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Ethics commission unanimously approves waiver for MHK Architecture to work on Baker Park project
Summary
At its Jan. 6 special meeting, the Naples Ethics Commission granted a time-limited waiver under section 975(d)(4) of the ethics code allowing MHK Architecture to serve as a city vendor on Baker Park renovations while retaining the ability to appear before city boards for other clients; the motion passed unanimously by roll call.
NAPLES — At a special meeting Tuesday, the Naples Ethics Commission voted unanimously to approve a waiver requested by MHK Architecture that allows the firm to act as a city vendor on renovations at Baker Park while still appearing before city boards on behalf of other clients.
The request, listed as agenda item 2b, was introduced by staff under a citation to “section 975(d)(4) of our ethics code.” Staff described the request as addressing an anomaly created by the current definition of a “covered person,” which now includes vendors; that change can prevent firms that become city vendors from representing other clients before local boards. “I don’t see any major conflicts here,” staff said when recommending approval.
Mark MacLean of MHK Architecture spoke for the firm and outlined the scope of the Baker Park work. MacLean said the project updates the Baker Building with two offices, additional storage and enclosed patio areas to create office space for parks and recreation; it also duplicates an existing three‑stall private restroom footprint at the front of the park. “This is Mark MacLean from MHK Architecture,” he said in his introduction. A second presenter described the firm as the original architect for Baker Park and said the current work stays under the existing roof line.
Staff explained that the waiver previously was issued for a pier project and that, consistent with prior practice, any waiver would expire at the end of the contract that covers the Baker Park work. Commissioners asked whether the waiver applied only to this project; staff confirmed it was limited to the relevant contract term and that any future project would require a separate waiver request.
A motion to approve the waiver was made and the commission took a roll‑call vote. Commissioners recorded votes in favor as Commissioner Black, Commissioner Cardillo, Vice Chair Douglas, Commissioner Gary and Chair Perry. The motion passed unanimously.
After the vote, a commission member used the public‑comment portion of the agenda to highlight an upcoming ethics conference at Ave Maria Law School (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; program runs roughly 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). Staff said the program has been preapproved by the Florida Bar for 10 CLE credits, including one technology credit and two ethics credits, and encouraged attendance. The commission also confirmed its next regular meeting is scheduled for March 3. Staff told members they are currently required to file Form 1 and that Form 6 need not be filed until July 1; members may file earlier if they choose.
The waiver is limited to the length of the contract, and the commission did not attach further conditions at the meeting. With no additional business, the commission adjourned at 8:44 a.m.
