Top stories: developments in two proposed projects about which residents had expressed concerns; the City of Naples tightened its fertilizer ordinance; the City of Marco Island is close to
But first, as I’ve written before, our local newspapers are under ongoing pressure, and it’s important that we continue to support them. To supplement their reporting, I increasingly turn to the websites and newsletters of our county and municipal government agencies and elected officials. This month, I found news in the Collier County Growth Management Department’s first quarterly newsletter and the Clerk of Courts & Comptroller’s June newsletter. Scroll to the end of this post to learn about my other sources.
Board of County Commissioners
Reporting by Alexi C. Cardona, Lisa Conley, Laura Layden, and Patrick Riley – Naples Daily News; Patricia Borns – Fort Myers News-Press
Growth, development, redevelopment
- Collier Planning Commission okays zoning for 400-unit mixed-use development that had drawn criticism. The proposed development would be located on close to 56 acres south of Immokalee Road and east of Collier Boulevard. More
- Golden Gate Estates residents hear plans from groups interested in buying county land. More.
- Collier sets new deadline for proposals for Randall curve land. More
Environment
- Collier’s watershed restoration project meets with questions, concerns by residents. The biggest changes will be felt by 12 properties partly or entirely within the core rehydration area. More
- Watershed restoration project seeks to reverse decades of damage. More
Local option sales tax
- Citizen sales tax oversight committee recommends $33 million for new Sheriff’s Office evidence building. More
- Collier Clerk: Cost estimates increasing for one-cent sales surtax projects. More
Other County news
- Commissioner wants to take issue of backyard gun ranges to state’s attorney general. The County once had local ordinances to keep recreational shooting in neighborhoods in check, but a 2011 law backed by the National Rifle Association forced their repeal. More
- Commissioners may consider future regulations of short-term vacation rentals. More
- Commissioners pull the plug on PACE financing program for energy efficiency and storm-hardening upgrades, at least for now. More
- Immokalee master plan moves forward with unanimous Commission vote. More
- Editorial: Immokalee Master Plan only a beginning, and one that’s been a long time coming. More
- Collier water/sewer district bond ratings raised to AAA; capital needs largely supported by recurring revenues. More
- Commissioners approve state grants totaling >$550,000 for Immokalee Regional Airport upgrades. More
- Non-profit Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance joins effort to provide affordable housing. More
- Naples Park community garden reaches resolution after code violations More
- Pickleball tournament a win for Collier County. More
Naples City Council
Reporting by Lisa Conley – Naples Daily News; News Service of Florida
- City Council unanimously votes to tighten fertilizer rules, add blackout period and phosphorus regulations.More
- City Council gives final approval to Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club redevelopment. More
- City Council considers new parking garage partnership with Gulfshore Playhouse. More
- City Council unanimously approves luxury movie theater at Coastland Center. More
- Naples’ new $9.5M fire station opens next to City Hall. More
- City to spend $523K on security camera system despite low crime rate. More
- Naples, the Florida League of Cities, others sue the State, contending a wireless technology law unconstitutionally infringes on home-rule powers. More
Marco Island City Council
Reporting by Devan Patel – Naples Daily News / Marco Eagle
- Marco Council unanimously approves contract for new city manager Mike McNees. The road to finding a permanent manager and providing stability to the government has been long and winding for the past few years. More
- Marco city manager names Capt. Dave Baer as interim police chief; to announce new chief the week of June 10. More
Collier County School Board/District
Reporting by Rachel Fradette – Naples Daily News
- Collier designated an “academically high-performing school district” by State Board of Education. The district is one of just nine of the state’s 67 districts to meet the stringent criteria. More
- District, teachers union kick off contract negotiations; retention rate is 89 percent for the 2017-18 school year. More
- School Board accepts changes to student code of conduct; defers to state statute to govern zero-tolerance offenses. More
Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement triennial audit finds Clerk’s Office in full compliance with security, training, policies, and practices for handling criminal history information. More
Supervisor of Elections
Reporting by Patrick Riley – Naples Daily News; Florida Phoenix
- Collier not among Florida counties affected by Russian hacking, county officials say. Gov. DeSantis signed an agreement with the FBI not to disclose which counties were hacked, but said elections officials in those counties are aware of the intrusions. More
- Collier SOE did state-required voter roll maintenance. Now, voter protection attorney flags ‘disproportionate’ removal of Democrats. More
Fire Districts
Reporting by Jake Allen – Naples Daily News
- North Collier fire district continues with plans to move a fire station and sell property bought to build a new station on. More
That’s it for May’s local government news. Have a great June!