Steve Buglione

The City Council considered a resolution to extend the agreement with Ballard Partners, Inc. for professional consulting and lobbying services before the Legislature of the State of Florida. The resolution authorizes the City Manager to expend budgeted funds and execute the extension agreement. The agreement ensures the City's interests are protected in the State legislative process. The annual rate is \$60,000, included in the City's proposed budget for FY 2026.

The City Council is considering a resolution to approve an amended agreement with Jeff D. Vastola, Esq. for Code Enforcement Special Magistrate services. The city wishes to renew the agreement for an additional one-year period. The Adopted FY26 Code Department Budget includes appropriations of $21,000 for this service.

The City Council is considering a resolution to approve a grant agreement with the Monroe County Tourist Development Council for beach cleaning at Coco Plum and Sombrero Beaches. The grant, totaling $154,333 for the first year of a three-year award, will help fund the City's Beaches Cleaning Project, which costs approximately $480,000 over three years, with the City covering the remaining expenses. The council also discussed the acceptance of the grant award and the enhancement of visitors' experiences through scheduled beach cleaning.

The resolution focuses on adopting the 2025 update of the Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) to meet state and federal requirements for mitigation grant funding. The LMS update identifies mitigation initiatives to improve the process of identifying and managing initiatives aimed at reducing safety threats and damage to public and private property. Public meetings were held to gather feedback on the LMS update, which was then submitted for review and revisions. The resolution also directs the Monroe County Emergency Management Department to coordinate with county departments and fulfill annual reporting requirements.

The City Council agenda includes various items such as approval of alcohol in the Oceanfront Park for a city employee holiday party, discussion of a workshop topic, MCSO Marathon Substation Report, Grants Update, Public Works Report, Park and Recreation Report, Information Technology Update, Marina Report, Code Report, Wastewater Utilities Report, Building Report, Marathon Fire Rescue Report, and an agreement for a laydown yard for the Deep Well Project. Also discussed are amendments to the city's Land Development Regulations, waterfront walkways and docks, and amendments to the City of Marathon's Code of Ordinances. The council also considered a request for a Development Agreement for affordable residences and a Fourth Amended and Restated Development Agreement between the City of Marathon and Marlin Bay Yacht Club, LLC. Approvals were sought for quit claim deeds, a one-year renewal for public information officer services, an extension with Ballard Partners, Inc. for lobbying services, an extension with Culver's Cleaning Company for cleaning services, and an interlocal agreement between Monroe County and the City of Marathon transferring early evacuation affordable housing residential allocations. Additionally, a change order for re-development of the Marina Finger Piers at Seven Mile Marina and an amendment to the professional service agreements between the City and Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for engineering services were discussed.