APRIL 2021 NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2021 NEWSLETTER
Posted by Greg Folley 5sc on April 12, 2021
FROM THE DESK OF VICE CHAIR GREG FOLLEY Friends & Supporters, Happy Easter Season Marco Islanders! Here’s your April update on the progress of your Marco Island City Council. Spring Jubilee On Easter weekend, our great Parks and Recreation team staged a Spring Jubilee for the kids and families of Marco Island. The turnout at Mackle Park was tremendous! I volunteered alongside my friend, Iran, from Marco Island Academy. We worked the football toss and the kids did an amazing job, winning fabulous prizes to recognize their successes. I was chasing footballs and keeping a line 20-40 deep moving all morning. A great time was had by all! Vaccine Update As of the end of March, the City had delivered over 2000 vaccine doses to residents of Marco Island. These vaccines were administered by the fire department with assistance from external technology partner, Merit. The City prioritized the eldest and city residents first, based on those who signed up on the City’s webpage. On March 26, it was my turn and I received my first vaccine. The process was seamless, our fire department was courteous and professional, and Merit will contact me to schedule my second dose in a few weeks. Incidentally, Chief Byrne mentioned that Merit called 1200 people and found only 350 who still wanted or needed a vaccine (after having signed up with the City). It’s fair to say, those most at risk have by and large already started the vaccination process here on Marco. Comprehensive Plan A special workshop was held again on the City’s Comprehensive Plan. This was the first of two in the near future, as we approach the scheduled completion of our work on the Plan. This is the first update to our Plan since 2009. By Florida law, we’re required to update the Plan every decade. So we’re behind. This workshop, we focused on two of the five elements of the Plan: Future Land Use and Transportation. A key emphasis of the Plan was to maintain our small town charm here on the island. This is defined as, “Marco Island’s convenient coastal living, a balanced mix of land uses to serve local residents and the tourist population, and a strong sense of place identified by the City’s unique history, architecture, signage, landscaping, community facilities, and natural environment.” Consistent with this emphasis, the City will provide incentives to developers to convert commercial development into more attractive mixed use projects. This will combine both residential and commercial components into developments that yield high economic and aesthetic value. More of the plan will be reviewed on April 29. New Senior Living Facility When Council met on April 5, the major order of business was giving final consideration for the rezoning request for the San Marco Senior Living Facility. The unity of control concept was dealt with by the various contracts made between petitioner and its partners. Our legal counsel found the commitments therein were consistent with other arrangements, which satisfied this requirement. After extensive negotiations, the park was restructured. This resulted in significantly more open space, an excellent exercise area, several picnic tables, public restrooms, a new sea wall and a beautiful walkway along the waterfront. I’m excited about the positive impact this new park will have on our community. Finally, NCH management committed to strongly support construction of the new urgent care facility on the grounds, subject to approval by the NCH board at its capital allocation meeting in September. With these issues addressed, the majority of my colleagues supported the zoning change, making this project possible, based on the clear need for assisted care living in our community. The petition was approved by a 6-1 margin. Good News Special recognition to Captain Leo Rodriguez and his team for taking the time to show extraordinary kindness to an exceptional young man in our community. Anthony, who is 30 years old, is mentally handicapped. His father says he cannot read or write but very much loves firemen and fire trucks. Ever since Anthony was a toddler, they’d visit our local station when staying on the island. This year, the staff went above and beyond to make this visit special for Anthony. His father described their experience as, “the best day we ever had on the island”. A true example of compassion and commitment to our community. Thank you for your continued support! Please like and follow my Facebook page for the latest updates. Take care and God bless! Sincerely, Greg S. Folley 940 Cape Marco Dr, Unit 2006 Marco Island, FL 34145