Council approves patrol boat, water-plant generator storage and police generator purchases

The Marco Island City Council on July 6 approved a set of capital purchases and construction contracts intended to restore or improve public safety and utility resilience.

Chief Joe Bilardo told the council the current Ranger patrol boat is about 10 years old and in poor condition; council authorized a purchase order for a 25-foot Bimini patrol boat at $173,687.80, using TIPS cooperative contract #230105. Councilor Henry moved and Councilor Gohler seconded the motion; the item passed 7–0.

Jeff Plautique, general manager of water and sewer operations, presented a $1,658,476.60 contract award to Rycon Construction Inc. to build an open storage structure at the South Water Treatment Plant that will shelter portable generators. The project is included in the FY26 water and sewer capital program and carries a $600,000 reimbursement grant from the Florida Department of Commerce; council approved the award 7–0.

Fleet & Facilities Director Joe Pirelli described a deteriorated fuel tank in the police building generator and recommended replacement of the unit; the council approved a purchase order to Geneserve LLC for $234,000.70 to replace the police facility generator. Council and public commenters emphasized reviewing bids and competition, but voters favored prompt replacement to maintain critical services.

All three items passed unanimously. No public comment opposed the purchases; limited discussion focused on storage location for the patrol boat, auctioning or recouping value from the old boat, and generator deployment timelines and maintenance contracts.