Informal discussion groups delve into island issues

In a small, intimate group of local residents looking for a status report on how the city of Marco Island runs — its projects, goals and obstacles — City Manager Bill Moss made a short presentation followed by Public Works Director Rony Joel and Community Development Director Vince Cautero in the lobby of Orion Bank on May 31.

The bank's In the Round series is an opportunity for year-round residents to brush up on local issues, said Keith Dameron, Orion's vice-president and branch manager.

"In other words, (the issues) are what all of us on the island are hearing about, reading about and talking about on a day-to-day basis," he said.

"Each month, (we) bring into the Orion Bank lobby the individuals who are best prepared to talk about those topics of current interest."

Dameron strives to ensure that the mood is casual and non-threatening, with speakers sitting in the small crowd rather than sequestered from their audience.

"With that relatively small number, (presenters) are never (more than) six or eight feet (away)," he said. "I think it allows the speakers to be more engaged with a small audience."

Among the three city officials, Moss said, they have a combined 80 years of experience on the issues facing the island, and they would be very embarrassed if they could not come up with an answer for everyone who gathered. Luckily, they managed to relay all the information people wanted, free of technical jargon and deliberation that often impede public understanding of issues.

Moss gave a quick description of Marco Island's form of council-manager government and how the Sunshine Laws require that all business be conducted in public.

"I don't know of any state with such stringent laws," he said, after explaining that no two elected officials can discuss something that may come before council. Usually, he continued, states only require that the majority of city council not privately discuss city business.

That means, he continued, that councilors cannot ask questions about something they do not understand unless the public is invited — which usually translates into a crowd at City Council meetings.

Following Moss were presentations by Joel on public works and utility projects and Cautero on the council's initiative to reduce density and regulate redevelopment, especially in regards to the new Marriott Vacation Club purchase of the Radisson Suite Beach Resort.

Residents were encouraged to ask the speakers questions.

The In The Round series is held on the last Wednesday of each month, with Marco Island Board of Realtors president Anne McDonald scheduled for June and city Police Chief Roger Reinke scheduled for July.