City ofMarathon City Council Action Minutes April 22, 5:30 pm City Council Town Hall Workshop Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER - A Town Hall Workshop oft the City Council of Marathon, Florida was held on April 22, 2025, in the Marathon Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy., Marathon, Florida, Mayor Landry called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. ROLL CALL - There were present: Councilmember Del Gaizo Councilmember Matlock Councilmember Still, attending via Zoom Vice Mayor Smith Mayor Landry, comprising a quorum. Also, in attendance were: City Manager, George Garrett City Clerk, Diane Clavier City Attorney, Steve Williams Deputy City Manager, Brian Bradley Planning Director, Brian Shea Finance Director, Jennifer Johnson Deputy Utilities Director, Libby Soldano Fire ChiefJames Muro Code Director, Ted Lozier Grants Coordinator, Maria Covelli Park and Recreation Director, Scott Williamson MCSO Captain Derek Paul MOTION: Smith moved to allow Councilmember Still to attend via Zoom SECOND: Matlock 1 City of Marathon City Council Action Minutes April 22, 5:30 pm City Council Town Hall Workshop Meeting Minutes With no objection from the members of the Council, Mayor Landry declared the motion approved by unanimous consent. Non-Profit Funding Request Presentations Heart of the Keys Rec Association/Marathon Rec Center - Diane Culver thanked the Council for their support and gave an overview of what the funds are needed for. Special Olympics Florida = Ruth Coleman gave a background on the program expansion and goals and introduced Lilian who explained how the funding helps them implement youth inclusiveness and Cindy who was an athlete in the special Olympics . Autism Society oft the Keys - Jill Campbell explained one in thirty-one children are diagnosed every year and explained how the funding is used, for example sensory boxes, etc. Marathon Yacht Club Educational Foundation - Carol Shaddock with Mid Keys Sailing explained the funds would be used to teach children how to sail, about the environment, they have a summer camp and need a metal boat rack. Crane Point - Charlotte Quinn explained last year 54 children were able to go to camp because of the funding provided. Habitat for Humanity ofthe Middle Keys- Chris Todd Young explained the costs to build have gone up as well as insurance and funds are also needed to help with first last and security payments. Todd- Young explained an ADA elevator was purchased last year with the funding provided by the City. The Salvation Army - Loretta Geotis explained what the funding would be used for, such as rental assistance and utility disconnects United Way ofColier and the Keys - Loretta Geotis explained the volunteer tax preparation program and explained funding would be used for recruiting volunteers to prepare tax returns as well as IRS training. Marathon Wild Bird Center - Kelly Grinter explained funding was needed to feed the birds; last year $15,000 was used to purchase fish to feed the 798 patients lastyear. Grinter also informed the Council her water bill was $1,000 a month. Keys AHEC Health Centers - Michael Cunningham provided a video regarding dental care for children. Conch Republic Marine Army - Board member Brian Thielicke explained 275 tons of garbage was taken out of the Keys as of March 31st. Thielicke also mentioned that they do take kids and adults out ifthey help clean up. 2 City of Marathon City Council Action Minutes April 22, 5:30 pm City Council Town Hall Workshop Meeting Minutes Zonta Club of Marathon = Patricia Biasi explained funds were needed to help pay for medical CO- pays, eye exams and glasses, transportation costs, food for Marathon High School children food bank and scholarships. Grace Jones Community Center - John Hunt explained the daycare food program and funds needed to purchase breakfast, lunch, a snack and to purchase food for the backpack program SO the children have food for the weekend. Womankind Marathon - Callie Robers explained that Womankind provides family planning services and gynecological prenatal care with staffing being the biggest expense. Education Coalition for Monroe County Patricia Biagi read a statement from the Belotti's explaining how funds would be used to support needs of students such as sports equipment, toiletries, food, and clothing. Keys Area Interdenominational Resources (KAIR) - Marge Roberts explained that KAIR assists locals over obstacles by providing funds for medical care, car repairs, utilities, food, and rent. Last year KAIR helped 112 families with rent and 69 families with utility bills and 600,000 pounds of food was distributed. Independence Cay - Marge Roberts explained Independence Cay offers transitional housing for up to 18 men and operates a soup kitchen and offers showers and laundry. Domestic Abuse Shelter Sherri Swab explained the Domestic Abuse shelter was the only certified abuse shelter in the County. After Irma, the cost estimates to build a new shelter was over eight million, SO a five-bedroom home was purchased instead. Any funding received would help with renovations for the home. Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament - Mark Busch provided a video and commented that funds would help to build inclusion events. Sea Camp Marine Science Education - Judy Gregoire explained the camp and eduçation they provide to children. Florida Keys Watercolor Society = explained funding would help promote water base painting and scholarships, outreach program ofe eight new events and advertising. St. Columba Episcopal Church/Hammock House - Rev. McConaughey explained free childcare and afterschool care as well as a summer camp with breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided with funding. Presents in Paradise Coby Taylor explained that funding helps 800 children keys wide and 530 in Marathon to have Christmas presents. 3 City of Marathon City Council Action Minutes April 22, 5:30 pm City Council Town Hall Workshop Meeting Minutes FIRM - Mel Montagne explained the work FIRM does to help with insurance rates and that carve outs have been made for residents for Habitat for Humanity. Good Health Clinic Kate Banic explained this was the first time asking for funding for their free clinic open since 2018 in Marathon one day a week. Marathon Community Theatre - Lisa Campenelli explained funding was needed to expand the children's art program and scholarships. Pay It Forward/Marathon Memorial Foundation Wendy Bonilla explained she was able to provide $36,000 in scholarships last year. Literacy Volunteers Mary Casanova explained funding would go towards materials such as paper, paper, etc. and training volunteers. Marathon Coop Preschool - Brandi Jordan explained they have 74 children enrolled and 47 are subsidized. The Coop provides afterschool care, field trips, transportation, water bottle station, ping pong, basketball, and art supplies. Funding is needed for pallets of mulch to cover the holes from iguanas, tarps for shade and misting fans. Kreative Kids - Maria Vaillant explained funding would fix the fencing damaged by the iguanas, equipment, and staff. Key Colony Beach Association - Rich Vieth explained they have an open application process to request donations at www.kcbca.org to request donations and the cut offis April 30th. The Mayor called a recess at 7:06 and brought the town hall discussion back to order at 7:15. Town Hall discussion = Bring Your Concerns with Proposed Solutions (Landry) Diane Scott - asked the Council to put the bus stop back where it was and to make it nice. Scott also asked the Council to have the sheriffi investigate her complaints. Brian Shea read a press release regarding the bus stop improvement plan where Monroe County is asking for the public's input on the development of their Bus Stop Improvement Plan (BSIP) via a survey monroecounybsip.com Gisselle Van Der Waal - spoke regarding her conçerns of the health and safety ofthe dogs that use the dog park and commented that she thought the irrigation system was not properly working and suggested installing a backup hose. Maria Covelli informed everyone she submitted a grant application to put in a shade structure and artificial turf. Covelli commented that the irrigation does work. Van Der Waal commented that irrigation is only using four zones out oft the six and there is an invasive species in the lawn. 4 City of Marathon City Council Action Minutes April 22, 5:30 pm City Council Town Hall Workshop Meeting Minutes Landry asked for additional speakers. Landry informed everyone that the City has sixteen months of reserves and is in good shape financially. Diane Culver commented that after hearing the non-profit presentations, she just wanted to point out that many of the programs are reactive and it starts with the children, and our community has done amazing things. Bettye Chaplin explained her appreciation knowing there is a surplus, there are many wealthy people in our community, some people need to knock on doors, they do not need the funds from the City, things can get out ofhand. Chaplin also stated we have a great Sheriff's office. Landry gave a shout out to Alex Richart who ran the Boston Marathon to raise money for cancer and reminded everyone oft the Marathon Dolphins baseball game this Monday at 7 pm. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Landry adjourned the meeting at 7:35pm with unanimous consent. Icertify the above represents an accurate summary ofthe City Council Town Hall Workshop of April 22, 2025. DOA davuR 5-14-25 Diane Clavier, City Clerk Date 5