Parks will top Marco City Council agenda

MARCO ISLAND — Parks look to dominate Monday’s Marco City Council meeting. The resignation of Parks and Recreation Director Dana Souza will likely dominate the discussion. On the agenda, council will consider initial plans for Veteran’s Community Park.

Parks and Recreation is requesting council approve $100,000 for consultant Kimley Horn and Associates’ assistance in developing a master plan for Veteran’s Community Park.

Decisions affecting firefighters, policemen and landscapers also top the agenda.

Council will review the firefighters union contracts including requests for 2 percent raises and duty-specific bonuses of up to $1,500 through 2011. Changes in the economy may allow for the raises to be adjusted in the future, according to the agreement as proposed by the city and the International Association of Firefighters Local 2887 negotiating teams.

A new ordinance may require landscapers within the city to receive certification above and beyond the licenses already required by Collier County and the Florida Bureau of Compliance Monitoring. Council will consider the ordinance on the first reading.

Other item’s on the agenda include:

n Second reading of an ordinance to amend the police officers’ pension plan to allow retirees to purchase additional years of service in order to expand their coverage at their own expense.

n Second reading of an ordinance to amend the beach management and vessel control ordinance including clarifications that the ordinance will only limit children age 14 and under, from operating rented boats with motors 10 horse power or more, but “will not stop local youths of any age from operating any non rental powered vessel ... , ” according to a written statement by Capt. Dave Baer of the Marco Island Police Department.

n Discussion of selling an easement on Bald Eagle Drive to allow for LCEC power poles. LCEC offered to pay the city $750,000 for sidewalks along Bald Eagle Drive in exchange for the easement.

n Discussion of a contract with Boyle Engineering for engineering services for the Gulfport, West Winterberry South and West Winterberry North sewer assessment areas.

The City Council meeting is 5:30 p.m., Monday, in the community room next door to the police station, 51 Bald Eagle Drive.

More information about the agenda is available on the City of Marco Island’s Web site cityofmarcoisland.com.