http://www.marconews.com/news/news/local/government/?partner=RSSmarconews.com Stories: Local Issuesen-usnews/local/governmenthttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/jan/12/all-lit-residents-pack-city-council-meeting-protes/?partner=RSSGenerally, the governmental bodies at the local level do their work without being noticed by the great majority of the citizens on whose behalf they toil – until something happens to get the citizens up in arms. lances22@gmail.com (LANCE SHEARER)Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:49:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-297353-734514news/localLANCE SHEARERMARCO ISLANDAll lit up – Olde Marco Residents pack City Council meeting to protest street lightsmarconews.comall-lit-residents-pack-city-council-meeting-protesurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-297353-734514Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/dec/15/marco-island-code-enforcement-board-takes-action-n/?partner=RSSAt the Code Enforcement Board meeting on Tuesday afternoon, there was a message to those with cases in front of the body: Work with us. The CEB has substantial power, with the ability to levy fines that can climb into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and impose liens on real estate to ensure those fines are – eventually – paid. In general, the board wields this power lightly, and is long-suffering to a fault. The wheels of justice grind slowly, and there is typically a lag of years from when a property first becomes a subject of a code compliance complaint, to when it comes up for a hearing, and is eventually assessed a monetary penalty. More often not, the fines are “mitigated,” or substantially reduced or even waived. lances22@gmail.com (LANCE SHEARER)Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:41:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-295180-734486news/localLANCE SHEARERMARCO ISLANDMarco Island Code Enforcement Board takes action on non-responsive property ownersmarconews.commarco-island-code-enforcement-board-takes-action-nurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-295180-734486Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/dec/12/marco-city-council-asked-approve-bike-path-bid-its/?partner=RSSMarco Island’s first bike or walk to school raffle was so successful, the Bike Path Ad-Hoc Committee plans to do it again next year. By then, Phase 1 of the Safe Routes to School project should be completed, making it easier for students to get to school on their own. The committee discussed the project’s timeline and the bike raffle at its Friday meeting. Construction to add 8-foot sidewalks on Cushing Lane and around the perimeters of Tommie Barfield Elementary and Marco Island Charter Middle schools should be completed by May 2012. In early planning, city engineers estimated the cost of Phase 1 at $347,000. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294780-734483environmentCHERYL FERRARAMARCO ISLANDMarco City Council asked to approve bike path bid at its Jan. 9 meeting marconews.commarco-city-council-asked-approve-bike-path-bid-itsurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294780-734483Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/dec/12/putting-golf-marco-island-planning-board-hears-fir/?partner=RSSApparently, the members of the city’s Planning Board are ready to putt a round. As their first order of business Friday, the Planning Board took up miniature golf. They heard from one – make that two – proposed miniature golf facilities. The agenda called for them to hear from petitioner Ronald Smith, on his plan to build a miniature golf course on Park Avenue. Before they did, though, local attorney Fred Kramer addressed the group, pushing his separate proposal, to open a mini-golf links called Marco Golf & Garden, to be located on Winterberry Drive adjacent to Sasso’s Restaurant. lances22@gmail.com (LANCE SHEARER)Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:17:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294765-734483news/localLANCE SHEARERMARCO ISLAND‘Putting’ golf on Marco Island: Planning Board hears first of two mini-golf proposalsmarconews.computting-golf-marco-island-planning-board-hears-firurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294765-734483Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/dec/12/marco-island-planning-board-weighs-regulations-tem/?partner=RSSThere are very specific requirements for temporary signs for real estate for sale, model homes, and sales centers, community development director Bryan Milk told the City of Marco Island Planning Board on Friday – and they are being widely ignored. With Chairman Dick Shanahan absent, Milk led the six remaining members of the board through a thorough, not to say lengthy, exposition of just what is permissible and what is not in signage, illustrating his talk with PowerPoint slides. Temporary signs, he told them, must be four square feet or less, no higher than three feet, with a white background and lettering