Beautification Advisory Committee

City of Marco Island Florida 51 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island, Florida cityofmarcoisland.com Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, March 2, 2022 3:00 PM Community Room Beautification Advisory Committee Chair: Shelli Connelly Vice-Chair: Dustin Nesmith Members: Mary Beth Cummings, James Eby, Ken Kramer, David Leaser, Maria Tobin City Staff: Timothy Pinter, P.E., Tracey Barnett Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 2, 2022 (1) CALL TO ORDER Chair Connelly called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M. (2) ROLL CALL Present: 7- Member Cummings, Member Eby, Member Kramer, Member Leaser, Vice-Chair Nesmith, Member Tobin and Chair Connelly Also Present Councilor Becky Irwin City Staff: Timothy Pinter, Director of Public Works Martin Luna, Video/Broadcast Technician Tracey Barnett, Administrative Assistant for Public Works (3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Chair Connelly. (4) APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA MOTION by Member Cummings, seconded by Member Eby that the Agenda be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 7- Member Cummings, Member Eby, Member Kramer, Member Leaser, Vice-Chair Nesmith, Member Tobin and Chair Connelly (5) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES ID 22-2095 Approval of the Minutes MOTION by Vice-Chair Nesmith, seconded by Member Cummings that the Minutes from the prior meeting held on February 2, 2022 be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 7- Member Cummings, Member Eby, Member Kramer, Member Leaser, Vice-Chair Nesmith, Member Tobin and Chair Connelly (6) STAFF COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Timothy Pinter shared a letter that he received from a resident regarding the bougainvilleas on Collier Court. She believed they were infested and killing the plants She suggested a replacement with a modest grouping of inexpensive plants to improve the look of that end of North Collier. This discussion brought up the idea of looking at the old list of approved tree and shrub recommendations from prior Beautification Advisory Committees and possibly updating the list. (7) PUBLIC COMMENT Ms. Lindsey Boehner (Sheffield Ave) a member of the Beach & Coastal Resource Advisory Committee shared that she is a self- taught horticulturist, specializing in south Florida plants and plants of the Caribbean. Summarizing her introduction by noting that the right plant in the right place would thrive, she offered her services with the "10,000 trees in 10 years" project. She thanked the Committee for coming up with the plan, she was very excited to help support the project. City of Marco Island Florida Page 1 Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 2, 2022 (8) PRESENTATIONS a. Naples Botanical Garden ID 22-2107 Naples Botanical Garden Councilor Irwin introduces the presentation by stating that the Naples Botanical Garden is working with the City of Marco Island on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This would allow the Naples Botanical Gardens to assist the City with the "10,000 Trees in 10 years" plan, the medians, and the beach access project. The guest speakers are recognized experts in their fields, which will help in planting the right tree or plant, in the right place, at the right time. Member David Leaser introduced the members of Botanical Gardens as follows: 1) Chad Washburn Vice President of Conservation 2) Brian Galligan Vice President of Horticulture 3) Isabel Christina Soto, Project Manager Each individual spoke briefly on what he/she had seen by driving around the Island as far as landscaping and the high standard that is obviously set for this area. They suggested picking plants that are native to this area as well as considering species that are found in the Caribbean. Also suggested were plants that require less maintenance (fertilizer or shearing), and are adaptable to hurricanes. Other items discussed were: 1) what to plant; 2) where; 3) how to maintain, and; 4) educating the community on what to plant in their yards. (9) OLD BUSINESS a. Marco Nature Night 2022 - Discuss Event (Chair Connelly) ID 22-2108 Marco Nature Night 2022 Chair Connelly reported that there were over 200 people in attendance for the Marco Nature Night event and that the presentations and exhibits were fantastic. The Committee raised some concerns brought up by the attendees and discussed ways to improve the event in the future. Chair Connelly also thanked everyone for their contributions to the evening being a success. b. Marco In Bloom 2022 Update (Member Eby) ID 22-2109 Marco in Bloom 2022 Member Eby shared the spreadsheet prepared by Member Kramer for the entries they have been received so far for the Marco in Bloom contest. Also discussed was the adding of the last straggling entries through 3/14/22. It was decided that the entries should be of front yard street view, recognizing that some pictures already received were of landscaping views from all sides of the homes. It was reiterated that entries can consist of self nominations, or nominations of a neighbor, or a friend with a beautiful yard. c. Beach Access Beautification Project Update- (Chair Connelly) ID 22-2110 Beach Access Beautification Project Chair Connelly reviewed the presentation that she shared with the City Council for ideas for the Beach City of Marco Island Florida Page 2 Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 2, 2022 Access Beautification Project. Some ideas discussed were cleaning benches more often, solar trash cans, artsy whimsical bike racks, murals on walls and walkways, informational signs, lighting and landscaping. After discussion, the Committee Members each took on a topic to further investigate and obtain pricing. This discussion will be continued at the next meeting. (10) NEW BUSINESS a. Black Olive Tree Discussion- (Chair Eby) ID 22-2111 Black Olive Tree Discussion Member Eby raised again his discussion at prior meetings of his concern that Black Olive trees were leaving staining on walkways and driveways. A treatment was identified to remove the caterpillars that cause the staining, but by removing them it could damage bee colonies, and it was costly. After the rainy season the staining disappears suggesting that, perhaps, no treatment is necessary. Member Eby suggested leaving the trees alone and revisiting the idea at a later date. He will keep an eye out and see if the staining comes back next summer, and how much is it affecting the beauty of the island. (11) COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS a. Member Availability for the Next Meeting April 6, 2022 @ 3:00 P.M. All Committee members voiced their intention to attend the next meeting on April 6, 2022 @ 3:00 P.M. b. Sharing of Thoughts on Topics of Committee Interest (All) Member Eby raised a concern that the street legal golf carts seen all around Marco Island may be taking away from the beauty of the island. After a brief discussion, members felt that they did seem to go too slow and hold up traffic, but that they were legal vehicles and that this was not a topic that the Committee would be involved with. Member Tobin reminded the Committee of the Arbor Day celebration on April 29th at 9:00 A.M. at the park on Winterberry. All voiced their intention to attend. (12) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Committee, Chair Connelly adjourned the meeting at 4:55 P.M. ______________________________________________ Tracey Barnett, Administrative Assistant for Public Works City of Marco Island Florida Page 3