This month in Collier County government news: Pandemic continues. Weekend beach restrictions resumed. Sheriff strengthens ‘duty to intervene’ directive. For these stories and more news for Collier County voters, read on.
Local news reported in this post is by Jake Allen, Brent Batten, Michael Braun, Brittany Carloni, Rachel Fradette, Liz Freeman, Laura Layden, Alex Martin, Omar Rodriguez Ortiz, Dave Osborn, Devan Patel, Patrick Riley and Karl Schneider (USA TODAY Network – Florida: Naples Daily News, News-Press, Marco Eagle) and Steve Stefanides (Coastal Breeze News).
Coronavirus Update
For the latest news about the coronavirus in our area and across the state, visit:
- Collier County COVID-19 web page
- City of Naples COVID-19 web page
- City of Marco Island COVID-19 web page
- Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Dashboard
Masks
- Masks required in parts of state; SWFL leaders unsure how it would work. WINKnews.com, 6/19/20
- Naples mayor says city will consider mask mandate amid rise in COVID-19 cases. WINKNews.com, 6/19/20
- Leaders in Charlotte, Collier counties decide against requiring face masks. WINKNews.COM, 6/23/20
- City of Naples encourages use of face coverings. naplesgov.com, 7/3/20
- Commissioner Andy Solis supports mask ordinance. “I believe it is good public policy and simply common sense that face coverings should be worn in indoor public places….” Commissioner Solis Newsletter, 7/3/20
Beaches & Holiday Activities
- Naples cancels Fourth of July parade and fireworks amid pandemic. Naples Daily News, 6/3/20
- Naples beach limits to remain after City Council 5-2 vote. Naples Daily News, 6/3/20
- City of Naples votes to fully reopen beaches with limited parking. Naples Daily News, 6/9/20
- Collier to restrict weekend beach hours, parking starting Fourth of July weekend. The vote was 3-4, with Commissioners Bill McDaniel and Penny Taylor in opposition. Naples Daily News, 6/30/20; County Manager’s Office Press Release, 6/30/20
- City of Naples restricts beach access for holiday weekend. naplesgov.com, 6/30/20
- City of Marco Island restricts pedestrian beach access for holiday weekend. City of Marco Island Press Release, 6/30/20
- Brent Batten: Beach alcohol ban an example of a widely ignored edict. Naples Daily News, 7/2/20
In the Schools
- Collier’s high school seniors are graduating virtually through live stream. What does that look like? Naples Daily News, 6/3/20
- Collier County public high schools to resume athletic workouts Monday. Naples Daily News, 6/9/20
- Collier schools offer virtual, on-campus summer school programs. Naples Daily News, 6/23/20
- Collier County schools to announce reopening plans on July 15. ABC-7.com, 7/1/20
In Immokalee
- Health officials turn attention toward rural communities like Immokalee. Florida Politics, 6/3/20
- Collier agrees to lease rooms in Immokalee for coronavirus patients to self-isolate. Naples Daily News, 6/10/20
- Immokalee’s high rate of COVID-19 draws reopening warning from international relief group. Naples Daily News, 6/11/20
Corona-conomics
- Brent Batten: Commissioners start to carve up Collier’s share of CARES Act cash. Naples Daily News, 6/20/20
- Collier projects millions in reduced government revenue due to coronavirus pandemic. Naples Daily News, 6/22/20
- Collier weighs CARES Act funding for education, mask distribution, nonprofit assistance. Naples Daily News, 6/23/20
In the Aftermath of George Floyd
- Southwest Florida law enforcement condemn actions in George Floyd death. The News-Press via Naples Daily News, 6/1/20
- Four men arrested amid Monday’s police brutality protest in Naples. Naples Daily News, 6/2/20
- NAACP online meeting with CCSO hacked, Sheriff Rambosk opens investigation. Naples Daily News, 6/5/20
- Sheriff Rambosk makes “duty to intervene” official policy. Sheriff’s Office Media Relations via Facebook, 6/10/20
- Collier County Sheriff’s Office strengthens ‘duty to intervene’ directive. Naples Daily News, 6/12/20
- Many Southwest Florida law enforcement agencies have prohibitions on officers using chokeholds. The News-Press via Naples Daily News, 6/16/20
Growth & Development
- Collier moves forward with purchase of Del’s 24-Hour Food Store in East Naples. The vote was 3-2, with Commissioners Bill McDaniel and Andy Solis in opposition. Naples Daily News, 6/5/20
- Collier commissioners approve 642-acre rural village near Golden Gate Estates. The vote was 4-1, with Commissioner Penny Taylor in opposition. Naples Daily News, 6/9/20
- Plans for workforce housing on Golden Gate golf course property move forward. The vote was 4-1, with Commissioner Penny Taylor in opposition. Naples Daily News, 6/12/20
- Amazon distribution center in Collier could be good news for labor workforce. Naples Daily News, 6/17/20
- Brent Batten: Challenging times demand answers: Where does the golf course stand? Naples Daily News, 6/28/20
The Environment
- Finishing touches on Picayune restoration moving through permitting process. Naples Daily News, 6/18/20
City of Naples
- No bike lanes for stretch of Gulf Shore Boulevard, Naples council says. The vote was 6-1, with Councilman Ted Blankenship in opposition. Naples Daily News, 6/4/20
- Naples City Council considers pausing building height, downtown parking variances. Naples Daily News, 6/16/20