in one color, and a corporate logo taking up no more than 20 percent of the sign area. lances22@gmail.com (LANCE SHEARER)Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:13:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294763-734483news/localLANCE SHEARERMARCO ISLANDMarco Island Planning Board weighs regulations for temporary real estate signsmarconews.commarco-island-planning-board-weighs-regulations-temurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294763-734483Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/dec/09/roundabout-medians-top-issues-marco-islands-beauti/?partner=RSSCul-de-sac medians remain a high priority for Marco Island’s Beautification Advisory Committee. On Wednesday, the committee presented Tim Pinter, public works director, with its list of the least impressive and most dangerous cul-de-sac medians on the island. After Lee County Electric Cooperative removed vegetation too close to power poles and lines, the seven-member committee divided the island’s streets to survey cul-de-sacs medians. It ranked the worst for improvement. Some also were cited for vegetation that obscured line-of-sight around medians, making it impossible for drivers to see what was ahead. Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:54:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294615-734480news/localCHERYL FERRARAMARCO ISLANDRoundabout medians top issues for Marco Island's beautification committeemarconews.comroundabout-medians-top-issues-marco-islands-beautiurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294615-734480Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/dec/08/ready-set-restore-moving-ahead-looking-help-donati/?partner=RSSOver the past century, said Robin Lewis, development has destroyed something like 150,000 acres of mangrove wetlands in the state of Florida. Now, he and a coalition of private and government groups are trying to restore a couple of hundred acres to health. Thursday morning, Lewis met with team members including Liberta Scotto of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, surveyor Scott Rhodes, and Marco resident Bob Olson, at the site along State Road 92. Over 225 acres of mangroves are dead or dying, giving the appearance, said Olson, that “a nuclear bomb went off,” leaving a forest of skeleton trees, and at times a strong odor of rotting vegetation. lances22@gmail.com (LANCE SHEARER)Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:57:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294451-734479environmentLANCE SHEARERMARCO ISLANDReady, set, restore: Moving ahead, looking for help – donations needed for Marco Island mangrove restoration effortsmarconews.comready-set-restore-moving-ahead-looking-help-donatiurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294451-734479Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/dec/08/future-utilities-board-rests-marco-island-city-cou/?partner=RSSMembers of the Utilities Advisory Board were reticent to create a meeting schedule for 2012, but reluctantly did so on Wednesday. In a surprise action, Marco Island city councilors decided on Monday to discuss disbanding the board at their Jan. 9 meeting. Doing so would remove the only board, other than council, overseeing millions of dollars for the city’s largest utilities. Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:03:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294436-734479news/localCHERYL FERRARAMARCO ISLANDFuture of utilities board rests with Marco Island City Councilmarconews.comfuture-utilities-board-rests-marco-island-city-couurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294436-734479Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/dec/06/council-moves-accept-840000-public-works-grants/?partner=RSSMonday was a good night for Tim Pinter, Marco Island’s public works director. After a brief discussion, city councilors unanimously authorized the city manager to accept two grants totaling $840,000 from South Florida Water Management District. The grants will be matched with city money to fund projects in 2012. The management district will reimburse the city 50-percent of total expenditures up to the grants amounts. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:38:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294193-734477news/localCHERYL FERRARAMARCO ISLANDCouncil moves to accept $840,000 in public works grants for Marco Islandmarconews.comcouncil-moves-accept-840000-public-works-grantsurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294193-734477Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/dec/06/city-agrees-20000-fireworks-marco-islanders-raise/?partner=RSSThe rockets red glare will fill the skies over Marco Island on July 4, 2012. In a 6-1 decision by Marco Island City Council on Monday, the city agreed to fund 50 percent or $20,000 for next year’s Independence Day fireworks. Marco Island restaurateur Joey Oliverio, of Joey’s Pizza and Pasta House, agreed to head up a community organization to raise the rest. Councilor Chuck Kiester voted against the motion. