Naples city attorneys and several council members moved on Oct. 13 to hire outside help to track and press the city’s position on proposed enabling legislation affecting the Naples Airport Authority. The council did not take a binding vote at the workshop but asked staff to pursue a lobbyist to engage state lawmakers and a private attorney to review the city’s lease and legal options.

City Attorney Matthew McConnell told council he had contacted lobbyists and airport law firms at the request of council members after the body asked staff to look into options. McConnell said he had identified a lobbyist with experience in Tallahassee — Jason Unger at GrayRobinson — and a local aviation attorney recommended by other airport counsel, and he provided proposed fee terms to council for review.

“I called potential lobbyists and airport attorneys related to the Airport Authority Act,” McConnell said during the workshop. He described the dual approach: a lobbyist to seek conversations with the bill sponsor and other legislators, and specialized counsel to check the city’s lease and legal standing should the bill move forward.

Vice Mayor Hutchison and others told McConnell the city should proceed quickly. Hutchison and several council members said a proactive lobbying effort was necessary because an enabling act could be introduced or amended rapidly during this legislative session. McConnell presented a short list of options and estimated short-term costs for a six-month contract with a lobbyist and hourly legal support; council members said they wanted staff to pursue contracts up to the purchasing threshold and return to council for larger commitments.

Some council members urged caution on public comments about the pending legislation, saying public statements can affect relations with the Legislature and with parties considering compromise. McConnell reminded the council that all workshop remarks are public record and that coordination and strategy should be handled through the attorney and the chosen lobbyist.

Council members said they expected a two-pronged campaign: (1) legal review of the lease and other documents to identify possible legal objections or impacts if the enabling act passes, and (2) immediate lobbying to seek changes or delay in the proposed legislation.

There was no final contract executed at the meeting. McConnell said staff would prepare agreements and appropriate accounting codes and would bring any contract above city-manager sign-off thresholds back to the council.