Marathon: April 8, 2026 City Council Meeting
Summary. The Marathon City Council held its regular meeting on April 8, 2026, with Mayor Delgado presiding. Key business included receiving a $22,000 budget return from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and presenting proclamations for National Volunteer Week and Florida Keys Mosquito Control Awareness Week. The council conducted extensive discussion on the city manager job description and search process, with interim city manager Steve leading the discussion about qualifications and advertising the position statewide. The council also discussed implementing an employee whistleblower reporting system and approved twelve development-related ordinances (2026-09 through 2026-20) with minimal discussion. The most controversial item was Resolution 2026-38, which addresses new state legislation that removes local authority over plat approvals, requiring administrative approval by city staff within seven days instead of council review. City Attorney Steve explained this represents a significant loss of local control and eliminates public input opportunities in the development process, though the city will attempt to maintain transparency through special meetings when plats are submitted. Other significant items included discussion of construction noise ordinances for Sundays, approval of fireworks funding for the July 4th celebration, and various agenda additions including alcohol permits for events. The meeting featured public comment on various code enforcement issues and ongoing construction concerns in the community.
Agenda Items
1. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call
Meeting opened with pledge and roll call confirming quorum
- All council members present
- Quorum established
2. Agenda Additions
Several items added to agenda including Leadership Monroe alcohol request and Report It program discussion
- Leadership Monroe graduation ceremony alcohol service
- Report It program advisement
- Chief's update discussion
3. Monroe County Sheriff Budget Return
Sheriff presented check for over $22,000 in returned budget funds
- Fiscal responsibility
- Coming in under budget consistently
- Professional law enforcement services
4. Proclamations
Two proclamations presented - National Volunteer Week and Florida Keys Mosquito Control Awareness Week
- Andrew Sharf volunteer recognition
- Mosquito control awareness April 19-25
- Community volunteer contributions
5. Fire Department Recognition
Recognition of Key Colony Beach Sergeant Buxton for life-saving CPR response
- February 9 emergency response
- CPR and AED use
- Sheriff's equipment donation for electric vehicle emergencies
6. City Manager Job Description Discussion
Extensive discussion of job qualifications and search process for new city manager
- Minimum vs preferred qualifications
- Bachelor's vs master's degree requirements
- Local vs statewide advertising
- Salary considerations
- Timeline for applications
7. Construction on Sundays Discussion
Discussion of potential ordinance to limit contracted construction work on Sundays
- Noise concerns
- Unlicensed contractor enforcement
- Code compliance weekend coverage
- Key Colony Beach model
- Emergency work exceptions
8. Employee Whistleblower Reporting System
Discussion of new anonymous reporting system for city employees
- System allows anonymous reporting of illegal activities or safety concerns
- Reports go directly to HR director and legal counsel
- Designed to protect employees from retaliation
- Cost was minimal and did not require council approval
- System maintained as confidentially as possible under applicable rules
2026-09 through 2026-20. Development Code Ordinances
Batch approval of twelve ordinances amending building codes and land development regulations
- No changes since first reading
- Related to building permits, comprehensive plan amendments, development procedures
- All require state department of commerce approval
- Cover various aspects of zoning, permits, and development standards
2026-38. Resolution on Administrative Plat Approval
Resolution granting planning department authority to approve plats administratively due to new state law
- New state law removes city council authority to approve plats
- Staff must approve/deny within seven days
- Eliminates public input opportunity in development process
- Four developments currently in various stages affected
- City will hold special meetings to maintain transparency
- Council expressed strong opposition to loss of local control
Motions & Votes
Motion to approve agenda as amended
Moved by Council member Landry, seconded by Council member Still
Passed unanimously
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-09
Moved by Council member Still, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-10
Moved by Council member Still, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed 4-1
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-11
Moved by Council member Still, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-12
Moved by Council member Still, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-13
Moved by Not clearly stated, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-14
Moved by Council member Still, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-15
Moved by Not clearly stated, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-16
Moved by Not clearly stated, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-17
Moved by Not clearly stated, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-18
Moved by Council member Still, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-19
Moved by Council member Still, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-20
Moved by Council member Still, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve resolution 2026-38 reluctantly
Moved by Not clearly identified speaker, seconded by Council member Still
Passed 5-0
Action Items
Post city manager position statewide with amended qualifications
Assigned to Steve and HR Department
Explore weekend code enforcement coverage options
Assigned to Steve and Code Department
Investigate ILA with county for construction board enforcement
Assigned to Steve
Notify council members when plat applications are received and hold special meetings for public input
Assigned to Steve (City Attorney) · Due As plat applications are received
Add legislative priority to seek state law amendment or carve-out from plat approval requirements
Assigned to City lobbyists and legal team · Due Next legislative session
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
The Marathon City Council held its regular meeting on April 8, 2026, with Mayor Delgado presiding. Key business included receiving a $22,000 budget return from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and presenting proclamations for National Volunteer Week and Florida Keys Mosquito Control Awareness Week. The council conducted extensive discussion on the city manager job description and search process, with interim city manager Steve leading the discussion about qualifications and advertising the position statewide. The council also discussed implementing an employee whistleblower reporting system and approved twelve development-related ordinances (2026-09 through 2026-20) with minimal discussion. The most controversial item was Resolution 2026-38, which addresses new state legislation that removes local authority over plat approvals, requiring administrative approval by city staff within seven days instead of council review. City Attorney Steve explained this represents a significant loss of local control and eliminates public input opportunities in the development process, though the city will attempt to maintain transparency through special meetings when plats are submitted. Other significant items included discussion of construction noise ordinances for Sundays, approval of fireworks funding for the July 4th celebration, and various agenda additions including alcohol permits for events. The meeting featured public comment on various code enforcement issues and ongoing construction concerns in the community.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 10 agenda items: Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call; Agenda Additions; Monroe County Sheriff Budget Return; Proclamations; Fire Department Recognition; City Manager Job Description Discussion; Construction on Sundays Discussion; Employee Whistleblower Reporting System; Development Code Ordinances; Resolution on Administrative Plat Approval.
How many motions were voted on?
14 motions were voted on during this meeting. See the Motions & Votes section above for each motion and its result.
What action items came out of this meeting?
5 action items were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
5 members were recorded as present: Mayor Delgado, Vice mayor Stryfe, Council member Still, Council member Landry, Council member Matlock.
What county is Marathon in?
Marathon is located in Monroe County, Florida. Browse other Monroe County meeting summaries to see what local governments across the county are working on.
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