Naples council names new lead defense counsel in Naples Pride lawsuit after executive session; public commenters press for fee enforcement

At a special meeting April 6, the Naples City Council voted 6-0 to have the firm Cooper and Kirk assume the city's lead defense role in litigation with Naples Pride and directed the firm Roper Townsend Sutton to withdraw from the case effective immediately. Councilor Grama read the motion following an advisory executive session with outside counsel and the city attorney's office.

The motion, read aloud by Councilor Grama and seconded on the floor, asked that Cooper and Kirk “assume the lead defense counsel role with coordination and guidance of the city attorney's office in the case of Naples Pride v. City of Naples” and that Roper Townsend Sutton withdraw immediately. The council took the vote in public after reconvening from the closed session; the motion passed by a 6-0 tally.

Why it matters: the change in lead counsel shifts who will coordinate the city's legal strategy in ongoing litigation with Naples Pride, a matter the council addressed in an executive session under state law. Council members said no formal decision was made in closed session beyond receiving legal advice; the public vote in open session implemented the change of counsel.

During the public-comment period that followed the motion, three residents urged the council to enforce the city's special-events rules by collecting outstanding fees and requiring upfront payments for future events. Dane Sencer, who identified himself as a Naples resident, said organizers who owe money should pay and argued against performances he termed inappropriate near children: “If it's on their own time, in their own dime, and it's in a practical area where there's not kids and people ... let them have at it,” Sencer said.

Jay Culligan, speaking “for the record,” said the required payments for a prior Naples Pride event were not fully satisfied and that the city's special-events manual supports requiring upfront payment when prior obligations remain unpaid. “These rules exist to protect the city, its resources and ultimately the taxpayers,” Culligan said, urging the city manager to ensure compliance.

Donna Aden, who gave her ZIP code as 34102, also urged enforcement and described the event as lewd and obscene, saying Naples Pride should not be given special privileges while owing fees from a June 2025 event. Aden raised broader objections to the group's message and suitability for public spaces.

The council's action to replace lead counsel was entered into the public record immediately after the reconvened session; the clerk recorded the vote and the chair announced the motion passed 6-0. Mayor Heitman was absent from the meeting. The council adjourned after the vote.