Beautification Advisory Committee

City of Marco Island Florida 51 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island, Florida cityofmarcoisland.com Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, February 3, 2021 3:00 PM Community Room Beautification Advisory Committee Chair: Shelli Connelly Vice-Chair: Maria Tobin Members: Mary Beth Cummings, James Eby, Ken Kramer, Dustin Nesmith City Staff: Timothy Pinter, P.E., Diana Aviles Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final February 3, 2021 (1) CALL TO ORDER Public Works Director Timothy Pinter called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M. (2) INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS Member Nesmith introduced himself to the Committee and provided a little background knowledge regarding himself. His grandfather, Mr. Pettersen, was a member of the first Marco City Council. Member Nesmith is excited to be part of the Beautification Committee and would like to find a balance between tourism and maintaining "that Island style." Member Eby introduced himself as well, he has been on the Island for 11 years from Central New York. Has 5 children and just welcomed his 5 granddaughter that was born on the Island 18 months ago. Member Eby is excited to be on the Committee and looking forward to work with the Community, and other members to keep the Island safe and beautiful. (3) ROLL CALL Present: 5- Vice-Chair Tobin, Chair Connelly, Member Cummings, Member Eby and Member Nesmith (4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mr. Pinter. (5) ELECTION OF CHAIR/VICE-CHAIR Vice-Chair Tobin requested a motion from the Committee Members to elect a Chair. Once the Chair was elected Chair Connelly requested a motion to elect the Vice-Chair. MOTION by Member Nesmith, seconded by Member Cummings, the new Chair be Member Connelly be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 5- Vice-Chair Tobin, Chair Connelly, Member Cummings, Member Eby and Member Nesmith MOTION by Member Cummings to re-elect Vice-Chair Tobin as Vice-Chair, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 5- Vice-Chair Tobin, Chair Connelly, Member Cummings, Member Eby and Member Nesmith (6) APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA MOTION by Member Eby, seconded by Member Cummings, with the adjust from Chair Connelly to add "Marco in Bloom," under Old Business, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 5- Vice-Chair Tobin, Chair Connelly, Member Cummings, Member Eby and Member Nesmith (7) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES ID 21-1362 Beautification Advisory Committee Minutes of January 6, 2021. City of Marco Island Florida Page 1 Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final February 3, 2021 MOTION by Member Cummings, seconded by Member Nesmith, that this Minutes be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 5- Vice-Chair Tobin, Chair Connelly, Member Cummings, Member Eby and Member Nesmith (8) STAFF COMMUNICATIONS Pubic Works Director Timothy Pinter introduced Chairman Grifoni. Chairman Grifoni came forward to Congratulated Chair Connelly and welcomed the Committee Members. The Chairman also took this time to provide a quick update over Committee Communications. Chairman Grifoni will work with the City Manager to set a time to have each chair from every Committee come forward to give updates or any concerns to the City Council. The main goal with this is to keep an open communication between the two groups. Chair Grifoni provided his contact information to the Committee in case they would like to reach out to him. a. Member Orientation - City Clerk Laura Litzan City Clerk Laura Litzan explained the 2 packets attached to the agenda. The first packet was made by the City Attorney. Mrs. Litzan explained to the Committee Members about the Sunshine Law and how the Members are not allowed to talk about any meeting-related items. It was also explained that the Committee is not allowed to respond to all emails. If a Member is sending out an email from their personal email Mrs. Litzan suggests copying a staff member. Meeting Minutes have to be taken, there will always be a staff representative to record the meeting. The Committee is not allowed to accept gifts. Mrs. Litzan did go over qualifications and how important meeting requirements are and how there is a restriction on how many meetings they're allowed to miss before they're asked to leave for lack of participation. Overall Mrs. Litzan wished and thanked the Committee well and encouraged them to reach out to her if they need anything. ID 21-1363 New Committee & Board Orientation Materials b. Updates by Tim Pinter, P.E., Public Works Director - Wrapped Utility Box Bases - Marco Lake Trees - Banners Public Works Director, Timothy Pinter spoke regarding the base for the Utility box. Chair Connelly was able to get a few quotes from vendors to cover up the concrete