owns the property. I'm not sure. It's not a governmental port, but I'll certainly look into it. I'm happy you're looking into it already, so I appreciate you doing the legwork on that. Thank you.

There's seven different ports in Florida right now, and some of them do charge embarkation.

That would be spectacular. Councillor Henry.

I've done research on that topic also, and it is private property, and I think we're going to find that the city cannot impose any fee on private property.

Let's hope we could, and we'll see where it goes.

I agree, because I started down that path, and I started doing all kinds of research, and because of being private property, but if you can find another way, awesome.

And I guess, Councillor Gray, one of the questions is, and I guess we're kind of alluding, is with ideas. I know I went on a string there of ideas of income, other ways for the city to make money. And I got shot down on them all. But please, if you have ideas, please bring them. We'd love to hear the different ideas of different revenue streams for the city.

The CAC, for those watching who have no idea what that means.

The Coastal Advisory Committee. We approved, well, let's just say the CAC budget was $21 million in 2026, and that is all fed from CDC money. We approved $300,000 for beach maintenance staff salaries as a part of a $500,000 Naples Beach Mages project. I have forwarded all the forms and various samples to Dr. Lucius. So my question is, if on the next available agenda, November sometime, if you guys wouldn't mind if I presented a white paper at our next meeting with request for direction towards staff and ourselves on ways to submit applications for CAC money. Last week or two weeks ago, we lite

I think it's a brilliant idea. And actually, I've been trying to nail everybody down on TDC money. And based on that, I should probably take the same path and say, let's make it more formal. Let's get it on an agenda. I've been saying to you, what do you want to do? But I think it's probably my job to tee it up for everybody so we can have the conversation.

Mine kind of goes with that. So I can do the heavy lifting for that, because I pretty much have written it at this point. But I think the fault, and I'm not saying it's a single soul in this room, the fault was That we never asked. We didn't get any money because we didn't ask for it. I agree. This year we are getting, it's going to be around $4 or $5 million at the beach, beach renourishment at South Beach. But I think that our biggest fault, we might be complaining that we never got it or didn't get any. Well, we never asked.

Joan, how many people are signed up for public comment?

OK, and I need about three minutes. So can we just get to extend to 1025?

Go to 1030 just for insurance. I'm sorry? Go to 1030 for insurance.

Yeah. Okay, 1030. Motion to extend to 1030? So moved. All right, got a motion, got a second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Anybody opposed? All right.

Councillor Henry, sorry to cut you off. If that's okay, if that can go on a future agenda, and I'll put that together for our homework and in asking the staff to help us and for us to come up with ideas. Anybody object to that? Sometime in November.

Okay. I have no objections from the council. That is fine.

Perfect. I want to thank Ms. Eve and Ms. Richards for asking me to meet last week and for them organizing. Some of the moms to attend here tonight. The sound of the little kids, I miss it. But anyway, we must listen to all residents, even the little ones. And I also want to thank the city staff for answering my questions. I literally emailed them on Friday night and Monday morning. I had answers to all my questions. So thank you again to them. And this is to the public speakers that are no longer in the room. Please remember that this is a multigenerational city with several economic environme

On that word, you're going to get called out. OK, my turn. Where do I start? Let's start with I pulled up our goals from 2026, and I was going to use this in the Hilton discussion. And, Councillor Gray, this was your goals, and it was as a compliment not to pit us against each other. Councillor Gray's goals, number four, improve local economy and tourism. When I read that, I thought that's spectacular. And then when he goes on to list them all in great detail, support year-round business growth, increase local economy activity by 10%. I respected it. I understood it. It makes me feel like we'r