The Marco Island City Council took its first formal step toward accelerating the city’s controversial septic tank replacement program Monday night.

An acceleration decreases the now-$120 million program’s years from seven to five and would complete the project in 2010.

By a narrow 4-3 vote, the City Council approved initial assessment resolutions and a contract for engineering services in two of the 17 sewer districts — Goldenrod and Copperfield — which were originally scheduled for construction in 2011.

City estimates said an acceleration of the program would save the city $2 million in costs, but others including Councilman Chuck Kiester have said the real reason for speeding up the program is a political motivation to get as much of the program completed before next year’s council elections.

Kiester and Councilman Ted Forcht, who dissented in the decision, are consistent sewer opponents. But Councilwoman Terri DiSciullo also voted against the acceleration because she was concerned about those homeowners who had planned based on the schedule the city had determined more than two years ago.

"While I think it’s a good thing to save money, I’m not supporting moving this up," she said. "Our certain rationale was not to disrupt any areas of the city unnecessarily at one time."

This decision, council members said, could be affected by results of the June 26 mail ballot voter referendum on financing for the sewer program. Council Chairman Mike Minozzi suggested accelerating the program when the referendum was first discussed in the spring.

In other council action Monday night:

• Marriott Vacation Club International received approval for a new timeshare building at the old Radisson hotel site at 600 S. Collier Blvd.

Following a lengthy presentation and discussion, the Marriott received an increase of density from 26 units per acre to 29 units per acre, giving the timeshare property a total of 219 units. In exchange, the Marriott will provide a 20-foot-wide public beach access point.

Council approved the plans on a 6-1 vote, with Vice Chairman Bill Trotter dissenting. Trotter echoed the concerns of some residents who complained about the increased density by suggesting the timeshare units would have a larger occupancy than the prior hotel rooms.

The city directed Councilman Glenn Tucker to negotiate a contract with east coast law firm Weiss Sirota to be the city’s new attorney.

Weiss Sirota, a Miami-Dade and Broward County firm, was the recommendation of a five-person committee chaired by Tucker to replace Rich Yovanovich and his Naples firm Goodlette Coleman. Alan Gabriel would serve as the lead attorney for the city.

• The city also awarded a contract to a consulting firm, Government Services Group, to study creating a special assessment to pay for fire services in the city.

• Council passed on first reading an ordinance that would extend the sewer hookup time from 90 days to one year from when the sewer became available. The change in the ordinance came after residents affected by the septic tank replacement program filed a class action lawsuit two weeks ago in Collier County Circuit Court.

• Council tabled discussion on an ordinance adopting a public service tax and its 2008 election date.

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