base for the utility boxes. Another option was Mr. Benarroch with Affordable Landscaping Service applying a brick application on the concrete base. Mr. Benarroch did pave one of the bases, however, the cost for the total is still yet to be determined. Mr. Pinter recommended painting and maintaining the bases for the utility cover wraps. Mr. Pinter encourages the Committee to make a decision soon. It was agreed that more regarding the utility box bases will be discussed at the next meeting. Mr. Pinter was given a location map for the trees that are being considered to be planted on Marco Lake Drive. however, there is a storm drain in the area, so the trees that would be placed there will either hug the road or sidewalk. Mr. Pinter recommends the Committee review what kind of trees they'd like to place in that area. It is important the Committee pick a tree that can adapt well since there is no irrigation in the area. City of Marco Island Florida Page 2 Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final February 3, 2021 Regarding the banners, all 80 are up. (9) PUBLIC COMMENT Laura Croscenco, Marco Island resident, came to talk regarding Tommie Barfield Elementary School's landscaping and roadway structure. She would like to see more shade trees along the sidewalk area. She believes that not only will the shades tree encourage more people to walk to the school but it could diminish traffic. Ms. Croscenco encourages the Committee to take action on this matter, before the burial summer heat. Mr. Pinter commented on the traffic situation and the bus has been addressed and resolved by the Police Department and School District. The way the school is handling that traffic currently is their best option. Mr. Pinter explained that parents simply want to drive their kids to school. This issue is happening at the High School as well. Regardless of there being a new shared pathway parents are still dropping off their children at school. Ms. Croscenco showed the Committee more pictures of the roadway and sidewalks and told the Committee that she feels unsafe walking in that area and hopes something can be done. Andrew Kirlin, Marco island resident, reached out to the University of Florida to create a list of Florida Friendly plants, trees, and more. For the next meeting, Mr. Kirlin will provide a presentation with pictures to be able to show the Committee what they are. (10) PRESENTATIONS None. (11) OLD BUSINESS Marco In Bloom The ad promoting the contest will be coming out next week, It will be in every mailbox. Member Cummings provided a brief update of the flyer. The poster has been displayed every Wednesday at the farmers market. Member Cummings also mentioned leaving the poster at Mackle Park, Chair Connelly believed this was a good idea, it would have to be discussed with Samantha Malloy, Manager of Parks and Recreation. (12) NEW BUSINESS 2021 BAC Meeting Calendar Mr. Pinter announced that the meeting is held once a month and if someone was to miss more than 3 meetings in a 12 month period then the Member will be removed from the Committee. Mr. Pinter also mentioned that the Committee can reach out to him or Diana, Public Works Administrative Assistant, to reschedule any future meeting if needed. (13) COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS Committee Comments, Questions, Issues of Interest Chair Connelly was happy to show the Committee an article published by the MICAwave regarding the utility boxes and how beautiful they are. Member Nesmith was curious to know if the residents were responsible for maintaining their cul-de-sac. Mr. Pinter comment that not necessarily. Cul-de-sacs are under City property. The property City of Marco Island Florida Page 3 Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final February 3, 2021 is maintenance by Affordable Lawn Care. There is a program the City has available for residents that allows them to adopt a cul-de-sac. The resident comes to City Hall and can apply for a permit, once approved the City provides the resident a voucher where the resident is permitted to buy certain plants or trees to install in the cul-de-sac. The resident is responsible for the maintenance except for any tall trees. Currently, there is about 305 cul-de-sac on the Island. Member Cummings requested to have the topic of fertilizer card on the future agenda. Chair Connelly asked the Committee if anyone had an inconvenience with changing the meetings to 3:30 p.m. Consensus was made to change the meeting time from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Chair Connelly also mentioned adding murals to the agenda for the next meeting. Mr. Pinter recommended taking that topic to City Council. (14) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Committee, the meeting adjourned at 4:17 P.M. PREPARED BY: ________________________________ Diana Aviles, Recording Specialist City of Marco Island Florida Page 4