Despite all the bumps in the road, Marco Island’s biggest ever project continues to roll forward.

The Marco Island City Council voted 4-2 Monday night to create the two assessment districts in the fourth year of the septic tank replacement program, with construction starting in spring 2009.

The seven-year, $100-million project is converting the island’s remaining septic tanks to a central sewer system.

Monday night’s vote establishes the maximum assessment for residents in the Kendall and Mackle Park sewer districts.

City Council members passed the measure after dismissing concerns that a new methodology for disposing groundwater from areas under sewer construction would force costs to escalate. The city is determining a different way to handle groundwater removal after an environmental consultant reported higher than normal levels of hydrogen sulfide, a potentially harmful gas in districts currently under construction.

The hydrogen sulfide issue prompted a memo from Councilman Chuck Kiester passed out to council members opposing the approval of the sewer districts until the city had a finalized plan to deal with the problem.

“We cannot continue stumbling around in the dark and hope for the best,” Kiester wrote. Kiester was absent to attend a friend’s funeral.

Kiester’s position drew traction from Councilman Ted Forcht, also a consistent sewer opponent, and Councilwoman Terri DiSciullo, who both voted in the minority. DiSciullo wanted to settle on a groundwater disposal program before proceeding.

Council members in the majority countered that Monday night’s vote still allowed for considerable discussion on the matter before construction began in the districts.

“If we don’t have a hydrogen sulfide solution in place by 2009, this is not going to go forward,” Councilman Rob Popoff said.

But the decision did finalize maximum assessments for residents in the two districts. Kendall homeowners will pay a maximum of $21,786 and Mackle Park homeowners will pay $21,880. Should costs increase above those numbers, they will roll over to the water and sewer rate base.

In other business Monday night, the City Council established an ad hoc committee to address short-term rentals in residential areas. A number of property owners have complained about neighboring noise and other nuisances from these properties, often known as vacation rentals.

“We need (an ordinance) to help our lifestyle,” said resident Greg Salvi, who lives next door to a vacation rental at 820 Newell Terrace that has been fined by city code enforcers.

The committee will consist of 12 members: a representative from Marco’s board of Realtors, the Chamber of Commerce, a local rental agent, a local attorney, four residents, Kiester, Police Chief Roger Reinke, Chief Code Compliance Officer Eric Wardle and Community Development Director Steve Olmsted.

The decision to set up the committee passed on a 5-1 vote, with Councilman Glenn Tucker dissenting.

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