- Naples City Council votes to implement zoning in progress for building height, parking. The vote was 6-0; Councilman Gary Price was not present. Naples Daily News, 6/17/20
- Naples’ plans for environmental advisory committee in flux. Naples Daily News, 6/26/20
- Naples pension investments dipped in Q1 and bounced back in April and May. What does that mean for the city? Naples Daily News, 6/26/20
- DeSantis vetoes $1.1M for Naples sewer project to improve water quality. Naples Daily News, 6/30/20
- Naples seeking proposals for a law firm to represent the City. Naples Daily News, 6/30/20
City of Marco Island
New Fire Station
- Marco Island seeks construction manager at risk for new $10.4 million fire station. The vote was 4-3, with Councilors Victor Rios, Erik Brechnitz and Larry Honig opposed. Marco Eagle, 6/10/20
- Marco Island to evaluate cost of adding second party to monitor the construction of Fire Station 50. Marco Eagle, 6/17/20
- DeSantis vetoes $650K for construction of Marco Island’s main fire station. Marco Eagle, 6/30/20
Other News
- Marco Island City Council selects Greg Folley to fill vacancy following resignation of former Councilor Sam Young. The secret-ballot vote was 4-2. Marco Eagle, 6/3/20
- Marco Island City Council agrees to fund license plate readers for Jolley and Goodland bridges. The vote was 4-3, with Vice-Chairman Jared Grifoni and Councilors Larry Honig and Victor Rios in opposition. Naples Daily News via Marco Eagle, 6/9/20
- City faces challenges with arbitration ruling. Coastal Breeze News, 6/11/20
- Marco Island City Council hits pause button on sidewalk maintenance program. Marco Eagle, 6/17/20
- New Civil Liberties Alliance warns Marco Island about use of fixed license plate readers. Naples Daily News via Marco Eagle, 6/17/20
- Marco Island to hire fleet manager as departments request new vehicles for FY 2021. Marco Eagle via Naples Daily News, 6/18/20
- Marco Island City Councilor Roman announces she will not run for reelection in November. Marco Eagle, 6/29/20
- Waterways committee takes up water quality. Coastal Breeze News, 7/2/20
- County judge orders Marco Island condo association to stop ‘unreasonable’ screening practices for new buyers. Naples Daily News via Marco Eagle, 7/3/20
Collier County Public Schools
- Collier County school district places employee on paid leave following social media comment. Naples Daily News, 6/4/30
- Collier, Lee school districts reviewing ties to Oakes Farms after CEO’s post. In a contentious Facebook post, Alfie Oakes, the owner of Oakes Farms and Seed to Table market, wrote that COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement are hoaxes and called George Floyd a “disgraceful career criminal.” Naples Daily News, 6/9/20
- Collier County School District announces summer meal program. WINKNews.com, 6/9/20
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
- Tax Collector Larry Ray and Clerk Crystal Kinzel announce the relocation of the Eagle Creek Government Services Satellite Office. Clerk’s Office Press Release, 6/22/20
- Collier Clerk’s office cleaned after employee tests positive for coronavirus. Naples Daily News, 7/3/20
Sheriff
- Sheriff’s early action benefits CCSO’s COVID-19 response. The Collier Star, June 2020
- Collier crime rate lowest since 1971. The Collier Star, June 2020
- Collier County deputy fired after arrest for possession of child porn. WINKNews.com, 6/14/20
- Sheriff Rambosk addresses BCC Budget Workshop on 6/18/20, via Commissioner Penny Taylor COVID-19 Newsletter #76, 6/22/20
- Collier commissioners asked to shift money from Sheriff’s Office during budget talks. Naples Daily News, 6/19/20
Supervisor of Elections
- Editorial: Voting by mail is safe, secure and is not a new concept to Florida voters. By Jennifer J. Edwards, Collier County Supervisor of Elections via Press Release, 6/16/20
Our State Legislators
Parts of Collier County are represented in the Florida House of Representatives by Rep. Byron Donalds (District 80), Rep. Bob Rommel (District 106), and Rep. Ana Maria Rodriguez (District 105). All of Collier County is represented in the Florida Senate by Sen. Kathleen Passidomo.
Find your representatives
- Byron Donalds puts brutality deaths on Democratic leadership in Breitbart interview. Florida Politics, 6/15/20
Our U.S. Congressmen
Parts of Collier County are represented in the U.S. Congress of Rep. Francis Rooney (District 19) and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (District 25).
Find your representative
- Diaz-Balart statement on Supreme Court ruling protecting DACA recipients. Diaz-Balart Press Release, 6/25/20
- Diaz-Balart: Meaningful police reform requires bipartisanship. Statement issued after voting against H.R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020. Diaz-Balart Press Release, 6/25/20
- Rooney kicked off GOP Steering Committee. Politico Florida, 6/30/20
- US House passes $1.5T infrastructure bill; Rooney absent, Diaz-Balart, Steube oppose. Paradise Progressive, 7/2/20
- Opinion: Despite our efforts offshore drilling is still a threat. By Matt Gaetz (CD-1) and Francis Rooney (CD-19) via Florida Politics, 7/1/20
Opportunities to Learn
Attend my upcoming Zoom presentation, “Get Ready to Vote in Collier County’s August Primaries!” REGISTER TODAY!
That’s it for June’s Collier County government news. Have a great July and stay safe!