Remarks by Darrin Palumbo
628 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 16 of 26
“You would have some say-so on that, right? Just like our racket center has some conditions on it for free play and use of that. So certainly all open. Anybody else on this? I'll close it out with, I think we in the business, commissioners, counselors, we're always conscious of staff time, right? What it would take to put something together, to have a yes or no. So, Rick, I like what you're saying first. A little homework first, a little conversation opener then, if it gets to the heavy lifting.”
“Guys, I see a few people got to the bathroom. Anybody need a quick four-minute break or anybody need a, if not, you just take them yourself. We'll keep forging through. All right. We had a couple additional topics and we got a great time here. Commissioner, is there anything on your list you want to throw out to a counselor slash commissioner communication topic before I go into a few ancillary items here?”
“Maybe talk a little about the Isles of Capri septic to sewer conversion. We touched a little bit about it. Rick, our Commissioner Ocasio-Castro, this is something you're deeply invested in. Can you speak to that in a little detail? Or am I putting you on the spot?”
“Thank you. Before we open it up for questions, Commissioner Lacastro, sorry. Can you just, there seems to be, when I talk to the citizens of Isle of Scopree, there's some will to do this, but there's some concern that Marco is interacting because we have the rights to the plant. We didn't make it that way. The Daltona Corporation did. And then they asked questions as to, well, couldn't the county take care of it? Couldn't you run your own lines in? Where would they come from? Can you speak to that a little just as a public service announcement? Would you mind?”
“My point, not by any of our design. This was deemed long before we were sitting at a table.”
“You have parks. We have septic systems. Boy, there's a lot to talk about.”
“You know we're getting 50 emails from Goodland by tomorrow.”
“I'm just curious. To me, Commissioner LoCastro said it has to be a community will for starters or the state has to force it upon somebody. It's really the two directions. If there's no community will, I'm not looking to go to somebody else's community and impose my will on them. If it becomes a necessity through the state due to water quality and larger pictures, then we all have to sit at a table. But that's my thoughts on it.”
“I'll just tell you what I hear, you know, Marco, what was it, six referendum votes to become a city? Didn't happen quickly, right? Isles of Capri, you have a ton of people that moved there, and you have some from Marco, because they like that it looked like Marco 30, 40 years ago, they like the vibe. Community will would be needed, and I don't have any idea if there's even an inkling of thought there for that, but it's the best I could figure it out.”
“Chair Cole, I'll follow up on something you said, Commissioner. Marco is a unique entity. We feel like a gated community. We're not, but we definitely feel like it. We function a little bit like it. We have two bridges, right? We're geographically separated from everything else. We have an odd evolution from the developer who had financial challenges and environmental challenges. So we're certainly a unique entity, and there's not a lot like us out there. So we don't have these shared systems, like you said. We don't experience it. I'll be a little bold and say we're blessed in a lot of ways.…”
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
“Heard and understood. I'm not saying it is possible, but if there's a will and a way, we'll see if we can make it better than it is and function for everybody. Councilor Champagne, do you have any thoughts?”
“I'm afraid to bring a plan now, but I would like to.”
“Do you have something in the city of Naples, don't they do something where their parks are by third of that direction? I see the Crane's Irving element by the dock in that direction, the boathouse or...”
“Well, Commissioners, I'm not sure it's solvable, but I appreciate the ability to poke around and see if it could be, or at least brainstorm some ideas. Please, absolutely.”
“willing to at least take a look at options but maybe there's other options than that just that half acre I appreciate that thank you listen nothing's off the table when you're as land scarce as we are you try to brainstorm any idea you can just to see if it'll stick guys any other thoughts or comments on this any closing thoughts counselors commissioners before we open up to public comment anything”
“There you go. We can have a few closing before we adjourn.”
“So they'll get six minutes for that speaker?”
“I'm sorry, just state your name for the record, please.”
“Councils, commissioners, we've had a great time here. Any final thoughts? Quick thoughts by anybody? Mr. Chair, anything you want to add?”
“Casey, I was going to finish with some of the same thoughts, and I'll just say quickly echo what you said. Commissioners, thank you for coming down. Thank you for coming to our area. We appreciate it. Mr. Chair, thank you for letting me run the meeting. I have confidence in that. I appreciate you on that. And let's hope to do it again sometime very soon. And the last thoughts I said, it's not just what Collier County can do for us. We are part of Collier County. If we can do something for you, please don't hesitate to reach out also. Yes, sir, please.”
“Do we miss anybody? Commissioners? Counselors?”
“I think you represent as well. Guys, 3.58, excellent. Two minutes on. They're going to have to extend anything. No other thoughts? Workshops adjourned. Thank you.”
“Well, good evening, everybody. Welcome. It is Monday, August 17th, 530. Welcome to our regularly scheduled city council meeting. Jim, would you call the roll, please?”
“Here. All councils are here. All right, guys, a couple things before we get to the agenda and remembrance for our former councilor Rolla. Rules of decorum are always in effect, right, for councilors, for staff, and for the public. We want to encourage open, civil dialogue, passionate debate. When you come up to speak, please try to give us the same courtesy we'd give you. I have no desire to hit the gavel on anybody. I have no desire to stifle anybody's voice. But we always appreciate it if you do it just in a respectful manner. But speak your mind. We certainly want to hear. Also, if you…”