Islamorada council members will discuss a range of topics, from a noise ordinance and Freebee to a former village director’s contract, before mulling a series of resolutions and five ordinances at the Sept. 28 meeting at Founders Park Community Center.
A Sept. 7 meeting saw the dais spending five hours on discussion items — 10:30 p.m. came and they finally reached the consent agenda to approve resolutions. A Sept. 28 meeting could mirror what was witnessed just a few weeks ago as the council prepares to discuss items such as the contract of former director of development services Dan Gulizio. On May 30, Islamorada learned that Ted Yates, former village manager, fired Gulizio after a year of employment with the village. The move was met with some harsh criticism from Councilman Henry Rosenthal, who is bringing forth discussion on Gulizio’s contract.
Before he was let go, Gulizio took to the podium during the May 18 meeting and acknowledged a challenging working environment in Islamorada. Gulizio was in the process of reviewing the village’s land development regulations and comprehensive plan, where he found a number of inconsistencies and gaps within the language.
During budget hearings earlier in the month, the council majority chose to keep the currently vacant director of development services and planning in the upcoming budget. The position oversees the planning, building and code departments and comes with a $205,000 salary.
Councilman Mark Gregg and Councilwoman Elizabeth Jolin will discuss a noise ordinance in the village, while Vice Mayor Sharon Mahoney will bring forward discussion on Freebee, a ridesharing service operating in the village at an annual cost of $342,504. The dais is expected to consider whether to accept a grant that would fund 50% of Freebee’s expanded service to 10 hours a day throughout the week or seek a different option. The council pumped the brakes on a pair of resolutions related to the acceptance of a state grant and enhancing service at a Sept. 7 meeting as they seek results from a survey and more public input. Mahoney stated at the meeting that she isn’t seeking to eliminate the service altogether.
A survey about Freebee’s service, created by Islamorada Social, was sent to registered village voters in August. Respondents are asked if they’re aware taxpayer dollars fund the service, if they used Freebee and if the company should continue to operate in the village over a trolley or another transportation service. A workshop to discuss Freebee is set for Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Council members will consider ordinances related to trespassing on public property. Other ordinances detail referendums to increase council compensation, provide staggered terms, place a six-year lifetime term limit and eliminate seating assignments. Another proposed ordinance seeks a cap on campaign expenditures to $5,000 for each candidate who runs for a council seat. A council communication prepared by John Quick, attorney representing the village, says a state preemption prohibits any local government from limiting or otherwise restricting campaign expenditures for electioneering communications or independent expenditures, such as funds donated from a political action committee.
“Based on the state preemptions, the impact of this potential charter change could be significantly limited. In addition, this potential change could inadvertently drive most campaign expenditures through political action committees, rather than the candidates themselves,” the council communication reads.
Toward the bottom of the agenda, the council will mull another 60-day agreement with Monroe County for interim village manager services, this time from Ed Koconis. Bryan Cook, county human resources director, was loaned to the village per an Aug. 3 agreement. Language within the contract states the council would need to review the agreement before it ends and decide whether to renew for another 60 days. County Administrator Roman Gastesi announced at a recent county commissioners meeting that he’d be swapping Cook for Koconis, who once worked for the village. The council must now decide whether to accept the agreement or take a different route. More than 40 people have applied for the village manager position, but the process of filling the job is expected to take some time.
Visit islamoradafl.portal.civicclerk.com/event/120/files for the full agenda.