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294148-734477news/localCHERYL FERRARAMARCO ISLANDCity agrees to $20,000 for fireworks, Marco Islanders to raise the restmarconews.comcity-agrees-20000-fireworks-marco-islanders-raiseurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294148-734477Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/dec/01/new-lights-mean-brighter-nights-along-bald-eagle-d/?partner=RSSInstalling new street lights on Bald Eagle Drive is a win-win for businesses and residents. “The street is very dark, and in the summer when there are fewer people here, it is difficult to find the parking lot where you are going,” said Arturo Perez, owner of Arturo’s Italian Restaurant at 844 Bald Eagle Drive. Perez said the new street lights will make finding his business easier for his customers. Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:29:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-293745-734472news/localCHERYL FERRARAMARCO ISLANDNew lights mean brighter nights along Bald Eagle Drive for Marco Islanders marconews.comnew-lights-mean-brighter-nights-along-bald-eagle-durn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-293745-734472Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/nov/15/growing-pains/?partner=RSSThe committee had been accustomed to having city staffers and landscaping contractors attend their monthly meetings, the better to answer questions and engage in free-flowing discussions. Pinter informed the members that would no longer be the case. lances22@gmail.com (LANCE SHEARER)Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:54:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-292187-734456news/localLANCE SHEARERMARCO ISLANDGrowing pains: Beautification Committee deals with sprinklers, swales and cul de sacsmarconews.comgrowing-painsurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-292187-734456Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/nov/15/city-finance-director-says-years-audit-will-be-bet/?partner=RSSOn Tuesday, the city’s Audit Advisory Committee quizzed Finance Director Patricia Bliss and city accountant Donna Senica on their readiness for the upcoming audit. It will be conducted by Mayer Hoffman McCann, P.C., an independent auditing firm. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:44:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-292184-734456news/localCHERYL FERRARAMarco Island, FLCity finance director says this year’s audit will be bettermarconews.comcity-finance-director-says-years-audit-will-be-beturn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-292184-734456Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/aug/02/marco-island-city-council-budget-workshop-millage/?partner=RSSDuring a marathon, six hour budget workshop on Monday, Marco Island City Council prioritized capital improvement spending needs, considered ways to cut expenses, and set a maximum millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year. Councilors voted 5-2 to set the maximum millage rate for fiscal year 2012 at 2.0733 per $1,000 taxable property value. That’s about $.75 higher than last year’s rate. However, the millage could be lowered in September based on a number of factors, including additional spending cuts in next year’s budget and adjustments in the island’s reserve funds. Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:54:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-282985-734351news/localCANDACE ROTOLOMARCO ISLANDMarco Island City Council budget workshop: Millage rate increases unless more cuts can be agreed tomarconews.commarco-island-city-council-budget-workshop-millageurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-282985-734351Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/jul/15/marco-island-utility-advisory-board-special-assess/?partner=RSSThe city’s Utility Advisory Board (UAB) is working on ways to reduce a planned six percent utilities increase for fiscal year 2012. Marco Island water and sewer customers have seen a rate hike each year since 2009 to help reduce the debt the city incurred in purchasing the utility department. But with an anticipated cost of services increase next year, which may have the average user see a 19 percent increase in their bill, city officials and council members worry that an additional six percent boost could pose a financial burden on consumers. However, a six percent increase will provide a balanced budget for the utility. Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:44:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-281476-734333news/localCANDACE ROTOLOMARCO ISLANDMarco Island Utility Advisory Board: Special assessment for some or rate hikes for all?marconews.commarco-island-utility-advisory-board-special-assessurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-281476-734333Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/jul/07/marco-island-budget-sub-committee-all-departments/?partner=RSSWednesday afternoon, the Marco Island City Council Budget Sub-Committee held another meeting, slowly sifting through the myriad of expenditures, and various revenue sources, that all add up to the city’s $20 million-plus annual budget. Three of the city councilors, committee chairman Larry Magel, and councilmen Bill Trotter, and Wayne Waldack, are preparing recommendations for the entire council, balancing the goals of preserving city services and keeping residents’ tax bite from biting harder. lances22@gmail.com (LANCE SHEARER)Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:25:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-280858-734325news/localLANCE SHEARERMARCO ISLANDMarco Island Budget Sub-committee: All departments looked to for cuts in expenditures to keep from raising taxesmarconews.commarco-island-budget-sub-committee-all-departmentsurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-280858-734325Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/jul/07/can-bac-make-marco-islands-cul-de-sacs-beautiful-a/?partner=RSSA budget request by the Marco Island Beautification Advisory Committee (BAC) to maintain the city’s more than 300 cul-de-sacs may have hit a snag. At a meeting in preparation of the 2012 fiscal year budget, parks and recreation director Bryan Milk, the committee’s staff liaison, requested that the budget subcommittee approve $44,200 to maintain the 302 cul-de-sacs, many of which violate the city’s own ordinances for un-mowed grass and lack of upkeep. Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:37:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-280837-734325news/localCANDACE ROTOLOMARCO ISLANDCan the BAC make Marco Island's cul-de-sacs beautiful again?marconews.comcan-bac-make-marco-islands-cul-de-sacs-beautiful-aurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-280837-734325Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/jun/21/marco-island-city-council-okays-dollars-operate-se/?partner=RSSCity of Marco Island Fire-Rescue Chief Michael Murphy has been trying for years to get the city to man Station 51, the fire station on the north side of Elkham Circle East, on a full-time basis. Now, with the help of some impact fee dollars, it looks like his wish is coming true. Monday evening, the Marco Island City Council voted to approve the expenditure of $16,000 for improvements at the station, which is currently staffed part-time. Chief Murphy lauded the move, saying it will dramatically cut response time on the north side of the island, saving precious minutes in the crucial first minutes of responding to an emergency call. lances22@gmail.com (LANCE SHEARER)Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:25:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-279453-734309news/localLANCE SHEARERMARCO ISLANDMarco Island City Council okays dollars to operate second fire station full-timemarconews.commarco-island-city-council-okays-dollars-operate-seurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-279453-734309Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/jun/21/sewer-connections-raise-stink-marco-island-city-co/?partner=RSSMonday evening, the Marco Island City Council dug back into the sewer issue, with a proposal to grant relief to homeowners whose connections to the city’s lines are blocked through no fault of their own. While most of the agenda items were disposed of quickly and unanimously, paying for these hookups generated some discussion and disagreement. lances22@gmail.com (LANCE SHEARER)Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:49:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-279439-734309news/localLANCE SHEARERMARCO ISLANDSewer connections raise a stink at Marco Island City Council meetingmarconews.comsewer-connections-raise-stink-marco-island-city-courn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-279439-734309Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/jun/17/city-council-budget-sub-committee-councilors-delve/?partner=RSSDid you ever take a look at your finances, to see if you could afford that new car, or maybe just keep putting gas in the old car? Multiply that headache by a thousand, and you have an idea what the Marco Island City Council Budget Sub-Committee goes through. Thursday, they held another meeting in the conference room at City Hall, going through the city budget line by painstaking line. Chairman Larry Magel, and Councilmen Bill Trotter, and Wayne Waldack took a fine-tooth comb to items down to fax machine maintenance contracts, cellphone use by city employees, and embroidered logo shirts. lances22@gmail.com (LANCE SHEARER)Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:23:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-279184-734305news/localLANCE SHEARERMARCO ISLANDCity Council Budget Sub-Committee: Councilors delve into minutiae of Marco Island’s municipal expendituresmarconews.comcity-council-budget-sub-committee-councilors-delveurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-279184-734305Change0Usable