Waterways Advisory Committee

Thursday, May 22, 2025 8:30 AM City of Marco Island Florida 51 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island, Florida cityofmarcoisland.com Community Meeting Room Waterways Advisory Committee Chair: Elliott Mascoop Vice-Chair: Daniel High Committee Members: Chris Lewandowski, Ralph Rohena, Jim Snider, Martin Winter, Rick Woodworth City Staff: Justin Martin, Tara Kosieracki Meeting Minutes - Final

May 22, 2025Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final (1) CALL TO ORDER Chair Mascoop called the meeting to order at 8:30 A.M. (2) ROLL CALL Vice-Chair High, Member Lewandowski, Member Rohena, Member Snider, Member Winter, Member Woodworth and Chair Mascoop Present: 7 - Also Present Citizens and Visitors Tamara Goehler, Marco Island City Councilor Deb Henry, Marco Island City Councilor Bonita Schwan, Marco Island City Councilor Rene Champagne, Marco Island City Councilor City Staff: Justin Martin, P.E., Director of Public Works Jeff Poteet, General Manager, Water & Sewer Tara Kosieracki, Administrative/Project Coordinator Martin Luna, Visual/Broadcast Technician (3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Chair Mascoop. COMMENT BY CHAIR MASCOOP: Chair Mascoop underscored the importance of adhering to the handbook for Boards and Committees of Marco Island, emphasizing professionalism, clear communication, and decorum. The Committee ensued conversation regarding the Sunshine Law and topics on the agenda. (4) APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA MOTION by Member Snider, seconded by Vice-Chair High, that the Agenda be Approved as presented. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: Vice-Chair High, Member Lewandowski, Member Snider, Member Winter and Chair Mascoop 5 - No: Member Rohena and Member Woodworth2 - (5) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES ID 25-4443 Approval of the Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 17, 2025 MOTION by Vice-Chair High, seconded by Member Winter, that the Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 17, 2025 be Approved as presented. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: Vice-Chair High, Member Lewandowski, Member Rohena, Member Snider, Member Winter, Member Woodworth and Chair Mascoop 7 - (6) OLD BUSINESS Page 1City of Marco Island Florida

May 22, 2025Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final ID 25-4446 White Paper on Canal Aeration/Amended Summary of Proposed WAC Discussion Items and Recommendations (Member Woodworth) The Committee engaged in a discussion about the pilot canal project. Justin Martin, P.E., Director of Public Works, provided insights into the canal aeration initiative, emphasizing its foundation in a comprehensive 500-page nutrient source evaluation study. He highlighted the City's success in securing State appropriation, with a 50% match from the City. The project includes installing compressors in a pilot canal and conducting water quality testing. Director Martin also noted that a City Council water quality workshop is scheduled for July. (7) NEW BUSINESS 7A ID 25-4447 Wink News Hurricane Resiliency Forum Update (Chair Mascoop) Chair Mascoop recapped the Wink News hurricane resilience forum, highlighting Marco Island’s complex water quality challenges. He explained how flooding in Central Florida impacts the Gulf water quality. The discussion covered the lasting pollution effects of hurricanes and agricultural runoff, as well as broader regional influences like phosphate mining and water management. Vice-Chair High underscored the importance of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project in improving Marco Island’s water quality. He stressed the need for ongoing funding and advocacy for key initiatives, urging citizens to engage with representatives. Restoration efforts focus on regulating Caloosahatchee River discharges, directing water south, and reducing phosphorus levels. Residents were encouraged to visit the South Florida Water Management District website to learn more. Member Winter suggested inviting Charlotte Roman to provide insights, and the Committee discussed waterway cleanup and maintenance strategies. 7B ID 25-4448 Flushing - San Marco Road (Chair Mascoop) Chair Mascoop presented a proposal to install larger culverts under San Marco Road to enhance tidal flushing in the canals. Director Martin cited a hydrodynamic study showing that adding two 60-inch culverts would improve water circulation. Rising costs have increased the project's estimate from $400,000 to $5 million, prompting the City to seek additional funding, including a $750,000 state appropriation request. The Committee discussed tidal flushing, and Chair Mascoop urged members to review the study and be ready to vote at the next meeting on whether to prioritize the culvert installation as a key recommendation to City Council. 7C ID 25-4449 Phosphorus Discussion (Vice-Chair High & Chair Mascoop) Jeff Poteet, General Manager of the Water and Sewer department, provided insights into phosphorus levels and water treatment. He also answered questions about Advanced Water Treatment (AWT). Jeff Poteet highlighted the plant’s recent recognition with the David W York Award and emphasized that nearly all treated wastewater is reclaimed, with deep well injection reserved for periods of excess rainfall or reduced demand. 7D ID 25-4450 Fertilizer Discussion (Vice-Chair High & Chair Mascoop) This topic will be discussed on June 19, 2025. (8) STAFF COMMUNICATIONS Director Martin provided insight for the capital budget workshop scheduled on June 16, 2025. Page 2City of Marco Island Florida

May 22, 2025Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final (9) CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION Councilor Schwan discussed the Everglades Restoration, underscoring the vital importance of adhering to the Sunshine Law and upholding public trust. She emphasized that Committee members must remain vigilant in their communication practices to ensure transparency and accountability in their interactions Councilor Champagne urged the Committee to develop a strategic water quality plan for 2025–2035, outlining clear short, medium, and long-term priorities. He emphasized the importance of well-researched recommendations and unanimous agreement when advising City Council. He also encouraged members to participate in the City Council July 7th water quality workshop to help address environmental challenges and solutions. (10) PUBLIC COMMENT David Crain, Marco Island resident, commented that the water quality analysis reports are provided on the City website and discussed canal quality on Marco Island. He suggested testing and drilling to explore the potential for deep well injections, similar to what is done in the Keys, to address water movement issues. Nicholas von Hofen, Island Country Club Chief Operating Officer, discussed the importance of Florida Best Management Practices in golf course operations, which help manage irrigation water and nutrient runoff. (11) NEXT MEETING: CONFIRMATION & ATTENDANCE - 6/19/25 @ 8:30 A.M. ID 25-4444 Next Meeting: Confirmation & Attendance June 19, 2025 at 8:30 A.M. was agreed to be the next Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting. (12) PROPOSED AGENDA TOPICS FOR NEXT MEETING ID 25-4445 WAC Topics for June 19, 2025 The following topics were raised for the Meeting scheduled on May 22, 2025: 1. Fertilizer Discussion 2. White Paper on the Benefits of Implementing a Stormwater Utility District on Marco Island. (Member Woodworth) 3. Aton Update (Hideaway and Marco Island Waterways) 4. Dredging (Member Rohena) 5. Whiteboard all Topics and Create a Strategic Plan (Member Winter) (13) OTHER COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS The Committee commented on the upcoming City Council water quality workshop scheduled for July 7, 2025. (14) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Committee, the Meeting was adjourned at 10:29 A.M. ___________________________ Tara Kosieracki Administrative/Project Coordinator Public Works Department Page 3City of Marco Island Florida

May 22, 2025Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final NOTE: TWO OR MORE CITY COUNCILORS OR OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS MAY BE PRESENT Page 4City of Marco Island Florida